Gasela: Woman of many talents

Yet Nomvula Gasela has become one of the few local women to mix the two and prevail in both. Based in Johannesburg Gasela is director of Manqoba Laser Link and has made her mark in decorating, planning occasions, catering, photography and video filming.

“Planning and hosting occasions, photographing and video filming them go hand in glove, so when I opened this company four years ago, I decided to provide all those under one roof,” she told The Zimbabwean early this week.

“When you hire us for your special occasions, you don’t need to continue searching for other service providers because we provide them too.”

The company’s clients include businesses, groups and individuals, who are all charged and given services according to what they can afford.

“We have various packages specially designed for different classes, but all kinds of clients are catered for because we are a client-centred company that gives customers value for their money,” said Gasela.

“I loved cookery when I was at school and so it was natural that I took the lessons seriously. I even went on to buy more books on the subject. I can also say it was also partly a genetic inheritance because my father was a baker in Bulawayo and so was my brother.”

Before she moved to Johannesburg more than a decade ago, Gasela owned a pie-making factory in Zimbabwe’s second biggest city. That was not as rewarding as she had wanted it to be so she went in search of greener pastures. On her arrival in South Africa she worked in various hotels and restaurants, where she gained more experience and knowledge on the local catering field.

Opening her own company saw her take a number of painful punches. But she anticipated them and had already hardened herself against them.

“I then decided to take photography and video filming into our wing because, just like cooking, it was also in my blood,” she added. “I used to do it with my brother when we grew up. We shared many trends and that was one of them.

“We also have contracts with schools and pre-schools in central Johannesburg, for who we host graduation parties, film and produce calendars for them. We also design and print graduation certificates.”

Her desire is to grow her business across the Southern African region.

“Our charges per country are in line with both the country’s economy and what the client can afford. We do not demand all the payment upfront and once the client pays a deposit, we begin on the work they require from us. That is how we have managed to get more customers from even those who are not in a strong financial standing,” added the Bulawayo-born businesswoman.

“Women must not always depend on someone else to have a good livelihood, but learn to be independent. We must not fear taking risks because that is what men do to become successful. It is also important to fear God, who will then light up your way.”