Other Young Africans doing it for themselves

Below are a few examples of Africans who chose to take their economic destinies into their own hands. We at Silimela Sa Sechaba salute their efforts and urge other Africans to support them in their endevours.
We can only secure our economic future as Africans by getting into business and by building & supporting each other.

Sello Morudu:
It all started as a hobby, but now it is a profession and played a vital role in helping to reduce the high rate of unemployment in the Limpopo Province. Sello Morudu is a firm believer that “failure to take a risk is worse than taking a risk that leads to fail” At the age of 23, he is the proud owner of TS Architects cc, the company he established last year in February. The company is doing house Plans, Extension Plans, Upgrading Existing Houses and all types of plans in demand. Like other entrepreneurs, he received inspiration from a friend to do things for himself. “I was inspired by a friend of mine from Botswana to work for myself after he was convinced by my neat drawings, drawing is in my blood” he explained. Morudu fell in love with drawing while still at primary school and while at secondary school, he then considered to study Architecture at tertiary level. After finishing his secondary education, he enrolled with Capricorn FET College to attain his dream of obtaining an Architectural diploma. A dream to achieve an architectural qualification was turning into reality during his tertiary education. He started to make house plans for his neignbours just to have a petty cash, but within a period of two years, he found himself making plans almost on a daily basis and customers increased tremendously and as a result he dropped studying to work as an Architect. This young lad acknowledged that it is bumpy road to start a business, but despite whatever predicament you might encounter on the mission to be your own boss, Morudu said that people must be ready to tackle any challenge on their way.

Zibusiso Mkhwanazi:
The 23-year-old Zibusiso Mkhwanazi chairs Krazyboyz Digital, a multimillion-rand IT firm and one of South Africa's largest digital agencies. Its clients include Canal Walk, Cardies, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Foschini, the Pan African Parliament, Tshwane Metro and the UK lottery. In 2001, he and Neo Mothlabane formed Csonke.com with R2 000 seed capital, designing websites for SMMEs at R20 000 each. By 2004, the two friends had increased their turnover by over 1Â 000%. He also developed an Africa business strategy for Csonke that gave the company a presence in Botswana. He led Csonke's BEE acquisition of Krazyboyz shares and later led a merger with Csonke.com. Mkhwanazi attributes his success at such a young age to taking the road less travelled. He says his philosophy in all strategies is that "plans are not for planning, they are for achieving results."

Chene Molotsi:
Chene Molotsi is the owner of Alu-Absoluut, which manufactures and installs a wide range of aluminium products. She has owned several informal businesses at various times and created employment for a number of people. An established businessperson, Molotsi has been involved in the development and growth of several ventures, which she later sold at a profit. She has held senior managerial positions in business banking and the financial services industry in companies such as the former People's Bank, where she specialised in the financing and development of small and medium enterprises. Her business ventures included a shoe retailing business that sold designer women's shoes to a select client base. Molotsi has also been involved in the distribution of gas stoves and pots. She holds a BCom from the University of Natal, Durban, and a BCom (Honours) from Rand Afrikaans University.

Nthabiseng Thabethe:
Nthabiseng Thabethe is only 30 years old, but she knows the rough side of business. Thabethe says she cut her teeth in small business when she realised what it is like to pay rent for three months with no income. She needed a massage and spa pampering after this induction, and is now reaping the benefits as owner of the Chi Spa. Chi has picked up a steady client base and her business is supported by the Umsobomvu Youth Fund. She is from the Mogoba people in Ventersdorp, who were forcefully removed under apartheid and were among the first recipients of land restitution. She counts the receipt of their title deeds as a seminal moment. Thabethe has worked for a number of companies, including FNB, Transnet, RMB, Anglo-Platinum and Vodacom. The spa keeps her busy for six days a week, but she spends her spare time with her child. She also enjoys reading, horseriding, movies and entertaining.

Psychology Cebekhulu:
Psychology Cebekhulu calls himself "the very definition of the South African, young black success story". He certainly does not lack confidence. Cebekhulu's success stems from South Africa's love of a party and its penchant for turning every occasion into an event. He is the founder of Soundrite, a company supplying sound, staging and lighting equipment, video screens, marquees and the like to the events industry. Cebekhulu is a beneficiary of the government's targeted plans to provide contracts to black entrepreneurs -- his biggest events have been state funerals and the presidential imbizo. He loves water sports and music and also dabbles in real estate.