From an early age, Sinenhlahla Chamane dreamed of building her own company. In 2011, she brought that vision to life by launching a consulting firm. Facing fierce competition, she pivoted her path and founded a contracting company, choosing the name Empilweni  meaning “We are life, we have life”, a name that embodies purpose, resilience, and growth.

For the first seven years, Empilweni Trading focused primarily on the construction industry. When the sector slowed, and the world faced the uncertainty of the 2020 pandemic lockdown, Sinenhlahla embraced the challenge of diversifying her business.

A turning point came when Empilweni was awarded a school feeding scheme tender. Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit, Sinenhlahla expanded into agriculture, cultivating crops to supply the feeding scheme and wholesale clients. What began as a small-scale initiative grew into a full-fledged farming operation, securing vital food supply for communities. Even when devastating storms hit the farmlands in late 2020, her determination ensured operations resumed stronger the following season.

“I had always farmed on a small scale,” Sinenhlahla reflects. “During the lockdown, when we secured a Department of Education feeding scheme and food became scarce, we decided to farm our own produce. I brought my construction team together, blending engineering and agricultural expertise to measure and lay out the land.”

Alongside farming, Sinenhlahla pursued her passion for hospitality. In 2015, she started a catering business and invested in décor and equipment, planting the seeds for a service division that would support the events industry. The experience shaped her decision to shift focus during COVID, turning Empilweni into a trusted provider of quality décor and catering equipment for corporate and private clients.

“My dream was always to be a chef or food technologist to create and serve. This passion still drives me, but I chose to adapt. By offering equipment hire and décor services, I could continue serving people while creating sustainable growth for Empilweni and our team.”

Today, Empilweni stands as a testament to vision, adaptability, and commitment, bringing life, creativity, and reliability to every project.