Page 55 - Standard Bank KZN Top Business Women 2021

I just embrace life and live each day and take it as an opportunity to

make things right, to empower others with my own life’s journey.

Entrepreneur and Founder of of CiaLeeTeez (Pty) Ltd also diversified into roles such as keynote speaker, public black women to find herself on a board, I wanted to open
and Impilwenhle speaker and programme director on various business and the doors to others.”
government platforms.
She says that to make a success of a business you need
laudette Sigamoney is a visionary entrepreneur Claudette’s business CiaLeeTeez specialises in township to find the time to both work in and on a business.
and wears many hats as a business and talk and rural development, entrepreneur development, Consequently, Claudette uses every opportunity to
community leader. As managing director of SMME development and growing small businesses. network with other business owners. “I network to
CCiaLeeTeez (Pty) Ltd and Impilwenhle, she create strategies, find synergies and collaborate. There are
She is passionate about giving to the community through
empowers and enhances the skills of both women and opportunities for all of us,” she explains.
her business, Impilwenhle, which is a Seta accredited
youth entrepreneurs. Claudette is the former vice president
company that undertakes skills development and Smile amidst the pain
and former chairperson of SMME and entrepreneurial
empowerment of unemployed youth and women. “We
development of the Durban Chamber of Commerce Her personal challenges were rather difficult. Claudette
go out into the rural areas and identify the needs that are
and Industry. has been a single parent to three sons, two of whom
present in the municipalities. This includes skills that are
suffered from muscular dystrophy, a disorder that only
“Being the vice president of the Chamber has given me needed such as sewing, upholstery, agriculture, and baking.
affects men. Clerrade and Tyronne were wheelchair-
more exposure than I’ve ever had before and enabled
In addition to skills development, Impilwenhle bound at the ages of 13 and 10 respectively. Sadly, Tyronne
me to be part of various platforms. This role has also
assists in growing businesses through developing the was on life support for two years before he died in 2016.
empowered me to work with other businesses. I have
entrepreneurs. “In this case someone who is thirsty to Her eldest son, Lyronne is an industrial engineer, married
learnt a lot of skills and have grown myself as an
take a calculated risk but doesn’t know how to do it,” and living in Cape Town.
entrepreneur. I lead by example,” says Claudette. She
explains Claudette. “We assist by helping with aspects
added that being the SMME Forum chairperson of the Claudette became vice president at the encouragement of
such as registration on the various government platforms
Durban Chamber has given her an edge and that she Tyronne who was in ICU at the time. He said that she
required to be a proper business.”
is passionate about the growth of small, medium, and should take up the position as ‘opportunities come once in
micro enterprises (SMMEs). “We also identify the needs for skills amongst individuals your lifetime, take it with both hands and embrace it’. Her
– a school leaver, a woman sitting at home, or a gogo term of office was very difficult as she often had to show up
During her term, Claudette has set the tone in terms of
taking care of her grandchildren. We teach the required at functions after a sleepless night of caring for her son and
development. As an ambassador and as a voice of SMMEs,
skills over a 12-week Seta accredited programme. After continue with her role even through the pain of losing him.
she has mentored successful entrepreneurs to grow their
completing the course, each participant receives an
businesses. Claudette is proud to have had hundreds of Amidst this turmoil, Claudette saw the need to empower
appropriate tool such as a sewing machine so that they
mentees come through her hands and who have been others and smile amidst the pain. “Everyone in business
may continue to use their craft. Through learning a skill,
equipped with the necessary skills to take their businesses knows that I am always a cheerful person and always
each woman is then able to take care of herself and
to another level. have a smile. Amidst all the struggles that I have had,
provide for her family.”
I just embrace life and live each day and take it as an
A business strategist
Further to her desire to give back, Claudette is a lay opportunity to make things right, to empower others
In addition to the various business formations, Claudette minister within the Anglican Church of South Africa. with my own life’s journey. If I can do that for one
has forged many relationships with stakeholders in “That is my ministry and that is my way of giving back to person, I have done my fair share.”
business and government. She is a business strategist the community,” she says.
Claudette has formed the T25 Foundation to raise aware-
and influence maker who drives dialogues and business
Opportunities for all ness about muscular dystrophy.
engagements between a range of stakeholders. Claudette
has been very involved with round table conferences Claudette has faced many challenges, both on the In conclusion, Claudette says. “You need to empower
where she spends much of her time concentrating on business front and personally. She says that being a yourself more than anything else – read, be part of business
marrying SMMEs with big corporates to promote woman in business always comes with challenges. formations, be part of women’s organisations if you can.
procurement opportunities. Her leadership ability has However, says Claudette, “I didn’t want to be the first Celebrate your best life and just embrace it.”

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