Sibeko rose from despair to business success
When Nonnie Sibeko found herself in a sticky situation after losing her job at a well-known aerospace company in 2009, it turned out the misfortune was a huge turning point in her life.
The Pimville, Soweto-born Sibeko lost everything she owned, including her three children as they went to live with other family members.
The budding entrepreneur always believed she was destined for greater things even after she found herself homeless and living in the streets of Krugersdorp for two years.
Armed with qualifications in marketing, Sibeko was hopeless and suicidal while trying to figure out how she was going to get her life back.
Raised by her grandmother, Sibeko, 53, lost her house in Chiawelo, including her vehicle, and her mounting troubles resulted in confusion and contemplating suicide. However, she says through prayer and faith she had in God and her ancestors, she met good Samaritans who helped her rebuild her life.
Sibeko started her electronics business five years later in 2016 in the tiny room at her late friend Ntokozo Mhlongo’s home in Tshepisong, Soweto. She named her business Animata Africa Holdings, a company trading in alarm and security systems, CCTV, electrical and motorised gate systems, automation, access control and intercoms, among others. “I never believed I would rise from the ashes after experiencing so much hardship.”
Animata has done work for Nedbank, Standard Bank, Santam and 1 Call Claims Solutions.