Mandisa Mazibuko

Mandisa Mazibuko is the managing director of Envelop Empowerment Group and director of Gilnokie Socks.
“Envelop Empowerment Group is built on principles to develop, support, and empower, particularly women
entrepreneurs,” she explains. “We equip them with practical skills and tools that allow them to succeed in business.”

Through Envelop Empowerment Group, Mandisa has created a company that is as values-driven as it is
commercially successful. As a distributor of high-quality personal protective equipment, her focus on women-led SMMEs is both strategic and deeply personal. “We believe that SMMEs are the lifeline of the economy. When you equip a woman with the right skills to lead and to nurture, she gives back, she builds communities, she creates jobs, and she uplifts others.”

Her second venture, Gilnokie Socks, reflects the same commitment. “We partnered with a well-established
entrepreneur who shared our desire to grow. Our partnership was based on opening access to funding, to
markets, and to strategic positioning.”

Together, she says, these two businesses are: “My babies, true demonstrations of what healthy transformation looks like when vision meets the right support.”

ROOTED IN RESILIENCE
Mandisa’s journey began long before she entered the world of business. Raised by her grandparents, she
credits her grandfather as the earliest and most influential example of leadership she ever saw.“He was a man who, although with no formal education, had a clear picture of what it looked like to lead and to
be reliable. I watched how he interacted with people, how he could start with just an idea and build something meaningful. That taught me that vision, commitment, and integrity can create something spectacular.”

This foundation shaped her path. After completing matric, she pursued studies in finance, went on to complete an honours in finance, and recently earned an MBA with GIBS, through TWIMS (Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies), specialising in manufacturing.

“Those two years were incredible, filled with knowledge, innovation, and discovery. I learned to apply models that improved my decision-making and taught me to trust my inner voice. Sometimes you do not have all the answers, but you still have to make the decision. That is what leadership is,” she explained. For Mandisa, success is not only measured by profits or growth but also by the ripple effect of empowerment.

One of her proudest initiatives is a partnership with a school in Pinetown, designed to support learners from an early age by providing resources, mentorship, and access to opportunities. “We want to give learners a chance, just the basics that will allow them to stand a chance when they leave school. Education allows you to think differently, to see differently, to dream differently.”

Her motivation for this work is deeply personal. “I was raised by an uneducated man who achieved a lot. But education gives you tools and perspectives that open doors. If we can change that for even one child, that child will one day change it for another, and that is how we build meaningful contributions.”

This initiative reflects her belief that true empowerment begins with access, whether that is access to knowledge, to resources, or to opportunity. “It is a humbling journey because you realise how much is needed, but also how much support is available if you ask and collaborate. That is what transformation looks like, people coming together for a shared goal.”

SHAPING CHARACTER
Mandisa is open and reflective about the challenges she has faced along the way. She divides them into two types: internal and external. “Internally, I have had to deal with self-doubt, with not believing in myself enough, and with seeking outside validation. Those are barriers that many women face, because they are ingrained by culture and by society. I have learned to recognise them, to work on them, and to give myself permission to lead boldly." Externally, she acknowledges the barriers that come with working in a male-dominated industry. “Manufacturing is still very much a male space. It sometimes feels like women have to speak louder, be more convincing, and work twice as hard to be taken seriously. These systemic barriers are real, but they will not change unless we keep showing up and proving that we belong here.”

Despite these challenges, her outlook remains grounded in optimism and persistence. “The more we open ourselves to learning, the more doors open for us. Growth is constant, and the impact evolves as you evolve.”

THE POWER OF CLARITY
Mandisa’s advice to young people, especially aspiring women leaders, is simple but profound. “Be exceptionally clear on what it is that you want. Clarity breeds confidence, and without it, you invite confusion and self-doubt.” Her second piece of advice is about resilience. “Things do not always go your way. You will fall, but it is not about the fall, it is about bouncing back, bouncing forward, and keeping your momentum.”
Her third principle is adaptability. “Circumstances change. It is no use holding on to old ideas to solve today’s problems.

You have to be agile enough to reinvent yourself, to pivot when needed, and to reimagine your path. That is how you stay relevant and strong.” Mandisa’s success comes with multiple roles as a mother, wife, and business leader, and she acknowledges that balance is something she works on every day. “I try to
be present with my kids, with my husband, and with my team. I do not always get it right, but I give as much
as I can, when I can. These roles are all fulfilling, all challenging, and they make life worthwhile. The key is to
be clear on what matters most and to show up where you are needed.”

Mandisa’s message to women everywhere is: The qualities of courage, strength, and risk-taking have long
been associated with men − but women embody these traits every day. We must recognise, own, and embrace that strength within ourselves.” She concludes, “Let us not be intimidated by risk or by change. Right at that peak lies a better business, a better family, and a better you.”