We offer a collection of inspiring business quotations from South African entrepreneurs, to see you through the year.
Whether you’re considering a new business venture or just need a morale boost to keep up the hard work of running an existing business, it can help to hear from other entrepreneurs.
Lisa Illingworth
“Your network is your most lucrative source of first customers because they already trust you…One of our first programmes was sold to a school where a friend and fellow teacher was employed, and they have been a loyal customer ever since.”
~ Lisa Illingworth, founder of FutureProof SA
Lisa Illingworth is the CEO and co-founder of FutureProof SA, a programme that provides South African children with entrepreneurial skills.
She has a postgraduate degree in Education, and previously founded a strategic communications and branding agency. She has also worked as a radio presenter for a “Hot Entrepreneurs” feature, a journalist and a teacher.
Thoko Zwane
“My advice to emerging young entrepreneurs is to make a commitment to education, to learning as much as you can… Accept failure as something that makes you stronger and be able to absorb negativity.”
~ Thoko Zwane, founder of Thoko’s Diamonds
For over a decade, Thoko Zwane worked in a factory, polishing diamonds. During this time, she saved as much as possible and invested in buying her own, uncut stones.
Finally, she managed to establish her own diamond-cutting and polishing company, Thoko’s Diamonds.
Jo Farah
“Consumers are looking to connect with brands they support and for brands that have a story they can resonate with in some way. In response to this, entrepreneurs need to be socially responsible, not only in terms of giving back to their communities, but also in terms of the products they offer.”
~ Jo Farah, founder of Sneaker LAB
Jo Farah is the founder of Sneaker LAB, which makes a range of eco-friendly sneaker cleaning products.
The company’s sneaker care product range has been Green TAG certified. Today, it’s available in more than 60 countries across the globe.
Romeo Kumalo
“Building solid relationships is the foundation of a successful business.”
~ Romeo Kumalo, co-founder and CEO of LLH Capital
Media and telecommunications guru Romeo Kumalo is a former executive at Vodacom International.
The Harvard Business School alumni is also co-founder of investment company, LLH Capital, and director of Kalon Venture Partners, a venture capital fund that focuses on financing tech start-ups in South Africa.
Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa
“It’s important to have the best work ethic, that you’re applying yourself as much as possible and that you’re not as dependent on what others can do for you but that you’re focused on what you can do.”
~ Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers
Soweto-born Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa started her career at an investment bank in New York.
On her return to South Africa, she was appointed head of project finance at the Development Bank of Southern Africa. The business powerhouse went on to become CEO of the Shanduka Group before co-founding the Sigma Capital Group.
Mahanyele-Dabengwa was named Business Woman of the Year in 2019 at the All Africa Business Leaders Awards. In the same year, she became the first black, and the first female, chief executive of Naspers.
Lufefe Nomjana
“The first thing that you need (to start a business), more than money is intellectual capital.”
~ Lufefe Nomjana, founder of Espinaca Innovations and Spinach King
With R40 seed capital and plenty of self-belief, entrepreneur Lufefe Nomjana transformed a tiny spinach bread-making enterprise into a full-on business.
Today, the UCT Graduate School of Business alumni is the proud owner of Spinach King, a Khayelitsha eatery specialising in healthy, gluten-free meals made from locally-grown organic ingredients.
Vinny Lingham
“Hard work is not enough, you need to be smart, savvy and have tons of perseverance.”
~ Vinny Lingham, co-founder and CEO of Civic
Local entrepreneur and tech superstar Vinny Lingham has built so many start-ups it’s hard to keep track.
The co-founder and CEO of Civic, a blockchain-based encryption company, is the formidable force behind IncuBeta, Yola and Gyft, a mobile gift-card company that was recently acquired for a cool US$54 million.
Lingham’s latest venture is SiliconCape, an NGO with the sole objective of transforming Cape Town into an African tech hub.
Nicholas Bell
“You can let a setback derail you or you can use it as an opportunity to learn and carry the business forward.”
~ Nicholas Bell, founder and CEO of Decision Inc.
In 2008, 22-year-old Bell started building simple IT solutions for SAB.
After picking up a few more clients, he launched what would eventually become Decision Inc, a global technology and digital transformation company with offices in London, Sydney, Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Inga Gubeka
“Follow your passion – that is key. Passion keeps you going even before you start converting to revenue. You must be passion-driven, rather than money-driven”.
~ Inga Gubeka, founder of Indalo Décor and Inga Atelier.
Born in Ngqeleni in the Eastern Cape, Inga Gubeka is a sizzling-hot South African fashion leader best known for his leather and wood accessories. He uses a fusion of technology, functionality and design to create beautiful things.
Gubeka is the creative genius and driving force behind luxury retail brand Inga Atelier.
Siya Beyile
“Think big and windows of opportunities will appear.”
~ Siya Beyile, founder of the Threaded Man
Siya Beyile is another young Eastern Cape man who has soared to fame and fortune.
The 27-year-old fashionista and founder of The Threaded Man and Siya Beyile Holdings was selected by Forbes magazine as one of “Africa’s 30 Under 30s” tipped to make a global impact by 2026.
Jen Su
“It’s important to have self-belief. Passion for success is the most important driving force to achieving your goals. Do what you do for love and not for money.”
~ Jen Su, author, brand influencer and TV and radio presenter
South African-American Jen Su has been hugely successful in six countries across three continents… and she “ain’t done yet”.
The popular TV and radio personality is now focussing her energy on building brands, both locally and abroad.
Vusi Thembekwayo
“If you want to be successful, you need to be utterly obsessed. You need to reply to customer queries after 5pm on a Friday.”
~ Vusi Thembekwayo, CEO of MyGrowthFund Venture Partners.
Business mogul, investor and self-proclaimed disruptor Vusi Thembekwayo is a self-made multi-millionaire. He has founded a slew of successful companies across an array of business sectors. In 2013, Thembekwayo became the first African speaker to be invited to speak at the World Bank.
Mogau Seshoene
“You always have to be available for the business, anytime, all the time.”
~ Mogau Seshoene, founder and CEO of cooking start-up, The Lazy Makoti
Mogau Seshoene left a promising career in finance to follow her dream of teaching locals the finer art of preparing traditional South African fare. She opened The Lazy Makoti in 2016 and has not looked back. In addition to cookery classes, the company has developed a range of food-related township-produced products.
Bonang Mohale
“There is nothing more important than an environment and a culture that says everybody is needed and wanted. The farmer doesn’t spend 80% of his time massaging the individual seeds; he spends 80% of his time preparing the soil; the environment.”
~ Bonang Mohale, former CEO of Business Leadership South Africa
Respected South African business leader Bonang Mohale is recognised as a committed nation builder. He’s scooped up countless awards and served as an executive member of some of the largest companies in South Africa – Shell, Sanlam, Otis, South African Airways and Bidvest. In 2020, Mohale was appointed as the Chancellor of Free State University.
Monalisa Sam
“Failure in any business journey is not the end. In fact, failure is great, when you own it. It allows you to take accountability and start all over again with new and improved ideas.”
~ Monalisa Sam, founder of Tungwa Retail Holdings.
Entrepreneur, visionary and results-driven business executive Monalisa Sam is a rising star in the retail business development sector.
Labelled a “mogul in the making”, Sam founded South African retail and investor company, Tungwa Retail Holdings. He is currently the executive head of retail design and property management at Vodacom.
Ludwick Marishane
“Find what you love doing and exert all your effort in pursuing it. Do as much as you can on your own, and always ask for help when you need it.”
~ Ludwick Marishane
Marishane is the founder of Headboy Industries, best known for its dry bath gel. Smart, innovative and hardworking, Marishane isn’t short of recognition.
At 20, he was listed as one of “12 Brightest Minds and Best Student Entrepreneurs” by Google. A few years later, Time Magazine tipped him as one of “30 People Under 30 Changing The World”.
What we offer at The Workspace
Whether you already have a business or are considering starting a new venture, we hope you take heart from some of these inspirational business quotations from South African entrepreneurs.
At The Workspace, we take pride in the diverse range of entrepreneurs and businesses that choose to base their operations at our branches.
We offer affordable, fully serviced offices and coworking, and all our members have access to fast Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, boardrooms and a range of business services. For more information or to arrange a tour of one of our branches, call us on 0861 250 259 or contact us online.