Deep in rural Dithakong – east of Kuruman in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa – is a fascinating and inspiring story of a man who is not only uplifting his community but is also debunking the widely held belief that fame and fortune can only be found in the city.
Kuzwane Masinda’s entrepreneurship journey has been shaped by recognizing challenges and seeking innovative ways to address them
Today, he stands proud as a community hero and owner of three businesses: Kuz Tech Operations, Kuz Café as well as Kuz Market. Headquartered in Dithakong, his businesses employ several workers across different roles, contributing to job creation and local economic growth.
Identifying Market Gaps
Each of Kuzwane’s three companies seek to serve the community he grew up in by filling in the various market gaps he identified.
“Kuz Tech Operations specializes in consultancy, graphic design, ICT support, and business compliance services. Many local businesses, schools, and entrepreneurs lacked access to quality IT and compliance services, so I stepped in to bridge that gap,” explains Kuzwane.
“Kuz Café is a cultural food hub that also integrates entertainment and social experiences. The goal is to create a space where people can connect over food while experiencing diverse cultural influences.
“Kuz Market, on the other hand, focuses on honey production, beekeeping services, and agribusiness development. The demand for quality honey and the need for sustainable farming practices inspired me to enter this industry.”
Using Entrepreneurship to Transform Lives
Unlike many people who are swayed by the bright lights and numerous job opportunities in the city, Kuzwane’s love for his community made him take a different path.
He clearly remembers how he, as he was growing up, would always reflect on the challenges facing his community and explore various possible solutions to each problem. It was this mentality that formed the basis of establishing the three businesses.
“Growing up in a rural village, I developed a strong sense of community and a deep appreciation for the power of entrepreneurship in transforming lives. My educational journey was driven by curiosity and the desire to create sustainable solutions for my community.
“While I pursued formal education, my real learning came from hands-on experience in business, technology as well as agriculture. I have now built multiple businesses, each serving a specific market need, while also giving back to my community through mentorship and networking opportunities,” Kuzwane explains.
Adapting to Market Changes
The business landscape has evolved significantly since Kuzwane started his businesses, especially with digital transformation and e-commerce growth.
To stay ahead, the young entrepreneur has focused on diversification, technology as well as customer centric strategies.
“I have focused expanding into multiple sectors to ensure business sustainability. I have also discovered the importance of leveraging digital platforms, automation, and social media for marketing and operations.
“In terms of customer-centric strategies, we specialize on delivering high-quality services that foster strong client relationships. We also prioritize building networks and collaborations while engaging with key stakeholders, industry leaders, and government entities like NYDA, SEDA, and local government departments,” says Kuzwane.
Giving Back
One of Kuzwane’s proud achievements was hosting Agricultural Fun Day, an event focused on educating people about farming, food security, and agritech. The event features key industry speakers and stakeholders, who share their insights.
Says Kuzwane about that event: “It was a great initiative to inspire young people and local farmers to embrace agriculture and technology.
“Additionally, I have been actively hosting farmers’ events and plan to expand these initiatives during the course of 2025, along with a Streetwear Pop-Up Market that connects local entrepreneurs with bigger stakeholders, fostering networking and business growth.
“On the business front, I have also helped numerous start-up entrepreneurs by providing services, mentorship, and business compliance assistance. Some of them have successfully secured funding, expanded their businesses and gained more clients due to the marketing and business strategies I implemented for them.”
Learning From Challenges
Like a lot of entrepreneurs, Kuzwane has faced numerous challenges along the way. He says all the obstacles he has encountered along the way have taught him survival tactics and strategies as well as to be resilient.
“Every entrepreneur faces obstacles. Some of my biggest challenges have been access to funding, managing multiple businesses as well as the complications of that come with managing businesses based in rural areas.
“Growing a business without sufficient financial backing requires strategic reinvestment and partnerships. Balancing different ventures while maintaining service excellence requires a lot of attention to detail while rural market challenges constanly force us to overcome logistical and infrastructure barriers in Dithakong,” reflects Kuzwane.
“The key lessons I have learned are that resilience is key. Setbacks are part of the journey, but persistence ensures progress. Providing high-value services also guarantees client loyalty and referrals. Continuous learning and networking, by staying updated with industry trends, keeps me ahead of the curve.”
Forging Ahead
As Kuzwane looks to spread his wings even further as an entrepreneur in 2025, he advises others involved in business, or seeking to establish one, to surround themselves with experienced mentors who have travelled a similar road.
“Start with what you have. Do not wait for perfect conditions. Begin with available resources and scale gradually. Leverage free and affordable marketing tools, use social media, word-of-mouth referrals, and community networking.
“Also learn from others. Surround yourself with mentors, business networks, and experienced entrepreneurs. The most valuable lesson I have learned is that business is not just about making money. It is also about creating impact.
“Whether through job creation, mentorship, or networking events, I have realized that true success comes from adding value to others. I look forward to expanding my businesses, hosting more impactful events, and supporting more entrepreneurs in 2025.”
