Entrepreneur tells his story
Ntombentsha Msutu
STARTING up a business and owning a company in telecommunications was never part of Siphamandla Javu's plan for his future.
Javu, 28, from NU7 in Motherwell, majored in geography and political sciences, in an altogether different league to telecommunications.
He had no previous knowledge or training in information technology and yet he is the managing director of the company, Mzansi Telecommunications.
"At the varsity I studied something else, but as soon as I graduated I went to work for Telkom," Javu said.
"I had no idea what I was doing, but I asked a lot of questions.
"From there I went to work for a company, Be Smart, which specialised in telecommunication, networking and the internet. There I got the love and passion for this industry."
When Be Smart discontinued business due to financial problems Javu and his partner saw an opportunity to open up their own company.
"We knew all of the clients and we thought why not open our own company? It was very difficult at first.
"For the first four months we went without income, but because of the hunger and drive we had for this business we went on," Javu said.
His company specialises in information and communications technology, networking, website building, and data analogue cabling.
"We offer services to people at affordable prices and we also offer them solutions to technological problems. "The one thing I enjoy most about my job is that it introduces me to new technologies," Javu said.
"Also being my own boss gives me the opportunity to come out of my shell and make my own decisions."
He has won two awards in the Africa Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises awards for young growing businesses, and another for the young enterprise sector, for young people in business.
"If you want to make it in the industry I am in, it is very important that you know where you are going, to be goal-driven, and work hard – that is how we were recognised as one of the growing small companies.
"It is never easy starting a business especially if you do not have a lot of capital, and a business needs a lot of cash injection, but you have to push through until you make it far," Javu said.