Making it to the top of the SMME Africa Awards
- By http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48415:making-it-to-the-top-of-the-smme-africa-awards&catid=69
From a small start-up business in 2008, to the second Runner Up in the Industrial Sector Category for Africa at the 2011 Small, Medium and Micro (SMME) Africa Awards, Zathu Engineering has the hallmark of a South African entrepreneurship success story.
Owned by Nandi Sihlali, a Wits Electrical Engineering graduate who has amassed a successful track record in the information technology, telecommunications and energy sectors in her 18-year career, it is no surprise this motivated self-starter has built a company fit for top accolades.
Businesses qualifying for the awards have to be in good financial standing, enjoy a reputation for quality and service delivery, and exhibit the staying power of a sustainable enterprise that ultimately integrates the talents of South Africans, and contributes towards the country's development.
From a start-up at Softstart BTI, Zathu Engineering has now managed to break through the R1 million-turnover point, a proud acknowledgement of Sihlali's determination to achieve sustainable and profitable growth for this electrical engineering consulting company whose clients include Eskom.
With the country's unemployment rate standing at 25.7% in the second quarter of 2011, the importance of entrepreneurs creating viable businesses cannot be overstated.
According to Leonie Greyling, Chief Executive Officer of Softstart BTI, it is widely accepted that SMMEs play a crucial role in driving South Africa's economic growth, and that entrepreneurs are central to employment-creating initiatives.
However, the challenges and obstacles are innumerable. The right support – or lack thereof - can make or break any fledgling business. While incubation is one way to go, it is really effective incubation that matters.
This requires the selection of the right tools – coaches and development programmes – to propel entrepreneurs along the entrepreneurial path.
Says Greyling: “This is where Softstart BTI plays a critical role - incubation has proven its success in changing the dismal failure rate of start-ups into a resounding success rate – whereas 80% of non-incubated ventures typically fail within the first couple of years, incubation completely turns that scenario on its head, with 80% of incubated ventures developing into sustainable businesses.”
Sihlali acknowledges the value of having the advantage of a good address represented by Softstart BTI, and the impact of a profile that says you're serious about business.
Besides providing a good image for her company, the Softstart BTI offering also includes business and technology mentoring and coaching, furnished 'plug-and-play' office space in a secure environment, and shared resources, such as reception and meeting facilities.
Says Greyling: “When Nandi first approached Softstart BTI, she needed an environment conducive to the development of a young business. She found her home at Softstart BTI, and we are very proud to have played a role in both her personal development, and that of her business. Her determination and belief in her business led to this achievement, and we foresee truly great things for Nandi.”
Sihlali is gratified by the growth of her business that may see her opening another office in KwaZulu-Natal in the not too distant future. And while the pay-off of the hard work comes down to the financial bottom line, having received an accolade through the Africa SMME Awards is a bit of a morale booster that will undoubtedly serve as a springboard to greater things.
“What it does mean for me is that there is some recognition of the effort. It really does give promise that the organisation is on the right track, and that we have put the fundamentals in place.”