Where it all began - a backache waiting to happen
If you’ve ever changed pool filter sand, you’ll understand why Magic Pump exists. Ken certainly did. As a retired fitter and turner helping out with pool maintenance, he spent far too much time bent over filters and wondering who invented such a punishing job. One day, after standing up slower than a pensioner in winter, he decided: “Nope. There has to be a better way.”
And, in 2015, that was the moment Magic Pump was born — somewhere between frustration, determination, and a very stiff lower back.
From workshop experiments to Wow, this actually works!
Ken headed into his workshop, grabbed some tubing, and started experimenting. Some early prototypes worked beautifully. Others… well, let’s just say the family garden had some unexpected water features for a while.
But then came the version — the one that could empty a 3-bag pool filter in 20 minutes instead of an hour and without bending, scooping, or inventing new swear words. It was light, smooth, and fast. Even Ken was impressed, and he’s not easily impressed.
Enter Kaye — The marketer with an eye for a good idea
Kaye saw what Ken had made and instantly recognised its potential. Conveniently, she was also looking for a business that allowed her to balance motherhood, creativity, and something that didn’t involve lugging bags of sand around.
Together, they formed the perfect team:
- Ken: the maker, the problem-solver, the king of prototypes
- Kaye: the brand-builder, organiser, and champion of “Dad’s genius moment”
They refined the design, sourced durable, chemical-resistant materials, and built a pump that was light, strong, and incredibly user-friendly.
TAKING MAGIC PUMP TO THE MARKET
With a final product in hand, they approached retailers. Builders Warehouse and Builders Express tested the pump — and customers immediately loved it. People who had spent years dreading sand changes suddenly found themselves saying things like, “I actually enjoyed this!” (Words no one has ever said about pool maintenance… until Magic Pump.)
Magic Pump launched officially, and the feedback was clear: it solved a real problem.
A Pump With Hidden Talents
Here’s the twist no one saw coming: customers kept discovering new uses. Soon, Magic Pump wasn’t just the hero of filter sand changes. It was:
- emptying aquariums and ponds like a pro
- clearing blocked drains without fuss
- better than any bait pump on the market
- moving grey water
- helping with odd jobs around homes, gardens, workshops, and holiday cottages
The message was clear: Magic Pump wasn’t just a pump — it was the Swiss Army Knife of household gadgets.
Where We Are Today
From one ordinary workshop to homes across South Africa, Magic Pump has grown through persistence, humour, and a dedication to solving everyday frustrations. We believe tools should make life easier — not harder — and Magic Pump was built with exactly that purpose in mind.
Our mission is simple:
Create a pump that’s reliable, easy to use, and built to make everyday jobs a whole lot simpler.