THE CLASS OF 2022: MONEY AND MEANING
BILLIONAIRE entrepreneur Patrice Motsepe boldly said at the Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa in Gaborone, Botswana in April this year that “this is Africa’s time... and it’s an exceptional time”. For the past seven years, FORBES AFRICA has been celebrating young leaders under the age of 30 trying to make the continent exceptional. And, this year too, it would seem the common word to describe the class of Under 30s would be ‘meaningmakers’: they do what they do to create a difference.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, beyond the categories of business, technology, creative and sports, this year, we also looked for visionaries in the healthcare sector.
We added Health/Science to the mix to headline young thinkers, professionals, and entrepreneurs working tirelessly on the frontline to reinvent Africa’s medical sector.
The list reflects the diversity of industries and talent on this great continent of 54 countries, with nominees also applying for and shining in multiple categories at the same time. For example, for the first time, we have under-30s who are making a mark in not only the creative industry but also the technology sector.
Together, they are a stellar collection of individuals who have faced one of the most difficult times in history and refused to back down in the face of a global pandemic. If their firms, businesses and brands have grown during this period, it’s down to their win-no-matter-what dictum.
Africa’s economic progress may sometimes be marred by coups and political unrest, staggering unemployment rates and yes, even corruption, but the one thing that has always stood by it?
The resilience of its people and the positivityoftheentrepreneursfiringup the engines of growth.
According to a report released by the African Development Bank, Africa has one of the highest entrepreneurial rates in the world with 22% of the working-age population starting businesses. In addition to this, in a 2021 study, Emerald Insights stated that entrepreneurship has become a primary response to Africa’s youth employment challenge.
“There are 300 million young people between the ages of15 and 25 on the African continent. We have to connect with them. We have to be where they are. We have to hear what they say. The future for Africa is exciting and beautiful,” added Motsepe at the summit in Botswana, where for the first time, some of FORBES AFRICA’s 2022 Under 30 semifinalists also gathered to meet like-minded young leaders from around the world and spark exciting conversations.
Featuring under-30s – the youngest being our cover star – from Namibia to Nigeria and Senegal to South Africa, the following pages are an annual report card of the tenacity of Africa’s youth and their grit and gumption to take the offbeat, less-traveled road to success.
(The list that follows is in no particular order)
BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY:
Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, the South Africa CEO of Naspers “I am honored to have adjudicated the Business and [Technology] Innovation category for this year’s FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list. The list comprises impressive young visionaries and risk-takers who are transforming business and society. This year’s cohort bears testament to the potential of Africa’s young leaders who represent a continent made up of about 20% of the world’s youth, according to the United Nation’s population trends (2015). Celebrating innovation and excellence on our continent is important if we are to inspire and mobilize the next generation.”
CREATIVES:
Lebohang ‘Lebo M’ Morake, South African singer, performer, producer and composer
“It has been a privilege to have participated in this honorable and important project. I’ve taken the last week of our European Tour reading and re-reading details provided and juxtaposing as much as possible [of ] the various talents, making it very difficult [as] an exercise as each and every one of the names provided is exceptional and deserves to be in the top 30. The KEY secret to success in global competitiveness is to be grounded in your authenticity. Embrace your African identity in excellence and quality.”
Gert-Johan Coetzee, South Africa’s award-winning designer “to the stars”
“I think it’s quite a dynamic group and all of them are so worthy of being part of that list. It was quite a hard process judging it...That is why I really love initiatives like this because I think it really is a boost of confidence that everyone needs in their career – that pat on the back to tell them you are going in the right direction.”
HEALTH:
Professor Glenda Gray, an NRF A1 rated scientist, CEO and President of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), a qualified pediatrician and co-founder of the internationally-recognized Perinatal HIV Research Unit in Soweto, South Africa
“The addition of a science category to the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list is a very encouraging and significant step for the science community, and could not have come at [a better] time. Since the advent of Covid-19, science has been at the forefront of the global response – once again reiterating the high social value of science in tackling global threats, including health pandemics.”
SPORTS:
Carol Tshabalala, award-winning television and radio sports broadcaster ring announcer (boxing) scriptwriter, voiceover artist, and executive producer
“It is a great privilege to be a part of the judging panel for some amazing African talent under the age of 30 and shortlisted by FORBES AFRICA magazine.”
AUDIT PARTNER: FORBES AFRICA partnered again with SNG Grant Thornton to vet the business and financial statements of candidates. This involved understanding the landscape, the profitability, growth and most of all, the scalability of each business.
ELSA MAJIMBO, 20, KENYA
COMEDIAN, AUTHOR AND SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER
INDUSTRY: MEDIA
“ ONE THING PEOPLE ALWAYS GET WRONG ABOUT ME THOUGH IS THAT I AM ALWAYS HAPPY. I HAVE BAD DAYS TOO GUYS.”
“RISKING YOUR JOB FOR 10 MINUTES OF SLEEP... THAT’S CALLED SACRIFICE...” says Majimbo, donning her iconic sunglasses. “If I get up on time then what is the snooze button for,” she asks, proceeding to crunch on a crisp, perfectly-rounded potato chip.
When you think of that Kenyan accent, the 90s-themed sunglasses, the potato chip,
