Supporting Women in Business

By Sherole Webster

The empowerment of women is something that Thebe supports extensively. Through initiatives such as Thebe Ya Mosadi, its leadership and even the suppliers it procures from.

Over the years one such supplier has been Ms Tshidi Mbatha, the owner of Shandu General Trading. Her business which was started in 2004 specialises in supplying corporate gifting, corporate supplies such as the branding of promotional items. Tshidi comes from humble beginnings having started her company from the boot of her car and her home. She has grown to owning a uniform manufacturing business in 2013.

Believing in her dream of running her own business and putting in the hours Tshidi turned but a simple dream into a reality. “I was working for a company as a salesperson and I did very well and I thought of doing sales for myself instead of doing it for someone else,” Tshidi said of her inspiration for starting her own company. Having a firm understanding of the market from her previous work experience assisted her venture.

It has not always been an easy road towards becoming a successful business owner. In the beginning, this particular venture was geared towards an untapped market but then the market began to grow and more competitors emerged. However, having the continued support of businesses such as Thebe has taken the simple idea of being an entrepreneur and amplified it into a sustainable cash generating enterprise.

Through hard work, dedication and a hint of tenacity, Tshidi has established herself as a fast growing business owner.