Resilient Sheffield entrepreneur Thandeka Malinga has turned her life’s lemons into lemonade.

The owner of Defyn Dezign claimed second position in last year’s iLembe Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur competition, showcasing her tenacity and business acumen.

Malinga boasts a diverse background in civil engineering, interior design and carpentry, aligning her technical expertise with a creative design flair.

Her company in Shakaskraal specialises in interior design and furniture manufacturing.

Having worked as a civil engineering technician on various construction projects, Malinga provided vital technical support, including structural analysis, site planning and project management.

Undeterred by the male-dominated environment she found herself in, she sees challenges as opportunities.

Growing up in poverty in Empangeni, she said her early entrepreneurship journey began as a hairstylist, supporting herself through school and tertiary education.

“Life was never easy for me when I was growing up. I had to find a skill to support my needs. I was a hair stylist in school and even when I was at the Mangosuthu University of Technology, my room was turned into a salon with all the equipment needed. I never shied away from entrepreneurship because it is what I depended on,” said Malinga.

Despite setbacks, such as being retrenched from her job as a civil technician in 2012, she diversified her ventures, owning a driving school and a catering business before fully committing to design.

Her prowess extends to her own home in Sheffield, a project she takes immense pride in.

“By the way, I kept up my hairdressing business until Covid. I had a salon in Ballito called Thandeka’s Salon. I did the interior design myself. Once a customer was so impressed with the interior that she asked me to help her set up her salon.

“I did that project in 2020 and then I started taking the interior design business seriously. I completed a number of courses, including carpentry, and taught myself upholstery.”
The entrepreneurship competition proved to be a transformative experience.

It exposed gaps in her business knowledge, highlighting the importance of paperwork and financial acumen. It also enhanced her self-esteem and solidified her professional identity.

Malinga’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to learn from your mistakes and develop a mindset that embraces continual improvement.

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