Publications
Partners
(Shutterstock)
Johannesburg - Cynthia Mkhombo and her cleaning services company Masan Health Services (MHS) have swept up at award ceremonies and business plan competitions.
In 2010 alone, South African magazine CEO named Cynthia as one of the most influential women in business and professional services.
The Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) also selected her as the winner in its entrepreneur category.
Mkhombo was also acknowledged for her outstanding achievement in job creation at the recent Endeavor Entrepreneur Summit held in San Francisco, where she was runner-up in the category "Highest Absolute Growth in Jobs".
Born in Soweto, Mkhombo grew up admiring her mother, a domestic worker, from whom she learned the value of hard work.
Her mother encouraged her to pursue an education. In 1991, Mkhombo started her studies in environmental, health and safety management at Technikon South Africa.
After graduating in 1994, she started her career at the Heidelberg Town Council as a health inspector. In 1998 she joined power utility Eskom, developing a broad understanding of the company by working in several departments.
She started as a safety officer in health and safety, worked as an environmental adviser in environmental management and finished as a specialist buyer in the procurement department.
In this capacity, Mkhombo gained invaluable exposure to the tendering process as she managed and reviewed the bids from large consulting services firms such as McKinsey, Deloitte and Ernst & Young.
After six years at Eskom, Mkhombo felt she had accomplished her goals at the company and decided to leave so that she could focus on raising her one-year-old child.
Yet, soon after her resignation, Mkhombo started to crave the independence that would allow her to support her family and pursue a professional career.
She always had an interest in cleaning and hygiene, and so qualified as a health inspector.
In 2004, Mkhombo registered her contract cleaning company MHS, set up an office in Centurion and started submitting proposals to corporations and government departments.
Drawing from her experience at Eskom, Mkhombo submitted a well-formulated proposal to the department of land affairs and won the bid within MHS’ first six months of operating.
From seven employees in 2004, the company has grown to a staff complement of over 1 500.
Four of the original seven MHS employees are still with the company, and all of them currently hold managerial and supervisory positions.
The company is a full participant in the National Skills Development Initiatives programme, and has secured the services of Seta-accredited Siyaya Skills Institute for regular staff training sessions.
Employees go through various modules to stay abreast of new and improved cleaning methods and techniques.
MHS has over the past five years participated in learnership and bursary programmes funded by the Services Seta.
All staff go through an in-depth induction programme which not only covers work-related aspects, but also aims to cover social issues such as HIV, finance management and other industry-related topics.
- Fin24
* Add your voice to our Women's Wealth Issue and help empower others this Women's Month.
Write a guest post
Share your coping tips
Ask the experts
In 2010 alone, South African magazine CEO named Cynthia as one of the most influential women in business and professional services.
The Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) also selected her as the winner in its entrepreneur category.
Mkhombo was also acknowledged for her outstanding achievement in job creation at the recent Endeavor Entrepreneur Summit held in San Francisco, where she was runner-up in the category "Highest Absolute Growth in Jobs".
Born in Soweto, Mkhombo grew up admiring her mother, a domestic worker, from whom she learned the value of hard work.
Her mother encouraged her to pursue an education. In 1991, Mkhombo started her studies in environmental, health and safety management at Technikon South Africa.
After graduating in 1994, she started her career at the Heidelberg Town Council as a health inspector. In 1998 she joined power utility Eskom, developing a broad understanding of the company by working in several departments.
She started as a safety officer in health and safety, worked as an environmental adviser in environmental management and finished as a specialist buyer in the procurement department.
In this capacity, Mkhombo gained invaluable exposure to the tendering process as she managed and reviewed the bids from large consulting services firms such as McKinsey, Deloitte and Ernst & Young.
After six years at Eskom, Mkhombo felt she had accomplished her goals at the company and decided to leave so that she could focus on raising her one-year-old child.
Yet, soon after her resignation, Mkhombo started to crave the independence that would allow her to support her family and pursue a professional career.
She always had an interest in cleaning and hygiene, and so qualified as a health inspector.
In 2004, Mkhombo registered her contract cleaning company MHS, set up an office in Centurion and started submitting proposals to corporations and government departments.
Drawing from her experience at Eskom, Mkhombo submitted a well-formulated proposal to the department of land affairs and won the bid within MHS’ first six months of operating.
From seven employees in 2004, the company has grown to a staff complement of over 1 500.
Four of the original seven MHS employees are still with the company, and all of them currently hold managerial and supervisory positions.
The company is a full participant in the National Skills Development Initiatives programme, and has secured the services of Seta-accredited Siyaya Skills Institute for regular staff training sessions.
Employees go through various modules to stay abreast of new and improved cleaning methods and techniques.
MHS has over the past five years participated in learnership and bursary programmes funded by the Services Seta.
All staff go through an in-depth induction programme which not only covers work-related aspects, but also aims to cover social issues such as HIV, finance management and other industry-related topics.
- Fin24
* Add your voice to our Women's Wealth Issue and help empower others this Women's Month.
Write a guest post
Share your coping tips
Ask the experts
