Page 39 - KZN Top Business Women - eBook 2023

You know what you want. Don’t give up on your goals.

to work and study at the same time. new Mozambik by the year 2024; with Brett Michelin’s
Owner of the Mozambik Morningside assistance, of course.”
A decision to work in the United Kingdom resulted in
Monica working at The Swan Hotel in Bibury as a front To young women, Monica says believe in yourself.
onica Jorgenson is the owner of the Mozambik office manager for two years. Monica commented that “Always be confident in everything that you do. Strive
Morningside in Durban, which opened on the knowledge and experience she gained in the United to be the best that you can. Don’t let anybody tell you
M5 August 2022.
Kingdom, which she brought back to South Africa, anything different. You know who you are. You know
Monica was raised in a small district in Greenwood Park, helped her tremendously in furthering her career. what you want. Don’t give up on your goals.”
Durban, where she spent many Saturday mornings at the Upon returning to South Africa, she worked as the
Morning Market, shopping with her grandmother. She front office manager at The City Lodge Durban. After Giving back
would tag along learning how to select fresh vegetables 15 years of working there she decided that she needed
while breathing in the smells of fresh coriander and mint something more. Monica strongly believes in giving back to the
leaves. This she says is where her love for preparing great community and empowering women through skills
food began. development. Through her restaurant she has provided
Man of my dreams jobs to 14 staff members, most of whom are single
Establishing a restaurant, Monica explained, has always mothers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
been her biggest dream. “I’ve been in hospitality, which “In the beginning I thought I would never get there, but She has also empowered her staff, including a cleaner
has always been in my blood, for 25 years in South I have a great husband. In January 2008 I met the man who is now the head waitress, by continuous on the
Africa and in the United Kingdom. My heart’s desire was of my dreams, and we were married eight months later. job training.
to open my own restaurant. I chose to be part of the Mikael is my biggest supporter. He supports me and all
Mozambik Group because it is such a great franchise. I my ideas, and he’s also living my dream right now. He’s Monica has joined a non-profit organisation called
love what the brand stands for; I love the food, and I love a marine engineer but he’s working with me. So, I am Expose Women that takes care of women who are in the
the Portuguese culture. So, it was just right up my alley.” here because he’s also pushed me in a way.” sex industry. “The forgotten people,” she explains, “None
In addition, says Moncia, the Mozambik family have of these women, during career day in high school, put
Hard work and dedication been a great help. “The franchisor, Brett Michelin, is an up their hand and said I want to be a sex worker. Many
absolutely amazing guy. He’s been by my side supporting of these women in our Morningside area are victims of
Monica comes from a previously disadvantaged back- me all the way and it’s been a great journey.”’ human trafficking. We aim to build long lasting relations
ground and from a very young age she had great with these ladies, so that one day when they decide to
responsibility. However, she believes that through hard Ups and downs get out of the industry, we are there to assist them.”
work and dedication anything can be achieved. In addition, Monica sponsors meal vouchers at the
In opening her business, Monica has faced many
“I matriculated in the year 1992 in Durban. My desire Berea Primary School and St Martins Home For Children.
was to study hospitality, unfortunately due to financial challenges and ups and downs. She says, “I overcome Monica and her staff also prepared lunch and dinner
constraints I was unable to further my studies. I did not all obstacles because of my determination and self meals for the children at Lakehaven Children’s Home.
let the financial situation get me down. I knew I needed confidence in everything I do.” Monica explains that in her off time she tries to get home
to work to help take care of my family. My sister was still Her challenges she says include the poor economy, as soon as possible to spend time with her two fur babies.
in high school, and my baby brother was just born. My which in common with many other businesses, has hurt “I love my dogs and I look forward to spending time with
mum was retrenched from her job and was unemployed, her own business. Monica has tried try to overcome this them around the pool, with a glass of gin and tonic.”
and my father was diagnosed with colon cancer.” challenge by utilising more social media advertising and Monica also has a passion for gardening and has many
by having more entertainment in her restaurant to get
Monica worked in many places and excelled at every job, succulent plants in her garden, which are her favourite.
but she yearned for more. One afternoon she decided more feet through the door. “I’m honoured to be part of the KZN Top Business
to make copies of her CV, which she then dropped off In addition, she says that as crime has risen, people are Women 2023. I wouldn’t be here without the support of
at every hotel in the Durban area. The City Lodge Hotel afraid to go out at night. Consequently, she has had to up the Mozambik Group because they’ve nominated me. I’m
group soon hired her as a hotel receptionist at The Road security to make staff and customers feel safer. proud to be here today. I think I’ve worked really hard,
Lodge Durban. The City Lodge Hotel group paid for her Monica’s future goals are to make her current restaurant and everybody sees that in me. They’re confident in me
studies in hospitality, which allowed her the opportunity
a great success. And she says, with a smile, “To open a and I’m very confident in myself.”

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