Have you ever wondered why some people have an appetite to quit a full-time job to start a business? Is it because they have a taste for risk or because they dislike taking orders from their supervisors? Or perhaps they have a burning desire to change the world for the better? In South Africa, the entrepreneurial landscape is fascinating, with many startups striving for success. Yet, only a few manage to grow into JSE-listed companies. According to recent statistics, around 70% of new businesses in South Africa fail within the first two years. This tough journey is traveled by the brave few who, as Steve Jobs famously said, believe they can change the world.
The 16th episode of our X Spaces took place on Nelson Mandela Day, the 18th of July. The founder of Papasha Media Saki Mabhele began by announcing the company’s special initiative for the day: “We thought we could come up with something special for our listeners. As part of our entrepreneurial support, we decided to help 10 small businesses by donating a domain name for each and hosting it for free for one year. This is our contribution towards Nelson Mandela Day. We’ll open this opportunity for 67 minutes just after this show, so from 14:00 pm we are counting 67 minutes. Just send an email to say you are interested, and we will assist you with that domain name. I am happy to take questions about this during the space,” he announced.
TransformSA invited entrepreneurs from different walks of life and backgrounds to share their insights and experiences:
Arthie Moore

As a professional speaker, strategist, leadership coach for executives, diversity and inclusion specialist, author, and facilitator, Arthie believes that continuous growth, upliftment, challenging mindsets, and innovative thinking will help companies achieve the results they desire.
Ashah Hobyane

Director of HOBYS EMPIRE, a construction and supply company, and Ntalo WA Rirhandzu Finance, a loan company.
Busisiwe Maile

Founder and Director of C3 Auto Body Repair Academy with a career spanning over a decade in the auto body repair industry. She also holds directorship positions in three renowned auto body repair centres.
Derrick Maphoru

Founder of Lima Programme and Youth Development, a sports-oriented programme catering to kids aged 6-17, with netball, chess, and soccer. Based in Tembisa at Welamlambo Sports Ground, Derrick is passionate about youth development through sports.
Host: Dr. Arthie, could you give us a quick introduction about yourself?
Dr. Arthie: Thank you for the opportunity. I am an entrepreneur who has founded a few companies. I am also a philanthropist, love working with people, and am a leadership coach for executives at board level.
Host: Ashah, welcome to the show. Can you give us a brief introduction about yourself and what you do?
Ashah: Sure. I am an entrepreneur who has founded a few companies. Hobys Empire deals with construction and supplying, and now we are venturing into energy. I also have a company called Backspace Financial, which deals with insurance, and Ntalo Wa Rirhandzu Finance, a loan company.
Host: Busisiwe, I am quite interested in your business. Can you tell us a bit about that and where you are based?
Busisiwe: I am based in Bloemfontein and Cape Town. I am in the autobody repair space and have an accredited training and testing centre in Bloemfontein, qualifying technicians for this industry. I also have an interest in panel shops, with one in the Free State office park and a panel repair centre in Cape Town, which is a 100% black female-owned business. Today, I am accredited and approved by the major OEMs.
Host: Derrick, can you give us a quick introduction about yourself and what you do?
Derrick: We run a youth programme called Lima Sports Programme, which is youth-oriented and focuses on soccer, netball, and chess for juniors. We have recently started a female league as well. Additionally, we run a business called Black Fair, which deals with customisation, specifically customised shoes for agencies.
Host: Dr. Arthie, can you take us through how you got involved in business? And how was it?
Dr. Arthie: It was an intriguing journey. I was only 19 years old and fresh out of college, having studied marketing and business law. Someone I interacted with took me to rural areas, specifically Ndwedwe, where I got to experience traditional Zulu culture on a very different level. This was in 1996, and I had never been to a rural area before. The beliefs, mindset, and value system I held were part of a fear I had going in there. What I found were beautiful and incredible people.
One day, while sitting with the inkosi at a meeting (umhlangano), I asked how I could show respect in their culture. He taught me something simple but profound: to learn the isithakazelo (clan name). This interaction showed me the importance of listening to people in their language and respecting their culture. That experience led to the creation of Celebrating Humanity International. Since then, we have developed programmes to help people understand and celebrate the beauty of human diversity, and I have taken this programme to many countries and companies across various industries.
Host: I am curious to know what really drives you as a business owner?
Dr. Arthie: It’s watching people succeed. For me, it’s about tapping into the basic needs of people who feel like they have no avenues left. Sharing knowledge and skills, and then seeing their eyes light up with understanding and hope, is incredibly fulfilling.
Host: Busi, can you give us some background on how you started your business, and what was your tipping moment that made you decide to start your own thing?
Busisiwe: I initially started in the NGO space, where I was responsible for fundraising and stakeholder relations for a scholarship programme. During that time, I consulted with an auto repair company that was looking for a bursary programme. I identified a need in the industry for developing young people, as the retention of apprentices was quite high due to the lengthy qualification period. I developed a programme based on my experience and handed it over to them.
A few months later, they came back and asked if I wanted to run the programme. That’s where my journey began. We established a successful apprentice programme in Gauteng, and I worked hard to get the industry to buy into it and see the value of investing in qualifying technicians. This programme gained traction, and I was then approached with an opportunity in Bloemfontein to take over an existing trade testing centre that was going to close down. I jumped at the opportunity, got partners on board, and was loaned money to purchase my stake in it.
We eventually expanded to Cape Town, purchasing a going concern business. It has been challenging as a black female entrepreneur, having to prove that I can meet deliverables and run a successful business. Our training academy has a team of 10 staff members and is one of only four accredited centres in the country. Our panel beating shop in Cape Town employs about 110 staff members, with an additional smaller automated centre employing 14 people.
Host: Ashah, can you tell us about your business and how you started?
Ashah: I started with the construction business. In 2018, while working in Cape Town for a construction company, I found myself frustrated with the way my supervisor treated me. By December 2018, I decided to stop working. And in 2019 I was not doing anything. In 2020, I registered a construction company and managed to get a few clients before relocating to Joburg, where it was difficult initially because I didn’t know anyone. Over time, I made connections and secured some projects.
In 2021, someone approached me with an idea to start an insurance business. Intrigued by the proposal, we decided to go for it. We got our license in December 2021 and contracts in 2022. Although the initial setup required a lot of money, a friend who was involved in tenders invested R300,000, which helped us get started. We currently have about six contracts and are developing our own products.
Host: Who inspired you to one day own your own business?
Ashah: I come from a very rough background. Every time I look back, I get emotional because it is a very sad story. I remember one Christmas Day, there was nothing to eat at home. I was standing at the door of my room, looking at my mom sitting there, and I thought to myself, “This is not going to happen again ever in my life.” My father was there, and he still is, but I did not have a father figure in my life. Growing up wasn’t easy. I decided that the suffering would end with me. My next generation is not going to suffer like I did. That resolve is what inspired me to start my own business and change my circumstances.
Host: Derrick, I like what you do with the Lima programme. Let’s hear your story. How did it start?
Derrick: We live in Tembisa, right in the center, 10 minutes away from the airport and the Mall of Africa. Our community faces a lot of negative influences, like teenage pregnancies and other social issues. Growing up in Tembisa, I saw many kids fall into the traps of drugs and crime. We saw a gap and decided to start a programme that resonates with kids. We began the Lima Sports Programme in 2018. It wasn’t easy, and we were unsure of what we were doing. In 2020, Covid hit, and we had to stop. We started training in a garage. After two Covid interruptions, we resumed and have since grown our programme from 14 teams to 46 teams. Seeing the success of our programme, we started a female programme because many girls were complaining that we were only focusing on boys.
Final Thoughts
Today’s discussion has been a testament to the resilience and determination of entrepreneurs from various industries. From Dr. Arthie’s journey of cultural respect and leadership to Ashah’s transition from being an employee to a business owner, and Busisiwe’s impactful work in the autobody repair industry, each story underscores the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and a strong sense of purpose. Derrick’s efforts in Tembisa with the Lima Sports Programme highlight the power of community-driven initiatives to create positive change. These entrepreneurs inspire us to overcome challenges and make meaningful contributions to our communities.