Former nurse Daphne Mabebe Mabilo is building a growing hospitality and catering business in Postmasburg while creating jobs and empowering women in her community.
Image: Supplied.
What began as a small guesthouse in Postmasburg has grown into a thriving hospitality, catering and supply business focused on service excellence, employment creation and community upliftment.
Daphne Mabebe Mabilo founded Ke Kgatoentle in 2013 after transitioning from a career in nursing into entrepreneurship, carrying with her a passion for service and caring for others.
Initially launched as Villa D Guesthouse in Boichoko, Postmasburg, the business has since evolved into a multi faceted operation serving mining employees, healthcare workers and the broader community.
Mabilo said her nursing background helped shape the values that continue to drive the company today.
“Caring is my passion. To elevate and bring change in others, especially women and the girl child, it feels complete when you’re serving others,” she said.
Today, Ke Kgatoentle provides catering services to staff at Kumba Iron Ore’s Kolomela Mine and personnel at Postmasburg Hospital, while also supplying groceries, snacks and beverages.
Former nurse Daphne Mabebe Mabilo is building a growing hospitality and catering business in Postmasburg while creating jobs and empowering women in her community.
Image: Supplied.
The business has also become an important source of employment in the area, with around 10 local staff members currently employed.
Mabilo said job creation and skills transfer remain central to the company’s mission as unemployment continues to affect many communities across the Northern Cape.
The business has received support through Anglo American Zimele’s enterprise development programme, which has provided financial management training, mentorship and funding assistance.
“I have been groomed and developed by Zimele,” Mabilo said.
“Without Zimele holding my hand, I would not be what I am today.”
According to Larisha Naidoo, Vice President of Anglo American Zimele, Mabilo’s long term vision is one of the company’s most compelling qualities.
Former nurse Daphne Mabebe Mabilo is building a growing hospitality and catering business in Postmasburg while creating jobs and empowering women in her community.
Image: Supplied.
“What makes Ke Kgatoentle compelling isn’t just its current operations,” Naidoo said.
“It’s Daphne’s vision for the next 30 years, expanding her catering footprint and partnering with more corporates beyond mining. She’s building a business that can outlast any single contract or sector downturn.”
That long term ambition is already shaping the company’s future growth plans.
Mabilo hopes to significantly expand the business over the coming years by increasing its catering operations, partnering with additional mines and entering the events industry through weddings and conference catering.
“I want to see this company employing 20 to 30 people, registered on the JSE and independent from mines,” she said. “One day we will say: we did it.”
The business has built a strong reputation locally for reliable service, hygienic food preparation and personalised customer care, helping position it as a trusted supplier in the region.
Former nurse Daphne Mabebe Mabilo is building a growing hospitality and catering business in Postmasburg while creating jobs and empowering women in her community.
Image: Supplied.
For Mabilo, the journey reflects what can happen when entrepreneurship is paired with purpose, resilience and the right support structures.
Ke Kgatoentle now stands as an example of how small businesses can create sustainable economic opportunities while continuing to serve and uplift local communities.
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