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professioNals
SkillS DevelopmenT & Training
a catalyst for a healthy
workplace
I believe in a person who takes responsibility and spread their wings as high as they can.
Writer: Sibusiso Masango
M
aking choices toward a healthy and
fulfilling life is a personal choice in
one’s life however in the workplace it
is compulsory. IST HSE Solutions Isipho Sempilo is
a 100% black owned Health, Safety and Wellness
firm. The business' vision is to save lives and
millions of rands by taking care of clients' Health,
Safety and Wellness needs, so that they can fully
focus on their businesses, their customers and
growing their profits.
Isipho Sempilo was established in 2011 by Kabelo
Selesho together with his wife Busi Selesho who
is the Marketing Director of the company. The
idea to start the company came when Busi
was working for another company and one of
her colleagues was injured in the workplace
because of negligence which was a result of
non-compliance. “There was an old man who
had a crocodile skin having been exposed to
hazardous material at work, and there was no
medical therapy that could help him. My wife
interviewed that guy and the problem did not
rest with the company because it was compliant,”
said Kabelo Selesho.
“I think the policies and
framework have transformed
but there is a challenge in the
mind-set of the people in terms
of the gap. Once implementation
can find its place it will propel
transformation.”
Before venturing into business Kabelo Selesho
worked for 5 years at the Department of
International Relations as a Director for
Communications. Isipho Sempilo was not
exempt to challenges and when starting off it
was difficult for the company to break into the
market competing with big players. “Access to
the market was a big challenge as the industry
was and still is dominated by big players. Cash
flow was also a challenge because we entered
into a new market with new products, we started
with training only and now we have 4 accredited
courses. We partnered with other companies and
also offer ISO development and implementation
for Small and Medium companies,” said Selesho.
To date Isipho Sempilo has an annual turnover
of R5 Million and employs 11 people. As a leader,
Selesho believes in employees who are innovative
42
www.transformsa.co.za
and can work independently without being
monitored. “I believe in people, who once their
empowered, can move for themselves without
being micromanaged. I believe in a person who
takes responsibility and spread their wings. I
understand that there are mistakes but as long
that person learns from the mistakes and becomes
better and leverage on things that are working.
When asked about transformation in South
Africa Selesho emphasised that a lot still needs
to be done especially from the implementation
point of view, “I think the policies and framework
have transformed but there is a challenge in the
mind-set of the people in terms of the gap. Once
implementation can find its place it will propel
transformation.” said Selesho.
Since its existence Isipho Sempile has many
achievements under its belt and that includes,
winning the BBQs award for Best New
Entrepreneur Award in 2015 and BBQs awards
for Best New and Innovative Business Award. The
company has also featured in SABC 1 Making
Moves and Ispani where they showcased how
to help small business achieve safety compliance
in the workshop and also how to appoint and
mentor junior safety officers.
Selesho holds high regard for entrepreneurs
and believes that they are instrumental in
addressing economic challenges that South
Africa faces. “Small businesses are the key to our
economic challenges as South Africa, my advice
to the growing entrepreneurs is that It is possible
and it is doable, identify your weaknesses and
strengths align yourself with people who master
your weaknesses, without fearing that they are
going to victimize you, jeopardise or even look
down on you, just like nature in business you
have to be calm and adapt to change. When
there are challenges don’t give up its common
to all entrepreneurs, seek help to gain more,”
said Selesho.
