‘Youths need to learn that they must sometimes start at the bottom’
The managing director of Nozihle Cleaning Services is gaining a reputation as a willing and able mentor.
MBOMBELA – When Ms Dolly Mbuyane started a small cleaning business some years ago, she never imagined how successful she would become. As the managing director of Nozihle Cleaning Services this entrepreneur now employs 131 people. She is also gaining a reputation as a willing and able mentor. SABC1 featured her on a youth-empowerment programme last month.
Soft-spoken and humble, Mbuyane laughs off any honours. She says she aims to motivate the youth to start somewhere. A case in point is a young man, Timothy, whom has taken under her wing.
He had dreams of becoming an architect, but he didn’t have funds to study. He struggled to find a job and his CV landed on Mbuyane’s desk. She said he was eager to learn, and could therefore go far.
“Many people regard cleaning as one of these low jobs. They don’t know how much you can learn and grow. Things like integrity, health and safety, customer care and commitment are crucial in everybody’s life.”
She explains how one of her site managers started as a cleaner in the office. “She took ownership and showed us her passion. We helped her complete a supervisor course and she got a driver’s licence and now she manages five of our sites.”
But Mbuyane says she wishes she had a mentor in her business life. She now learns from her colleagues at the local branch of the South African Council for Business Women (SACBW).
“I look at people and try to learn from them. I would still like to have someone mentor me. In business you never stop learning.”
She adds that joining the council have benefited her a lot. “It has taught me my confidence. “It has taught me a lot about presentation, what to do in business situations and how to conduct myself. Sometimes people think because they have R10 in their pocket, everyone else is nothing. You have to stay humble.”
Entering for the Businesswoman of the Year competition a few years ago was also an educational experience, especially on the financial side.
“I have learnt to manage money better. I used to think money comes in and money goes out, so what? Now I manage exactly what my expenses are and where we can cut.
“I have learnt to prioritise what is urgent over what is important but not urgent.”
She recommends that other women also join the council and enter for the competition.
“When I sit alone I may think I am doing well, but when I see what other people are doing, I think ‘I haven’t even started yet’.”
For more on the SACBW or the Businesswoman of the Year competition, contact Elmariet Schwartz on 072-672-4238 or at nelspruit.admin@SACBW.org
