Adv. Sisanda Nomusa Qwabe-Coutaud is a seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse and high impact portfolio spanning media, travel, legal, hospitality and more industries. With a deep understanding of business dynamics and a keen eye for emerging opportunities, she has built the Black Excellence Network, a brand encompassing successful ventures across Media and Communications, Business and Legal Advisory Services, Travel, and Hospitality Management.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Through her strategic leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to excellence, Sisanda has led her businesses to success, serving corporate and private clients.
Sisanda’s multifaceted background includes extensive experience in media and journalism, both as a practitioner (Journalist, Presenter, and Actress) and on the business side as a producer. She has produced ten films, taking full responsibility for funding, ownership, and marketing— skills that have greatly influenced her approach to business.
In her early life, Adv. Sisanda Nomusa Qwabe gained valuable experience working at various radio stations, including Maputaland Radio, Ukhozi FM, Jozi FM and TUT FM. Her time at these radio stations played a crucial role in shaping her career, allowing her to hone her skills in broadcasting and business management.
Working primarily with community stations, Sisanda was able to immerse herself in the dynamics of small business operations, where she contributed not only as a broadcaster but also as a strategic business mind. She played a pivotal role in sourcing advertisers and securing funding for the stations, showcasing her ability to drive revenue and build financial sustainability for these platforms.
This experience in the media industry helped Sisanda develop a deep understanding of the importance of effective partnerships, marketing, and financial planning — all of which would prove to be vital in her later entrepreneurial ventures.
Her work in radio stations not only broadened her media expertise but also cemented her capability in managing businesses, making connections with key stakeholders, and building strong, sustainable revenue streams from the ground up. All the above skills were used significantly during the period Sisanda was CEO of a start-up television broadcast company focusing on new and informational services in Southern Africa. Sisanda took this from idea to gaining a television broadcasting license, then establishing the operation by fitting out facilities, including broadcast studios, and developing a team of 55 staff members, ultimately delivering a 24hr, 7 days broadcasts of original African-centric content.
Drawing on her early experience in the travel industry, Sisanda founded SabiPax Travel, a company specialising in customised travel services for corporate, government, and private clients in South Africa. The vision behind SabiPax Travel was to fill the gap in the market by offering tailored solutions that prioritise logistics and customer service, ensuring seamless travel experiences for organisations with diverse needs. Sisanda’s passion for superior customer service and fostering a client-centric culture has become a cornerstone of the business, resulting in a significant flow of business from organisations that have multiple travel agencies to choose from.
Today, SabiPax Travel is led by a skilled team of travel consultants, overseen by Sisanda. It continues to grow, attracting a steady stream of new clients thanks to its reputation for excellence. Sisanda has further honed her business skills as a partner in a legal and business advisory service, further strengthening her operational and strategic expertise.
With a vision for diversification and ensuring the resilience of business, Sisanda has steadily expanded her business interests, including moving into the transportation industry, where she entered into logistics space, providing long-haul freight and local transport operations. Sisanda is now setting her sights on expanding into the fuel sector through a franchised operation of a fuel station. This new venture represents a natural portfolio extension and aligns with her diversification and long-term resilience strategy. By entering the fuel and related services market, Sisanda aims to tap into an essential industry that supports both growing economies and businesses, further enhancing her ability to meet the needs of diverse sectors.
Sisanda’s deep understanding of people management, financial stewardship, and customer service, honed through her diverse ventures, equips her to drive success in this new industry. Her entrepreneurial mindset, strategic vision, and track record of building trusted brands will ensure that her businesses thrive and meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Business Ownership
Sisanda’s entrepreneurial journey highlights her expertise in business development, strategic leadership, and market adaptability. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction, staff development, and innovative problem-solving, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to drive growth and optimise operations across various sectors. Sisanda’s proficiency in financial management, combined with her passion for fostering positive organisational change, allows her to navigate complex challenges and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
Sisanda’s journey in the media industry evolved from her early work in film production to successfully entering the broadcast arena, ultimately leading to CEO role at Galaxy Universal Network. With a strong foundation in producing films, and front of camera broadcast, she transitioned seamlessly into broadcast media, where she demonstrated a unique ability to create content that authentically resonates with African audiences. Under her leadership, Galaxy Universal Network was built into a dynamic and forward-thinking channel. Sisanda engaged a young, energetic team of over 50 professionals, mentoring and empowering them to build the channel. By fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and resilience, she helped the team meet the demands of a highly competitive and fast-paced sector and exceed expectations with innovative content that challenged conventional media norms.
Sisanda’s ventures span various sectors, each contributing to a well-rounded portfolio. Her experience in logistics, travel, and hospitality demonstrates her skill in building and managing businesses across different markets.
Her travel agency, SabiPax Travel, and BnB, LeafyLane Luxury Boutique, emphasise personalised service and attention to client needs, ensuring high satisfaction rates and repeat business.
From successfully running a media channel to establishing a travel agency and luxury boutique, Sisanda’s track record highlights her capacity to scale businesses and drive growth.
Let us take a look at Sisanda’s Key Business Ventures
Black Excellence Network
At the helm of Black Excellence Network, Sisanda leads a dynamic company with a diverse portfolio, primarily anchored in media and Legal. Black Excellence Network is the umbrella for several ventures spearheaded by Sisanda, each contributing to her vision of celebrating African excellence and providing high-quality services across multiple industries.
Galaxy Universal Network (GUN)
Sisanda’s impact on the media industry exemplifies her creation of Galaxy Universal Network, a Pan-African news channel focused on delivering African-centric news and content. GUN distinguished itself by providing comprehensive coverage of African issues and stories, resonating with viewers across the continent. Under Sisanda’s leadership, the channel rapidly became known for its unique perspective and high-quality production, setting a new standard in African news broadcasting. Broadcasting across the African Continent and employing 55 young creatives, GUN was known for its compelling and factual news and stories; due to COVID-19 pandemic, the business was forced to shut down because the channel could not generate revenue through those difficult times.
SabiPax Travel Management
Expanding her entrepreneurial footprint, Sisanda relaunched her travel business SabiPax Travel, which she initially founded back in 2013, a travel agency that now serves multiple corporate and private clients. SabiPax specialises in creating personalised travel experiences for both business and leisure travelers, offering tailored services to meet the unique needs of its clients. Known for its client-centric approach, SabiPax continues to grow, gaining a loyal customer base and solidifying its position as a trusted name in travel management.
Adv. Sisanda Nomusa Qwabe aspires to be an integral part of a dynamic organization where her enthusiasm, dedication, and creative thinking contribute to mutual success. She seeks to collaborate with a progressive team that values innovation, problem-solving, and strategic growth. Sisanda is committed to driving the organization’s expansion while ensuring that all stakeholders benefit from her leadership and vision.
With a deep sense of pride in representing her organization positively, Sisanda strives to assist stakeholders in making well-informed decisions and providing a service platform that guarantees exceptional performance. She believes that a brand with a strong, positive reputation attracts top talent and fosters an environment where challenges are transformed into opportunities for success. Through her passion for excellence and her forward-thinking mindset, Sisanda remains dedicated to turning every business opportunity into a successful achievement.
