This is the story from Nikiwe, the branch manager at Mangwanani Winelands.

I am Nikiwe Kolwana. I was born in 1966. I am the proud mother of five children. It gives me pleasure to say that l have been empowered by Mangwanani, after struggling along the road of life for 30 years. Yes, l am a matriculant; however, that did not lead to a job. When l joined Mangwanani, l had specialised in hand therapy. Christine Gladys trained me initially at River Valley. I was appointed duty manager for Zevenwacht, our former Cape branch. Four years later, the spa burnt down. When we reopened, l became the spa manager. I was under many branch managers until 2013, when l, too, became a branch manager.

My journey with Mangwanani has been of great benefit to my life. I have been sent to the Netherlands and to Spain to attend events there. The travel and accompanying experience and training has been thanks to Erin’s efforts. l have been able to provide for all my children, giving them a good education. Three of my children are graduates: in public, financial, and marketing management. Thanks to you, Erin: you have been a kind ‘mother’ to me in all the struggles I have had to endure. I lost my husband, which was a hugely painful experience. However, Mangwanani was there for me. Erin helped me through the pain, supporting and comforting me. Christine is also always a comforter, assuring me that nothing bad will happen to me on her watch. Mangwanani, as a company, means the world to me and my family.

l am who l am today, thanks to Mangwanani. l wish l could share with the world on TV that there is no company like Mangwanani which assists the poor the way they do. I am enormously grateful to Mangwanani.

Our Mangwanani River Valley branch manager, Nono, wanted to share her story…

I am Nono. My full name is Kedibone Nono Modise. I was born on the 26 October 1980. My journey with Mangwanani started in October 2004. I was then a very young woman, who had no idea nor experience when it came to giving massages. I had not worked for any other company, for that matter. Employment by Mangwanani was my first big break after what I had been doing. I was trained on massaging and customer care. Later, I was trained in various departments. Gradually, I learnt how the organisation works. As the years went by, I was promoted to various positions, from therapist to Jacuzzi attendant, to waitress. Eventually I was promoted to bus hostess. Still further along, I became a duty manager at the River Valley branch. I was moved to Mangwanani Indaba and given a general manager’s position for a night spa. Being a general manager enabled me to extend my home.

I am the last-born child of 3 siblings. I am the only breadwinner in the household. I would not have been able to accomplish all that I have, had it not been for the empowering from Mangwanani.

It was through Mangwanani that I was recognised and given the opportunity of showing my work ethic. I was given the first flight of my life when having to travel to other branches: to Cape Town and Durban. From then on, Mangwanani helped me to spread my wings. In 2011, Mangwanani flew me to the Netherlands. Mangwanani is a company that empowers and cares about people’s well-being and success. Were it not for employers such as Maeve, Erin, and Moira, who forever believed in me and encouraged me to grow, I would not be where I am today. These ladies are like sisters to me. They have brought out the best in me. They have encouraged me to be a bigger and better person. Mangwanani management enabled me to join the SETA service. Since then, I have accumulated a collection of meaningful certificates. I am also happy to say that, in 2017, I achieved my Generic Management NQF level 5, by dint of hard work and study.

With all that said, I could never be where I am today without Mangwanani. I am currently the branch manager of River Valley, and I am driving my second car ever. I have built my own house from scratch. I have managed to do all this on my journey with Mangwanani.

Mangwanani is not just a company: once you join the company, you automatically become family. I am saying this because, in 2017, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, together with thyroid cancer. The support I received from this organisation was priceless. No other company could have given me more care or support, both emotionally and financially. I knew then that I was not looked on as an expendable employee.

The same goes for all the other people working for the company; and for that I will forever be grateful. Erin − you always saw in other people what they did not see in themselves. You always knew what greatness the future had in store for me. You were able to leave your company in my hands and go to Durban. At first I wondered how could you trust me with such a big responsibility. However, you saw what you saw in me. You always encouraged me never to give up, even when I wanted just to give it all away. You also gave me the chance to prove myself. You are in large part the reason for where I am today. For that, I will forever be grateful. Not forgetting how you manage to have nicknames for all of us − you are such a beautiful soul. Maeve, what a blessing to have someone like you in my life. You have always supported me and guided me in every step that I took. As you always say, Mangwanani is like the university of life, where we learn many things. This is true. I have witnessed so much that I could write a book expressing how much I appreciate you. You will always be more than an employer to me. Because of you, I do believe that family is not only blood. Thank you.

How can I forget Sister Kim? Not only are you a nurse − you have been a steady shoulder to cry on: ALWAYS there when I needed you. I can always count on you to help me offload. You are someone I can cry to and not even once be judged.

Moira taught me that I need to take charge, to be strong and act accordingly; not forgetting that I need to know what I want. I reported to Moira when working at Indaba. Moira is a tough leader; however, I am grateful to her for modelling her fine behaviour.

Now, as a manager, I can overcome any obstacle that comes my way. Today I am proud to say that I can hold my head high, as a dynamic, empowered woman, who is not afraid of facing and tackling challenges as they come my way.

Thank you to my entire Mangwanani family!

We have a heartfelt story from Ntombincinci, hostess at Mangwanani Winelands near Stellenbosch. These are her words:

“My name is Ntombincinci born on the 20th of December 1979 and residing in Cape Town. I am a mother of three of which one has a disability. I was trapped in an abusive marriage simply because I feared if I left my husband, I would not be able to feed my three children.

Until one day I attended church in Wesbank, where I met a kind woman by the name of Nowethu who told me about Mangwanani. We exchanged numbers, and it was not long after that when I received a call from her telling me that Mangwanani was taking on new staff. I called Mangwanani, and I managed to secure an interview for myself. During my interview I made mention of my sickly child who constantly must go to the clinic for check-ups. Despite all of that, I was given an opportunity to join the team and started work in July of 2007.

In July 2008, I was able to leave my abusive husband and move in with my mother and three children and live a peaceful life compared to the life of crying I endured for years. Mangwanani changed my life for the better.

A special thank you goes to my manager Sis Nikiwe, the branch manager at Mangwanani Winelands. Every time I have gone to her crying. She has always encouraged me and given me hope and for that I will forever be grateful.”