The influential Forbes Africa business magazine unveiled its annual 30 Under 30 young African entrepreneurs on 1 June 2017. The list features up-and-coming small business leaders making an impact on the continent and the world.
Since 2011, Forbes Africa business magazine has been spotlighting young emerging African entrepreneurs with big dreams backed up by good, solid business sense. Several South Africans feature on the 2017 30 Under 30 list.
In addition to emerging moguls from Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana, the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list also features a number of rising South African business players.
In determining who made the list this year, Forbes journalist Ancillar Mangena told the Okayplayer website that “list celebrates young Africans who are working hard to turn the continent’s fortune”. Noting the relevance of releasing the list during South Africa’s Youth Month commemoration of the 1976 student revolt against apartheid, Mangena noted that “the youth of 1976 fought for political freedom, these under 30s are fighting for financial freedom. As we like to call them, they are the billionaires of tomorrow.”
Mangena also said 2017 was a breakthrough year for the list, now in its sixth year, because it was more representative, particularly including people from countries such as Rwanda and Namibia that had not featured before, as well as having more women.
South Africans featured on the 2017 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list:
Khethi Ngwenya, 26, School Media
School Media connects brands with schools, renting advertising space on school property that benefits learners. Begun in 2010, the company’s clients include Gauteng Department of Education and the Orlando Pirates soccer team. Ngwenya has two other enterprises focused on education. Xhuma uses USSD technology to aid communication between schools and parents. The Going Green Project is an education initiative focused on environmental awareness. The company has helped to plant and maintain almost 5, 000 trees at schools throughout South Africa.