Kgothatso Seeisa is a tech-savvy South African entrepreneur who saw a gap in the market by realizing a growing need for businesses to streamline communication and enhance customer engagement through automation.
As business development manager at 12GRIDS, Kgothatso oversees the operations of a company that specializes in WhatsApp API solutions for businesses, helping them integrate chat automation, CRM systems as well as customer engagement strategies.
“I am in charge of our South African Market and I am responsible for running our branch in South Africa,” Kgothatso reveals.
Technological Revolution
12GRIDS, which also has a branch in India, is making a name for itself by using WhatsApp API as a powerful tool to bridge the gap by enabling businesses to automate messaging.
Kgothatso finds himself at the forefront of a technological revolution that sees 12GRIDS leading the way by improving the customer support systems of companies and helping them drive sales through personalized WhatsApp interactions.
“Our business is very relevant in today’s fast-paced digital world in which companies—especially eCommerce, financial services, and retail — often struggle with customer retention and response times.
“Our team at 12GRIDS consists of sales, technical, and customer support experts, ensuring a seamless experience for our clients,” Kgothatso explains.
From Sales to Entrepreneurship
Born in the Soshanguve in Pretoria, Kgothatso remembers how he developed a strong passion for business and entrepreneurship from an early age.
His educational journey took him to Tshwane University of Technology where he obtained a National Diploma in Game Ranch Management, majoring in Wildlife Management, Business and GR Economics.
“While my diploma may seem unconventional for a career in business development, it gave me a deep understanding of market dynamics, strategy, and resource management skills that became invaluable in my entrepreneurial path.
“My professional career started in sales and financial services, where I honed my ability to build relationships, negotiate deals, and understand customer needs. Over the years, I transitioned into business development, taking on leadership roles in various industries, including technology and e-commerce, ultimately leading me to my entrepreneurial ventures with 12GRIDS,” he explains.
Shifting Business Landscape
Kgothatso acknowledges how the business landscape has shifted drastically, with technology and automation now driving most industries. When he started 12GRIDS, businesses relied heavily on traditional marketing and customer service methods, but now, digital transformation has become a necessity.
To stay ahead, he focuses on keeping up with trends in AI, automation, and digital marketing; ensuring that 12GRIDS’s solutions integrate with leading CRM platforms and eCommerce tools; actively seeking feedback to enhance their offerings and collaborating with industry leaders to expand their reach and solutions.
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was navigating the highly competitive tech and business development landscape. Breaking into an industry dominated by established players required strategic positioning, resilience, and continuous innovation.
“Along the way I have learned that the market changes quickly, and businesses must pivot and evolve. Also, building strong relationships is essential because success is not just about selling a product but creating lasting partnerships.
“Taking the decision to invest in a solid team is now paying off. Surrounding myself with skilled professionals has been a major contributor to my growth,” Kgothatso says.
Building On Successes
Kgothatso is proud to be leading a business that is not only growing from strength to strength but is also helping many other companies to achieve their goals and objectives. He believes these and other success stories demonstrate he is on the right path as an entrepreneur.
“One of our biggest success stories was helping an ecommerce brand increase sales by 30% through WhatsApp automation. By automating abandoned cart reminders, customer support, and promotions, we drastically improved their engagement and retention rates.
“Another highlight was working with financial service providers to automate customer onboarding and support, reducing manual intervention by 50% and improving customer satisfaction.”
Mentoring Young Entrepreneurs
Kgothatso is passionate about entrepreneurship development and mentorship, especially when it comes to empowering young business professionals looking to break into the digital space.
Says Kgothatso: “I often engage in helping startups refine their strategies and implement automation. In terms of tech innovation discussions, we have been exploring ways to integrate AI and automation into African businesses.
“I believe in leveraging technology to empower businesses and individuals to achieve their full potential. I am particularly excited about AI-driven customer support and personalized automation.
“Businesses are now using AI chatbots to provide instant, human-like interactions, making customer service more efficient and cost-effective.”
‘Build Strategic Partnerships’
Drawing from his own experiences, Kgothatso advises others looking to embark on an entrepreneurship path to start small and not to worry too much about the financial obligations of running their business.
“Start small but think big. You do not need a massive budget to start; leverage free or affordable tech tools to get started. Focus on solving a real problem by identifying gaps in the market and positioning yourself as a solution provider.
“Build strategic partnerships by collaborating with other businesses to share resources and expand your reach. Invest in automation early. Time is money; using tools like WhatsApp API can help businesses scale without heavy manpower costs,” he advises.
“The biggest lesson I have learned is that success in business is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes resilience, people-first leadership and adaptability to succeed. Such a mindset has helped me build sustainable businesses and guide others in their entrepreneurial journeys,” Kgothatso concludes.
