Mabutla Innocentia Modiba is an innovative trailblazer in the field of Event Planning. Through hard work and perseverance, the stylist, event planner, mother, wife and founder of Innovative Eventz strives to add perfection to every occasion she is entrusted with.

“I’m a persevering person, a risk-taker and a hard worker. I never take ‘cant’ for an answer. I am also known as someone who respects her clients’ pockets,” she shared.

Event planning – her journey from pain to purpose
Modiba’s journey started when she successfully co-ordinated the weddings of her three sisters within the space of a year. This was during a very hard time in her life, and planning these three weddings brought her out of her misery.

“It started from a place of pain. I never wanted to be an event planner. I also didn’t know I could do it as a career. I had given birth to my son whose father had left me. I was a single mom, always broke and depressed.”

“I enjoyed planning the weddings because it took me out of my depression and the state of not knowing what to do with my time and the creative side of me,” she reminisced.

After successfully co-ordinating the three weddings, she started designing invitation cards on a continuous basis. Modiba later branched into the décor space. Today, she is one of Mzansi’s best planners, as well as the founder of Innovative Eventz – an event management, production
and styling company.

“We do a lot of corporate gigs, baby showers and product launches. We do everything and anything that has got to do with events, but weddings are our core because that’s where I started.

An Innovative Trailblazer
Since the start of her journey, Modiba has grown immensely within her field. She now owns an event venue known as The Fortress. She has also had a number of highlights that she will forever cherish. These include planning the wedding of Moïse Katimbi’s son in the DRC.

“I didn’t know who he was at the time. He was running for presidency and I was just shocked to see security and a lot of dogs sniffing. But that was an international wedding I will never ever forget.”

Most recently, she also hosted former President Thabo Mbeki at her venue.

“Hearing him say he’s proud of me for what I’ve achieved and seeing him eat food prepared by our chef was special. Seeing him sit at a table that was set up by my team and I was a huge highlight,” she shared.

Equally, her journey has come with a number of challenges. These include constantly having to re-invent herself in order to remain relevant in an ever-changing industry that consistently has new potential competitors.

“Our field does not have a mode of entry. Everyone and anyone can come and say they do décor. The more people come into the space, the harder it becomes for those of us who have been in the space for a long time to be busy every weekend like we used to,” she explained.

In facing challenges such as these, one has to be innovative in their thinking and constantly come up with solutions that lead to continued relevance and customer satisfaction.

“You have to restructure yourself, rebrand and move with the times. A new person who comes into the space comes in guns blazing with new ideas and new styles to just shake you off your comfort zone,” she added.

Entertainment, Empowerment and Exposure

On days when she is not doing her absolute best to make her clients’ special occasions memorable, Modiba can be found spending time with her family, binging on one of her favourite TV shows and discussing important topics.

“Watching TV relaxes me and gets me into a conversational mode. I am a reality TV girl,” she explained.

Some of the shows she is currently enjoying include The Mommy Club and The Real Housewives of Durban.

For young entrepreneurs who intend to thrive in the field of Event Planning, Modiba advised against underestimating the work that goes into successful events.

“Don’t get fascinated over seeing Mabutla run around and think it’s easy. Don’t get fascinated over seeing Mabutla dress the bride and think that things just started there. There’s a lot that happens in the background”.

Additionally, she recommended empowering oneself and getting exposed to the inner workings of the industry.

“There are people that are now opening schools. We are also opening an events academy now in July. Attend those kinds of classes so that you are empowered and you know what to do. It will enable you to do things the right way from the get-go.”

More than anything, the successful event planner also encouraged inquisitiveness and an eagerness to learn. These qualities are helpful in failing forward.

“When you’ve taken time to learn, the mistakes that you would make are less than those of someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing at all. Expose yourself to people that are in the event space and ask questions.”