Page 52 - Mangwanani Magazine June 2020 Edition

Meet Nono
I am Nono. My full name is Kedibone Nono Modise. I was born on
the 26 October 1980. My journey with Mangwanani started in
October 2004. I was then a very young woman, who had no idea
nor experience when it came to giving massages. I had not
worked for any other company, for that matter. Employment by
Mangwanani was my rst big break after what I had been doing.
I was trained on massaging and customer care. Later, I was
trained in various departments. Gradually, I learnt how the
organisation works. As the years went by, I was promoted to
various positions, from therapist to Jacuzzi attendant, to waitress.
Eventually I was promoted to bus hostess. Still further along, I
became a duty manager at the River Valley branch. I was
moved to Mangwanani Indaba and given a general manager’s
position for a night spa. Being a general manager enabled me to
extend my home.

I am the last-born child of 3 siblings. I am the only breadwinner in
the household. I would not have been able to accomplish all that
I have, had it not been for the empowering from Mangwanani.

It was through Mangwanani that I was recognised and given the opportunity of showing my work ethic. I was given the rst ight of my
life when having to travel to other branches: to Cape Town and Durban. From then on, Mangwanani helped me to spread my wings.
In 2011, Mangwanani ew me to the Netherlands. Mangwanani is a company that empowers and cares about people’s well-being
and success. Were it not for employers such as Maeve, Erin, and Moira, who forever believed in me and encouraged me to grow, I
would not be where I am today. These ladies are like sisters to me. They have brought out the best in me. They have encouraged me to
be a bigger and better person. Mangwanani management enabled me to join the SETA service. Since then, I have accumulated a
collection of meaningful certicates. I am also happy to say that, in 2017, I achieved my Generic Management NQF level 5, by dint of
hard work and study.

With all that said, I could never be where I am today without Mangwanani. I am currently the branch manager of River Valley, and I
am driving my second car ever. I have built my own house from scratch. I have managed to do all this on my journey with
Mangwanani. Mangwanani is not just a company: once you join the company, you automatically become family. I am saying this
because, in 2017, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, together with thyroid cancer. The support I received from this
organisation was priceless. No other company could have given me more care or support, both emotionally and nancially. I knew
then that I was not looked on as an expendable employee.

The same goes for all the other people working for the company; and for that I will forever be grateful. Erin − you always saw in other
people what they did not see in themselves. You always knew what greatness the future had in store for me. You were able to leave
your company in my hands and go to Durban. At rst I wondered how could you trust me with such a big responsibility. However, you
saw what you saw in me. You always encouraged me never to give up, even when I wanted just to give it all away. You also gave me
the chance to prove myself. You are in large part the reason for where I am today. For that, I will forever be grateful. Not forgetting how
you manage to have nicknames for all of us − you are such a beautiful soul. Maeve, what a blessing to have someone like you in my
life. You have always supported me and guided me in every step that I took. As you always say, Mangwanani is like the university of life,
where we learn many things. This is true. I have witnessed so much that I could write a book expressing how much I appreciate you. You
will always be more than an employer to me. Because of you, I do believe that family is not only blood. Thank you.

How can I forget Sister Kim? Not only are you a nurse − you have been a steady shoulder to cry on: ALWAYS there when I needed you. I
can always count on you to help me ofoad. You are someone I can cry to and not even once be judged.

Moira taught me that I need to take charge, to be strong and act accordingly; not forgetting that I need to know what I want. I
reported to Moira when working at Indaba. Moira is a tough leader; however, I am grateful to her for modelling her ne behaviour.
Now, as a manager, I can overcome any obstacle that comes my way. Today I am proud to say that I can hold my head high, as a
dynamic, empowered woman, who is not afraid of facing and tackling challenges as they come my way.
Thank you to my entire Mangwanani family!