Zama Luthuli, Founder and Managing Director of Everest Strategic Communications
Founded in 2020, making her a “covidprenuer” – meaning a business started under unprecedented economic times due to the Coronavirus that plagued the world in 2020. “I lead my team and manage clients on a daily basis. A big part is being in tune with our clients’ needs and being able to curate solutions that speak to their brand story.” Zama has 20 years of corporate experience in the overall corporate affairs environment with her last role at the industrial development corporation as Executive Corporate Affairs, a role she vacated in December 2019 at the end of her fixed-term contract. “Having had an amazing career journey during my corporate days, I do count crossing my three-year mark as an entrepreneur as one of my biggest achievements thus far. Corporate can be hard. Entrepreneurship even harder, so I chose my hard and I am in a good space. Research shows that there is a much higher rate of small business failure within the first three years, therefore any small business that makes it beyond the three-year mark, should celebrate that milestone.” I participated in the Thebe UJ entrepreneurship programme in 2021. The course came at the right time for me as I was navigating the various aspects of running a business, I found the much-needed support through the programme and this included meeting a network of other entrepreneurs where we continue to share ideas, beyond the programme. I did find the one-on-one mentorship support very helpful and I was able to engage directly on specific issues facing my business. I didn’t expect that we would graduate, gown and all – it was a lovely surprise and a sense of achievement. I was the first one to be called on stage to receive my certificate of attendance. When I was younger, I wanted to be a physiotherapist, I don’t know why, I just think the word sounded nice – hahaha. As I grew older, my choices evolved and I guess aligning with my personality and character as well. I’m such a talker and I thrive in conversations, I guess then PR and Communications became a natural choice. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted, it is those who stay the course that eventually see the fruits of their labour. My vision is to create a positive impact, this is either through creating opportunities for others, supporting clients with their communications and brand stories or even inspiring my children to never fear the hard stuff. Always choose your hard. “If not you, then who” as my mother would always say. Born eMlazi, grew up at eMandeni, raised well by my grandparents until primary school, moved to live with my mother in Kwa-Mashu and completed my Matric in 1994.
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