Discover how Mahlatse Lekwadu, a determined entrepreneur from Limpopo, overcame significant barriers to establish Magadine Business Enterprise, a thriving mining supplier. Her inspiring journey showcases resilience, ambition, and the power of mentorship in an industry often dominated by men.
Image: Supplied.
In an industry traditionally dominated by men and often difficult to access for small businesses, Mahlatse Lekwadu has carved out her own path with determination, resilience and an unwavering belief in possibility.
The 52-year-old entrepreneur from Limpopo is the founder of Magadine Business Enterprise Pty Ltd, a company that has spent the past seven years building its footprint in the mining and industrial supply sector.
Living with a neurological disorder, Lekwadu has not only had to navigate the usual challenges of entrepreneurship but also barriers linked to accessibility, prejudice and limited support systems.
Yet she has transformed those challenges into fuel for growth.
Today, Magadine Business Enterprise supplies major clients including Glencore Eastern Mine and Lion Smelter from its base at Unit B19, Mining Supplier Park in Steelpoort.
Her story is one of grit, purpose and breaking barriers in spaces where representation for women and people living with disabilities remains limited.
Like many South African entrepreneurs, Lekwadu began with little more than determination and a vision for a better future.
“From 2018 to 2021, we operated under a subcontract. Launching the business was difficult due to financial constraints. We relied on loans from family, friends and personal credit to purchase stock,” she said.
For the first three years, the business operated from the family garage, a modest beginning that contrasts sharply with the company’s current position serving established mining clients.
Securing opportunities in the sector was no easy task.
Lekwadu said one of the toughest hurdles was becoming a registered vendor in the mining industry, a process that required persistence and patience.
Discover how Mahlatse Lekwadu, a determined entrepreneur from Limpopo, overcame significant barriers to establish Magadine Business Enterprise, a thriving mining supplier. Her inspiring journey showcases resilience, ambition, and the power of mentorship in an industry often dominated by men.
Image: Supplied.
“Getting registered as a vendor in the mining sector was a drawn out process. I had to persistently send daily emails until we secured the vendor number and, later, tender opportunities,” she said.
Accessibility remains a major challenge for many South Africans living with disabilities, and Lekwadu experienced this firsthand.
“Infrastructure like ramps was also a major barrier,” she said.
Rather than allowing those obstacles to limit her ambitions, Lekwadu chose to lead from the front. She remains actively involved in the day to day running of the company, strategic planning and team leadership.
“I don’t have a disability, I have a different ability,” she said, echoing the words of author Robert M Hensel.
Her mindset reflects a broader truth about entrepreneurship in South Africa. Talent and leadership are not defined by physical condition but by vision, commitment and the ability to create value.
For Lekwadu, business success is about more than profit. It is also about creating security for her family and opening doors for others.
“My motivation stems from wanting to ensure a better future for my children. I also enjoy mentoring others and continuously learning, especially from the youth,” she said.
Discover how Mahlatse Lekwadu, a determined entrepreneur from Limpopo, overcame significant barriers to establish Magadine Business Enterprise, a thriving mining supplier. Her inspiring journey showcases resilience, ambition, and the power of mentorship in an industry often dominated by men.
Image: Supplied.
That spirit of mentorship and community upliftment is central to her mission. By succeeding in a sector where women owned and disability owned businesses are still underrepresented, she is helping reshape perceptions of who belongs in mining and industrial supply chains.
Despite the progress made, Lekwadu says the journey continues. One of the company’s current priorities is finding the right marketing expertise to support its next phase of growth.
“One of our biggest challenges now is finding a reliable and committed marketing consultant. We are looking for a passionate marketer who can take Magadine Business to the next level,” she said.
Her willingness to keep evolving highlights a trait shared by many successful entrepreneurs: the understanding that growth requires constant adaptation.
Born in Bothashoek village in Limpopo and raised in Burgersfort, Lekwadu’s journey is deeply rooted in her community.
She attended Madinoge Primary School and Mmiditsi Secondary School in Bothashoek, foundations that helped shape the resilient business leader she is today.
As South Africa continues to seek inclusive economic growth, stories like Lekwadu’s offer an important reminder that opportunity expands when barriers are removed.
From a garage startup to supplying major mining operations, Mahlatse Lekwadu is proving that determination, courage and vision can build success against the odds.
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