grows into multi-million Rand company

Cleaning & janitorial services business grows into multimillion Rand company

Mdito Business Enterprise (MBE) is a black women-owned, registered small/medium entity founded in 2004 by Dorah Mavis Sibanyoni (known to many as Sis Mavis). MBE currently specialises in cleaning and janitorial services.

Sibanyoni is South African, born on the farmlands in Mpumalanga to the royal Manala-Mgibe Clan under Chief A. Mabena. In her own words: ‘From my humble beginnings, supplying stationary to Eskom Arnot Power Station, to cleaning services and a small consignment shop at Exxaro Arnot Coal Mine, to where I am today, various companies have contributed immensely to the growth of my business. I appreciate the change and development that these companies have brought to my life, which in turn has allowed us to bring hope and change to many others.’ PROFILE Mdito Business Enterprise

The companies that have contributed to the growth of MBE include: • Eskom Arnot Power Station • Exxaro Arnot Coal • Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions • Roshcon Site Services • Eskom Kusile Power Station • Eskom Kendal/Wilge • Murray and Roberts • Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa • T ransnet SOC Ltd • Eskom Hendrina Power Station • Eskom Komati Power Station • Eskom Grootvlei Power Station • Thermon South Africa • Kendal Power Station ‘It all began in 2005. I started working with Exxaro Arnot Coal Mine where I rendered cleaning services to residential homes and hostels for the mining staff. Times were tough as work depended on the number of callouts I got, and with only four casual workers at the time, I could not have imagined that I would be where I am today,’ says Sibanyoni.

The beginning of a life-changing chapter In 2009 Sibanyoni was offered the opportunity to render her services to Roshcon – little did she know that this was the beginning of a life-changing chapter in her business career. During this period, Sibanyoni and her company went through a drastic learning curve.

She underwent training to learn all the requirements concerning safety and environmental policies, and at the same time, her staff capacity expanded from four to 14 employees.

In 2010, MBE tendered for and was awarded the opportunity to render services to Eskom Kusile Power Station.

‘Through successful tendering and customer satisfaction, I have continued working on the Kusile project to this day,’ says Sibanyoni.

The Kusile project contributed abundantly towards the growth and development of Mdito Business Enterprise by enrolling Sibanyoni in learning programmes such as Bridging the Gap (BTG) and Business Management. In 2010, the company’s net value was R7-million in annual turnover with 24 employees. Today MBE boasts a staff complement of 354 employees and a net value of R45-million in annual turnover.

‘My experience while working on the Kusile project has allowed me to implement the knowledge and skills that I have acquired to tender efficiently, manage my business and to build and sustain new business relations. Through this I have been able to further acquire tenders with Eskom, Hitachi Power Systems South Africa (now known as Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa), Thermon South Africa and Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions,’ says Sibanyoni.

Skills development training for employees & giving back to the community Through partnership with some of their clients, MBE have implemented skills development training for MBE employees through pilot programmes in which MBE cleaning staff are trained and evaluated in computer literacy and administration. Successful candidates are then interviewed and absorbed by the client, which then allows MBE to create employment opportunities for other local residents.

‘MBE have a tradition of giving back to our community. We offer employment to residents from surrounding areas and farms and we also provide transportation service opportunities that in turn aid and uplift the local taxi industries,’ Sibanyoni explains.

MBE has also assisted the co-ops in the Nkangala District with financial services and start-up capital, as well as giving them business i.e. supplying consumable products for MBE.

The company also participated in Enterprise Development programmes led by their clients to assist other small and upcoming businesses, for example, co-ops in the Nkangala District. Other CSI and community development projects in which MBE is involved include: • building houses for impoverished MBE employees • donations to local churches • donations to local residents older than 100 • donations to fund-raising efforts for the needy • and less fortunate • donations of windows during the building of the • Delmas clinic • Cleaning of local schools and police stations ‘At MBE we believe that the employees are the fuel that feeds the company’s success. They play a vital role in the upkeep of the standard of cleaning offered by our company. Our staff clean with a passion and they value and take pride in the service that they render. This is embodied and evident in the company slogan – we love what we do,’ says Sibanyoni.

Recognition and awards It is no surprise then to learn that Mdito Business Enterprise has won several awards and been recognised on various platforms for its business excellence, including: • SMME of the Year at the Nkangala District Business Expo in 2014 • Dorah Mavis Sibanyoni was recognised and nominated by Standard Bank and TOP Media as one of South Africa’s Top Women in Business in 2016 • MBE was awarded for qualifying as one of South Africa’ s Top Gender Empowerment Companies in the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. ‘Words cannot describe how humbled and grateful I am. The company has come a long way and still has a lot to accomplish. God has been faithful, and we look forward to a big and brighter future. I would not have made it this far without the support and business acquired from my clients and core management team who include Aaron Mbhele (HR/IR Manager), Pamela Lekoma (Operations Manager), Nomusa Sibanyoni (Senior Administrator), and Phila Veti (Payroll Manager),’ Sibanyoni says. n

Mdito Business Enterprises CC T +27 013 650 0896 C +27 083 210 6365 F +27 086 546 1263