Mamiza has the recipe for success

WITH a passion for success and not allowing anything to stand in her way, local businesswoman and entrepreneur Mamiza Makhathini (45) is taking the business world by a storm,working her way to the top of the ladder.

The Richards Bay owner of Smiso Investments, a hospitality and catering company, has achieved success through more than a decade of hard work, despite having to overcome many obstacles along the way.

Shortly after qualifying as a teacher, Mamiza faced with her first obstacle when she fell ill and lost her voice in 2002.

As the illness persisted, she turned to one of her other passions – cooking – as a therapeutic outlet and started catering for friends and relatives free of charge.

‘I soon realised that I needed to start earning a living, and running my own catering business seemed like a practical and exciting venture to pursue,’ said Makhathini.

In 2002 she registered Smiso Investments, which officially began trading in 2006.

It took off and the business soon had to expand, but she was concerned that the growth was more than she could handle as she had no prior management experience.

After responding to a business development advertisement that could assist in developing and growing her business, she was accepted into the Raizcorp Enterprise Development programme in Richards Bay in 2012.

‘The personal guidance I received taught me how to remove my emotions when making critical decisions that were in the best interest of my business,’ said Makhathini.

‘I was no longer just a small fish in the industry anymore. As I landed new contracts, my staff increased from 12 to an incredible 120 permanent staff members.

‘I have financial freedom, not because someone funded my business, but because of the business skills that I learnt on the programme and applied in my business. No one can take these skills away from me.’

Mamiza has now completed the two-year programme and in turn, has received recognition from various organisations.