Co-Founder and Chief Executive at React Group, Celeste Margo Le Roux, recently became the recipient of the prestigious the 2021 Women Owned Construction Entity of the Year at the Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction Awards (ERWIC) Awards developed by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). Le Roux also earned runner up in the 2021 Woman Mentor of the Year category. Last year, Le Roux was also awarded the 2020 Woman Mentor of the Year at the ERWIC Awards as well as the and the 2020/2021 Standard Bank Top Woman Entrepreneur Award.
Celeste has played a pivotal role in the South African construction sector, exhibiting a deep-rooted passion for implementing transformative strategies, and contributing towards impactful change for gender empowerment in South Africa.
Celeste opened the first black woman owned CETA Accredited plumbing training college named React Training College in 2020, in hopes of making training more accessible to women artisans.
With 20 years’ experience of the Built Environment/Construction Industry, Site Services, and related disciplines, my business offers all site services, built environment trades and disciplines under one roof. Celeste is a firm believer in a “fair exchange” between service providers and client to exist. Transparency, Credibility, and Integrity is the
cornerstone of any commercial relationship. She believes that human capital (staff) is paramount to my business model and developing such human capital with education is a priority.
Anyone starting a business wants it to be successful. However, in attaining the success, she believes one must constantly apply new, innovative, and sometimes disruptive techniques. The business landscape is an ever changing, ever evolving organism, so too the implementation of new practices. Also new ways of doing business and engaging with various stakeholders.
Managing a successful business for the past 20 years, as a female business owner in a male dominated industry, has taken tenacity, new ideas and fresh approaches. It has become apparent that not only technical knowledge is required, but also an academic framework of business is becoming key to driving credibility and therefore success.
of her class and year on the AMI Programme, and this was a proud moment for React24.
Celeste’s most recent and proud involvement is that of React Training College. This is the first black
Owned and Operated. Its first intake commences on the 1 September 2020.
As a mother of a 17-year-old boy, it is Celeste’s personal ambition to be a positive role model, and emulate that regardless of age, gender or race one can still achieve your goals and aspirations at any stage of your life, if you are motivated enough to do so.
Le Roux grew up in Retreat on the Cape Flats. Like many previously disadvantaged individuals she did not have the opportunity to go and study but was expected to work and help her family.
Media Articles:
https://www.capetownetc.com/news/three-capetonian-women-graduate-from-ground-breaking- trade-skills-programme/
https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/841/222005.html
https://www.businesslive.co.za/fm/opinion/2021-05-17-celeste-le-roux-small-business-sector-in- desperate-need-of-economic-hope/
https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/entrepreneurs/paving-the-way-celeste-margo-le-roux-wins- at-standard-bank-top-women-awards-b4cdbd59-1303-4b4d-bec5-b93b752da9bd
https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/pics-plumbing-college-to-plug-gap-of-female-artisans-in- south-africa-a268996b-d29b-46bb-ab07-e4a2ba943f7e
