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.