Proving once again that entrepreneurship produces results, The Enterprise Development Corporation (Tedcor) has announced the winner of its national Community Contractor Awards – Willie’s Waste Management who walked away with the prestigious award as well as R50 000 to further the business.
Willie’s Waste Management is under the dynamic and strong leadership of William Moagi.
Tedcor trains and develops people from historically disadvantaged backgrounds to become entrepreneurs, enabling them to provide cost-effective, sustainable waste-management services in South Africa’s poorest areas.
Working in partnership with municipalities, local communities and the private sector, Tedcor’s unique business model provides employment for communities and trains local residents as business operators.
The Community Contractor of the Year Awards was launched three years ago as a celebration of the best of the community contractors and is a way to praise, reward and support their ongoing training and businesses.
Two years ago, whilst on a visit to his hometown in the Mogale area, Moagi spotted a Tedcor ad in the local newspaper. He deciding that he needed to mak a change. He went to a successful interview and was appointed as a contractor. Leaving the construction business behind, he set up his waste management company in November 2011.
William says: “I started with nothing in my pocket”. He signed an agreement to rent the equipment he needed and he took out further loans to purchase diesel for the truck and buy uniforms for his employees.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Lechesa Tsenoli handed Moagi his award at a gala dinner, noting that now the young entrepreneur employs 10 industrious and dedicated staff members.
His company offers a waste removal service as well as street sweeping, the clearing of litter and the removal of builders’ rubble. They service around 7 200 households a week.
Tedcor also provided Moagi with access to business management skills and his business now shows a monthly profit.
Isaac Nhlapo, Tedcor Operational Supervisor for the area says, “William manages his business very well as he now understands business fundamentals. Since the start of his business he has grown into a real business person and is showing profit.
“The area that he maintains is always kept clean and tidy. He drives his own trucks and takes very special care of it. As a natural leader, he is extremely helpful and always has a solution to any problems that are encountered. If there is a breakdown, he is always willing to assist.”
Nhlapo was recognised also at the awards and walked away with the Contractor of the Year title and a cheque of R10 000.
“My business is doing pretty well. I try to spend as much time in the truck myself even though I have a driver. Doing the driving yourself, you can see what is going on. And I can make sure that the truck is looked after well,” says a committed William.
“I have a hands-on approach with my business. That way you can get good production out of your employees and motivate them.”
Tedcor Group Executive Director Victor Nemukula says Tedcor’s unique business model provides employment for communities and trains local residents to become business operators.
“This approach encourages community participation while building a cleaner, healthier environment and also enables local authorities to achieve service delivery goals while supporting the development of small business ventures (SMME’s) and the economic empowerment of the communities they serve.”
Moagi concludes, “Once you taste victory, it makes you want even more. I’m not waiting for the 2013/ 14 awards assessment, I’m starting now to make sure that I achieve as much as possible. I will make sure that my books are done correctly and I’m going to triple my efforts.”
For more information about Tedcor, visit www.tedcor.co.za.
