Approximately ten years ago, Mbonisi Funani avidly wanted to study tourism and applied for a bursary through his local priest. Unfortunately, at that time, Father Maiworm had to explain that there were no funds available but instead, offered him training. Initially he helped out with the printing press, and then when a vacancy arose, moved on to the art of candle making. His work has taken him as far as Rome where he was introduced to the Vatican’s modern candle-making operation. Unlike there, Mbonisi still uses the long-standing methods of moulds and aluminium pipes. Based in a room which was formerly part of St. Mary’s Catholic Church School, Mbonisi supplies most of the Catholic Churches in the Eastern Cape, such as Port Elizabeth, East London, Mthatha, and Aliwal North with altar, baptism, first Holy Communion and giant Easter candles.