Skip to content 
Updated 15 October 2026: revised and expanded with practical context and dated sources. Original publication date retained.
Max Lichaba's jewellery-business story was featured by eNCA's Against All Odds in March 2014. The programme described his early circumstances and the development of Lichaba Creations, including exports reported at that time. That is a historical interview, not confirmation of today's destinations, turnover or ownership of later ventures.
For further context, see Chippa Mpengesi’s entrepreneurial journey · WATCH|| All The Companies Patrice Motsepe Owns · FUN FACT|| Why CEOs Blow A Kudu Horn After Listing Their Companies On JSE · How Fats Lazarides Founded Ocean Baskets With Only R800 To His Name · From A Laughing Stock To A Supplier of Stock – Kgomotso Lelatela’s Sweet Success .
The entrepreneurial substance lies in the movement from a practical skill to production for customers. Craftsmanship must be combined with a clear specification, dependable materials, pricing and delivery. Winning a large order can create a working-capital need before it produces collected cash.
For further context, see Quick Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Lucky Star · How Brian Altriche Overcame Multiple Failures To Launching RocoMamas · All The Companies Johann Rupert Owns · Why Night Clubs Like KONKA Prefer Hiring Attractive Waitresses Only · Mikie Monoketsi’s business story · The Amazing Story of How Amelia Balls Grew Mrs H.S. Balls Chutney To A Global Brand · How Portia Mngomezulu Turned Portia M Into A Multimillion Skincare Brand.
Personal recollections can illustrate setbacks, but they should not be turned into a universal recipe for becoming a multimillionaire. The section below examines the operating lessons in the jewellery story, including remakes, customer approval and the cost of delivering an international order, without assuming every old anecdote establishes a current financial result.
For further context, see How Lekau Sehoana Turned A Loan Of R45 700 Into Drip Footwear Empire · How Albé Geldenhuys Grew USN To A Global Brand With Billions In Sales · How Anat Apter Maxed Out Her R10 000 Credit Card & Launched ANAT In 1992 · Sheldon Tatchell’s barbering journey · FUN FACT|| The Amount Elon Musk Donated To His Former High School In Pretoria.
Original references
The jewellery operating lessons in Lichaba's story
In its March 2014 Against All Odds profile, eNCA described Max Lichaba's journey into jewellery and reported exports to seven countries. That is a historical account of the business at that time, not confirmation of today's export destinations or turnover. It adds a useful dimension to the biography: producing jewellery requires skills and fulfilment systems as well as an inspiring founder story.
For a small jewellery maker, quote the job around the actual specification. Material, size, finish, labour, wastage and the cost of remaking a faulty piece can change the margin. Agree how a customer approves a design and when a requested alteration becomes a new charge. Photographs and a signed specification help establish what was ordered without making the process impersonal.
Export enquiries introduce further checks: payment terms, insured shipping, customs documentation and the process for a return or repair. A first international order is not automatically a profitable one. Test the complete delivered cost before accepting a price. Lichaba's profile is most useful when the reader connects craftsmanship to these operating choices; the difficult childhood and the later business are parts of the story, rather than proof that the same outcome follows for every startup.
Sources and further reading: The jewellery operating lessons in Lichaba's story — reference.
