On Friday 25 November 2023A/2022G the Dr S.B Radebe Foundation hosted the Trillion Cart Investments’ Epitome of Black Excellence Business Expo at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, Western Cape.
Amongst the attendees, was Ingonyama yamaHlubi, Miss Nandi Nyembe, Miss Abigail Kubheka, Her Excellency Mrs Thobeka Madiba-Zuma, Mrs Nwabisa Gxothiwe, Reverend Bakery Camara of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), with his delegation and last but not least Amasosha, The Blue Nation.
The event was aimed at highlighting The Power of Unity as Africans in accordance to the 8th Annual Memorial Lecture of Mr Mzuvukile Slabbert Steve Radebe. Panellists from different entrepreneurial paths came together to deliberate solutions towards the economic problems the African nation is engulfed by.
The first panellist, Thandolwethu Sipuye took the stand to share profound knowledge on how to decolonize Africans and have them see beyond what they see with the physical eye. Moreover sharing the potential solutions to save Africa.
Ubuntu Luxury Goods and Imvelo Pharmaceuticals’ top distributor, Thema Khumalo shared how she began her business with a borrowed R100 note, from looking forward to return home as a failure to, now being the sole bread winner. “I had to teach myself self-control and had to deprive myself of things that were not necessary, and that is how I progressed to the top” she added.
All the way from Kenya, Mr Amos Odihambo Onyango spoke on how the youth is the pillar of Africa. He taught and encouraged for the youth to stand up and be the owners of their economy. “We are not destiny of the servant of the colonisers. How do we think we will get jobs by going to the coloniser’s countries whereas they are failing to create opportunities for themselves in their land? Question as to why they had to invade Africa, if Africa had nothing. Let us invite ourselves to the table as no one will”, said Mr Onyango.
Siba Mtongana, a successful black business woman and South African Celebrity Chef stood with a heartfelt appreciation for being recognized for the work she has done and still does, as well as her successes with her culinary venture. “It is important that we come together and have the economy circulate amongst ourselves, just like how other nations do it. Entrepreneurship means we are giving people a choice of what they consume”, she said. We need to move away from being consumers.
Honourable Vuyolwethu Zungula went onto say that “It is prudent that we tackle the problems currently in the country. If we talk of solutions we need to start buying black, where if you don’t buy black you need to feel bad. We as leaders need to walk the talk.”
Trillion Cart Investments President Thembi Tulwana, took the audience through Trillion Cart Investments’ journey and Dr Radebe’s Leadership as a businessman. “Dr Radebe is an astute business person, not propelled by the dictators of the land”, said TC’s President.
CEO of Trillion Cart Investments, Namhla Dabula stood before the present bodies in awe as so to give her point of how this economy would be restored. She shared how Dr Radebe has held her hand through the journey to build and grow Trillion Cart investments.
With all the panellists speaking the same language, promoting the strive to have money circulate amongst African people, keynote speaker, Dr Radebe added onto the panellists innovative solutions to say that “ Black businesses should strive for excellence. They should not just do things, but apply quality.”
Thema Khumalo was honoured with a Black Excellence award accompanied with a R15 000 cheque as a token of appreciation from the Dr S.B Radebe Foundation. Siba Mtongana was also awarded for Black Excellence also with a R20 000 token of appreciation.
A bedazzled performance by Ntsika drew the audience into a space of the true and authentic sense African music, moving each individual with electrifying beats.
The event was closed off with Trillion Cart’s Blue Friday sale, where products from Ubuntu Luxury Goods, Imvelo Pharmaceuticals, to name a few were sold at discounted prices, this to solidify the urge to support black owned products.
