Meet the #AbsaSmallBizFriday Featured Business of the week – Makhoba Professional Services.
Makhoba Professional Services provides ICT telecommunication services utilising microwave radio frequencies to provide high-speed broadband internet for their clients. They offer a range of solutions, including network site surveys, installation, maintenance, and support. Their expertise lies in delivering reliable and efficient communication infrastructure for businesses and organisations.
Thabile Makhoba, the founder of Makhoba Professional Services, truly embodies the entrepreneurial spirit captured in this quote by Tammy Frazer, the South African fragrance pioneer, “At every African’s heart is an entrepreneurial spirit: we are survivors of struggle, malleable enough to embrace change and celebrate doing things differently.” Her story reflects this very survivor’s determination. Circumstances compelled her to put her studies on hold and enter the workforce early despite her passion for academia. This shift led to a twelve-year career in the dynamic world of events before her leap into entrepreneurship.
The turning point arrived in March 2020 when the national lockdown forced her to confront the harsh realities of unemployment. Frustrated by her community’s lack of network infrastructure, Makhoba embarked on a mission to bridge this digital divide. She wrote to significant service providers asking them to not only address her pain point but to also help get the community connected and that is how the business started getting traction.
She bootstrapped her business from the comfort of her mother’s garage with just one employee and today she has a permanent headcount of 22 staff members and two provincial branches in South Africa.
Thabila Makhoba has had some great success in the last two years. Here are some awards and features she has:
- In May 2023, she was awarded the most innovative SME by GIBS and Sita.aero.
- In November 2024, she was awarded the best growth SME by Vodacom.
- In February 2024, she was featured in a Forbes magazine article to represent the African continent for leading SMEs
- In August 2024, she was awarded second runner-up in the Standard Bank Top Women Achiever EmpowHER award
Initially, Thabila Makhoba faced numerous obstacles, including limited access to funding and navigating a competitive market. However, these challenges shaped her leadership style and business strategy. She learned to leverage partnerships and build a strong network within the industry to grow. Makhoba Professional Services’ focus on utilizing microwave radio frequencies has allowed them to provide reliable and efficient communication solutions, particularly in underserved areas.
Looking to the future, Thabila envisions expanding Makhoba Professional Services’ reach across Africa. They aim to invest in emerging technologies such as 5G and IoT to enhance their service offerings further. Additionally, they plan to explore international markets, bringing their expertise in microwave technology to regions that require robust communication infrastructure.
Ultimately, Thabila sees Makhoba Professional Services not just as a telecommunications provider but as a catalyst for economic growth and social development in the communities they serve.
In 2024, Makhoba Professional Services received the National Startup 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.
We look forward to seeing Thabila Makhoba and Makhoba Professional Services grow into a world-renowned telecommunications provider.