We are so inspired by our fellows – they are go-getters, world-changers and big-picture-thinkers who are passionate about their ventures having a cultural, societal and economic impact in Southern Africa.
AFRICAN BUSINESS INSTITUTE
WAKISO, UGANDA
African Business Institute is a relentlessly practical, Christian entrepreneurship institute in Uganda and Malawi that innovatively combines MBA-level business lectures, delivered by professors from some of the world’s top universities, with live projects, high-quality mentorship, and opportunities for investment. ABI’s vision is to apply the Great Commission to business – to baptise the business sphere for Jesus Christ. The startups that ABI launches are designed to build God’s Kingdom in their individual sectors. ABI has launched 17 Christian businesses in Uganda, Malawi, and Liberia.
JUN SHIOMITSU
2020 FELLOW
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT | AVODA GROUP
Jun is the founder and president of AVODA Group in Uganda and Japan, which trains Christian entrepreneurs in Uganda, while advising global corporates and governments. AVODA’s unique selling point is that it connects its African entrepreneurial network to global trade and outsourcing, not only traditional investments or grants. Before AVODA, Jun was president of the African Business Institute (ABI), where he launched 22 Christian startups since 2018 in Uganda, Malawi, and Liberia. Before this, he was a banker in Japan, the UK and Switzerland, initially as the Assistant Vice President of the Treasury Department of Citibank Japan, where he managed a US$100 million portfolio of global currencies and money market instruments. He also served as co-founder of the Global Financial Institute of Deutsche Bank Group, where he worked with the European Finance Association, the British House of Lords, Members of Parliament and economists from leading global universities to create post-financial crisis research and strategies for the European investment banking sector. Jun earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Cambridge. He was also privately educated to be a pastor in Japan, spending five years studying theology, church history, comparative religion, apologetics, and other biblical studies.
AFRICAN MAMAS CRAFTS
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
African Mamas Crafts was birthed from a desire to create rural development by supporting local crafters’ co-operative groups, both through sourcing existing products and by collaborating to develop new and market relevant products. The aim of African Mamas Crafts is to showcase the beauty of African crafts and the resourcefulness of African women, creating an income stream that provides hope for families and makes tertiary education possible for their children.
NOMASWAZI TINUS
2018 FELLOW
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR | AFRICAN MAMAS CRAFTS
Nomaswazi has a BSc Hons Geography from the University of Johannesburg, a post-graduate diploma in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and a diploma in Cartography/Mapping. She worked in the property and telecommunications sectors for a number of years, before starting African Mamas Crafts in 2015. As founder and director, she’s responsible for driving the strategic objectives and growth of the company through marketing, sales and co-ordinating operational activities. As a growing company, African Mamas Crafts uses GIS technology through Google Maps, analytics data and social media to position the brand in the global market place.
ANSTEM MEDICAL & TRAUMA
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
Anstem Medical started in 2015 as a by-product from a business closure that had resulted from an international takeover. This two-part business specialises in orthopaedic soft tissues repairs and traumatology. Their goal to help change a nation through sourcing product baskets that can offer sustainable growth. With a heart for locally manufacturing world class orthopaedic products, they believe that they can change the African orthopaedic environment by bringing cost effective quality goods to market.
STEPHAN STRYDOM
2018 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CEO | ANSTEM MEDICAL
Stephan has a background in Human Movement Science and started out in medical sales, setting the direction for a lifelong investment. With 10 years of medical and orthopaedic sales and marketing management experience, Anstem is the realisation of a dream – starting a God-focused business with like-minded colleagues. With a “lead from the front” mentality, he believes that anything is possible with hard work and the right people at his side!
ANGUS MULDER
2018 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR | ANSTEM MEDICAL
Angus is a co-founder and director of Anstem Medical – focusing on the sourcing, marketing and delivery of medical devices and implants in the discipline of orthopaedics. He has a background in Pharmacology, but early in his career moved over to sales and marketing of medical devices. Due to the repercussions of an international acquisition in the industry, the ambition that he shared with Stephan, to start his own medical device company, realised much sooner than anticipated. He has a passion for connecting with people from all walks of life and dreams of entering the field of medical manufacturing.
AVOLANDS
BAYNESFIELD, SOUTH AFRICA
Avolands is essentially a marketing company that began out of necessity and from humble beginnings on a small farm in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands in 2005. At first, Avolands focused on ripening avocados for the hospitality and retail market in the province. It proved a great success and has since expanded ripening operations to Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Western Cape. Avolands have also diversified into processing preservative-free guacamole. The future of Avolands lies in the further vertical integration into developing emerging commercial farmers who would form part of the Avolands supply chain.
DAVID BLANKS
2020 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | AVOLANDS
David is a passionate avocado entrepreneur and an ardent ambassador for agribusiness development. He believes that the free market and small business development is the only credible means to long-term prosperity for all South Africans. Prior to farming, David worked as a consulting project manager in commercial and development agriculture throughout Africa. He is a dedicated family man and when he is not working, you will find him motorbiking in the bush with his two sons or riding his mountain bike in the forests surrounding his farm.
NHLAKANIPHO GUMBI
2020 FELLOW
GENERAL MANAGER | AVOLANDS
Nhlaka comes from a rural homestead in the midlands of KwaZulu Natal. With no formal education, Nhlaka has risen through the ranks of Avolands to become one of the most influential decision-makers in the company. He is a skilled horseman and capable enduro motorbike rider. He is married to Bulelwa and they have a son, Landelo. Nhlaka is a man of responsibility and integrity and is the future of Avolands.
BETHEL ESTATE
GILLITS, SOUTH AFRICA
Bethel Farm is a commercial developmental agriculture family business. This 386ha farm is situated in Inhlamvini in the heart of Ixopo. Their vision is to become a commercially viable and self-sufficient global farming operation that enhances God’s work all over the world. The farm’s business model is diversification through the balance of the niche, long term commodities and the mass market, short term, cash flow commodities. It aims to bring innovation to the agricultural sector using an investment model. Their chosen commodities are superfoods and commodities for food security purposes based on the foundation of impact and sustainability. With 20% of Bethel Estate’s profits donated to the Aleazer foundation, they are optimistic about the empowerment that will come with their growth, and the difference they will make.
GUGU MOLOI
2021 FELLOW
FOUNDER & MD | BETHEL ESTATE
Gugu is a seasoned business leader who has worked in leadership positions in both the public and the private sector. She turned major companies losses into thriving businesses and is very vocal about her dependence on God in the workplace. She is now the managing director of Bethel Farm, a commercial farming operation in Kwazulu-Natal, which she is building with her children.
LUNGI MOLOI
2021 FELLOW
DIRECTOR & COO | BETHEL ESTATE
Lungi is the COO of Bethel Estate and constantly inspired by the call to build the farm operations into a mixed commercial operation with both local and international export potential. She earned her degree in commerce (specialising in accounting) from UCT and is currently training at Agri college. Lungi is also a financial advisor with Old Mutual and a Phenomenal Women director, a business she started during her varsity days. Her passion is aligned with her family’s vision to create employment and “be the light” wherever they operate. As a young African woman, she is excited to work alongside her mom, who has been a great business leader for many years. By leapfrogging many hard lessons, she appreciates wise counsel based on biblical truths.
BEYOND THE EYES
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
ONLINE TV NETWORK TELLING AFRICAN STORIES
Beyond The Eyes is a venture that was born out of a need to tell stories of Africa on a digital platform. BTE Network also helps corporates tell their stories on these platforms. It was in the wake of the digital age where opportunities to tell stories in a new way were presented and this has proven to be profitable. The development of new content (podcasts, 10-minute videos) and its consumption has created a space in the market for new entrants. BTE has existed now for almost five years and grown a decent asset base. When is all said and done, BTE wants to be the studio for the future.
OLEFILE SAMUEL RABOLELE
2019 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER, COO & PRODUCER | BEYOND THE EYES
Sammy grew up in a farming family in the North West, post-Bophutatswana. He was educated at Potchefstroom High School for Boys and the University of Pretoria. It was at university that he truly came to know Jesus as his Lord and Saviour and sensed the call of the Lord on his life. After completing his B.Com Investment Management degree, he joined a ministry called Campus Outreach as full-time staff for six years, sharing his faith on campus. The desire to tell stories finally drove him to realise his dream of capturing the African stories that often remain untold, co-founding Beyond the Eyes in 2014. He shares the journey with business partner Tebogo, as well as his wife Mpho and their daughter Aobakwe.
TEBOGO MOGALE
2019 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER, MD & PRODUCER | BEYOND THE EYES
Tebogo grew up in Polokwane, attending Capricorn High School and studying further at the University of Johannesburg for a B.Com degree in Finance. He had always had a passion for storytelling and went on to study a film degree at The African Film and Drama Academy (AFDA), after which he began working for SuperSport as production assistant. He then went on to work in management consulting while studying his postgraduate diploma in Management at Wits Business School. He co-founded Beyond the Eyes with Sammy in 2014.
BRAVE TO LOVE
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Brave To Love is a non-profit organisation based in South Africa that strongly believes in healing lives, impacting cities and transforming nations. The organisation connects with women and girls in prostitution, providing support and skills development to a better future. More than 79% of human traffic victims are trafficked into the commercial sex trade. Brave to Love focuses its strengths on rescuing, rehabilitating, restoring, and re-integrating women and children who have been victims of such violent crimes. Brave to Love has developed a second phase restoration home for survivors of sex trafficking. The organisation has been unmissable support to law enforcement in the fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
EMMA VAN DER WALT
2022 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | BRAVE TO LOVE
Emma van der Walt is the CEO and Founder of a non-profit organisation in South Africa: Brave to Love. Brave to Love connects with women and girls in prostitution and fights the injustice of Human Trafficking in the commercial sex trade of South Africa. As the CEO, she has developed great leadership to inspire others to bring hope and change in some of the most horrific circumstances. Emma is a dedicated professional specialising in counter-human trafficking interventions and intelligence gathering. She has developed rehabilitation – and skills development programs to support survivors of violent crimes and sexual exploitation. Her fearless, strong character has proven unmissable in the non-profit sector, bringing justice for women and children.
CALLING EDUCATION
STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA
Calling Education NPC provides high quality private Christian education at a fee affordable to learners from low income communities. Calling Academy Stellenbosch opened in January 2018 at full capacity with 60 Grade 8 boys from 13 different primary schools. The school chain will be developed to extend the model to other locations. After noting the pressing need for such a school in Stellenbosch and much prayer, the organisation was founded in December 2015 and officially launched in September 2016. The organisation is providing thought leadership in the low fee independent education sector. Providing teacher development and distributing a “future fathers” short course to other schools is also high on the organisation’s agenda.
WERNER CLOETE
2018 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | CALLING EDUCATION
Werner is a passionate and influential educator. He is the principal of Calling Academy and CEO of Calling Education. He previously taught at Paul Roos Gymnasium, where he headed up character development, Christian union, hockey and a boarding house. His other teaching experience includes Berkhamsted School and the Royal Grammar School (both UK). He is the author of First Class (a book for Christian teachers) and has spoken widely at staff development and education conferences. He is co-founder of Engage (promoting fatherhood in schools) and is a non-executive director of The World Needs a Father. He holds BSc(Ed) and BTh(Honours) degrees.
CAUSE FOR JUSTICE
SOMERSET WEST, SOUTH AFRICA
Cause for Justice is a non-profit human rights organisation that exists to act in the public interest in public forums such as courts, Parliament and government structures to promote and protect constitutional rights, freedoms and obligations, in the ultimate pursuit of justice at both the individual and societal or national level. Cause for Justice believes that the inculcation of its five core values in government policy and the South African legislative framework can contribute significantly to the achievement of enduring societal flourishing. It proactively takes on causes to promote its core values in the public interest and the interest of justice.
RYAN SMIT
2020 FELLOW
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | CAUSE FOR JUSTICE
Ryan is an attorney who has served as Executive Director of Cause for Justice since August 2017. He has a passion for law and he believes in the potential of law as a driver or enabler of change and as a force for good in society. Through his work, he has seen this potential materialise on a number of occasions, in court cases and engagement with Parliament and other organs of state. In terms of outlook on life, Ryan describes himself as a ‘realistic idealist’ (as opposed to an ‘idealistic realist’).
CHIEFS OF ANGELS
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Chiefs of Angels is a mid-level luxury fashion brand with a timeless “Rock and Roll” heart. Being Proudly South African, all of their merchandise is manufactured in Victoria Yards, using locally sourced material. Chiefs of Angels has a heart for recycled fabrics and are famous for their refurbished leather jackets. They seek to disrupt norms yet use familiar silhouettes in the fashion system to covertly, but boldly spread the Gospel.
OSCAR ANDILE NCUBE
2021 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR | CHIEFS OF ANGELS
Oscar Ncube is a 36-year-old family man; born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Coming from a family where he is the middle child, one of 3 boys, Oscar grew up with an incredible work ethic and sense of independence. With his father being the local pastor, he feels like he was raised in the church, although he got his mother’s creativity. For Oscar, fashion designing is an act of worship. His brand, Chiefs of Angels, is a mid-level luxury brand, specialising in “Rock and Roll” leather jackets.
CLIQTECH
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Cliqtech believes they can change the traditional Fiduciary Services (FidTech) status quo through smart partnerships and intelligent technology in the FidTech sector. They have 13 years of experience building Fiduciary Technology and 18 years of experience creating bespoke Financial Services for multiple applications. They believe that if they could inspire individuals globally to create a Will and better plan for the future, they will make a massive contribution to these individuals’ wealth legacy and transition this generationally.
ZALE HECHTER
2022 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | CLIQTECH
Zale Hechter is the founder and CEO of Cliqtech. He began his journey in Fiduciary Services (FidTech) in 2009. He has spent the last 13 years striving to ensure that as many people as possible get access to a valid, signed, and retrievable Will using the scale that technology can bring. He launched www.smartwill.co.za in 2018 and South Africa’s first full white-labelled Will in 2020. He is driven by personal experience of the troubles caused by not having a Will in place and the level of financial risk exposure people have without being aware. His goal is to change the world one Will at a time.
JAMES PERRIS
2022 FELLOW
HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | CLIQTECH
James Perris is the Head of Business Development at Cliqtech. He has spent the past 15 years successfully engineering initiatives for SA’s largest multinationals & listed entities. He founded, and subsequently sold, one of SA’s first Financial Service Intermediaries purely focused on volume and affinity. Currently, he is solely focused on the financial inclusion of all South Africans via a “Digital Marketplace Financial Services Activator” strategy.
James has served on various boards alongside some of SA’s most seasoned business minds, who have mentored and challenged him to grow. His passion for insurance and technology comes through in any conversation. He delivers scalable business solutions and products through financial services to various business sectors.
DIGEMY
DURBANVILLE, SOUTH AFRICA
DIGITAL LEARNING PLATFORM
Digemy is an EduTech startup that specialises in human performance. By creating a learning platform that measures the knowledge and engagement of the learners, they repeat the right key concepts for each learner at tailored frequencies to increase knowledge retention and decrease the time spent training. Digemy won a MTN app of the year award in 2018, was runner up in the Apps Africa Award for the best enterprise solution in Africa, was a finalist in the SA leg of the Global Edtech Startup Awards, and is the second best startup in Africa according to Africa Tech Week 2019.
KOBUS LOUW
2019 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | DIGEMY
After completing his Honours degree in Mathematical Sciences at Stellenbosch University, Kobus pursued a career in credit risk, where he later became a specialist in credit risk modelling. While building models that forecast the behaviour of the consumer for some of the biggest banks in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Africa, he realised that there is very little being done to change this consumer behaviour. With his modelling expertise and passion for mentorship, entrepreneurship and leadership development, he founded Digemy.com, an EdTech company that specialises in organisational optimisation, financial wellness, and entrepreneurial and soft-skill development in the Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer markets.
DOMINO
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
Domino is a social enterprise that consists of a non-profit, a trust and a for-profit company, empowering and enabling businesses to tackle nation transformation through strategic partnerships, collaborative engagements and community impact. Domino’s social change model sees transformation in the marketplace by establishing social enterprises, addressing the key areas of charity, justice and entrepreneurship.
MICKEY WILKINS
2018 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | DOMINO
Social entrepreneur and head of a successful IT services company, Mickey gives significant time to making a difference in the community. He leads Domino Business, a group of companies fully owned by the NPO, as a sustainability fund and an agent for market-place transformation. Stakes are taken in companies, goods and services are traded and entrepreneurship and the growth of small business stimulated. Mickey’s 12 years of experience leading a significant NPO as founder and former CEO of The Domino Foundation, has helped guide many churches and NPOs into greater fruitfulness.
SHAUN TAIT
2018 FELLOW
COO | DOMINO
Shaun studied marketing and has experience in operations. He’s been involved with The Domino Foundation for the past nine years and he is passionate about helping, loving and serving people. He loves being a part of a church organisation that is actively pursuing the call of God over their community and witnessing redemption and transformation through acts of mercy, fighting injustice and empowering individuals.
DREAM FACTORY FOUNDATION
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Dream Factory Foundation is a youth-led non-profit organisation that empowers young people from marginalised and underprivileged backgrounds to transition successfully into adulthood and lead purpose-driven lives through two programmes – Be The Dream for school-going learners and the Emerging Business and Coding Academy for post-school youth. In both programmes, young people are empowered through caring mentors, future-focused curricula and other opportunities that increase their knowledge of and access to tertiary, entrepreneurial and employment opportunities. From 2016 to date, these programmes have impacted over 2,000 young people.
LUSANDA MAGWAPE
2018 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CEO | DREAM FACTORY FOUNDATION
Lusanda Magwape is an admitted Attorney who holds a Masters degree in Commercial Law from the University of Cape Town. Her passion for education and youth empowerment saw her founding Dream Factory Foundation in 2011. This organisation empowers young people through education, equipping them with skills and creating meaningful opportunities to become active citizens living purpose-driven lives.
Lusanda has developed strong leadership, project coordination and communications skills. She is now a virtual facilitator, mentor and coach for Google and UpSkill Digital. She has been contracted to facilitate several virtual workshops and roundtables for AfriLabs, Standard Bank, Innovation for Change (AfricaHub), Flutterwave, to name but a few, focusing on business management, and models digital technologies and innovation.
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Lusanda has been listed on the 2017 Social Enablers 100 most inspiring Social Entrepreneurs worldwide, the Fairlady Santam Women of the Future Awards 2019 Finalist, and the 2019 Daily Dispatch Local Heroes Award recipient. In 2015, she spearheaded the Emergent Business and Coding Academy, awarded the Google Rise Award, the Young Women Transform prize by USAID, and the African Youth of the Year Award. As a CIVICUS member, Lusanda was selected to represent the voices of youth-led and grassroots NGOs that seek to have greater access to the EU partnership process at the 2018EU Partnership Forum. She is also a Cordes Fellow, an AU/EU Cooperation Hub Youth Expert, an Obama Africa Leader (2018 cohort), a Facebook Community Leader Fellow, and a Facebook Certified Community Manager.
CHRISTELLE ATIBIA
OPERATIONS MANAGER | DREAM FACTORY FOUNDATION
Christelle, who is French-speaking, holds a B.Comm Degree from the University of the Western Cape, but her true passion is youth development in Africa, a dream which she gets to live out through her role as Operations Manager. She also loves to travel and explore new cultures.
DRIVEN ADVISORY
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Driven Advisory is an economic development consultancy that offers implementation and impact solutions that subsequently creates a positive change. Their interventions aim to create meaningful and sustainable socio-economic programmes; to drive for greater economic participation and financial inclusion in societies, whilst achieving organisational objectives.
OWEN MUZAMBI
2021 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CEO | DRIVEN ADVISORY
Owen Muzambi is a Co-Founder and the Executive Director of Driven Advisory, a social enterprise and development advisory group. They focus on accelerating the economic and financial inclusion in South Africa and Africa by designing and implementing custom social change interventions. Owen is actively involved in creating and supplying innovative micro-enterprise solutions to improve sustainable entrepreneurial capabilities; alleviating poverty in low-income urban and rural communities.
DX DIGITAL AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
DX Digital Africa is an online platform that offers a suite of automotive intelligence products. They have two primary platforms: DentX and MotoX.
DentX is a data-driven tool for motor-body repairs. It uses one input (an image of the damage) to help clients with realistic repair price estimates and connects them to qualified service providers in the area. DentX is also an excellent tool for insurance companies and vehicle sales businesses to help them assess vehicle damages.
MotoX is a data-driven fleet management platform with a suite of solutions for vehicle lifecycle operations. MotoX lessens the burden of day-to-day fleet maintenance.
JONATHAN ASIAMAH
2021 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CEO | DX DIGITAL AFRICA
Jonathan Asiamah is the founder and CEO of South African automotive tech startup, DentX. Jonathan worked at Barclays Bank as an Associate Vice-President in their South African division as a Cloud/DevOps/Fintech Engineer until Barclays separated from the Absa Group. Working at management level as one of the group’s youngest professionals, Jonathan represented Absa Bank in San Fransisco for Xprize and Singularity University on innovation and business transformation. He started an engineering consulting business then ventured into a fully-fledged tech startup, DentX – a company built to combat subjective and obscure pricing practices in the Automotive sector. Jonathan is also involved in the startup ecosystem as a technical advisor for several startups in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
FINMEUP
STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA
FinMeUp is a financial education and equipment platform. Its vision is to become the go-to finance app globally by taking users from education to execution by providing the relevant tools and features, leveraging automation, gamification, personification and simplification.
HIGGO VAN BILJON
2021 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | FINMEUP
Higgo’s biggest passion for business is investing, education, and mentorship, as he believes in a greater purpose and causing change. He is both an opportunist and an optimist. Starting and scaling businesses gets him energised. He is someone who pours heart and soul into everything he does, and when he sets his mind on something, he does it. Whether it was climbing Mount Everest base camp at the age of 14, releasing two nr 1 hit singles, or scaling businesses like FinMeUp from WhatsApp group to thousands of app users.
FINOVATE GROUP
SOMERSET WEST, SOUTH AFRICA
Finovate is a dynamic financial services and consultancy firm owned and directed by a team of professionals based in Somerset West with offices in the UK. They envisage a world where SME’s drive economies, promote job creation and enhance livelihoods. They believe they make a difference by helping businesses succeed through partnering as their outsourced professional team to help them grow sustainably and navigate their most significant challenges.
Finovate’s core skills and services include Advisory, Cloud Accounting, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Fiduciary, Payroll, Recruitment, HR Management, Tax and Business Eco Systems.
RENE BOSMAN
2022 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR | FINOVATE GROUP
René Bosman loves building a team of professionals who help clients gain better management insights into their businesses, engage with clients to provide strategic direction and use technology to achieve better results. Rene is the Managing Director and co-founder of Finovate Advisory, a firm helping SME owners build and grow their businesses.
As a business owner and qualified Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA, CGMA), having also served as financial manager and director for various businesses, Rene has gained valuable experience in assisting businesses in multiple industries to realise their financial and strategic goals. He looks to consistently improve while following through with a real passion for facilitating growth and development.
DANIEL BRUWER
2022 FELLOW
DIRECTOR | FINOVATE GROUP
Daniel Bruwer combines engineering and financial disciplines to connect teams and businesses like few others can. Daniel loves working with people, processes, and operational excellence. He thrives on using analytical skills and his experience in real-life businesses to guide entrepreneurs toward successful ventures. Nothing gives Daniel more joy than working with business owners to execute winning strategies with expertise, people, technology, and operational excellence.
Daniel joined Finovate in 2018, contributing a broad strategic and operational management skillset to the benefit of SME clients. From within a multidisciplinary team at Finovate Advisory, Daniel is well-positioned to leverage their diverse skills and experience to provide solutions and services that help business owners break through to new levels. Since Daniel has nearly two decades of personal experience in running successful entrepreneurial businesses, he draws on an intimate knowledge of the operating environment of the South African context to provide relevant and accurate inputs to clients.
FIX FORWARD
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Established in 2012, Fix Forward aims to help build an equal and just society by creating opportunities for tradespeople from low-income communities to develop and thrive. They run a 12-month entrepreneur development programme for the tradespeople, consisting of e-learning, workshops, coaching and mentoring. They also connect people looking to do renovations and maintenance with the tradesmen, offering these clients a high quality service and providing additional business for the tradespeople.
JOSHUA COX
2018 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | FIX FORWARD
After graduating from Stellenbosch University in 2004 with a BSc degree in Conservation Ecology, Joshua briefly ran a small franchise business in Pretoria. In 2006 he began working in the non-profit sector, partnering with rural communities in East and Southern Africa to implement health, education and entrepreneurship programmes. In 2009 and 2010 he worked for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) before becoming an activist for traditional fishing communities for three years. He started Fix Forward as a side project in 2008. In 2014 he became full-time CEO of Fix Forward and has never looked back.
GIDEON MILLING
BELLVILLE, SOUTH AFRICA
FARM-TO-TABLE WHEAT FLOUR CHAIN
Gideon Milling is a stone ground wheat flour milling company that was established to create a platform of righteousness for the wheat farmers of South Africa. The company’s vision is a purpose beyond profitability and to feed the nation with healthy wheat flour farmed with integrity by building up the soil in natural ways. Through the business practice, mentorship programmes must be established to enhance the life skills of people in the farming community by teaching them sustainable farming methods which will assist with food security in South Africa.
AUBREY TERBLANCHE
2019 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | GIDEON MILLING
Aubrey Terblanche is a husband to L’atella and father of two boys, Ruben and Benjamin. Aubrey has pursued a career in aviation, but has always had a passion for agriculture. When he is not flying, he works to help establish food security in South Africa by adding value to farmers’ products. His motto in life is that we are more than conquerors through Christ that strengthens us.
GIFT DROP
STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA
Gift Drop enables businesses and users to send vouchers to anyone on their contact list, using WhatsApp, SMS or Facebook Messenger, enabling users to celebrate every day. The Gift Drop team is working to make gifting a daily part of life, not only for commercial purposes, but also for charity, and they’ve only scratched the surface of how Gift Drop can intentionally change lives.
JACOBUS KRIEL
2018 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | FILMWORX
Jacobus is an untamed creative creator. The intriguing world of film and media content production became a natural outlet for this innate urge to move from ideation to production in a short period of time. With experience as a feature film director, he founded SA FilmWorx, a purpose-driven content production company that supports business growth with media content that speaks to the heart of viewers. With their first studios based in Somerset West, the business is a media powerhouse making a positive difference to everyone who becomes part of their journey!
JANNIE GRIESEL
2018 FELLOW
CFO | GIFT DROP
Jannie has an unquenchable appetite to be a master in his field, leading him to attain invaluable experience as a Chartered Accountant in the financial departments of various SMEs. With his passion for financial strategy and understanding the requirements to be a true South African entrepreneur, he embarked on the Gift Drop journey as CFO.
GOLD YOUTH
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Gold Youth’s mission is to roll out quality youth peer education programmes in alignment to the Gold model, empowering youth peer leaders to become positive role models and agents of social and economic change. Through the Gold social enterprise structure, young Africans from disenfranchised communities are up-skilled and supported to complete their education and reach their full social and economic potential.
SUSANNAH FARR
2018 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | GOLD YOUTH
Susannah holds an MPhil degree from Stellenbosch University and her active involvement in youth behaviour-change and skills-access has led her to pioneering the Gold Youth Development Agency (Gold Youth) in 2004, of which she is CEO. In striving to build Gold Youth’s sustainable scalability, Susannah established Gold Enterprises in 2011, a for profit company, 100% owned by Gold Youth. Susannah is an Ashoka fellow who is steadfastly committed to change and to finding innovative solutions for addressing the debilitating youth-education and unemployment crisis amongst the most vulnerable. Susannah won the Regional Business Woman’s Association of South Africa Award in the 2016 Social Entrepreneur of the Year category and was nominated as one of only four finalists in the 2017 Global Citizen award, in recognition of her innovation, action and impact in the alleviation of poverty. In early 2018 Susannah was selected as Life Co Social Entrepreneur Enterprizer.
MAHLATSE LANGA
2018 FELLOW
HEAD OF FINANCE & SYSTEMS | GOLD YOUTH
Mahlatse is the Head of Finance and Systems for Gold Enterprises and its parent company Gold Youth Development Agency. Mahlatse left the corporate ladder and joined the Gold Social Enterprise structure as an executive team member in June 2017. Her move was fueled by her passion to support in the creation of profitable businesses that address the education crisis and the socio-economic divide in Southern Africa. She has a B.Com informatics from UNISA and her experience as a business analyst in various business sectors has brought a wealth of wisdom to the social entrepreneurship space. She also serves on the training team for Gold Enterprises and was recently a lead trainer in Malaysia assisting growing social enterprises in their business development.
ILIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
BENONI, SOUTH AFRICA
iLive is a project and technology development company within the renewable energy and circular economy sector. The company was founded by Werner Euler and is based in South Africa and the Netherlands. iLive is focused on expanding its three demonstrated technologies:
1. Biodiesel from waste cooking oil
2. Wood pellets for clean cooking stoves
3. Liquid fuels from waste plastics and tyres
Their goal is to realise life-giving initiatives by converting society’s wastes and residues’ into sustainable energy commodities that transform lives. These should increase energy access to vulnerable communities, create sustainable jobs, support gender transformation, fight climate change and share their Christian faith.
WERNER EULER
2021 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | ILIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Werner is a passionate renewable energy entrepreneur and advocate for positive change. His vision ‘to bring life’ forms the foundation of his ventures. He believes the development of clean energy sources, circular economies, and inclusion of SMMEs are vehicles driving a sustainable future. Werner holds a masters degree in energy science, a solid international network and several years of corporate experience at director-level. iLive was founded in 2010, born out of a calling to provide affordable energy and clean water to the marginalised. Besides iLive, Werner is passionate about this family, faith and all sports that raises his adrenaline levels!
DANNY VAN NIEKERK
2021 FELLOW
SME PROJECT MANAGER | ILIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Danny is the SME Project Manager for iLive’s “Woman in Biodiesel”. He believes in equality and social upliftment and that investing in individuals and communities is how true impact is accomplished. Danny has a background in technical sales and when he is not working, he is either jogging or spending quality time with family and friends.
#IMAGINE
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
#Imagine is a national youth movement that aims to inspire and mobilise South African teenagers to become the next generation of leaders. The #Imagine network annually hosts large energetic weekend events where the imagination of the next generation of dreamers, believers and doers are ignited. This is followed up and driven home with roll-out programmes to local communities and ministries. The network has grown over the past five years into one of the biggest ecumenical youth movements in South Africa bringing churches, schools and youth organisations together to build into the future of young people. #Imagine has taken up the challenge to serve the 10 million young people of South Africa by means of faith based events, support for local ministries and training initiatives for youth leaders.
FOUCHÉ DE WET
2018 FELLOW
DIRECTOR | #IMAGINE
Fouché is one of the directors of #Imagine and enjoys the challenges and energy that comes with a ministry involving teenagers. After studying electrical engineering and travelling abroad for a while he started working in youth ministry and youth development and he hasn’t stopped since. Fouché is passionate about ecological sensitivity and also works towards ways of helping communities live sustainable and responsible lives. He enjoys working with his hands but that made him too popular with people who needed things fixed – and so now he mainly enjoys making a mess. He is married to Marina and they live with their two children in Pretoria.
TEODOR VAN DER SPUY
2018 FELLOW
DIRECTOR | #IMAGINE
Teodor van der Spuy is a youth minister at a multisite ministry called Kerksondermure in Centurion. He is a final year student completing his master’s degree in Entrepreneurship at the University of Pretoria. He has a passion for young people and wants to mobilise them for a higher purpose. He considers himself the younger brother of Kingsley Holgate, hence his passion for adventure, Land Rovers and Africa.
INOVO
PRETORIA & CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
INOVO offers contact centres a flexible way to service, sell to, or collect from customers across any channel – all with a view to transforming the customer experience, saving costs and driving efficiency and profitability. Through a collaborative approach, the company provides award-winning technology, solutions and professional services that deliver better, measurable results.
WYNAND SMIT
2018 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | INOVO
Wynand Smit, the current CEO of INOVO, has worked in the South African contact centre industry for over 10 years. Along with his wife Liesl and his two kids, he spends many holidays connecting with nature at game parks or camping at scenic locations around the country. From creating his own self-sustaining fruit and vegetable garden to incubating new business opportunities, he is never short of starting new projects, and devising creative ways to bring his ideas to life.
PIETER KNOBLAUCH
2018 FELLOW
COO | INTERNET SA
Pieter currently fulfils the role of COO at Internet SA. Here he is passionate about providing the expertise and technology people need to connect and access economic opportunities in rural areas. He started his career in industrial engineering in the Western Cape and later moved to the Eastern Free State. Pieter is married to Lisa and they have two children. They co-founded the Kgotso Foundation, with other partners.
JOBJACK
DURBANVILLE, SOUTH AFRICA
ONLINE MARKETPLACE FOR ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS
JOBJACK is an online market-place for any jobs not requiring a qualification, the aim being to bridge the gap between entry-level job seekers and the companies and individuals providing these jobs – making the process more efficient for both parties with regards to time, cost and accessibility.
CHRISTIAAN VAN DEN BERG
2019 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CO-CEO | JOBJACK
Christiaan, a people-passionate pioneer, is the co-founder and co-CEO of JOBJACK. He is a qualified CA (SA) – he came up with the idea of JOBJACK while completing his audit articles in 2017. Although he is stimulated by the business behind JOBJACK, he is driven by the people they are reaching, whether job-seekers, companies, employees or people simply inspired by what is happening. Christiaan wants to see God’s Kingdom come not only in his organisation, but in every company and person’s life.
HEINE BELLINGAN
2019 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CO-CEO | JOBJACK
Heine is a born leader and motivator of people. He is the co-Founder and co-CEO of JOBJACK. Heine is a qualified CA (SA) and embodies the role of a forefront founder by his unending dedication and innovation. It is Heine’s call to be a Kingdom financier, leading the business world in his favour and walk with God.
JOIN BANDS, NOT GANGS
DURBANVILLE, SOUTH AFRICA
JOIN BANDS, NOT GANGS is a registered non-profit company that equips and trains youth in at-risk communities in music, as a way to help them avert the trap of drugs and gangsterism. Along with classes aimed at prevention, they also work directly with rival street gangs in an effort to facilitate peace between them, using music as the common denominator. Their vision is to give away 1 million musical instruments to 1 million future musicians, starting programmes in every town in the Western Cape and beyond. The ultimate goal is to be a peacemaking force, replacing gangs with bands.
KARIEN DE WAAL
2020 FELLOW
FOUNDER | JOIN BANDS NOT GANGS
Karien is an enthusiastic, all-round creative with a passion for helping the next generation develop their God-given talents of music. After studying Marketing, she switched lanes to pursue her dream of becoming a composer, which saw her accepted into Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. Four years later, she returned to Cape Town with a seed deep in her heart to make a difference. After freelancing in the music industry for a season, she founded JOIN BANDS, NOT GANGS in 2018 as a way to bring peace to gang-ridden communities through music.
JUST GRACE
LANGA SOUTH AFRICA
Just Grace is a holistic community development organisation that has been creating hope in Langa since 2012. The organisation believes that sustainable and measurable change comes from a long-term commitment to impact targeted areas positively. Just Grace is passionate about creating and supporting community-based projects that cumulatively lead to the social upliftment of Langa. The organisation’s vision is for the Langa community to be a place where residents are safe and have access to quality education and meaningful employment.
GRANT EDMOND
2021 FELLOW
FOUNDER & MD | JUST GRACE
Grant is a qualified chartered accountant and holds an MPhil in Public Law from UCT. He co-founded Just Grace NPC in 2012 and has served as the Executive Director since 2018. He has received various awards in this capacity, including the South African Shining Star Award For Contribution To Education and the Surve Philanthropies Award For Contribution Towards Social Justice In Education. Grant is passionate about social justice and enjoys being involved in God’s redemptive story in Langa. He believes in implementing innovative solutions that empower community members to live out their full potential.
KAINOS PROJECTS AFRICA
WELLINGTON, SOUTH AFRICA
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
Kainos Projects Africa consists of a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians with more than 100 years’ combined experience in a wide range of technologies in water and wastewater treatment. The team carries extensive experience in the design and construction of municipal and industrial water treatment projects in Africa: from membrane desalination and sewage treatment in the municipal sector to complex effluent treatment and re-use in the industrial sector. Kainos has a distinctive skill-set and a unique calling and vision that will benefit their partners in meeting and fulfilling their water-related and resources needs.
COBUS OLIVIER
2019 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR | KAINOS PROJECTS
Cobus is a Kingdom-minded chemical engineer with 20 years’ experience in the design and construction of water and wastewater treatment plants and is co-founder and Managing Director of Kainos Projects Africa. Cobus combines his experience in Engineering Management, Project Management, Contract Management and Business Development with a vision to establish strategic partnerships in the industry, heading the leadership team on this exciting journey into the future.
PIETER AVENANT
2019 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR | KAINOS PROJECTS
Pieter is a Kingdom-minded Chemical engineer with 12 years’ experience in design and turnkey projects in the industrial and municipal water sectors. He is an MBA graduate (Cum Laude, UCT, 2015), a co-founder and Director at Kainos Projects Africa. Pieter combines his technical experience with a big picture perspective in pursuing business development opportunities for the company, ensuring growth and strategic market penetration into Africa.
KERN, ARMSTRONG & DU PLESSIS INCORPORATED
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Kern, Armstrong & Du Plessis Inc. is a young, diverse and dynamic general law practice situated in Johannesburg with offices in Cape Town. They pride themselves on upholding high moral standards and believe in operating from a space of honesty and professionalism at all times. The firm does not compromise on values and believes in quality rather than quantity, making clients the most essential asset in the firm. Kern, Armstrong & Du Plessis Inc. has grown substantially since its inception, rapidly securing an impressive reputation for providing excellent legal advice and services.
ZELMARI KERN
2022 FELLOW
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR | Kern, Armstrong & Du Plessis Inc.
Zelmari Kern is an admitted attorney from Johannesburg and has extensive experience in labour law, commercial law, corporate governance and insurance law. She has completed an advanced course in labour law at the University of Pretoria and UCT, and further completed an advanced course in the Companies Act at the University of Johannesburg. Zelmari has always had a keen sense of justice and a compassion for helping others.
GREGORY ARMSTRONG
2022 FELLOW
DIRECTOR | Kern, Armstrong & Du Plessis Inc.
Gregory Armstrong is an admitted attorney with High Court appearance and extensive experience in High Court and Magistrates Court litigation. Greg is a skilled litigator and feels most at home when fighting for his clients in open court. He has a keen interest in human and socio-economic rights and is passionate about assisting society by understanding its legal rights. Greg strives to deliver expert client service and is dedicated to finding specialist solutions that are most appropriate to the unique situations in which clients find themselves. His investments in his clients’ experience show his unwavering dedication to achieve success and overcome the most complex legal challenges.
KHULA DEVELOPMENT GROUP
PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA
Khula focuses on reintegrating primary school children, who are at risk of dropping out, back into school. Their aim is to see every child from disadvantaged communities attending school everyday, creating a future filled with hope and expectation and empowering broken communities through love and education.
DALEEN LABUSCHAGNE
2018 FELLOW
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR | KHULA DEVELOPMENT GROUP
Daleen is a qualified social worker who, as she was raising her three children, dreamt of an opportunity to show love to other children, especially those in need. She now gets to live this out in her role as Programme Director of Khula.
LOCAL VILLAGE FOODS
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Local Village Foods sources uniquely African raw materials from rural communities in Africa and creates food product offerings for health-focused, socially-conscious consumers. They are a brand that strives to exalt the rich cultures and cuisines that makes this continent we call home, special. Local Village Foods brings African ethnic ingredients back to the modern dining room by educating consumers on different indigenous ingredients. Their product offering ranges from snack bars, canned foods, whole foods, beverages and pasta.
Sipamandla Manqele
2022 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | LOCAL VILLAGE FOODS
Sipamandla Manqele is the CEO and Founder of Local Village Foods, Bissap Beverages and African Harvest Table. She completed a Bachelors of Social Sciences degree in 2014, majoring in Community Development and Business Management. Sipamandla is inspired by the African continent, its diverse cultures, and its quest for social and economic unity. Her heart is to play a role in implementing free and fair trade across Africa.
LULA
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
LULA is a platform that connects company commuters to private shuttles for convenient, safe and sustainable rides to work (and beyond) in African cities. They partner with 3rd party shuttle operators and drivers who get matched to daily bookings. LULA is currently active in 5 cities in SA and serves businesses like LUNO, YOCO, The Foschini Group and Allan Gray.
LULA wants to enable sustainable mobility across Africa; one shared ride at a time. This $20bn problem continues to grow as the population rises rapidly in our cities daily.
Velani Mboweni
2022 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CEO | LULA
Velani Mboweni is the Co-Founder and CEO of LULA, an award-winning mobility startup that enables sustainable and productive commuting in Africa. He started as an entrepreneur in 2008, having founded two ventures before LULA. He was a Harambeans Entrepreneur Alliance (USA) fellow and an AlibabaeFounders Fellow (China). Velani serves on the CSIR’s Advisory Board on Smart Mobility and is a Non-Executive Director on the City of Johannesburg’s Metropolitan Trading Company. Velani enjoys cooking, reading, playing, playing the Piano and has a deep love for faith, science and aviation.
MINTOR
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Mintor provides chat-based solutions that streamline HR processes and amplify community impact, empowering millions right within their favourite chat app. Our chatbot and AI tech frees up managers from repetitive paperwork, helping them focus more on people. It also empowers digitally disconnected workers and communities to receive the support they need to find jobs and grow on the job – all on WhatsApp. To date, Mintor has supported over 100,000 people and operates internationally. Our vision is to unlock the human potential of billions globally: leaving no-one behind.
LEÀNNE VIVIERS
2020 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER | MINTOR
A creative problem solver, passionate about youth development and social entrepreneurship (and dancing) – this is what makes Leànne thrive and she’s put it to action having co-founded Mintor to see millions of unemployed youth realise their potential. Leànne’s background comprises 15+ yrs in IT and Operations Consulting (UK, USA, Africa), including her former role as global SME development manager for IFC (World Bank Group). She holds a B.Eng (Industrial Electronics) from Stellenbosch University and an MBA in Social Entrepreneurship from Oxford University, however, her biggest learnings were from doing business and learning from others that do.
MOSAIC TRUST
POTCHEFSTROOM, SOUTH AFRICA
INVESTMENT PLATFORM TO FUND CARE FOR ORPHANED AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN
Mosaic is a registered non-profit organisation which provides sustainable care to nearly 300 orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) and their foster parents. Mosaic currently has three operational sites in Paarl in the Western Cape, Potchefstroom in North-West Province and Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Mosaic has developed a sustainable, replicable care model, with a holistic focus on the children and their caregivers. The Mosaic model implements necessary mechanisms to intervene on an educational, emotional, spiritual and physical level, for all its beneficiaries, without creating dependency on an organisation or external mechanisms.
MEYER CONRADIE
2019 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | MOSAIC TRUST
Meyer Conradie is the founder and CEO of the Mosaic Group. With a master’s degree focused on the efficiency of different orphan care models, Meyer oversees the development and implementation of Mosaic’s orphan care programmes. He leads fundraising teams in South Africa, the USA, Germany and Sweden and provides strategic direction to a portfolio of businesses that generates sustainable income and create job opportunities for Mosaic’s orphan care programmes. He believes that his greatest achievement in life is getting the right people onto the bus (and, of course, getting his wife and three kids to church on time every Sunday).
CARL KIRSTEIN
2019 FELLOW
CFO | MOSAIC TRUST
Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant (SA) in 1991, Carl spent the next nine years with Ernst & Young, where he was made a partner in 1997. In 2000, he swapped sides and joined the financial services industry in various roles, finally retiring as CEO of African Unity Insurance at the age of 47. After two years of detoxing, Carl joined Mosaic and established the Port Elizabeth site. His current roles are CFO of the Mosaic Group and CEO of the Mosaic Trust, where his focus is on building a portfolio of investments to create sustainable funding for the Mosaic Group.
MOVEPRETTY
STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA
MOVEPRETTY is a premium athleisure brand for active women that want to be the best version of themselves during and post-training. They understand that women want to feel confident and beautiful, inspired to live a healthy, active lifestyle. MOVEPRETTY produces designs with the stylish, dynamic woman in mind, and by testing the garments, they ensure that all the “prettymoves” work just as well as they are beautiful.
ANNELIZE KOTZE
2018 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER (MOVEPRETTY), BRAND STRATEGIST & ENTREPRENEUR
Annelize started out her career in the creative world of advertising and brand management, and has worked on a variety of brands in through-the-line agencies, on the client side and on a consultation basis. However, she’d always had a love for fashion and decided to continue her studies part-time to take a slight career turn into the world of fashion and at the same time pursue her entrepreneurial passions. After co-founding and running a women’s athleisure brand, MOVEPRETTY for 8 years, Annelize gained ever-valuable experience first-hand, seeing her startup grow – first as a part time hobby and later as a full-time business. Currently, Annelize is pursuing other startup business interests and consulting in her areas of expertise. She is passionate about women empowerment, finding balance in life and work as a mom and wife, and loving others as she loves Jesus.
OPTIQUE OPTOMETRISTS
PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA
Optique is one of the fastest-growing Optometry groups in South Africa. They believe in the accessibility of the best possible eye care at a revolutionary price, while leading the way for socially conscious businesses. By standardising their rates to a single, all-inclusive, set rate, which includes your eye test, frame, and spectacle lenses, the cost of products and services is fixed for everyone. Rates are no longer varied according to your age, location, or payment method (medical aid or private). They have in-depth knowledge of their industry, providing you with the best possible eye-care.
LEON VAN VUUREN
2021 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | OPTIQUE
Leon is an optompreneur (an entrepreneurial optometrist) and follower, father, husband, and the founder of Optique Optometrists. Leon gained experience in private practice before starting his first start-up. He has competencies in Digital Marketing from UCT and an MBA for executive development from USB. His core skill set gravitates towards critical and strategic thinking. He is an optimistic INTJ personality with an ADHD superpower, living and working from Paarl with his wife, Thia. He enjoys coffee, books, and Formula 1 over the weekends.
RICHARD HARRIS
2021 FELLOW
COO | OPTIQUE
Richard graduated with an Honours degree in Quantity Surveying and has spent most of the past ten years involved in various private and public partnerships and projects. During this time, he experienced a lack of access to essential services, including healthcare. His passion for project management, people, and leadership led him to join Optique on its mission to change the way people access and experience eye care. When he is not researching new ideas, Richard can be found on the golf course or next to the braai with his family and friends.
OUTSOURCED CFO
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
CFO AND CLOUD ACCOUNTING ADVISORY FOR SCALING COMPANIES
For ambitious SMEs, Outsourced CFO provides integrity and professional excellence in financial consulting. Birthed in 2013 from the need of providing sound financial planning and management services enabling founder teams to grow by placing passionate OCFO’s within these ventures. Outsourced CFO was named one of the Fast Company Most Innovative Companies in South Africa in 2017 and 2019. Being entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand the significant role that finances play in the success of a business. Succeeding through uncompromising quality and industry thought leadership, our aim is to help clients rethink, automate and scale their companies in the pursuit of business eminence.
JACQUES LE GRANGE
2019 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR | OUTSOURCED CFO
Jacques studied at Stellenbosch University, followed by completing his Chartered Accountant articles at Baker Tilly Greenwoods. He has a natural inclination for unlocking potential and efficiencies in positioning companies’ financial functions for scaling, using cutting-edge technology, creative problem solving and building strong focused teams around these functions. His role in Outsourced CFO has seen him live out his entrepreneurial drive by rolling out various new business development projects in positioning Outsourced CFO strategically within the market. When he’s not coming up with innovative solutions, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, serving in his local church community, and getting some fresh mountain air in his running shoes.
DANA PRETORIUS
2019 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR | OUTSOURCED CFO
Dana graduated from Stellenbosch University and completed his Chartered Accountant articles with Baker Tilly Greenwoods. He specialises in strategy, idea generation and problem solving. With Dana’s ability to sort through the clutter and find the best course of action, by seeing patterns and solutions in complex situations, he adds great value to the team at Outsourced CFO. Dana is able to build complex financial business models which have helped numerous companies scale and raise finance. Dana’s kind and open personality allow him to develop strong business relationships. Being a lover of the outdoors, over weekends you will find Dana hiking the mountains in and around Cape Town and spending quality time with friends and family.
OUTSOURCED FINANCE
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Outsourced Finance is a digital accounting firm that focuses on small, medium and large businesses, giving them access to the correct strategies and tools to help them grow. Outsourced Finance strives to transform the finance function, using a range of software and hardware solutions, and empower business people to access critical financial data for better decision-making.
Depo Ogunruku
2022 FELLOW
FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR | OUTSOURCED FINANCE
Depo Ogunruku is a passionate, driven, and charismatic businesswoman who is the founder and managing director of Outsourced Finance, a digital accounting firm. She developed a passion for accounting from an early age and was driven to carve out a name for herself as an astute professional. She set her sights on shaking up the accounting industry by taking care of the numbers, as well as the businesses behind those numbers. Having graduated from the University of Cape Town, Depo served her articles at Deloitte. She worked as a specialised consultant in finance transformation and financial management, championing key projects across the continent. She later moved to ThoughtWorks, where she developed her technology strategy experience. Depo’s entrepreneurial ambition led her to co-found Outsourced Finance, using her technology background and finance expertise to pay it forward by empowering businesses to soar to new heights. Depo has a wealth of experience and insight into business operations across multiple sectors.
OYAKE
NAIROBI, KENYA
Oyake is a consumer products distributor based in Nairobi, helping the big and small players win by ensuring that hawkers, shop owners and convenience stores (small players) have the best consumer products at the best price delivered at their convenience. Oyake also supports consumer products manufacturers and importers (big players) by providing last-mile access to general trade.
LYDIAH BOCHERE OYARO
2020 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & HEAD OF OPERATIONS | OYAKE
Lydiah is a trained advocate of the high court of Kenya and the director in charge of operations at Oyake. She deals with sourcing and marketing of products ensuring quality consumer products are delivered to the people of West Nairobi. She is uniquely positioned by God to inspire women in low income areas to aspire to lead more and often challenges men to allow their spouses take a bigger role in running family businesses.
VINCENT OMBAKA
2020 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER | OYAKE
Vincent is married to Lydiah and together they work in consumer products distribution in Nairobi, supporting micro and small enterprises by providing consumer products at wholesale terms. He also supports governments and non-profit organisations in public policy development and advocacy and is an aspiring legal philosopher.
PICSA
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SOLUTIONS
Picsa strives to improve the financial health of low-income South Africans – by offering affordable, high quality financial products, providing practical education and driving positive behavioural change. Accessibility to these products is achieved through their innovative bulk transacting approach, delivered as an easy-to-use employee benefits solution across a range of industries – from agriculture and manufacturing to retail, hospitality and leisure. The employer thus plays a crucial facilitator role; positioned to help make a lasting impact in the lives of his or her employees, while maintaining professional workplace relationships.
PAUL KIM
2019 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER | QuietLife Solutions
Paul is a co-founder of QuietLife Solutions, a tiny venture consultancy helping for-profits and non-profits implement redemptive imagination in their organisations. He is an actuary by trade but has built up expertise in startups, behavioural economics, and redemptive design. Paul is an eternal learner and strives to connect his Christian faith practically to all spheres of life using the lens of biblical wisdom.
LARA SCHOEMAN
2019 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER | BRAND TOGETHER
Lara is the Co-Founder of Brand Together: a marketing agency focused on offering support to businesses that want to grow strategic and operational capacity whilst reducing risk. She believes that good marketing happens when you connect someone with the right solution. It isn’t bells and whistles that sell best but a human-centred approach. She’s a strategic, creative thinker with branding, marketing and customer research background. She spent the bulk of her career at Allan Gray, then got the opportunity to work at a non-profit, an Ad agency, a big corporate and a startup. She is an entrepreneur at heart who gets her kicks from eradicating jargon and a well-chosen font.
PLAN BEE
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
Plan Bee Honey was founded by Tim van Stormbroek in 2019 with the express intention to use honey production for poverty alleviation among small scale rural farmers in Africa. Plan Bee currently focuses on partner and self-driven CSI and donor-funded honey production projects in South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia. While controlling the quality of honey from the point of harvest through to the bottled and branded product, Plan Bee Honey can offer bulk buyers and retailers a socially responsible, high-quality real honey product in a category landscape rife with the adulterated product. Plan Bee Honey plans to impact thousands of rural farmers while turning our continent into a nett exporter of high-quality honey.
TIM VAN STORMBROEK
2020 FELLOW
FOUNDER | PLAN BEE
Tim has pursued a career in occupational hygiene, food safety and, for the last 14 years, in environmental consulting. This has been overlapped with 24 years of experience in beekeeping and honey production as a sideline. Tim is passionate about grass roots development in Africa and seeing lives changed through sustainable rural beekeeping. He believes strongly that the agri-potential in southern Africa is still highly undervalued and is excited to help unlock this blessing.
POSTAPLAY
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Postaplay brings people together through sport. It is a social media platform that allows players of various sports to post their highlights, plays, and training, showing off their talent, swag and skills. It is a platform for both the social – and competitive sportsmen, their fans, coaches and prospective scouts.
Postaplay aims to fill the gap between the endless, yet seemingly inaccessible, sports talent in developing countries with scouts and professional organisations both locally and internationally.
MURENDENI NEFALE
2021 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CEO | POSTAPLAY
Murendeni’s entrepreneurial genes were ignited while he was studying in the United States, in California where he was exposed to the tech spaces of Silicon Valley and Silicon Beach. It was there that his desire to use technology to positively impact the world was birthed. Upon his return home, he founded a South African tech company and has since committed himself to improve people’s lives through entrepreneurship. His background and formal academic training are in Theology. This is where his calling, and passion for Jesus and people is centred. He has a Bachelors, Honours, and Masters in Theology. He is currently completing his MBA at Wits Business School.
PR Engineering Africa
STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA
PR Engineering Africa delivers dynamic mechanical, fire and electrical consulting engineering solutions to clients in the property & construction markets, focused on commercial, hospitality, retail and industrial sectors. They aspire to be innovators in their field and set the trend of how things can be done in the future. Their mission is to provide the highest quality engineering services (in their chosen area of expertise) to ensure excellent service delivery with cost-efficient solutions across Africa.
PAUL VAN STADEN
2022 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR | PR ENGINEERING
Paul van Staden is the co-founder and director of PR Engineering Africa, a consulting engineering firm based in Stellenbosch, South Africa. He strives to live a purpose-driven life, which inspires others, empowers those around him and expands the kingdom of God. He is married to his beautiful wife Chantelle, and together they are actively involved in their local church community, and lead an active lifestyle full of adventure, travels and fun.
JACO BUYS
2022 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR | PR ENGINEERING
Jaco Buys is the co-founder and director at PR Engineering Africa. He is a natural entrepreneur and businessman, constantly striving to be the best in the field and determined to elevate the basic standard of operations. Jaco leads by example to display grace, determination, and hard work. He seeks to live a life based on godly principles and lives in Somerset West with his wife, Jaret, a talented artist.
QUALI HEALTH
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES
Quali Health seeks to address the inadequacies and inefficiencies in the healthcare industry and provide access to quality and convenient healthcare for the millions of South Africans who are uninsured. The Quali Health mission is to democratise healthcare first in South Africa and then cross-border, and seeks to provide healthcare in a manner that gives dignity, respect and compassion. Quali Health achieves this by being affordable, convenient while maintaining a high level of quality. Technology is a big enabler in the attainment of this goal.
NTHABISENG LEGOETE
2019 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | QUALI HEALTH
Nthabiseng is a medical practitioner who is passionate about improving access to primary healthcare. She has a vision that, if realised, will make quality primary healthcare affordable for all global citizens in emerging markets. She has spent the last 10 years navigating the private health sector, firstly as a medical advisor and product manager in the pharmaceutical industry and then as a partner in an emergency medical practice. She also has experience in the sub-acute healthcare environment. Nthabi completed her MBA through the Gordon Institute of Business Science, where her research topic, “Factors that influence the non-urgent use of emergency departments in the South African private healthcare sector” seeks to aid in the development of divergent strategies for these patients.
NOMATHEMBA MASEKO
2019 FELLOW
HEAD OF HUMAN CAPITAL | QUALI HEALTH
Thembi Maseko is a human resource specialist with over 15 years experience across public and private organisations. She initially started as an administrator, then project manager, of large scale training implementation projects, then operations manager in a quality assurance company, senior specialist consultant in a consulting company, GM Human Capital for a medical aid administrator, and currently a strategic partner for a health care provider. Her role is to develop and implement human resources strategies to support business and human resources needs; providing strategic human resources leadership to the executive management and the human resources functions in the operations.
RANYAKA
STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA
COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Ranyaka Community Transformation is a non profit social enterprise that was established in 2013 to bring sustainable, integrated solutions to the socio-economic challenges facing towns, neighbourhoods and communities in South Africa. Ranyaka is currently operational in 12 geographical areas across six provinces throughout South Africa, working hand-in-hand with multiple sectors implementing a collaborative community transformation model. Stakeholders include all local role players including communities, NGOs, academic institutions, funders and all levels of government. Their main mandate is to facilitate collaboration amongst these stakeholders in order to move towards collective impact and away from isolated interventions. They develop the big picture of a community contextually and then help redesign the ecosystem to function optimally, thus working towards bringing restoration, resilience and growth to neighbourhoods and towns.
JOHAN OLIVIER
2019 FELLOW
FOUNDER & MD | RANYAKA
Over the past twenty-four years, Johan Olivier, a registered urban planner, has worked in the municipal, private, local community and development sectors, where he has been involved in projects on local, provincial and national levels. In doing so, he has gained considerable experience in the development of socio-economic investment plans, spatial economics and sustainable development. Johan is passionate about meaningful engagement at community level. He believes in the necessity of community members playing an integral role in coming up with practical solutions to tackle local challenges.
MARLI GOUSSARD
2019 FELLOW
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT & COLLABORATION MANAGER | RANYAKA
Marli is a social entrepreneur and NGO sector specialist with 18 years’ experience in business development, operations, social enterprise development and socio-economic programme development. She is the current Enterprise Development & Collaboration Manager of Ranyaka Community Transformation. Marli is using her invaluable experience in the NGO sector towards a shared and holistic developmental purpose. She works with non-profit organisations, academia, government and civil society networks to steer their focus towards the common agenda to make collective impact. She facilitates collaboration between these multiple sectors streamlining their focus and playing to their strength within the context of their geographical and thematic ecosystems. She is the current Chairperson of the Stellenbosch Civil Advocacy Network (SCAN), a non-executive Board Member of Fix Forward and also serves on the Stellenbosch University Institutional Forum. She graduated with a B-tech Degree in Public Relations Management from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2003.
SETANA CAPITAL
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Setana capital is a technology platform that provides stock credit to informal SMEs that are unbanked and in need of financial support to grow their revenues. As a means of credit scoring, they use machine learning applied to alternative metadata. To finance them, Setana provides stock credit to these informal SMEs through a network of product suppliers who distribute to them. Setana counts some of the biggest FMCG manufacturers and informal market business associations on the continent as partners and collaborators.
Khanya Ndzululeka
2022 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CEO | SETANA CAPITAL
Khanya Ndzululeka is the co-founder and CEO of Setana Capital: a start-up focused on supporting businesses in the informal sector with working capital finance. She is a qualified CA(SA) and Mcom in Development Finance graduate with years of experience as a Technical Advisor. Khanya focused on providing deal support by structuring new products rolled out within the financial services industry. Her dream is to see entrepreneurs in the informal sector move from a place of survival to thriving: creating job opportunities for their communities.
Prince Nwadeyi
2022 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER | SETANA CAPITAL
Prince Nwadeyi is the co-founder and Chief Partnerships Officer at Setana Capital. He is an entrepreneur with a background in Economics and Consumer insights. He is deeply passionate about redeeming the financial services sector and using finances as a vehicle to deliver inclusivity and access to SME’s in the informal sector that are either unbanked or financially excluded. This passion has led him on a journey of inquisitorial discovery and reflection across various informal ecosystems on the continent, from Tembisa in South Africa to the streets of Kibera in Nairobi. He believes that access to innovative enabling finance can make a world of difference in amplifying the fortunes of informal SME’s, and so Africa’s continental economy.
SINANI ENERGY
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
INTEGRATED ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Sinani Energy is an integrated energy and utilities solutions business driven to achieve financial savings for its clients. It is built on the principle of creating bespoke energy solutions that optimise clients’ energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and lower reliance on the national grid – ultimately improving profitability and sustainability. The Sinani team believes that the work they do in the energy and utilities sector is making a positive contribution to Africa and its people.
ABONGA NKWELO
2019 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR | SINANI ENERGY
Abonga has a degree in Organisational and Industrial Psychology from Rhodes University. In 2008 he founded Kanelo, a procurement business for a diverse group of businesses across a multitude of sectors. He moved on to be business manager of Wakaberry. After its acquisition by Famous Brands, Abonga was appointed Regional Ops Manager for Steers, Debonairs and Fishaways. Learning a great deal about systems from the corporate environment, Abonga co-founded Sinani Energy. Abonga’s passion for driving business sustainability is rooted in businesses becoming more energy efficient. However, his passion for people is not lost – he has started a programme called Man in the Arena, which seeks to address the mental health issues sports people go through during and after their playing days.
SIX33 AGRICULTURE
STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA
Six33 Agriculture’s purpose is to build, maintain and grow world-class primary production operations focused on high value exportable produce. They are actively involved in the companies they partner with and nurture them to create sustainable growth. SIX33 Berries currently owns and operates two blueberry production facilities in the Stellenbosch area and the business is run by a strong management team with experience in the production, technical and commercial side of berries. The business has gone past the proof of concept stage and is ready for growth. Blueberries are locally produced and exported, which is an attractive currency hedge. The health benefits of this superfood are the main driver for a rising global demand. The most significant impact driver is potential job creation and wealth distribution in the local communities where they work.
JOHAN LE ROUX
2018 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CEO | SIX33 AGRICULTURE
Johan co-founded SIX33 Agriculture and is the CEO, as well as serving as a director of the South African Berry Producers Organisation executive committee. Previously, Johan helped establish Eurafruit in 2007, a leading soft fruit company in South Africa and the global market. In 2011 he was instrumental in establishing the first world-class berry nursery exclusively for Eurafruit’s group of growers. During Johan’s tenure at Eurafruit he was strategically involved in new business, commercial and operational development of the business. He holds a BSc, majoring in Horticulture and Agricultural Economics from Stellenbosch University.
SMART AGRI SOLUTIONS
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN INTEGRATION FOR EMERGING FARMERS
Smart Agri Solutions provides innovative and customisable fresh produce value chain solutions to accelerate more inclusive supplier development for corporate clients. A commercial, market driven development approach is taken by bundling innovative future proof agro-technical products. These agro-technical products are both hardware and software tools to accelerate the inclusion of first generation farmers into corporate supply chains, helping to strengthen each of the individual links in the agri-supply chain. Balancing job creation in rural communities, the personal touch with stakeholder commercial returns through the selective use of appropriate and affordable agricultural technology is at the core of transforming each agribusiness and corporate client whom they work with.
AJ MUNIAN
2019 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | SMART AGRI SOLUTIONS
AJ is an agricultural value chain specialist who holds a BSc (Agric) and an MBA from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. AJ’s professional qualifications in agriculture are further strengthened by 20 years of direct experience across each link in the entire agriculture value chain, ranging from agro-technical field production through supply chain to Fast Moving Consumer Goods Companies and retail, having worked for leading companies in each of these different sectors, including Capespan, Maersk Line and Woolworths. AJ’s fresh produce experience spans controlled environment farming, technical horticultural production, fresh produce export, reefer liner shipping, freight forwarding, cold chain management and international fresh produce trading, as well as in retail across Sub-Saharan Africa. AJ is passionate about the role which innovative technologies can play in building more inclusive and sustainable agricultural supply chains.
SOCIAL CODING
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
Social Coding ensures that society’s most excluded people are given equal opportunities in the tech economy. They offer digital training, such as computer familiarisation, coding, robotics, and business and technology alignment to youth living in rural communities. By partnering with corporates, government, and family foundations, Social Coding teaches the tech skills needed for higher education and exposes students to the ICT careers in coding, robotics and 4IR technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality.
Social Coding also recruits and trains unemployed youth with permanent digital skills to lead Social Coding programs in their local communities.
Thembiso Magajana
2022 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR | SOCIAL CODING
Recently recognized as one of South Africa’s most influential youth (2020), Thembiso Magajana describes herself as an Inclusion Activist and Technophile. After spending nearly half a decade working in financial services, Thembiso founded a non-profit: Social Coding. She earnestly believes that digital upskilling promises future economic growth in remote rural areas.
STRUXIT PROJECTS
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA
Struxit Projects was founded in 2013 to provide civil and structural engineering services, focused on the private sector. They have one goal, to become the most influential engineering firm in South Africa. Struxit wants to build South Africa through its skills and employment within the building environment. Struxit is for people who seek excellence and trust in engineering. Struxit is a navigator, directing everyone involved along the best possible path to success while respecting their unique value due to their craft. They are a disruptive technology engineering company that takes a human-centric approach.
HANNES WAGNER
2020 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | STRUXIT PROJECTS
Hannes holds a BEng Hons. in Structural Engineering from the University of Pretoria. He founded Struxit Projects in 2013 and currently acts as the CEO. He is driven by his desire to bring about positive change for his clients and his country. He values inclusivity, treating each person with respect and supporting each team member to chase their goals and fulfill their potential. He trusts and empowers, while excellence is non-negotiable.
WILL OLIVIER
2020 FELLOW
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER | STRUXIT PROJECTS
Will is a passionate young engineer, family man and disciple of Jesus Christ. He was born and raised in Pretoria, matriculated at Hoërskool Waterkloof and studied Civil Engineering at Stellenbosch University. He has a very positive outlook on life, the environment and the future of the country. He loves to play golf or exercise in his free time and travels as often as possible.
TALMAR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Talmar specialises in the allocation of impact-focused investment and funding, and the management of impact projects across Africa. They are experts in matching investment and funding, seeking robust financial as well as significant and measurable social and ecological returns, with high-potential greenfield projects across the continent. Their innovative, hands-on and truly human oriented approach to project design and development, ensures a diverse and vibrant impact project pipeline. This is the culmination of years of implementing investable and impactful integrated socio-economic development projects in African markets on behalf of private philanthropy, corporate clients, government and international development finance institutions.
LEON TALJAARD
2018 FELLOW
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | TALMAR
Leon is a development entrepreneur, with a passion for human-oriented commercial development that creates economic platforms where people and nature can flourish. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Talmar (Pty) Ltd, which he formed in 2011 as an expression of his vision to facilitate global socio-economic regeneration through economic development. Through Talmar, Leon has served various international clients and investors characterised by highly complex business development and stakeholder engagement processes.
THE THEKVEST GROUP
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
The Thekvest Group was founded in 2016 as a social impact driven business consultancy and investment group. They operate and compete in mining- and other strategic sectors of the economy to maximise client productivity and revenue while fostering local economic inclusion with sustainable solutions.
CHAMP THEKISO
2021 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | THE THEKVEST GROUP
Words that describe Champ Thekiso include: paradigm-shifter, leader, strategist, experienced director, entrepreneur, investor, and chartered accountant. He worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Entrepreneurial Advisory Division (EAD), which focused on auditing SMMEs. After PwC, he has been growing SMMEs through The Thekvest Group, a business development expertise. He has a wealth of experience in growing dormant companies to high performing socio-economic ventures. Over and above his technical and financial knowledge, Champ has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, local procurement, economic transformation and social performance within the resources sector. He has been an advisor on several Employee Share Schemes, BEE transactions and BEE advisories for JSE listed and unlisted companies. He serviced clients such as Impala Platinum, Anglo Platinum, Shanduka Resources, Sephaku Cement, John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust, SIOC-CDT, and Modikwa Platinum, to name the few in the socio-economic transformation capacity.
LERATO THEKISO
2021 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR | THE THEKVEST GROUP
Lerato is an admitted attorney and avid entrepreneur. Together with her husband, Champ Thekiso, they founded The Thekvest Group, which focuses on economic inclusion through advisory solutions. They see themselves as bridge-builders. For the past ten years, they have led the Unleashed Leadership Development Foundation, a non-profit that exists to unleash the potential of Africa’s people. Lerato is an experienced non-executive director and serves as chairperson in two trusts that address South Africa’s socio-economic challenges. Lerato is a proud alumni of the prestigious Fortune: Most Powerful Women flagship partnership with Vital Voices and the U.S State Department. She is passionate about using her influence to make a meaningful difference in the world.
TIELEO PROPERTY FUND
SOMERSET WEST, SOUTH AFRICA
Tieleo (from the Greek word teleo) means done, settled or paid in full. The realisation that the price for our freedom has been paid in full has led founder Gawie Venter to start Tieleo Property Fund to restore and return that which has been broken to its former and better glory in the property sector. By turning around entire areas that have fallen into disrepair, they are a major catalyst for both temporary and permanent new jobs. They try to always buy low, create extra value, “force appreciation” of these assets and keep them for the long term.
GAWIE VENTER
2020 FELLOW
FOUNDER | TIELEO PROPERTY FUND
Gawie has been a dealmaker in business and property deals since 2002 and has a knack for identifying and turning around distressed properties. He focuses primarily on commercial properties that are struggling and creates value by filling up spaces that previous landlords could not. By buying these properties at low prices when they are not performing well, he has been able to turn around properties ranging from a small apartment to a 10,000m2 shopping centre over the past two decades. He has a degree in Accounting from Stellenbosch University.
PHILIP LA GRANGE
2020 FELLOW
SENIOR ADVISOR & DEALMAKER | TIELEO PROPERTY FUND
Philip is driven by a passion for business and technology, which is in turn matched by his vision to empower people to reach their potential. He holds a master’s degree in engineering and an MBA from Stellenbosch University. He initiated ventures in the service industry and in healthcare and served as director and chairman for a public company during the time that it prepared for a public listing. In 2014 he partnered with Gawie to establish Tieleo Property Fund, where they turn underperforming commercial and retail properties around to unlock value and to uplift the community.
UDOK
PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA
Udok is a digital platform that brings healthcare providers together in one single network. We enable on-demand healthcare, free from bureaucracy, inflated prices and complexity. Their vision is to provide access to patients no matter where they are located through a mobile device. Patients can access hundreds of primary care providers through a mobile app, from nurses to doctors to pharmacists. Udok is aiming to become the largest primary healthcare network in Africa through building private partnerships. Udok started with this mission in 2017 and has built a team of 10 employees, delivering care to 140 sites and growing partnerships with two of the largest retail groups in Africa. We have facilitated 15 000 GP consultations and 400 Covid-19 tests so far.
PIET VAN NIEKERK
2020 FELLOW
FOUNDER | UDOK
Petrus (Piet) is a digital entrepreneur and qualified medical doctor. He is an adventurist and enjoys sports like kite surfing and mountain biking. He founded Udok Smart Clinics in 2018 that digitised the retail pharmacy clinic environment. The business was then transformed into a digital platform that connects patients to a trusted primary healthcare network. Petrus love spending time with his wife and three daughters.
U-TURN
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
U-turn is a Christian non-profit organisation that equips people with skills and work opportunities to overcome homelessness. U-turn works with unemployed, dependent and addicted individuals and walks a journey with them to lasting employment, independence and sobriety. Six months after graduating from the programme, more than 80% of participants remain employed and sober. The programme is designed by Occupational Therapists and includes initial assistance, substance abuse rehabilitation, skills training and work experience in one of U-turn’s social enterprises.
JON HOPKINS
2020 FELLOW
COO | U-TURN
Jon loves using data to look at how systems and processes can be improved, whether it is improving client flow within a health facility, or effectively rehabilitating people facing homelessness. After graduating from Oxford University, Jon worked for a church, spent time as a primary school teacher in Tanzania and completed a Masters Degree in Development. Then, he spent nine years working in the field of public health for an international non-profit and the UN, including a stint in eSwatini. Jon moved to South Africa with his family in 2016 to join U-Turn, and, as COO, overseas all U-Turn’s client facing work, the retail business, and turning U-Turn’s replication dreams into reality.
SAM VOS
2020 FELLOW
FOUNDER & CEO | LUCEO SOLUTIONS
Sam Vos is the founder of Luceo Solutions, a consultancy to help organisations systematise how they create value. He is passionate about doing business in developmental ways that ensure inclusive growth. Upon graduating with a degree in Industrial Engineering from Stellenbosch University, he moved to London and spent six years working as a project manager at Schroders Asset Management. At the end of 2004, Sam returned to South Africa with his wife and young family. In 2005 he joined U-turn Homeless Ministry. He built the organisation up from a soup kitchen with four staff to a multi-site, multi-business, industry-leading institution with more than 80 staff members. During his 15 years at U-turn, Sam founded a retail division in U-turn as a social enterprise that provides training and work opportunities and maintained an annual growth rate of 27% per annum. The retail division has continued to grow and flourish, now comprising multiple sorting facilities, over ten stores and a reputation as one of the best charity retail operations in Cape Town. Sam formally handed the organisation over in Apr 2021.
Sam is married to Jane, and together they have two boys.
VALCARE
PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA
Valcare is a social funding platform that optimises the impact of donations to multiple stakeholders, ultimately enabling social change in communities. In 1999 a group of passionate leaders from the Cape Winelands was stirred to take action against the area’s overwhelming needs. Their shared solution-driven vision resulted in the establishment of a central platform from where donations are distributed responsibly. Valcare officially opened its office in April 2003 and has evolved into a thriving Impact Funding Platform with a national footprint, governed and empowered by some of South Africa’s foremost business leaders.
IVAN SWARTZ
2021 FELLOW
CEO | VALCARE
“Fighting and building” is part of Ivan’s DNA and a role he has been in for as long as he can remember, serving his community on various levels. He has a degree in Communications, an Honors Degree in Industrial Psychology and an MBA. In 2014 he founded Labit, a small business incubator focused on developing entrepreneurs in rural communities. In 2017 he joined Valcare as CEO, establishing it as a social impact investment platform. He enjoys long-distance running and endurance races. Having convinced his wife, Lecia, to marry him eight years ago remains his personal, most impressive achievement.
VOLLAR
STELLENBOSCH, SOUTH AFRICA
Vollar is an award-winning social enterprise that makes it possible for volunteers to earn reward points, called Vollars, which they can spend at local small businesses.
Vollar offers cities a unique and holistic approach to social development and impact investment that empowers communities and invests in the local economy through small businesses.
KYLE UECKERMANN
2020 FELLOW
FOUNDER | VOLLAR
Kyle found a passion for computer animation at 13 years old and shortly after finishing high school was hired by the top visual effects house in South Africa. Just over a year later, Kyle’s faith was reborn, and he couldn’t put aside the desire to make a real difference in the world. Leaving a promising career behind Kyle went into mission work where he saw the need for technology to connect those needing help to those offering it. He taught himself to program and went on to co-found volunteering platform, VOMO, in the US before moving back to South Africa to start Vollar.
WILSON’S JUICE CO.
IJU-OTTA, NIGERIA
Wilson’s Juice Co. is a renowned Nigerian not-from-concentrate lemonade brand. They apply simple technologies to process and neatly package indigenous produce.
The brand is energetic and creative, with a big emphasis on building communities that inspire positive change and hope for a better Africa. Wilson’s Juice Co. exists to make healthy living more fun, accessible and absolutely delicious. Their vision is to be Africa’s most prominent natural beverage company by December 31, 2027.
Seyi Abolaji
2022 FELLOW
CO-FOUNDER & CEO | WILSON’S JUISCE CO.
Seyi Oluwaseyi Abolaji was born in Nigeria and spent his elementary through to university years in the USA. He graduated from Stanford University, and after spending a couple of years as a professional football player, he returned to Nigeria. Seyi co-founded Wilson’s Juice Co. with his brother, Seun. Their initial $10 investment birthed Nigeria’s first federally-approved not-from-concentrate lemonade brand. Currently, Wilson’s Juice Co. is one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing beverage companies. Seyi sees Wilson’s Juice Co. as a platform to train the next generation of leaders to be mission-driven, profit conscious, disciplined, and operate with integrity.
ZEAL HR
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Zeal HR is a specialist recruitment and HR consulting company specialising in engineering, IT and finance career placements. They have a particular soft spot for Small to Medium Enterprises, as well as NGO’s. They value authentic relationships and partner with clients to grow together by finding the best match for their clients’ current and future needs by understanding where they have come from and where they are heading. These are strategic partnership relationships rather than transactional relationships, and they believe this is where they uniquely add value for their clients.
CALLISTA GREEFF
2022 FELLOW
FOUNDER & Solutions Director | ZEAL HR
Callista Greeff is the founder of Zeal HR, award-winning recruitment and HR solutions provider company. She completed a B.Com Human Resource Management degree through the University of Pretoria before completing an Honours degree in Strategic Management through UNISA. Callista is passionate about providing service in a relational manner and enjoys finding innovative solutions to problems while embracing technology. She has realised that redemptive entrepreneurship is her calling, and she is excited to follow where He leads.
CATHY VAN DER MERWE
2022 FELLOW
Solutions Specialist | ZEAL HR
Cathy van der Merwe is the Solutions Specialist at Zeal HR. With her two Honours’ degrees (one in HR Management and the other in Corporate Communication), she followed a career in HR. She enjoys puzzles and views recruitment as an opportunity to make great puzzle pieces come together to create a beautiful picture. Cathy is thankful to have spent the last decade embracing her passion for recruitment and headhunting to help build and foster lasting relationships. She loves the heart and zeal that the team members at Zeal HR all share, and views it as a purpose-driven agency.