Mandla Sibeko is a young man of fine distinction who has impacted Africa through his outstanding initiatives in business.
Though he started off at a very young age, his success has been enormous and consistent.
At 16, while Mandla was being interviewed as the first black chairperson of the Johannesburg Junior City Council at the Felicia Mabuza-Suttle Show, he was asked what he’d like to be in the future, he answered: “I would like to be a businessman.” Simple and straightforward.
And just like he hoped and planned for, at 24, Mandla Sibeko made a grand appearance in the media industry when he ventured into his own business; Born Free Media Production Company. He served as Managing Director of this successful content and multimedia business, servicing a wide range of clients such as all SABC channels, the Kaiser Foundation and loveLife.
He also served as Executive Producer on the South African television drama “90 Plein Street.”, “When We Were Black,” a TV series set in 1976, and “Dinner with the President,” a talk show hosted by Pieter Dirk Uys as Evita Bezuidenhout.
Since then, it’s been no holds barred for the young business pro. Currently, he has a huge string of bourgeoning businesses running in South Africa and beyond.
Mandla is the Founder of Seed Capital Investments and the Chairman of Netflorist; South Africa’s largest flower and gifting service. He also serves as a Non-Executive Director of Paarl Print and Paarl Print, Paarl Labs – the largest magazine and commercial printer in South Africa and part of Media 24 Group, and also as a Trustee Board Member of loveLife, an organization devoted to HIV/AIDS education and awareness-raising. He holds a 40% stake in Icon SA, a partnership with a UK-based global stadium and City dressing company that branded the 2006 German FIFA World Cup.
He never misses a business opportunity however challenging. Through his company, he has taken part in a number of related media, retail, property and e-procurement acquisition.
Mandla Sibeko was one of the first people to open a supermarket in a township – in 2008 he opened a Pick n Pay in Kliptown, Soweto.
In addition, he is a founding member of several investment initiatives focusing on the empowerment of young people, with key investments in food, retail, media and clothing industries.
Mandla is never one to rest on past laurels, as he is always on the move to set new records and break existing barriers in business. His initiatives speak for him.
In 2010, the high flyer was named one of the World Economic Forum’s young global leaders he also received the Black Business Quarterly’s new entrepreneur of the year award.
Interestingly, this young man holds a BA in law. Now you see that it is not so much about one’s school degree but all about passion.
Indeed passion is all that matters. Mandla’s drive is clear;
“From the beginning, I have based my business premise on investing in my passions.
Every other business that I have been a part of has been based on this premise.”
Mandla Sibeko has found his passion and is working extensively to achieve it to the fullest. Have you found your passion?
