< Back Zululand Chamber of Commerce & Industry 45 minutes Assesment About While the Zululand Chamber of Commerce & Industry is autonomous to the Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation, the Foundation community park continues to provide a home for its associated organisations. The Zululand Chamber of Commerce & Industry continues to enjoy a close relationship with the Foundation while Business Against Crime no longer reports to the Foundation. The Zululand Chamber of Commerce & Industry continues to grow with increased membership and during 2009 the Chamber Executive Committee had 19 sub committees reporting to it.At the Executive Committee meeting held on the 8th August 2007 under the chairmanship of Mr Garth McCartney, the Chamber took the decision to become affiliated with SACCI (South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry, formally known as SACOB). Previous Next

< Back Lindiwe Rakharebe

No matter what you choose, you need to work out what is the legacy you wantKashnee Sewnarain < Back Kashnee Sewnarain Founder and Director Inspired Financial Management Solutions Kashnee Sewnarain is a qualified chartered accountant who holds substantial professional experience in public sector financial management and capacity building. She founded Inspired Financial Management Solutions which employs 11 individuals, eight of whom are women, in a space of five years. The company focuses on improving skills and capacity building for government organisations in budgeting, accounting, financial statements preparation, systems implementation, and financial management. They have been operating for five years and have a client base comprising a number of government organisations across the country. She believes that this growth has been achieved by producing the best quality of work for her clients, and with the utmost integrity and ethics as the core foundation to the business. Study accountancy “My journey was actually surprising,” said Kashnee. “I really didn’t know what I wanted to study when I was in school. My accounting teacher suggested that I study accountancy, which I thought was a boring book kind of job. However, based on my parents’ insistence, I continued with a chartered accountancy degree.” Kashnee commenced her studies with a loan from the bank, where repayments were required once she completed her degree. She attempted to study honours part time whilst working and found it really difficult to balance by work commitments with her studies, and eventually gave up on this. A few years later, after much effort, Kashnee’s former boss convinced her to return to her studies. This meant that she needed to redo her third-year studies again, as her degree was more than three years old, and two additional years of studying toward Honours (CTA), as Unisa did not offer the one-year honours programme as a part time option. Kashnee commenced studying again at the age of 32, newly married, and possibly the oldest student in her class. She qualified as a chartered accountant at the age of 36. Kashnee believes that there are many people in her life that God has placed in her path, who have had a positive impact in her career, which she is grateful for. “My foundation comes from my parents. My mom has been an amazing role model to me. She’s always encouraged and believed in me that I could do anything that I put my heart and soul into.” “My dad has been my sounding board. He’s actually my biggest critic, which has made me stronger because he always questions my decisions and makes me consider the pros and cons. He’s been an amazing support to me.” Her husband has also been her biggest supporter and had resigned from his job to support her in achieving her goals and building the business together. She indicated that she would not be able to do what she does, without his incredible support and understanding. One client at a time Her vision is to drive positive change in the public sector one client at a time. “I believe in training and capacity building and enabling officials to do the job right the first time. I’m not a person that would want to do the job for somebody else, but rather show them how to do it themselves.” She strongly believes in the ‘good’ in government, which is often unseen. “There are many government officials I work with on a daily basis that really want to see the difference in government.” She indicated that there is much need to maximise on this by equipping and supporting these individuals to be the best that they can be. Since its establishment, the company has trained approximately 400 government officials to be able to do their job better, with great success in being able to successfully perform their functions with minimal support. Kashnee added, “We also play a strong role in terms of aligning budgets to the Integrated Development Plans, which enhances that service delivery is achieved in communities. The value for money that we bring is that we help municipalities bring value to the communities.” As an individual, Kashnee voluntarily serves on the Eastern Region SAICA Public Sector Committee. In her role, she focuses on change management, building capacity and knowledge in the public sector and offers capacity building and training workshops for government officials at no cost to strengthen their knowledge around key technical issues. A previous director of KZN Provincial Treasury, she has a proven track record of assisting in improving audit opinions in the public sector and has been instrumental in leading financial management reforms within the province. She further led the implementation of municipal systems reform in KZN, which impacted on financial management processes for municipalities. Level of expectations Being a business that operates in the space of government, it has been challenging at times to be appointed to undertake work, based on merit. However, Kashnee believes that the knowledge and skills that the company possesses has held them strongly in this regard, whilst being resilient in their beliefs of integrity and ethics. Her future goal is to continue to bring change to the public sector through capacity building and training. A question that Kashnee often asks her clients is: ‘What is the legacy that you want to leave behind?’. Her advice to young women is “No matter what you choose to do, you need to work out what is the legacy you want to leave behind and work towards it. Give it everything you’ve got. You are never too old to study and reach your dreams.” Share knowledge Relaxing and unwinding is difficult when you run a business. When Kashnee has the opportunity, she spends time relaxing on weekends. She enjoys spending time with family and says, “I have three beautiful dogs; they give me a lot of relaxation to take my mind off things.” In conclusion, being part of KZN Top Business Women means that Kashnee has an opportunity to: “Share my knowledge, share what I’ve achieved and to inspire young people that they can do anything that they put their mind to.”

< Back Next > Brenda Ndlovu Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Imbokodo Electrical Construction Brenda Ndlovu, the founder and CEO of Imbokodo Electrical Construction, shares her story with a blend of pride and humility. “I was always curious about business,” she says, tracing her entrepreneurial roots back to her childhood in Hammarsdale, west of KwaZulu-Natal. “My mother was a street vendor, and I was exposed to the world of sales at the tender age of six. From then on, the idea of being employed by someone else never really appealed to me.” Her company’s work involves electrifying rural areas that previously lacked power, and recently, has moved into transmission, building substations and pylons. “We’re involved in vegetation management, including clearing alien trees along power lines. Our clients include municipalities, Eskom, and private entities,” she explains. The company, which began as a small endeavour in 2002, has grown into a key player in the industry, electrifying over 100,000 homes and constructing thousands of kilometres of power lines throughout KwaZulu-Natal. Brenda’s introduction to the electrical sector came by chance. While still in school, she was offered a job by an electrical contractor who used to give her lifts. “I was curious and eager to learn, and within a year, I’d taught myself everything in the office,” she recalls. It was during this time that she realised her potential in the field. With the encouragement of her foster father, Rob Hill, Brenda registered her own business at just 22 years old. She acknowledges the unique opportunity that came with being a young, black woman entering a male- dominated space. “My company was the first black- owned, female-led electrical construction business in the area. It definitely gave us a boost, but we’ve earned our place through hard work and consistency over the last 23 years.” Brenda’s company has been recognised as the Eskom Contractor of the Year 2012, as well as runner up as both the Sebenza Women of the Year in Construction 2022 and FMI Impactor of the Year. Balancing Business and Motherhood Brenda’s motivation has always been her children. “I have four girls, ranging from young adults to a nine- year-old,” she says. “Growing up, my dream was to be a mother who could provide for her children in ways I never experienced. Being my own boss was the ideal way I could achieve that.” Balancing her role as a business owner and a mother has been a central theme in Brenda’s life. Following her divorce, she reshaped her company to allow more flexibility. “I didn’t want to be tied to an office all day. I structured my business so I could have the freedom to parent and still run things effectively. In the past two years, I focused on expansion, but I made sure I could spend quality time with my youngest daughter and six- month-old grandson,” she shares. Brenda’s parenting approach extends beyond her own children, impacting her employees and the communities they serve. “In the early days, I would visit schools to scout for workers. Many of my employees are people whose families I know well. It’s not just a business; it’s a family affair,” she says with pride. Her dedication to uplifting rural areas through electrification is not merely a job but a passion that she finds deeply fulfilling. “Seeing the joy on people’s faces when they get electricity for the first time is priceless.” Overcoming Challenges Navigating the challenges of a male-dominated industry has not been easy. “In the beginning, being both black and a woman was an issue. I had to prove myself three times over to be taken seriously,” she says. This reality demanded that she learn quickly and work harder than her peers. “Being a Zulu woman brought its own set of expectations, and I wasn’t given time to grow into the role of a boss. I had to hit the ground running.” The lack of mentorship in the early years slowed her progress compared to her contemporaries. “I was self- taught, and there was no one to show me the ropes,” Brenda reflects. “When I see others who started later but moved faster, I realise they had access to coaching that I didn’t.” Despite these setbacks, she has maintained a steady momentum, which has kept her business strong over the decades. For Brenda, setbacks are simply indicators of where to make changes. “I don’t see business highs and lows as different. I think my mother shielded me from the tough times growing up, so I learned to handle business as a constant. When things dip, it’s just a sign that we need to adapt.” This resilience was especially tested during the Covid-19 pandemic, but her positive outlook remained intact. Looking to the future, Brenda is eager to expand Imbokodo Electrical Construction into the independent power producer business. “I want to move into biomass and wind turbines. South Africa, and Africa at large, has a massive need for innovative energy solutions, and I want to be part of that trend,” she says. The government’s recent move to open up the energy sector presents an opportunity that she is ready to seize. Her advice to young women aspiring to follow her is straightforward: “Just start. You don’t need all the skills right away because the industry will teach you what you need. It’s the action that matters — it’s doable.” Brenda’s spirituality plays a role in her journey. “I start my day with personal devotions, it’s a routine that grounds me, especially with my children being such a big part of my life.” Brenda’s story is not just about building a business; it’s about creating a legacy. “For me, business is more of a hobby,” she admits with a smile. “I love strategising, seeing my plans come to life, and watching my team grow. The real reward is knowing that I’m making a difference, not just in my own life, but in the lives of my employees and the communities we serve.” Her journey continues to light the way for others, illuminating not just homes, but the path for the next generation of women entrepreneurs. < Previous Next >

Up Home Up Benita Ardenbaum Benita started her practice in 1999 from a room in her house. She explains, “The reason that I decided to go out on my own was the fact that the legal profession was a male orientated profession, and I was in a firm that did not resonate with my values. I wanted to deal with family law in a unique way by bringing in a more feminine aspect and that is where the heart of law was created. I always say lead with your heart, and it will lead you true. This should not be interpreted as a weakness but rather as a strength. I recognised that I loved people more than I loved the law but that I could use the law as a tool to assist my clients. ” The practice was started with just Benita and her secretary and slowly, over the years, through sheer hard work, determination, drive and showing up daily and consistently she expanded the firm into what it is today. “I have an incredible all women’s firm where we have mastered the art of collaboration and work together as a team to assist our clients to transition and navigate through often traumatic times in their lives,” explained Benita. “My passion is to give a voice to the voiceless.” These are vulnerable people and in particular women and children as the scales of injustice are tipped against them, although there are many men who suffer severe injustices as well. The reason that Benita is so passionate about fighting for children and vulnerable people is because her mother fell pregnant when she was 16 years old, and she starved herself so that nobody would see until she was seven months pregnant. When her parents discovered her pregnancy, she was whisked away to a convalescent home in another city. As she was considered to have brought shame on her family, she was forced by her family to give Benita up for adoption. “My birth mother did not have a choice or a voice,” explained Benita. “When I was six years old, I was sexually abused and also did not have a voice.” Benita has had to endure many challenges including immigrating overseas when she was 12 and where again she did not have a voice. She said that as she was rebellious, she left school at the age of 15 and worked in a shoe store and as a waitress at night. When Benita was 17, she met an old schoolteacher and was encouraged to go back to study; within a few months she finished her matric. Benita then went into the army for just over two years. She felt that her voice was not being heard and so ended up staying in base camp for many weekends washing pots in the kitchen and cleaning toilet as punishment. Benita had a longing to come back to South Africa as she missed this country and felt that this is where her roots were. “I came back to SA with nothing but a suitcase. With the support of my husband, I began to study and so began my journey.” AN INCREDIBLE PURPOSE “These life circumstances have shaped my life and gave me an incredible purpose which I live daily because we as individuals can choose to be victims of our circumstances, or we can rise and assist people in similar circumstances. I have the privilege of helping children and their caregivers to make a difference and change the trajectory of their lives. That is what drives me to get up at 4.45 am in the morning and get to work. I love what I do and do what I love. I make my vocation my vacation.” Benita has appeared in various cases, which have been featured in the media. She has a strong international presence and is a member of the prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers, whereby the members are recognised by their peers to be the most skilled family law specialists in their country. Benita has been involved in various international divorces and international cross border abductions of children between parents. Benita has had various mentors in her life but says that her greatest supporter and mentor is her husband of 35 years and her adult children. She says, “I attribute much of my success to him as he has been my rock and he is happy for the light to be shone on me. My children are my biggest fans and often share their incredible wisdom with me. FULL OF POSSIBILITIES In giving advice to others, Benita says that you must be passionate about what you do and live your purpose as then you are full of possibilities and success will follow. “You are enough, your power is expressed through asserting your boundaries and that NO is a full sentence. However, you should always remain humble in life.” “When people come to our offices they step into another world where they feel safe and secure. Our aim is to empower people with knowledge because with knowledge and education comes power and then they feel a lot more in control of their process.” Benita runs inspirational retreats for women, some of whom have been clients. She has worked, and continues to work where she can, as a strategic life coach. Benita added, “I am constantly studying and doing self-development courses. I walk and trail run and paint by numbers and sometimes do pottery. I also sometimes binge watch on Netflix.” In conclusion Benita says, “I want to say to women that each one of us has a unique gift and once we discover our gift it will lead us to our purpose in life. When that passion is ignited, we are unstoppable. When we as women stand together, when we share in each other’s successes and support each other’s failures we stand in true sisterhood and that is when the magic happens!”

Next Back to Team Next Gayle Adlam Editor-in-Chief In her capacity as Editor-in-Chief, Gayle plays a foundational role in shaping the company’s editorial direction and spotlighting business success within the region. Her responsibilities include: Editorial Leadership: Overseeing the publication of business success stories and managing the editorial integrity of the KZN Top Business portfolio. Initiative Management: Acting as a lead figure for the KZN Top Business Women initiative, a multimedia project dedicated to celebrating the achievements, leadership, and societal contributions of women in KwaZulu-Natal. Stakeholder Engagement: Serving as a primary point of contact for the company’s awards and business initiatives, facilitating communication between nominees, judges, and the broader business community. Strategic Communication: Ensuring that the organization's "Good News" marketing philosophy—which focuses on sharing stories of successful people and companies to inspire others—is consistently applied across all media platforms. Mail gayle@kzntopbusiness.com Phone +27 836530465

< Back Marlene Powell

< Back Dr Lungile Mhlongo

KZN Top Business Woman 2025

< Back Khethiwe Zulu