As a young boy, Sisonke Zondeki would often accompany his entrepreneur father to work, observing him negotiate with suppliers and clinch deals in the construction sector. He remembers how these experiences ignited a burning desire within him to establish his own business.
“I come from an entrepreneurial background. I used to accompany my father to his construction sites, and it was there that I was inspired by seeing what he was doing.
“I would always get excited whenever I saw him negotiate with suppliers, close deals, and lead his team of employees. I knew that was the kind of career I wanted,” Sisonke recalls.
Fast forward to today, and Sisonke is living his dream. The South African entrepreneur, who grew up in the Eastern Cape Province, is the director of Sosonke Zondeki Construction, where he employs 30 people.
“I also saw an opportunity in the construction sector. I have been in business for a decade now, since 2014.”
Education as a Pathway
Sisonke is also thankful to his parents for encouraging him to excel in his education. He acknowledges that successfully completing his bachelor’s degree with the University of South Africa (Unisa) provided him with the right platform to succeed in his business.
“Education gave me the ability to be flexible, to balance business and personal life. Education also enabled me to be self-sufficient from a young age.
“Because of my educational background, I was able to stay motivated even when my company was struggling during its initial years of operation.”
Constructing the Future
Sisonke Zondeki Construction, based in Johannesburg, has become the “go-to” company for civil engineering, general maintenance, supplying ready-mixed concrete, road construction, maintenance, traffic light installation, and many other related services.
As an entrepreneur, Sisonke has learned to not only establish himself but also navigate an industry with constantly shifting dynamics.
“Developments in technology have changed the landscape of the construction sector, making operations more costly. As a solution, I outsource a lot. We do not maintain a full-time in-house workforce.
“Additionally, we use modern communication systems. We often hire equipment rather than purchase it, which helps us stay competitive and reduce wasteful expenditure.”
There is evidence to suggest that Sisonke Zondeki Construction is performing exceptionally well.
“We have completed numerous construction projects across South Africa. We are proud to have contributed to our country’s GDP growth by creating employment opportunities for many unemployed graduates and young people.”
Conquering Challenges
Sisonke and his team have encountered many barriers when attempting to secure business loans or venture capital.
“I had to seek funding from private sources by proving that our business was creditworthy. Furthermore, we have learned that it is important to be flexible, to stay in touch with our current clientele, and to take feedback and criticism constructively. Networking is crucial.
“We have also faced challenges from dealing with dishonest or corrupt employees. I now only hire the best employees, and we conduct thorough background checks before onboarding anyone.”
Back to School
As he continues to lead his company towards sustainable growth, Sisonke has not lost sight of the importance of deepening his entrepreneurship understanding through education.
Acknowledging how far his degree has taken him, Sisonke is currently furthering his education at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
“Currently, I am pursuing a Master’s Degree. Apart from being a business leader, I am an emerging politician and a human rights activist.”
A People’s Person
Sisonke’s advice to other small businesses looking to enter the construction industry is that success requires effort.
“You should first conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis.
Without preparation, courage, and risk-taking, you will not survive as an entrepreneur.
“Do not cut corners. There is no guaranteed salary. Do your market research properly. And see yourself as a people’s person. You will need to know every aspect of your business, not just the areas of your particular interest.
“One of the most significant lessons I have learned is that you do not need to be brilliant to start a business. You have to navigate the uncertainty a business faces until it becomes profitable. Lastly, determine your audience, do not ignore the competition, and avoid acting impulsively,” Sisonke says.
