Basetsana Kumalo on reinvention, legacy and why 'if it doesn't scare you, it's not big enough'
Media mogul and businesswoman Basetsana Kumalo spoke to Breakfast with Martin about reinvention, building a lasting legacy and the importance of remaining relevant in business.
The MANCOSA Jacaranda FM Business Breakfast returned for its fourth edition on Monday, August 17, at Vodacom Dome, Vodacom World in Midrand, bringing together influential voices from the world of business, leadership and society.
This year’s event featured several speakers who have made their mark in their respective fields, including media mogul and entrepreneur Basetsana Kumalo.
Kumalo spoke to Breakfast with Martin Bester about reinvention, building a lasting legacy and the importance of remaining relevant in business.
Explaining why she agreed to speak at this year's event, Kumalo said she recognised the incredible work MANCOSA is doing in higher education and its solutions-driven approach, something she said resonates strongly with her.
Her appearance at the event comes as she continues her own academic journey. Kumalo revealed that she is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Professional Studies in Transdisciplinary Public Works.
The qualification reflects her three decades of experience as an entrepreneur, during which she has ventured into several industries, including food security, coal mining and the development of a fertiliser plant.
Speaking to Martin Bester, she explained that her academic work also reflects the broader impact she has sought to make throughout her career.
"Throughout my career path as an entrepreneur, I've been very conscious and socially conscious about creating jobs and creating employment in our country," she said.
Kumalo said women's empowerment, job creation, food security and social justice are among the subjects explored in her thesis.
Reinventing yourself in business
With 32 years of entrepreneurship behind her, Kumalo has experienced several different chapters in both her personal and professional life. She said each decade has played a role in shaping the decisions she has made about her businesses and how they have evolved.
"I think it's important to continue to reinvent as a business because you want longevity. You need to be sustainable, you need to be agile, you need to be able to think on top of your feet and see how you grow your business, how you scale," she said.
For Kumalo, reinvention is not simply about changing direction. It is about ensuring that a business can adapt, grow and remain sustainable as circumstances change.
She also encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to dream bigger and not be afraid of ambitious goals.
"To dare to dream. I always say that if it doesn’t scare you, then it's not big enough," she said.
She added that entrepreneurs should think about where they want their businesses to be in five or even 10 years and develop a growth trajectory that will allow them to build sustainable ventures.
'Build your own table'
Kumalo also reflected on the challenges she has faced throughout her career, particularly as a woman navigating spaces where women have not always been readily welcomed.
After beginning her public career as a beauty queen, she has gone on to build a career spanning media, entrepreneurship and other business ventures.
She acknowledged that getting to where she is today has not been easy.
Her message extended beyond personal success, with Kumalo emphasising the importance of creating opportunities for others along the way.
She also spoke proudly about South Africa, urging citizens to be intentional about speaking positively about the country, including when they are outside its borders.
For Kumalo, building a successful business is about more than personal achievement. It is about creating jobs, contributing to society and leaving behind a meaningful legacy.
Listen to the rest of Basetsana Kumalo's interview with Breakfast with Martin below.
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