Glamorous life of the wealthy Thandeka Nene
THANDEKA Nene, 42, is a multimillionairewho enjoys life’s finer things.
Her company, Bonelena Construction, was one of two building firms nominated by the public works department to carry out major work on the security upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead. The high roller clinched almost R90 million of the Nkandla contract in 2010.
The businesswoman built her empire on government construction tenders.
The mother of three entered the construction business with her sister, Cynthia Mahlalempini, when they formed a partnership, Ntshantsha Construction, in October 2004. They later went on to start their own businesses. Nene started Bonelena and Mahlalempini formed Sthembokuhle Construction.
Nene recently started Buono Africa, an engineering, construction, quantity surveying, design and architecture company.
She boasts on the company’s website she has a string of academic qualifications and that she has received a number of awards for being the best female contractor over the years.
The businesswoman, who was formerly from Durban’s KwaDabeka township, is known for her flashy cars as well as her opulent homes in uMhlanga and Pietermaritzburg.
She is often seen in designer clothing and frequently travels abroad.
From her Facebook profile, it is evident that she frequents the lavish Beverly Hills Hotel in uMhlanga, Zimbali, and the Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton.
The glamorous woman was thrust into the international spotlight last December when she was arrested, while holidaying in the Seychelles, for bank fraud allegedly linked to an international fraud syndicate.
In media reports last year, it was revealed that Nene was arrested with two others – one said to be a South African and the other from Sierra Leone. The three were charged with attempted bank fraud.
At the time of the arrests, the Mail & Guardian newspaper reported that Nene and the two accused had approached BMI Bank on the island to open new accounts that would be funded by what the police in the Seychelles said was € 500m (R6.8 billion) in funds held by HSBC Bank.
A specialised fraud unit of the island’s police force also seized documents and IT equipment.
Nene pleaded guilty and paid a fine so that she could return home to her family in South Africa.