Dalpark resident Lily Mahlangu (57) won the Margaret Hirsch Women in Business award for April at Hirsch’s Carnival.
Mahlangu, who used to be a teacher, recently started a company called Lissac Talent and Skills Management. The company’s mission is to empower and develop the skills of youth and women.
She is the mother of three children and the grandmother of three.
• Where and what did you teach before you started the company?
I was a teacher at HB Nyathi Secondary School in Daveyton, where I taught Zulu and creative art. I was also a teacher at Wattville Abet, where I taught Afrikaans and art. I resigned from teaching last year but I wanted to carry on with my passion for art and craft.
• Explain to the readers what your job now entails.
My company’s name is Lisacc Talent and Skills Management. Lisacc manages talents of youth and women like designing, craft, acting, modelling and presenting.
• What do you like most about your job?
What I like about my job is that it unleashes the talent of youth and women and develops their skills. For example, modelling teaches them to have self-esteem and to love themselves.
• What is your least favourite part of the job?
The least favourite part of my job is not having a better venue because now I’m still operating from my home. The other thing is finance.
• What would be the next step for your company?
My wish is to have the talent and skills school in a nice space and to be financially stable in order to accomplish all this, and for someone to help us financially or offer us a place of operation around our area – in order to show people that better things are happening here in the Brakpan/Benoni/Boksburg area.
• Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by my three kids and the business partners I work and train with.
• How would you describe yourself in three words?
I’m a go-getter, hard worker and an easy-to-work-with person.
• If you could only keep one possession, what would it be?
A possession I would like to keep is my work of art.
• What do you feel you have bragging rights to?
That would be my arts and crafts awards.
• Do you have any hobbies or special interests?
My hobbies are music, dancing and craftwork.
• If you could change one thing in the country, what would it be?
One thing I would like to change in this country is the way women and child abuse cases are conducted.
