Page 38 - NHBRC

Independent- Tip

minded Sethu Study your industry

holistically before starting
Pilane heads a out in business. Only once
you’ve done that should
multimillion-rand you focus on your

particular area of
index
organisation, Vuka interest
Business

Consultants, which

provides services

ranging from

construction and

business training to

development, writes

SUE GRANT-

MARSHALL

DIGGING DEEP
In the beginning Sethu Pilane
Sethu Pilane attributes her strong personality and is a strong
drive to succeed in business, as well as helping young believer in
people to do the same, to her upbringing in the empowerment
township of Zwelitsha near Bhisho. PHOTO: ELIZABETH
Her grandparents were an extraordinary couple who SEJAKE
played “a crucial role in bringing me up”, says Pilane.
Her grandfather ensured that the young girl helped
on his farm, “doing chores that mainly boys do, such
as planting and yoking the cattle for the plough”.
“He made it fun and involved us in projects such as
selling pineapples and recycling. Furthermore, he paid
us. We always got our share.”
And so an entrepreneurial spirit was born.
opportunity
After Pilane matriculated, she studied further and
graduated in 2006 with a diploma in Business Studies
from Central Johannesburg College.
“I did my practical training with Bridging the Gap
and in 2007 established Vuka Business Consultants. I
began business in earnest the following year.” Building your

Getting started
Pilane began by providing business development
services to the then Umsobomvu Youth Fund, which
later merged with the National Youth Council to own future
become the National Youth Development Agency.
“Suddenly, we were producing a lot of business
plans for clients wanting to go into construction in the
wake of the building boom generated by the 2010
World Cup,” says Pilane.
She soon noticed that although her clients had the
necessary building skills, they came up short when
dealing with the administration side of things and
when creating presentations for possible clients. KEEP YOUR FOUNDATION STRONG
“So I tendered for construction projects myself and Maintenance tips and DIY advice
then subcontracted them to the people who I was
helping to write business plans. But then another
problem cropped up. The construction people couldn’t Although the NHBRC is not responsible underfloor ventilation. Trees and hedges take moisture out of
handle starting work at 6am and working through for maintenance and DIY, here are a few If you are not sure where the damp- the soil. In clay, new plants may cause it
weekends too.” factors for you to consider: proof course is, your home builder will to shrink, while removing existing trees
Eventually, Pilane ended up doing construction show you. Keep soil and paving about and hedges may make it swell. Excessive
projects herself, always ensuring that if she got a Pathways 150mm below the course. shrinkage or swelling could damage
community-based project – for RDP housing, for Don’t worry if pathways or paving Paths alongside the home must also be foundations.
example – she trained someone in a family to build. develop minor cracks as the ground slowly about two bricks, or 150mm, below the Do not plant trees or shrubs against
“I want young people to learn how to be a settles in the first two to three years. damp-proof course and slope away from walls and foundations.
carpenter or bricklayer for several reasons. The key is the structure. Be careful not to plant trees near your
helping them to earn money and to acquire skills so Damp-proof courses and airbricks Drainpipes must lead water away from neighbour’s property. They could cause
that if maintenance becomes necessary on their house If soil or other garden material is piled the walls and foundations. damage to the house or neighbouring wall
later on, they can do it themselves.” up against the outside walls, it may cover Do not let water stand against walls and you could be liable for the cost of
It was this desire to help others that saw Pilane win the damp-proof course and cause rising and foundations. repair.
the Black Business Quarterly Award in 2008 for Young damp. Newly planted trees and shrubs may
Visionary Achievers, which was sponsored by Mathews If it also covers airbricks, this can Trees and shrubs need to be watered continuously during
Phosa, former ANC treasurer-general. lead to dry rot if you have a suspended Planting trees and shrubs can make their early life if they are to get a good
It recognised her empowerment of both able and timber floor because it blocks your garden attractive, but be careful. start.
disabled young people “so that they would be freed
from the mentality of survival through continuous
grants”, she says.

are planning to buy. Is the electrical wiring right? TALK TO we need to start at preschool level so that by the time
Hurdles That sort of thing.” US people are 20 years old, they have the right self-help
Pilane lists several, including obtaining finance for She works in both the private and government mind-set.”
projects, access to business opportunities, retaining sectors. Email projects@
skilled staff and understanding that the construction citypress.co.za
industry is a seasonal business. Tweet The NHBRC is important…
Next step @City_Press Pilane says she applauds Brenda Madumise,
“I would like to ensure cash flow for operating #OppIndex or chairperson of the National Home Builders’
Overcoming obstacles expenses for at least a year in advance so that I can SMS us on Registration Council, for promising “to create this
“I realised I had to diversify so that I was busy focus my full attention on growing the business,” says 34263 using the Gordon Institute of Business Science programme we
when I didn’t have construction projects. I turned to Pilane. keyword are on, and then following through on her promise.
educating rural communities on how, for example, to “I love it. I wake up every day and see new PROJECTS and It’s helping me to plan for growth.”
look after toilets, teaching them not to throw bad opportunities. I also enjoy helping people to develop tell us what you
cabbages or chicken carcasses into them.” their own businesses.” are interested in.
Pilane reasoned that education didn’t require huge Please include
capital outlays. your name.
She also developed an internet-based information Dreams and goals SMSes cost A project in partnership with the
management system for the housing market. “I’d like to study again, even become a business R1.50 each
“I provide reliable audited information for the science professor. I have such a passion for NHBRC
consumer so they know the state of the house they entrepreneurship. I want to change South Africa, and