From humble beginnings to hotel board member
Njabulo Mabuza's achievements, love for people and hunger for success are a symbol of hope and inspiration to many.
The self-driven 31-year-old Njabulo Mabuza of Daveyton was recently appointed a board member of the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre and showed that big things often have small beginnings.
Njabulo comes from a humble and well-structured family. His dad was a principal and his mother a librarian when he was growing up.
Such an upbringing, according to him, is the reason why he is so grounded.
Mabuza was on his way to becoming a lawyer, but an aptitude test led him to the decision to embark on hospitality studies at the International Hotel School in Sandton.
He made a huge impression as a student when he did his practicals at the Birchwood Hotel in 2007. After graduating, he was one of the few South Africans who broaden their horizons by working in Canada for a year.
Njabulo had three job offers when he returned, but was determined to work the Birchwood Hotel, which was not hiring at the time.
He started working at the hotel without a basic salary, and was officially employed in 2011. After a while, he moved up to the sales department, becoming a key account manager.
His hard work and dedication was recognised, and was recently promoted from a sales manager to a shareholder of the business.
“I want to bring fresh innovative ideas to the board. The road to success isn’t easy. I got a lot of resistance as I was the youngest sales manager at 25. I worked hard and continued to prove myself,” said Njabulo.
His dream came true when he started a successful shebeen-style restaurant in Putfontein in 2015. It bought classiness to the township and created job opportunities for many.
Njabulo felt the needed to give back to the community. Unfortunately, the business had to close down in 2017 as it interfered with his job at the hotel.
“I believe that entrepreneurship should be encouraged as it could reduce the high unemployment rate. Poverty leads to substance abuse, which is at the root of crime in South Africa. The youth should be educated about the consequences of substance abuse,” said Njabulo
“Behind every successful man is a woman. I couldn’t achieve as much as I did without my wife’s support, Botshelo,”he added.
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