Nelson Govender

Nelson Govender, the chief executive officer and chairman of the board at LHL Engineering, embodies the essence of determination, hard work, and strategic leadership.

Nelson’s humble beginnings instilled in him an unwavering drive to succeed. After losing his parents, he was adopted by his aunt and uncle, who provided him with love, care, and support for his education. He attended St. Xavier’s Primary School and completed his matric at Verulam High School in 1979, on a government grant. Much of his journey has been driven by his early experiences and the desire to create a legacy for his family. Nelson emphasises that he does not want his children to face the same difficulties he has encountered in his life.

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
Nelson’s academic pursuits earned him a number of certificates and diplomas in supervisory management, quality management, industrial engineering, work study, production management, mechanical engineering, and advanced business management. His professional journey began as a laboratory assistant at Sasol in Secunda, followed by a stint as a trainee mechanical engineer. He then transitioned back to the chemical industry, rising from a junior position to become a shareholder and director in a chemical business.

Nelson’s progress, despite being an Indian during the apartheid years in South Africa, is a testament to his outspoken nature, commitment to excellence, and continuous pursuit of improvement. He has always sought to learn from others, travelling the world to gain exposure to world-class standards, which helped make his chemical manufacturing plant one of the best globally.

In 2013, Nelson left to pursue personal opportunities, leveraging the sale of his shares and savings from side ventures in mechanics to become the owner and CEO of his own engineering business and other enterprises.

LHL Engineering was established in February 1969 as a support company for the German-imported LHL axle used in the logistics industry. “The company was successful until 2013 but then started failing, and I bought it as an investment and, more so, as a property investment,” Nelson explained.

A SOLID REPUTATION
He further commented that despite buying a failing business, he was determined not to retrench any of its eighty employees. His vision focuses on providing essential services, creating employment opportunities, and supporting the community. To ensure the business stabilised and grew, Nelson and his team refocused the company’s direction and transformed its operations. “We do business with the right certification and all the qualifications required in our sector,” he remarked.

The company has built a solid reputation for its management, product quality, and services, specialising in the fabrication, refurbishment, and installation of stainless steel and other exotic materials.

Under Nelson’s leadership, LHL Engineering has achieved remarkable growth, increasing turnover from 12 million rand to nearly 100 million rand in under eight years. He explained, “I came from a very difficult background, and during that process, you have a lot of naysayers. For me, extricating myself from a poverty-stricken background and succeeding in what I’ve set out to achieve is really my proudest accomplishment.”

Reflecting on the best advice he has ever received and its influence on him, Nelson says that while it is important to learn from the past, one must always look to the future. “One of my senior managers said to me, ‘Focusing on the rearview mirror will lead to accidents,’ which is a fact. What he meant was that while we need to learn from the past, we should focus on the present and see how we can shape the future. I believe strongly that your heritage does not define your future.”

Nelson has not been immune to the challenges faced by many small businesses in KwaZulu-Natal. He noted that one of the biggest challenges is accessing funding in South Africa, which is extremely difficult to obtain. To manage the business’s finances, the company has focused on saving and strategically investing to improve cash availability and debt ratings.

Nelson and his team are now challenging them- selves to become world-class players in steel fabrication, driving continuous improvement through collaboration with global businesses and other industry players. Despite funding challenges, Nelson has strategically managed finances, ensuring permanent staff are always fully paid, celebrating successes, and promoting a culture of accountability and value addition. “We have a theory that we follow: everyone has to be accountable for their actions and their output,” Nelson remarked.

Nelson does not accept a “we’ve always done it like that” mindset among his staff when responding to queries. Instead, he encourages critical thinking, innovation, and a solutions-oriented approach to address challenges and improve processes.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE
When asked who inspires him, Nelson explains that while his family is an important source of motivation, he cannot single out any particular person. “There’s no single person that inspires me, for sure, but I am fully aware of the happenings around me. In other words, I look at people who achieve and see if I can learn from their accomplishments.”

Furthermore, Nelson derives much motivation from his activities centred on growing and mentoring people, which he undertakes regularly.

Commenting on his vision for the future of KwaZulu- Natal, Nelson says, “As a country, we are struggling because we lack large new businesses and have not been successful in beneficiating our raw materials. We need the government to identify these beneficiation opportunities with businesses and create globally sustainable enterprises that can compete in the global market. In the absence of economies of scale, I believe that manufacturing businesses will not succeed in South Africa.”

Nelson’s motto is “Nothing is impossible”. He draws inspiration from Tata Nelson Mandela, who said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” As he continues to drive his company toward new heights, Nelson remains focused on creating a sustainable future for his industry and his community, proving that true success lies in the relentless pursuit of excellence.