Hlayisani Sono
Youth in Business & Entrepreneurship
Nominee's Province:
Limpopo
Age:
34
Project Name/Description:
Managing Director – Mhani Builder Construction and Projects
Hlayisani Sono is a bricklayer who operates in the male-dominated construction industry as the managing director of Mhani Builder Construction and Projects. Sono's journey in construction didn’t start as her first career choice. Instead, she found herself in the sector after participating in a learnership programme in 2019. There, she discovered her passion for construction.  Sono’s drive led her to establish Mhani Builder, a business that offers services in general building, commercial and residential construction, carpentry, paving, painting and roofing. Despite her achievements, Sono acknowledges the challenges her business faces, particularly compliance-related issues. Nonetheless, she remains resolute in her mission to create job opportunities, particularly for women and youth in her community. Sono's accolades include being named a 2021 Sunday World Heroic Woman, a Top 10 nominee for Inspirational Women Awards and a participant in the 2021 State of the Nation Address debate with the deputy minister of higher education. As a youth entrepreneur, Sono emphasises the importance of government support in creating more opportunities for small businesses. By employing the youth, she believes they can contribute to reducing unemployment and crime rates, ultimately fostering a brighter future for the nation.
