Five days left to nominate your inspirational hero
New management to take on maledominated industry
The countdown to nominate your unsung hero has begun. Our readers have only five days left to nominate any young South Africans between 18 and 35 years who are dynamic and inspirational for being forward-thinking in the work they do to make their communities better. Do you know these unsung heroes?
Some of these youngsters are an inspiration by simply breaking down the barriers in their careers and achieving remarkable success early in life and, by so doing, opening doors for others. But their stories are yet to be told. They remain unsung — until now.
In the past two weeks, Sunday World has received a flood of nominations from readers in all provinces, towns and cities. We’ve been heartened by the quality of the entries. It’s gratifying to read that in our communities, no matter the hardships, there are young people who still believe that tomorrow will be better than today, not just for themselves but for others too.
Some run empowering community projects from their own pockets without expecting any pay in return. Some are in charge of literacy programmes that introduce children and youth to the wonders of the written word early in life.
One youngster, in particular, runs a mobile cinema in Khayelitsha that screens films at rented community centres – for free.
These are just a few heart-warming stories we have received. You, our dear Sunday World reader, will get a chance to read all of these remarkable stories of everyday heroes in our special supplement on June 20 2021.
In the meantime, please nominate your unsung hero and you could win R10 000. The nomination process ends on May 14. That’s five days from today. Go ahead and nominate them today. Don’t miss out on a chance to sing someone else’s praises.
Tell us in about 200 words who they are and why they deserve to be nominated. All unsung heroes must be between 18 and 35 years and must be South African.
Send your nomination to phakama@sundayworld.co.za or by nominating at sundayworld.co.za/heroes-nomination
Motheo Construction Group, the largest black women-managed construction company in South Africa, is finalising its new management structure as it strengthens its footprint in all nine provinces and diversifies into new business segments.
This is on the back of 20%-a-year growth for the past five years, against a 50% decline in the construction industry during the past decade.
“Despite past difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, we hold a positive view of the future. I believe the Motheo story is unique in South Africa, especially in the construction industry,” said CEO Lettie Mashau.
Active in housing, general building and civil engineering, Motheo has specialist teams and companies focusing on electrical reticulation and works, water-on-demand management technology for installations, and fibre-optic reticulation.
Fully conversant with turnkey design and construct projects, Motheo is a participant of the public-private partnership that developed and manages the Department of International Relations campus in Pretoria. In addition, it also has the flexibility to carry out developments for select clients.
All of this is supported by its academy, which Motheo hopes will partner with the government as it drives skills development as a pillar of economic growth. “This represents a major opportunity for us to make a significant contribution to the skills needed by the construction industry to take it forward into the future,” Mashau said.
Motheo regional manager Nontu Chiluvane agrees, saying that the company is leading the charge to ensure meaningful transformation in the male-dominated construction industry. “Our achievements in this regard have been notable to date, and we have exciting plans to continue building on the work begun by our founder, Dr Thandi Ndlovu,” she said.
In February, Chiluvane took over from Trevor Griffiths as regional manager. A Motheo director, board member and shareholder, she leads Motheo in Kwazulu-natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
Chiluvane holds a master’s of science degree in real estate, as well as a BSC honours in property development and a BSC in quantity surveying. She is registered as a PRQS with the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession and is currently pursuing a PHD in construction management.
Chiluvane has a decade’s experience as chief director of property management and social housing at the Kwazulu-natal department of human settlements.
She works closely with Mashau and Griffiths, whose long tenure has coincided with the steady evolution of Motheo into a fully fledged general contractor.