UJ’s 2021 Mail & Guardian top 200 Young South Africans
MR DZIVHU MAVHUNGU Founder and Managing Director of EarlyCareers
Masonwabe Fuma finds purpose in life by spreading his entrepreneurial spirit. “I wish to empower our people by assisting them to find ways and means to empower themselves,” he says. He believes that a valuable tool with which to introduce the previously excluded into the economy is through cooperatives: community-run businesses or enterprises. Fuma is an associate director and spokesperson for the Africa Cooperatives Institute of SA. The institute focuses on empowerment and on providing training to develop community- based enterprises and non-profit companies that are sustainable and resilient. “When you train people, nurturing the skills and experiences that will support them throughout their careers. Through his business EarlyCareers, and by undertaking a PhD at the University of Johannesburg that is centred on strategies for the improvement of Generation Z’s career trajectories, Mavhungu seeks to ensure the employability and long-term retention of young people in corporate workplaces. Through EarlyCareers, Mavhungu coordinates early career programmes such as industry- aligned and allied bursaries, internship opportunities and graduate programmes. Beyond the success of his own business
and studies, Mavhungu feels deep satisfaction knowing his work ensures the futures and livelihoods
of so many young people. His proudest moment? When a
cooperatives, you create mobility, the sharing and organising of ideas,” says Fuma. “This then assists in positioning the African continent as a strong community enterprise sector.” Fuma is helping to establish AfriCo Online, an online store for South African cooperatives. When it launches later this year, it will have more than 150 local cooperatives on its database. “If doors are closed on your face, get in through the window – kick, scream, shout and negotiate if you have to.” National Diploma in Marketing, BTech Marketing, 2017 participant in one of his graduate programmes was hired directly into a managerial position. For him, this was a testament to the importance and relevance of his work. “My advice to my younger self is the advice I followed exactly 10 years ago when it seemed impossible to start a business at 17. I did it and here I am.” BCom Human Resources Management, MCom in Leadership and Change, 2016
As a self-described “skillspreneur”, Dzivhu Mavhungu is in the business of building the potential of young
MR MASONWABLE FUMA Associate director and spokesperson at Africa Cooperatives Institute of South Africa
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