LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
In Pursuit Renewable Energy, a sustainability-focused South African project development, energy efficiency and alternative power solutions business
Hleziphi Siyothula–Mtshizana is an Electrical Engineer and seasoned Energy Professional with almost 16 years’ experience in delivering small to utility scale infrastructure projects with a focus on Renewable Energy. Her business, In Pursuit Renewable Energy in South Africa was formed in 2017 and today has 8 employees. Hleziphi is a former Senior Project Manager within Arup’s Renewables team overseeing a Lender’s Technical Advisory (LTA) team taking Renewables (Solar/Wind) projects from bid submission, Financial Close and Commercial Operation, Construction Monitoring and Operations Monitoring. She was also a former Technical Manager in the IPP sector developing greenfield projects and leading projects in the C&I space. She has developed and delivered over 3000MW of Renewables projects (Solar, Hydro, Wind Battery Energy Storage) in South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana and UK. Hleziphi also held leadership roles such as COO of Bonang Power & Energy, Principal for Matt&Co Advisory, Arup Education Trust Trustee, the COO for the SunElex Group and Project Development Team Lead for TASEZ Gas to Energy Project. She is also a mother of 3 Daughters, Skills Development Facilitator, Conference Speaker and Moderator.
Lioness Weekender spoke to the pioneering Hleziphi Siyothula–Mtshizana about her business building journey and the exciting developments taking place in the renewable energy sector.
What does your company do?
We provide project development, energy efficiency and alternative power solutions services to residential, industry, corporate and utility scale project developers. We also provide technical advisory services to NPCs, NGO, PBO and similar, for their sustainable socio-economic development programme focused on green economy artisanal skills develop and SMMEs.
What inspired you to start your company?
Being a mother, I wanted to leave a sustainable legacy and build an organisation in an area of passion (engineering and energy) that will make a meaningful contribution in solving challenges, changing lives and bringing sustainable prosperity for my family. I believe through my local, continental and global experience, I can create sustainable energy solutions for Africans that are based on the genuine understanding of the people's needs, that create sustainable livelihoods and result in energy access for all.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
The solutions we deliver are tailored to the clients’ or communities’ specific needs. While the technology that forms part of the solutions delivered are common, I think how the final energy solutions are crafted to respond to the unique needs of the client makes the services unique each time.
Tell us a little about your team:
I appreciate them. Kakhulu. I appreciate them for the reason that they bought into my vision to start and build In Pursuit Renewable Energy. There are 7 of them. 5 females and 2 males qualified in the areas of Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Management, Public Administration, Transport Management and Solar Energy and Energy Efficiency. They have demonstrated the capacity to learn and grow and have been contributing to significant organisational milestones.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
When I thought entrepreneurship was the glamorous process of a person starting a high-end business in an office or factory, I would have immediately said no about two years ago. However, through personal growth I have learned the true meaning of entrepreneurship, and my answer today is YES. I do come from an entrepreneurial background dating back to the 1980s when my grandmother (Mam'Hlakoana) ran a shebeen at her house to feed the family and paid for her grandkids (my siblings and cousins) to go to school and never sleep hungry. I also remember my stepmother who was the best tailor, known for making unique traditional clothes and church uniforms. When I was in university, my sister founded her electrical company and was an Eskom contractor for the rural schools electrification programme. When I look back now, I think these historical occurrences contributed to the courageous decision to pursue entrepreneurship in 2017.
In Pursuit was founded in August 2017. I started working full time in November 2017. It was tough. 2017-2018 I worked without an income as the only employee. Between 2019-2021 I started gaining momentum with some paying assignments. I would say 2017 to 2021 was the foundation-building phase. The significant break came in 2022 from the Nedbank funding of our Renewables for Socio-Economic Development Programme, where we are a Technical Advisor. Our work there has helped to showcase what we can do as an Energy Services company. Progress further has been positive with appointments by another commercial bank to deliver over 1000kWh to date of energy storage solutions, agricultural clients where we have delivered a further 40kW/40kWh and looking to double these numbers in the next 12 months. In addition, through working with our site company KP Cares in the next 6 months, we will have trained over 200 artisans in solar and energy efficiency, as well as activated at least 15 SMMEs to deliver solutions in the green economy. We are grateful to our sponsors, our partners, and supporters.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To continue to grow at the rate we are, if not better. To have more seasoned and passionate technicians and engineers join our team. We aspire to own or have direct access to the industry value chain to enhance our competitive edge. Further, to continue empowering youth and building sustainable socio-economic development ecosystems in the communities where we work.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
To be able to totally surrender to the mindset that each one of us is assigned a purpose. Living within that purpose serves us best because the solutions to our challenges, while always not clear and straightforward, are in the details of leaving to unpack your true purpose. For me, what I know for now, is that my purpose is to build an engineering and technology organization that will change the lives of others. While doing that, raise 3 beautiful daughters, build a family, and when I can aim to inspire by sharing my story. I look forward to the next destination that God assigns me.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Start, even if it looks messy. Speak even if your voice is shaking, and crawl if you can't walk. Being a woman is your superpower, wear it as an honour. I have experienced amazing infrastructure projects delivered successfully due to the harmonious collaborations of males and females that made up the project team. There is space for women in business who are intentional about doing the work.
To find out more about the work of In Pursuit Renewable Energy, send an email to: hleziphi@inpursuitafrica.africa or visit the company website: http://in-pursuit-projects-and-technology.business.site
