Startup Story
In South Africa, the need for well constructed, affordable housing, commercial and industrial buildings has never been greater in terms of building a sustainable economy. For entrepreneur Nondumiso Zendile, owner and ceo of Kingsworth Civils and Construction Pty Ltd, her goal is to be part of the solution to meet such needs.
LoA chatted to Nondumiso this month to get an insight into the tough world of being a woman in construction in South Africa.
Tell us more about yourself
My name is Nondumiso Zendile and I am the director and CEO of Kingsworth Civils and Construction Pty Ltd. I joined my fiance in the company in 2016 as a marketing and procurement manager and I took over 100% ownership 2018 because we had a vision of running the company through woman leadership. I have been in the entrepreneur space for 5 years now. I studied marketing and I was recently featured by the Herald newspaper for success in my EDP offered by the NMB business chamber, ECDC and Nelson Mandela Business School. In the company, we are 3 permanent staff members and 10 contract employees.
“There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing a client excited, from the moment when you pour the foundations of their house, to laying the first brick - the most priceless moment is the appreciation on their face when handing over the keys of their home.”
What does your company do?
We are in a construction business. We do industrial, commercial and residential construction where our preferred market is residential and urbanizing previously disadvantaged areas with a niche in rural areas.
What inspired you to start your company?
I couldn't take it from my bosses anymore. I felt that I was suffocating - I had great ideas to execute but they were not seen as great ideas because they came from a woman. I needed to spread my wings, I needed the freedom to excel. I was never made for a 9 to 5 job.
What makes your business, service or product special?
There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing a client excited, from the moment when you pour the foundations of their house, to laying the first brick - the most priceless moment is the appreciation on their face when handing over the keys of their home. What makes us special is we start with the client from budget stage up to the project execution.
Tell us a little about your team
I am the CEO Of the company, followed by my fiance who is project manager, and our latest member who we took on, Usisipho Stuurman, and want to develop her through training programmes that we have at our disposal through the EDP and skills training courses. We then have 10 contact employees on site.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I was born of two entrepreneurs. My father was a prominent entrepreneur and he was shot to death on his business premises because he was a threat to most business men. When my father died in December 1997 my mother continued with the business so that we could go to school. My mother left the entrepreneur space in 2004. I never got the support from my mother because she said she didn't want me to die like my father, but it finally caught up with me. I tried and failed and kept on trying and failing and trying again and again and again.
“In the future, I want to have a property development business and build modern contemporary houses that are going to cater for low to medium income earners so that they can afford to buy houses, meaning the government RDP houses can go to the unemployed people in previously disadvantaged areas.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I want to have a property development business and build modern contemporary houses that are going to cater for low to medium income earners so that they can afford to buy houses so as to the government RDP houses can go to the unemployed people in previously disadvantaged areas.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The sleepless nights, the 24 hours working shifts, waking up and knowing I'm building a legacy for my children and I'm contributing in the economy. Most of all the feeling of knowing there are families depending on me and this business.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
When you fall get up and pick up the pieces and move forward. This is like trial and error. Men will tell you that you are not tough enough only because they are intimidated by you. Last but not least when your business grows you must be ready to grow as an entrepreneur.
Contact Kingsworth Civils and Construction
EMAIL nzndoomy@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
Access to affordable, quality housing and commercial buildings is a key priority in South Africa in terms of meeting its socio-economic growth aspirations. Nondumiso Zendile is part of a new wave of women entrepreneurs who are entering the construction industry in South Africa to create jobs and to address the need for affordable housing. The country needs more women entrepreneurs like her, who are willing to do the hard yards, build businesses from the ground up, and create opportunities for others in the process. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa