Page 44 - KZN Top Business Women 2022 Powed by DRG & BusinessFit SA

became the top agent in the business, and INSPIRED BY GOD AND FAMILY
NONDUMISO MTHWA, FOUNDER AND CEO, when the agency principal told her he was Growing up in a happy, loving home, Nondumiso
IDWALA PROPERTY GROUP moving on to something new and offered to sell
her the franchise, she plucked up her courage has been blessed with a supportive family of
and agreed. her own. My husband and my two sons are
ONDUMISO MTHWA married her my biggest cheerleaders,” she says, “And my
childhood sweetheart when she was 19 But life isn’t always easy. She bought a going late mother was a force to be reckoned with.
and started her family two years later concern with an office, a reputation and She didn’t have much but she did everything
N– and nobody really expected her to experienced staff. But when they heard the with determination and commitment. And I
owner had left the business, everyone else
want to make them proud.”
have a career, let alone a significant business.
Twenty-two years later, she’s the founder and left too. There she was, with rent to pay and a A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
big debt – and no-one but herself to make the
CEO of Idwala Property Group, a certified estate
agent and a master practitioner in real estate. sales! It didn’t take her long to come up with a Nondumiso aspires to be recognised as a
plan. Nondumiso recruited a colleague from her thought leader in the property industry. “I
She also holds a BCom Degree in Business multi-level marketing days. He had great selling want to speak for those who can’t speak
Management and has served as a board skills, and she knew she could train him in the for themselves and inspire those who want
member of the Institute of Estate Agents property sector. She convinced him to take a to join this industry.” She points out that
of South Africa (KZN and Coastal Region). leap of faith and re-started the business. it’s a complicated business with rigorous
Nondumiso has received numerous awards But Nondumiso soon discovered that there’s an compliance requirements and lots of red tape.
and accolades, has been featured in magazine immense difference between being an employee “But I can be a signpost for the possibilities, so
articles and appeared on television. She is also and running the business. Between dealing with others can aim high too.”
a sought-after public speaker. Nondumiso has managing staff, dealing with service providers,
been awarded the Standard Bank Top Women in and controlling the finances, she had almost no Idwala Property Group is currently a KZN
Property Award 2022. time for herself or her family. business, with its stronghold in the Durban
area, but Nondumiso has a vision to take
LEARN ALONG THE WAY Undeterred, Nondumiso learnt along the way, the business national. “If it’s dreamable, it’s

Nondumiso describes her career progression and today the Idwala Property Group has three probably doable,” she points out. “And once
we’re national, the next step is to go into the
with a sense of conviction. She joined a multi- offices with 22 staff, and the business includes rest of Africa.”
level marketing organisation and discovered her residential sales, commercial letting, off-plan
natural ability for sales. She joined the real estate marketing of property developments, property OPEN YOUR PIPES
sector as an employed estate agent and worked valuations and in-house bond origination. She’s
her way up, growing her skills and knowledge come a long way from that stress-fuelled time Nondumiso wants young businesswomen to fly.
along the way. “It’s not all about numbers,” says when all the staff walked out when she bought “Don’t be afraid to take a chance on yourself.
Nondumiso, “It’s about the people and helping the business. Open your pipes and see how far you can go. If
them get what they need.” THERE IS NO PLAN B there’s something you want, go after it. See how
far you can go, and go beyond your fears. We all
Moving into the property sector gave Nondumiso Nondumiso says she had no option but to have fears. Do it anyway.
the opportunity to take this approach into a be resilient. “I had to succeed. I had nothing
new area but she had to educate herself in the to fall back on, so I didn’t have a choice” Her You’ll learn as you go and discover who you
industry. “I started from ground level and worked philosophy? “Believe in whatever you do and really are. Have faith in what God has made you
hard to get exposure to every aspect of the real give it your all. Show up and do the hard work.” and you’ll be surprised by what you can do.”
estate business and get the right qualifications. GRATITUDE IS YOUR SUPERPOWER
I’m particularly proud of my BCom. I registered PART OF A GREATER COMMUNITY
in 2019 and I’ve just graduated – and it’s not “Whatever you do in life, be grateful. Live a
easy to study when you have a husband, two Nondumiso also has a strong heart for life of faith and positivity and remember, your
children and a business to run!” But studying her community. In 2018 she introduced an journey is not the same as your neighbour’s.
late did have one advantage – she often studied internship programme, taking 39 graduates on So don’t compare and walk your own path
together with her sons! “We’re a close family, board to introduce them to the industry. Her with gratitude.”
and we’ve gone through everything together,” company also sponsors several community
Nondumiso laughs. empowerment and outreach programmes. When she’s not working or inspiring her staff, her
“These have made a mark on society,” she clients and the people around her, Nondumiso
Nondumiso’s philosophy is that you have to points out, “but I’ve also grown personally relaxes with feel-good movies, walks on the
grab every opportunity with both hands. She through these projects.” beach, and listens to other inspirational leaders.

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