Like many entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship was never the aim, but a vital element in achieving a dream. For Nene Thidiela, managing director and co-founder of Matambandou Events and Conferencing, the natural result of starting a wedding venue is building it as a business – One that makes a couple’s big days special and where millions of memories can be made.
Situated on the Southern side of the Hartbeespoort dam, Matambandou Events and Conferencing is the place where people from far and wide gather to play, to relax and celebrate. The modern venue offers customers versatility and elegance for weddings, private celebrations, corporate functions, and more, thanks to its tranquil location and proximity to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Lanseria International Airport.
“Entrepreneurship was not something I planned from the beginning,” Thidiela remembers. “It grew organically through partnership and purpose,” she smiles. “My husband had spent over ten years in the events industry, specialising in technical production, while I was building my career in corporate leadership and finance.”
Co-founders with a Shared Vision
There are many roads to finding a co-founder and partner, but for Thidiela and her husband, starting Matambandou Events and Conferencing together was a logical approach. “When he shared his vision of starting a wedding venue, I recognised not just a business opportunity, but also a chance to build something meaningful together. Becoming a co-founder meant combining our strengths, his deep operational knowledge of events, with my experience in strategy, finance, and organisational leadership.”
“For me, entrepreneurship became an extension of leadership: creating value, building systems, and shaping experiences that matter.”
Thidiela shares that her husband’s decade-long experience in the events industry, where he specialised in technical production, has been instrumental in building this business. “Having worked behind the scenes at hundreds of weddings and large-scale events, he witnessed firsthand both the magic and the challenges couples face.” Some of these challenges were being overwhelmed by costs, fragmented suppliers and the lack of flexibility of venues.
“Beyond identifying a business opportunity, his vision was also deeply personal,” she highlights. “He wanted to build something that would leave a legacy for our children, a tangible asset rooted in purpose, not just profit. At the same time, he was passionate about creating impact in the community. One of the long-term visions for the venue is to develop a studio and training space for young people who aspire to pursue careers in technical production, an industry that often lacks structured access and mentorship.”
For Thidiela, the vision that her husband had resonated deeply. “This was not just about opening a venue; it was about building a platform, one that creates memorable experiences for couples while also opening doors for the next generation.
Her own illustrious career has been just as instrumental in creating what the venue space is today. “It taught me discipline, strategic thinking, financial management, and how to build sustainable operations. These skills translate directly into entrepreneurship: from pricing structures and budgeting to governance and long-term planning.
“But together, we began shaping the concept into a viable business, identifying the right location, designing the guest journey, and creating packages that balance elegance with affordability. What started as industry insight evolved into a purpose-driven enterprise combining legacy, community upliftment, and exceptional experiences under one roof.”
Executing a Dream Relies on a Market Gap
The Thidielas were ideally positioned to identify the market gap they saw – something that is true of anyone who identifies a market gap; it is often the response to firsthand experience.
“The gap became clear through first-hand experience. After working hundreds of weddings and events, my husband saw a consistent pattern: many venues were either priced beyond reach or lacked flexibility. Couples were paying premium rates yet still navigating logistical stress, multiple suppliers, and time limitations. But identifying the gap went beyond pricing and operations.”
She shares that a broader opportunity to build something lasting was also recognised. They saw the chance to build a venue that doesn’t just host celebrations, but creates legacy and impact. “We realised there was room for a purpose-driven space that balances experience, affordability, and simplicity, while also serving as a platform for community upliftment and future skills development in technical production.
“Our vision became clear to create a venue where couples can celebrate beautifully and stress-free, while simultaneously building something that contributes to the next generation.” Thidiela defines this as a business rooted in both excellence and purpose.
More than an Events Business: A Memorable Experience
The most fulfilling part for the founder has been watching couples create lifelong memories in a space they built from scratch. “Seeing a bride walk down the aisle, knowing we played a small part in that moment, is incredibly rewarding.”
However, equally meaningful for her is building something alongside her husband. “Turning a shared vision into a living business has strengthened our partnership and reminded me that entrepreneurship is about impact as much as income.”
It is seeing this impact that makes her resonate with the term entrepreneurship.
“Entrepreneurship often looks glamorous from the outside, but it requires resilience, clarity, and tough decision-making behind the scenes. My background helps us approach the business with structure rather than emotion, ensuring we grow intentionally and responsibly,” she elaborates.
Additionally, as a woman in business, Thidiela has learned important lessons. “I’ve learned the importance of owning your voice, trusting your instincts, and leading with confidence.”
She recommends that other entrepreneurs focus on starting, rather than having everything perfect. “Start small, but start. You do not need to have every answer on day one. Do your research, understand your market, and surround yourself with people who support your growth.”
Her advice also speaks to women in particular. “As women, we often wait until we feel ready, but confidence comes through action. Be realistic, but brave. Your dream does not have to replace your career overnight; sometimes it grows alongside it.
“Most importantly, do not underestimate your transferable skills. Leadership, organisation, empathy, and financial discipline… these are powerful tools in entrepreneurship. If your idea solves a real problem and you are willing to learn along the way, it is worth pursuing.”
