WITH the 10th of June doubling as his birthday, Zibusiso Mkhwanazi was surrounded by a host of family, friends, peers in business, government dignitaries, and a community he built around his various ventures that span, business, spirituality and community upliftment over years of starting his business journey in his bedroom with only R2000 seed capital.
His route to success led him all the way to co-founding, Avatar Agency Group, the largest 100% black owned advertising in the country.
The event, hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Thami Ngubeni, kicked off with a musical number from the Jehovah Shammah brass brand. The troupe gave a rousing performance of the hymn, ‘victory belongs to Jesus.’
The tome ‘Business By Grace’, chronicles, Mkhwanazi’s journey from his discovery of the internet, a pivotal moment that sparked his fascination with technology and its potential impact on daily life.
A significant turning point occurred when his mother informed him of the family’s inability to fund his university education. Determined to forge his own path, Mkhwanazi invested R2 000, provided by his mother, in the stock market, growing it to approximately R14 000.
This capital enabled him to start his first official business, C-Sonke, a web design company. These milestones and relatable business lessons can be found all over the book.
The official programme of the evening began with an introduction to the book, which was given by the co-author, Dr Steven Zwane, who took the audience gathered at the auditorium at GIBS in Illovo, Johannesburg on a cold winter evening, through the core themes of the book and what readers can expect from it.
During his talk, Dr Steven mentioned that “I saw then what I see now, Zibusiso wasn’t just building a business, he was building an institution.”
“As you read Business By Grace, I invite you to take note…I’ve inviting you to learn from this masterclass,” continued, Dr Zwane.
Throughout the evening, laughter, self-reflection and a collective sense of realising the significance of purpose led’ entrepreneurship filled the room.
In his role as one of the night’s speakers, Mkhwanazi’s business partner and co-Founder of the Avatar Agency Group, Veli Ngubane remarked, “He is probably the most fearless man I’ve ever met. In our daily talks he inspires and motivates me to continue believing in this vision we started over 14 years ago with the eventual intention of liberating African creativity.”
Proceeds of the book ‘Business By Grace’ will all go towards the Mkhwanazi Foundation, a platform Mkhwanazi has started as a vehicle to foster mentorship, entrepreneurship skills transfer and development of the youth from primarily disadvantaged communities.
As the interactive part of the evening drew nearer to a close, Mkhwanazi mentioned that “You can have all the strategies in the world, but we know that when that doesn’t work, faith will carry you through.”
“To help change a person’s life is beyond just a business plan, because what will a business plan do for you if you have no food at home,” Mkhwanazi summed up.
The book is now available in all reputable bookstores and online.
Learn more about the book and the Mkhwanazi Foundation at https://mkhwanazi.co.za/
Image (Man of the moment, Zibusiso Mkhwanazi, flanked by Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenneth Morolong on the left, and wife, Nthabiseng Mkhwanazi, on the right).
