Inspiration

Sharing Her Success

Makoekie Tsotetsi When asked to describe herself, Makoekie used the words simple, ordinary and humble. A description which is in stark contrast to the impression one gets when coming face to face with the force that is Makoekie Tsotetsi. Well dressed, attractive and articulate Makoekie exudes confidence and strength. In fact, within minutes of chatting with her I had a sense that I was about to encounter someone quite, well . . . extraordinary.

Makoekie and her husband Mpho Tsotesi are the founders and owners of Impota Trading Pty Ltd, a Building and Civil construction company. Their clients include the Department of Public Works, City of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Roads Agency and Roadcrete. The Tsotetsi’s “rags to riches” story is truly inspiring. It really demonstrates the value of hard work, determination and positive thinking. They started their business with very little help and in the middle of great debt. In their first year of operation their CIDB grading went from Grade 1 to Grade 4. Although their first few projects did not earn them much profit they were soon tendering for and being awarded huge projects with big payoffs. Makoekie now inspires other women to reach for their dreams and has set up an HIV/AIDS NGO in Orlando Township whereby she is able to give back her time and skills to the community.

However, things weren’t always this great for Makoekie and Mpho. After completing a secretarial and business practice diploma at a technical college in Swaziland, she spent ten years working in the banking industry in Swaziland, Zimbabwe and South Africa. In 1998 she resigned from her job to start a hairdressing salon which did not do very well at all. In the same year her husband was retrenched and their savings soon began to dwindle. Before long they found themselves hitting rock bottom. Their flat, car and furniture were repossessed. They could not afford school fees for their two children and the family had nowhere to go.

One day, just in passing, an Operations Manager for a government department asked Mpho if he knew someone in construction who could do some repairs in one of their buildings. After making enquiries Mpho found no-one who could do the work. He didn’t leave it at that though. Mpho saw a gap which needed addressing and in January 2005 he and Makoekie registered a construction business.

Their first contract was for R34000.00. They found and made use of experts to get the job done but made no profit at all. The client was however very impressed and word of their good work soon spread. Their second project went much the same way and by their third project they had begun to make a small profit which they used to purchase office equipment. Makoekie however was not satisfied and thought to herself “Why must I settle for crumbs when I can have a loaf?” The status quo at the time was unacceptable to her and being the dreamer that she is, Makoekie decided that she would go out and win a tender for a million Rand project. Thinking back she says defiantly “Why couldn’t I get the big projects, what was stopping me?” Nothing apparently, their next contract was for a R2.5 million. It was a Department of Public Works project which received an award in the category for the best sports field and combination court constructed in that year.

Makoekie’s story brings to the mind the saying do what you’ve got to do so you can do what you want to do. It is clear that Makoekie is passionate about uplifting the youth. Aside from Impota’s corporate social responsibility program “Courage” the Tsotetsi’s are involved in a number of social development initiatives including the foster care of scholars and the establishment of a SEDA funded co-op for the provision of cleaning services and materials for a group of youngsters.

Makoekie believes in giving back and in sharing her success. She had the following to impart when asked, to what does she attribute her success? “Firstly, a positive mindset, I decided a long time ago that I would be deaf to negativity. Secondly, vision, goals and objectives. Have a vision, translate that into goals then strive to reach your goals with honesty and integrity. Thirdly, do what you have said you would do. Always honour your commitments and when you cannot, be transparent about it.”