Background
Mosodu Construction & Projects is a black-owned construction and maintenance company based in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga. Established in 2010, the company initially focused on painting and renovation services before diversifying into a broader range of offerings, including maintenance and repair work, new structure builds, plumbing, road maintenance, transportation services, and the installation of security cameras. The company employs 13 people and operates on a strong foundation of core values: integrity, teamwork, commitment, excellence, quality, attention to detail, and meeting deadlines.
At the time of joining the Seriti ESD Programme, the company was also navigating a significant leadership transition, with the majority shareholding and day-to-day management set to be transferred from the founder to his daughter, Ulrica Solomons, who was then serving as the company’s HR Manager.
The Challenge
Despite over a decade of operation, Mosodu was experiencing a period of stagnation driven by a combination of structural and external challenges:
- Market access limitations — most marketing was done through word of mouth, leaving the company with no structured way to reach new clients or penetrate new market segments
- Financial management gaps — the company struggled to manage finances effectively, affecting cashflow and limiting its ability to sustain and grow
- Leadership transition pressure — Solomons initially felt she lacked the entrepreneurial experience, construction industry knowledge, and leadership confidence to take over the business effectively
- COVID-19 impact — the pandemic forced the suspension of all operations for several months, causing a 32% decline in turnover from the previous year, one of the steepest impacts experienced across the construction sector
The Solution
In 2020, Mosodu Construction & Projects applied and was selected to join the Seriti ESD Programme. Seriti contracted Zevoli Growth Partners to develop and implement the programme, in line with its commitment to supporting local SMMEs with the skills needed to expand their capacity.
The programme identified three key areas for intervention: business concept refinement, customer relations, and operational systems. The following support was delivered:
- Mentorship and coaching — through the Business Growth Learning Programme and Digital Marketing modules, addressing growth strategy, financial discipline, and leadership development
- Financial management system — enabling Mosodu to track finances, generate quotes, invoices, and payslips digitally and efficiently
- Project management system — enabling systematic management of time, teams, and contracts
- Corporate identity revamp — including an updated logo and a professional website, establishing the company’s market credibility
Results and Impact
Mosodu reported strong outcomes across all programme areas. Revenue grew by 57% between the start and end of the programme, a remarkable result for a company that had seen a 32% decline in turnover the year before, in a construction market still recovering from the impact of the pandemic.
The company is now effectively marketing itself to the appropriate client base through both digital and social media channels, and managing its finances with a discipline and visibility that had previously been absent. Several small contracts have since been secured, positively impacting the bottom line, and the company is now better positioned to tender for larger projects.
Solomons, who has taken over as majority shareholder and CEO, credits the programme with transforming not just the business but her own capability and confidence as a leader. She entered the programme uncertain and emerged equipped to lead.
I would recommend the Seriti ESD Programme to any SMME that wants to grow and achieve its goals. It’s hard work, but it’s certainly worth putting in the effort.
What They Said
Seriti’s ESD programme is structured to provide different types of support based on the stage or level of business maturity of the SMMEs, as well as existing operating gaps. In this way we are able to equip entrepreneurs with the much-needed skills and support to ensure that they are successful and sustainable, way into the future.
I would recommend the Seriti ESD Programme to any SMME that wants to grow and achieve its goals. It’s hard work, but it’s certainly worth putting in the effort.
During the short interaction I had with Mosodu Construction, I was very pleased with their work ethic. They understand the importance of quality production and going out of their way to satisfy their customers. What an amazing team.
Conclusion
Mosodu Construction & Projects’ story is one of resilience, recovery, and renewal. A decade-old business facing leadership transition, a pandemic-driven revenue crisis, and persistent marketing gaps found its footing through the Seriti ESD Programme. By addressing the company’s most critical operational weaknesses, while simultaneously equipping its incoming CEO with the skills and confidence to lead, the programme delivered outcomes that will sustain Mosodu well into its next chapter.
