Ethics and networking are key to sustainable business – Muzi Ndlovu

&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Muzi Ndlovu&comma; BSc&lpar;QS&rpar;&comma; MSc&lpar;Real Estate&rpar;&comma; Pr CPM&comma; Pr QS&comma; Director of Rechoboth Investment Holdings&comma; has built a diversified consultancy and property services business in Johannesburg&comma; South Africa&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Trading as Rechoboth Built Environment Services&comma; the company provides services spanning programme and project management&comma; quantity surveying&comma; facilities management&comma; property management and maintenance&comma; as well as property development&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Ndlovu entered entrepreneurship after working as an employee from 2001 until February 2016&period; His decision to establish the practice was driven by his passion for the built environment and his academic background in real estate and quantity surveying&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Since its establishment&comma; Rechoboth Built Environment Services has been involved in student accommodation projects&comma; retail infrastructure planning and health and wellness developments&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">However&comma; Ndlovu says late and non-payment of consultancy fees remains one of the major challenges facing the business&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">He recalls instances where significant work had been completed before projects were suspended or clients became unable to settle outstanding consultancy fees&period; The COVID-19 pandemic also affected the ability of some clients to meet their financial obligations&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">To strengthen the business&comma; Ndlovu says the company has focused on expanding its client base&comma; reducing overheads and maintaining disciplined financial management&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Networking has also played an important role in the company&&num;8217&semi;s growth&comma; with Ndlovu highlighting referrals from professionals within the built environment as a major source of business opportunities&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">He further stresses the importance of professionalism and ethics&comma; particularly when consultants face pressure from clients to compromise established standards&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">For Ndlovu&comma; maintaining ethical standards while building sustainable professional relationships remains critical to creating a resilient and credible business&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">His entrepreneurial journey highlights how technical expertise&comma; professional networks&comma; financial discipline and ethical conduct can help build a sustainable business in South Africa&&num;8217&semi;s built environment sector&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph"><&sol;p>&NewLine;