PROMOTION
resulted partner.
“There was no work and I had rent to pay and needed food and petrol. But I never thought of giving up and someone told me that the fact that it is not easy, means I am on the right track and that kept me going,” Nombebe said.
The company received a major breakthrough in 2008 when they were awarded a contract with the Post Office.
“We were doing building and shop fittings for four of their branches in small towns like Engcobo and Ngqeleni and that kept us busy until mid-2009.
“This year we are celebrating 12 years and we want to give thanks to God and everyone who has been supportive to us, especially my wife, Namhla Nombebe, who is the in the resignation of another accounts manager, for standing beside me. I’d also like to thank Tendai Chiro and Thabo Hlanjwa who have been my mentors.
“We also want to thank all our staff for their hard work and dedication. We wouldn’t have been able to achieve success without their support.
“Most construction companies do not last longer than five years, but we are still here,” said Nombebe.
Nozulu and Ngonyama Trading Enterprise has a complement of 20 permanently employed staff and four interns, as well as a number of contract staff.
Currently the company is handling the electrification of three schools spread out across Transkei.
Nombebe said he owed the success of his company to passion and resolve.
He said it was not always easy to get work, especially “if you insist on doing things by the book and as a Christian I refuse to bribe or ask favours”.
“Many companies fail because people do not invest back into the business. I bought my first luxury 11 years into toiling away and seeing the business grow.
“So my advice to other people in this industry is that patience is the key and never be afraid to get out of your suit and into overalls, because that will show your employees that you know what you are doing and they cannot take you for a ride,” he said.
Nombebe intends to continue to grow the business and is working towards one day handling big projects, such as the construction of stadiums, hospitals and even malls.