DURBAN - DAILY News editor Ayanda Mdluli sat down with renowned businesswoman, Thandeka Ndlovu-Mngomezulu discussing an array of topics including transformation and inclusive economic participation at London on 75 in KwaMashu on Thursday evening.
Ndlovu-Mngomezulu is the CEO and founder of Total Serve Facilities Management (TSFM), a company that specialises in managing and maintaining properties in KwaZulu-Natal.
She said her journey was inspired by the fear of failure, having seen her peers not reaching their full potential.
“What impacted me the most was seeing people I grew up with not realising their dreams, and giving up. So, at the end of the day I wanted to inspire other people to have employment and be leaders in the sector as well. Which is why I chose this particular career,” said Ndlovu-Mngomezulu.
She said what ensured her success was realising that she had entered an industry that women in general were not prominent.
“It took a lot of hard work and dedication to start the business and even to get the recognition of being a potential success story in this industry. It is not an industry where you find black women, or even women of any colour in general. It needed me to get to those boardroom meetings and make sure I understood and followed the regulations of compliance in order to be fully recognised.
“After growing the company, we are proud to be employing more than 560 people,” said Ndlovu-Mngomezulu.
In light of the leadership crisis in South Africa, Ndlovu-Mngomezulu, said leaders ought to walk the talk.
“It does not matter if you are a woman or man, as leaders we need to set the tone for everything we say is of value, in other words, walk the talk. Leaders are people who are motivational, and hold everyone accountable including themselves, they encourage and open spaces for other leaders to emerge without closing up investment into people’s lives,” said Ndlovu-Mngomezulu.
In 2017, she was the Beneficiary of the Durban Chamber of Commerce Incubation, and in 2019, she won the award for SEDA SMME of the year Entrepreneur. This year, she secured the Standard Bank Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2021.
Ndlovu-Mngomezulu urged government to accelerate the implementation of policy that will fast-track black business participation in the economy.
The owner of London on 75, Kevin Mabanga, alluded to the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of eThekwini Municipality being key to the development of black business and reviving the township economy.
“When you look at the development of structures such as the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court and the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital all form part of the development plan to integrate the eThekwini economy with the township’s. What the government needs to do now, is make way for other young entrepreneurs to make their way into their respective industries with the support of senior leaders, because small businesses are the key to whatever policy the municipality will seek to drive,” said Mabanga.
Mabanga has been in business for more than 20 years and has employed young people in different sectors including the hospitality industry.
One of those young people at London on 75 is beloved Chef Zamokuhle “Chef Shanko” Ngema who said career opportunities were rare in the industry but could only grow if leaders and the community were accepting of the profession.
“We need people to realise that there is more to running a hospitality business and that I can be a part of a wide variety of other businesses,” said Ngema.
Daily News