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APRIL 2020 STARTUPMAGAZINE.CO.KE
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FEATURE
OPINION
How digital receipts can be used to curb coronavirus pandemic
Simple ways to position your business online
MOTORS
How Saving Ksh. 200 weekly made me a land owner
BMW’s efficient cars for a greener future
SwiftAide: How a Kenyan Startup is Creating Job Opportunities
HOW ENTREPRENEUR SET UP A MULTIMILLION REAL ESTATE FIRM FROM LITTLE MONTHLY SAVINGS George Mburu, CEO, MIZIZI AFRICA HOMES April 2020
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April 2020
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Contents
10 How digital receipts can be used to curb coronavirus pandemic
14 SwiftAide: How a Kenyan Startup is Creating Job Opportunities
30 DRC Congo: The dancing bleeding nation
28 BMW’s efficient cars for a greener future
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April 2020
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April
2020
Contents 10
Digital Payments How digital receipts can be used to curb coronavirus pandemic
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16
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Digital Marketing Simple way to position your business online
Investments Coffee Break
How Saving Ksh. 200 weekly made me a land owner
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World Economy Covid-19 has exposed the fragility of our economies
Innovation SwiftAide: How a Kenyan Startup is Creating Job Opportunities
Digital Economy Mastercard champions safe and secure contactless payments amid Covid-19 pandemic
Environment A future in recycling: from street waste collector to entrepreneur
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Cover Story HOW ENTREPRENEUR BET ON HIS CHILHOOD DREAM TO SET UP A MULTI-MILLION REAL ESTATE FIRM George Mburu talks about his immense passion for enrepreneurship and how he started Mizizi Africa homes from little monthly savings.
28. 30. 32. 34.
Motors Travel and Leisure Book Review Song Review
April 2020
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INSIDE
>Innovation
A Sure Bet to Keep Africa Moving Forward
> Koto Housing
Build Your Dream House in Only 21 Days
> Interview; Andrey Yakunin Understanding the hospitality market in Russia
>Travel & Leisure What to Know about the Marine Parks at the Coastal Kenya
The Driving Force To a Successful Family Business Esther Muchemi, CEO and Founder, Samchi Group of Companies
January 2018 I startupmagazine.co.ke
Managing Editor Sylvester Habil Okumu sylvester@startupmagazine.co.ke
Photographer Versatile Photographers
Associate Editor Adisa Hudson Oroni Tendera
Creative Designer Kreative Hub Media
Contributors Njeri Muchunu Guy Ryder Shalini Ghadia Liz Kisyanga
Published By
Business Development Washingtone Terry Nickson Juma Marketing Executive Irene Okoth Operations Simpson Ayodi
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The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information contained in this publication. Important Information for Contributors to StartUp Magazine By submitting content before publication you confirm that: (a) You (and/or other named contributors) are the sole author(s) of the content submitted; (b) The content you submit is orginal and has not previously been published (unless you specifically advise us on the contrary); (c) You haven't previously licensed the use of the content you submit; (d) So far as you are aware, the content submitted will not infringe any third-party rights, be defamatory or in any way illegal.
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Guest Piece
By Shalini Gandhia
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How do we build cooperative teams? Success in leadership comes when there is cooperation in a team. Having team members who work together is one of the biggest achievements of a leader. Looking at the constant changes taking place in the environment particularly in the context of finance, it becomes important to nurture your team so that they are all driven towards the same goals and objectives. With frequent layoffs, it is essential to lead your team that works together to reap maximum benefits.
idea and opinions usually makes them feel valued hence they will strive to help other team members in exchange, therefore nurturing cooperation within the team. It does not stop at listening, implementing the ideas that team members leads to more cooperation as seeing an idea actualized goes a long in employee motivation.
A key way of getting your team aligned is keeping them constantly motivated. Despite the various challenges faced, a motivated team will always be solution focused. A team that feels like their contribution is valued will always strive to work together leading to maximum cooperation. Motivation can be in the form of monetary rewards, recognition, training and development.
Nurturing respect is a key element in attaining cooperation within a team. A team that does not have members that respect each other will never allow them to work together. As a leader, if you respect your members, and teach them to do the same with each other, you will be assured of having a team that is likely to work together.Respect applies to how you address each other on a daily basis, how conflict resolution is handled and how the leader-team relationship is developed with time.
Making your workplace a fun place to be also encourages cooperation within a team. After all, nobody likes spending time in a gloomy office! Fun cantake the form of occasional team get togethers, music to lighten the mood or even simple things like sharing a few jokes here and there. A leader taking the lead here goes a long way in nurturing this culture. Allowing team members to take regular breaks in between work schedules will also keep them more energized and make it fun for them to continue working together.
Instilling the value of having ‘one vision’ is another way that a leader can get maximum cooperation from his team. Avoid instilling a competitiveculture and focus on a unified approach. This way team members will constantly be reminded that they are working towards a common goal which will allow them to cooperate and work together. The ‘one vision’ approachhowever must also communicate what’s in it for an employee on a personal level. Communicate potential rewards both on a personal and team level.
Team building exercises play a crucial part in instilling cooperation as team members learn each other and bond better. This helps in identifying each other’sweaknesses which goes a long way in ensuring that the correct help is offered when required. Team building exercises allow us to get out of the normal work routines and let us interact in a different setting that permits us to get to know each other at a different level.
Potential for employee growth in an organization will also allow them to work together more as they understand that they have a chance of rising within the workplace if they perform better as a team. Rewards can also be tied directly to team work which will further nurture cooperation!
Regular training of the team also motivates staff as they feel like their knowledge is being updated and gives a feeling that the company cares. Training can also be made fun where new concepts are taught in a practical way rather than in the ordinary classroom context. In addition, it can be a two way exercise where team members should also get a chance to make suggestions on potential areas of improvement. After all, they are the ones involved in the day to day task execution. This motivates them towork together as they feel more empowered.
Maintaining a positive attitude at all times also allow teams to work better together. A positive attitude will allow everyone to come together in difficult times and figure out a solution no matter what the situation. This is highly dependent on the team leader as a team’s attitude is highly dependent on that of their leader. Motivation is key in nurturing positivism in a team. The author is a marketing professional with 10 years of work experience across various industries.
Listening to your team solves half of the problems that most leaders face. Team members are humans after all. Listening to their problems,
April 2020
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StartUp Stories
Letters to the editor “Sudan is a very interesting and a difficult nation to create in. Coming here, it was hard to find raw inspiration from the streets.”
Hadeel Osman, 29, SUDAN Creative Director, Stylist, Founder, DAVU Studio Her business DAVU which stands for ‘designing a visual utopia’ is a multi-disciplinary creative studio that fuses design, education, art and sustainability. DAVU Studio offers an array of creative services in the form of art and creative direction, concept development, branding, styling and most importantly, informal education through interactive, immersive and creative workshops.
Through this she has worked on several projects with clients across Asia and Africa to ehance their branding strategies. In Sudan, Hadeel has worked with visual artists and designers, and was commissioned by the Sudan Independent Film Festival to train costume designers, jewelry designers and filmmakers. in April 2020, she was named as one of Africa’s most promising entrepreneur by the Top 30 Under 30 Africa survey by Forbes Africa. Ultimately, she wants to uplift and change the outlook of her country and Africa as a whole through arts and culture.
“Hard times don’t seem to last forever in anything in the world and they do pass ultimately.”
Nijel Amos, 26, BOTSWANA Nijel Amos is known as Botswana’s 800-meter superstar. Having shocked the nation by gaining podium position at the 2012 Summer Olympics at just 18 years old, he also made history by becoming the first Motswana to win a medal at the Olympics. Since then, he has been running swiftly into more victories.
In 2014, he won numerous gold medals: the 800m and 4x400m relay in Marrakech. The following year, he went on to impress at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games where he won a gold medal and later won gold in the 800m at the All Africa Games. In more recent years, he has continued to run the good race for his country, clocking some of his best times in the 2019 IAAF season. Amos has qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is a medal hopeful for Botswana, which still only boasts one Olympic medal. Amos has also founded a foundation called Chase Dream Empire to empower youth, particularly ex-convicts.
“Being in such a male-dominated industry as a music video producer, especially a young black female video producer, felt like being black twice because I had to work twice as hard to prove I was worthy of being in the room, despite my great talents.” duced an award winning film series titled ‘A lesson learnt’ in 2016.
Scilla Owusu, 23, GHANA Scilla is a renowned video director, producer, screenwriter and founder of Youngtrepreneurs. she has worked with and directed many of Africa’s top music hits including artists like Davido, Diamond Platnumz, Sarkodie, Burna Boy and Morgan Heritage among others. She is a graduate of business studies degree from London but felt in love with the arts and creative industry when she wrote and pro-
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April 2020
Her love for the entertainment industry led her to launch her own social youth organization in Ghana called Youngtrepreneurs to help young Ghanaian creatives improve their business knowledge, gain work skills and provide career opportunities. Owusu has been featured by different media outlets including the BBC and Forbes in the Top 30 Under 30 young entrepreneurs in Africa.
Digital economy best to curb corona When Covid-19 started in Wuhan China late December 2019 no one would imagine it would become a global pandemic with adverse health, social and economic implications. When this happened, nations with well established digital economy have been absorbing the shocks caused by the pandemics, from transport, shopping. logistics, e-healthcare, e-leraning to digital payments. They discourage physical contacts and groupings. Jasper Moseti Business man, Nakuru
Turn to God for guidance When faced with any kind of problem, the best way to respond is always to analyze it and see what options you got for a better response. Now that what we are experiencing globally with the pandemic is beyond our control, the time is ripe for the whole world to turn to God for support and guidance. There is nothing that He can’t solve. What is happening is clearly the end-of-times and we should repent for our sins and seek His intervention. Only then, things will be well. Pastor Wangangi Kiambu, Kenya.
Coviv-19 Impact on economy The corona virus pandemic has rock havock across the globe with rising infections and death tolls. It has not spared economies either. Many are on its knees and it is projected that it will affect lives to come if we don’t find a vaccine any time soon. No pandemic has ever scared the world in the 21st century like Corona virus. We just hope we will contain it and get a breakthrough vaccine. No one knows for sure what the future holds. David Kimeu Via email, Nairobi
HAVE YOUR SAY ONLINE The editor welcomes reader’s opinions but deserves the right to edit them for publication. Please email to info@startupmagazine.co.ke More comments are published online about news stories published on startupmagazine.co.ke
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News Kenya COVID-19 Fund gets down to work
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Key benefits Mobile loan scores are available with TransUnion's mobile products on our web service and in batch
Jane Karuku Chairperson The COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund Board On Monday, March 30, 2020, His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, appointed The COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund Board. The principal object of the Fund is to mobilise resources for an emergency response towards containing the spread, effects and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The President commissioned the Board on April 2, 2020.
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The Board has commenced its mandate and, following wide-ranging consultations with relevant stakeholders, the Board has identified its immediate priorities. These are to support the government’s efforts in the supply of medical facilities and equipment and support for vulnerable communities with their immediate needs, including food. The Board will fulfil its mandate with the utmost transparency and good corporate governance. The Board will make public all contributions and expenditure regularly. For accountability, the Board is working with professional services firms PwC Kenya, Deloitte Kenya and EY Kenya who are providing pro-bono assurance services. The Board is fully aware of the challenging economic times that Kenyans are facing arising from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, the Board will reach out primarily to corporate entities, development partners and multinational institutions for their contributions to the Fund. The support and goodwill towards this initiative have so far been very encouraging. Any person who may wish to donate to the Fund can send their contributions to:
Enquire today For more information on this product, email us at ke_corporate@transunion.com April 2020
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E-RECEIPTS
How digital receipts can be used to curb coronavirus pandemic
s
ince COVID-19 outbreak started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, we have seen the world focus on little else.
Coronavirus is putting a strain on governments globally, with deaths arising from the virus infections rising every day as the pandemic spreads to every corner of the world.
Evans Okech, director KIBO CAPITAL GROUP
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April 2020
Economies are adversely affected, with key sector under serious threats of being faced out. There are fears that the virus will leave many desolate and bankrupt, as it brings down a number of economies. As of 1 April, there were 51 confirmed cases in Kenya, with 1 death. With many nations under partial or full lockdown, the government of Kenya has told its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel, rolled out emergency measures, closed schools and universities, cancelled gatherings and told people to embrace cashless transactions and technologies that avoid physical contacts. In the midst of all this, Covid-19 is reminding people that digital economy is better placed to absorb the shocks of any disease that discourages physical contacts and social gatherings. “Although we are faced with a global pandemic that is threatening our existence, I think there is an opportunity to rethink the whole model of how we
11 do business, certainly around technology, how we make payments and issue receipts,” says Jasper Ochieng’, Evans Okech, heads of innovation and strategy at tech firm Kibo Capital Group Limited. The Group runs PaymentGate which generates digital, secure receipts that can be accessed through a click of a link that is sent to the clients phone after making payments to a purchase. E-receipts are now vital for businesses like supermarkets that one requires to see a receipt and keep track of their purchases. Okech notes that such innovations are environmentally friendly and key in fighting the spread of coronavirus where physical contacts has been discouraged. With PaymentGate, when one pays for a service or good, he/she receives a
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message with a link which when clicked, gives an instant branded e-receipt that is tamper proof showing the names, amount of the good/service purchased. Kibo’s other innovation is Tsenda. Tsenda is an automated airtime and electricity token buying innovation. It works by one sending a text message of their number followed by hashkey and amount to a toll-free short code 40512. Airtime can be bought for any network from a Safaricom line; as this innovation relies on MPESA. The above will make sure that human contact is minimised and coronavirus is defeated. Though the solution mostly targets businesses, but for both the seller and buyer, an automated reconciliation happens, in that, one will never lose the records
of his/her transaction just in case they would want to raise an issue or maybe return a purchase. This is done at no extra cost, for the businesses, it is an electronic clerk. The businesses are also guaranteed to save on their stationery costs as the solution removes the necessity for physical printouts. This also means that one doesn’t need boxes and safes and big rooms to keep storing the receipts. The clincher is this, one can advertise on the receipts to the millions of people using this service as the receipts come with advertising space for ones business. All these innovations underscore the need for no physical exchanges and making sure that social distancing is achieved as well all make efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic, he ends.
April 2020
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MICRO-FINANCE
A future in recycling: from street waste collector to entrepreneur
Words Special Correspondent
y
oung people on parts of the African continent sometimes turn to waste management as an ad hoc or extra job to make small money when they are struggling with unemployment, but often opportunities are scarce to learn how to grow in this sector and turn it into real business. Here’s an example from South African Startupmagazine.co.ke April 2020
where supporting an entrepreneur pays off. Tshepo Mazubuko, a young person from a Johannesburg suburb, started his business from scratch to build a recycling company that is today employing 17 people and engaging over 800 waste collectors, most of them women from poor communities. “I learned business in the street. After four years of unemployment, I decided to join waste collectors,” says Mazubu-
ko. “I had to support myself and my family. At the beginning, I was making 200 to 300 rands (13 to 19 US$). It was not enough, but I knew that there was a lot of potential in what I was doing.” Starting was not easy for Mazubuko. “I was proud and happy with my first bag from the waste, but it turned out that it was full of rubbish without value,” Mazubuko confesses with a large smile on his face. “I had to learn how to differentiate between rubbish and waste to make
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collectors. The company received support from Switch Africa Green, a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-European Union project, as well as the Government of South Africa. Switch Africa Green helps medium, small and micro enterprises in South Africa and other countries in the region to achieve sustainable development by assisting the transition towards an inclusive green economy and sustainable consumption patterns and practices.
Tshepo Mazubuko money.” After joining trolley pullers—street waste collectors—he quickly realized that more opportunities abound. Mazubuko quickly saw the potential in waste and decided to start his business by building a small company to recycle plastic. “At the beginning, I proposed to my colleagues who were collecting waste that I could help them with transport. They supported me and that was when I decided to buy a truck,” says Mazubuko proudly. That was Mazubuko’s first step into real business. Mazubuko then went and procured a small area that his stepfather used to own for producing bricks. He proposed the idea to his wife who supported him. Together, they took a loan to buy the plot. There was nothing on it. They bought few machines and started recycling plastic waste and created their company. Today, KI Recycling Company employs 17 staff and engages over 800 waste
“The transition to a green economy requires actions and significant technological, behavioural and systemic change in all levels of the society including citizens, public and private sectors,” says Patrick Mwesigye, UNEP Africa Office Regional Coordinator on Resource Efficiency. “We have seen more radical innovations come from the micro, small and medium enterprises. These enterprises play a key role in the transition to green economies and sustainable development. As UNEP, we support these enterprises in creating business models that are not only economically profitable but also boost environmental and social inclusiveness.” Waste is processed and turned into plastic pellets that the company exports to other neighbouring countries such as Mozambique and Botswana. The plastic pellets are used to produce water pipes and other products such as plastic chairs. “Switch Africa Green helped me to learn how to improve my business and grow. It supported me with networking and connected me to other businesses,” explains Mazubuko. “Switch Africa Green widened my horizon and opened my eyes to the real potential in this sector.” The segregation of waste is time-consuming and costly. After participating in
various trainings that were supported by Switch Africa Green, Mazubuko decided to organize his business to make it more focused. He learned that he had to outsource a number of activities that his company couldn’t handle in an efficient way. He decided to outsource waste collection which ensures the waste collectors get more involved in the business. It also makes them happy. Waste collectors don’t only collect and sell waste but also segregate it to make it easy for processing. By outsourcing these activities, KI Recycling managed to cut on costs and created other parallel businesses for other people from poor communities. As the business grew, Mazubuko had to think out of the box and encourage householders to segregate the waste they generate. The company created incentives, as Mazubuko realized that people engage in waste segregation if they see the value in doing it. KI Recycling partnered with others, such as supermarkets, to create a simple system to buy waste from consumers, an initiative dubbed Packa-Ching. Packa-Ching is a mobile buy-back centre that travels into communities to purchase recyclable materials. Households are paid for materials onto a cell phone (e-wallet) which they can use to purchase airtime, withdraw cash, transfer money or pay at participating shops. Each type of waste is evaluated and bought at a different price. Pointing to a young man training two new young staff on how to use a newly acquired system for purchasing waste, Mazubuko explains. “He is our engineer, training our colleagues here on how to use Packa-Ching system and make sure waste is well segregated and households are paid the right price for their waste.” April 2020
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SwiftAide: How a Kenyan Startup is Creating Job Opportunities
t
Words Sylvester Okumu
he gig economy is taking over the modern-day workforce. Gig workers are prominent in nearly every industry and trade worldwide, and they come with a range of experience and talents. They can be found in finance, health care, Web development, education, marketing, transportation, construction ‌ and the list goes on. With the advent of cloud-based technology, mobile apps and platforms, and smartphones, it has never been easier and more cost-effective to find, hire, and work with gig workers. In a short time, it is possible to find, hire, and on
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April 2020
board a highly qualified professional for your business needs. In the following interview with StartUp Magazine, George Karimi, the founder and CEO of SwiftAide shares how the platform can benefit workers, businesses, and consumers by making work more adaptable to the needs of the moment and demand for flexible lifestyles. Share a brief history of SwiftAide and its mandate? SwiftAide is a Kenyan mobile marketplace that enables users to outsource everyday tasks while helping people find great local businesses and profes-
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sionals. One Sunday in May 2017, I found myself in an unsettling situation. My usual cleaning lady did not show up and I was forced to do my laundry on a very cold night since I did not have any clean clothes and I could not get someone else to do it for me. That’s when the idea popped up. What did you set out to achieve? SwiftAide works on a simple principle: busy people will pay someone else to run their errands. We want to make getting skilful aides as easy as hailing a ride via a mobile app. Who do you target and how do you help them achieve their objectives? We target the young professionals who are busy but demand a flexible lifestyle and don’t have time to do house hold or menial chores. We help them outsource such services at the comfort of their space, allowing them to focus on important aspects of their lives such as family and/or work. We also seek to give a platform for the unemployed and skilled people like plumbers, mechanics, electricians, cleaners and gardeners among others. It basically gives them a lifeline to earn a living since the formal job market cannot absorb everyone.
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“
We also seek to give a platform for the unemployed and skilled people like plumbers, mechanics, electricians, cleaners and gardeners among others. It basically gives them a lifeline to earn a living since the formal job market cannot absorb everyone.
”
cess stories. One in particular that really touched me was a manager who was working in Turkana and his Mum who lives in Nairobi was taken ill and rushed to hospital. So, he procured services of an aide who took fruits and flowers to the hospital and actually used the aide’s phone for a video chat with the Mum. It was such a relief for him. The app is free on the Google PlayStore and we do not charge clients and aides so sign up. However, businesses can subscribe at a small fee. We currently have over 300 aides, 300 businesses
and over 1000 clients using the app. Which unique challenges have you faced? Any interventions? There was a huge learning curve from building a product to building a company. When I first started, I was just building the technology and platform. Soon, I needed to understand marketing, financing and operations among others. I have never been to a business class, so I learned everything on the job. Are there prospects we can look forward to? Although we are only on major towns in Kenya, we aim to expand beyond our borders since we are seeing a major improvement in smart phone and internet penetration across the region and with the advent of 5G technology combined with mobile money, doing business would be very cost effective. With many unemployed graduates and unemployed skilled workers, we hope that SwiftAide will become a lifeline for the unemployed workforce in the region.
The platform gives local businesses and professionals visibility on the digital stage. Let’s say you are looking for a Dentist near you, it is as easy as opening the app, analyse a dentist in your locality and procuring their services. SwiftAide gets a commission for every completed job. Clients can pay directly from the app, which has a wallet connected to their mobile money accounts. What can you term as your greatest achievement over time? I loved and I still love hearing stories of people using our app to solve a problem successfully. As soon as we had it up and running, we immediately heard sucApril 2020
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MICRO-FINANCE
How Saving Ksh. 200 weekly made me a land owner
able him to buy a piece of land around Nairobi and its environment because it is very expensive.
Words Username Properties
J
ared Obara is a bodaboda rider who plies his trade around Westlands in Nairobi. Through his hustle, he is able to fend for his family and save atleast Ksh 200 per week in a Chama with his mates. Back in 2017, he saw Username Properties advertising lands but he wasn’t keen on buy land. He could not imagine cumulatively; his weekly savings would enStartupmagazine.co.ke
April 2020
To his surprise, the prices of the advertised land were way beyond his imagination. “The plots were selling for Ksh 349,000, to me this was a too good to be true deal in Nairobi. I mean, who sells land in Ngong for Ksh 300,000? If the advert had mentioned over 1 Million that would be okay because that’s how prices of property around Nairobi sells anyway,” he narrates. He goes on, “The adverts continued
and I decided to test my curiosity, having learnt that the Company had an office in Westlands, I decided to give them an impromptu visit in between my schedules. When I got to the office maybe the front office executive thought I was there to do a delivery because indeed I was on my full protective gear. Little did she know I had come to verify about Ngong plots selling at an affordable price to me.” He booked a site visit and informed his fellow Chama members about the deal. A number of them were hesitant but a bunch agreed a went the site visit to view the plots. They were in a gated, in
17 a great location that one would wish to construct a residential home and settle. They selected their preferred plots and went back to consolidate their savings and they were able to book the plots and completed the six months repayment model. “I also received my title deed at no extra cost. Username Investments has come to the level of a low-income earner and made land ownership possible. This is a dream come true for a boda boda operator,” he shares excitedly, adding that, “Having invested as Chama in real estate, below are few things that I learnt; 1.Make use of your Chama If I decided to invest alone without the help of the Chama, it would not have been achievable. Saving in a Chama has enabled me own property with the savings.
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2. Focus on one achievable goal and do not be over ambitious As an individual, do not combine so many activities that will take your resources and make you unable to achieve at least one. I decided to focus on purchasing land. 3. Do not be distracted by few Chama’s members who won’t cooperate It will not be possible to have all Chama members agree to an idea, however good the idea might be. What you can do it implement an idea that you have tested and majority of the members agree with.
invest with a legit Company so that your investment is secure. You can visit their physical offices and go for site visits so that you view the property you would to invest in. To many Ksh 200 cannot make a home ownership dream a reality but to Jared Obara and his group this amount has made him own a property in Ngong, one of the most potential areas in Nairobi due to proximity to CBD and new infrastructure being built (Dualing of Ngong road, SGR, and the new Tarmac from Ngong – Kimuka to Maimahiu).
4. Contact a genuine Company, you have worked so hard for your money just to lose it anyhow Real estate investment requires you to
April 2020
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COVER STORY
George Mburu CEO MIZIZI HOMES AFRICA
HOW ENTREPRENEUR BET ON HIS CHILDHOOD DREAM TO SET UP A MULTIMILLION REAL ESTATE FIRM
a
Words Sylvester Okumu
Startupmagazine.co.ke
April 2020
fter working as a banker, George Mburu opted to take a new challenge in entrepreneurship to fulfill his childhood dream.
Working as a professional accountant in a leading real estate firm opened him
up to an array of opportunities that he fell in love with. “There were a lot of industry problems, that if addressed, would make home owners happy,” says George Mburu, the founder and CEO of Mizizi Africa Homes Ltd during an interview with this magazine at his office in Westlands, Nairobi.
19 “A lot of developers were falling short of their promises to clients. They would sell multiple projects and collect deposits from clients. However, instead of directing these funds to their specific use, they would divert for other needs. As a result, there were massive delays in project deliveries, many stalled, to the detriment of clients,” he explains. This unethical behavior, he says, hindered the growth of the sector. Something ought to change. This marked his new journey as a real estate developer with strategies that would change and redefine the sector in a major way. Mburu set up Mizizi Africa Homes Ltd
“
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with a view to develop affordable and quality homes for Kenyans. “In 2013, at 26 years old with a young family, I constructed my own house from my small monthly savings. Owning a home came with a piece of mind and fulfillment, and I wanted to extend the same experience to Kenyans,” he recalls. He vowed to stick to a plan, focus on small, quality and deliverable projects that would exceed customer expectations. “We focused on a single project and did it well until we handed over to clients before embarking on another one.” With this hindsight, the firm developed its first housing project dubbed the ‘Penguin’ along Kenyatta road in Kiambu. It comprised of three-bedroom bungalows
At the end of the day, we are happy to help people own homes and also use them as an investment channel.
”
selling at Ksh 3.25 cash and Ksh 3.5 million paid in ten monthly installments. “We acquired a prime piece of land at a very good rate. This enabled us to sell the units at an affordable price. It sold out in a short time.” Contrary to the industry misconception about off-plan models, off plan is a very good strategy if a developer stick to a plan and channel funds to the right uses, he says. “If it has worked for us that means it can work for the industry.” The developer has also adopted a unique customer relations strategy where they engage clients in development of the homes form the onset of the project until its completion. Through this, clients are able to monitor the progress of their houses and their investments. By making homeowners own the entire development process, it eliminates the risk of missed timelines in project completion and builds customer confidence in the market. “We also have a return policy where clients can demand for refund whenever they feel that the project is not in line with their expectations. However, we have never had such cases,” he says. According to the executive, when clients are happy they can complete the payment for the houses in record time and even purchase others as form of investment. Ultimately, they will act as good ambassadors to the brand. “At the end of the day, we are happy to help people own homes and also use them as an investment channel. The company also offers to re-sell comApril 2020
Startupmagazine.co.ke
20 plete units on behalf of buyers upon completion of the project with guaranteed returns of at least Sh 1 Million and hand over all proceeds. The firm guarantees buyers a plot and title deed for its off-plan units upon paying an initial deposit of Ksh 1.5 Million. It targets middle-income buyers with a competitive pricing as it positions to play a pivotal role in fixing the country’s housing deficit with affordable houses. Similar projects in the county goes for a low of Sh 5 Million and above per unit, while ours goes for Sh 3.5 Million for 3-bed-roomed Bungalows,” he offers. “Our mission is to empower more Kenyans to own quality and affordable homes. This is a good opportunity for first time buyers looking for modern features and amenities that power their lives. We are also helping the government to plug the housing deficit as envisioned in its Big Four Agenda. Under the plan, government seeks to deliver 500,000 units by 2022,” says Mburu. World Bank puts Kenya’s shortage for low cost housing at 2 million units, with 200,000 houses needed each year to plug in the deficit. Only 50,000 units are constructed annually, leaving 61 percent of the country’s urban households to live in informal settlements. Early this year, Mizizi Africa Homes Ltd rolled out its second project called ‘Heritage’ which sold out in under a month. Asked what has been his secret to his successes as an entrepreneur, he points out to his professionalism and unwavering faith in God. “At Mizizi, we work as a team of believers. We are very closeknit and always deliver our promises to clients and stakeholders.”
A house under construction streamline the industry. It has a lot of potential, which, when harnessed, can be key in our overall social and economic development as a country,” he stresses. “Such will also bring in confidence in the market and spur innovation,” he adds. Mizizi Africa Homes Ltd was feted last year as the most promising developer in the Real Estate Excellence Awards. This
Despite their immense growth in a short time, success hasn’t come easy, says Mburu. “Convincing experienced professionals to work for you as a startup was hard. As a result, I had to train my staff and grow up as a team.” He also shares his concerns about quacks who masquerade as developers only to run away with people’s money. “The government needs to come in and Startupmagazine.co.ke April 2020
Artistic impression of the houses
was quickly followed by another award in the use of digital marketing and big data to personalize homes. These awards establish the firm as a disruptor in its line of business as it looks to spread its wings across the country.
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Call us this month for specialised coaching awareness session in your organization
April 2020
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22
DIGITAL PAYMENTS
Mastercard champions safe and secure contactless payments amid Covid-19 pandemic
This initiative comes as global and regional health officials and governments recommend social distancing and encourage the use of contact – less payments over cash transactions
m
astercard announced today that it is championing efforts to increase contactless payment limits across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region as people look for safer ways to pay in the wake of the Startupmagazine.co.ke
April 2020
COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is in line with recommendations from global and regional health authorities and governments to practice social distancing that has led a growing number of merchants to encourage consumers to pay with contactless over cash to avoid
23 human-to-human contact. Globally, Mastercard has been spearheading the transition to contactless for over 15 years. In MEA, the company has worked with various industry partners and sectors in multiple markets to increase the use of digital and contactless payment technology in an effort to enhance safety, security, speed and convenience in the payment experience for cardholders. In 2019, the MEA region saw >200% growth in contactless transactions. Today almost 1 in 9 Mastercard transactions at point-of-sale (POS) terminals in MEA are contactless. While following best practices from around the world, Mastercard is working closely with its partners to enable businesses and retailers to implement contactless limit increases quickly and efficiently. Cardholder verification method (CVM) limits are being increased in Ken-
FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL
ya, Tanzania, Uganda and Mauritius. This will ultimately improve purchase experiences for people across the region making them safer and more convenient for consumers and businesses alike. Mastercard remains committed to offering safe, secure, and simple payment solutions across the region. In the current environment, we are grateful that contactless payments are available so consumers can follow social distancing recommendations, and that people are embracing these safe and hygienic solutions as their preferred form of payment every day. Today’s announcement reflects the pace of those changing behaviors, offering consumers ease, speed and peace of mind in a rapidly changing world. We will continue to work with our industry partners to guide and support them through this effort,� said Mete Guney, Executive Vice President of Services, Middle East & Africa at Mas-
tercard. Cardholders should look for the contactless symbol on the front or back of their credit or debit cards to determine whether they have a contactless-enabled card or can add their debit or credit card to their mobile wallets on their contactless-enabled devices to tap and pay where contactless payments are accepted. Mastercard’s effort to raise CVM limits is one of many the company is leading to do its part for its employees, customers and cardholders. Most recently, the company announced a partnership with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Welcome Trust to accelerate the development and access to treatment for COVID-19 with the initial grant of US$20 million funding announced to three institutions to fund clinical trials.
April 2020
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WORLD ECONOMIES
Covid-19 has exposed the fragility of our economies
GUY RYDER
Ryder is the Director General of International Labor Organizations
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April 2020
The human dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic reach far beyond the critical health response.
a
ll aspects of our future will be affected – economic, social and developmental. Our response must be urgent, coordinated and on a global scale, and should immediately deliver help to those most in need. From workplaces, to enterprises, to national and global economies, getting this right is predicated on social dialogue between governments and those on the front line
– the employers and workers. So that the 2020s don’t become a re-run of the 1930s. ILO estimates are that as many as 25 million people could become unemployed, with a loss of workers’ income of as much as USD 3.4 trillion. However, it is already becoming clear that these numbers may underestimate the magnitude of the impact. This pandemic has
25 mercilessly exposed the deep faultlines in our labour markets. Enterprises of all sizes have already stopped operations, cut working hours and laid off staff. Many are teetering on the brink of collapse as shops and restaurants close, flights and hotel bookings are cancelled, and businesses shift to remote working. Often the first to lose their jobs are those whose employment was already precarious –
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need to put food on the table. We will all suffer because of this. It will not only increase the spread of the virus but in the longer-term dramatically amplify cycles of poverty and inequality. We have a chance to save millions of jobs and enterprises, if governments act decisively to ensure business continuity, prevent layoffs and protect vulnerable workers. We should have no doubt that the decisions they take today will determine the health of our societies and economies for years to come. Unprecedented, expansionary fiscal and monetary policies are essential to prevent the current headlong downturn from becoming a prolonged recession. We must make
“
As governments try to flatten the upward curve of infection, we need special measures to protect the millions of health and care workers
”
sales clerks, waiters, kitchen staff, baggage handlers and cleaners. In a world where only one in five people are eligible for unemployment benefits, layoffs spell catastrophe for millions of families. Because paid sick leave is not available to many carers and delivery workers – those we all now rely on – they are often under pressure to continue working even if they are ill. In the developing world, piece-rate workers, day labourers and informal traders may be similarly pressured by the
sure that people have enough money in their pockets to make it to the end of the week – and the next. This means ensuring that enterprises — the source of income for millions of workers — can remain afloat during the sharp downturn and so are positioned to restart as soon as conditions allow. In particular, tailored measures will be needed for the most vulnerable workers, including the self-employed, part-time workers and those in temporary employment, who may not qualify for unemployment or health insurance and who are harder to reach. As governments try to flatten the upward curve of infection, we need special measures to protect the millions of health and care workers (most of them women) who risk their own health for us every day. Truckers and seafarers, who
deliver medical equipment and other essentials, must be adequately protected. Teleworking offers new opportunities for workers to keep working, and employers to continue their businesses through the crisis. However, workers must be able to negotiate these arrangements so that they retain balance with other responsibilities, such as caring for children, the sick or the elderly, and of course themselves. Many countries have already introduced unprecedented stimulus packages to protect their societies and economies and keep cash flowing to workers and businesses. To maximise the effectiveness of those measures it is essential for governments to work with employers’ organizations and trade unions to come up with practical solutions, which keep people safe and to protect jobs.These measures include income support, wage subsidies and temporary layoff grants for those in more formal jobs, tax credits for the self-employed, and financial support for businesses.But as well as strong domestic measures, decisive multilateral action must be a key stone of a global response to a global enemy. The G20’s virtual Extraordinary Summit on the Covid-19 response on 26 March is an opportunity to get this coordinated response going. In these most difficult of times, I recall a principle set out in the ILO’s. Constitution: Poverty anywhere remains a threat to prosperity everywhere. It reminds us that, in years to come, the effectiveness of our response to this existential threat may be judged not just by the scale and speed of the cash injections, or whether the recovery curve is flat or steep, but by what we did for the most vulnerable among us.
April 2020
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DIGITAL MARKETING
Simple way to position your business online
LIZ KISYANGA
Kisyanga is a digital marketing strategist and the CEO and Founder of Services Bay.
f
ree method to make your business appear in top results when searched online
free thus increasing chances of meeting new business prospects and cement their customer base
• Servicesbay.net gives business owners & investors a golden opportunity to position themselves high on search results when a client searches for related business and products online
• Apart from your business’s name and description, Servicesbay.net lets you add images and directs clients on your website and social media pages
• It is a free service that also allows enterprises to market themselves for Startupmagazine.co.ke
April 2020
In this digital age, nearly all businesses are offloading most of their services on the digital platform in a move to drive up
27 sales and expand customer base. These enterprises are trying to squeeze all the juice from interactive avenues like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter where they can introduce themselves to prospective clients and strike new deals. The three platforms have proved invaluable for many businesses since they provide almost free advertising and mar-
FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL
The customer, according to online dynamics, will certainly click or be interested in the services of the firms that appear high on the list.
PG. 30
How businesses position themselves high/first on search results:
TRAVEL
To get such high placement, a section of investors fork out a lot of money to buy such space from search engines like Google, Bing, Baidu or Ask.com among others.
DRC Congo: The dancing bleeding nation
However, the smart ones have learnt a new cost-effective method which only requires them to upload their business profiles on servicesbay.net. It is a timely solution to ensuring that your business appears first in the search results that a person gets when they search for you or businesses related to yours. Uploading your profile on servicesbay. net is absolutely free and thus cost-effective for smart and cost-conscious business owners/investors.
PG. 32
BOOK REVIEW Reowrk by Jason Fried & David Hansson
Business profiles features include the name of business, contacts, description, images, links to your website and social media platforms and location.
keting space to startups who may not cough thousands or millions of shillings to secure expensive newspaper, TV, radio or outdoor ads space. But come to think of it this way, in case someone is looking for a given service/ business, for instance, a cake maker/ seller in Nairobi or Kisumu, they are likely to search for it directly from a search engine and not via social media. The search results are usually localised.
PG. 34
SONG REVIEW
Easy steps on how to upload your business profile on servicesbay.net Step 1: Register/sign up Step 2: Click on ‘Post your Biz’ Step 3: Fill in the Slots and Submit
Good as hel l by Lizzo
For support, call now - +254 727 465 294.
April 2020
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At the back
Motors
BMW’s efficient cars for a greener future
Words MHH International-A Prestige Car Importer German-built BMW cars have been highly regarded in the world of prestige motoring and their future plans include building upon this reputation. Thirteen years ago the brand introduce its ‘Efficient Dynamics’ technology package which, in their words, remains unrivalled in the car manufacturing industry to this day. The good news for buyers of recently pre-owned vehicles is that emission and fuel efficiency is in-built, whilst for buyers of new models the future holds even greater emission reduction and sparing use of fuel. Startupmagazine.co.ke April 2020
Efficient Dynamics As time progresses, this BMW technology is consistently reducing fuel consumption, and by association, emissions, without any loss of the driving dynamics for which BMW cars are famous. In short, it’s possible to be more ecologically minded without any loss of driving pleasure. Their vehicles are meeting and will meet all the European Union regulations in full. Technical Measures It’s all about optimising every aspect of
the vehicles, they say. On the aerodynamics side for example, active air-flap control is now in its third generation. It has also been revealed that the new BMW iX3 scheduled for launch at the end of 2020 (subject to the current global crisis) will be fitted with the latest generation of BMW aerodynamic wheels. Other manufacturers in the mainstream sector will be playing catch-up on this aero-science. The technology behind the new wheels has resulted in a five percent reduction in drag coefficient compared to conventional BMW X3 wheels plus a 15% weight
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power-train range. We learn that BMW engineers have been working with Toyota on fuel cell technology since 2013. The underlying conditions for supplying “green” hydrogen are not yet in place however, meaning it will still be some time before the company actually brings out a production vehicle with this technology on board.
saving over the previous BMW wheel types. The most aerodynamically efficient current model overall, the new BMW 3 Series Saloon, has a Cd figure of just 0.23, earning it the title of “best in segment”. Intelligent lightweight design has also led to some major efficiency-boosting advances. This has made it possible to reduce the weight of models from one generation to the next, despite increases in size and safety enhancements.
Further Enhancements
Systematic Roll Out Of Targets
The wide range of power-train systems on offer also plays a fundamental role in the BMW Efficient Dynamics concept. From highly efficient internal combustion engines with 48V electrical systems to plugin hybrids and all-electric vehicles: minimising the input while maximising the output. Additionally, the advent of 48V mild-hybrid technology greatly expands the possible uses of Brake Energy Regeneration. This technology made its debut in the four variants of the BMW 520d in the Autumn of 2019 and will be extended to the BMW 3 Series, BMW X3 and BMW X4 ranges in spring this year (again, depending on the current situation).
As a result of all these technological measures, consumption and CO² emissions have been cut by more than forty percent over the last thirteen years. What is more, the BMW Group will comply in full with the European Union’s emission targets, thanks in part to the rigorous deployment of ED technology across all model series. Thanks to BMW Efficient Dynamics and the ongoing electrification of the model range this figure will drop by a further 20% overall in the coming year.
Future Plans Future plans include The i-Hydrogen NEXT, shown to the public at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, which represents a potential fourth pillar in the company’s
That’s why BMW cars are so successful. Couple this with the sheer driving pleasure these vehicles offer it is no surprise that the brand consistently has the best sellers across the various prestige sectors. If the BMW range appeals then why not talk to us here at MHH International about your next BMW. April 2020
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At the back
Travel & Leisure
Words Oroni Tendera
DRC Congo: the dancing bleeding nation
The scorching sun overhead is scorning me. Scorning and scolding me for coming here to do nothing, but experience Congo. Hadn’t I experience enough of Congo on the BBC and CNN? But why do the BBC and CNN only talk of gunshots and oceans of blood swallowing Congo? I look around. Women in colourful vitenge are going about their business. Men donning well-matched designer wares paint Ruzizi. I am pleasantly surprised by the Congolese sharp sense of fashion. The queue at the border post snails. A middle aged man in front of me initiates a conversation with me. He is Congolese. He talks about Congolese politics, comparing it with Rwandan politics. He airs his hatred towards Rwanda. He talks and talks, blaming Rwanda for all the evils unfolding in Congo. “Was Congo a developed nation before the influx of rebel groups? How many rebel groups are in DRC? Are they all having Kinyarwanda speakers as their members? Aren’t the Kinyarwanda speakers, subscribers of some rebel groups in Congo, Congolese by birth? And how can a small country, almost invisible on the map, like Rwanda be a threat to the biggest nation in Africa? Is this the politics of shifting blames?” I put him on the hot seat. “My son, nobody understands the Congo crisis better than the Congolese.’’
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April 2020
Our debate raises eyebrows. I zip my mouth and do the listening only. In my silence, I recall my Rwandan angel. Her name, contacts and physical address? A mystery. How did I fail to get such crucial details? Why did I part ways with her so casually? Why didn’t I dig deeper to reveal her fears, flaws and strengths? “If you speak English and French or Kiswahili, walk into the office of the chief immigration officer right now,’’ an announcement booms out of the immigration office. The announcement is repeated in French, Kiswahili and Lingala. Nobody is responding. I feel obliged to take the onus. “Thank you for responding to our announcements. You speak?’’The chief immigration officer asks me. “English, Kiswahili and some French.” “These two Ugandans and that mzungu from England,only speak English. They are going to Panzi hospital,’’ he says in Kiswahili pointing at them. My eyes lock with the Ugandans, “What a shame! The Congolese are more East Africans than you?” I can’t control my rage. They all laugh. I turn to the chief immigration officer. He beckons at me. I move closer to him. He whispers, “Tell them a one week visa costs 50 USD. And am sure you and I are
also hungry.” I interpret the message including the euphemism for a bribe, ‘you and I are also hungry.’ The Ugandans are not content with the idea of paying for a visa. “Uganda is Congo’s neighbouring country. The Congolese don’t pay visa fees to enter Uganda. Why do you want to exploit us? Are we fools?’’ The Ugandan standing next to me fumes. I try to paraphrase the Ugandan’s words; ironing out any aspect of rage but it proves difficult. The Congolese immigration officer is burning to get the message. From the tone of the speaker, he could deduce the attitude of the Ugandan towards him. A word for word interpretation flows from my mouth. The Immigration officer shrugs off his Italian Jacket and shoots from his seat with anger. He is a stocky man; barely 5’ 6’’. “You’ve crossed to Congo through Rwanda, not Uganda,” He roars in French, struggling to remain professional. The British woman, concealing her fear, is stroking her long hair. I convey the translated message to her. She heaves, opens her hand bag, pulls out 150 USD and hands it to the chief immigration officer. The immigration officer stretches his hand, revealing pieces of jewellery weighing down his hand.
31 A rugged frown is plastered on his face. He laughs. I laugh too. Not because I am supposed to laugh, but am laughing because the Congolese is laughing, shaking his body like a marionette. I am laughing because his laughter is dry, hopeless and defeated. Therefore I am laughing and laughing, my eyes closed. I open my eyes, perplexed eyes of the immigration officer greet me. I get mesmerized too. “Are you alright?” He asks in a concerned tone. I look around. The Ugandans and the British have left. “I am fine,’’ I force a smile and hand my passport to him. “Kenyan? You too will pay 50 USD,’’ he croaks. “But…” “I was coming to that, don’t mention it. Just pay me 25 USD. You have been a good interpreter. to that poor mzungu.’’ He stamps my passport and hands it back to me. I squeeze 25 USD in his hand. “Merci,’’ he thanks me in French. Outside, the two Ugandan men and the British woman are engaged in an animated conversation. I join them and re-introduce myself to them. “I am Murumba from Entebbe Uganda.’’ “Mugisha from western Uganda.’’ “I am Kathy from the UK. Mugisha and Murumba are my work mates. I am the founder of Save Africa. We provide free health and psychological support to African rape victims.” “Sorry, do you mean Congolese rape victims?” I cut her short. “That’s right.” “We are going to Panzi hospital,’’ says Murumba. I express my desire to accompany them. “You are always welcome,” Kate says accentuating ‘welcome.’ “Kenyans’ accent is similar to the Northerners,’’ Mugisha says to Murumba. “Who are the Northeners?’’ I ask. “The people of Northern Uganda,’’ Murumba answers me. “Africa is a village,’’ I reply laughingly. A taxi pulls in. “Panzi?’’ Kathy shouts at the driver.
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He nods. “Here we go guys,’’ Kate shouts. Bukavu is booming with business: Tall ultra modern warehouses, boutiques, motels, spas and music stores. We drive past Bukavu University, a roundabout, a middle class estate.
l“CEPAC HOPITAL DE PANZI” The conspicuous sign post greets us. Kathy leads us through the well-manicured garden to the reception. She and the two Ugandans append their signature on a voluminous black book. I sign the visitors’s book.
“Bukavu is big and beautiful,” I comment in Kiswahili as we get a clear view of Lake Kivu.
She leads us to the women’s ward.
“But very corrupt. We are not like Tanzania.How is Tanzania?’’ He asks me as he increases the volume of the MP3 player. Diamond, a Tanzanian musician, dominates the air wave. “I am not a Tanzanian.” “Are you a Kenyan or Burundian? Your Swahili accent is beautiful.’’ “Kenyan. Kenya is equally corrupt.’’ He changes his subject to politics, he talks about the Kenyan president facing crime charges in the ICC. He says African courts are too corrupt to execute justice without fear or favour. I disagree with him, “ICC is modern colonialism.” “If modern colonialism means hunting down mass murderers then the ICC is indeed perpetuating modern colonialism,’’ he challenges me. Kathy is dozing. Mugisha and Murumba are conversing in Luganda. “Why can’t Luganda be made the national language of Uganda,” I cut them short. “Many Ugandans speak Luganda as a second language but the thought of nationalizing it can turn bloody,’’ says Murumba. “Why?” I wonder. “Apparently Baganda are very boastful,’’says Mugisha, in a light tone, pointing at Murumba. “I am a proud Muganda. Omwana wa Kabaka. For the uninitiated, I am the prince,’’ chants Murumba We all laugh.
Groans of agony. Strong smell of antiseptics. Blood and saline holders , adjustable beds, stretchers and suffering patients welcome us. “Most of the patients here were airlifted from the war-torn North Kivu province. They were gang-raped by Congolese soldiers,” says Kathy in a shaky voice “War is ugly,” I interject. “The male ward is having about 20 patients. Most of them are from the pigmy ethnic group. There is a belief among the Congolese soldiers and militia groups that sodomizing a male pigmy gives one super powers.’’ “That’s awful,’’ I choke. Kathy is inspecting the saline holders. Mugisha and Murumba are reading the patients’ notes. I am the only idler. “Excuse me, I beg to leave.’’ Kathy insists that I stay with them till lunch time. “I have many other activities to do,” I lie to Kathy. I take her contacts and walk out. “You are because we are. We are because you are.” The words of my Rwandan angel make sense to me. I board a taxi back to Ruzizi border post. At the roundabout, near Bukavu University, a group of protesters are demonstrating peacefully. “Those are Rwandan-Congolese businessmen protesting over increased harassment from the Congolese authorities,’’ says the driver. Fare Thee Well DRC Congo. Is DRC Congo the dancing bleeding nation? Thank you Congo for keeping it real.
Panzi HospitaL
April 2020
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Coffee Break
Book Review
Rework Authors: Jason Fried & David Hansson Reviewer: Oroni Tendera Compared to Alexander Osterwalder, David Hanson and Jason Fried want to approach the other type of entrepreneurs – the ones who want fast results and don’t really care or have the time to go through all the basic steps. The two authors team up together to crunch down the basics and create a whole new system that will make you act upon your dreams and goals faster. The book will motivate you to get up on
Startupmagazine.co.ke
April 2020
your feet and move forward without planning the steps on a piece of paper before. This is for the go-getters who prefer to learn by doing!
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April 2020
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At the back
Song Review
Good As Hell Lizzo Review by Oroni Tendera
I don’t get it. How does Lizzo come out with a genuinely delightful and widely appreciated album and then become the new charts darling... with year-old songs? Hell, this song is a year and a half older than even Truth Hurts. Is this another TikTok thing or just due to the Ariana Grande remix in this case? It’s gotten to the point where they have now put up posters over here advertising Cuz I Love You as “her new album”. Meta discussion and marketing-strategic revisionism aside, Good as Hell offers a lot more pizazz than Truth Hurts, for starters. It’s not a lyrical miracle, of
Startupmagazine.co.ke
April 2020
course, but it’s already got both the attitude and the energy that made Cuz I Love You great. Why wouldn’t it be a hit? Feelgood, captivating, catchy, not to mention digestible due to the short length. A true mass appeal, sing along anthem. Though I find it doesn’t work quite as well if you don’t have enough hair to toss and your nails look boring, but*snap* *air bass drum* FEELIN’ GOOD AS HELL *stomp* Huh. Where was I?
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April 2020
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Office : Westlands Watamu court Rm 3 Opposite Sarit Centre Startupmagazine.co.ke April 2020 Email:info@miziziafricahomes.com
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