Twitter has become a rich resource for many entrepreneurs, this is thanks to the many individuals who are using the platform to share their knowledge and offer support, as well as champion the local ecosystem.
To find out the top entrepreneurship accounts that were worth following in 2019, we turned to Mashudu Modau, an ecosystem specialist whose many titles include, “Entrepreneurship Evangelist. African Startups Lover. Small Business Supporter. Community Builder. Podcast Maker.”
He hosts the entrepreneurship and business podcast, MashStartsup with Mashudu Modau, and has interviewed some of the most influential players in South Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, including The People’s Fund’s Luyanda Jafta, Yoco CEO and co-founder, Katlego Maphai, and angel investor, Tomi Davies.
Modau is also Community Partnerships Manager for one of the country’s most exciting tech startups, Yoco.
Here are his top 8 follows for entrepreneurs + more accounts you should be following.
1. Joe Nawaya
Nawaya is a branding whizz, creative entrepreneur and influencer who co-founded the digital marketing agency, Creative Mind Space. Nawaya uses his social media to raise awareness on the value of branding and marketing for entrepreneurs and offers advice on everything branding and marketing related. He also contributes to relevant industry discussions.
Always make your client sign an SLA, even if you’re designing something as simple as a logo. This way you’re both taken accountable if anything goes wrong, if you don’t deliver or they don’t pay.
— Joe Human (@joe_human_) November 20, 2019
I don’t design graphics, I design solutions.
— Joe Human (@joe_human_) November 20, 2019
2. Marang Marekimane
A business strategist by day, Marekimane coaches entrepreneurs on implementing business processes to improve profitability – she has taken this role online to her Twitter account where she posts primarily on the importance of processes and systems for building a sustainable business.
So much for “owning my time” 🙄 – didn’t realise how time it would take to grow a business.
Submit an entry via @EOY_SA website https://t.co/wZ02jBzWi5 #EntrepreneurshipIsNoJoke#CelebrateEntrepreneurs pic.twitter.com/5dGllg81xl
— Marang Marekimane (@ProcessMechanic) April 13, 2019
3. Daliso Ngoma
Daliso Ngoma is an e-commerce expert and co-host of the podcast, Compass Africa Guide. His focus is on helping his followers learn more about e-commerce and how they can operate their businesses more efficiently.
Now let’s translate this to money. https://t.co/NDlbKA4y93
— Daliso Ngoma (@djngoma) November 22, 2019
Sometimes find it amusing that most often my biggest purchases/sales happen through email and/or WhatsApp.
— Daliso Ngoma (@djngoma) November 11, 2019
4. Busi Mkhumbuzi Pooe
Social impact entrepreneur Pooe has a passion for creating positive spaces for young people to find their voices. She is the director of Tshimong, an organisation that seeks to empower young people and to strengthen their leadership skills.
If you’re 18 – 35, what do you believe needs more support & investment to help solve the youth unemployment crisis in SA?
— Busi Mkhumbuzi Pooe (@BusiMkhumbuzi) November 10, 2019
Serving as the Master of Ceremony at Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation’s 15 year anniversary celebration. Proud to be associated with an organisation that invests in education and SME support for an inclusive, empowered South Africa! pic.twitter.com/u70fg7HsNm
— Busi Mkhumbuzi Pooe (@BusiMkhumbuzi) November 28, 2019
5. Vuyolwethu Dubese
Looking for content on women in the tech industry in South Africa? Few do it better than Dubese who is an ecosystem specialist and women in ICT champion.
Today, I sat in as part of a selection committee of an MNO’s venture program for technology enabled, high impact enterprises and it was so encouraging to see a healthy number of black, youth and women owned enterprises present, gearing their solutions towards pioneer edtech!
— Vuyolwethu Dubese (@VDubese) October 29, 2019
6. Ellen Fischat
Ecosystem developer and mentor for women in ICT, Fischat is the co-founder of Innocircle, a boutique, innovation consultancy. In 2017, she was chosen as one of the top 50 women in tech in South Africa.
It never fails to amaze me, how entrepreneurs and businesses don’t respond to their email. I’m handing out business opportunities, but no one is home. You snooze, you lose! #TuesdayThoughts #Entrepreneurship #BeReady #hardworkbeatstalent pic.twitter.com/ROtN4xRrca
— Ellen Fischat (@ellenfischat) November 5, 2019
No such thing as an overnight success. It’s failing a million times, learning and persisting. You are a world changer @zandy_keebine! #womenintech ##womeninstem #InspiringFiftySA https://t.co/4DC5W41Z76
— Ellen Fischat (@ellenfischat) July 30, 2019
7. Thembiso Magajana
Magajana is a social impact entrepreneur educating young African learners on technology and entrepreneurship. She has vast knowledge of the tech industry. The Inspiring50 organisation had this to say about her: “She’s spent the past five years evangelizing an industry-wide shift that seeks to prepare South African youth for the 4th Industrial Revolution.”
This lack of access to education and jobs is destructive for everyone. It keeps women disempowered, limits their children’s life chances, and slows down economic growth. pic.twitter.com/RquTNoeMfU
— Thembiso Magajana (@thembiso_m) November 18, 2019
I really hit the jackpot with my co-founder. She’s one of the most brilliant, passionate and hard working people I’ve ever met. https://t.co/uxKi8ht1lA
— Thembiso Magajana (@thembiso_m) October 31, 2019
8. Luyanda Jafta
Jafta is the co-founder and head of the first black-owned crowdfunding platform in South Africa, The People’s Fund, which is an impact-focused fund for entrepreneurs and small businesses. You won’t find a bigger cheerleader for South African startups than Jafta, who is also a great source to find out about new and exciting startups to support.
Our annual podcast. https://t.co/jPdDN0fDdR
— Luyanda Jafta (@LuyandaJafta) January 17, 2019
@LuyandaJafta says “#WhyIHustle: because 60% youth unemployment can only be changed by people adding value to society, increasing the cake that we all eat from, by servicing problems that others are willing to pay for!”
Tell us why you hustle. Use the hashtag #WhyIhustle pic.twitter.com/n4oawAGIM5
— SME South Africa (@SMESouthAfrica) June 28, 2018
MORE ACCOUNTS WORTH NOTING
Pepe Marais
Co-founder of the advertising group, Joe Public United, Pepe Marais runs one of the country’s leading advertising agencies. The respected entrepreneur uses Twitter as a tool to inspire. He is very open about his entrepreneurial journey – from failures, losing money to the pressures of being an employer.
Purpose gives clarity. And direction. It doesn’t mean you won’t lose your way, but at the very least guides you back towards it.
— Pepe Marais (@pepemarais) November 21, 2019
Through my 21 years as a job creator, I have been fascinated by the contract between employer and employee. The employer will pay 100% of the agreed salary at month end. But 80% of the employees won’t deliver absolutely 100% of their best per month.
— Pepe Marais (@pepemarais) June 26, 2019
Livhuwani Nefolovhodwe
More commonly known as Lebo Lion on social media, Livhuwani Nefolovhodwe is the marketing brain behind Lessons with Lion, a podcast she describes as “a marketing and ideas podcast for African Pioneers”. Her contribution to entrepreneurs of South Africa is unparalleled marketing advice. She has also used the platform to offer a space for people to talk about the reality of entrepreneurship minus any fear or judgment.
Attending events is very expensive. You have to factor in your time, transport, energy, clothes, makeup etc & the opportunity cost of going to that event versus doing something more productive. Be selective with the events you attend, make sure it’s worth it for you.
— Lessons with Lion Podcast (@LeboLion_SA) November 25, 2019
The beginning of something great isn’t glamorous, it’s just filled with promise & passion. If you see that in someone, know that they’re on the path to achieving something great.
— Lessons with Lion Podcast (@LeboLion_SA) November 24, 2019
Ndzavi Derrick
A self-described entrepreneurologist, author and certified business adviser, Derrick is one of the ecosystem’s most ardent commentators and advocates. He has an impressively wide network and is a generous retweeter of others in the entrepreneurship community. A definite must follow to learn all the ins and outs of the local ecosystem.
Conversation with @PreciousMvulane #RechargeMyBiz https://t.co/58XXPq7Sxu pic.twitter.com/VdDVYQvbFJ
— Ndzavi Derrick .CBA (@NdzaviDerrick) November 22, 2019
Allon Raiz
@AllonRaiz
An entrepreneurship veteran, Raiz’s Twitter has long been a source of entrepreneurial wisdom, this is not unsurprising as he is the founder of business incubator, Raizcorp and has helped support and develop countless entrepreneurs over the years.
Losing clients is part of the #entrepreneurial game, and when it happens it hurts. But losing a client for whom you have created massive value, but wants to try something new, feels like open heart surgery without any anaesthetic.
— Allon Raiz (@allonraiz) November 12, 2018
No matter how logical and unemotive you might be before becoming an #entrepreneur, the moment you begin your #entrepreneurial journey you become a highly emotional individual. For better of for worse, you feel so much more than before.
— Allon Raiz (@allonraiz) November 11, 2018
Don’t you hate it when you know what the right thing is to do in your business, but there are some “complexities” that prevent you from doing those things. Only to realise afterward that there were no complexities just your own fear to act decisively. Dooooh
— Allon Raiz (@allonraiz) October 30, 2018
