10 South African Entrepreneurs Who Became Influential Leaders
10 South African Entrepreneurs Who Became Influential Leaders. These entrepreneurs have not only driven substantial economic growth in their respective fields and businesses but have also inspired many through their leadership and innovative approaches. Below are ten South African entrepreneurs who have become influential leaders.
Theo Baloyi
He is a South African entrepreneur, and the founder and chief executive officer of Bathu Shoes. He launched his eponymous shoe brand in 2015, having previously served as a Senior Associate at PwC in Dubai. He was featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2019. In 2021, he won GQ’s Business Leader of the Year.
Adrian Gore
He is a South African businessman and entrepreneur. He is the founder and group chief executive of Discovery Limited. Discovery Limited is a South Africa-based financial services group that is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) with its headquarters in Sandton.
Patrice Motsepe
Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe is a South African billionaire businessman and football administrator. Since March 2021, he has been president of the Confederation of African Football. He is the founder and executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, which has interests in gold, ferrous metals, base metals, and platinum. He sits on several company boards, including being the non-executive chairman of Harmony Gold, the world’s 12th largest gold mining company, and the deputy chairman of Sanlam.
Stephen Bradley Saad
He is a South African billionaire businessman, who is the founder and chief executive of Aspen Pharmacare, the largest producer of generic medicines in Africa. Founded in 1997, it listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in 1998, and purchased South African Druggists in 1999 before expanding into international markets. Currently the largest pharmaceutical company in Africa through aggressive mergers and expansion, with major manufacturing sites in locations such as Gqeberha in South Africa and Bad Oldesloe in Germany.
Tokyo Sexwale
Founder of Mvelaphanda Holdings, with interests in mining and other industries. Upon leaving the public sector, Sexwale founded Mvelaphanda Holdings (mvelaphanda is the Venda word for “progress”), a company of which he is still executive chairman. Mvelaphanda is primarily focused on the mining, energy and related sectors. Some of Sexwale’s main interests are oil and diamond mining, for which he has been granted concessions across Africa and Russia; these interests are controlled by a subsidiary of Mvelaphanda Holdings called Mvelaphanda Resources.
Lekau Sehoana
Founder and chief executive of Drip. From opening the first Drip store in 2020, Lekau now leads a team of 300 people and has 25 brick-and-mortar stores, as well as an online store. Drip was listed as number 65 on Africa’s Top 100 Most Admired Brands and is at number 2 in South Africa.
DJ Sbu
DJ Sbu, whose real name is Sbusiso Leope, is a famous disk jockey, TV and radio host, music producer, and established entrepreneur. He is also the co-founder of Mofaya. MoFaya, launched in 2014, started with one energy drink variant, several additional flavours later followed.
Vusi Thembekwayo
He is a Global Authority, Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author, Business Mogul and Serial Entrepreneur. Vusi Thembekwayo’ s name has become synonymous with being a business maverick, inimitable and with a personal brand that is solidly grounded in accomplishments. As a source of business wisdom, Vusi is the go-to-guy for executives and entrepreneurs globally.
Herman Mashaba
Herman Samtseu Philip Mashaba is a South African politician, entrepreneur and the current president of ActionSA, a party he launched on 29 August 2020. He served as the Mayor of Johannesburg from 2016 to 2019. He is the founder of the hair product company Black Like Me.
Ronnie Apteker
Co-founder of Internet Solutions, South Africa’s first internet service provider, and a film producer. In 1993, Apteker co-founded Internet Solutions, South Africa’s first Internet service Provider (ISP), which quickly evolved into a successful post-apartheid business, winning numerous technology awards.
