Mfundisi Calvin Ncube (23), Business Development Director, Umlambo Water Distributions, originally from JHB now based in CT for business purposes.

1. What is the one word that describes you and why?


Vision as where there no Vision people perish



2. What did you study?

Marketing Management



3. Tell us about your business.

Umlambo Water Distributions seeks to foster brand communication through custom branded bottled natural spring water.



4. Why did you decide to be an entrepreneur?

I felt my skills and expertise we being abused by employers who are not grateful



5. How long did it take you to implement your idea and why?

It took me about 5 months as l had to make people buy into my idea



6. What are the steps you took to turn your idea into an actual business venture?

I had to secure start up capital so l could get the ball rolling though it has not been easy we slowly getting there.



6. Did you venture straight into the business world immediately after university or you worked in the corporate world first?

As said before with former employers abusing my skill and talent l worked for almost 3 years spending much time in sales making other people rich by day.



7. Is it important to first work for someone else then later open up your own business?

Personally l do not think so, reason being one would spend time making the next person rich instead focusing on building their own empires



9. What challenges do you face as a young entrepreneur?

There is not much financial backing considering that financial institutions need surety before any loan can be approved.



10. Do you have business partner/s and what are their roles?

Yes l do have 2 business partners, Asanda Maqabuka who is Head of Marketing and Thina Nodada who is head Supply Chain we also looking into corporating another youngster who will add value to our organisation soon as partnerships are a winning formula.



13. Who is your mentor and how does he/she help you?

Lebo Gunguluza he has offered sound advice from time to time on how we can formulate a winning formula for our organisation



14. What keeps you going especially during times of discouragement?

A positive mindset



13. Any advise you would like to give to upcoming young business people.

It’s worth the risk as the returns are sometimes high when the right structure is in place



14. Any advise on pitching an idea to potential clients?

Stick to the basics and rise with your project because the client will want to associate with something that the owner strongly believes in.



15. How do people get in contact with you?

We are busy developing our website as we speak but my contact details are 082 598 3231