Entrepreneur takes pride and joy in giving back to her community
"If you can read and write, the world is open to you. You only need to open your eyes and mind and spot the opportunity,"
“I want to tell my son that his Mommy did this when we drive past here,” says a proud Palesa Monyake, owner of Nooi Paving & Bricks. She is responsible for the paving in front of the welcome sign as you enter Parys from the Vredefort side.
Not only did she do the paving by herself on her knees, but donated every single paving stone for the project.
When she was contacted to ask for off-cuts to pave the area, Palesa immediately offered to donate the stones and do the paving at no cost.
“I believe in giving back to the community,” says Palesa, “Giving back makes me proud. It makes me feel good about myself.”
Palesa worked at De Beers as part of a plant cleaning company. She then got the opportunity to invest in a paving company in Kroonstad, but in 2016 decided to relocate to Parys to start her own business. “Business was good, but then Covid hit hard.” Despite economic challenges and setbacks, Palesa persisted, worked hard, and eventually picked the fruit of her marketing efforts.
Today she employs six people, and word of mouth is her best advertisement.
“I am personally involved in the manufacturing and installation process and taught myself all I know today through trial and error starting in my own yard,” says a humble Palesa.
“My son always says: ‘Mommy works hard’.”
That is exactly what Palesa does, taking pride in her work. “You can’t expect others to do something you do not do yourself. I know my business inside and out.”
“My grandmother was a very practical woman and taught me business skills from a young age. She made school buns and I delivered them,” says Palesa.
In her matric year, her grandmother passed away, and in 2018 she also lost her mom.
“I started my business with my own money because what is not earned is not appreciated,” says Palesa. She also does woodwork as a hobby. “I like working with my hands,” she says.
“If you can read and write, the world is open to you. You only need to open your eyes and mind and spot the opportunity,” is her advice to young entrepreneurs.
Her work is not only seen in Parys, but also in neighbouring towns.
