Born in KwaMakhutha.
A township south of Durban. The home of Siyabonga Innocent Ndwalane — DUT alumnus, inventor, and founder of Turn-Up Speakers. From three broken Bluetooth speakers came a proudly South African brand now recognised nationally and internationally.
Three broken speakers.
Siyabonga Innocent Ndwalane was born and raised in KwaMakhutha Township, south of Durban. A DUT alumnus and self-described "innovative industrialist entrepreneur," he bought a Bluetooth speaker that broke within three months. He bought two more. They broke too.
With only R600 left and a need for music while cycling the streets of Durban, he made a decision that would change everything: he would build his own. He disassembled all three broken speakers and started designing from scratch.
He consulted DUT lecturers and professors who gave him pointers on sound quality, durability and portability. First building speakers into bags and broken guitars, he eventually discovered that a PVC pipe from a construction site produced the best acoustics of all.
PVC pipe acoustics.
Each Turn-Up speaker features Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in FM radio tuner, SD card input, USB port, and Aux input — all built into a durable recycled PVC housing. The speakers also boast up to four days of battery life.
By using recycled PVC pipes from construction sites, Turn-Up also helps reduce the 15% waste created by construction materials — a small but meaningful environmental contribution from a township inventor.
His first customers were security guards, domestic workers, and low-income earners — everyday South Africans who needed real sound at a real price. That customer base remains his core audience. He's also received orders from the UK and USA, and has sales reps in all South African provinces.
"When I built my own speaker I used broken electronics from my previous speakers together with used PVC pipes from construction sites."
— Siyabonga Ndwalane, Founder
How Turn-Up grew.
First speaker built
Sya builds his first PVC pipe Bluetooth speaker using parts from three broken devices and guidance from DUT lecturers.
30 orders in the queue
After riding his bike through Durban with the speaker, 30 people begged him to make one for them. Turn-Up became a real business.
DUT Innovator of the Year
Durban University of Technology awarded Sya the Innovator of the Year Award, recognising his disruptive invention.
DUT MoU Partnership
Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DUT to solve the institution's audibility problems in lecture halls.
200+ speakers sold
From security guards to students — Turn-Up speakers reached households across Durban and all South African provinces.
Met President Ramaphosa
At the African Renaissance Festival in Durban, Sya personally demonstrated his speakers to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
International exhibitions
Represented South Africa at the International Cairo Exhibition of Innovation in Egypt. Also travelled to Japan, Namibia, Botswana and Finland.
Expanding the team
Grew to a team of 10 — five full-time, five part-time — all young South Africans building and selling Turn-Up speakers.
Pan-African vision
"I want every household all over Africa to own my speakers." — Siyabonga Ndwalane. Next milestone: 1,000 more speakers.
Built by hustlers.
Five full-time, five part-time. A team of young South Africans building something real — and a DUT partnership that helped make it happen.
Siyabonga Ndwalane
DUT alumnus, KwaMakhutha-born inventor, and the mind behind every Turn-Up speaker. DUT Innovator of the Year 2017. Featured on national radio and international exhibitions.
Assembly Team
Five dedicated full-time builders who handcraft each Turn-Up speaker. It takes the team four hours to complete ten quality speakers.
Sales & Distribution
Five part-time sales reps operating in all South African provinces, getting Turn-Up speakers into homes across the country.
DUT Partnership
Durban University of Technology — MoU partner since 2017. DUT lecturers and professors helped Sya refine his speaker design and audibility solutions for lecture halls.
Our values.
Made for Real South African Life
Not designed for showrooms. Designed for braais, bedrooms, taxi ranks, gym sessions, and everywhere in between. Built to survive load-shedding and outdoor adventures.
Affordable by Design
R600 is not a compromise — it's a statement. Sya's first customers were security guards and domestic workers. Great sound should not be a luxury.
Proudly South African
Born in KwaMakhutha, built in Durban, sold across all SA provinces and internationally. Every purchase supports local jobs and local talent.
Built to Last
Recycled PVC pipes from construction sites — chosen for acoustics and durability. These speakers survive real life and help reduce construction waste.
Pan-African Vision
"I want every household all over Africa to own my speakers." — Siyabonga Ndwalane. From Durban to Namibia, Botswana, Egypt, Japan and beyond.
Innovation & Education
DUT Innovator of the Year 2017. MoU partner with Durban University of Technology. Sya regularly speaks to students about entrepreneurship and never giving up.
Own a piece ofSouth African ingenuity.
Every Turn-Up speaker is proof that you don't need a factory to make something great. Handcrafted in Durban. Starting at R600.
📞 Call or WhatsApp: 079 766 5619 · ✉️ ikusasalami@gmail.com