ALUMNI MOVERS AND SHAKERS
to UJ in Grade 11 when one of the university scouts came to our high school to tell us more about what the university offered. I remember keeping the orange UJ pen they gave us, and I told myself that one day soon I will be studying at UJ.” What followed was a BA in Journalism, which she completed in 2011 with Communications and Philosophy majors. Dinkwanyane, who has plans for a postgraduate degree in either Journalism or Philosophy and an MBA, also studied Social Media Marketing at the University of Cape Town. The highlight of her time at UJ was learning about the entrepreneurial opportunities available. During her final year of studies at UJ, Dinkwanyane launched an
entertainment blog, Orgella Online, an online journal covering music, celebrities, fashion, and events. “I just kept going with my blog. It took only a few months to get over a million hits, and then, from around April 2012, advertising clients started coming in,” says Allegro. And that was the start of what has today become the Orgella Group, a diverse group of companies invested in several industries including media, communications, farming and property. A 2017 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 Honouree, Dinkwanyane believes that she owes her success and life lessons to the grace of God over my life.” Ironically, my first name Mogau means Grace and I believe in the power of names.”
As a result, she turns to faith when she is facing difficulties, and also relies on her supportive friends and family. “My two-year-old son, Elohim, is also my greatest motivator.” As for the future, Dinkwanyane says she is currently concentrating on trying to stabilise her businesses and make sure that it is prepared in these uncertain times, as well as exploring new ways of doing business. “We’re living in uncertain times and the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of setbacks for everyone, including entrepreneurs, especially small to medium businesses.” Dinkwanyane is also looking forward to launching a few new projects in the next two years.
Allegro Dinkwanyane: Entrepreneur and a M&G top 200 young South African
Allegro Dinkwanyane, Founder and Group CEO of the Ogella Group, was born in Limpopo and raised between Lebowakgomo, 45 km southeast of the Limpopo capital of Polokwane, and Pretoria, and also split her schooling between these two towns. From there, this academic and competitive young lady climbed the ladder of success to launch a company specifically focused on online and broadcast media. She is one of the youngest owners of a 100% black-owned media company in South Africa. Dinkwanyane says, during her schooling, she was “always quite the academic and very competitive in sports”. Apart from her attention to her studies, she played a part in the debate team and was a prefect in secondary school. “I really enjoyed school, and I’m still friends with my high school best friend who I met in Grade 8.” It’s maybe no surprise, then, that she wanted to be an athlete and become a runner after she left school. She changed her mind and decided to become a singer before realising that entrepreneurship would open doors. “I started to take entrepreneurship more seriously when I discovered Oprah, and from the influence of my mother, who also juggled a business while working as a teacher.” Dinkwanyane says she always wanted to further her studies at university, even when she didn’t know how her mother would raise the money. “I studied really hard so that I could apply for a bursary or scholarship. I knew I wanted to go
Aobakwe Makoku: Bidvest Wits Premier Soccer League club executive
Makoku started school at BonaBona Primary School and, with two schools in between, Matriculated at Kalahari High School. He describes himself as “one of the bright personalities” and wore several hats, including
Chartered Accountant Aobakwe Makoku has been exposed to life at different levels of societal segments during his life journey, having grown up in a village (Tsineng Village in Kuruman), moving to a mining town (Hotazel) and then later moving to Johannesburg, all in pursuit of education and a better life. “This has refined my people skills, which I regard as one of the most valuable assets that I possess. My ability to connect and click with people effortlessly makes me stand out and get the optimal value out of each relation and interaction,” says the accountant.
that of soccer captain and Representative Council for Learners member.
His early career ambitions were to stand out and be counted and be an exemplary figure for those coming after me in the villages I grew up in. “More than riches and power, I wanted to have influence to effect change that matters, be a beacon of hope and show
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ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 14
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