Eastern Cape domestic cleaner-turned-businesswoman, Francine Zana’s life is an inspiring tale of determination and resilience.
Since quitting school to work as a domestic worker to make ends meet, she has risen through the ranks to start her own consultancy and training business, boasting prominent clients in SA’s hospitality industry.
She recently started offering her award-winning services to an establishment in the famous Kruger National Park.
What is the most cherished item you own?
My leather bags. I love leather bags.
What’s your favourite childhood memory?
Growing up in Coega with my siblings. We have a lot of beautiful memories as a small family.
If you had to eat only one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Ox tripe served with idombolo (dumpling).
If you weren’t a businesswoman, what would you be?
A stay-at-home mother.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from a coach/mentor?
To stay true to myself no matter what.
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would they be and why?
It will have to be my mother. She is my role model. This is a woman who has been through a lot in her life but managed to raised five kids.
Though I tell her every chance I get how much I appreciate her for her teachings, I wish I could tell her almost everyday that she is my hero and I still look up to her and I love and appreciate her.
Who or what inspires you and why?
My background inspires me. When I look back to where I come from and everything that I have been through, I get inspired to do more.
Tea or coffee?
I’m a coffee snob.
Do you have a favourite TV programme/ or film?
Not really.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Cooking and staying indoors with my kids.
What do you typically get up to in the first two hours of waking up every day?
Check my messages and have a strong cup of coffee.
If you could instantly solve one world problem, what would it be and why?
I would love to change how people treat domestic workers, general cleaners and hotel housekeepers. As someone who worked as a domestic worker for years, I would really love to change how employers and guests treat cleaners.
I have been there and it’s very painful to be treated like a nobody and yet the work we do provides for our families and does more. I am saying “we” because I am still part of them.
If you were to wake up as the opposite gender for 24 hours, how would you spend those hours?
I would just chill with my friends and drive around the hood with my BMW E30, visiting different township outlets.
Who was your biggest influence or inspiration when you started your career?
My former general manager, Tania Plakanouris who gave me an opportunity to work for one the best five star boutique hotels in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and my former boss, Adrian Gardiner, who allowed me to work for him while starting my business. Not only that, he also connected me to some of his prominent friends who later became my clients.
Can you share a funny or memorable moment from your work?
When I was working as a housekeeper and I was left alone with a receptionist and one chef because it was quiet, we then had a walk-in for breakfast and I was forced to serve the guest as we didn’t have a waiter for that shift.
The guest then ordered breakfast and later requested that I bring ketchup, I didn’t know what ketchup was then ran to the kitchen to ask the chef what it was only to find out that it is tomato sauce.
What would you list as your greatest achievement?
Wining an international tourism award.
Do you have a secret talent that no-one knows about?
Singing.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
When I was working as a hotel housekeeper the chefs did not like to cook for general staff so one day I was very hungry, I then decided to go to one of the rooms and I called the restaurant to order room service for myself, of course the waiters knew about this but the chef was not aware.
Chef prepared the meal as if he was cooking for a guest and the food was served to me like a boss, and he was so upset when he found out that the food was for me.
What cleaning products are always in your house?
Ressinox (multipurpose cleaner).
Where is your favourite holiday destination?
Cape Winelands, Cape Town.
Weekender
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