SG’s South African supplier Steve Mingay has said local entrepreneurs have a challenge of curbing the trend of exporting money to South Africa, through the use of South African service and product providers, rather than using locals.

 

Mingay based his statement on the trend that had been common in the Shiselweni timber industry of servicing their power saws in nearby South African town, Piet Retief.

 

“I feel honoured to be a partner in helping a person grow as a business person in Swaziland. I will continue to be a proud partner, who will help the business spread its wings within Swaziland,” said Mingay.

 

To Phila Msibi, he said, “Swaziland is proud of what you have done, as you have helped create jobs for other people.”

 

 

“SG power products and services is a force to be reckoned with in the future.” This is according to Gciba Msibi, father to Phila Msibi, the director of the company that was borne out of the national business plan competition, Believe Begin Become.

 

Gciba was the master of ceremonies in the official opening of the company by US Ambassador to Swaziland, Maurice Parker.

 

Relating how his son’s business came into being, Msibi (snr) said, “it was borne out of a dream, as are all business success stories. When Phila started the business, he only had a dream and later, he then approached the business people he now serves on the viability of the business idea he had.

 

“It was not smooth sailing at the beginning as he struggled to convince banks to finance his business,” said Msibi (snr).

 

 

....SG like dew from heaven to contractors

 

THE opening of SG power product and services was like dew from heaven to the contractors harvesting timber in the Shiselweni forests.

 

Before the business was opened, the contractors had to drive Piet Retief to get their equipment serviced. However, with the opening of the SG shop in Nhlangano, that is now a thing of the past. Speaking on behalf of the harvest contractors, George Dladla said SG had come as a relief to them as they would save time and transport costs, as it would not be necessary to travel to SA to service their equipment.