The company was founded by Ishmael Kunene in 1986 and operated as Bitsha Bitsha Drums, which grew to be a force in the industry and in anticipation of black empowerment the company was amalgamated with five other Drum companies to form what subsequently became Enviro Drums after an acquisition by Enviroserv in 1997.
As one of the directors of Enviro Drums, Ishmael was very instrumental in founding the South African Drum Reconditioning Association (now SAICRA), and also the recognition of this association through International Confederation of Container
Re-conditioners (ICCR). He served for three years as the chairperson and became the mouth-piece of reconditioners in matters of the environment and the recognition of the industry by the public from 1996-1999. He has travelled extensively for workshops and conferences abroad and this has brought exposure and experience of different plants in USA, EUROPE, ASIA and AUSTRALIA. This is where the idea of Cradle to Grave was observed through manufacturing, reconditioning and destruction of the drum – the circular economy.
In 2001 he resigned from his directorship to start BOBT Drums which is 100% black owned. When the opportunity presented itself in 2006 he did not hesitate to take it with both hands and hence the new drum plant was established for the niche market and to fulfil the long outstanding dream of Cradle to Grave.
To date Bona Once Bona Twice Drums is the pride of Ekurhuleni, being the first (1986) black owned business to recondition and also the first black company to manufacture new drums in 2007. We currently have a staff compliment of 42 full time employees and seasonally hire part time labor based on the demand. In God we trust and the rest is upon us to work and satisfy our clients.
Bona Once Bona Twice (BOBT) Drums cc is Proudly South African
