Young social entrepreneur says staying grounded is key to any business’ success

The abilities to stay humble and grounded have saved Murendeni Mafumo from the pitfalls that many aspiring African businessmen and women often find themselves entangled in once they are awash with cash.

Mafumo said he had decided to remain humble and stay grounded in order to focus all his attention on the development of his business at the launch of the 2019 programme of the Red Bull Amaphiko Academy at the Artivist in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, whose entries are still open until 30 November.

He said he was aware of the notion that many Africans tend to fail in their business endeavours because once they were awash with money they have a tendency to get distracted from the main cause and objective of sustaining and nurturing their business to its ultimate fruition.

“Many of us, once they have money in their hands intended to support and develop their businesses, lose focus and then go out of their way to buy top of range cars, fancy clothing and bling-bling, so they can be seen and recognised that now they have money.

“This is the same money they should have used to sustain and grow their business. The top of the range cars and designer clothing should be the last things in your mind. Those things will follow once the business is strong and well grounded. Stay humble and use that money wisely – to grow the business because this is what will ensure your long-term survival.”

Mafumo said he once had a stern test of character from his business mentor when he asked to be taken to the parking lot to see what he was driving. “I showed him my old car I bought years ago when I was still working for the City of Cape Town. He then lectured about staying grounded and ensuring whatever monies I get are channelled where they supposed to be – growing my business.

“He literally told me that this is where you will be eating from for the rest of life. That top of the range car will not put food on your table but this successful business will for as long as you live and for as long as you run it properly, and I took to this to heart as I also believed in that principle.”

Mafumo is a graduate of the 2017 Amaphoko programme and attended a 10-day residency during which he and the other participants received mentorship, inspiration and practical skills training from top local and international figures. He said this is the kind of advice he too would give to those aspiring to join the academy in the hope of giving their enterprises some wings.

He runs Kusini Water, which also involves a purification system launched in Shayandima, Limpopo, in 2016 after his realisation of an urban brain drain from rural areas and the hardships. “Our mothers and sisters went through to ensure household in rural setting had enough water to cook, wash and drink and the fact that this water was being shared with other animals, both domestic and wild”.

Bryanston-based Kusini Water created an innovative mobile, solar-powered water purification system that uses locally sourced macadamia nut shells and an off-grid power system, to provide safe drinking water in rural areas. Their aim is to provide lasting access to affordable drinking water for everyone.

To date, Kusini Water has two outlets in Limpopo, one in Gauteng and one in the Western Cape. It will soon be opening two more, in the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga. “If all goes well, we hope to open 30 outlets by the end of 2019 and also hope to start to break even as a company.”

Details: Murendeni Mafumo 082 082 0624; www.kusiniwater.co.za; murendeni@kusiniwater.co.za