Inspiration her basis for success
Zodwa is the first and only black female to break the record for selling over R2 million in one month.
MATSULU – Meet one of the province’s most inspirational women who helps others to share in her success as well.
Forty-year-old Zodwa Mashabane was born and bred in Matsulu. She started school at Enzani Primary and later proceeded to Sitfokotile Secondary where she matriculated.
She acquired her teaching diploma at Mgwenya College of Education and struggled to get employment in the profession for seven years. She then finally resigned after four years to pursue her love for cosmetic products.
When she went to town for the first time in her life after graduating at the age of
21 in 1997, she did not get a job in her chosen field of study. She was then employed at Tiger Wheel & Tyre as a cashier and at other shops to earn just enough for survival.
In 2000 she was recruited to join the Avroy Shlain cosmetic company and she started selling its products.
It was only in 2004 that she secured herself a job in the teaching profession but she resigned in 2008 because her heart was fixed on selling cosmetics full-time.
Since then she has sold her fragrances to all types of women, from the popular Coppelia to JS, among others. She also sold other beauty items a woman need in her handbag.
She has received more than 15 awards of recognition from the company. Zodwa is now among the 12 best area managers in the whole country. She has been nominated in the Woman of the Year competition for the past seven years and has come second against 2 000 competitors.
Zodwa is the first and only black female to break the record for selling over R2 million in one month.
She is currently nominated in the competition for 2016. She has since promoted 48 people, of whom five to her current position. Zodwa has travelled to more than 10 overseas countries through her company, including France, Italy, China and Dubai.
During her few years of teaching, she witnessed the struggles faced by pupils from disadvantaged homes. She also started sponsoring breakfast groceries for her former school, Phumalanga Primary in 2008. She also donates school uniforms and building material to the school.
She has also sponsored the grade sevens’ farewell function for 40 learners. Out of love, she also pays tuition fees for four university students and those pursuing their careers in Further Education Training (FET).
“If God gives you an opportunity to do something, it doesn’t matter how little it is, just do it out of love and passion. That will make God to lift you higher,” she added.
