Marketing and brand officer for the Cape Times, Moshe Apleni, caught up with Bheki Kunene, owner and CEO of Mind Trix Media.
Bheki will be the guest speaker at the Cape Times Breakfast presented in association with Argon Asset Management. The breakfast session is an opportunity for the Cape Times to connect with its readers in local communities.
Breakfast sessions have already been held in Khayelitsha, Athlone and now it is the time for Gugulethu to host at the iconic JL Zwane Centre.
What was your first job?
I have never been employed. I started a business straight out of school.
What parts of your job keep you awake at night?
It used to be cash flow and payroll at the end of the month in the earlier days of business, but these days it is more the vision and strategic direction of the business along with which opportunities to take up and which ones we don’t. I am very mindful of taking up more than one can manage because I believe most companies don’t fail from lack of opportunity but rather indigestion - taking up more than they can swallow.
Who has had the biggest impact on your career and why?
Mzwanele Fani, Jamey Cupido, Sandiswa Jonas, Zizipho Nqoshela, Buzwe Mancobe, Sisa Moyo, Leroy Mahlangu - these guys believed in our vision and worked for Mind Trix Media even when it was in my bedroom. I have major respect and admiration for these guys, as it took a lot of faith to believe we would build an award-winning digital agency with an international clientele when all we had was R600, a computer and a dream. Jehovah cannot be forgotten, because I believe all the strategic insight was inspired and led by the divine force.
What is the best professional advice you have ever received?
Always try to balance wealth, health and relationships and you will be happy, for none can exist successfully without the others.
Give us your thoughts on transformation, and how it is practised at Mind Trix Media?
The staff profit-sharing fund was initially an equity fund which enables staffers who have worked for a certain number of years at Mind Trix Media to own the business and yields a 14th or 15th cheque, dependent on performance .
This means it's more than just a job: we seek to impact and change peoples lives.
In addition, over 40 youth have got tertiary education via our programme wherein we find talented township-based youth and put them through graphic and web design tuition and internships.
To us, transformation is teaching men to catch their own fish, as opposed to retaining them as subordinates and giving them a helping hand.
True transformation should be teaching mankind to be self-reliant.
In your opinion, where’s the best place to prepare for leadership? Business school or on the job?
Wisdom is the application of knowledge and I believe the greatest teacher is one’s experience. Yet mankind does not take time to reflect and learn from their experience, sadly.
Business school may possibly give you the world’s greatest theories, but experience will give you a lifetime of invaluable lessons. I haven’t been to business school, but each day I wake up at 4am and read a book to learn new ideas and concepts, as I believe leaders are a group of individuals devoted to lifelong learning.
Where to for Mind Trix?
Becoming a force to be reckoned with in digital space across the globe, while changing people's lives through design.
What can the industry that Mind Trix is in do to effect positive change South Africa?
There is so much I honestly don’t know where to begin.
How do you relax?
Take long walks in the mountains or forests, and read a good book.
What is your message to Africa’s young aspiring business people and entrepreneurs?
Focus on working on the business and hire great individuals to work in the business, and you will see and manage major growth. May the Divine Force be with you all.
To book your place at the Cape Times Breakfast on May 11 go to www.quicket.co.za. Space is limited.