SEPTEMBER has started on a high for me with many empowering and meaningful interactions. One of the highlights was presenting as the guest speaker at the virtual Toastmasters Club Open House. The virtual world has become a norm in my life now, and I did not think I would have enjoyed it this much. It is certainly making the world seem smaller.  Penny Pakathi, who co-authored Women Across Borders with me, invited me. The event was well executed and empowering. We must commend Penny, who is the president of that chapter. The feedback from my presentation was extremely positive and humbling, and I felt great and grateful that my story continues to touch lives. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the very inspiring presentations.

I noticed many comments in the chat section, and wrote a general thank you, but was drawn to a particular comment from Indrani Govender. I did not know then that she was also trying to contact me. God works in mysterious ways, because we were on the phone in a few hours through a mutual colleague, Olivia. We had lengthy conversations, and Google helped me understand who this phenomenal woman is. We both agreed that our respective successes resulted from God at the centre of our lives. We shared various testimonies of when God showed up in mighty ways. I believe what is special about her story is that things turned around for her later in her journey. I decided to share a bit of her story, and I know it will inspire someone, because she is adding value to many lives.

Indrani Govender is the founder and owner of Ricinz Construction, a business established in 2010 in South Africa that employs over 30 staff, and 700 on project basis.  She decided to take a leap of faith after a terrible accident, two armed robberies, and a mountain of bills. “It was then that I wanted to change my poverty into success, and I went to a women’s empowerment meeting where I was inspired to start my own construction company,” she shared. A single-mother of two boys, Indrani is an award-winning entrepreneur recommended for her business and the number of jobs she has created in the community. Her passion is to uplift women and youth, and ensure a better life for those who have given up on life. She now strives to create wealth for all her employees. Govender’s background is in retail, and she was boarded for post-traumatic stress disorder after a horrific accident, and then being robbed at gunpoint. She started Ricinz Construction after finally having the guts to go into business on her own in 2010. After various training programmes, the new entrepreneur started a gardening business. She responded to dozens of tenders and finally won the 37th one. After that, things moved quickly. “I realised I could change people’s lives by creating jobs. And it became my passion.” She added a construction, electronics and telecommunications branch to her business, and the company continued to expand rapidly. But despite the growth, there were no profits, and she kept losing money. Then she heard about PUM (Programma Uitzending Managers) and decided to ask for help.

It was evident that Indrani didn’t have enough insight into her business operations, and was losing money instead of making it. She is a very smart, determined and strong-headed woman with a teachable spirit, which is a plus for an entrepreneur. After the process, she implemented nearly 85 per cent of the action points that were recommended. Her most important lesson, growing through this, has been learning to let go so that her personnel can accept their responsibilities. It is a blessing when we realise we need help, and intentionally seek it.