Success Story

From a vegetable seller on the streets of South Africa to a multi-million dollar business owner

Sibongile Manganyi-Rath is a South African entrepreneur who went from street hawking to building a multi-million dollar business. She was born into an entrepreneurial family which led her toward a self-employment path.

As a kid, she assisted her late father to sell used bottles back to larger corporations such as Makro and various other glass bottle recycling agents. Through that, she acquired vital entrepreneurial lessons at a young age that guided her to establish a thriving multi-million dollar venture years down the line.

“My father unwittingly set me on the path very early,” Sibongile told Entrepreneur. “I often joke with people that my father was in the recycling business before it became fashionable.”

She also learned the importance of customer service when she was 12 years old and ran one of her father’s fresh produce stalls at Dube village train station. According to her, she had to observe why their sales were declining or increasing and each evening she reported the daily revenue to her father which was often in the region of R150 (now 8 dollars) per day.

“I also had to make recommendations on improvements to ensure that we could offer better fruits and veggies than the other older ladies that were next to our stalls. At the time I didn’t realise the value of the lessons I was learning from this process. It is these lessons that gave me the courage to quit my job in 2006 and start my own company,” she said.

At age 26, Manganyi-Rath quit her corporate job to venture into full-time entrepreneurship. She started an infrastructure and real estate development company called Indigo Kulani Group, in a field widely believed to be dominated by men. The company, which has now expanded to include IKG Start-up Capital, is dedicated to creating world-class entrepreneurs throughout the African continent, with a turnover of over R100 million (now $5 million), she told Entrepreneur.

Manganyi-Rath has been making positive contributions to South African society through various infrastructure projects, including the delivery of more than 200 schools in South Africa’s rural areas. Her company has also been involved in the building of and managing clinics, housing, and water and sanitation projects in many previously disadvantaged communities, she said.

For others who want to be like her, her advice is “keep your vision, but let your strategy be flexible.” In addition, she wants upcoming entrepreneurs to develop the spirit of cooperation and collaboration with other people, and find advisors that don’t cost money. 

“Talk to venture capitalists and private equity guys, there is always someone willing to not only invest their money but their ideas, experience and networks. But, be open to give a little bit of equity; it has to be worth their while,” she advised.

Manganyi-Rath, an IMD Executive MBA alumna and award-winning entrepreneur, was recently named Africa’s most influential woman in business by CEO magazine.

Abu Mubarik

Abu Mubarik is a journalist with years of experience in digital media. He loves football and tennis.

Recent Posts

How Crawford-Williams started a movement in her apartment that now supports hundreds of small businesses in Detroit

Get to know Jennyfer Crawford-Williams; she is behind All Things Detroit Day, an annual event…

14 hours ago

Two friends treat South African security guard to once in a lifetime helicopter ride over the rainbow nation

Two friends in their 20s made a heartwarming gesture to their apartment's security guard after…

14 hours ago

From errand-runner to multi-business owner, meet 2024 Enterprising Woman of the Year Roslyn Ellerbee

Roslyn Ellerbee, the CEO and founder of Dream Team Digital Marketing, Manifesting Greatness with Roslyn…

16 hours ago

Kevin Hart loses big after selling his Bored Ape NFT, raises concerns over future of NFTs

In 2022, American actor and comedian Kevin Hart joined a growing list of celebrities who…

19 hours ago

Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley makes history again with national coach of the year win

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has picked South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley…

21 hours ago

First grader who overcame trouble hearing accepted into Mensa

Taurian Collins is making waves with his intelligence. The first-grader has already been accepted into…

21 hours ago

Halle Berry shares how a doctor misdiagnosed her perimenopause as the ‘worst case of herpes’

During a talk about women’s health with First Lady Jill Biden at Monday’s A Day…

23 hours ago

Nicki Minaj and husband ordered to pay $500K to security guard who sued them

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has ordered rapper Nicki Minaj and her husband…

23 hours ago

Nigeria: Chinese businessman sentenced to death for fatally stabbing girlfriend

A 49-year-old Chinese businessman accused of fatally stabbing his Nigerian girlfriend has been sentenced to…

23 hours ago

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse: Baltimore mayor calls for prayers as 6 missing now presumed dead

Six workers who were missing after the Baltimore bridge collapsed are presumed dead, officials said.…

1 day ago

Woman completes chemo and gets proposal from her boyfriend of 10 years in emotional video

Angelica May experienced a series of mind-blowing events in one day. The 27-year-old North Carolina…

2 days ago

Self-styled Bishop sentenced to prison for deceiving at least 10 women into marrying him

A Houston man, Orlando Coleman, 51, has been sentenced to prison for deceiving at least…

2 days ago

Oprah Winfrey reveals why she keeps a whole octopus in her fridge

Oprah Winfrey has confirmed long-standing rumors about an unusual item in her fridge during an…

2 days ago

Nigeria: Crypto platform Binance charged with tax evasion as executive escapes detention

Crypto platform Binance has been charged by Nigerian authorities for tax evasion, according to Tech…

2 days ago

‘Ghostbusters’ star Ernie Hudson says he only pocketed $370 out of his first $10K Hollywood paycheck

Ernie Hudson is an American actor fondly known for his role in the "Ghostbusters" franchise…

2 days ago