From Garage Hustle to Multi‑Sector Empire: The Rise of Calvin & Family Group
From Garage Hustle to Multi‑Sector Empire: The Rise of Calvin & Family Group. Calvin Mathibeli launched Calvin & Family Group in 2005 while still a student. He started with selling and repairing cell phone accessories from a shared space in Durban’s South Beach, using his earnings to fund his Diploma in Taxation and Accounting. His early hustle was driven by necessity but quickly showed his entrepreneurial spark.
Branching Out Into Construction and Development
Initially trading in cell phones, the brand soon ventured into property development, starting with residential projects. From there, it expanded into commercial, industrial, and low‑cost housing development. By 2016, Calvin & Family had opened offices and taken on township property and infrastructure projects.
Diversifying Through Strategic Vision
Recognising the power of diversification, Calvin extended the brand into multiple sectors:
- Security services, including armed and unarmed guarding and VIP protection
- Creative services and branding via Unique Communications and Black Pride Media
- Engineering and project management through Urban Consulting Engineers
- Concrete manufacturing with SA Precast
- Logistics and plant hire
- Hospitality and dining via the Unique Lifestyle Café
- Safety wear manufacturing
These ventures reflect a bold strategy, not chasing trends but building a resilient multi‑sector holding company.
Scaling Capabilities with Purpose
Today, Calvin & Family Group operates across seven provinces in South Africa, as well as in Namibia and Lesotho. The group employs thousands of staff and operates a fleet of over 500 vehicles. Their growth was not fueled by outside investment, but by reinvested profits and focused expansions, a testament to grounded, capital-efficient scaling.
Recognition That Amplified Credibility
Calvin’s leadership and impact have earned him multiple awards, including:
- BusinessFIT KZN Top Entrepreneur (2017)
- National Entrepreneur Champion Award
- Listing in Forbes Top 30 Most Promising Young African Entrepreneurs
These accolades elevated brand credibility and opened doors to new partnerships and opportunities.
Mentorship and Empowerment as Core Values
Calvin believes in building others as he builds his empire. He mentors emerging entrepreneurs, offering funding and guidance in exchange for equity stakes. His “#5years5000jobs” campaign exemplifies his vision to create sustainable employment, especially in township areas, through business growth and empowerment.
Grounding Growth in Community
The group dedicates 5% of net profit to social and economic development initiatives: from education in STEM to healthcare campaigns and disaster relief. Rather than deserting their roots, the founders see their success as a tool to uplift others and transform communities.
Entrepreneurial Lessons from Calvin’s Journey
- Start where you are: Calvin began in a humble booth while studying, proving that choice matters more than resources.
- Diversify with alignment: Expanding into related sectors strengthened the group’s resilience while preserving quality.
- Reinvest wisely: Growth came from resourcefulness and reinvestment, not external capital.
- Build trust with visibility: Awards and media exposure fortified his brand’s reputation.
- Empower along the way: Mentoring and community investment build both brand and legacy.
Legacy Built on Purpose and Growth
At age 36, Calvin Mathibeli leads a company that employs over 5 000 people across diverse industries, from security to hospitality, logistics to communications. His story is a blueprint for sustainable, multi-generational entrepreneurship.
For aspiring founders, his message is clear: lead with purpose, expand with strategy, and build today with tomorrow’s legacy in mind.
