Another ‘shark’ for the TV tank

Well-known telecommunications expert, media personality and commercial strategist Romeo Kumalo has joined the panel of five “sharks” on M-Net and Telkom South Africa’s exciting new Sunday night reality show, Shark Tank South Africa.

In this series, entrepreneurs can pitch their start-up business ideas to a panel of potential investors, in the hopes of gaining much-needed financial backing for their enterprises.

Alongside multi-millionaire serial entrepreneurs Gil Oved, Marnus Broodryk, Vinny Lingham and renowned businesswoman Dawn Nathan-Jones, Romeo will be investing his own money into the plans and products of show participants who he believes have what it takes to create lucrative businesses.

While the show will be screened on M-Net from October this year, everyone who wants to stand the chance of winning the sharks’ favour has until Sunday, July 31 to become part of this opportunity of a lifetime. Romeo, who is currently the CEO and major shareholder of Washirika – a pan-African investment holdings and private equity company with investments in the communication, construction, clean energy and ICT sectors – believes that Shark Tank South Africa is a great platform to support the growth of healthy business culture in the country.

“To lead the economy of the future, it’s important to kindle a spirit of entrepreneurship in the next generation,” he says. “Having made the transition from a competitive corporate environment to establishing various business interests in my individual capacity, I would like to use the opportunity as a ‘shark’ to support the dreams of young entrepreneurs who need to break through into the market.”

Romeo, who holds a Masters Degree in Commerce as well as executive management certificates from Wits, INSEAD and Harvard Business School, has worked, lived and travelled extensively over the continent.

In South Africa, his more than 20 years of experience in the information, communication and telecoms industries includes his appointment to the board of Vodacom SA as executive commercial director in 2007. He was also a member of the Vodacom Group executive committee until 2015.

“Romeo brings the perfect balance of savvy and gravitas to the panel of ‘sharks’,” says M-Net’s head of publicity, Lani Lombard. “He is an accomplished leader with a solid corporate career and proven track record of changing business around. His advice and comments on the show will stand everyone who wants to acquire valuable business acumen in good stead.”

“I will be looking for innovative ideas and entrepreneurs who are daring, adventurous but at the same time realistic about what can be translated into business solutions in the South African and/or African market,” Romeo says. “If you think that you can benefit from learning from my 25-year career, as well as my mentorship, I encourage you to apply.”

Shark Tank SA will be broadcast on M-Net channel 101 from Sunday, October 2 at 18:00.