NEWS
<< Continued from page 5
The rationale behind the slogan is that when people join
forces for a common goal to do good, a lot can be achieved.
Mntambo highlighted the importance of doing things for the
“right reasons and the right frame of mind.” “You can make
as much money as you want in life, you can do whatever you
want in life, you can own aeroplanes, whatever you want. But
if there is nothing that gives you a sense of purpose, you can
lose your way very easily.”
Although Mntambo was initially not interested in buying
into a plumbing business, he decided on joining Burgess
and Partners. “When you decide to go into a partnership
with anybody, n othing matters more than whether the
person is a good person and you feel that you can connect
with them, because that is 70% of what your life is going
to be about. The money and other things count for much
less,” Mntambo said. He also admired Burgess and
Partners and its people. “They are a great team and they
have good values about what it is that they want to achieve
for themselves as people in business, but also for their
employees and the people they work for, which are their
customers,” he added. He was also encouraged by the
company’s ‘We Care’ philosophy, which talks to what the
company really values: the environment, its employees,
customers, and South Africa.
In addition to Mntambo’s admiration of Burgess and Partners
as a company, he decided to become part of the company
because of the opportunities that lay ahead. “Buying a
plumbing company would be nice, but not most exciting.
What is more exciting is what we can do with this company
to take it from being a good company to a great company in
a different environment, where it is going to grow into this
water services, water conservation, and water management
kind of space.”
Both Mntambo and Chris were optimistic that this
was possible through technology, consciousness,
education, and plumbing solutions. Other plans from
this newly found partnership between Mntambo and
Burgess and Partners include venturing into water
risk, sanitation, and energy solutions to the domestic,
commercial, industrial, and mining sectors.
When discussing the challenge of the lack of
legislation within the plumbing industry, Mntambo
believes that one of the aspects that the company
will work on is to build a solid reputation to a point
where they cannot be ignored. In that way, the
company will have sufficient credibility to be in a
position to make suggestions on changing legislation
for the improvement of the industry in its entirety.
Mntambo also feels strongly about business playing
an active role in being vocal about issues that
negatively affects the industry. He commended the
Chamber of Mines and the stand they have taken
on the Mining Charter. Chris added that Burgess
and Partners would also do the same within the
plumbing industry, either through the Institute
of Plumbing South Africa (IOPSA) or directly
approaching the relevant people that can help
improve the industry. Mntambo would contribute
by using his influence and capacity to assist the
company achieve its objectives.
There are big plans for both Mntambo and Burgess
and Partners. For now, he plans on learning the
ins and outs of the industry to equip himself with
the necessary knowledge to be able to make a
meaningful contribution to the plumbing industry.
“We are absolutely blessed to have Zweli in our
lives,” said Chris. PA
Burgess and Partners’ ‘We Care’ philosophy portrayed on one of the walls at the company.
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
7
“What is more
exciting is what
we can do with
this company
to take it from
being a good
company to a
great company
in a different
environment,
where it is
going to grow
into this water
services, water
conservation,
and water
management
kind of space.”
September 2017 Volume 23 I Number 7