In 2006, I was appointed CEO of iBurst, which established one of South Africa’s largest wireless broadband networks. In 2010, I founded and became CEO of World of Avatar, where I acquired Mxit, Africa’s largest social network. I’ve dedicated my career to connecting people and communities online.

In 2013, I started Project Isizwe, an NGO bringing free public WiFi to townships. By 2014, I had founded HeroTel, which became South Africa’s largest rural broadband provider, before selling it in 2022 to launch Fibertime™ and its pay-as-you-go township fibre model.

I have founded or co-founded 21 companies, including Cellfind, iFind34600, Toodu, The Daily Maverick, Pondering Panda, Inqaku, and Namola. I have also published ten books, including a national bestseller, Don’t Panic, and a global history of telecommunications.

In 2009, the World Economic Forum named me a Young Global Leader. I have also been included in the “100 Choiseul Africa” in 2014, 2015, and 2016, nominated by ITWeb as the 2015 ICT Personality of the Year and by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top eleven entrepreneurs changing the African landscape.

I’ve authored several viral articles, including Reasons for Optimism (2019), arguing that the future of South Africa is bright and Entrepreneurs will save the World.

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