Mohammed Rishaad Joosab

Mohammed Rishaad Joosab, the 30‑year‑old founder and director of Plastimed

Liquid Packaging, has built one of KwaZulu‑Natal’s promising young manufacturing

businesses from the ground up. His company specialises in producing plastic bottles,

jars, buckets, closures and general‑purpose containers for diverse industries,

including automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and

chemicals.

Mohammed’s entrepreneurial story began while completing his BCom in Business

Management and Marketing in 2016. Although he appreciated the academic

grounding, he found himself drawn to the practical side of business.

“I was doing a lot of theory at university, but it was boring for me just reading about

marketing and flyers,” he admits. “I wanted to test what the books were saying and

see if it really worked.”

Mohammed experimented with various small businesses, from buying and selling

T‑shirts and golf shirts to producing chilli sauces in his home kitchen. The turning

point came unexpectedly.

“A customer came to buy my sauces and asked if he could also take my empty

bottles,” he recalls. “In two weeks, the same thing happened four or five times. I

realised I was making more money selling bottles than the sauces. That’s how the

business started – a blessing in disguise.”

Applying both theoretical knowledge and practical insight, he channelled his efforts

into plastics manufacturing. What began as a home‑based experiment quickly

evolved into a professional enterprise, now operating out of a 1,500‑square‑metre

facility in Durban.

Family at the Heart of His Purpose

For Mohammed, business is about more than profit—it is deeply personal.

“My dad had a business about 15 years ago that closed down due to politics,” he

explains. “My ‘why’ is to show him that we can build something bigger and better

together. It’s really to give back to my parents.”

That sense of purpose drives his relentless work ethic and fuels his ambitions for

growth. Mohammed believes that success comes in increments, with every

milestone, no matter how small, worth celebrating.

“There are too many achievements to choose from,” he says. “Buying my first

machine, then the second, then the third. Getting my first big customer. Making my

first R10,000. Every step is an accomplishment.”

Transitioning from producing sauces in his family kitchen to manufacturing

high‑quality plastic products was itself a significant achievement. Today, the

company continues to grow, despite challenges along the way.

Resilience Through Challenges

Like many South African businesses, Plastimed faced its toughest tests during the

COVID‑19 pandemic, followed by the 2021 KwaZulu‑Natal unrest and devastating

floods.

“During Covid, 70% of our customers stopped buying overnight,” recalls Mohammed.

“Then came the looting and flooding – we were hit by all three. We had to adapt

quickly, find new customers and change our business model to survive.”

Even now, space is the company’s biggest operational challenge. “Our current

premises are completely full. We need more room to grow – but that’s a good

problem to have.”

This resilience and ability to adapt have become core to Plastimed’s success story.

Mohammed recognises that his company’s progress is a collective effort, and he is

committed to creating an environment where his team is motivated and supported.

“We hold weekly meetings to discuss challenges and how to overcome them,” he

explains. “It’s about improving as individuals and as a company. Every problem is

solved together.”

Personally, his motivation is clear. “At the end of the day, it’s for my parents. That’s

what keeps me going.”

Championing Sustainable Plastics

Operating in the plastics industry comes with unique challenges, particularly

environmental concerns. Mohammed is determined that Plastimed plays a positive

role in the circular economy.

“Plastics get a bad reputation,” he says. “We want to show that manufacturing can

be done sustainably. We’re adopting the green and circular economy, using 30–40%

recycled plastics, and implementing quality control systems to differentiate

ourselves.”

Although this approach raises production costs, he believes it positions the business

for long‑term success.

“Our price is slightly higher, but we have something to back it – quality, sustainability,

and compliance with legislation. Customers have peace of mind using our products

because they know we’re accountable.”

Looking ahead, Mohammed envisions significant growth for Plastimed in the next

five years. He says, “We intend on opening a second manufacturing facility and

warehouse outside of KwaZulu-Natal as well as then moving out of the borders of

South Africa to enter a wider market.”

The company is also pursuing ISO and food‑safety certifications to secure larger

contracts with national brands such as Tiger Brands.

He explains, “We’ve mastered the Durban market. Now we want to spread our wings

and take on bigger contracts and new regions.”

Young, Driven and Recognised

Despite his age, Mohammed has already been recognised as a leading young

entrepreneur, having received accolades in initiatives such as the KwaZulu‑Natal

Youth in Business Awards and the Young Business Achiever Awards.

His philosophy for life and business is simple yet powerful: “Good, better, best. Never

let it rest until good is better and better is best.”

Ultimately, Mohammed’s ambition is to create a business that not only thrives

commercially but also makes a positive impact. “We want to make a dent in the

world, even if it’s a small one,” he says. “For us, that means manufacturing in a

sustainable, responsible way.”

From a university graduate experimenting with chilli sauces to the director of a

growing manufacturing company, Mohammed’s story is one of determination,

innovation and purpose. With clear goals, a commitment to quality, and an

unwavering family‑driven motivation, Plastimed Liquid Packaging is poised for an

exciting future in South Africa’s manufacturing landscape.