By Mzukona Mantshontsho
IINTOMBI SERVICES is a Professional Training and Placement Agency for Housekeepers, Domestic Workers, Home-Based Care workers, Cleaners and Waitresses situated in the heart of Soweto.
The company was established and owned by Nonkululeko Mogotsi, The State of Small Business spoke to her about her personal, professional and entrepreneurial journey since 2002. The company has over the years developed a reputation in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Rustenburg, Kimberly, Durban and Cape Town.
Tell us your brief history; personal, academic and professional
I was born in the late 70’s in Soweto and am the eldest daughter of Nono and Mbulelo Tantsi. I grew up in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. I came to Johannesburg in 2000 and stayed in Ridgeway, where I bought my first house at Leopard Rock.
I worked at different companies:
• Telkom – as Credit Controller,
• NHBRC – in the Procurement Department,
• CCMA – at their Training Department,
• Rand Water – at the Risk Department and Human Resources, and
• Basix Group – with the Finance Department.
Looking at my work history I knew I wanted to be self-employed. I do well as a leader, I am versatile, analytical, goal orientated, free spirited, determined, an open minded intelligent woman. For my personal and entrepreneurial growth, I did short course at Damelin and other short courses at Unisa. The courses include: Project Management, a leadership course with Siyangoba, a training development programme with Maurice Kerrigan, a training course at MacCauVeli in the Vaal, an SABS Environmental Management Course, Quality Management, Occupational Health and Safety, and Auditing Systems.
What does your role mean to you?
My role means a lot to me, it brings me fulfilment in enabling the unemployed to get jobs. It brings confidence to the uneducated and low-skilled trainees we place. I assist the country in eliminating poverty. The trainees we train and place can compete with the employed with the skills we give them. All this completes me.
What are you currently working on and what can we expect from you going forward?
I opened a training centre for the trainees we place in employment. The cooking school was launched on Saturday 23 June and offers a 4 week-training programme – our menus offer different varieties of meals from starters, breakfasts, dinners, desserts, platters and drinks – improving the quality of cooking our housekeepers provide. The cooking school is at 3394 Maliza Link in Soweto.
What initiative would have the greatest impact for IINTOMBI SERVICES?
The training centre. The cooking school enhances our trainees with the relevant skills to prepare balanced meals confidently. Our bigger plan with the cooking school is so that our trainees can start their own catering businesses in the future.
What would you change if you had all the powers in the world?
I would change the way that people think because a lot people have a dependency syndrome. This is not helping our country and economy.
How would people describe you as a leader?
I am somewhat of a perfectionist, I want to believe I am open-minded though, extremely strict at times, an intelligent go getter who is supportive and warm hearted. I’m a leader who wants the best for my employees and clients at all times.
What legacy would you like to leave?
Liberated people in our communities.
How does IINTOMBI SERVICES contribute to the community?
We train, place them and put bread on their tables , we keep fires burning and we stabilize them in that way we reduce crimes because instead of ladies shoplifting , they will work and instead of the kids pick pocketing , they will know that there is food at home.
What have been your highs and lows in your working career?
Highs – Single handedly starting the business from nothing, no government funds the business, we have no sponsors. All the training modules that we use are written by me and all the systems that are designed by me with the talent that was given to me by God.
Lows – One unhappy misinformed person swearing at me, thinking that it’s alright to swear at a human being.
What do you do when you not at work?
I love reading and spending quality time with the four children that God blessed me with – Claudia, Onthatile, Remo and Lesedi
What are your words of advice and inspiration for young people?
Be kind, humble, respectful, and honest in all your dealings.
Where can people follow you online?
www.iintombiservices.co.za
, call Nonkuleleko Mogotsi at +27 73 608 6446 TODAY!
