Linda Sewnarain: A Decade of Empowerment and Leadership

Building Five Star BEE Compliance

Linda Sewnarain is the founder and managing director of Five Star BEE Compliance. “We were founded in 2015, so we’re ten years old this year,” says Linda. “It’s a huge milestone for us.” The company specialises in Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) verifications—an area that, while sometimes viewed as a ‘grudge purchase’, is vital for companies wishing to succeed in the South African market.

Over the past decade, Five Star BEE Compliance has issued more than 5,000 BEE certificates to a diverse client base that includes prominent organisations such as the Women of Africa Group, Richards Bay Minerals, EY, and the Mazars Group. Linda expresses her gratitude: “Without our clients, we would not have a business, so we do everything possible to keep them happy.” The company now operates nationally, maintaining a presence in Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg.

Linda reveals that her favourite aspect of her work is travelling across the country. “We go to all the nooks and crannies of South Africa. It gives my staff and I opportunities to see places we would never have seen before.” The business employs eleven permanent staff members in KwaZulu-Natal, four external contractors, and additional team members in Johannesburg and Cape Town. She reflects on the company’s growth: “When I started, it was just two of us in a small office. Now, we own our own building. It’s been quite a journey.”

Adversity to Achievement

Linda’s journey is marked by resilience and unwavering self-belief. Before establishing her business, she was a regional director at a large firm that underwent a takeover. This transition was challenging but ultimately opened a new path for her. “I wanted to go on my own, but I didn’t have the money,” she admits. “The licence accreditation cost was huge. I went to a few clients and told them what I wanted to do. They said, ‘We trust you, Linda. Why don’t we pay you a deposit for our BEE certificates so you can use it for accreditation?’ That is how Five Star started—through the good grace of others and encouragement from my husband.”

Linda has never forgotten the kindness that helped launch her business. “To this day, I give back wherever I can through mentoring, coaching, and community upliftment.” Her entrepreneurial drive has led her to diversify her business interests. “Anything legislation-driven can affect our business, so we decided to branch out,” Linda explains. She has since started several other ventures, including a holiday home in the Drakensberg, a fully functional events venue, an accredited hair and beauty training salon, and a construction company focused on residential properties.

Her willingness to take on new challenges is evident: “When I first started the hair and beauty venture, I thought, ‘My goodness, you know nothing about this’, but I learned.” Linda’s commitment to lifelong learning extends to her staff. “I teach my young team members things they didn’t know, and in turn, they teach me. It’s fulfilling to see them grow. Some have left to become transformation managers in big companies. It’s hard to see them go, but it’s a proud moment too.”

Linda’s journey has also included personal challenges. She was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, a disease affecting the lining of the lungs. “I went on heavy cortisone for some time,” she recalls. “My biggest dream was to travel overseas. While I was recovering, my husband took me to Greece, and it was the most beautiful experience. That was a dream come true.” Her children continue to be a source of pride and motivation: “Both my kids are engineers today. If my children are successful, it shows that we did something right. That, for me, is the greatest achievement.”

Leading with Purpose

Each year, Linda hosts a Women’s Day event to show appreciation to her clients. “It’s a beautiful function for around 100 to 150 women,” she explains. “It’s our way of saying thank you. We’re not always grateful enough, and sometimes people just need to hear the words, ‘We appreciate you’.”

Her inspiration comes from two remarkable women: her business mentor Pria Hassan and her late mother. “Pria told me back in 2010 that I had to start my own business, and she supported me through it financially and emotionally,” Linda recalls. “And my mum, she never went to school, but she taught us the value of education and hard work. She raised six children in one small room and still made sure we all went to university. Today, all my brothers are professionals, and I own my own company. Everything she did was right.”

Despite her achievements, Linda acknowledges the ongoing challenges of the business world. “Compliance is not easy. It’s tedious and time-consuming,” she admits. “Clients often think once they pay, they can get their certificate, but it doesn’t work like that. We have to help them understand that what we do is in their best interest.”

Staff retention remains a significant challenge. “Training a BEE analyst takes at least six months, and sometimes people leave soon after,” Linda says. “This job is stressful. It’s not an eight-to-four role, and it can eat into your personal life.”

Linda’s advice to young women entering the business world is straightforward: “Go for it. Make sure you know what you’re doing. When you enter a room, look confident. Be honest with your clients and never sugar-coat the truth. Reliability and integrity are everything.” Looking ahead, Linda’s ambitions remain strong. “My next goal is to buy a property in Cape Town, let it out on Airbnb, and hopefully retire there,” she says. “Although with two lovely grandchildren, I’m not sure I’ll be able to leave them.”

Linda’s latest project, resin art, provides her with an important outlet. “It’s my time to unwind. When I’m working with resin, I have to wear gloves, and I can’t touch my phone. Those few hours are my time alone, and I cherish them.” For Linda, the principle of ‘sharing is caring’ is fundamental. She concludes, “Helping others doesn’t weaken you; it makes you stronger. That’s what keeps me grounded, and that’s what keeps me going.”