For her role in reducing South Africa’s unemployment rate, Nqobile Valentia Veronica Mkhabela has been recognised as the Job Creator of the Year® at the 36th annual Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year® awards.
As the Founder and Managing Director of Siyanqobangamandla Engineering Services (Pty), a company offering electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering solutions across multiple sectors, she has created 530 permanent jobs. Of her employees, 97% are Black, and 48% are women, reflecting her commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Additionally, Mkhabela goes beyond upskilling her team through training and mentorship programmes, extending her commitment to local communities and the country’s future workforce – schoolchildren. The business offers technical skills training and educational support within the community and partners with schools to provide resources, mentorship, and career days that open students’ eyes to potential vocational paths.
She initially started the business to provide cleaning services to the South African mining industry, but soon recognised the need to diversify the company’s operations to address various market demands, leading Siyanqobangamandla to expand its service portfolio over the past 11 years.
“In a country where the National Development Plan envisions small businesses creating 90% of new jobs by 2030, Nqobile stands out as a leader. By creating 530 permanent jobs at Siyanqobangamandla and actively investing in workforce development, she not only strengthens her business but also contributes to this goal. She exemplifies the power of entrepreneurship in building South Africa’s future,” says David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited.