Ithabeleng Keketso Mokoena felt like her entire world was crumbling around her when she had to make the heart-wrenching decision to abandon her Bachelor of Science degree at Wits University. The dream she had nurtured for so long seemed to slip through her fingers, all because of financial constraints that felt insurmountable.
She vividly remembers the anguish and disappointment that swept through her as she helplessly saw her academic dreams crumbling like a deck of cards.
“When it was time to return to the university for my third year, financial constraints forced me to make a difficult decision: I had to drop out when my bursary could no longer cover all my fees,” reveals Ithabeleng.
Rather than succumbing to self-pity and giving up, Ithabeleng transformed her setback into an opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship.
From Bakery to Boardroom
“This unexpected turn led me to discover my true calling: entrepreneurship. Determined to
take control of my future, I started a small baking business to make ends meet and support
my family.
“To supplement my income, I also tutored students in Mathematics and Science. During this time, I immersed myself in books and research, learning everything I could about business, finance and wealth creation.
“With relentless determination, I eventually gathered the necessary knowledge and
resources to start my own company. This led to the birth of KIM Global Capital Group, initially focused on multinational diversified investments.
“Over time, I broadened the vision, expanding the company into a fully-fledged multinational conglomerate,” explains Ithabeleng.
From the heartbreak of dropping out of university to the achievement of starting her own company, Ithabeleng knew she had found a breakthrough and set about establishing KIM Global Capital Group into a major force to reckon with.
Pride of Soweto
Born on 6 December 1998 in South Africa’s Soweto – a township known for its rich
history and vibrant culture – Ithabeleng stood out at school as an intelligent learner who emerged with distinctions in both Science and Mathematics.
Although her wish to attain a university degree did not materialize, Ithabeleng worked hard to be at the helm of a thriving company that is achieving sustainability and an impressive growth trajectory.
As the founder of KIM Global Capital Group, she spearheads a burgeoning multinational privately held conglomerate, with a strategic investment channel providing investors access to a portfolio of inaccessible, quality and diversified options.
“Our goal is to create tangible wealth by providing the channel through which investors access and build extraordinary enterprise in Africa. Our team thrives on diversifying our portfolios across various sectors of business.
“Our commitment to growth and innovation is reflected in our expansion into new markets, where our strategic investments acumen shines. We leverage our expertise to navigate complex investments landscapes.
“With a strong foundation of our analytical financial skills, and financial markets our organization aims to identify and capitalize on foreign investment opportunities, continuing our trajectory of worldwide economic contribution.”
Soaring Higher
As KIM Global Capital Group continues to grow stronger, Ithabeleng and her team are considering the dynamics surrounding the company’s goal of expansion into other sectors.
“Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding into new sectors, including establishing one of the most dynamic stock brokerage firms.
“Currently, we have a dedicated team of 25 employees, and as we continue to grow and embark on multiple projects, we aim to create over 900 jobs by the end of 2025 according to the projects we are working on,” says a confident Ithabeleng.
“Our growth strategy focuses on leveraging synergies between our growing subsidiaries to create value, provide innovative solutions, and maintain sustainable business practices. The Group’s headquarters are in Johannesburg, South Africa, with expansion plans into global markets.”
Leveraging on AI
Ithabeleng says the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning into financial strategies has enabled more adaptive and responsive investment approaches.
“Investors are increasingly exploring alternative assets and thematic investing to capitalize on emerging global trends.
“This approach involves focusing on macro-level themes, such as technological innovation or environmental sustainability, to identify potential growth areas.”
To effectively stay ahead of the curve and navigate market volatility and concentration risks, the company is exploring undervalued stocks and alternative assets that may offer better risk-adjusted returns.
“We utilize advanced data analytics and machine learning models to enhance investment decisions. These tools can help in identifying patterns and trends that may not be immediately apparent through traditional analysis.
“We also regularly engage with reputable financial news sources, subscribe to industry newsletters, and participate in webinars or conferences. This proactive approach
ensures we remain updated on global market developments and emerging trends,” explains Ithabeleng.
Learning From Challenges
To demonstrate the impact of our entrepreneurship strategies in Africa and beyond, KIM
Global Capital group is busy working on projects that align with their vision of economic empowerment, business growth and societal transformation.
The Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Incubator, KIM Global Real Estate Empowerment Project, KIM Markets Financial Inclusion Program as well as the KIM Security and Safety Initiative are among some of the interventions that are part of the company’s social responsibility thrust.
Along the way, however, Ithabeleng has faced a lot of challenges. But, like the person who refused to let her shattered academic dreams destroy her so many years ago, she has continued to rise above all her challenges.
“As an entrepreneur, I have faced many challenges, including being discouraged by those
around me who did not understand or have any background in entrepreneurship. During
difficult times, they would tell me to abandon my dream, get a job, and stop acting as if I
were important.
“To overcome this, I had to become my own biggest supporter. I learned to clap for my vision
and believe in my dream, even when others could not see what I saw. I mastered the art of
developing unwavering faith in my vision, even if it meant being the only one who believed
in it.
“Engaging with positive, forward-thinking individuals provides motivation, support, and valuable insights to keep moving forward,” Ithabeleng concludes.
