Kabelo Seloko: Business savvy beyond his years

It’s common knowledge that peer influence often starts to overshadow parental influence as a child grows, but the strength of good families continues to play an important role in shaping adolescents’ development. Having a solid family background with positive relationships is associated with lower levels of adolescent depression and delinquency. Selekolo was adopted by his aunt and uncle because they did not have children of their own. “My aunt was a family-oriented person; she always came up with solutions in the family and was a peace mediator even in the extended families. So, being such a solutionoriented person, she came up with an idea of selling cold drinks, beers and snacks in order to boost the household income. She was not an entrepreneur per se – she was simply helping her family to live. Little did she know that she was planting a seed within me because I was given the responsibility to make sure that the stock was enough in the fridge, the profit is set aside, etc.” Selekolo tells Spot-On.

“They adopted me and my girl cousin. I was four years old when they took us in. My parents have always been around, literally 30 minutes away from Ledig where I was raised, and I would visit them during school holidays.”

In 2004, when Selekolo was in grade 9, his aunt suggested that he take the family camera with him to a school excursion, to make some money. “I knew nothing about photography at the time, and as young as I was, of course I was reluctant because why should I be busy taking photos when I should be enjoying my school trip with friends? he laughs. “But I did it

Serial entrepreneur anyway, and I’m glad I did. Because, from that

Kabelo Selekolo is school trip, I made some money for me and the family, I learned a bit about business, the living proof of how a entrepreneurial seed was planted, I learned to strong family foundation work and interact with people, I learned a bit about the photography business and more. So, it can set one up for a life was worth it.” of self-sustenance Selekolo was born in Molorwe, a village in the North West, and grew up in Ledig as an adult. near Rustenburg.

YOUNG BUT EXPERIENCED

Selekolo is only 32 years old but his experience in business belies his years. In 2017, he founded 2kay Photography, which specialises in events photography and private photoshoots. In 2020, a few weeks into lockdown, Selekolo co-founded Rahisi Online with a friend. “The business sells website and learning management systems at a subscription rate. So instead of paying R9 000 for website, you simply pay R299 per month,” he says.

He looks up to entrepreneur and entertainer DJ Sbu as one of his inspirations. “For a boy who grew up reselling cold drinks and years later seeing another kasi boy manufacturing his own cold drinks is somewhat mind-blowing, and I cannot help but embrace and support him.”

Last year, Selekolo established Mswenko Sneakers, which was officially launched in October this year. “We make and sell feelgood sneakers that are stylish, comfortable and convenient in a way that you can wear them for sport and casually,” says the young entrepreneur.

GIVING BACK

For every pair of Mswenko Sneakers bought, Selekolo has committed to donating R10 to charity as a way of giving back. “We identified Inkateko Project Orphanage Centre based in Ivory Park. Our customers will see how their R10 makes a difference when they follow us on social media. We are planning to donate every three months; so, at the end of January 2023, we will visit the centre. While doing so, we will share the photos and experience with our customers on social media,” says Selekolo. Looking to the future, he says, “I see Mswenko having grown to expand its impact in the customers’ hearts through

the creation of the most affordable, convenient and stylish sneakers. And charity wise, my biggest ambition is to be able to cater for five charities per province (45 charities) every three months.”

LESSONS IN BUSINESS

In his years of business, during which he has founded nine different ventures, Selekolo says his two biggest lessons have been around focus and being knowledgeable about the field you’re in. “It’s really hard to focus when you have multiple things going on in your life. You have to focus on one business, master it, grow it to a point where it can run itself at least,” he says. “You need to be at the top of your game regardless of what you do in life; if you’re an athlete, for example, you need to keep learning about body functions, human physiology, healthy diet, the history of sport, previous sportspersons who’ve succeeded and why. One has to immerse themselves in the information linked with their industry/ field. By so doing, you will be ahead of your counterparts because, with the information you have, you can constantly operate your business by making informed decisions.” Each venture comes with its unique challenges but, after being in business for a decade, one learns the ebbs and flows of operating a company, regardless of the type of business. “Having an idea for business is very exciting because what comes to mind is money and success – which can be true. But the real deal is what happens between the idea and the success, which is when one really decides whether or not they want to stick around,” says Selekolo.

“Some of us who decide to stick around experience things like bad marketing – when the message is not well communicated to potential customers, sales not coming in, not finding the right people to work with, etc. If you start with limited capital, like I did, I became a one man show responsible for everything from graphic design to social media admin, sales management, marketing, deliveries, etc., which is obviously tiring and frustrating. But everybody starts somewhere!”

INSPIRED TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT

Selekolo is inspired by two commitments he made to himself: making his family’s life easier and making the community he comes from a better place. “I want to cut the chain of ‘lack’ in my family. I want to create a generational financial freedom for my family,” he says.

“There’s a saying, ‘If one of us is not free, we are all not free.’ Our communities are important in building a great society that we live in; we were raised in these communities, as our children will be. But it’s important that we do not neglect them as we grow and move to towns. I want to help through any means I have to support and uplift disadvantaged communities.”

Mswenko Footwear

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