A 34-year-old Sasolburg entrepreneur is proving that determination, resilience and hard work can transform setbacks into success.
Galo Maarohanye, the director of GVM Civils & Maintenance, has been praised by Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae after successfully completing the new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facility at Refengkgotso Clinic in just six months.
Once retrenched during the COVID-19 pandemic, Maarohanye turned adversity into opportunity by establishing her own construction company. Today, she has completed several major infrastructure projects, created employment for around 55 people and is inspiring more young women to pursue careers in the construction industry.
“This is the type of people we want to work with and I am happy that she was given an opportunity. The facility is beautiful and I am happy that it was undertaken by a young woman. We must empower her and many other young women in our province and ensure that they also grow in the construction industry,” said a beaming Premier Letsoha-Mathae.
Before establishing her company, Maarohanye worked for a car rental company.
“My employment ended during the COVID-19 period when the company underwent restructuring and applied the LIFO principle – Last In, First Out – as part of its retrenchment process,” said Maarohanye.
Having studied corporate communication, Maarohanye said the thought of bringing a drawing to life was one of the main reasons she decided to form a construction company.
“I was drawn to construction by the ability to bring a drawing, idea or concept to life. Every construction and maintenance project ultimately serves people and being able to create infrastructure that improves the lives of beneficiaries gives the work real meaning,” she said.
Despite her age, Maarohanye already has several major projects under her belt and aims to do many more. “We have done maintenance jobs at the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court as well as the refurbishment of the Zamdela taxi rank offices and Kgodisong business centre. We are currently building a technical workshop at one of the high schools in our area,” she said proudly..
“Do not wait until you feel completely ready before taking up opportunities. Construction is demanding, but competence is developed through continuous learning, asking questions, building the right team and consistently delivering quality work. Know your numbers, understand your contracts, protect your cash flow and invest in compliance. Most importantly, never allow being the only woman in the room to make you question whether you belong there.”
