INTERVIEW WITH LETTIE MASHAU, CEO AT MOTHEO CONSTRUCTION GROUP

INTERVIEW WITH LETTIE MASHAU, CEO AT MOTHEO CONSTRUCTION GROUP

Q. PLEASE GIVE A BRIEF PARAGRAPH SUMMARY OF THE COMPANY, AND ITS CURRENT PRODUCTS AND/OR SERVICES, AND WHICH MARKETS IT CATERS TO.

Motheo Construction Group is one of the largest black female-led, built-environment companies in South Africa. We have divisions in: General Construction, Housing, Civils, Electrical Works, Fibre, Water Savings Technologies, as well as an Academy, all of which we take pride in. Motheo Construction Group is ISO 45001 Compliant.

Q. HOW DO YOU RETAIN PERSONNEL IN YOUR COMPANY AND STOP KEY STAFF JUMPING SHIP? Staff turnover is low. The health and longevity of Motheo is underpinned by its care for the individual.

Working at Motheo has often been described as a family. At Motheo we share mutual respect for each other. We value the contributions of all members of the team. Motheo does not hold an attitude that comes with a title. All people are created by God and thus all people are treated equally. The unique Motheo culture shines brightly, and we take preserving this ethos very seriously.”

Q. WHAT ARE THE SKILLS YOU LOOK FOR IN STAFF, AND ARE THESE NEEDS BEING FULFILLED?

Motheo always seeks integrity, a culture fit, and obviously competence.

Q. WHO ARE THE PEOPLE YOU MOST ADMIRE, AND WHY?

We are all committed to honour the legacy of our founding member, the late Dr. Thandi Ndlovu. She successfully transferred her vision of building a solid construction business which is led and managed by black women. We are all passionate and committed to this vision and we continue laying the blocks on this solid foundation.

We are proud to be the leading black women-managed and led construction company with level 1 B-BBEE Status.

Q. WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO EXPAND / IMPROVE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? WHERE WILL YOU BE IN 10 YEARS TIME?

Looking at the next five years, we can easily double our current turnover. We have bedded down the foundation. It is easy to say you want to grow, but are you prepared for that growth?

I think we used 2020, which was a quiet year, to position ourselves for this future growth. Yes, it is an exciting time. As much as Covid-19 has had a negative impact on the construction industry, we remain positive and on the lookout for opportunities.”

Q. HOW DO THE COMPANY’S CSI PROJECTS CONTRIBUTE TO THE BUSINESS AS A WHOLE?

The importance of being of service to others and of sharing your gifts and talents with those who have less than you is a building block of the Motheo culture. It is from this place that we operate when making decisions about the CSI projects that we want to participate in. At the centre of that is the desire to serve people.

Motheo has recently donated a multi-purpose court to Mpilisweni Secondary School in Katlehong and will continue to support schools, the aged and vulnerable communities in the areas we operate.

Q. DESCRIBE THE BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY THE COMPANY PRIDES ITSELF ON.

In our 24 years of existence, Motheo has intentionally empowered young African graduates with a special focus to African women within the construction sector. We pride ourselves as the leading agent of change within the construction sector.

Motheo seeks to be a role model of how a black female-owned and managed business can remain sustainable in the South African landscape. We want to remain an aggressive proponent of diversity, in terms of gender and race, as we meet the daily challenge of seeking to thrive in a continually changing environment.

LETTIE MASHAU

Name: Lettie Mashau

Occupation and position: CEO,Motheo Construction Group

First job: Trainee Site Quantity Surveyor (2005)

Best advice and who gave it:Understand who you are and leada purpose driven life. The late Dr.Myles Munroe.

Best Book Read this Year: The FourAgreements: A Practical Guide toPersonal Freedom by Don MiguelRuiz with Janet Mills.

Most Inspiring Business Leader: Thelate Dr. Thandi Ndlovu and VusiThembakwayo.

Way you relax: Spending time with family, listening to worship songs and community charity projects.

What skills do the new generation of black leaders need? Innovation, Ethical Practice and Strategic and Critical Thinking.

MOTHEO CONSTRUCTION GROUP

MOTHEO CONSTRUCTION GROUP is one of the largest black female-led, built-environment companies in South Africa. We have divisions in: General Construction, Housing, Civils, Electrical Works, Fibre, Water Savings Technologies, as well as an Academy, all of which we take pride in.

Motheo Construction Group is a leading, predominantly black-ownedLevel 1 B-BBEE construction company. Motheo is ISO 9001 and ISO 45001compliant. Not only do we build with brick and mortar – putting roofs over hundreds of thousands of heads –but we also build by raising the SouthAfrican flag high. We at Motheo are truly Empowered. A true example of a South African company. Since inception almost 24 years ago, Motheo has intentionally empowered black women in the construction industry.

Motheo believes in embracing all the people of our nation - working together to bring true change. Motheo put roofs over heads, as well as work boots on feet. Motheo has recently secured two new services contracts for the Mpumalanga Department of HumanSettlements.

The combined value of the projects is approximately R50-million. Motheo has recently completed the ABSA Towers building in Johannesburg and theFlagstaff Community Health Centre.Other projects include the Graaff-Reinet TVET at a value of R107-million for the Department of Higher Education and the Breaking Ground housing project for Buffalo City Municipality to a value of R254-million. Motheo has completed Bus Rapid Transport Stations in Durban at a value of R87-million.

Motheo is currently undertaking the construction of the Vlakfontein, 210 megalitre reservoir and related works, in joint venture with WBHO. Motheo finds itself sustainably growing in turnover despite the challenges of the pandemic, and a shrinking construction industry, we believe this is because the company offers a diversity of services and aspires to maintain real integrity in the procurement and execution of construction contracts. The importance of being of service to others and of sharing your gifts and talents with those who have less than you is a building block of the Motheo culture. It is from this place that we operate when making decisions about the CSI projects that we want to participate in.

At the centre of that is the desire to serve people. Motheo is incredibly proud of its CEO Lettie Mashau, who joined Motheo in 2005 as a young graduate looking to complete her in-service training, having qualified with a Diploma in Building and Civil Engineering. Ms. Lettie Mashau was appointed by the Board of Directors of Motheo Construction Group, on the 9 September 2019, as the new Chief Executive Officer, having been mentored by the late Dr. Ndlovu for many years.

She is currently studying towards herMBA and recently won the Top Womanin Property Award.

“Looking at the next five years, we can easily double our current turnover. We have bedded down the foundation.It is easy to say you want to grow, but are you prepared for that growth? I think we used 2020, which was a quiet year, to position ourselves for this future growth. Yes, it is exciting times.

As much as Covid-19 has had a negative impact on the construction industry, we remain positive and on the lookout for opportunities,” Lettie Mashau.

Company DetailsAddress: 280 Kent Avenue, Randburg, Johannesburg.

Tel: 011 789 8440

Email: info@motheogroup.co.za

Web: motheogroup.co.za

Social Media: @MotheoConstructionGroup