Meet Alice Madisha, co-founder of Smith and Madisha Construction company that specialises in the completion of construction projects. Smith and Madisha Construction’s clientele ranges from shopping centres, car dealerships, office parks, lobby upgrades and warehouses in the Gauteng province.
The Limpopo-born entrepreneur grew up with the hope of becoming a civil engineer; however her matric results couldn’t help her qualify for university admission for that career path.
Madisha told BRICS Journal that when she went to the University of Johannesburg for self-application, she qualified to do for construction management.
The 31 year-old never planned to fall in love with construction management, saying it is all fate.
She now holds a National Diploma in Building that she obtained from the University of Johannesburg in 2007. Madisha furthered her studies the following year and got her B-tech degree in Construction Management from Tshwane University of Technology.
Before going into business, Madisha was a junior site agent with C-Pro Construction (Pty) Ltd, working in measurement and tendering (2009).
She was then transferred to be a site assistance at Randridge Mall, Victory Park Shopping Centre and Milpark Virgin Active.
During her stint as a quantity surveyor, Madisha with her mentor Jan Smith identified gaps in the industry and establish Smith and Madisha Construction.
“The idea of Smith and Madisha came when we were working together at Randridge Mall. We realised that we make a great team.”
The company was founded in 2011 when the two noticed enough room for other participants in the building construction industry. They saw potential for great change.
Madisha and Smith felt like there were not enough opportunities for growth in the company that they worked for.
Today, their company has overseen major projects such as Northmead Square shopping center, community care centre at Ekurhuleni.
“We’re at a point where we understand one another; he knows that if he can’t see me during the day, it’s because I’m going about company business, and vice versa.”
Madisha has learnt that you can go far with the people whom they trust and those you know will go the extra mile for your wellbeing.
She adds that women in the industry are usually faced with more resistance than men. Despite the hardships, stereotypes and discrimination she has had to endure, Madisha says her journey has been full of lessons, losses and victories.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything because if I changed those hardships, I was not going to be the person that I am today,” she says.
If she were to have a conversation with her younger self, she would say: “You are doing your best, don’t doubt that you are doing your best.”
Madisha recalls her proudest moments: “I remember when I was at the Randridge Mall, the first mall that we did under the previous company where I met my business partner.
“We had parked our cars there, where it all began. I was proud to say I was part of this.”
In addition to her construction company, Madisha co-founded a women’s wear safety clothing label called She’s Alice in 2017.
“With She’s Alice, we have seen that women do not have their specific uniform. Throughout the years, we have been wearing clothing designed for men,” she says.

She’s Alice was co-founded by Madisha and Leago Selahle who is in the mining sector.
With both women being passionate about fashion, they realised they have the same challenges in terms of manoeuvring from office to project sites, without having to carry extra safety clothing or compromising style.
“We are planning to venture in doing business in both provinces, because our clients are all over.”
Madisha added that they are currently planning to spread in the market.
“I want to see She’s Alice as the next clothing for the ladies in this industry. For me, more than anything, I believe that we are creating our own space in the man’s market.”

She is confident that they will find a supply that will produce constant quality.
Madisha added that being an entrepreneur has taught her great lessons.
“Whatever you don’t understand you have to ask, because every project is different. You cannot say you know everything. You can be in this industry for 25 years and still do something for the first time.
By Ntsiki Ntsibande