Achieving, The Innovators Way

The second biggest challenge I had to face was teamwork. I'm not a fan of working in
groups, especially groups that I didn't o choose, but I found myself amongst a group
called the Innovators. I must admit, I was nervous at first.

Looking at all the profiles of the elite members of the team, the different age groups and
experience points, I sat and wondered how we would be able to function as a team. I
remember in our first zoom call as a team where everybody was sharing their different
experiences and profiles. This comforted me. I thought I was in the right place.

The group dynamics came with their own challenges, but our team had a smooth
working system. We were well led by our team leaders. The leadership really helped us
through a lot of the challenges with ease. With each week's challenge, we had a
breakdown of what needs to be done. We had a strong vetting team and I got to meet
an amazing lady called Dijon, who helped me in the media department.

We developed a working relationship that will grow well beyond the KBN experience.
As the weeks went on, both the KBN experience and the YALI program I committed to
started getting very intense. The demand from both sides started to overwhelm me.
Work deadlines started piling up, as peer reviews were coming up. I also had some
assignment deadliness for my degree.
I must admit, I started to feel the pressure. Every day I was trying to meet a deadline.
The joy of doing these programs was running out. And I was just running on executing
on the demand that was at hand.

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I told my partner that I want to quit, but she reminded me of why I started. Tough as
these experiences were, they taught me how to handle pressure. In the past, whenever
I was pressured I would quit. I don't need this kind of pressure. I don't need to feel like
this if I can just quit.

There are a lot of things that I have started and stopped along the way, because when
this kind of pressure came, I decided to relieve myself by dropping out. But as a coach,
I remember one of the principles I always teach my coaching clients is to “stay
committed to your commitments.” I kept repeating this to myself, as the pressure kept
piling on, “stay committed to your commitments.”

This statement of faith, this declaration of inspiration is what saw me through the
pressure-filled moments of this entire experience. And as I survived each day, one thing
became clear, I can handle more than I thought I could. I finally understand that
pressure is simply an indicator. It's indicating the capacity that you have. But it also
gives you the to build muscle. By quitting, I would not have seen what capacity I have.
but I wouldn't have had the opportunity to develop new capacity.

So, it was through sticking through the program. Not only did I get to see my capacity
grow, but my strength and my muscle capacity in terms of the amount of pressure that I
can handle on a day to day basis increased. This was like a gym for me. Not
necessarily gym muscle, but gym on my ability to handle pressure. And as an

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entrepreneur, handling pressure is a very important skill, as often the life of an
entrepreneur is filled with pressure moments, one after the other.

It was also through surviving these challenges that I learned to lean more on God’s
strength. The Lord knows I would have failed if I relied on my own strength and
understanding. Each day I was on my knees asking God for strength, wisdom and
guidance and He was faithful in providing all of them the most. It also showed me how
important the Bible is. I think we often forget that the Bible is our manual to life.

Most people don’t think they can be taught business through the Bible. It was
fascinating to learn about the string of business principles, week after week from the
Bible. This made me hunger for the word of God even more. I started seeking for
extracts of valuable lessons from the Bible to apply to other areas of my life.

I also grew my network during the KBN experience. I was meeting business leaders,
high achieving professionals and inspiring rising stars. It helped me realise the value of
relationships. When I look at the entire KBN family I see a network build on strong,
mutually beneficial relationships. These are relationships built on reciprocity and the
service of others. This really helped realise how important it is for one not to operate in
isolation as an island but that through collaborations one could get much further than
they could get alone.

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It reminded me of the quote that says, “If you want to go fast go alone, but if you want to
go far, go together.” I want to go far and therefore it is important to collaborate with
others in a mutually beneficial manner.

During the experience we also had to deal with a pandemic in Covid-19. The biggest
way it affected me was that we could not meet face to face with our team. We had to
resort to online meetings and I believe this stole part of the experience from us.

Data costs were also a major challenge, especially since I was doing another online
program at the same time. I had to sacrifice a lot on my budget in order to complete the
experience, but in hindsight, I can truly say it was worth it. What I gained from the
program was worth every cent spent.
Of course, it was not all doom and gloom. There was a lot of funny moments. What
stood out for me was when we had to do war cries. Our members put their pride aside
to entertain. They dressed up and had their faces painted like warriors. This helped me
break the need to always want to be perfect to be silly. As each member sent their
video, we laughed and appreciated each other’s vulnerability.

Overall, I can truly say the KBN experience was destiny altering for me. It will always
stand out as a time that changed my life forever. I am truly grateful to God and the KBN
Leadership for creating such a platform.

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Chapter Six
THE TESTING

Maureen Mdletshe

My name is Maureen Mdletshe and this is my KBN experience. I was recruited into the
program by my neighbour, Portia Monaledi, who was part of History makers season 10.

I had been following @kbnsouthafrica on Instagram for some time and was truly inspired.
I kept asking my neighbour what it would take for me to join this beautiful platform, but
she always told me that someone had to refer me.

Finally, this year, on 28th June she forwarded the invitation to become a History Maker.

Although I was very excited, I was also afraid, mainly because I did not know what to
expect. I was invited at the last minute and had to send my application urgently. This gave
me very little time to ask further questions about the KBN season 11 History makers
program.

I was looking forward to the first session with great anticipation. Coming from an
intellectual background, I had never imagined myself as an entrepreneur. My focus in life

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was always to add value and bring my skills to someone’s established business. I wanted
to support their vision and mission.

Having graduated as a Metallurgist in 2012, from Vaal University and after resigning from
Harmony Gold Mining, I found it hard to secure a job in the engineering sector. But looking
back, I thank God for all the experiences I have been through, from facilitating to being a
rental sales agent and finally becoming an aspiring entrepreneur.

The beautiful part of my journey with KBN is that the opportunity came when I was
retrenched from my job. This was a painful season in my life and to my family. There were
financial implications that came with huge losses on the family.

KBN became the light through it all, mainly because I was exposed not only to life
changing teachings but to people who had a different mindset. I believe this was the most
uncomfortable journey I had to take to become a better person, but like they say ‘nothing
grows in a comfort zone.’ I had to make the difficult decision to continue and commit to
the process, despite the current challenges that I am faced with.

I realized that all I needed was data, investing my time and to have the faith that the steps
of the righteous man are ordered by the Lord. My expectation was that we are going to
be fed with information. I needed to sit back and listen. I didn’t know that it will take more
than listening to become a successful entrepreneur.

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The first two weeks of the program for me was about observing the process. I found
myself lost most of the time. Entrepreneurship was foreign language to me, and my being
an introvert made it hard for me to trust and blend into the new relationship with people
who were total strangers.

I remember calling my neighbour after we were divided into small groups, telling her I
hoped to be placed in the same group as his son, who is in the ‘Pathfinders’ group. I
thought it would be easy to relate to him. After a week, I realised KBN was becoming a
home for me. I started becoming comfortable, especially because Mr. and Mrs. Mtetwa,
as well as Mrs. Kim Jacobs, who were constantly acknowledging us and encouraging us
to ‘Stay in The Room’.

I was also placed within a group of inspiring and encouraging individuals, ‘The
Innovators.’ Their commitment to the program kept me going. Our leaders, Advocate
Viljoen and Sindi Tshabalala played a major role in leading us in the right direction.
Being in the programme has helped shift my mind-set from focusing on my losses. I’ve
started to realise that this is the opportunity that I was given for me to change my attitude,
habits and routine. Instead of pondering on my situation of losing my job and assets, my
mind was constantly filled with teachings that caused me to look forward in hope for the
future.

Apart from the Saturday teachings from Mr. Mtetwa, I always loved the Mr. K Show on
Tuesdays and Thursdays and the Village Wednesday Connection. Listening to different

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people from different walks of life who have managed to become successful despite their
challenges was a beautiful experience.

As the weeks went by, we were given different assignments, which encouraged us to
approach business not from an intellect point of view, but to use the Bible and realize that
it can be incorporated into our businesses. This for me is what makes KBN stand out.

The ten pillars in the ecosystem opened our eyes to important lessons that the bible
teaches about businesses, which in most cases the traditional church does not teach.
The ten pillar teachings helped us zoom into important teachings such as prayer, tithe,
generosity, vision, networking, work, etc. It helps us apply them to real life challenges.

The flow of the assignments was very smooth, especially because we have authors in the
group who were always willing to consolidate and finalize the assignments. I’ll never
forget the media teams that added exceptional graphics to the final document.

Throughout the pillar teachings, we were always told about Mr. Kambasha, who is the
visionary of KBN, but we never got the chance to meet him. I will never forget the night
that I finally got to see him, the 15th of September during ‘Conversations with Mr. K’ show.
This was not just an exciting moment which made the ‘Stay in The Room,’ emphasizing
the importance of this. It took what always looked like an idea and made it a reality.

One of the challenging moments on the program was when our knowledge was put to the
test. I remember having sleepless nights trying to force all the 10 Pillar teachings into my

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mind, including the scriptures that were quoted during the lessons. I was very anxious
and at the same time I did not want to fail because this is an opportunity that only comes
once in a lifetime.

The history maker program has helped me develop critical aspects of my life. I always
thought I was disciplined and focused, but KBN took that to a whole new level. This is
mainly because the KBN villagers are very consistent in their work. They uphold the
values and ethics of the business so well that its impossible for you to be around them,
and remain the same.

I had to find myself waking up early Saturday morning to do the laundry, prepare food for
the kids so that I could join the sessions on time and be prepared.

Mrs. Kim Jacobs and Mrs. Mtetwa encouraged us to keep our cameras on during the
sessions, which challenged our preparedness for the sessions not just mentally but also
physically. This is not just a philosophy that they teach, it’s a lifestyle that they have
adapted.

As a result, we become inspired not by just listening but by also observing how they
represent themselves through excellence. KBN did not only contribute to my
entrepreneurial skills, but it has empowered my marriage.

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On the 28th August we had a beautiful marriage seminar, hosted by the Mtetwa’s. The
theme of the seminar was ‘sex and money.’ This opened my eyes to realize how the two
are aligned and can easily affect each other in a marital home.

The platform was informal but informative. I got empowered to positively contribute to our
marriages in a way that pleases God. But, above all they also taught me that it brings
pleasure to us as humans. I totally appreciated the session, mainly because sex is a topic
that most churches do not want to touch on, yet it affects a lot of marriages.

KBN has indeed given me a holistic experience, mentally, emotionally, physically,
financially and surely sexually. What I have also come to admire about the KBN program
is the kind of empowerment they show towards women. The month of August was packed
with inspirations and teachings from wonderful and successful women such as Dr
Jasmine Pega, Dr Chanita Foster, Dr Selina Seganga, Pastor Jeniffer Pachego and Mrs
Mahloholono Maja. These women made me realize that women are unstoppable. They
can achieve anything they want to achieve. They also invade territories and industries
that were only made for men.

Every session made me realize that I was being molded and re-birthed. The past has
gone and a new thing has begun.

The worship sessions on Friday were very therapeutic. These sessions got me crying
because most of the songs were an expression of how I felt. It was difficult to pray on
most days it was much easier to just simply bring honour and adoration before the throne

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of God. I would also want to acknowledge how the prayer sessions on Mondays,
Wednesday and Fridays have impacted my spiritual life. Being in a dark place where I
felt that everything that I prayed and believed God for was taken away, prayer became
very distant since I wanted to reason with the canal mind.

Mrs. Mtetwa helped me to revive my altar of prayer. She helped me realize that I cannot
defeat my challenges with a carnal mentality. I had to become spiritually inclined to God
through consistent prayer.

What I also appreciate about the KBN program is the authenticity of the Speakers. They
do not only take us through their success journey, but they openly share the challenges
they encountered in their journey. These have become valuables lessons that they can
confidently share with other upcoming entrepreneurs. Their openness enables us to relate
to the teachings and how they can best benefit us, especially during a time such as this.
It brings hope to know that even out of failure, victory can be born. This is not just a theory
but a practical life to them.

On the 26th September was the launch of the TVBE 2020. Although we did not know what
to expect, our Innovators team was excited and anxious to know what lies ahead in our
journey of becoming ‘Change Markers.’ The event was fun-filled and interactive activities
brought all the eight teams, for the first time under one roof since the pandemic. The tasks
that were introduced sounded like Greek to me. For the first time in my life, I realized how
much I still need to learn about technology.

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I hoped that we would have to deal with a topic that I was familiar with, but realized that
my nest had been destroyed and I urgently needed to learn how to fly. I spend the whole
weekend pondering on the fact that ‘maybe this is the time to quit.’ I was not just
intimidated by the task at hand, but I was also not ready to become vulnerable to the
process, especially with the whole nation watching me. I expressed my fears to my
colleagues and their support did not necessarily remove the fear, but it gave me the
boldness to face it.

I also realized that the process is not meant to break me, it’s meant to build me. Through
KBN I now have the tools I can use to develop myself. The night of 04 October 2020 was
a very long night, with feelings crowded by the fear of the unknown. I was not looking
forward to waking up the next morning to go through the interrogation. I have never been
in a boardroom. The closest experience I could think of was being in an interview.

Although an interview gave me an idea of what to anticipate, I was still not settled because
I chose to be in a field that I knew nothing about, ‘Entrepreneurship.’ Through team
reassuring and supporting me, I managed to wake up on the dreadful morning of the 5th
October to make my way to the village. I was terrified after the first curveball was thrown
on us. I almost fell off the chair trying to sit down. This was just around 14:00 pm. I made
up my mind that this day will not end.
The feedback from the adjudicators and experienced managers escalated my anxiety. I
felt like this is the end of the world.

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Driving back home from the village that night was very a long and lonely. I couldn’t even
eat the pizza that was provided for dinner, because I was tormented by the fear. I asked
myself how much more of this I can bear. But I soon realized that I was hungry for change
that was greater than the fear I was feeling. The beautiful part about the boardroom
experience is that you do not have to travel the road alone, you are surrounded by a team
that’s also going through the same process. That is where my strength comes from as we
travel this road together.

From Tuesday, I committed the whole week to increasing my vocab on the subject matter,
I was also learning from my team mates who understood the task better. We had a lot of
sleepless nights and long chats on WhatsApp, to try and help each other to improve
ourselves and to redeem our stand after a hopeless session. We did our best to improve
on what we had and what we know through research and by using the IBM Africa platform.

All we wanted was to have a better Boardroom Experience the next Monday. When
Monday came, we were a bit more confident because of the hard work we put into the
work. Unfortunately, that was not enough. We arrived at the village around 13:00 pm as
usual and we had our tea session. As soon as we started moving, my left shoe tore.

The last week I fell off a chair and this week my shoe decided to open up right at the
village. Was this a sign of bad luck? The question bothered me, even before we got to
know the tasks for the day. I was not ready to experience what I went through last week,
so I tried keeping a positive attitude.

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Luckily for us, during the first tasks we were more relaxed than the previous week. But,
our second boardroom experience was not different from the last one. What we thought
could redeem us actually made things worse. Once again, I was very sad and
discouraged when I went home. I told myself I have built the courage to speak, but I found
that I needed more than courage to challenge myself to be vulnerable to the adjudicators.
I still look forward to the end of the process, to endure the challenges and to finish what I
have started. I may not be what I want to be as yet, but I am surely not the same person
I used to be. The boardroom experience is far from being over, but it carries lessons that
I will never forget.

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Chapter Seven
SUSTAINING A BUSINESS DURING A PANDEMIC

Mlibazisi Wilson Vuma
It all started in July 2020, when we were frustrated by the ups and downs of the
lockdown. I was invited to join the KBN History Makers for 2020. I was told that this time
it will be conducted through Zoom. This was not like the other years, where candidates
had to be in attendance physically every weekend.
Not knowing how I should respond to the invite, l requested for information about what I
would be doing and what the benefit for this program are. The answer was, “You are
invited to meet with other emerging entrepreneurs and will be groomed and given an
opportunity to network.
Hearing this, l decided this was worth trying out, so I agreed to enroll.
The real business started on the 22nd of July 2020, when Mrs. Kim Jacobs gave us the
first update on the rules of the platform. We were meant to join the meeting on Zoom
every Saturday, to listen to motivational speakers and then be connected to Mr.
Mtetwa’s wisdom as he taught about the KBN Ecosystem.

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I soon realized that I was back at school asked myself several times if this is what l
want?
I also questioned whether or not I’ll manage to pull through. The answer was Yes. I’ve
just resigned from my formal job and have started a new company with two partners.

We were given tasks to research and write assignments on and I found myself juggling
between my business and the program. On top of this, Mr. Mtetwa started talking about
writing exams. This was a shock. I challenged myself and focused. I left watching TV to
my kids and started studying.

Watching TV 24/7 is for those don’t envision growth. I adjusted my time to study. When
exam came, l was on site. A client came my car to talk to me and l had to excuse
myself. l was in the middle of an exam. I was not supposed to talk to anyone as l was
racing against time. I was so stressed that l did not finish all the questions, but l was
glad we were done.

We were then put into another group and given a task to research and write an essay
on. This was taxing. l didn’t think I’d make it. Thanks to my then chairperson, Mr. Viljoen
for being a strong and powerful leader. l was encouraged and l pulled through. l made it!

The next phase was TVBE. This was heavy, and I wanted to resign twice. Balancing my
daily business and the TVBE wasn’t easy. But my CEO, Co-CEO and my colleagues
didn’t allow me to throw in the towel. I’m grateful for their support.

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l will not do justice if I don’t mention Mrs. Jacobs, who has taken her time to follow up on
each of us as we do the tasks. Sometimes I think twice about opening my chats as I find
60 messages. I often think, my mom Kim is asking for ABC. She takes us to the
boardroom experience when we’re on our zoom meetings too.
I have been in the boardroom with experienced managers and l thought these
managers don’t empathise. I was not warned that the boardroom is a cooking pan
where one is tossed left, right and centre. Only the strong characters survive the heat in
there. l appreciate the strong men and women who stood the heat.
I cannot do justice to this writeup if l doesn’t thank Mr. and Mrs. K, Mr. and Mrs. Mtetwa
and Mrs. Kim Jacob and all my colleagues. Thank you to all the speakers. They have
made a difference to me in influencing the way l run my business today.
Many more to follow soon, as the learning is still continuing.
Many thanks

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Chapter Eight
IMPACTING AFRICA

Njabulo Mark Dubazana

My journey going when I went into the program… I was frustrated with the world. Having
started my business at an early age of 18, ten years later, I’m still not a billionaire, or a
millionaire. That has a toll on any human being.

This is despite always believing in myself and in Africa’s potential.

I could always blame COVID 19 and other circumstances, but I made a decision that I’m
going to take the leap of faith and allow this chapter of my life to build me. I wanted it to
build the best version of myself. If I didn’t, it would break me.

At this point, debtors started calling. 75% of my business projects are structured to
servicing the Zimbabwean market. So, at this point, everything seemed to be falling
apart.

Don’t get me wrong, there was a point in the journey where we were doing well for a
collective of Pan African entrepreneurs. We planned to disrupt the African market. I
have had my fair share of wins. But, unfortunately, mostly failures and disappointments.
I was nowhere close to where I set myself up to be.

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The best thing I did for myself was starting to pray again. I brought myself closer to God,
as this is the best gift my parents have given me.

I was feeling the impact of Covid-19 emotionally and financially. I felt blessed that
despite my circumstances right now, God’s grace and purpose for my life was greater.
My relationship with God has always been personal. I dwell in His presence.
All the projects and transactions I worked on were put at a standstill. I had the time to
get out of my head, as I always depended on myself for survival. My good friend, Mr
Chase Thompson comforted me through these testing times. There is no plan B for me.
God eliminated all of those for me. This is my purpose. So, my mentor, Dr Walter
Mandaza’s advised that I join the History Makers program, which is facilitated by KBN.

I began thinking, what do I have to lose? I took a leap of faith, despite my circumstances
at the time, to fill in the KBN program application forms. I invited a friend and a business
associate who’s just as passionate about business.

What inspired me to join the KBN program was my will to grow. As an entrepreneur, I
wanted to collaborate with likeminded entrepreneurs.

I have always been a driven individual and have taught myself through experience. But
every self-driven individual needs a support structure, to bring out the best in them.
Since my mentor, Walter Mandaza is someone I look up to, not just as a billionaire, but
a father figure I became interested. If you have read the book, “Rich Dad and Poor Day”
by Robert Kiyosaki, you will know exactly what I mean.

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By exposing me to KBN, he helped me to meet Mr Neverl Kambasha, who encouraged
me to join the KBN family. They saw something in me that I stopped seeing in myself.

Through the program I’ve learned about the importance of leadership, which is a
fundamental skill. It means impacting your surroundings. I also learnt that the most
impactful efforts in a thriving organisation is to have a teachable spirit.

The KBN program helped me reflect on my relationship with God. I’ve learned about
time management, and how to drastically improve these areas of my self-development.
By managing your time more efficiently, I can manage my personal and my employee’s
commitments better.

Part of this journey had its challenges, like figuring out how to work with new people
who don’t really know you and your current situation and background. I really battled
with having enough resources to fully commit to the program. But that was no excuse in
pushing tasks I could complete. I didn’t want to pull the Innovators down.

I wanted to quit numerous times. What has kept me going was our team spirit. It kept
me in the room. I have not had the privilege of having weekends off so far. I had to
invest all my time into my business’ ecosystem development for the past 10 years.
KBN’s ecosystem principles has helped me realign my vision on strong fundamentals to
build, as I look forward to the future.

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A change in mind set and environment is all it takes. My TVBE experience has sparked
a shift in me. This shift comes at a time of transformation for me. I have evolved.

The Village Boardroom Experience came with great lessons. It has brought new goals
and achievements I set for myself. All this is in preparation to dominate the African
continent.

The experience has also refuelled my confidence. I’ve learned that nothing can be
accomplished in isolation. Being around like-minded people helps me apply pressure
and heat, so that I could get out of my comfort zone. Although I had challenges
throughout the program, I’m glad I remained in the room.

This whole process has helped me unlearn all the things that set me back. I’m evolving
into the entrepreneur that will disrupt the status quo. The aim is never to break the rules,
but to rather bend them enough to disrupt the changing environment. I want to be
introduced to new players across Africa.

I realised there’s no better time like now to transform myself. I’m taking my teachable
spirit into every project I’m working on. I will apply all these KBN lessons through the
KBN program.
How will I implement the skills and lessons I’ve learned to impact the next person? The
first thing is going through this whole program. It has allowed me to reflect on my goals.
These are goals that are within my personal and business life, regarding my leadership,

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time management, team work, research and collaboration. I will use these skills in all
my business practices through an action plan strategy.

I need to consolidate all my core projects, from short, medium and long-term.

Unapplied knowledge would be a waste of any educational process. By leveraging my
accumulated skills and network through the plug and play model, I’ve been able to
unlock excess to market, financing and operational partners. I’ve been building my block
through Nigrum Wealth Holdings and Partners.

My action plan is to build enough passive income and establish strategic affiliate
partners that compliment my strengths to dominate the market place across Africa. I
have always identified my success as Africa’s success, through collaborative efforts
with non-profit organisations.

I’m passionate about providing the next person with access to transformational
information and resources. I want to unleash them into self-leadership.

Through the KBN program, I’ve established the importance of leadership skills as the
best vehicle to impact the next person or my community at large. Africa is at a
leadership deficit and the best way to impact a broken continent is by grooming leaders
through a collaborative effort with captains of industries. I also want to create a
conducive environment to cultivate leaders that can lead the next generation into
victory.

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The KBN family impacted my life to impact the next person. I’m looking forward to more
disruptive collaborative efforts with the KBN family, not only to dominate the market but
to impact the lives of many Africans across the continent, one life at a time.
The visionaries of KBN, Mr and Mrs Kambasha, their trustees and executives can rest
assure that they have ignited the fire and leadership in me. I’m more focused and look
forward to walking the road to impacting the continent in partnership with my new home.
I look forward in being a KBN Adjudicator in the near future, as I believe in
entrepreneurship outside myself interest. I would like to encourage every entrepreneur
that the world will try to break you at every corner. The current global system was never
designed to see Africa and its people rise. Your failures are designed by the
environment. There is design, but there’s also power in unity.

Keep being the solution. There’s value in your surroundings. Surely, God’s goodness
and mercy will find you. I’m a testament that even through the challenges we faced,
there is life at the end of the tunnel.

If you give up on yourself, you will never see that light. Learn to be aware of your
surroundings as it impacts your perspective. Align yourself with like-minded individuals
as that will make the journey less dreadful.

Understand that you are the solution society needs. Every great discovery or success
started as a vision. This vision was cultivated into success by a culture that embraces
innovation.

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There’s a saying that goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” KBN is one of those
villages, but to access it you must take the first step. The grave yard is full of billion-
dollar ideas that never saw light because of fear and doubt. You are the wealthiest
commodity on this planet. Never forget that.

Your success will unlock endless possibilities that is the spark that will ignite the African
ecosystem. If a dyslexic, high school dropout like me can be embraced and cultivated
by entrepreneurship, then surely, the KBN family surely has nothing to lose. Success is
spiritual. KBN doesn’t just embrace the leadership skills. The spiritual potency to
dominate markets.
Not all of us can be entrepreneurs, but all of us need to support entrepreneurship, as it
has shaped the evolution of our species. The past 10 year of walking this journey is
nothing close to being amazing. I discovered my brilliance in a system that labelled me
unqualified to be great.

Remember it has never been a sprint but a marathon. Great things take time. Be patient
with yourself. Even your greatest idols were once beginners. They failed at it, but they
went through this journey and failed. Failure must be embraced.

My name is Njabulo Mark Dubazana, a seasoned serial entrepreneur. I’m looking
forward in impacting the globe with you.

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CHAPTER NINE
BOARDROOM DISCOVERIES

David Makina

May all the Glory and honour be to God.

l would like to thank my Apostle Tigere and Revival Grace International Ministries for
according me the time and opportunity to know and to be associated with Mr. Neverl
Kambasha and the KBN family.

I never knew we had such a powerful Christian organisation in Southern Africa that has
championed the empowerment and equipping of entrepreneurs to build successful
businesses. They equip and empower individuals to become agents of transformation in
their spheres of influence, at any level they operate.

They inspire entrepreneurs to create and acquire a sustainable wealth mindset. Mr.
Kambasha has taught us about love and compassion. He taught us to move in the
overflow. He inspires us to have the purpose that is greater than us, according to
Genesis 49.22.

Martin Luther King Junior said, “Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and
what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.” I learned about giving,

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welfare support, trust and integrity. We also learned about neology, the power to push
things in the spiritual realm or word. We were taught about prayer and tithing, the
financial management system between man and God. This is the right entrepreneurial
environment and practices that fights poverty, unemployment and marginalization.

We were taught about living a purpose-driven life. Decision making, increase, overflow,
seeking the counsel of God in everything else in between. We were taught about the
Word, facing trials and tribulations in robust faith. I especially learned about Mr.
Kambasha's humbleness and kindness, and about the three keys: prayer, execution
and humbleness.

Under the leadership and mentorship of VP and Minister Mtetwa. I learned about
collaboration, excellence, accountability, love, association, generosity and leadership
(mentoring and leadership). I learned about grooming and how to dress, talk and
behave as an entrepreneur.

I was taught how to present and write assignments. KBN has been a university to me.
It’s an area of endless empowerment and possibilities. What has really touched my
heart is the servitude. A real leader produces leaders and not followers. A real leader is
a servant and a worker of the people, and remains humble while he or she does this.

The ecosystem teachings were taught and presented by seasoned, experienced and
successful men and women in business. They were powerful and life-changing. We had
the likes of Dr Walter Mandaza, Dr Chanita Foster, and Dr Jamie Garande. KBN

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Trustee Eve Banda and Mahlohonolo Maja and many others. l would like to reference
the lessons l learned from them.

Maja taught us about following. As an entrepreneur in the marketplace, we need to
check the location and surrounding of one business. Are they conducive and meant for
you? Know who you are in God. Things like certificates, licenses, tax compliance and all
business documentation should always in order. One must be resourceful and sell what
you have.

You must be able to follow through with the service you are offering. Fine tune and
utilize your opportunities to your best of your ability. Do a SWOT analysis and test it.
She also taught us about the importance of maintaining boundaries for work, family and
in the business arena. We were taught about the importance of discipline, flexibility and
adaptability. Be organised - you should always have a diary and diarise events,
meetings and teachings. Have time set aside for prayer.

Another powerhouse, KBN Trustee Eve Banda also mentored us on Psalms 144:1
There are several battles to fight as a business and family. Every entrepreneur must
have a mindset for battle. Consistency is the only way to fight our battles.

One must have a life book that consists of a vision for your life. Foundation is the calling
for a time and season. You must ask yourself, why did you start your business? Reflect
often about it.

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Anything that is not born in the spirit is illegal. There must be a mandate and a contract
with heaven. One's passion should merge with heaven. Warzone changes your thinking,
posture, behaviour, etc.

Consistency guides us as entrepreneurs to change tactics and strategies. Victory is
attained when you navigate through your challenges. Discipline and consistency are
twins. A business must have lead measures, a bank statement and measure if it’s doing
well – through profit. Losses should not be allowed in business.

You must pray and communicate your challenges to God. A business should have a
business scoreboard. Quality of staff and system process are part of the scoreboard,
which directs one in the business and everything you do in it. This ensures monitoring.

One must have an accountability matrix. These include confidant, peers, mentors, etc. It
includes people below you, those at your level and those above your level. They give
you their experiences, wisdom and guidance. Vision, discipline and consistency, which
are vital for every entrepreneur.

We are called for greatness and wealth, exceedingly, abundantly and above all. God is
our anchor and provider. Always fellowship with him in prayer.

Dr Chanita Foster also taught us powerful business nuggets. Like every business
should get information. You must have a pen and a diary in meetings. She also taught

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us about consistency in the business. Be reliable in the goods and services that you
offer. Any entrepreneur has to be calm in everything that you do.

One must be able to carry out a market group survey, acting upon your customer
service delivery efficiency. Customers or people buy into what you have and portray.
She gave us a million steps nuggets. If it doesn't work, fix it, don't wait. Evaluate why a
business is not working and adjust fast. The answer is in your clients. They will give you
honest feedback.

Collaborate with other business people and partners. There is power in working with
other business people and partners. Improve your service provision, match your
products or surpass that of other competitors.

Marketing is best with word of mouth. Connect to a person who is connected. Go digital,
e g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Chatbot and other digital marketing platforms.

She encouraged us to start looking for opportunities. Now is our time to increase on our
research and innovation. We must look and explore the business opportunities and our
education. We must write books and sell them. Put them on Amazon.

Dr Jamie Garande also gave us powerful information and knowledge. Entrepreneurs
ought to understand the business principles and times that is the environment we are in
at the present time. Our mindset as entrepreneurs is very crucial in the environment.

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Issues like long term vision e.g. vision 2030, 10-year vision. As an entrepreneur we
must create a business platform that involves our families.

As business leaders we must pre-empt what’s coming in the future. We must think big
and global. Vision and expectation have to be bigger. The mindset must move from a
millionaire to a billionaire. So, it’s important to think creatively, as we come up with
some innovative ideas. The Covid-19 pandemic has ushered in some new technology
and way of doing business, so there’s focus for the online technologies like virtual apps,
Zoom, Artificial intelligence to name a few.

Entrepreneurs must have the mindset of a winner. You must be a lateral thinker. Do not
depend on one income source. Millionaires have five sources of income, while
billionaires have eight sources of income. Your market value has nothing to do with
race, gender and education. It’s just about giving value to the marketplace.

You must acquire the mentality of a winner. Every business leader must have these
three building blocks:

 Integrity, never cheat in marriage and business.
 Generosity, the generous soul shall be made fat, heavens gives great interest.
 Building reserves. Built financial wall and investment. This also includes

savings. Maintaining control. Building critical blocks in life. Open your mind and
see the impossible.

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The rapid surge of 4ir and 5ir, chatbots, internet of things and artificial intelligence. As
future business systems, innovation and technology norms that are very scientific that
are anchored on science and technology.

With the expected result outlook of alleviating poverty, unemployment, crime and
inequality. Emphasis being put on Africa to adopt the rule of law, democracy and
liberalization of energy, science and technology and telecommunications infrastructure
and sectors. That helps foster the development and betterment of systems that improve
energy, transport, manufacturing, and the economies of scale. You must also push the
globilization and one world order agenda.

As business leaders and organizations, we must foster and harness on developmental
science tech and innovations that won't be detrimental to the world and our longevity.

This journey of self-discovery and empowerment learning has demanded a lot of
sacrifices in terms of resources, time and commitment. But it has not been easy. The
KBN ecosystem teachings were powerful, lifechanging and inspiring. My business
acumen and focus were perfected. Especially my resilience, integrity and vision.
The KBN Chairman boardroom challenge, and especially TVBE has been very
educational and eye opening. I learned about the boardroom etiquette and pitching your
presentation. I learned what’s expected from it. How one has to be an excellent public
orator. They must also be well-groomed and deportment has been a lot.

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The planning and giving of programs was demanding, especially to the leaders. We
spend many sleepless nights researching, writing tasks and assignments. At times it
ended up depriving us on church, family, and business, and so we needed to commit
and concentrate at every level.
But despite that, it was worth it. My thinking and way of conducting business has
changed. I have a new definition of Godly ethics is on another level. l am no longer a
slave to fear, l am now a child of God. I now understand that success doesn’t comes to
you, you go to it = an important message we were taught.
I thank God for giving us very rare personalities like Mr. Neverl Kambasha. The vision,
the dream, the love, the passion, the vision, the humbleness, the Godly fear in him is
very rare. May God bless the KBN Group, Beryl Group, and the African Innovators
Valley. May it change the dreams, values and aspirations and business dreams in Africa
and globally. May God continue to strengthen and bless him in this wonderful and
worthwhile endeavour.

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Chapter Ten
A PRESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE

Zanele Ntuli

2020 will always remain one of the most interesting years for all of us, and for the rest of
the world. The year started with a bang! We were planning conferences, travel and
events around the country, continent and abroad. In January, we were excitedly
planning for the New Year, looking forward to fulfil our resolutions.
In February, we started putting plans in place. When we were about to execute, COVID-
19 happened. We were trying to comprehend what had just happened when lockdown
level 5 was imposed on us. It was indeed a very strange and difficult period. We were all
trying to understand this new pandemic and way of living.
By April, all our plans, countries, workplaces, and governments were all put on hold.
COVID-19 launched a “business unusual” period the world over. In the midst of the
confusion during level 4 lockdown. I took a decision I will never regret as long as I live,
that of joining the KBN History Makers under the winning Innovators team. The journey
so far has been that of learning whilst having fun.

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COVID-19 taught us a lot of things. It brought us together as families, it taught us to
think outside of the box, but most of all it enabled us to have virtual meetings. I
remember when we met for the first time via Zoom as Innovators. I saw all these
beautiful new faces. We had to vote for our Chair and Deputy Chair. Deep down I
wanted to be led by a lady so I chose Sindi, a very beautiful, outspoken, smart and
sassy lady. I knew she would do a good job. Unfortunately, I was outvoted by other
team members. She then became our Deputy Chair.

We were required to write biblical marketplace assignments. We were also required to
attend various meetings which were educational, inspirational, biblical, and motivational
by the speakers presenting.

I must say most Zoom meetings were extremely educational. It ranged from people
sharing their success stories, to how to build your faith and motivational talk. We are
enjoying Conversations with Mr K. The knowledge and insights you get from these, is
out this world. I also enjoyed Minister Mtetwa’s academic yet friendly and
understandable lectures. He is one of the most gifted people I have ever come across.
He is simply a blessing to most of us.

Assignments were mostly enjoyable. For the first time I had to look at bible stories
commercially. I really had to stretch my mind and look at the story of Jonah as a
business venture. The assignment pressure was on another level. We had deadlines
and for some of us we had sleepless nights working on those assignments.

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I met and interacted with my colleagues, teammates mainly on Zoom. We connected in
many ways and still had to meet in person. The Boardroom week came in October. I
was anxious like a child and looking forward to meeting my teammates, our leaders, our
mentors, our adjudicators, and our Boardroom Experience leaders.
Monday finally came. I first met my colleagues, and it was so exciting. We were
transported to The Village. The Boardroom Experience has been eye opening,
educational, challenging, inspiring, and it requires one to really think out of the box.
My favourite moment during the Boardroom Experience has been the part of role-
playing Madam President Trump. I had to explain that I had tested positive for COVID-
19 and having to campaign at the same time. I had to really think on my feet. I made
sure I imitate the US President.
My group and Boardroom Experience Judges and their special guests were in stitches
including our Chairman. It was hilarious, I humbly believe. What is so interesting about
this experience is that you never know what to expect. You are really thrown in the deep
end. It’s just like in the real business world. No one prepares you for it, you learn and
improvise as you go.

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Chapter Eleven
AN EVERYDAY LEARNING CURVE

Monica Ndlovu

During a national shutdown which lasted almost about half a year, who could have ever
imagined that there are still opportunities out there for people to progress? Almost
everyone was trying hard to adapt to this new normal which just came unexpectedly
throughout the whole world.

Social media, radios and televisions were flooding with news about how the pandemic
was wrecking the world. I vividly remember one fateful day l got a call from an unknown
number. I just picked the call with a mindset set that insurance has started its marketing
stories. My intention on answering the call was to know who it was calling me and
apologies to him or her for calling a wrong time. Only had l known that the call was
carrying a different story, I listened as the caller went on to introduce herself.

The call sounded differently from the ones we usually received. KBN was introduced to
me by the caller and l got interested as I paid attention to something utterly different
from the daily talk in those days about pandemic – Covid 19. An opportunity was
offered to me to decide. I got interested and requested more information as much as
the how about to go with this. I was directed on a step to step on what to expect. This

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was a good time for me to find myself concentrating on something different from what
the world was singing.

I got enrolled and there came another learning opportunity, when I was told the
induction was going to happen on ZOOM platform. I remember eagerly downloading
this application and my phone acting up as it kept reporting no space. Postponing the
download was not an option as the day of KBN induction kept approaching.

I was very keen to join this Zoom induction and get to know more about this History
Makers, Season 11 as to what it has for me in these trying times of the pandemic.
Without wasting much time, a plan to download the zoom app was figured out. Zoom
app was now ready for action.

The induction set day came, and l joined the meeting. The impression was very good
as l found a room filled with a lot of cheerful faces all waiting to hear what the program
was all about. The experience was amazing, especially when one realizes that things
can actual work out in a situation where others seem not to see a way, there is actually
a way and technology approved to us.

If not for the advent of technology as it was a lock down period, there wasn’t going to be
any means of holding such meetings, but there we found ourselves on ZOOM and
programs being conducted impeccably. To many, including myself it was a learning
curve. Mindsets shifted from impossibility to possibility. What we thought could not
happen, could actually happen. Meeting together apart, ZOOM.

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The journey of the program which started just by one phone call became so exciting and
a learning trail. The training started, I thought this was mainly on Business perspective
not realizing that actually proper Business is so much linked to the Word of God. This
was yet another learning curve as Minister Mtetwa took us through these teachings. My
eyes opened; I enjoyed every topic introduced as it linked business from the Bible
origin. Every day there is something new to learn, the secret is either you grab it or you
miss it, but there is no day without something to learn. My concentration was so
focused as this was a wow moment to me as a person. The most inspiring part in these
teachings was the way how the Pillars in the Bible were explained and linked into the
Business World. Having been a Christian for so many years, this was a great learning
benefit to my Soul, Spirit and Body. I found myself growing on the knowledge of the
Business aspects as well as in the knowledge of the Word of God.

The good part you will have to hear was I enjoyed the teachings so much and Team
work but I never wanted to write the Examinations. You know why? Hope you will agree
with me on my answer?

There has never been something called an easy Test. A Test is Test, you are tested
my brother. The only thing that differs about the test is that it is either emotional testing
or physical testing but they are both called Tests. Well I also went through that moment
of being tested at KBN.

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I came out successful, because I was fighting to see the end of it. I always had a
Mentor who could say, I have taught you everything except one thing, ‘Don’t Quit’, in
addition to what my Mentor has said I found a similar language within the program, ‘stay
in the room’, these two makes one to hang in there without quitting to see what the end
has for you. In the effort of digging gold for a while then decide to quit, the question
becomes what if you were almost a meter from attaining it. Therefore, don’t quit.

The waters began to deepen as we just finished the training. This was when we were
told that the month ahead needed much more commitment than what I personally
thought we already did as we gave ourselves in times of training. The word
commitment on its own makes one to think broadly or to want to reverse before
committing but remember for me I was carrying a saying from my Mentor, ‘Don’t Quit’. I
decided to face that commitment and see the end.

When you hear the word, commit think straight and commit with your full understanding.
To me the word commitment itself, I take it as a signature. Once you do sign, you can’t
erase it, you just have to wait for the end of it and its weight, pains, joy, peace, criticism
etc.

Here I am writing this article today, it’s all out of commitment, not to scare you but to
make you understand simple words with overlooked meaning such as commitment.
This requires; self-discipline, time, understanding, patience, love, as well as a skill
called Listening. For this journey you will definitely need to put on a full amour of these.

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I always tell people that seeing is different from hearing. Why do I bring this into this
article? One might be asking. It was through this ZOOM application that we could sit
and watch other people participating in the KBN Center called the Village, a very upper
class well built in the heart of Sandton. Don’t worry as you are the next to recruit in this
nice program you will get the feel of walking in it one day.

Well, without drifting your mind from what I am talking about, let’s get back on track.
The very people we could watch as if it’s on a movie, the clock never stopped ticking
bringing us closer to our turn. Before we knew it, we found ourselves discussing and
planning on where to meet on our way to the Village.

The name of the program we were going for already to me it brought some goose
bumps, asking myself of the outcome before the income. ‘Board room experience’, in
general knowledge from my previous work experiences Board room was a place
employee would want to hear less of it mentioned except for the Directors. Now this
was another learning curve to experience it.

Our turn came and we found ourselves at the Village. The welcome is so much
impressive, the smiles of the people, friendliness, the food, the atmosphere, everything
is just more than just being perfect. Wait and see before you get carried away, the
experience is waiting.

Time came when we were ushered into the Board room, where we are expected to
show case our thinking capacity as the next Entrepreneurs in the World. I know this

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sounds easy to the listener than the experienced. This was yet another learning
experience.
In there you will learn the diverse way of answering questions, and how questions can
be asked, at one point when I came out of the Board room, I thought the Adjudicators
have a question for everything and if they don’t have a question, your answer can
become a question. Not the fact that you thought it was an answer, you find yourself
with no answer at all to give back. I had to learn design thinking at a very short space of
time.
I will leave you with this statement. In every single day find out what you learnt from it, if
there is nothing which means you were not concentrating. Now the challenge is that
particular day has passed and in no way, you will meet it again.
My piece of advice to you reader is: -
Our footsteps tracks going forward never backwards, we all meet walking forward not
backwards allow your feet to lead, as your steps are ordered by the Lord.

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Chapter Twelve
A PERSONAL CALLING

Melissa Bartus

During Covid 19, an e-mail popped up on our computer screen. It came from the
Kingdom Business History Makers, sent by Miss H.

I didn’t act on it immediately, but Miss H pushed. She called the church music director to
remind her about the intake. When I finally called her back, I told my Pastor, who’s the
senior Pastor of Christ Ambassadors Church, Bishop Idah Peterside about the intake.
He asked me to send the link to all the church members and I did.

I was surprised that only a few people joined. It was sad, but maybe it is because they
didn’t understand what was required. That’s what I told myself.

I told Miss H I will be joining as well. She’s like family in the ministry. I know she really
wanted us to network.

A WhatsApp group was then created for KINDOM BUSINESS HISTORY MAKERS. In
just a few days, I saw some people exit the group. I asked myself again why are they
doing this?

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The management began dividing us into groups, and I saw my name in a group called
Innovators. I love innovation. Our meeting as a team meant that data would be a
challenge because of Covid 19 restrictions. But, I told myself I would do everything I
needed to do to finish the program.

Waking up was always a challenge, as it was so cold. The first meeting was very
confusing for me. No one really explained what it was all about. But, I am a risk taker,
so I managed to attend. I absorbed all the lessons they gave us on the first Saturday.

As we progressed, I noticed that information was not given about the program. We were
on a learn as you go course. But, I was so excited about the weekly program. I did my
own research. That’s how I found out what KBN is all about.

At the same time, I was trying to understand the structure as there were so many
activities that were not outlined. I only understood it later.

Our assignments made me feel sick to the tummy. We started very well as Innovators,
as we bonded very well as a group. But on our third assignment I almost gave up. I
wanted to cry sometimes. We were not sleeping. I felt like we were in a tag team. We
worked in three groups. Each group worked hard.

Mr V, the advocate was a great leader. He led us with ease and understood our
different strengths as individuals.

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