NtombizamaHlubi Gloria Siwisa, a 54-year-old woman born and bred in Kwa-Thema, White City is a mother of three, has a career and profession in Accounting Technician yet has a business calledHlubi’s Lounge, based in Kwa-Thema.
“After my divorce, I moved back to my grandmother’s house in Kwa-Thema to rebuild it to suit my family’s needs. Within three years of staying there, I had to slowly convert it to a business place (pub and related services) and that was from 2008 when I left working as Head of Accounts Receivables at Eskom.
That was the birth of Hlubi’s Lounge, only catering for mature adults. I have since remodelled and restructured the business to be a 95% events and related services operating in and outside Hlubi’s Lounge,” added the businesswoman. She also adds to say that her business may also be used as a restaurant as she can also cook. She hosts events such as birthday celebrations, graduation ceremonies or events, bridal showers, baby showers, weddings, funerals, unveiling events, home décor, stokvel meetings, society meetings, pensioners events and in-house as well as outdoor clients home space décor.
Siwisa adds to say that she does food catering and any event that requires a setup or décor and catering. She also hires out events equipment.
Ntombizama Hlubi mentions that she would love to be one of Africa’s most renowned event planner doing big events and being celebrated. “I’m passionate and consistent. Currently, I do small events and I also do big ones so there is hope. The lockdown also helped me in many ways as it forced me to have more time to myself and I became more creative and restructure my business and services.
Working from home was a blessing in disguise as I only worked per order, no unnecessary pressure, no risk, no wast second’s count and services were tailor-made,” expressed Siwisa.
The businesswoman concluded by stating how it is an advantage that her business is situated in a section that is quiet as that gives her clients peace of mind as well as a calm feel.
By Palesa Ndinisa
