MBOMBELA – Perseverance has seen an ordinary clerk climb the corporate ladder in motoring industry.
In an exclusive interview, Mr Cedric Muzi Vilakazi, shared his business success story with Mpumalanga News in his new office at the BMW premises in Mbombela. He recently departed from the company he worked for 27 years, Mercedes-Benz, and its partner, Union Motors. He has joined The Eastview BMW in the city.
Vilakazi joined the motoring industry as a clerk in 1989 and steadily began to move up the ranks. “I’ve moved from the bottom to the top, moving from strength to strength and eventually to greater heights,” he pointed out.
He said being focused, knowing who you are and where you are heading to, and perseverance, have seen him through his journey. “Perseverance is the mother of success,” he said.
Asked about the recent change of companies, Vilakazi stated, “Life is like a book, some chapters are sad, some are happy and exciting, but if one doesn’t turn the page, he or she will never know what the next chapter has in store. At the age of 52, I discovered that life is a journey and not a destination.
“As a believer, my old company was the Old Testament of the Bible which I knew and fully understood. I am now exploring the new chapter of sheer driving with the new company,” he said.
Vilakazi still favours both brands when it comes to his favourite vehicles, as they are both tried and tested.
Besides motoring, Vilakazi is a great motivational speaker who enjoys inspiring the youth. He is also a devoted member of the Turning Point Christian Church. He enjoys meals from Spur and Adega. He loves exploring the province’s tourist attractions, especially God’s Window.
Despite his achievements, Vilakazi remains a humble, kind and cheerful person. “We all have an obligation to contribute positively to our relationships, families, community and society. If we can all achieve that, the universe will give us a standing ovation.”
His business advice to upcoming entrepreneurs
• Never be too scared to take calculated risks
• Never underestimate your competition
• Have a customer-centred approach to your business
• Remember people do not buy your products, but they buy into relationships
• Good relationships with customers make the business tick
• Always remember that humility will protect you from humiliation.
