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Gqeberha businesswoman, Vena Kalani has shaken off a tough past to build a better life for her family.
Nomthandazo Vena Kalani’s inspirational debut novel, Precious Stones within our Flaws, is the story of a brave woman who conquered excruciating hardship to lead her best life.
In her book, Vena invites readers to join her on her journey to find the precious stones within their own life journey.
"The title of my book - Precious Stones within our Flaws - is all about acceptance," says Vena candidly. "I have made many mistakes but with hindsight I have come to realise that there were also many beautiful moments interwoven with the sorrow and to now stop beating myself up for any wrong turns."
Thandi grew up in Siyanda, an informal settlement in the Eastern Cape town of Gcuwa (formerly Butterworth).
Despite her humble origins, her entrepreneurial spirit emerged at a young age as did her ability to bounce back from bumps in the road.
"When I was in primary school, I used to sell sweets and chicken heads and feet to help support my family," she says proudly. "I also learnt a lot about how easily a business can fail when I opened my first spaza shop while still at high school."
Life changed when Thandi fell pregnant at 17 and was forced to make some big calls.
"I was disappointed with myself, but I was determined to make something of my life," reflects Vena who left school and moved to New Brighton in Gqeberha where she found employment as a domestic worker and later as a cashier at local taverns.
During this "bleak time", she overcame numerous battles and demons in pursuit of a better life.
"My first taste of the petroleum industry was in 1995 when I became a petrol attendant and then a cashier at a local garage," she remembers.
"I found that I had a knack for the industry and worked my way up to eventually become a 50% owner of the garage."
But difficulties in her marriage to a man who owned the other 50%, led her to sell her share in the petrol station and seek alternative employment to support her three children.
Despite not having a matric or any formal training, Thandi found she had natural leadership ability and could inspire others around her.
Opportunity knocked in 2011 when Thandi was offered an Engen dealership following a stringent evaluation process.
"Engen assessed me on my ability and never judged me for not having matric, whilst supporting and preparing me for the road ahead.
"I attended a course at Stellenbosch University and was fully supported by Engen so that I could seamlessly take over as owner of Engen Cape Road Convenience Centre in central Gqeberha in 2012."
When asked why she decided to write her story, Thandi says her mother had a saying "even the smallest lion is big and powerful in its empire."
"To me this means that even though my story might not be much, it may bring hope to someone else."
Determined to deal with debilitating self-esteem issues, Thandi managed to pass matric in 2017 at the age of 42.
"I'm proud of my journey and have managed to conquer some of my fears. Writing my book was my greatest achievement because I have reclaimed my freedom."
Today, Thandi is happily married to Xolani Amos Kalani, and her three children are thriving.
Her personal philosophy is: "You only have today, you don’t know your tomorrow."
Which in essence, she says, is "use up today like it is your last because you don’t know what tomorrow will deal you."
Engen wishes Thandi every success and congratulates her on her phenomenal success.
This post was sponsored and produced by Engen.
