By Katlego Rammusa:
Saturday, 28th February, was a blissful morning of engagement and powerful conversations where I held the Business Breakfast & Networking session, which was our first inception at the Menlyn Boutique Hotel in Pretoria. Indeed, it was an exceptional event, one of its kind, with a lovely setup and people.
As the visionary of this initiative, the aim is to build a chamber of commerce amongst entrepreneurs, whether aspiring, emerging or established. We are creating a cross-pollination between entities and fostering worthwhile and long-lasting relationships and partnerships because one is likely to do and interact business with the people they can trust.
Proximity compounds, as the saying goes, so the entrepreneurs had to be there physically to display their businesses as part of marketing, whether selling products or services. Some of the entrepreneurs were given the platform to talk about their businesses. For example, Ntate Molokoane from Garankuwa of ‘Ditsibi brand’ displayed his hand-crafted bags, shoes, belts and hats. In that way, people got to know about him and where he is based and they will definitely continue to support his business. The same applies to other businesses. The event saw an exchange of business cards as well as powerful ideas. I normally say treat your ideas with royalty because one of them might be a king.
It was not just about the nice breakfast that we enjoyed at a 5-Star hotel, it was more about networking with like-minded entrepreneurs, fostering change and bringing a difference in our communities, because we are aware of the high unemployment rate in our country. So my vision is to eradicate poverty by building and establishing entrepreneurs.
Amongst our distinguished guests were Ntate Sello Hatang, Executive Director of RE HATA MMOHO and Ntate Luyanda Jonas, President of China-South Africa Youth Forum. Mr Jonas threw some powerful nuggets and shared widely concerning the opportunities that exist in China for the youth of South Africa. He believes that diplomacy is not a retirement village; however, it should start from the grassroots level. He touched more on our economic growth, advanced technology and social cohesion between the two countries.
On the other hand, it was our most flattering delight to have Mr Hatang with his vast experience as a former CEO of one of the largest NGOs in the world, the Nelson Mandela Foundation. He also threw powerful nuggets, as did our keynote speaker. He took us step by step with guidelines on self-development and how to build the South Africa we want and dream of. Amongst the key points and advice he gave were:
- “Start before you are ready”
- “Solve real problems”
- “Build character before you build capital”, and
- “Lead with purpose, not ego”
We were truly humbled to have a man of his calibre in our midst to mentor us and share his experience on business leadership. We are planning to do more of these Business Breakfast & Networking sessions as we are building movements, not just moments.
Mr Jonas also emphasized that he will bring his youth forum and promised to fund this initiative. I will be truly humbled as I just started with a leap of faith
As Ntate Hatang had alluded, that we must start before we are ready, a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. We do not worry about obstacles; however, our focus is on the goal and ultimately, we will reach the apex of the mountain. Together we can! Forward we go, backwards never!. – @NewsSA_Online
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