[Startup Interview] Joe Mabuela, Founder, I Will Succeed, South Africa
South African Joe Mabuela, together with his wife Zodwa, started the inspirational and educational brand, I Will Succeed, in 2015.
His interview with Africa Business Communities:
Please introduce I Will Succeed.
I Will Succeed is a brand which is an international catalyst of hope, passion, and success. We operate in the communications and motivational education industry. We are located in Johannesburg Westrand, in a township called Kagiso. The company is owned, financed and run by myself and my wife, Zodwa Mabuela.
Our clients are professionals, non-professionals and everyone who would like to succeed.
What other activities are you involved in?
I’m an accredited facilitator and assessor with the EDTP SETA and hold the relevant qualifications through The Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance. I train both parents and educators on school governance matters and policy formulation.
I serve as Chairperson of the Randfontein High School (RHS), an institution that has maintained a 100% Matric pass rate for 5 years in succession. RHS is the first learning institution in the Gauteng West district to successfully convert into a W-Fi based e-learning centre.
I’m also lead pastor at The Faith Community Sanctuary church based in Kagiso, SA.
Why did you start I Will Succeed?
Because people are unaware of their potential! I decided I would conduct research on what are the actual success factors that successful people apply, and having done this, I wrote a book called The 12 Success Factors, from which the brand “I Will Succeed” was born. I Will Succeed stands as a followup of sorts to my book; a reminder from me to keep people in an atmosphere and mindset of success, even after reading all the books on the subject.
How would you describe the Startup Environment in South Africa in terms of support that is given by the government?
I would say the startup environment depends on the kind of business in question. The government supports and funds manufacturing businesses as these are believed to contribute towards the country’s economic growth. The government has targeted the SMME sector as an economic empowerment vehicle for previously disadvantaged people. As a result, SMMEs have received significant attention and investment, ranging from the establishment of state-initiated projects to supportive legislation, a variety of funding institutions and government incentives through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
How effective is crowd funding as a tool for startups in South Africa?
Crowd funding is hard work in SA. Many entrepreneurs see rewards from crowd funding when a perk or a product is provided to a donor, as opposed to equity as an easy way to raise money. But if you don't have a very good idea or a product that excites people, it's just not going to work.
What are your goals in terms of (international) markets, growth?
We would love to see our company expand across borders to help those previously disadvantaged groups achieve success, and we are working hard toward this goal. Every day we further our objective of restoring hope and passion to succeed to those that find themselves falling short of the tools to achieve this mindset.
What do you want people and companies who read this interview to do?
We would be pleased if they could join us in our Launch on the 31st of October of both the book and brand. For more info on this, please contact info@iwillsucceed.co.za.
www.linkedin.com/pub/joe-mabuela
Africa Business Communities is conducting a series of interviews with startup businesses in Africa. Are you a startup and interested in an interview? Please send an e-mail to Andrea Ayemoba: andrea@africabusinesscommunities.com