Meet the #AbsaSmallBizFriday Featured Business of the week – Golden Rewards 1981.
Golden Rewards 1981, founded by Mampho Sotshongaye, is a road maintenance and construction company that is based in Cape Town. They empower people from disadvantaged communities to maintain road infrastructure in South Africa while sharing skills with new professionals joining the industry.
Mampho’s business journey is deeply rooted in her upbringing in the rural areas of Port St. John’s. Growing up in an environment with limited resources and poor infrastructure, she witnessed firsthand the struggles that communities like hers face daily. These experiences fuelled her determination to create a business that would not only address these challenges but also empower others, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Mampho started the business to tackle the deteriorating road infrastructure, with a particular focus on road maintenance. The road to establishing her company wasn’t easy, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry like construction. She faced many obstacles – from scepticism about her capabilities to her gender. However, her resolve to make a difference kept her going.
Mampho Sotshongaye has built Golden Rewards 1981 into a successful company that employs 132 people, most of whom come from backgrounds similar to hers. The company’s growth has been driven by a commitment to quality, sustainability, and community development. One of the initiatives Mampho is most proud of is the ‘Each One Teach One’ program, which provides essential skills and training to young graduates, final-year university or college students, and unskilled individuals from disadvantaged communities. This program reflects her belief in a collective impact, bringing people together to achieve common goals and build a better future for all.
Her journey has also been shaped by personal experiences of grief, loss, and trust, which have influenced her approach to leadership and business. These experiences have taught her the importance of resilience, empathy, and creating an inclusive and supportive work environment. She has been able to make a significant impact, not just locally but across Africa. Golden Rewards 1981’s work has formed partnerships with important organisations like the College of Cape Town and the CIOB in the UK. These collaborations are helping them expand their reach and continue empowering communities.
Over the years, Golden Rewards 1981 and Mampho have received several awards that recognise their contributions to empowerment, sustainability, and community development. Some of these awards include:
- SAB Foundation Awards (The Tholoana & The Spotlight Awards)
- City of Cape Town Certificate of Recognition
- Big 5 Construction Impact Award Woman of the Year Finalist
- Erwic Awards – Transformation and Mentoring Entity of the Year
- Bricks Women Innovation Council Special Recognition Award
- Top 20 on Africa’s Business Heroes (Alibaba Foundation)
- Seda Western Cape Empowerment Award
In 2024, Golden Rewards 1981 received the National Skills Development Award at the South African Small Business Awards – this prestigious awards programme celebrates the most outstanding businesses and the exceptional business people behind these successful and growing businesses.
Looking ahead, Mampho Sotshongaye sees endless possibilities for growth and impact. Her goal is to continue breaking barriers in the construction industry, creating more opportunities for women and disadvantaged groups, and contributing to the development of sustainable infrastructures across Africa. Mampho sees Golden Rewards 1981 becoming one of the big five construction companies and scaling the ‘Each One Teach One’ program to empower more individuals. She plans to invest in advanced equipment and technology, foster a culture of innovation and inclusion, and form strategic partnerships to drive growth. Ultimately, she aims to build a legacy of impact, making a lasting positive difference in communities across the continent.
We look forward to seeing Mampho Sotshongaye and Golden Rewards 1981 continue to build a brighter future for all.
The Small Business Friday Movement, sponsored by Absa, encourages all South Africans to go out there and support local small businesses. It’s a 365 day drive that peaks on the first Friday of Spring every year. Find out more about #AbsaSmallBizFriday here and read about more of our featured small business heroes here.