FAITH TSHEPISO MABENA: CONSTRUCTION FOUND ME

MBA NEWS

Mentioning the construction industry in Africa could well evoke images of bricks, cement and men in overalls and hard hats. In an industry which is largely maledominated and characterised by stiff competition, the story of Faith Tshepiso Mabena is all the more inspiring, proving that dreams and passions cannot be dampened, whatever the odds.

Mabena is an award-winning businesswoman and trail-blazer in the Western Cape construction industry whose efforts were recognised during Women’s Month in SA.

Born and raised in Soshanguve, Pretoria, she and her family were quite nomadic before settling in Midrand. Her mother was a determined single parent, who treated her children equally and various household chores knew no gender. As a result, laughs Mabena, her brother is an exceptional cook and she feels at ease working in construction.

UNIVERSITY LIFE

Mabena obtained a BCom in marketing from the University of SA (Unisa) in 2009. In addition, she completed a National Home Builders’ Registration Council Women Empowerment Programme through the Gordon Institute for Business Science, an eight-month course in Project and Financial Management, Entrepreneurship, Legislation and Technical Acumen at the Eskom Contractor Academy and an Entrepreneurship and SME Growth Strategy course via the University of the Western Cape, which was sponsored by the MBA Western Cape. It is clear that her journey into the construction industry was not a linear one.

In fact, her career did not begin in the construction industry. “When I completed matric, I had to start working due to financial constraints. My first job was as a receptionist, before I was promoted to customer service representative and then account manager. I then moved to Cape Town in a marketing director’s role before quitting to start my own business,” she says.

The construction industry “found” Mabena in 2014 after a few failed business ventures and she “stumbled” into construction by chance and has never looked back. Her company – Nokhanya Services – employs 20 permanent team members and creates jobs for hundreds more people when her projects are in the construction phase. The business has completed numerous projects, such as the subsidised Infill Development of 450 units in Mfuleni, Bardale, which was awarded in 2015.

MASTER BUILDER

Having recently been promoted to a full member of the Master Builders’ Association in the Western Cape, Mabena says she is now part of an organisation whose members are encouraged to work to the highest possible standards – aesthetically, technically and ethically – at all times.

She says that being a contractor in a male-dominated industry has not been easy. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and I’ve had to prove myself every step of the way. That said, I believe women are just as capable of operating in the construction industry as men. We’re good at inspiring people. We’re observant, pay attention to detail and communicate well. And finally, we’re patient and know how to multi-task.”

She encourages young women not to be daunted by entering the construction industry. “Unless we do something about it, the industry won’t change. We’re the game-changers and while this isn’t an easy journey, it’s worth it. The key to succeeding is being relentless. The difference we can make in the industry is immense. Just remember, anything’s possible – it just takes longer sometimes.”

With women who are brave and willing enough to be the change they want to see in the world, Mabena has shown that there is space for women in construction. All that needs to happen is for women to lay the first brick themselves.