A businessman with a heart for the less fortunate

SIZWE Charles Dlamini’s life is a rags to riches success story but the businessman is not content to live in the lap of luxury while others struggle for their daily bread.

Dlamini, 41, who is based in Durban, is always ready to help the less fortunate because he knows what it is is to be destitute.

His most recent display of his Good Samaritan side was when he got Sthembiso Hlongwane, a whoonga-addict living on the streets of Avoca Hills, to realise that his life had purpose.

Dlamini who runs a scaffolding business, helped Hlongwane to kick his drug habit, finding him a place to reside, and giving him work at one of his construction sites.

Dlamini, started STE Scaffolding, a company which provides services to commercial industries, with only three workers.

He has since grown the business to such an extent that his company has a presence in all the major cities around the country.

Dlamini said he had more than 300 employees before the pandemic but was now down to just over a 100.

A grateful Hlongwane said Dlamini had given him an opportunity to rebuild his life.

“Mr Dlamini found me outside his company’s premises. I often asked him for small change to buy bread and he would say he’d like to offer me a job at his company instead. He said I would then be able to buy a lot of bread and turn my life around.”

Hlongwane said the businessman honoured his pledge, and assisted him with getting his identity document processed, and opening a bank account.

“He emphasised that change had to come from within me and he was not going to force me to be someone I’m not.

“I assured him that this is the change and opportunity I have been longing for.”

Hlongwane said he was still learning how the scaffolding industry works, and enjoying the experience thus far.

Another of Dlamini’s acts of kindness was when he empowered Sizeka Khonzaphi, who is presently his employee.

“Dlamini hired me in 2018 after I responded to a vacancy advertisement he had flighted.

“I had no experience and I was unemployed for a long time, but he gave me a chance when others rejected me.”

Khonzaphi started as a general worker at STE Scaffolding in November 2018, but has since risen to the position of supervisor.

Dlamini founded his business in February 2010, and helped the less fortunate by hiring them and giving them a chance to build a new life and hope, has been one of his priorities.

Back then he had few resources but he has since grown the business appreciably and many of his current employees hail from destitute backgrounds.

Dlamini was born in Kwanongoma, in Northern Kwazulu-natal.

He said he grew up poor but it had encouraged him to be hard working and shaped his desire to give back to those who were less fortunate.

“I knew what it was like to be poor and struggle, and why some turn to crime. Therefore, I am motivated to give others a chance in life. I am mindful that I can’t help everyone, but I do what I can.”