Inspiration

Never Give Up

Nuku Sibeko
Nuku Sibeko is the owner and manager of Dikhaketso Construction and Projects. Many years ago Nuku had to have renovations done to her home in Soweto. The contractor who assisted her with the renovation of her home was very impressed by Nuku’s meticulous nature and ability to both visualise and express her requirements. Nuku says that he was one of the first influences in her growing desire to work in construction.
Nuku has always been somewhat entrepreneurial. Although she is a qualified teacher and spent 20 years in the profession she realises, in retrospect, that she was always drawn to different types of business activities. She believes that this stems from a work ethic which was instilled in her by her parents. Although Nuku was her parents only surviving child she was not spoiled. Her parents were very hard working and inculcated in her a sense of independence. Nuku’s dad held down several jobs at one time and with the support of his wife and daughter took advantage of any opportunity that presented itself. For example, whilst employed as a messenger for Simmonds Bro’s he noticed that the tailor shop a few blocks away was doing very well and decided to take on minor clothing repairs thus teaching himself the tailoring trade. In addition he also made and sold products using corrugated iron and later prepared and sold food products.
Nuku had worked her way up to a senior teaching position before retiring from the profession and beginning her business in construction. She registered a construction company in 2006 but did not start working immediately. She felt that she needed to be equipped with skills and knowledge relevant to the industry. After making enquiries about the industry she came upon information about Khuthaza (then Women for Housing). With Khuthaza’s assistance Nuku began to amass both the technical and business skills required for the work she would be carrying out in the construction industry.
Nuku’s first construction project was for the Department of Education. It was not a very large project and involved the replacement of doors and windows at a school in Krugersdorp. Shortly thereafter Nuku was awarded a project from Metrorail for the renovation of the Langlaagte signal station. This was a larger project which involved the renovation of the ablution block, drywall and partitioning, 550 square metres of tiling, painting, laying of concrete and plumbing.
Nuku and other contractors like her face similar challenges during the first few years of establishing their construction businesses. Issues such as raising capital, earning respect in largely male dominated environment, theft, maintenance, health and safety seem to be some of the common challenges female contractors come up against.
Nuku shows excellent business acumen in the way she handles each challenge she is presented with. She uses both common sense and creativity to improve efficiencies and enhance the running of her business. She tries to always source labour and materials locally and constantly pursues new avenues for finance. She establishes good relationships with her suppliers and staff by putting her financial obligation to them first.
Nuku attributes her success to passion, honesty, discipline and hard work. She believes that she is on this planet for a reason and is inspired by life’s challenges. She finds great satisfaction in being instrumental in changing the perception that once you get to an advanced age you are incapable of taking on new challenges. Her advice to others is that perseverance is the mother of success. She says “Never give up and never be afraid to ask for help”.