INDABA | WEDNESDAY 8 JULY 2015
NEWS
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Nkebe shares secrets of business success NCEBA DLADLA HIGH business acumen, love and respect for the community with whom he does business is what keeps Build It (Motherwell) owner Sibongile Nkebe going strong every day. Nkebe, of Despatch, says his key to success is working well with local structures such as the councillor, local churches and schools in Motherwell. Since passing matric at Thubelihle High School in 1996 and graduating in 2001 with a B Com degree from Vista University, which is now part of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Nkebe has had his sights firmly on business. A beneficiary of the Khula Enterprise Development and National Youth Development Agency Voucher, Nkebe owns a very successful DIY store in NU 9 Motherwell. “I worked at Standard Bank from 2001 to 2006 and then I decided to partner Paul De Villiers as co-owner of Build It. The following year, I took the bold step of sole proprietorship and have never looked back,” said Nkebe, who was inspired to become a businessman by his cousin Bongani Katshwa, who owns a CTM Branch in Queenstown. “I stayed with him in the same house. I targeted the age of 40 to start being self-employed, not knowing however, that at 28 I would be a success in business,” said a proud
Nkebe, who is married to Ntombentsha. He said he believed in planning early and knowing the needs of the community he was serving. He also communicated with independent contractors who built houses for the communities, to learn about their needs. His store was voted among the top 20 stores in the southern hemisphere in 2008 and 2012, winning him trips to Egypt and Mauritius respectively. “There are challenges though, like the recession in 2008 and even last year, but at least now I’ve got the experience that keeps me going. I am also surrounded by a team of dedicated and hard-working employees who understand my work ethos,” Nkebe said proudly. Build It Motherwell sponsors local football (Mofa) development and through that initiative the third largest township in South Africa has a team, Real City FC, participating in the semi-professional ABC Motsepe League. He is also the head of Silindokuhle Boxing Promotions, a company that is opening doors to a number of promising Nelson Mandela Bay pugilists. Nkebe said he believed there were opportunities out there and he advised the youth to know what they wanted, to be passionate about it and to separate business from pleasure.
Multiple award-winning businessman, Build It Motherwell owner, boxing promoter, local football sponsor and lover of education, Sibongile Nkebe believes in community development and upliftment. PHOTO:NCEBA DLADLA
Mazizi Msutu Bay’s champion of champions NCEBA DLADLA MAZIZI Msutu is the man behind the City of Champions concept which is taking Nelson Mandela Bay by storm. The immaculately dressed man with an impeccable curriculum vitae, of Lovemore Heights, looks destined for greatness. Happily married to Nomfundo and the father of two boys and four girls, Msutu is a champion of community development who believes in the power of education.
He says Nelson Mandela Bay is a city of champions, with everybody born with the ability to achieve greatness. Msutu is a real “Baaienaar”. Born in KwaZakhele and growing up in Zwide, he prides himself in having attended township schools. He was in the creche at Sisonke Community Centre, went to Qeto in Peddie before going to Garette Primary and matriculated at Ndzondelelo High School in Zwide. “I was forced to leave school and find employment to be able to support my family and fund my studies. In fact, I finished all my stud-
ies part-time,” said Msutu, who is armed with a national diploma and B Tech from the former PE Technikon and registered for the M Tech offered at the then UPE/Technikon in conjunction with Kansas State University in the United States. He also obtained a national diploma in project management with Varsity College as well as an executive business development project with the Wits University School of Business and is currently registered for an MBA with an Australian institution. Msutu’s father Zimele died recently. His mother is Thobeka Rachel Msutu (63).
Mazizi Msutu, President of City of Champions. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
Mthetheleli and Nomonde Ntshikose celebrate 25 years
Blankets to keep SOS Village warm REPORTER THE people of the SOS Children’s Village in the Eastern Cape will be cosy and warm this winter – thanks to Cell C’s initiative of keeping those that need it most warm as the chill bites. Volunteers from Cell C’s regional office in Port Elizabeth visited the SOS Village in Port Elizabeth, which recently celebrated its 19th anniversary and is home to 118 children, and handed over 67 Blankets for Mandela Day. Situated in the suburb of Schauderville, the
Algoa Park couple Mthetheleli and Nomonde Ntshikose recently celebrated their silver jubilee, 25 years of happy marriage, with family, friends and colleagues at the Malabar Community Hall. The couple, who met in the Transkei, cut the cake and told the gathering about the sweet journey they had travelled despite the challenges of daily living. They and the Reverends Mziwonke Goba and MM Matya thanked God and prayed for a golden jubilee with their beautiful children. PHOTO:NCEBA DLADLA
Village has 14 family homes, two youth houses and an SOS Kindergarten. An active Family Strengthening Programme also ensures that the needs of HIV and AIDS affected families in the community are met. Suzette van der Merwe, Managing Executive of the Cell C Foundation said, “With the cold winter upon us, the blankets were greatly appreciated by both young and old.” She added that Cell C was determined to make a significant difference in the lives of disadvantaged people this winter with its various initiatives.
Cell C handed over 67 Blankets for Mandela Day to the SOS Children’s Village. Pictured is Sharyn Rudlin (left), Kim Tucker, Rozanne Koen and Julaine Arends with the children from SOS Children’s Village in Port Elizabeth. PHOTO:SUPPLIED