Bringing dreams to LIFE

A DELICATELY SUSPENDED WEDDING CAKE, FLOWERS AND PLANTS SO LUSH IT’S A GLORIOUS TROPICAL JUNGLE, OR A VIRTUAL UBER-STYLISH HIGH TEA … THERE’S NOTHING DYNAMIC LONDIWE MAZWIDE OF ANDIMAHLE BUILDING EVENTS CAN’T OR WON’T DO. IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, SHE CAN BRING IT TO LIFE, WRITES ANNE SCHAUFFER

It doesn’t matter what mood you’re in when you meet uMhlanga resident Londiwe Mazwide, you’ll leave in a good one. She’s an events designer and planner extraordinaire, and from that very first interaction, you’ll see she’s as fired up about your function as you are. That’s a great feeling.

Londiwe Mazwide is the founder and owner of Andimahle Building Events. Married to Sanele Ngcobo, they’re partners in Sandakahle Events – Sanele handles logistics and infrastructure like marquees and floors, and Londi takes over from there.

Londi knew in matric that eventing would be her passion: “I studied business economics, and loved the business aspect. I set my sights on owning my own eventing business.” She sought advice from the career guidance department at Durban University of Technology, and was a little surprised they suggested marketing management. One of the modules was events management. The combination of business economics and events management provided all the skills she needed for the business she knew she’d start.

But first, she worked for the Department of Agriculture, and after a year was managing government functions: “I handled small events, and I loved running around, paying attention to detail, making sure all was perfect.” A grin, “But I don’t like being told what to do.”

Londi met Sanele when she hired a marquee, and from that meeting, came a marriage and a business partnership. She laughs, “Sanele was clear. He said, ‘I’m not running around looking for flowers, you handle that side of things’.” So she did.

Londi understood the events industry, and the value of connections. She put all her energy into building relationships with suppliers: “My business is 12 years old, and some suppliers have been with me from the outset. Once you really understand each other, that relationship is invaluable. If you want a sustainable business, ethics is everything. Put other people’s problems before your own … pay your suppliers first, support them, and they’ll do likewise to you.”

Standing the test of time has been a challenge faced by so many businesses during Covid-19. For Londi, an eventing business – when you couldn’t throw any – was a challenge. But challenges are her thing. Her florist has been with her from the start, and she’d long wanted Londi to collaborate on a business around Luxury Floral Boxes: “I didn’t really have the capacity, nor did I want to lose focus,” says Londi. But lockdown had everyone shifting focus. Flowers in a box were perfect, and as she says, “We’re hardly sleeping we’re so busy.”

ABOVE: Londiwe Mazwide – a woman with big dreams and the passion to turn any event into an extraordinary talking point.

Londiwe’s research around eventing intensified over lockdown. She taught herself to operate in the social media space, and manages all those platforms herself. She has 157 000 followers on Instagram, 28 600 followers for Andimahle Building Events, and posts relentlessly. Eventing trends are constantly changing, and she follows a number of » international events planners for inspiration: “Innovation is everything. I collaborate with young Born Frees/digital natives/Generation Zs – I keep them close to my business so as to learn new and fresh ideas from them. You need a teachable spirit, otherwise you’ll get left behind. I never stop learning.”

Londi is a firm believer in constant self-improvement, and still attends events management master classes: “You need to have clear direction for your business – I can have all the equipment in the world, but without fresh new ideas on how to use them, I’m going to sink.”

For Londi, relationships with her clients are long. It might begin with a birthday party, an engagement, or even a wedding – but from there, Londi is committed to a lifetime of events with that person. Yes, it’s business, but she loves the friendships too. Her team handles much of the admin and behind-the-scenes work, but for the initial consultation,

I can have all the equipment in the world, but without fresh new ideas on how to use them, I’m going to sink”

Londi is always there: “I need a connection with the client.” The client fills in the required Intake Form with everything from guest numbers to the mood they’d like – but Londi makes certain they have the experience they envisage: “If they want romance, that’s what they’ll have. Everyone at that event will walk away talking about romance.” From 500 people at a grand wedding, to 10 people at a curated dinner party complete with lavish floral arrangements and a private chef, Londi’s done them all.

The wonderful part for her of course, is the creative side – the colours, the decor, detailed design, unique items – she even travels to source unique decor items.

And if you’re wondering about virtual events, Londiwe has it down to a T – high tea via Zoom. The host or hostess has a glam curated setting, while guests are given a dress code, with the colour theme, food they need to provide for themselves, even suggestions for balloons. For birthdays, when the birthday girl logs in, all the guests are virtually there. There are gift cards sent via mail or Whatsapp, opened in front of the guests.

After 12 years, does Londi still love her brand and her work? Undoubtedly. So does everyone else. She smiles, “Your reputation is everything – sustaining that keeps you on your toes. You can’t falter, because your next client is at that wedding.” Any further dreams? “Oh yes, I want my own wedding venue. I like to dream big. I know I would fill it every month, all year round.” Confidence, too, is her key to success. * FOR MORE INFO Andimahle Building Events: 031 220 2110; WAndimahle Building Events; @andimahlebuildingevents