Why I love South African Entrepreneurs

I really believe that South African entrepreneurs have everything they need to succeed on a world stage. We all know that South African entrepreneurs operate in a massively challenging environment, and those that have managed to find their way through to to 5 or 10 year mark, probably demonstrate business acumen to rival any "tech bro" out there.

Yesterday I learned that 3% of people in South Africa pay 76% of all personal income tax which is not a stat that many in the Global North can even wrap their heads around. We're talking about a handful of productive (in relation to SARS, of course) people shouldering the running of an entire nation (and, dare I say, it's kind of working). I mean, to succeed in the face of such impossible odds requires, grit, tenacity and intuition that would play on a world stage.

So, I asked ChatGPT what makes tech bros so good at business, and this it what it said:

Tech entrepreneurs (sometimes labeled "tech bros") often excel in business for several reasons, many of which stem from specific characteristics, experiences, and environments associated with the tech industry. Here's a breakdown:

Yip, we've got that covered. We exist in a sea of problems, problem solving has quite naturally become our default setting. In the wise words of Vanilla Ice, if you got a problem, YO! I'll solve it.

Less so, while the funding and available market is not there (which obvs makes tech bros lives radically easier), we do have the fortunate trait of being able to lean into community. Ubuntu is one of out guiding philosophies as a nation and that's that allows us to compete.

Here's where we differ, and what makes us insurmountably better, in my opinion. Big data is largely a myth for most South African entrepreneurs. What tried and tested business owners bring to the table, however, is a deep an knowing intuition which guides our decision-making, often at lightning speed. And, the proof is in the pudding, the business keep going.

This is probably where we need to get better, thinking about growth and scale like corporate companies do. Perhaps it's time we got a bit more self-serving and started businesses that work for us, rather than the other way around? #JustSaying

Unfortunately, here we are less likely to have the element of choice. Perhaps we've been laid off, the company down sized, and now all we have is a MBA in out back pocket and no way to make an income. Sometimes it's just about making a job for yourself.

Again, quite naturally we often fall back on the quickest and easiest way of getting things done. I consider how as a society we regularly leap-frog in the tech department and manage to still stay ahead of the curve. Think WhatsApp group vs active directory.

This is definitely an area where we need to see improvement, and, in the same breath, smart entrepreneurs are beginning to leverage AI as a "guide" to upskill themselves, query their strategy, expose their weaknesses and point them in the most rational direction, helping them to make better businesses decisions.

Growth hacking as basically synonymous with South African. No power? We'll make a plan. No water? We'll make a plan. No internet? We'll make a plan? Why? Because in South Africa, 'n boer maak 'n plan.

Visionary thinking is built into the South African entrepreneur. It's in our DNA, in our code. This one is linked to the deep intuition that serves us daily to navigate this complex web of decisions.

Uncertainty in South Africa has long been the norm, and not just for us. For our parents too. The term "resilience" is widely overused, it's true, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that this is an area that we excel in, and today, we're taking all the wins we can get!

I love South African entrepreneurs

In closing, South African entrepreneurs are a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. While the odds may often seem insurmountable, the grit, ingenuity, and adaptability they embody rival the business acumen of any celebrated "tech bro." Yes, funding is scarce, and resources are stretched thin, but these challenges have birthed a unique brand of entrepreneurial resilience.

Our culture of problem-solving, driven by the Ubuntu philosophy and deep intuition, is not just about survival; it's about thriving in the face of adversity. Where others have the luxury of data, we rely on instinct. Where others have infrastructure, we innovate with whatever is at hand. This isn’t just grit—it’s genius.

Sure, there’s room to grow—especially when it comes to scaling businesses and thinking long-term—but the foundation is undeniably solid. With increasing access to technology and tools like AI, South African entrepreneurs are poised to evolve even further.

The truth is, we’ve been "growth hacking" long before it had a name. From making a plan in the face of power cuts to reinventing business models under pressure, South African entrepreneurs prove time and time again that success is less about resources and more about resourcefulness. And if the world hasn’t noticed yet, it’s only a matter of time before they do.