By Mzukona Mantshontsho
Kgomotso Langa, Managing Director at Cosmo Funeral Services was born in Mafikeng in the North West Province. She’s been running the business since June 2013.
She is the second born with six siblings. She came to Johannesburg in 2000 to complete her National Senior Certificate education and enrolled at the Pretoria Technikon in 2001 to pursue an Internal Auditing degree.
When she lost both her parents in 2002, her dream of becoming an Internal Auditor were shattered, she was forced to drop-out of University, and she found a job as a sales consultant at Virgin Active at the Carlton Centre – Johannesburg CBD. In 2006, she joined Old Mutual Group Schemes, and that is how she was introduced into the funeral services industry.
She became a personal financial advisor at Old Mutual between 2007 and January 2009. She went on to sell cars at Daihatsu later in 2009. She went back to Old Mutual Finance as a sales consultant and was exposed to more service offerings. Between 2010 and 2011, she worked as an Avon/Justin representative.
In 2012 she ran a pop-corn machine at the Zandspruit Shopping Centre whilst still trying to figure out which business venture she wanted to pursue.
Whilst all this was happening, she was studying and doing research on how to become a Broker. She is one of first residents that came to Cosmo City when she bought herself a house in extension 3 in July 2005, where she is still staying.
Registration of Cosmo Funeral Services was done in 2007 and the office we now know in Cosmo City was officially opened in June 2013. Certification of Competency, registration with the Financial Services Board and registration with Home Affairs to register death was done in the same year.
Summary Business Insights from Kgomotso Langa:
• Do proper research and learn more about the industry you want to go into,
• Finding the right location for your business is vital for any success,
• Going into business is not easy; follow all the regulations and governance procedures to be compliant,
• Take the first step, and just do the business you are passionate about,
• Be open-minded and willing to hear ideas from others and use what works for you.
