Dr Thandi Ndlovu built Motheo Construction from a single half-built shack into one of South Africa’s largest black female-owned construction companies, delivering more than 80,000 low-income housing units before her death in 2019. The company she founded continues to operate under the Motheo Group.
A doctor who became a builder
Ndlovu trained as a medical doctor, spending years in exile with the ANC’s military wing before returning to South Africa to run a private practice in Orange Farm. It was her work improving housing conditions for her patients that pulled her into construction. With no industry experience, she partnered with Chris Cudmore and Tim Potter and founded Motheo Construction in 1997.
A legacy in social housing
Under Ndlovu’s leadership, Motheo grew into one of the country’s leading social housing developers, with projects worth more than R5.5 billion and offices in Johannesburg, Durban, Kimberley and East London. She served as president of South African Women in Construction from 2009 to 2011 and was named Businesswoman of the Year in 2013, at a time when the Construction Industry Development Board‘s own registration data still showed women-owned firms as a small minority of the sector.
What happened to Motheo Construction
Dr Thandi Ndlovu died on 24 August 2019 at the age of 65. Motheo Group continues to operate in her name, and the Dr Thandi Foundation carries forward the mentorship model she built the company on: pairing young black women with experienced partners to transfer skills within the construction industry.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Motheo Construction?
Dr Thandi Ndlovu, a medical doctor and former anti-apartheid activist, founded Motheo Construction in 1997.
Is Motheo Construction still operating?
Yes. Motheo Group continues to operate as one of South Africa’s largest black female-owned construction and civil engineering companies.
How many housing units has Motheo built?
More than 80,000 low-income housing units over the company’s history, with projects valued at over R5.5 billion.
When did Dr Thandi Ndlovu die?
She died on 24 August 2019, aged 65.
What is the Dr Thandi Foundation?
A foundation established in her name that continues her mentorship and skills-transfer approach within the construction sector.
Further reading
Originally published in September 2016. Updated September 2026 to record Dr Thandi Ndlovu’s death in 2019 and confirm that Motheo Group and the Dr Thandi Foundation continue to operate under her mentorship model.
