Page 27 - Business Sense-11.4 - KZN Top Business Awards Supplement -EBOOK

A DECADE OF VISION, RESILIENCE, AND GROWTH

Kay-Leigh and Isaac Mbatha at the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards 2023

n 2025, Sky Tents proudly firsthand. With little more than Mbatha picked himself up and toilets, and refrigerated “You need to be on top of your
celebrates its 10th anniversary, determination and a vision, Sky embraced bravery as his path trailers. Branches in nine South game at all times. Clients value
Imarking a decade of Tents was born, a name chosen forward. African locations and clients not only your products but also
determination, innovation, and to reflect his belief that “there A turning point came in in over ten African countries, your service and the confidence
entrepreneurial excellence under is nothing above the sky,” 2017 with a bold partnership including Namibia, Nigeria, you bring.”
the leadership of founder and symbolising limitless potential. with Ukhozi FM. Mbatha and the Seychelles, reflect
CEO, Isaac Mbatha. What began The early years were not spearheaded a campaign to the company’s farreaching From a modest start to a
in 2015 as a humble venture without obstacles. With slim give away 100 tents to aspiring influence. continental presence, Sky Tents’
in tent repairs and smallscale profit margins and heavy entrepreneurs, empowering 10year journey is a powerful story
rentals has evolved into one of reliance on 50% deposits to them to start their own rental Mbatha’s commitment of vision meeting perseverance.
South Africa’s most dynamic purchase materials, Mbatha businesses. This initiative not to innovation and service For Isaac Mbatha, the sky has
tent manufacturing and event personally walked the streets, only uplifted communities excellence has earned him never been the limit, it has always
solutions companies, with a distributing flyers at traffic but also cemented Sky Tents significant recognition. He been the beginning. 
was featured on the prestigious
footprint reaching across the lights and in townships to build as a brand associated with Forbes Africa 30 Under 30
African continent. opportunity and impact. For more information contact:
his customer base. At times, list in 2019, won the Standard A: 47 Westmead Road, Pinetown

Mbatha’s journey epitomises he risked his safety alone in Today, Sky Tents employs Bank KZN Top Business T: +27 (0)31 700 2863
the grit and resilience of a remote areas, all in pursuit of more than 75 people, a Entrepreneur award for C: +27 (0)76 929 2609
true entrepreneur. Starting his dream. “What you plan for dramatic leap from its early resilience in 2022, and was W: www.skytentsa.co.za
out by washing and mending in your head and what happens team of three. The company’s honoured as Standard Bank’s
tents, he quickly recognised on your road to success are two product line has expanded from SME Client of the Year in 2023.
the opportunity to create different things,” he recalls. basic pole tents to an extensive As Sky Tents enters its second
a manufacturing business In 2015 and 2016, mounting range including stretch tents, decade, Mbatha attributes the
that would meet the growing debt and overwhelming stress dome tents, frame tents, and company’s success to one core
demand of clients who had pushed him to his lowest complementary event essentials principle: consistency. “Tired
experienced his reliability point. But instead of giving up, such as tables, chairs, mobile rhymes with fired,” he says.

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Contact Maryke Dickinson on:
WHATSAPP:
+27 82 877 7906
E-MAIL:
maryke@kzntopbusiness.com

WE’LL KEEP YOU ON TRACK

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