Before digital marketing buzzwords and innovation awards, Velly Bosega was a teenager selling perfume in his school corridors. Before he helped shape Africa’s tech media landscape, he was hustling tomatoes on city streets. There’s no fairy tale here—just raw ambition, hard-earned wisdom, and a fire that’s never gone out. His rise to the top wasn’t granted by privilege. It was forged in the heat of rejection, in the cold of early mornings, and in the relentless spirit of someone who refused to let circumstance define his future.
The Humble Hustle
“My name is Velly Bosega, and I was born in Limpopo, in a village called Ga-Madiba,” he begins, without pretense. Velly’s entrepreneurial fire sparked early, igniting when he was just a secondary school student. “I began my entrepreneurial journey in secondary school by selling perfumes to my teachers.”
But life after high school delivered a harsh reality. “After graduating from high school, I was unable to attend tertiary education due to financial constraints.” With no formal route to success available, Velly carved his own. “Instead, I found a job selling tomatoes on the streets of Johannesburg, where my passion for entrepreneurship truly developed.”
He had no classroom, no degree, no safety net, just drive. And that, it turns out, was more than enough.
From Employee to Entrepreneur
Velly would go on to spend several years in the media industry, learning the ropes by selling advertising space to some of the biggest clients in South Africa. Those years weren’t just about surviving; they were about mastering the game. “After seven years in the industry, I decided to start my own business, inspired by the strong relationships I had built with some of the big names in the digital media industry.”
That decision birthed Adclick Africa. “We currently have 20 full-time staff members in our company,” he shares. The company operates at the intersection of performance marketing and technological innovation. It’s more than a business; it’s a movement shaped by trust, vision, and digital transformation.
Over the past 11 years, Velly has watched the digital marketing scene transform. “When we launched Adclick Africa, there were only a few players in our industry; today, there are hundreds.”
Staying ahead in a crowded field requires more than just instinct, it takes constant evolution. “Our competitive advantage lies in our commitment to continuous technological innovation,” he explains. “We are always seeking better technology to help us deliver digital marketing projects effectively.”
To ensure his team never falls behind, Velly emphasizes upskilling. “We encourage our team members to continually enhance their advertising technology skills through platform certifications, such as Google Search Certificates.”
People Over Profit
Like most entrepreneurs, Velly’s path wasn’t free of obstacles. But perhaps the most significant challenge wasn’t financial, it was cultural. “The biggest challenges I faced when growing my business was managing people and creating a culture that was focused on our employees.”
He came from a world where bottom lines mattered more than people. Shifting that mindset wasn’t easy. “Coming from working for big, profit-focused media companies, it was not easy to transition from this mindset, but by studying businesses with strong cultures and adopting the EOS Methodology, we managed to create a people-first culture.”
That shift became one of Adclick Africa’s superpowers.
Bold Moves and Big Wins
The impact of Velly’s leadership isn’t just measured in numbers, but the numbers do tell a powerful story. “In the first two years, we grew the business to R13,000,000 and opened a second office in Cape Town during our third year,” he reveals.
Innovation has been a recurring theme in his story. “Nine years ago, we were the first company to launch a DSP (Demand-Side Platform) for programmatic buying technology in Africa.” That pioneering spirit continues to define their brand today.
Adclick Africa isn’t just a performance marketing agency; it also runs two influential digital media platforms: SMESouthAfrica.co.za and TecAfrica.com.
And then there’s Startwise. “A few years ago, we launched an award-winning on-demand mentorship app called Startwise, which is now known as SME Advice.”
Beyond the Boardroom
Velly’s work doesn’t stop at business. His commitment to service runs deep. “I am pastor for a church in Randburg, South Africa. I also sit on the board of Impact Africa, a non profit organisation that helps poor communities around South Africa.”
His passion for entrepreneurship extends into mentorship. “I am also a small business mentor for Techstars.com accelerator.”
Planting Wisdom and Building Tomorrow
When asked what advice he has for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those starting with limited resources, Velly speaks with clarity and heart: “Learn as much as you can and niche down instead of doing everything, this way you can build rapport with potential clients. Keep going even when the odds are against you, it’s possible to build a business that outlives you.”
Velly is also particularly excited about how artificial intelligence is leveling the playing field. “Businesses no longer need to hire numerous employees; instead, they can utilize AI to deliver high-impact projects effectively.”
He’s not just talking about the future, he’s building it. “We are also looking forward to the upcoming SME Funding Event. Additionally, we have launched TechAfrica.com, a news website dedicated to the technology startup scene in Africa. It offers timely updates, analyses, and insights on established tech companies and venture capital.”
A Legacy of Passion and People
Looking back, Velly doesn’t credit his journey to formal education, money, or connections. It was passion and people that made the difference.
“Building my business would have been incredibly challenging without passion and determination. When I started, I lacked the experience and qualifications needed for the job, but I had the drive and desire to learn everything I could about the industry until clients viewed me as an expert.”
And most importantly, he learned the real value of the people around him. “I also discovered the importance of valuing people, not seeing them as mere numbers in the business, but as valuable assets. This mindset changes the way you lead your team, resulting in happy employees who will go above and beyond for your clients.”
From the tomato-scented streets of Johannesburg to the high-rise boardrooms of South Africa’s media elite, Velly Bosega’s journey is living proof that greatness doesn’t ask one where they started, it only asks whether they’re willing to keep going. In a world chasing quick wins, he chose deep impact. In an industry driven by clicks, he built a company that connects.
