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From entrepreneurship to sport, we present 40 remarkable men under the age oF 40 all making their mark in their respective Fields
One of my favourite lines is from Aviator, in which Leonardo DiCaprio plays American aviation tycoon Howard Hughes. When he and his team are confronted with technical problems in the aircraft they’re building, he says: says:“Don’t “Don’t tell me I can’t do it! Don’t tell me it can’t be done!”It’s that kind of willpower and vision which distinguishes the men we’re celebrating in the 2013 Power of 40 report, in association with Bisquit Cognac. The men featured here have achieved success in their fields, yet they all believe they’re far from realising their goals. Let’s celebrate extraordinary men!
Most men would like to be acknowledged – on the Forbes Rich List, as one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World list and, of course, in DESTINY MAN’S Power of 40 report! This year we started off with over 90 guys. These were whittled down to 40 men who epitomise what it means to have a dream, the perseverance and strategic thinking to pursue it, and the passion to make a difference. Interact with us on Twitter by using the hashtag #Powerof40. Hope you enjoy reading this as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
Mzo Witbooi – Project Editor
Not for sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.
Thabiso Thantsha – Project Manager
Contributors: Nazley Omar, Thabiso Thantsha, Setjhaba Maphalla, Mzo Witbooi, Gillian Klawansky, Kojo Baffoe, Richard Goller, Atlehang Ramathesele, Mbali Zondi
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RYAN SANDES, SIYA KOLISI, CAIRO HOWARTH, LEEROY NEWTON, GREGORY MUTAMBE, MZO JOJWANA, KHETHI NGWENYA, KEITH BETE, SISEKELO DAVID NKWANYANA, MARK BARRETT,TGIL he OVED, RAN NEUNER, GREG SCHNEIDER, ALEX FOURIE, COLIN THORNTON, MARK TINKA, EVAN ROBINSON, MARC SEVITZ, VUYANE MHLOMI, MOKHOTJWA SIMON DHLAMINI, DYLAN JONSSON, ASHLEY UYS, WANDILE MABANGA, SENYANE RANGAKA, MZAMO BUTHELEZI, NKATEKO MABASO, ARTHUR ATTWELL, CLEO DROOMER, MOKENA 2013 MAKEKA, SIZWE MPOFUWALSH, YUSUF RANDERAREES, MMUSI MAIMANE, MAYIHLOME TSHWETE, ANTHONY BILA, FANA TSHABALALA, OLIHILE SEBOLAI, ROLIE NIKIWE, JASON RAY, LUKE DAVID PEDERSEN, SAINTFRANCIS TOHLANG
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Cleo Droomer (24)
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FASHION DESIGNER
Few fashion designers could land their first job for a small clothing line in their second year of studies, let alone showcase a 20-piece collection at sa Fashion week by the age of 20 – yet Droomer did just that. Fashion, he says, is in his blood.“my grandmother was an exceptional dressmaker and i think that subconsciously influenced me.” His passion for beautiful clothing and his innate creativity made a career in the industry a natural choice. after winning the Elle new talent awards in 2010, he became Gavin Rajah’s head designer and collaborated with mr Price in 2011 to create a limited-edition range under the label“Project by cleo Droomer”. He’s also headed up Jenni Button’s couture division. Droomer makes bespoke garments and creates entire wardrobes for private clients, which involves consultations with them, sourcing fabrics and doing fittings. He’s also involved in a few projects abroad aimed at showcasing emerging south african designers. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in design and is in the process of opening a new studio and developing a readyto-wear line that will retail in sa. – AR BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Live authentically and simply.” TWITTER: @cleodroomer
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Saint-Francis Tohlang (25) TREND ANALYST, YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ADVOCATE AND CONSULTANT: DELOITTE tohlang holds both an Honours degree (from Rhodes University) and a master’s degree (from the University of Cape town) in social sciences. He writes trend analysis features for national and global business publications such as popular interactive site www.bizcommunity.com, Finweek and international online news publication www.allafrica.com He says his biggest challenge is asserting himself in the workspace as a young person.“i try to do a lot of research to stay abreast of global and international trends, which allows me to constantly bring new insights to the table.” He was selected as a Global shaper for the World economic Forum this year, an accolade awarded for his work in youth empowerment, as well as his other achievements. “Basically, my job is to make sense of market trends and translate them into digestible chunks of information. i love observing the way change and innovation affect patterns of behaviour and consumer culture, as this also hints at opportunities that are available,” he says. – MZ BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “take full advantage of your youth and don’t let your circumstances define your worth.” TWITTER: @saintFrancist
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may JuNe 2013 • WWW.Destinyman.Com • 00 not for sale to Persons Under the age of 18.
Evan Robinson (30) and Marc Sevitz (29)
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Evan Robinson (left) and Marc Sevitz
FOUNDERS: TAXTIM
while Robinson, who holds a master’s degree in biotechnology and biochemistry, honed his skills in computer programming from the age of 11, sevitz submerged himself in the financial world and is a qualified chartered accountant with a B com degree, plus two post-graduate diplomas in accounting and tax law. Robinson started his first business, a web design company, in Grade 11.“at university i started and sold two online businesses based on sms technology and tried other online projects,” he says. sevitz always loved handling revenue issues.“i worked in the corporate tax department of KPmG in Jo’burg and also spent two years as an international tax planning consultant in cyprus,” he says. the idea for taxtim was born when Robinson approached sevitz for assistance with his tax returns. “marc’s help was so valuable that i wanted to create a digital version of him, so that everyone could do their own tax returns quickly, easily and with confidence!”he says. they have since assisted thousands of taxpayers as a “complementary sevice to sars efiling”. taxtim is now available in isiZulu and isiXhosa and the duo are working on mobile. they have also launched student assist, an educational tool for tertiary tax students. – KB BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLES: Robinson: “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – margaret mead (1901-1971), american cultural anthropologist Sevitz:“Do not let life be a part of grief. Rather let grief be a part of life.” WEBSITE: www.taxtim.com TWITTER: @taxtim LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/pub/evan-robinson/5b/ a39/b65
Siya Kolisi (22) RUGBY-PLAYER: SPRINGBOKS AND DHL STORMERS when Kolisi walked up to the stage, amid boisterous cheers, to accept his accolade as newcomer of the year at the sa sport awards at Johannesburg’s sandton convention centre last november, he couldn’t have anticipated how much his life was about to change. “with hard work, everything’s possible,” he says. He received his first springbok call-up seven months later, for the game against scotland on 15
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June, a day before his 22nd birthday. Having come onto the field early as a substitute, he walked off it as man of the match, with the Boks jubilant about their 30-17 victory. He’s since become a pivotal player both for them and for the DHL stormers, for whom he debuted last year. a product of Grey Boys’High school in Port elizabeth, Kolisi had to overcome personal tragedies, including the death of his beloved grandmother – who was raising him – when he was nine, to get where
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he is today. During a childhood of poverty and crime in the township of Zwide, rugby became his solace. He’s currently touring with the springboks, as well as playing for the stormers in the super Rugby tournament, which proves precisely what he professes: with hard work, everything’s indeed possible. – SM BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.” (Words tattooed on his chest) TWITTER: @kolisi1
Denis Lahouratate BISQUIT COGNAC CELLAR MASTER Denis Lahouratate, Cellar Master of the House of Bisquit Cognac, has made distilling this distinctive, superior cognac his life’s passion. Every part of the cognac making process, from grape growing in the distinctive soil of the Jarnac district to the masterful blending through inherited local expertise, and its unusually long distillation, takes place in the heart of the Cognac region.
TBWA\HUNT\LASCARIS 314239\2\R
Bisquit cognac is distilled 15% longer than any other. Bisquit Cognac is the only cognac house in the world to have won medals five years consecutively for each key variant at the respected International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).
Bisquit it C Cognac iin A Association i ti with ith P Power of 40
Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.
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Luke David Pedersen (30) FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR: PEDERSEN + LENNARD biggest challenge. “all i can do is try to structure my day with different elements such as desk work and meetings. changing my work space helps me stay productive.” He hopes to raise the awareness and appreciation of south africans for good design and what it can achieve in society. – MZ BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Work hard and be nice to people.” TWITTER: @PedersenLennard
commissions. the company creates contemporary work and home spaces and has designed for cape town retail stores in Good company and skinny laminx. it’s also launched an online store for its furniture. “Working at Pedersen + Lennard and building a respected brand, first locally and now with a growing international audience, has been a great achievement for me,” says Pedersen. He admits that time management is his
simple lines, functional design and a timeless aesthetic are the driving forces behind cape town-based Pedersen’s designs. He studied industrial design at cape technikon and did a master’s in interaction design at malmo University in sweden. Pedersen + Lennard is a design company renowned for its residential and commercial products, including lighting, furniture, storage and special
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Sisekelo David Nkwanyana (32) CEO: NDONDO BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE When nkwanyana was first introduced to it as a Grade 10 schoolboy, he knew immediately that he’d pursue a career in it. However, he little dreamed that he’d eventually co-own an it company. He co-founded ndondo with nhlanhla mgoza in 2006 as a “bespoke it business solutions development company” before it evolved
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to primarily focusing on data management and governance, data business intelligence, big data analytics and data forecasting. today it has clients in singapore, namibia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho, and boasts a large presence in the private blue-chip and government-parastatal market in sa. it’s also forged partnerships with leaders in the it industry such as saP,
Mark Tinka (33)
HEAD OF ENGINEERING: SEACOM originally from Uganda, tinka studied business administration and started his working career as a six-month contractee at the Ugandan civil aviation authority in 1999. after that he was a salesman for a small start-up isP, sanyutel, eventually being promoted to systems & network administrator, network engineer for africa online Uganda and technical manager first for africa online swaziland (20032005) and then africa online Zimbabwe (2005-2007). He was later chief network
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architect for Global transit communications/time dotcom Berhad in malaysia, before joining seacom in 2012. His responsibilities include the planning, design, implementation, operation and expansion of the infrastructure that handles all the organisation’s internet services’customers and provides connectivity. Besides his two sons, the biggest sources of his inspiration are sharing his knowledge and being part of providing africa with internet access that
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is faster, cheaper and more reliable. “i wake up each morning wanting to ensure that people stop thinking about the internet as a technology for work, but as a way of connecting with their loved ones. it should be something that enhances their day-to-day lives in a subconscious, almost invisible way,” he says. – KB BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Be patient and stay the course.” LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/ pub/mark-tinka/5/305/5b0,
sas and Dimension Data. Despite having made significant business inroads, nkwanyana says they still have a long a way to go. “i aim to get ndondo listed on the Johannesburg stock exchange in seven to 10 year’ time,” he says. – MW BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” WEBSITE: www.ndondo.com
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Yusuf Randera-Rees (30) CEO AND COFOUNDER: THE AWETHU PROJECT
Growing up in a mixed-race family in a country“obsessed”with race, RanderaRees was determined to give people an equal chance at success. after completing an Honours degree in economics at the Usa’s Harvard University and two master’s degrees at oxford University in the UK, he returned to Johannesburg to launch a business model he’d co-developed during his studies. awethu is a business incubator which partners with under-resourced entrepreneurs and provides them with funding and coaching.“in terms of new businesses, the shortage isn’t of ideas, but of people who can make them happen,” says RanderaRees. From humble beginnings, he and his two business partners now have offices in constitution Hill, Johannesburg and financial support from the likes of Discovery and the government’s Jobs Fund. “since June 2012 our team’s gone from two to 50 employees, while the number of entrepreneurs in our incubator has gone from three to over 150,” he says.“our target is to create 1 000 new jobs by the end of 2014. if we succeed, we’ll have created one of the lowest-cost and most scalable job creation programmes in the country.” – GK BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “strive to make a positive social and financial impact.” TWITTER: @awethuyusuf
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Vuyane Mhlomi (25)
FOUNDER AND MD: MENTAL HEALTH (MH) FOUNDATION as a medical doctor at Johannesburg’s chris HaniBaragwanath Hospital, an accomplished actor, model and founder of the mH Foundation, mhlomi’s trail is definitely blazing. He attributes his achievements to fortitude, perseverance and faith. “i’ve realised that if i dedicate myself to a goal, put all my time and energies into it and, ultimately, surrender it to God, things work out just as they should,” he says. He’s currently completing a thesis exploring a better method to measure blood pressure and detect hypertension and aims to become a professor of cardiology by the age of 35.
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away from work, he’s something of a thespian, having appeared in e.tv’s Madam and Eve and a few foreign films, and is currently assistant director of a short film soon to go into production. through the mH Foundation, he endeavours to motivate disadvantaged learners and equip them with the tools to achieve their ambitions.“through mentorship, tuition, a book club and extracurricular activities, i aim to impact as many lives as i can,” he says. – NO BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE:“i’m a human being, so nothing human can be alien to me.” TWITTER: @Vuyane
may JuNe 2013 • www.Destinyman.com • 00 not for sale to Persons Under the age of 18.
Lee-Roy Newton (34)
Gregory Mutambe (29)
FOUNDING DIRECTOR: NEWTON SPORT AGENCY
HEAD SOMMELIER: THE TWELVE APOSTLES HOTEL, CAPE TOWN
newton is famously remembered for his gold medal at the 2001 iaaF World Championships held in edmonton, Canada, where he was part of the 4 x 100m relay team. However, it was after founding the newton sport agency in 2011 that he truly excelled. through his agency, he manages some of the biggest south african Olympians, including long jump silver medallist Khotso mokoena and canoeing bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley.“my job is to represent athletes and their commercial interests,” he explains. the reason top athletes seek his services, he believes, is that he’s aware of how brief their careers are.“athletes need to understand that what the media creates for them is a fantasy. i make them plan for the short lifespan of fame.” He believes corporate sa still hasn’t wholeheartedly bought into athletes as brands.“sport is our Hollywood – but it’s tough for athletes who aren’t mainstream players in team sports like soccer and rugby,” he says. as one of only four iaaF-accredited agents in africa, newton wants to ensure that african athletes are taken care of on their own continent.“ninety percent of african athletes are managed by europeans or americans,” he says. – SM BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “set realistic goals and be willing to work towards them.” TWITTER: @neWtOnaGenCy
Born in Zimbabwe, mutambe almost became an accountant.“there comes a time in everyone’s life when you have to do what makes you happy,” he says. that point in his own life came when he was offered a job as a Cellar Hand at the mukuyu Winery in Zimbabwe’s mashonaland east region. He arrived in sa in 2006 and graduated with a diploma from the Cape Wine academy. in 2010 he moved to Cape town, where he worked for the Vineyard Hotel in newlands before joining the twelve apostles the following year.“When i started out in the wine industry, there were fewer than five black sommeliers in the whole country. that profession simply wasn’t part of traditional black community culture at the time. there were also a lot of misconceptions about it,” he says. “today i’m facing a different challenge. there are more than 1 200 wine producers in sa – too much choice!”mutambe wants to start producing his own vintages that represent his wine philosophy. – SM WEBSITE: www.12apostleshotel.com BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Life is like riding a bicycle. if you stop moving, you fall, but if you pedal and accelerate, you reach your destination.” TWITTER: @12_apostles/@mutambe
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Mark Barrett (36)
Mzamo Buthelezi (36)
FOUNDER OF MASTER BAR ACADEMY MBA
DEPUTY PRESIDENT: INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY IFP
“During my first trip to Lagos, nigeria, i asked a bartender for a smirnoff and Coke with ice. He gave me a bottle of smirnoff ice (spin), a can of Coke and a separate wine glass with a single ice cube in it. it was then that my former boss and i decided we should set up a bar school,” Barrett recalls. six years down the line, mBa – sponsored by smirnoff – has trained more than 8 700 bartenders around the continent, including sa, nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, tanzania, Uganda, ethiopia, Zimbabwe, mozambique, namibia, Kenya and seychelles. the course lasts for three months and comprises three modules. the programme’s available in three languages and is supervised by more than 12 multilingual african trainers. Barrett says he’d like to take mBa global, “but for now, i’m still loving what i do and i enjoy being in africa”. – MW BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “even if you fail at something, you’ll have learnt a valuable lesson from the experience.” YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/ masterBaracademy
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For a leader of one of sa’s main political parties, Buthelezi has a relatively low profile – but that’s just the way he likes it.“my work will make me more and more visible. it’s not something i have to pursue. my job isn’t to grandstand; it’s to listen to people, take up their issues and serve,” he says. Officially appointed to his position at the end of last year, Buthelezi’s priority is ensuring that the iFP makes a comeback in its former heartland, KwaZulu-natal, and nationally after years of decline in its political fortunes. He’s being groomed to succeed Dr mangosuthu Buthelezi, who’s led the party for some 28 years (and to whom he’s not related, though they come from the same clan). Undaunted by this prospect, Buthelezi says:“my leader himself is training me. and our Leadership institute has been valuable in shaping my vision.” His greatest achievement so far?“managing to recruit strategic people from both the anC and the national Freedom Party.” – RG BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE:“if peace can’t come without compromising truth, let there be no peace.” TWITTER: @emButhelezi
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Dylan Jonsson (28) OWNER OF A THYME TO DINE
Jonsson’s natural entrepreneurial spirit was evident at an early age, when he planned and hosted private dinners for his mother’s friends while still in high school. Dynamic and driven, he later racked up a wealth of experience at the michelangelo Hotel in sandton, Johannesburg and then at a boutique hotel in scotland. in 2004 he launched his own business specialising in handmade chocolates and wedding cakes. “when you’re passionate about something, it isn’t work. i truly love what i do,” he says. in 2012, he joined the Branson centre of entrepreneurship. a thyme to Dine has since evolved its offering to chocolate-based products for retailers and catering services for corporate and private clients. Jonsson plans to export his products and start a micro-brewery producing beer that contains chocolate. “an integral part of my five-year plan is to open a self-sustainable boutique hotel with a school that will teach chefs how to take food from the seed to the plate,” he says. – NO BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “if you do something you love, you’ll always make it work.” WEBSITE: www.athymetodine.co.za/ profile
Mayihlome Tshwete (30) SPOKESPERSON FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISES MINISTER MALUSI GIGABA AND HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
16 asked what attracted him to his role in government, tshwete replies:“the chance to serve. when i’m a wrinkled old man being kicked in the shin by my grandson, i’d like to be able to point out what i contributed.” tshwete’s roles are critical in getting the government message out there, a task made all the more challenging by“the shunning of great work being done”. Given the nature of his positions, it comes as no surprise that he was once a sales executive in the private sector and he commands considerable respect for his communication skills. these extend to a volume of poetry he authored at the age of 19, Road From Now.“i wrote some poems as a tribute to my father [the late steve tshwete, former minister of safety and security]. i was younger and naïve. if i write again, it will be when i’m about 80, so that i can compare the hopes of youth and the regrets of maturity,” he says. – RG BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE:“Life is a storm. you will bask in the sunlight one moment and be shattered on the rocks the next. what makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.” – alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo TWITTER: @mtshwete
May June 2013 • www.Destinyman.com • 00 not for sale to Persons Under the age of 18.
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Ryan Sandes (31)
Arthur Attwell (37)
Senyane Rangaka (30)
PROFESSIONAL TRAIL-RUNNER
FOUNDER AND CEO: PAPERIGHT
BRAND MANAGER: M’HUDI WINES
the running bug first bit sandes when he took part in a marathon back in 2006.“there was no turning back,” he recalls.“i love the freedom i feel running on the mountains. it allows me to switch off from reality and relax.” today he’s the first runner in the world to have won all four desert races: through the atacama Desert in chile, the Gobi Desert in china, the sahara Desert in north africa and the antarctic Desert. each is a gruelling six- to seven-day, 250km self-supported event. surprisingly, though, he doesn’t rate these achievements as his most memorable ones. He’s far prouder of having won the Leadville 100-miler, which covers the Usa’s famous Rocky mountains, in 2011 – a race he says was very special. a qualified quantity surveyor, sandes worked for a property development company for a year before leaving it to focus on his running career full-time. “it was a hard choice to make, but it’s been a lifechanging experience,” he says. He prepares for races by doing about 15 hours of running a week on average. as for family, he says that besides his fiancée, he has a“four-legged child”– a rescue dog called thandi. – SM. – SM BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “He who dies having had the most experiences in life has lived best.” TWITTER: @ryansandes
“when you need to solve a problem, you don’t wait for someone else to do it. you do it yourself,” says attwell.“that’s entrepreneurship.” while working as a publishing industry technology consultant, he became frustrated by traditional book distribution and realised that ebooks were inaccessible to most south africans. Backed by the shuttleworth Foundation, which provides funding for social innovators, attwell subsequently launched Paperight in 2012. “we turn ordinary copy shops into print-ondemand bookstores,” explains attwell.“copy shops registered with Paperight offer a choice of over 1 700 books, which it prints for you on the spot. the copy shop pays Paperight a licence fee (which goes to the publisher) and makes its money off the printing.” attwell’s co-founder and Director of electric Book works, an incubator for innovative publishing models, and Bettercare, which creates healthcare courses for nurses.“Paperight is the first part of a bigger puzzle. i’ll be focused on building that over the coming years,” he says. – GKe says. – GKBISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “after i complained to my high school Latin teacher about narrowly missing a distinction, she frowned at me and said:‘if you want an a, get an a.’ Best advice i’ve ever received.” TWITTER: @arthurattwell
with a degree in motion picture medium from aFDa, Rangaka was part of the team who produced Ongeriewe, a local movie that achieved top honours at the prestigious cannes Film Festival. However, he’s since hit“pause”on his cinematic career to pursue his calling in the wine industry. “i entered this profession almost by default, as a result of my parents’lifelong dream to own a farm,” he says.“i made the tough decision to put the camera down, step away from the editing suite and learn the specialised skills required for the business.” after travelling to Burgundy, France, where he qualified as a wine sommelier, he joined his family in producing their first vintage in stellenbosch in 2005. it’s now available worldwide. “we discovered that producing wine and building a successful brand is only 5% glamour. the rest is sheer hard work. m’hudi wines is a personal journey for us, as we’re the first black family to own a vineyard and produce wine in this country. “our brand is based on inspiration and aspiration – the unshakeable belief in one’s ability to accomplish the seemingly impossible,” says Rangaka. – NO BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” WEBSITE: www.mhudi.com
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Khethi Ngwenya (22) MD: SCHOOLMEDIA soweto-born ngwenya’s entrepreneurial spirit was awakened early.“my aunt would take me with her to work, where they sold hair products and had faxing and copying services,” he says.“i enjoyed seeing people happy when they got what they wanted and also enjoyed seeing my aunt happy because she was employed.” Having started his first business at the age of 10, ngwenya was appointed ceo of the young entrepreneurs of soweto organisation at the age of 17. two years later, in 2010, he started schoolmedia, a company that connects government and corporates with school-goers to spread positive messages through media display systems. environmental awareness, education, health and sports development are among key issues highlighted. “i felt that the right information wasn’t getting to youngsters and saw a need for a platform where government and the private sector could speak directly to them. Keeping youth informed offers a brighter future for sa,” he says. a percentage of the company profits is allocated to improvement of the schools in which schoolmedia operates. ngwenya’s working towards opening more businesses and expanding the schoolmedia model into other african countries. – GK BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Dream it, believe it and it will become a reality.” TWITTER: @KHetHiRsa and @ schoolmediaZa
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Cairo Howarth (31) DIRECTOR: EXTREME FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP (EFC) AFRICA
Before eFc africa existed, mixed martial arts (mma) events were held in sa, though on a lower scale. however, after eFc africa – a tV production and events company started by howarth and his brothers – hosted the first mma event in november 2009, the discipline flourished.“mma is the fastest-growing sport in the world and it’s very rare for something so new to have such mass appeal,” he says. Born in england, his parents immigrated to sa and settled in Johannesburg when he was two years old. he attended crawford college, but says he“wasn’t the teacher’s pet”. although mma is a full-contact sport, it’s statistically as safe as rugby and safer than boxing, says howarth. Besides, he adds,“the danger that exists is part of the appeal”. he believes it will become the second-most popular sport in africa, after football, within the next five years. closer to home, howarth says:“when my identical baby twin sons are a little older, all disputes between them will be settled by means of a Jiu-Jitsu grappling match, fought in a custom-built minihexagon in our house!”– SM BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “it is not the strongest of the species, nor the most intelligent, that survives. it is the one that is most adaptable to change.” – charles Darwin (1809-1882), english naturalist WEBSITE: www.efcafrica.com TWITTER: @eFcaFrica
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Y in ou vi ’r te e d
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oin us at one of our Power of 40 breakfasts where Mazda and DESTINY celebrate SA’s most exciting, dynamic and inspiring achievers under the age of 40. The previous Mazda Power of 40 event was a huge success, with Basani Maluleke, founder and Executive Director of Ndiza, truly inspiring those who attended. Guests will be hosted by author, DESTINY columnist and inspirational speaker Timothy Maurice Webster and the format of events will be a Q&A session with Maluleke, who was featured in DESTINY’s Power of 40 2012 report. The events offer guests valuable guidelines and insights into achieving their ambitions, as well as a chance to network with others in similar fields, fabulous goodie bags and a truly empowering experience.
yOuR DREAms THE LAST TWO EVENTS OF THE SERIES WILL BE HOSTED AS FOLLOWS: PRETORIA: Date: 31 October 2013 Time: 09am Registration. Venue: The Royal Elephant, Bondev House, Pretoria Timothy CAPE TOWN: Maurice Date: 5 December 2013 Webster Time: 09am Registration. Venue: Fire & Ice Hotel, Cape Town
BOOK YOUR TICKET PRICE: R280 CONTACT: Email: events@ndalomedia.com with “Mazda Power of 40” as the subject line, or call Shaakirah van Rensburg on tel: 011 300 6700
Basani Maluleke
DESTINY MAN EVENT
POWERING
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Alex Fourie (27)
2013
Jason Ray (39)
FOUNDER & CEO: IFIX AND RICHARGE
OWNER: RADAR ADVERTISING
Ray initially aimed for an academic career. However, lured by the promise of“le good life”, he found himself considering entering the advertising industry while a student at oxford University in the UK, where he obtained an Honours degree in English literature. He joined ogilvy as a trainee at the age of 24 and quickly progressed through the ranks, culminating in an appointment as account Director. During this period of intense pitching, he identified an opportunity in the market and at the age of 33, Ray and three partners started a new agency, which he subsequently bought out in 2011. Radar was born. It’s since expanded to a team of 30, with clients that include old mutual, Sea Harvest, 22seven and Stoned cherrie. The agency plans to expand its client base all over africa. Ray says his biggest motivation is the thrill he experiences when closing a deal.“I love growing the agency. There’s nothing more satisfying than reaching a goal we’ve set,” he says. In his spare time, he can be found walking his enormous dog mac – which has also become Radar’s mascot. – TT BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Good things happen to those who move.” WEBSITE: www.radar.co.za
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Greg Schneider (25) FOUNDER & MD: HIRING BOUNTY “I always wanted to get involved in business and entrepreneurship. I also figured that you can hire a good accountant or lawyer, but no-one can sell an idea as well as its founder,” says Schneider. This was what prompted him to complete a business science and marketing degree before starting as an intern at digital agency Quirk. Thereafter he moved to Tim Shier, where he started BrandsEye, an online reputation management company. “I had the opportunity to be involved at ground level in a new space: tracking conversation. This showed me that to find, for example, people who understood social media or development, you needed to get their friends to‘look’for you.” Drawing inspiration from Gumtree, which formalised the second-hand market and Idea Bounty, Schneider started Hiring Bounty, a crowdsourcing platform where people are paid to recommend their friends for jobs. In only a year it has gained local and international traction, having just exhibited at the Web Summit in Ireland, beating more than 200 others from around the world to get there. – KBe BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out. Have a vision, chip away at it and you will eventually get there.” WEBSITE: www.hiringbounty.com TWITTER: @greg_dale, @hiringbounty
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174 • DESTInyman • November December 2013
Born in Bethlehem, Free State and raised in cape Town, Fourie launched his businesses while studying business science at Stellenbosch University. “I was in the afrikaans rock band Foto na Dans and I started Rhythm music, an online music store, in my second year. I believe that when something is broken, you fix it, rather than getting a new one. That led to me starting iFix in 2006.” originally an apple device repair service, it has since expanded nationally to include Samsung devices. Fourie was therefore able to step out of university straight into his own businesses. “I love being able to wake up, do my own thing and provide an awesome experience for others,” he says. Fourie also started Richarge in 2011, manufacturing mobile recharge stations in cape Town and exporting globally to countries like australia, canada, chile and nigeria. His overall mission is“to grow what we are doing to a level where we become one of the big players, while also practising sustainable social growth by helping people with great opportunities to get off the ground”. – KB BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Do something you are truly passionate about, rather than following a trend.” WEBSITE: www.ifix.co.za TWITTER: @alexfourie, @ifixsa
2013
Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh (24) COFOUNDER: INKULUFREEHEID About to begin a Master’s degree in international relations at Oxford University in the UK, Mpofu-Walsh is a man of many talents. Once a soccer player at the Orlando Pirates Academy and a successful rapper with the KORA All Africa Award-winning group Entity, he says he always knew politics would shape his life, as he comes from a family of activists. While studying political science, philosophy and economics up to Honours level at the University of Cape Town, he acted as President of the Students’ Representative Council on campus – a stressful position which gave him first-hand experience of political tensions, diplomacy and factionalism. He also co-founded the InkuluFreeHeid social movement, where he serves as a leader, spokesperson, fundraiser and campaigner who helps mobilise the youth. “Many young South Africans don’t think it’s cool to care about politics. I’m inspired to make them care,” he explains. Mpofu-Walsh has also been a Management Consultant at Global Advisors, a post that exposed him to the dynamics of the private sector. He hopes to use the insights and networks he gains abroad to propel his projects when he comes home.“I’d like to see InkuluFreeHeid inspire young people to take ownership of our democracy and hold our politicians more accountable.” – AR BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Learn. Build. Grow.” WEBSITE: www.inkulufreeheid.org TWITTER: @SizweMW
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Anthony Bila (27) COPYWRITER, PHOTOGRAPHER AND ARTIST
26 Bila’s creative flair was ignited during childhood in the dusty streets of tembisa.“i’ve always had a passion for communications, entertainment and the arts. i’m tasked with bringing words to life for our clients and connecting them to consumers in a way that resonates,” he says. Having been a member of the world’s first youth advertising Board and junior board of directors at HDi youth marketeers, Bila joined nXt/Digital innovation, a digital agency with a background in youth marketing, research and radio production and presenting. His photographs have been published in the Wall Street Journal and New York Magazine, among others. He defines success as having a balanced life.“it’s about excelling in your craft, but never neglecting your family and friends, because when all’s said and done, they’re the ones who’ll be there until the end,” he says. He offers the following advice to young creatives:“Do what you’re passionate about, for the right reasons. if money and fame are your drivers, you’re unlikely to reach your goals. Define your own success and don’t compare yourself with others.” – TT BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Do what you love and love what you do.” TWITTER: @anthonyBila
May June 2013 • www.Destinyman.com • 00 not for sale to Persons Under the age of 18.
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2013
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Fana Tshabalala (26) DANCER
Legendary american choreographer martha Graham once said:“Dance is communication and so the great challenge is to speak clearly, beautifully and with inevitability.” For tshabalala, it all started when he was 10 years old, while watching his father do the isicathamiya (Zulu traditional dance). He’s been“communicating”ever since. “as a choreographer, i do a lot of research and consult other dancers and directors to prepare for upcoming productions,” says tshabalala, the standard Bank young arts award winner for dance this year. Having studied contemporary dance and afrofusion at moving into Dance mophatong, and done a short course in audience development, facilitations and assessment with the academy training Group, he’s now planning to study arts management next year. “my passion for dance drove me into this career. seeing other choreographers like Gregory maqoma, Vincent mantsoe and sylvia magogo Glasser make it big inspired me to perfect my talent,” he says. tshabalala’s also working on a new dance project with a German filmmaker and is aiming to get more sponsors and funders for the initiative. – TT BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “Do everything you undertake to your level best so that you don’t live with regrets.” TWITTER: @fanatshabalala1
Mmusi Maimane (33) CANDIDATE FOR PREMIER OF GAUTENG, NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON, DEPUTY FEDERAL CHAIRPERSON AND LEADER IN THE CITY OF JOHANNESBURG: DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE DA Judging by all his roles in the Da, maimane is a very busy man. and with his recent appointment as its candidate for Premier of Gauteng, he’s about to get even busier. several commentators (even within his own party) believe he’s too young to be an effective Premier of the country’s wealthiest province, but maimane disagrees:“experience is only one element needed in a government. i come with my own skills and set of experiences.” He can also draw on his master’s degree in administration (he holds a second one, too, in theology) when tackling the problems the province faces, particularly unemployment. if the Da wins Gauteng from the anc, this rising political star is passionate about focusing on policies that cut red tape, encourage entrepreneurship and the growth of small businesses and implement a youth wage subsidy. education is another priority for maimane.“a Da government in Gauteng would ensure that there’s a textbook for every child in every subject, every year – no exceptions,” he says. – RG BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: ”the path to a brighter future for our own children and generations to come is through education.” TWITTER: @maimaneam
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May June 2013 • www.Destinyman.com • 00 not for sale to Persons Under the age of 18.
Wandile Mabanga (22) MSc STUDENT AND ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE 2013
Despite humble beginnings and financial setbacks, Mabanga first rose to prominence as one of the top five matriculants in Gauteng, achieving 100% in maths and 93% in physical science. His passion for these subjects led him to pursue a career as a physicist. He’s currently working towards his Master’s dissertation in quantum gravity, a field so
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specialised that there are only two people in the world qualified enough to supervise him. “As a student, my biggest challenge is how to run my life. My priorities are to develop myself, get a good education, observe high moral standards and help others do the same,” he says. As a member of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Club, the Golden Key Society and the Startership Portfolio of the Association of Allan Gray Fellows, he’s able to give back significantly to the community. “I’ve learnt that by working together, we can build better societies, even for future generations,” he says. BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE:“If you’re passionate about something, do it well and wholeheartedly.” LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/Pub/wandilemabanga/20/453/958 – NO
Rolie Nikiwe (37) FILM DIRECTOR “My grandmother and mother used to tell stories. Every story carried a moral and these become my reference points,” says this award-winning director of SABC1’s InterSEXions, e.tv’s Rhythm City, SABC3’s Hard Copy and A Place Called Home. In terms of film, he directed Inside Story and Nothing for Mahala. According to Nikiwe, there’s a saying in the film industry:“The story is king.” Accordingly, he never allows any problem he encounters – from lack of equipment to not getting the desired actor for a role – to affect the core of the story. He entered the industry through unconventional channels.“After matric, I enrolled for an engineering degree, but dropped out after a year because I didn’t enjoy it. I registered with Boston Media House
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to do advertising but again dropped out after a year, this time because of financial difficulties. I worked my way into the movie industry via music videos, short films and script co-ordinating, but I never lost sight of my dream: to become a world-renowned director,” he says. In the future, he aims to focus less on TV series and become a full-time filmmaker. – TT BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE:“Be your soul and become everything you wish to be.” TWITTER: @RolieNikiwe
Mzo Jojwana (31) PROGRAMME MANAGER: TALK RADIO 702 Jojwana’s had a long love affair with radio. His father was an avid radio listener who especially enjoyed talk shows, so he grew up with the medium and knew the power it had.“I always had an interest in current affairs, so radio’s immediacy lured the news junkie in me,” he says. After studying journalism in Cape Town, he got his first radio job in 2004 and produced the Early Breakfast Show on 567 CapeTalk. A year later, he moved to Johannesburg to work at the sister station, Talk Radio 702, where he started producing the Redi Tlhabi Show and then moved on to the Afternoon Drive Show with David O’Sullivan.
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00 • • November December 2013
Jojwana was named Producer of the Year at the 2010 MTN Radio Awards, with his shows winning Best Show accolades from MTN the same year, as well as in 2011 and 2012. “To me, success is doing what you do well, loving it and getting paid for it. I’m still new in my role and my long-term plan is to be part of the growth and success of the station,” he says. He offers the following advice to young people aspiring to enter the media industry:“Be humble and be willing to start at the bottom.” – TT BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “I strive to live every moment to the fullest.” TWITTER: @mzojojwana
2013
Keith Bete (30) COFOUNDER: UBUNTUISM
Having been endorsed by one of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs, sir Richard Branson, Bete’s a force to be reckoned with. through association with Branson, his Ubuntuism clothing brand has gained both wide exposure and valuable collaborations with companies such as Virgin mobile, Virgin Galactic and Virgin Unite. Bete (who calls himself a“creative marketer”) studied graphic design and previously worked in print, advertising and tV before co-founding the company alongside simbarashe simbarashe in 2009. Ubuntuism’s focus is streetwear, such as t-shirts, hoodies and headwear for men, women and children – all labelled with positive messages and striking visuals. Bete explains that the brand’s based on the african philosophy of ubuntu, whose fundamentals are“oneness, love, truth, peace, happiness, higher thinking and greatness”. He believes his mission is to“create a positive revolution among young and old, and put africa on the map for positive and powerful reasons. that’s our great heritage and philosophy – ubuntu.” – MW BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE:“Better than 1 000 words is a single word that gives peace.” FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/keith.bete WEBSITE: http://ubuntuismclothing.com
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Colin Thornton (35) FOUNDER & MD: DIAL A NERD
Despite dropping out of a Bsc in computer science course, thornton turned a simple idea into a 15-year-old home computer support business. “i could not stand university – the only thing i enjoyed was zoology. i dropped out after six months and started Dial a nerd immediately because i needed to pay bills. it was not something i spent a lot of time planning.” the one marketable skill he had was fixing computers but, at the age of just 20, his greatest challenge was getting people to take him seriously, whether it was opening a bank account, getting loans or hiring staff. “i remember my first staff interview. the potential technician looked at the garage out of which i was operating and said something like:‘Do not bother phoning me again.’” in the past two years Dial a nerd has restructured its systems, staff and support model and now provides a vast range of services for business and individuals in a field that has undergone great challenges. with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses, it invests a great deal in training its technicians to deliver fast and efficient service. thornton’s biggest motivators are the people he works with and“the need to win”. – KB BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: ”make decisions quickly and firmly and do not waste time looking backwards.” WEBSITE: www.dialanerd.co.za TWITTER: @dialanerdsa
May June 2013 • www.Destinyman.com • 00 not for sale to Persons Under the age of 18.
37 2013
Mokena Makeka (38)
ARCHITECT AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR: MAKEKA DESIGN LAB
Mokhotjwa Simon Dhlamini (35)
Gil Oved (37) and Ran Neu-Ner (37)
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS: UNISA
JOINT CEOS: THE CREATIVE COUNSEL TCC
with a number of papers published both locally and internationally and numerous awards under his belt, Dhlamini’s a shining light in the sphere of science. Focused on the area of nanoscience and nanophosphors – luminescent materials that emit light under external stimulation – his research explores ways to make solar-celled energy more efficient. it also looks at the possibility of using nanophosphors in the treatment of cancer. overall, it could have far-reaching applications beneficial to solar cells, biological labelling and lighting, as well as display and laser technology.“this technology has the potential to be the primary driver of the 21st century and the new economy,” he says. His success, however, hasn’t been without its challenges, including a lack of funding and research equipment. “sometimes when plans don’t work out as we’d hoped, we get an opportunity to do things we never thought we could,” he says. currently ranked a y2 nRF researcher, co-author of a book on cathodoluminescence properties and a member of the south african young academy of science, Dhlamini hopes to create a think tank that will collectively advance his field of research. – NO BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE:“Knowledge is an investment that pays the best interest.” LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/Pub/dhlamini-mokhotjwa/56/264/289
oved and neu-ner started the company some 12 years ago as a purely in-store promotions agency. it’s since grown into a fully-fledged marketing agency with 650 staff members who run over 300 campaigns a year. the essence of the business is still about engaging consumers, but has expanded exponentially to thousands of different touch-points. in doing so, it’s also transcended the bricks-andmortar environment to include digital technology. How do the pair cope as joint ceos?“we push each other to break boundaries and forge new realities for ourselves and the business. we
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186 • Destinyman • noveMber DeceMber 2013
believe in healthy, heated debate – it makes for lively meetings. sometimes out of sparks comes magic,” says oved. the duo are modest about their achievements.“we’re frustrated that we haven’t progressed further than this point yet. we’ve only just started and we’re more excited each day by what lies ahead,” says neu-ner. – MW BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLES: Oved:“there’s a reason why not to do something. the challenge and excitement lie in proving why you should do it.” Neu-Ner:“become addicted to what you do, so that you can’t imagine ever doing anything else.” WEBSITE: www.creativecounsel.co.za
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Ran Neu-Ner (left) and Gil Oved
PHotogRaPHeRs: cHRis saUnDeRs, JUstin PolKey @ inFiDels anD aDam letcH. PHotogRaPHeR’s assistant: JaqUes De JageR. gRooming aRtists: Diana maPHaPHo @ inFiDels, toni gReenbeRg @ inFiDels & KatHRyn maRnewicK. liFestyle PRoDUction manageR: laURen nicoll. liFestyle assistant: bongo mazwana
makeka originally envisaged becoming an astronaut or aeronautical engineer. it was his disappointment at not being accepted into engineering that sparked his interest in architecture.“i only understood what it was about once i enrolled, but i loved it instantly. it addressed both my rational and creative sides,” he says. He worked part-time throughout his undergraduate studies as a design architect and project leader, but started his own practice, makeka Design lab, when his scholarship failed to provide sufficient funds. Drawing on his natural resilience, he also studied for his master’s degree in city planning and urban design as a national Research Foundation scholar, where he serves as chief architect for all its work. makeka won two regional architecture awards before turning 35 and represented africa at the world economic Forum global agenda for Design for two years. nevertheless, he takes none of his success for granted, saying:“i have to work twice as hard as anyone else.” – AR BISQUIT POWER PRINCIPLE: “love with passion and live for justice.” WEBSITE: www.makekadesigns.com TWITTER: @archforce_mm007
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