Celebrating 25 years in the consulting engineering sector, Makhaotse, Narasimulu & Associates (MNA) says the lessons it learned while navigating early structural and economic challenges now offer a blueprint for how emerging or new businesses can survive and scale in South Africa’s increasingly competitive environment.
This year, MNA company marks its silver anniversary – established in 2000 in KwaZulu-Natal, MNA has since expanded its footprint to six offices across South Africa, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo and the Free State.
Founding directors Martin Makhaotse and Sagren Narasimulu began their journey as young civil engineers determined to build a firm that would create employment opportunities, mentor and skill young engineers and contribute to infrastructure delivery in South Africa. “We were in our early 30s when we set up the company. There were already large established firms, and many doubted whether a start-up with just two people could survive,” Narasimulu explains.
Makhaotse adds, “One of our earliest hurdles was trust. As we reflect on 25 years, South Africa was still in the early stages of transformation and while there were many opportunities, competition remained intense. What remains a strong hold over two decades later is that clients always want reassurance that you have the resources and skills to deliver. And our anniversary is a testament to our ability to deliver on this trust.”
He adds that during the firm’s first few years of operation, MNA secured three consecutive Standard Bank awards for emerging companies – recognition that affirmed its potential and growth in a competitive market.
Beyond technical skills, Makhaotse notes that understanding business, mastering financial management and building on client relationships were critical steps for the company. “Start-ups should ensure they have these key factors in place if they are aiming for longevity.” Narasimulu adds, “Many engineers think the technical work is enough, but we learned fast that business acumen ‘keeps the lights on’. Delivering quality with integrity and never letting technical standards slip builds client loyalty.”
Narasimulu goes onto say, “Many of us have heard the term, ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket,’ and as a new firm, we ensured that client diversification was a high priority. Early client diversification was essential in navigating a sustainable business. In our first year, we had one client, by year two, we had three and now we serve over 70 clients operating across difference sectors.”
Reflecting on their first project, MNA worked on a community-based water spring protection scheme for the Mvula Trust in Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, where it laid the foundation for MNA’s focus on service excellence and community engagement. From a focus on rendering services in the water sector, the company strategically moved into roads, bridges, structures and buildings, expanding their technical portfolio and client base. “Water and sanitation remained our backbone, but we also ventured into roads projects like those for the Pietermaritzburg municipality, then grew into niche areas including toll operations and asset verification,” Narasimulu highlights.
As MNA looks ahead, Makhaotse emphasises that succession planning is key as he is preparing for retirement in 2026. “We’ve developed leadership from within, and our associates and directors are ready to take the reins. It’s like watching a child leave the nest – bittersweet but gratifying and a proud moment to see the next generation having the ability to step forward.”
“Engineering is in our blood, and supporting young professionals remains our focus. As we enter the next 25 years, our commitment is to continue mentoring, nurturing leadership within our teams, and ensuring that the firm not only delivers excellence today but also inspires the engineers of tomorrow,” Narasimulu and Makhaotse conclude.
The state of SMMEs in South Africa
According to a recent report, titled The State of the SMME in South Africa, published by the Shoprite Group earlier this year, South Africa has around 2.6 million formal and informal SMME contributing 34% to the country’s gross domestic product and employing 8.9 million people. Only about 30% of SMMEs have been in operation for over 20 years, the category in which MNA finds itself, showcasing their ability to withstand market fluctuations and maintain stability. Businesses operating for 11-20 years constitute 25.6%, while start-ups, defined as businesses in operation for less than five years, account for 20.5%.
Start-ups often encounter significant hurdles, including establishing a customer base, navigating regulatory environments, and accessing seed funding. However, they also bring dynamism to the economy, with many introducing innovative products and Services, the report states. In contrast, businesses with over 20 years of operation benefit from established networks, repeat customers, and refined operational frameworks, which contribute to their longevity and success.
To support start-ups and younger businesses, the report finds, it is essential to create ecosystems that provide mentorship – a stronghold of MNA’s – market access and tailored financial solutions. Simultaneously, encouraging established businesses to share knowledge and resources can strengthen the overall SMME sector, the report notes. This is another core belief that MNA will continue to bring to the market, to support a thriving economy.
