Page 101 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

NOMFUNDO MCOYI

omfundo Mcoyi is a multi-skilled entre- Nomfundo says that the growth of her business to access, which speaks to 4IR and the digital world
preneur and passionate community is motivated by creating jobs for people. When that we are moving in to.
builder who is based in KwaZulu-Natal. the company started it consisted of five people, Nomfundo relates how her grandmother was
N She has come a long way from township now Icebolethu employs over 1500 people. “That also a very giving women, who went out of her
girl to teacher, to founder and chief executive means that there are 1500 families that get to way to care for people in her community. “My late
officer of the Icebolethu Group. have food at the end of the day because of the grandmother was a remarkable woman and a great
vision that I had when I started Icebolethu. That
While the core business of the Icebolethu Group is makes me very happy.” She added that she would entrepreneur for her time. She was fierce, focused
funerals, the various companies under the Group’s like to continue to create more jobs. “We cannot and determined, and she ran my grandfather’s
umbrella include funeral policies, memorial parks, rely on government and need to grow sustainable business when I was a child. I always wanted to be
tombstones, catering, and loans. businesses that will support and give back to all like her. My foundation was inspired by her and
giving back to the community is my way of paying
the communities.”
Nomfundo is the chairperson of the KZN South respect to the example she set for me.”
African Funeral Practitioners Association and is a One of the major challenges that Nomfundo has
The advice that she would give to other people
shareholder at Scribante Labour Consultants as experienced has been entering into the male
following in her footsteps is not to do things for
well as Blacksuits. dominated funeral industry, which has been money but to follow a career because they love it
tough. “I remember when I started, I was on a
When Nomfundo started her business, she had no and are good at it. She added that women must also
committee where there were 11 males, and I was
financial resources, not even a loan, but she had the only female. Everything I said I had to say twice. understand that will not just get things because
a big dream. In addition, she had no experience They did not believe in me and said that I would they are women, but because they deserve them
in the funeral business, and no mentor to guide fail. I decided not to listen to them and continue and work hard.
her. Instead, she looked to her opposition – the with my journey. I am a person of excellence and “You must just be excellent at what you do. Focus
major funeral companies. She said, “I never looked continued to apply that excellence in the business on your goals and your vision and don’t take
at the small companies. I always knew exactly – look at where it is today.” shortcuts, they’re not the answer. Work hard, be
what I wanted to achieve: I wanted to own a very professional and do things the right way, and for
Nomfundo’s charity, the Icebolethu Foundation,
big company, so I measured myself against the the right reasons. Just be excellent; that’s the key.”
is particularly close to her heart. The Foundation
biggest and the best. It’s been a long journey. It
has several active projects, but she is particularly Finding a balance in life does not come easy to
wasn’t easy and it took perseverance, focus and
proud of the Rhoda Girls project. The foundation Nomfundo. However, she says, “I do find time for
determination. I’d never even buried anyone – but
has ‘adopted’ 50 girls to mentor for a five-year family and friends, that’s very important. I love to
I did my research and focused on my vision.”
period. These girls attend courses and camps, and travel, usually with my family; it’s a great way to
Fifteen years later the Icebolethu Group boasts the foundation pays their school fees. Nomfundo grow your knowledge, broaden your mind and see
over 120 branches in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as is personally involved in the mentoring, and as she new opportunities.”
a branch in Johannesburg and one in London. puts it, “We’re trying create fifty more Nomfundos Nomfundo, who positions herself as a cooking
of the future; girls who have the skills and the
Nomfundo said, “The brand is really doing so enthusiast, rather than a cooking expert, has
confidence to go out and create businesses and
well in the funeral industry. We’ve grown through recently published a cook book ‘Boardroom To
employment for others.”
hard work, dedication, and passion and through The Kitchen.’ The book offers readers a behind-
having a very great team that supports me and Other projects include an agricultural programme the-scenes look into her life as a businesswoman
my entire vision. I am very grateful for the growth where seedlings are provided for gardens in and how the kitchen has been an integral part of
we have seen over the past years. My future goals different communities so that people can grow her family life. Filled with her personal antidotes
are to see Icebolethu grow globally, including their own food. The foundation also builds and essays, this cookbook relates the story of her
throughout Africa. We would like to have more houses for the poor. The next project will be the humble beginnings and how Nomfundo turned her
partners in offering our services.” establishment of computer centres for the youth dream into reality.
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