We wanted to share the story from Siphiwe, from Mangwanani Palazzo at Montecasino in Fourways.

My name is Siphiwe Zwane. Mangwanani has truly enhanced my life. Through my employment here, I have been able to become independent, paying my rent and being able to live alone. I can also afford to buy furniture for the house even though by instalment. Because I work hard and show a good attitude and work ethic to my employers and clients, I can afford to look after myself.

A big thank you to Mangwanani. Although I work far away from my rural area, I can now support my grandmother financially. Nothing gives me greater joy than to be able to buy my grandmother groceries, and see her smile. I intend to continue working at Mangwanani. I am looking at going to beauty school to learn nail technique and make up. I can afford to pay my own fees, and still maintain my daily activities. I am a proud worker here at Mangwanani. Together we will accomplish more, growing over time.

To Mangwanani − thank you for giving us the opportunity to be independent.

We have another story we want to share… “My name is Nonhlanhla Sibanda, the celebrity lady who is the face you see on a Mangwanani brochure. In 2014, I started working for Mangwanani. I am a single mother of four children. Mangwanani changed my life drastically. I was able to put all my children through school. They have all done well and passed each grade. My children thank me for all I have done for them: it has not been at all easy. However, I am proud of Mangwanani and regard Mangwanani as the father of my children. Without Mangwanani’s support, I would not have been able to give my children an education. Whilst at Mangwanani, I have managed to buy land, where I intend to build a home for my children. Thank you, Erin, for giving me and my children a future. I extol the virtues of Mangwanani. The company has done great things for me; and I have realised my ambitions through Mangwanani.”

We have another story, this time by Ntsoaki: “My name is Ntsoaki, mother of 3 children. I came to Johannesburg to be a stay-at-home mother. My husband was the only breadwinner. I fell pregnant with my third child, and realised that I needed to help my husband. Mangwanani took me in and gave me massage training. After intensive training over several weeks, I was accepted as an employee. I was very happy to be able to help my husband financially. I was also able to send money home to my mother, who was living with all my children and siblings. Two years down the line, my skills and experience were recognised. I was promoted to assistant branch manager……..which was so exciting, I could hardly believe it. I kept working diligently and learnt everything I could about my trade. I have always given my all, in every situation. I often approached Tshidi, my manager, offering my assistance, and asking for extra experience and training . Tshidi taught me a great deal. I did not even know how to type on the computer − I was clueless with computers. I learnt customer service − how to talk to clients and how to address the calls from clients. Thanks to Mangwanani, I learnt everything that they could teach me, from reception duties, to the smallest attention to detail in service to clients… I’ll forever be grateful for the recognition (and the payment) that came with it. I am not the only one happy − my husband and extended family are thrilled with what I have accomplished!”