Small business thinking big while providing for others

SAKHILE Mbhele is the proud owner of a successful and growing business in Glenmore, Durban. Sakhile Maintenance, started by Mbhele in 2012, offers services ranging from tiling, building, painting and carpentry to his growing list of clients.

Mbhele’s brainchild is fast developing, providing services that many home owners need and cannot do themselves.

But Mbhele strongly believes in contributing to others, especially younger people, through his business.

“We hire well qualified people, giving them a chance to provide for their dependants and improve their skills,” he says.

Providing for others is a big part of what he sees business being about.

“I want the business to be a youth empowerment initiative, so I aim to hire young, qualified people or offer training.”

As is so often the case with entrepreneurs, Mbele creates employment opportunities for others. With the high rate of unemployment, it is people like him who provide jobs more so than the larger corporations and government.

His business hours for employees are what seem like an undemanding 11am to 4pm. That’s to give his staff time for transport to and from work, a big factor for those not based in Glenmore.

Mbhele’s experience stems from work he did before launching his own business.

“I was employed at New Life Construction, where I did different types of work such as tiling, painting and roof cleaning.

“I worked there for three years from 2007 to 2010. After that, I worked under a qualified carpenter until I chose to start my own business.”

Going alone was a brave decision for the young man. Now 29, he was 25 when he launched Sakhile Maintenance and is quick to acknowledge the many business people who guided and inspired him.

“These people offered me helpful advice on starting my business and I was inspired by them and the way they conducted business – which was a motivation for me to get serious about starting my business.”

Mbhele lives with his four sisters, Promise, Phindile, Primrose and Thandeka. Most of the houses in their suburb were built in the early 1960s and so often need maintenance.

“I was born in uMzinto on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. I went to African Vision High School and did my matric in 2006. I did not study further. What I learned for my business came through on-the-job experience.”

He wants to expand his business. “I want to have clients from outside Durban and all over South Africa.”

And no doubt Mbhele, who describes himself as young and vibrant, will do just that.

His business and personal ambitions reflect his desire to help others.

“In business, I want to be successful and known as someone who owns a company that can compete with the established businesses.

“I want to be a successful and responsible man who can take care of his family. I want to leave a legacy.”

One day, in the distant future, when Mbhele is too old to work and decides to retire, what does he intend to do?

“When that time comes, I plan to pass my business on to the younger generation and enjoy my savings peacefully with family and friends.”

Until then, there is much Mbhele wants to do and achieve. And as he becomes more successful, he will take others with him.