Gosiame Rabalago Investments, a local company in Temba has been nominated as the Start-up of the year on the Global Start-up Awards Africa 2023 out of 145 countries.
The company was started in 2020 during the Covid -9 period by a local entrepreneur, Mr Gosiame Rabalago who said he started the company to bring change to the entrepreneurship sector and to be the voice of the voiceless in townships.
Mr Rabalago is a young man born in Temba and later relocated to North-West where he was privileged to be a president of my school and the Moses Kotane district where the school under their student leadership produced a 100% pass rate.
“I have always been a dynamic leader at heart and an award-winning entrepreneur of the Mama awards, Tony Elomelu Foundation, Sun Internal philanthropy Work Awards and currently our company is nominated for the Global Start-up Awards Africa as the start-up of the year 2023.
“I am motivated by discipline and dedication including the people in my life. I am privileged to have built my business profile to a high standard that allowed me to triumph over others and be nominated. So far, I’m a four-time award-winning entrepreneur and transformational speaker,” he said.
He said he exposed himself to entrepreneurship content on YouTube during the lockdown.
“I am a social entrepreneur who is very dynamic and seeks to be a source of inspiration to the youth and most importantly those who have lost hope in their dreams. We offer entrepreneurship as well as business solutions and hosts seminars,” he said.
He is also a full member of the South African BRICS Youth Association and is fighting to bring entrepreneurial light to communities.
Mr Rabalago grew up being an introvert and his election to the various leadership roles at school and church helped him to overcome the fear of public speaking.
He had a business mentality from a young age selling sweets at school in Temba where he was an A-student. His development of being an entrepreneur started when he met his mentor, Mr Mogapi Mogapaesi who is himself an entrepreneur and philanthropist at North West in Moruleng and is currently based in the United Kingdom.
“Mr Mogapaesi exposed me to a lot of meetings, boardrooms and negotiations of projects and that is why I advise my fellow young people that mentorship is key and it builds character.
“My motto is: Be like a palm tree, don’t break but bend and swing back with greater power when facing difficult moments,” he said.
He said young people are stronger when united and are working together towards one vision.
“My advice to everyone is to always strive to be the best for themselves and those around them at all times. Being the best means learning to be open and crying at your worst. Be the best always and stay shining!” he said.
