Making money from washing cars

When 33-year-old Dalitso Kuphanga ventured into a car washing business, he never thought he would make enough profit out of it.

But a year after opening DD Car Wash at Chilinde 1 popular spot known as Matchansi in Lilongwe, Kuphanga says business has surprisingly picked up to the extent that he plans to open other car wash centres in the city.

“I did a research in the city and what I discovered was that there was no proper car wash in this part of town. Matchansi is strategically positioned such that I wash cars for people who reside in Chilinde,

Area 23, Kawale, Biwi, Kamuzu Barracks, Area 24 and even CCDC,” he says.

Kuphanga says that he pumped over K300 000 (US$750) into the business to purchase hoovers, brushes and hose pipes.

“Some people were asking me why I was wasting time to set up this business in Chilinde, but today they look at me in amazement because they know I am making money.

“I cannot disclose how much I make, but I have employed five people and they are happy with the progress we are making,” says Kuphanga.

He boasts that his customers are satisfied with services offered by his experienced staff.

“In other places, vehicle engines have malfunctioned after being cleaned while some cars somewhere have caught fire while being washed… We are experts and I am happy with the performance of my staff.

“But above all else, our rates are the best in town and if people bring their cars to us they will never go back to other cleaners,” boasted Kuphanga.

One of DD Car Wash’s regular customers, Robert Gama, attributes his cars’ smart looks to Kuphanga’s business.

“My cars look clean every day, thanks to Kuphanga’s business” said Gama.

Kuphanga is married to Mercy Sodala and they have one daughter.