When Sikhumbuzo Johnson Vovo and Mpumelelo Mayisela partnered to form VoMayise in 2012, their peers questioned the wisdom of entering a market in which black South African entrepreneurs were distinctly conspicuous by their absence. But now their bold decision has been justified.
Situated in Germiston, VoMayise is on the right business track, building a name for itself in a fiercely competitive field. The company supplies truck bodies and truck ancillaries, which include, but not isolated to: Truck mounted cranes, Truck Mounted Aerial work platforms, Multilifts, Hooklifts, Skiploaders, Compactors /Skip bins, Water/Fuel Tankers and Trailers.
It has taken more than the directors’ knowledge in business development and sales and marketing for VoMayise to stick out, says Vovo. As a 100% black-owned, the company has had to pull out all the stops to be more renowned for its service excellence than the owners’ racial profile.
Vovo, 55, and Mayisela, 46, consider it fortunate that they started their business at while middle aged, as their have the extraordinary patience to handle challenges, a character that is not common amongst young entrepreneurs. “Penetration of a market was a massive task, in addition to dealing with expensive machinery and financing of projects,” Mpumelelo recalls.
VoMayise has three employees, excluding the shareholders. Its capital machinery includes welding machines, truck mounting machinery and an overhead crane. In the coming year, it is looking forward to acquiring more resources.
As a dynamic organisation, VoMayise is positive about growth prospects. “We are aspiring to be a one-stop shop for the load handling equipment, from selling distribution, servicing and spare parts and expand into the rest of Africa and beyond,” Mayisela says.
