Lebowane Matheba (26) is the bright, energetic young entrepreneur behind Maid Rentals, a cleaning services company that offers the services of professional cleaners with a personal touch in tailor-made packages be it for household, office or industrial purposes.
Matheba and his brother Theophilus (21) moved to Polokwane from Sekgosese in 2014 leaving a successful cleaning product manufacturing client base behind and hoping to continue it in the city. However, Matheba says they soon realised that the cleaning product market in Polokwane was already saturated. “I saw a gap in the cleaning services market and realised that there was a lot of potential and simultaneously all our cleaning products wouldn’t go to waste either,” he explains.
Currently Maid Rentals is operational in Polokwane, Lephalale, Midrand and Centurion and is completely run by means of their website where clients can specify exactly what cleaning services they require.
“Clients can also decide whether they want a once-off cleaning service or they can draw up a schedule or use our services long term,” Matheba explains, adding that the price depends on the service required. Clients have the option of providing their own cleaning materials and equipment or for an additional cost Maid Rentals will provide them. Gardening services are also available and he plans to add pool care and childminding services soon.
“We don’t do traditional cleaning that every household is used to, we clean the same way a surgeon operates on a patient, the way a chef prepares food, the way an architect drafts a plan; we are not just cleaners, we are professional cleaners,” Matheba says.
The team of professional cleaners are carefully screened before being employed by Maid Rentals. “We only accept people who have experience in cleaning and all employees have to have a Police clearance.”
As with every aspect of his business, the marketing also carries his own unique personal touch. “We have a programme and days for marketing are set aside during which we hand out pamphlets.” Matheba believes in his company and is not too proud to do the groundwork even if it means wearing a billboard and handing out pamphlets himself, something which he still does on a regular basis. “My long term vision is to be operating nationally by 2020 and across the continent by 2022. By 2026 I want Maid Services to be an uber professional cleaning service that operates worldwide.”
Go to www.maidrentals.co.za or their Facebook page, Maid Rentals.
One lucky winner can win a once-off cleaning service limited to a three bedroom, two bathroom home with lounge, dining room and kitchen by answering the following question: What additional services does Maid Rental plan to offer soon? Send your answer together with your name and contact number to karen@observer.co.za with Maid Service in the subject line.
Entries close at 12:00 on Monday.
Story and photo: KAREN VENTER
>>karen@observer.co.za
