When you meet Palesa Mofokeng, director of Pre-eminence Trading and Projects, one thing becomes clear – she is not afraid of hard work. From her early days juggling jobs in sales and waitressing, to taking a bold leap into plumbing and construction, Palesa’s story is one of resilience, vision and community impact.
Her company, based in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, specialises in plumbing, civil construction and industrial cleaning. What sets it apart is not just the technical expertise, but the heart behind it: a commitment to providing reliable infrastructure while uplifting the people and communities around her.
Like many entrepreneurs, Palesa didn’t start with deep pockets. When her first big project came along, she didn’t have the savings or financial backing to take it on. Instead, she borrowed money from her mother, sold equipment from previous ventures, and scraped together what she could from her corporate salary.
“I didn’t even calculate how much I needed to start,” she admits. “But somehow, I made it work.”
That leap of faith paid off. Within months of launching, Pre-eminence secured a three-year contract, a breakthrough that gave the business momentum and credibility in a highly competitive industry.
From the beginning, Palesa faced an uphill battle. As a young woman entering plumbing and construction, her capabilities were constantly questioned. “People doubted me,” she says. “I had to prove myself twice as much.”
Instead of backing down, she doubled her efforts. With every project completed successfully, she showed that quality work speaks louder than stereotypes. Her perseverance has positioned Pre-eminence as a trusted name in infrastructure solutions and a role model for other women eyeing opportunities in technical fields.
It’s also a sector ripe for formalisation: South Africa has over 125 000 plumbers, but only a fraction operate within structured, registered businesses. Pre-eminence’s certified, systems-driven approach is helping to close that gap.
Pre-eminence Trading and Projects began by focusing mainly on plumbing and civil works. But as the business grew, Palesa realised that success required more than getting the job done; it demanded structure.
“We introduced proper systems for managing projects, clients and finances,” she explains. “Every staff member now follows clear processes on site, we keep proper records, and subcontractors are trained to maintain our standards.”
This structured approach paid off. Today, the company is ISO 9001 certified, registered with major industry bodies, and well on its way to securing larger contracts. It has also expanded into industrial cleaning, after investing in high-tech equipment such as truck-mounted jetting and vacuum machines.
It’s a smart move: the industrial cleaning market in South Africa is projected to grow at 5.7% annually through 2031, opening new doors for businesses like Pre-eminence that are already ahead of the curve.
Another milestone? Buying her own commercial office premises.
While building infrastructure is her business, building communities is her passion. Pre-eminence hires locally, giving people meaningful jobs close to home. The company also invests in social initiatives, from hosting year-end celebrations at an orphanage and donating food and toys, to sponsoring local theatre groups and helping girls attend their matric farewells.
“Giving back isn’t separate from the business; it’s part of who we are,” says Palesa. “It’s in our culture.”
For Palesa, the greatest reward comes from seeing the impact of her team’s work. Restoring water to communities, fixing leaks that others couldn’t, and hearing the gratitude of residents make every challenge worthwhile.
Her team’s growth also fills her with pride. “If you see my staff, you see me,” she says. “Their dedication, their humility – it reflects the culture we’ve built.”
But entrepreneurship isn’t without its difficult moments. Letting go of employees when accountability had to outweigh empathy has been one of the hardest decisions she’s faced. “You care about people and their struggles, but at the same time, you have to protect the business, the team, and the clients. It’s never easy.”
Running Pre-eminence has taught Palesa lessons she never expected: resilience, patience, and the importance of boundaries.
She’s honest about the myth of work-life balance. “I don’t think it really exists,” she says. “There are nights you work late, weekends you sacrifice, even holidays you cancel. But you have to find ways to check in with yourself and rest, otherwise you hit burnout.”
The next five to ten years are about scale and legacy. Palesa dreams of making Pre-eminence a household name across South Africa – the first company people think of when they hear “plumbing” or “civil works.”
Looking ahead, Palesa envisions Pre-eminence expanding its impact beyond projects – developing skills, strengthening supply chains, and creating new opportunities that empower the industry and local communities.
Her advice to anyone considering entrepreneurship is simple but powerful: just start.
“Too many people wait to have it all figured out. You’ll never know steps one to twenty before you begin. Start with what you know, and the rest you’ll figure it out along the way,” she says.
She also warns against the misconception that being “in business” means instant success. “People think entrepreneurs have money and everything sorted. The truth is, you work harder than you ever did in corporate, sometimes without pay for months. But if you put in the work, the rewards will eventually reflect the effort.”
Pre-eminence Trading and Projects is participant business on the SAB Tholoana Enterprise Programme.
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About the Author
Terrena Rathanlall is the SME Media Portfolio Manager at Fetola.
