Tshidi Mndzebele

What does your company do?

AvenirHoldings provides innovative and leading solutions in the delivery of infrastructure and ‘built’ projects. Our mission was inspired by Africa’s immense potential as the next investment destination of choice and global economic leader, and by the understanding that the Continent can only live its potential if it prioritises development of key infrastructure. Given our passion for the Continent and our well-developed capabilities in the built environment, getting involved would be a matter of purpose and calling. We do engineering, project management, infrastructure and equipment maintenance and property, for big and small, public and private, local and international clients. Launching our pursuit in 2014, we have had the privilege of delivering and participating in many projects of innovative and continental significance, in some instances serving alongside some of the leading brands in engineering and construction. These unique opportunities have allowed our business to grow immensely in reputation, scope of offering, footprint and resource capacity, all of which enable us to do more as a service provider, industry influencer and corporate citizen. Our most recent move in this trajectory of purposeful growth is establishment of the training service offering, our response to the realisation that developing infrastructure while leaving people behind would not be a sustainable approach in the holistic development of the Continent.

What is your biggest success?

Tshidi Mndzebele, CEO of AvenirHoldings, is a trailblazing engineering executive transforming South Africa’s infrastructure sector through innovation, empowerment, and inclusive leadership. She has successfully led major projects such as Eskom’s Kusile Power Station and the award-winning Matale Secondary School. Her structured mentorship programme has supported over 30 engineering candidates—mostly women—advancing professionalisation and diversity in the built environment. Tshidi integrates transformation into every project, creating jobs, supporting SMMEs, and fostering community upliftment. She holds leadership roles in CESA, BBCBE, and MBA North, where she shapes national policy on skills development and governance. Her firm’s excellence has been recognised through multiple awards, including the 2024 Big 5 Community Project of the Year and 2025 Woman of Stature in Engineering. Tshidi’s success lies in her ability to build not just infrastructure, but people, systems, and lasting impact. She is a symbol of inclusive excellence and a force for change in the industry.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

AvenirHoldings has faced numerous challenges since its inception in 2014, including navigating a competitive and unpredictable engineering sector. The company grappled with securing funding, managing cash flow, and balancing growth with profitability - common hurdles for SMEs. Compliance with evolving safety, environmental, and quality regulations posed logistical and financial strain. Talent acquisition and retention, especially in specialized engineering fields, proved difficult against larger firms. Tshidi also confronted systemic barriers as a Black woman in a male-dominated industry. The COVID-19 pandemic marked a major setback, disrupting operations and forcing painful retrenchments. However, it also spurred a reinvention: Avenir pivoted to strategic SMME partnerships, embraced digital innovation through a CISCO collaboration, and enhanced its engineering candidacy programmes. These experiences shaped a resilient, sustainable business model rooted in bold leadership, shared value, and people development - demonstrating that enduring success comes from adapting through adversity and lifting others along the way.