A winning vision for a new generation of artisans
The Brakpan-born founder of CPR Holdings has turned 12 years of experience as an electrician into an ambitious entrepreneurial journey.
For Charles Cyril Ndlovu, winning the Small Business Category at the recent Artisans of Mzansi Competition is more than a moment of personal achievement.
It is recognition of 12 years of hard work, perseverance and a journey that has seen him evolve from a skilled electrician into an entrepreneur with an ambitious vision for the future.
The Artisans of Mzansi competition by Allan Gray Makers celebrates South African trade entrepreneurs who use their technical skills to create jobs and fight poverty.
Born in Brakpan, Ndlovu is the founder and owner of Boksburg-based CPR Holdings, a business rooted in electrical work, construction and renewable energy.
While his technical expertise remains at the heart of his work, his ambitions have grown well beyond the tools of his trade.
Reflecting on his win, Ndlovu says the recognition has left him feeling proud and deeply encouraged about what lies ahead.
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“Winning is an incredibly meaningful moment for me because it represents the journey I have taken over the past 12 years.
It is a recognition of the hard work, lessons and experiences that have shaped me, not only as an artisan but also as an entrepreneur.
“I feel incredibly proud and grateful to have been recognised among so many talented artisans and small business owners,” he said.
For Ndlovu, the award also serves as a reminder of what can be achieved when technical skills are combined with determination and an entrepreneurial mindset.
“This win gives me renewed confidence in what is possible. It tells me that the ideas I have, the skills I have developed and the work we are doing through CPR Holdings have real potential to make a difference. It motivates me to think bigger and to keep building.”
His journey into entrepreneurship has been driven by a desire to turn practical skills and experience into something that can create opportunities for others.
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Through CPR Holdings, Ndlovu has developed a business that seeks to operate across several areas, including construction and renewable energy, while exploring opportunities in logistics, environmental services, training and manufacturing.
The recognition comes at an important stage in the company’s development, as Ndlovu looks to build its capacity and take on larger and more complex projects.
“Winning means a great deal to CPR Holdings because it gives us greater visibility and credibility. It creates an opportunity for people to see what we are capable of and opens the door to strategic partnerships and new opportunities. We are ready to take that next step and grow the business,” he said.
Ndlovu hopes the increased visibility from the award will help the company expand its team, strengthen its operations and create the capacity needed to participate in larger projects.
But for him, growth is not simply about increasing the size of the business. At the centre of his vision is the belief that businesses should create capabilities that extend beyond individual projects.
“CPR Holdings is about more than delivering projects. We want to build capability. That means investing in people, developing skills, strengthening our systems, having the right tools and building strong partnerships. If we can do that, we can deliver more and create sustainable economic opportunities.”
His ambitions extend across multiple sectors, with CPR Holdings aiming to strengthen its footprint in construction and renewable energy while growing its presence in logistics, environmental services, training and manufacturing.
For Ndlovu, this broader vision reflects the possibilities that exist when artisans are given the opportunity and support to move beyond being skilled workers and become business owners and creators of economic opportunity.
“I hope this win can also inspire other artisans to believe in themselves and in the value of their skills. Being an artisan can be the beginning of something much bigger. You can take your skills, build a business around them and create opportunities for yourself and for other people,” he said.
As he celebrates his achievement, Ndlovu is already looking towards the next chapter. The award is not an endpoint for the entrepreneur, but a platform from which he intends to build further.
“I am very grateful for this recognition, but I also see it as the beginning of the next phase. We have bigger goals for CPR Holdings, and this win has given us even more motivation to pursue them.
“I want us to grow sustainably, create opportunities, develop people and show what is possible when you combine skills, hard work and an entrepreneurial vision,” he said.
For Ndlovu, the real measure of his success will ultimately be what he is able to build from this moment: not just a bigger business, but a business that develops people, creates opportunity and contributes meaningfully to South Africa’s economy.
