With the covid19 pandemic upending and disrupting business activity and lives, the five-member team of employees at a Barloworld canteen, Mondli Luthuli, Lucia Dlamini, Thobeka Dhlamini, Bridget Moyo and Lonesome Mateu, found themselves facing unemployment as the Company embarked on restructuring to cope with the impact of the pandemic. They took fate into their own hands and approached Barloworld Equipment with a proposal to provide a more competitive and agile canteen management service through their newly formed business Rebothle Catering (Pty) Ltd.

Barloworld Siyakhula provided the aspiring entrepreneurs with start-up capital as well as technical training and business mentorship to establish governance structures and ease them into their various roles as Shareholders, Directors and employees working to build their own legacy.

As with any start-up small business, challenges abound. As people increasingly opted to work from home in recent times, the team has had to stretch themselves to entice the available customers away from lunch boxes with low-cost health menus, delectable dishes and superior customer service. After an initial eightmonth trial, the Company has been issued a 3year contract to operate the newly established Canteen at Barloworld Equipment in Isando, Kempton Park. They have employed an additional person and plan to soon add two more as the national lock-down restrictions are eased and people return to offices.

The future is as uncertain as it has ever been, but what is without doubt is the determination of this team to make it no matter what the future brings.

As Barloworld Siyakhula, we are committed to being there and walking this journey with them.

Back to previous page