Page 15 - NHBRC

The National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC) is investing in emerging female
CITY PRESS, 22 MARCH, 2015
entrepreneurs in the construction industry by enabling 80 of them to attend a business
development programme at the Gordon Institute of Business Science in Johannesburg

index

LINING UP THEIR PLANS From left: Zodidi Mbuzelwa, Phathiswa Ponco, Bongeka Bandezi-Golimpi, Asithandile Magwentshu and Ma-Andie Magongoma. Nozuko
Mzamo-Ntwa was not available for the photograph PHOTO: ELIZABETH SEJAKE

opportunity
Mapping success

Business plans are an essential road map for success because they

clarify your ideas and spot potential problems, NHBRC delegates tell

Sue Grant-Marshall
Y without googling the best possible way of getting there, or for work because the competition is so fierce.
Bandezi-Golimpi: “The fact is we have to rely on empowerment projects
ou wouldn’t set off to a place you’ve never been to before
“Women are not trusted in the same way men are in the construction field.”
programming your sat nav.
Asithandile Magwentshu of Hlophekazi Trading, Bloemfontein, Free
The same applies to a route to success in your business. It
State: “I have a different view. If women weren’t trusted, then the government
is called a business plan.
wouldn’t have had incubation programmes.
“There are women who are connected or use bribes to get contracts. That
Why did you choose to run a construction business? is the problem.
Nozuko Mzamo-Mtwa of Twizza Civils and Building, Mthatha, Eastern “And no one at this table is working for the private sector.”
Cape: “I wanted to be my own boss. I grew up with an independent attitude Magwentshu: “We need to work out a way …”
and am not scared of men. I also wanted to prove that a woman can do something Bandezi-Golimpi: “… of how to get into the private sector.”
a man does, and do it better.”
Phathiswa Ponco of Mabonvini Trading Enterprise, Ngqeleni,
Eastern Cape: “I was a teacher at Ngqeleni, but then my mother became How do you work out your personal monthly survival
ill. I resigned when I couldn’t juggle my job with the time it took to care BE SURE budget?
for her. Ponco: “If you own a business, you need someone in the family to have
“However, I didn’t want to rely on my husband to put food on the table, Is your builder registered a salaried job. Also, you need to allocate yourself a salary from the business.”
so I started my own business. I also wanted to show everyone we women with the NHBRC? Check at Bandezi-Golimpi: “I agree. In addition, we need to separate our business
can excel in business.” and personal accounts. For example, the telephone accounts.”
Bongeka Bandezi-Golimpi of Youth Reflection Contractors, www.nhbrc.org.za/builder-search Magwentshu: “You must have separate lists of what you are paying out
Flagstaff, Eastern Cape: “My parents couldn’t afford tertiary education. or call 0800 200 824. For other and to whom, for your business and your home.”
I was working as a hairdresser in Flagstaff when I met businesspeople there. questions, SMS 34263 with
I was curious about their work, asked questions and heard about
opportunities in the construction field. the keyword NHBRC. What is your plan B in case your business doesn’t make
“I want to show the youth and women we can do things for ourselves.” SMSes cost R1.50 money?
Mzamo-Mtwa: “I’ve already started a plant hire business. I’ve bought
excavators and drop-side trucks, and I hire them out.”
Who will buy your services? Bandezi-Golimpi: “I’m planning to get into concrete manufacturing for my
Ma-Andie Magongoma of Oguyonke Construction, Queenstown, plan B.
Eastern Cape: “I was a teacher in Lady Frere in 2012, but it was a hand-to-mouth “And I am completing my management accounting degree. I want to open
existence. And when I saw women driving bakkies, I decided to go into an accountancy firm and then I can help contractors with their tax, etc.”
construction, because that’s what they were doing.
“The kids cried when I resigned, but I’m happy I’m earning more and building How will you draw up an executive summary of your
RDP homes for the department of human settlements.” business plan?
Mzamo-Mtwa: “Well, I am working for the OR Tambo municipality, for the Ponco: “That’s a challenge for everyone I know, but it’s going to be really
departments of public works and health, and also for the Coega Development difficult for me because I am so new to this industry.
Corporation. “I am determined to make it in construction, however. Sitting around this
“It’s my husband who helped me to find work. He was in construction and table listening to everyone has helped. It’s enthused and motivated me.”
I joined him before going it alone. In fact, my husband advertised my company Mzamo-Mtwa: “It won’t be difficult for me because I’ve thought a great
so, at times, it can be really useful to have a husband [laughter deal about how to sum up what I do. It’s singing in my head.
around the table]. “The Coega Development Corporation helped us a lot and now I
“My aim is to empower women in the same way I have been A project in partnership with the feel highly experienced.”
empowered.” Bandezi-Golimpi: “It would be good if the government could create
Zodidi Mbuzelwa of Junebug Trading 23 in Port St Johns, NHBRC more learnerships in construction, as they used to do in the past,
Eastern Cape: “Finding work in this field is a challenge because and more incubator programmes for women.
we rely on tenders. We always watch out for newspaper “They empower us with skills and experience. Just as the NHBRC
advertisements.” is doing now for us.”