Building Access, Community, and the Future of South African Tech with Ntsako Mgiba (Darkies in Tech)
What does it take to build real power for Black founders in South Africa’s tech ecosystem — and create a future where professionals of colour have equitable access to knowledge, networks, and funding?In this episode, I sit down with Ntsako Mgiba, founder of Darkies in Tech — the country’s largest vetted community of Black founders, investors, and ecosystem builders — to unpack the journey from a single WhatsApp group to a thriving platform reshaping the future of African innovation.We dive into the launch of the new Darkies in Tech platform, the game-changing partnership with Gijima, and why their mission goes beyond representation — to building a diverse, inclusive tech ecosystem that truly reflects South Africa’s rich demographic diversity.Ntsako shares the hard lessons of building with purpose, the values guiding his leadership — from giving value before you take it, to engaging authentically and learning together — and what the next generation needs to do to not just survive, but own the future of African tech.If you care about the future of African innovation and the role of community as infrastructure, this is a conversation you can’t afford to miss.
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From Vision to Traction: The Zoie Health Journey with Thato Schermer
In South Africa and across the continent, millions of women still face healthcare that is expensive, fragmented, and impersonal. For far too long, care has been treated as a service, not a relationship. And when the system fails, it’s community — not institutions — that women turn to for support.Zoie Health was born in that gap.Built from lived experience and guided by community insight, Zoie is a digital health platform on a mission to redesign access to care. It’s not just about virtual consultations or medication delivery — it’s about building a system rooted in trust, dignity, and humanity.At the centre of this vision is Thato Schermer — a founder who isn’t just chasing growth, she’s solving for care at scale. She’s proving that you can lead with empathy, build with purpose, and still move with urgency.In this episode, we unpack how Thato and her team are turning pain into product, story into structure, and community into infrastructure — one decision at a time.Because real innovation isn’t just about technology.It’s about who you're building for — and who you're building with.
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The Human Work of Entrepreneurship: Ian Calvert on Building with Impact (Futher)
This episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to build ventures that last — and why starting with the human being behind the idea is the most powerful form of entrepreneurship. Ian Calvert, co-founder of FURTHER and former Global Project Leader at Red Bull Amaphiko, joins us to explore why personal growth, resilience, and purpose should come before traction, funding, or scale.For nearly a decade, Ian and the FURTHER team have been reshaping how we support entrepreneurs in South Africa. Rather than treating founders like pitch decks with legs, they invest in the person — helping them develop the mindset, networks, and inner capacity needed to create sustainable businesses that make real impact.We unpack:Why building humans first leads to stronger businesses and stronger communitiesHow FURTHER’s unique approach blends storytelling, wellbeing, and performance coachingThe launch of THE GREENHOUSE, a bold partnership with the Nedbank Foundation to grow South Africa’s next generation of green economy innovatorsWhat social enterprises like Kusini Water teach us about scaling impact sustainablyWhy the future of entrepreneurship requires more focus on purpose, less on hype💡 This episode is a call to rethink how we nurture South Africa’s next generation of builders — and a reminder that if we want lasting impact, we have to start with the people creating it.
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1:06:46
Reclaiming the Narrative: Community, Media & Africa's Startup Story with Andile Masuku(African Tech Roundup)
What if the real power in Africa’s startup ecosystem isn’t capital — but control of the narrative?This episode is a reckoning with how stories are told, who gets to tell them, and what gets left out. Andile Masuku, co-founder of African Tech Roundup, joins us to unpack the tension between media, community, and innovation — and why reclaiming the narrative is essential if we’re serious about building an ecosystem that serves people, not just platforms.Andile has spent nearly a decade documenting the evolution of the continent’s tech space. But he’s also challenged it — asking hard questions about who gets visibility, whose voices are missing, and whether we’re building systems that truly serve people.We unpack:Why African Tech Roundup chose depth over scale — and what that reveals about community buildingThe media’s role in either amplifying hype or holding power to accountHow "community" has become a buzzword — and how to reclaim its real meaningThe tension between storytelling, influence, and impactWhy building with integrity means being willing to disrupt your own comfort💡 This episode is a call to rethink what we celebrate in African innovation — and a reminder that storytelling isn’t just a reflection of the ecosystem, it’s a force that can shape its future.
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Building the Future of African Media with Thabile Ngwato (Newzroom Afrika)
In this powerful episode of the Mashstartup Podcast, we sit down with one of South Africa’s most formidable media entrepreneurs — Thabile Ngwato. As the founder and CEO of Rapid Innovation Group, the force behind Newzroom Afrika, Ray Content Hub, Bluestream Technologies and Emerge, Thabile is not just telling the story — she’s rewriting the rules of who gets to tell it.From her start in radio and television to launching Newzroom Afrika, Thabile has carved out a bold path in the African media and tech landscape. She opens up about the transition from being a broadcaster to building sustainable businesses, and what it truly takes to lead in an industry that’s constantly evolving. We talk about:Her early career in radio and TV, and how it shaped her entrepreneurial mindsetThe fast-paced journey of launching Newzroom Afrika in just five monthsWhy purpose, people, and innovation are central to how she buildsHer long-term vision for media and tech in AfricaWhat legacy means — and why she’s making space for the next generation of Black women leadersIf you’re building something meaningful, navigating change, or just want to learn from someone shaping the future of African media — this one is for you.WATCH & SUBSCRIBE for more real stories from South Africa’s opportunity creators and builders.
Learn from South Africa's entrepreneurs, solution builders and opportunity creators. In each episode, we dive into the process—unpacking practical lessons and candid journeys of Africa’s next generation of builders as they navigate the realities of starting and growing what they believe in. From tough challenges to game-changing breakthroughs, we uncover what it truly takes to build impactful businesses that shape South Africa and beyond. Join a community of builders and find resources, mentorship, and opportunities at www.mashstartsup.co.za
South Africa