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Mandla Javu, 27
Managing and Technical Director, Mzansi Telecoms
As the owner of Mzansi Telecoms, a telecommunications company specializing
in VoIP and ViBE systems, Mandla Javu’s passion lies in providing
computer literacy skills and ICT development to disadvantaged areas. “I
come from a rural area myself,” he says, “and I want to inspire other youth
to become pioneers of their own destinies.” He and his partner have won
two top African awards this year, and they show no signs of slowing
down. Mzansi Telecoms was the recipient of the Young Enterprise Sector
Award, and was named Africa’s SMME of the Year at the Africa SMME
Awards 2012. “Finances have been the main obstacle, but with the assistance
of the SEDA ICT Incubator, my business skills development was
taken care of,” says Javu, who oversees all product development and
new service offerings. “Given the right platform and the opportunity to
compete in mainstream economic activity, young business will play a
major role in the development of our province.”
Mispah Carelsen, 25
Internet Marketer, Webware Studios
Mispah Carelson impressed her nominator right off the bat. “I met her
at a Chamber networking event. While others chatted, Mispah did business.”
Carelsen is the Internet Marketer for Webware Studios, a division
of the Johannesburg-based strategic IT firm Infoware Studios. “I head
up the Webware Studios Internet Marketing division,” says Carelsen, “and
I am responsible for the division’s overall marketing and sales and for the
company’s brand and marketing initiatives.” Her key focus is on growing
and developing the Internet Marketing division beyond the initial
start-up phase. “My biggest career challenge has been limited growth
opportunities and the under-utilization of my skills,” says Carelsen. “However,
I am now at a point in my career where there is a wide scope for
development, and this excites me.” Carelsen is co-president of the Rotaract
Club of Port Elizabeth, and she holds a firm belief in the resilience of
young people in business. “We are the drivers of economic change, and
our innovations will shape the business landscape for decades to come.”