Shabir stepped into the BMW scene in 2007, buying a small share of 8,5% in the then Supertech Durban Dealership. With a vision of growth, and corporate culture, Shabir purchased 100% in 2012 and since then, has grown the group from one dealership, to six in the space of three years. The Group now has a staff complement of over 350 people, with dealerships in Durban, Pinetown, Pietermaritzburg, Newcastle, Shelly Beach and East London. Supertech has developed into a formidable brand and has become a household name. Subscribe Home KZN Leaders Up Up Shabir Tayob Shabir stepped into the BMW scene in 2007, buying a small share of 8,5% in the then Supertech Durban Dealership. With a vision of growth, and corporate culture, Shabir purchased 100% in 2012 and since then, has grown the group from one dealership, to six in the space of three years. The Group now has a staff complement of over 350 people, with dealerships in Durban, Pinetown, Pietermaritzburg, Newcastle, Shelly Beach and East London. Supertech has developed into a formidable brand and has become a household name. "In order to be successful, I needed to be passionate, motivated and dedicated." SHABIR TAYOB is passionate about living the BMW brand, which is one of the most recognisable brands in the world. Shabir stepped into the BMW scene in 2007, buying a small share of 8,5% in the then Supertech Durban Dealership. With a vision of growth, and corporate culture, Shabir purchased 100% in 2012 and since then, has grown the group from one dealership, to six in the space of three years. The Group now has a staff complement of over 350 people, with dealerships in Durban, Pinetown, Pietermaritzburg, Newcastle, Shelly Beach and East London. Supertech has developed into a formidable brand and has become a household name. Shabir was born in Pietermaritzburg. Born into a family that owned a transport company, he is one of five children. His childhood values are that of humility and respect. Talking about his early days, Shabir said he was always business minded and developed an early interest in working and making money. "I started working at the age of 15 years old, I held a part time job at my father's transport company and was earning R1000 a month. I saved some money and bought an arcade machine for R2000. I then made a deal with a local store to split the profits of the arcade machine." A short while later, Shabir owned 20 arcade machines, which were all generating profit. This basic concept of business set the tone in his business life. Shabir said that he got into the business of BMW due to an opportunity that was presented to him. "In 2007, I attended a BMW X5 launch at the Supertech dealership. While sharing a coke with the owner of the dealership at that time Mr Dada, I was asked if I wanted to buy a share." Shabir jokingly said "why not". The next day he received a call from Mr Dada asking him if he was serious. Serious he was and he took his first steps into the BMW world by being part of a company of six people that purchased 49% of the share, equating to 8.25% shareholding each. At the outset there was strong vision of growth and development and in 2012, he bought 100 percent shareholding in Supertech. A year later, he opened the new state-of-the-art, world class dealership in Edwin Swales, regarded by many as the flagship dealership in the country. In 2015, Supertech purchased the BMW dealership in Newcastle, making it a group. Three years later, the Group had acquired five vehicle dealerships, as well as a bike dealership. Furthermore, the Supertech Group has recently opened a new state-of-the-art dealership in Pinetown. In 2019, Shabir and the Supertech team ventured beyond the borders of KZN, and opened Supertech East London in the Eastern Cape. In addition, the Group have opened the first Approved Repair Centre (ARC) in Pietermaritzburg, taking the total of Supertech ARCs to three. Looking at the forces that keep him inspired and motivated, Shabir said that his ultimate inspiration comes from his dad, his mentor who kept him grounded. "I worked with my dad closely for 20 years in the transport business. One thing he taught me was that in order to be successful, I needed to be passionate, motivated and dedicated. These qualities make a successful man, not money." "I also have a very committed staff team that share my vision and passion." He said he is very fortunate to have a strong hardworking son M Ubaid Tayob that has taken the reigns of the company from an operational level as the Group's managing director. Shabir added that he was motivated by thinking constantly of the staff employed at Supertech. "I am feeding over 500 families which is a huge responsibility." He concluded that leaving a legacy, which is what defines a true leader, was additional motivation to succeed.

< Back Flair Accounting Flair Accounting, founded by Heather Flack, has been in business for 21 years. What makes it special is its different approach to accounting. Instead of just focusing on numbers and reports, Flair Accounting prioritises building strong relationships with its clients. This means they really care about understanding what their clients need and helping them feel more confident about their finances. For example, rather than just crunching numbers, they might take the time to explain financial concepts in a simple way, empowering clients to make better financial decisions. Overall, Flair Accounting’s focus on personal connections sets it apart in the accounting world. Flair Accounting The BLOG Read all about it READ MORE

< Back Linda Sewnarain Founder and Managing Director of Five Star BEE Compliance Linda Sewnarain is the founder and managing director of Five Star BEE Compliance, “We were founded in 2015, so we’re ten years old this year,” says Linda. “It’s a huge milestone for us.” The company specialises in Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) verifications, a field while often described as a ‘grudge purchase’, is essential for any company seeking success in the South African market. Over the past decade, Five Star BEE Compliance has completed more than 5,000 BEE certificates for a diverse client base that includes Women of Africa Group, Richards Bay Minerals, EY and the Mazars Group. She says proudly, “Without our clients, we would not have a business, so we do everything possible to keep them happy.” Today, the company operates nationally, with a presence in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. Linda shares that her favourite part of the job is travelling across the country. “We go to all the nooks and crannies of South Africa. It gives my staff and I opportunities to see places we would never have seen before.” The business employs eleven permanent staff in KwaZulu-Natal, four external contractors, and additional team members in Johannesburg and Cape Town. “When I started, it was just two of us in a small office,” Linda recalls. “Now, we own our own building. It’s been quite a journey.” ADVERSITY TO ACHIEVEMENT Linda’s story is one of resilience and self-belief. Before founding her company, she was the regional director for a large firm that was taken over. The transition was difficult, but it presented an opportunity. “I wanted to go on my own, but I didn’t have the money,” she admits. “The licence accreditation cost was huge. I went to a few clients and told them what I wanted to do. They said, ‘We trust you, Linda. Why don’t we pay you a deposit for our BEE certificates so you can use it for accreditation?’. That is how Five Star started through the good grace of others and encouragement from my husband.” “I have never forgotten that generosity,” commented Linda. “To this day, I give back wherever I can through mentoring, coaching and community upliftment.” Her entrepreneurial spirit has also driven diversification. “Anything legislation-driven can affect our business, so we decided to branch out,” Linda explains. She went on to open several other ventures, including a holiday home in the Drakensberg, a fully functional events venue, an accredited hair and beauty training salon, and a construction company building residential properties. “When I first started the hair and beauty venture, I thought, ‘My goodness, you know nothing about this’, but I learned,” she added. Linda’s belief in lifelong learning extends to her staff. “I teach my young team members things they didn’t know, and in turn, they teach me,” she says. “It’s fulfilling to see them grow. Some have left to become transformation managers in big companies. It’s hard to see them go, but it’s a proud moment too.” Her journey has not been without personal trials. Linda was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, a disease affecting the lining of the lungs. “I went on heavy cortisone for some time.” Linda reflected, “My biggest dream was to travel overseas. While I was recovering, my husband took me to Greece, and it was the most beautiful experience. That was a dream come true.” Her children are a source of pride and motivation. “Both my kids are engineers today,” she beams. “If my children are successful, it shows that we did something right. That, for me, is the greatest achievement.” LEADING WITH PURPOSE Each year, Linda hosts a Women’s Day event as a gesture of appreciation to her clients. “It’s a beautiful function for around 100 to 150 women,” she explains. “It’s our way of saying thank you. We’re not always grateful enough, and sometimes people just need to hear the words, ‘We appreciate you’. Her inspiration comes from two remarkable women: business mentor Pria Hassan and her late mother. “Pria told me back in 2010 that I had to start my own business, and she supported me through it financially and emotionally,” Linda recalls. “And my mum, she never went to school, but she taught us the value of education and hard work. She raised six children in one small room and still made sure we all went to university. Today, all my brothers are profess- ionals, and I own my own company. Everything she did was right." Despite her success, the business world remains challenging. “Compliance is not easy. It’s tedious and time-consuming,” she admits. “Clients often think once they pay, they can get their certificate, but it doesn’t work like that. We have to help them understand that what we do is in their best interest.” Staff retention is another hurdle. “Training a BEE analyst takes at least six months, and sometimes people leave soon after,” Linda says. “This job is stressful. It’s not an eight-to-four role, and it can eat into your personal life.” Linda’s advice to young women entering business is clear. “Go for it. Make sure you know what you’re doing. When you enter a room, look confident. Be honest with your clients and never sugar-coat the truth. Reliability and integrity are everything.” Looking ahead, Linda’s ambitions remain as strong as ever. “My next goal is to buy a property in Cape Town, let it out on Airbnb, and hopefully retire there,” she says. “Although with two lovely grandchildren, I’m not sure I’ll be able to leave them.”Her latest project, resin art, brings balance to her busy life. “It’s my time to unwind. When I’m working with resin, I have to wear gloves, and I can’t touch my phone. Those few hours are my time alone, and I cherish them.” For Linda what is of importance is that ‘sharing is caring’. She concludes, “Helping others doesn’t weaken you; it makes you stronger. That’s what keeps me grounded, and that’s what keeps me going.” Previous Next