The Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CSERI) entrepreneur has been selected to be part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, which is an unparalleled fellowship that helps young African leaders in their various specialist fields to explore industries beyond their daily work and expand their expertise.
The fellowship also brings young leaders to the USA for academic coursework and leadership training and creates unique opportunities for fellows and Americans to collaborate and spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, enhance peace and security across Africa and the United States.
Having grown up in the dusty and rural village called Sweetwaters situated in the North of Pietermaritzburg, Nduduzo Ndaba now owns a company called “Chazz Geotechnical Services and Drilling’’. His company comes up with innovative and efficient ways to help its clients with their soil classification and stabilization problems.
“We offer cutting edge and innovative solutions regarding geotechnical engineering in all construction projects and various feasibility studies. From mining, housing to commercial. Our services offer precise borehole drilling for ground water security for houses, Industries and Public Government Institutes”. said Ndaba.
Nduduzo Ndaba pursued his lower grades at Laddsworth Primary School. As the dusty winds passed underneath his footprints on his way to school he started falling in love with Geotechnics.
Ndaba moved from Pietermaritzburg in 2021 in search of greener pastures and currently he is in Ladysmith where he is pursuing his entrepreneurship career, working with various Municipalities and Government SOE’s and Private companies.
Just when it was his first time applying for the programme and he got accepted right away. He says that it still feels surreal that he was selected to be part of such a big programme and with that being said, he feels empowered and rejuvenated.
“I couldn’t believe it. The odds alone are incredible. Out of the whole African continent only 700 individuals are required. That alone is astronomical.
“As it stands now that I was selected, I feel elated. This is an opportunity that far surpasses anything I ever thought I’d attain. It’s truly humbling to be part of such a prestigious fellowship. I’m grateful beyond words”, he adds.
Ndaba says that more than anything he learned that business is a mindset, it is something that you constantly need to work on. He says that it is a living entity that is separate from you. The CSERI Incubation Programme taught him the importance of honesty and upholding integrity in business.
“The workshops don’t only focus on entrepreneurship but also about taking care of yourself mentally and psychologically because you have a team that you are leading towards the vision that you have, if you are the one that’s suffering, they will suffer and so will the business”-he said.
Nduduzo Ndaba urges and encourages young and aspiring entrepreneurs to believe in themselves and to know their purpose. He says that they shouldn’t limit themselves no matter how astronomical the odds may seem.
Pictured: Mr. Nduduzo Ndaba
Snelisiwe Hlongwane
