Antonio Pooe - Exactech

Antonio Pooe is a good man to have around in today’s high-tech world because he just happens to be an expert in fraud detection. This is just one of the young man’s many attributes which also include experience in dealing with reactive computer forensic investigations.

Twenty-nine-year old Pooe has an impressive CV. He is founder and managing director of Exactech. He is also one of the board of directors for The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners SA, an internationally recognised body of professionals in the field of forensic investigations. 

Exactech was launched last year and employs four full time staff and four others who work on a part-time basis. The business specialises in technological solutions, which entail undertaking investigations where technology is involved.

His turnover, he says, varies, but over the past year they have been averaging about R120 000 a month, but that figure is growing. Antonio spent his initial KickStart grant of R90 000 on software. Aside from the monetary award, he found that SAB Kickstart encouraged him to go it alone after a tough year trying to break into the market.

Looking into his crystal ball, Pooe sees a rosy future ahead and believes he will become a major competitor in the forensic computing business.

Why he thinks he will succeed? “There are fewer than 10 companies in South Africa involved in this type of forensic investigation. It is really a niche market with specific types of skill.”

Johannesburg, Gauteng / 011 475 8634 / info@exactech.co.za / www.exactech.co.za

Mduduzi Nkosi - @The Bath House

The beauty industry is often associated with women but a young Soweto businessman is turning that female bias on its head. In fact, he’s determined to be the country’s first black franchiser within the health and beauty industry and is already looking to open a second branch of his thriving business in Orlando.

Thirty-four-year old Mduduzi Nkosi has been running @The Bath House for the past four years. It started as a home-based salon but when the Maponya Mall opened in Soweto he decided to move into the new premises to attract more clients.

Nkosi says there was a gap in the market in Soweto: “There were very limited fully-fledged salons but I have changed that. People are now happy that this business is close by and within their community.”

Turnover is now between R80 000 and R100 000 per month and Nkosi employs six people. Soweto-born Nkosi completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Durban-Westville and worked for various corporates before starting his own business. He spent his initial KickStart grant of R50 000 on buying more spa equipment for his expanding business.

His advice: “The journey can be very lonely but be reasonable with your expectations. Seek advice and hang around with people who will build you.”

Soweto, Gauteng 011 938 4315 / 082 908 0706 mduduzi.nkosi@atthebathspa.co.za. www.atthebathspa.co.za

Thandeka Magagula - Global Communication Network Systems (GCNS)

Thandeka Magagula is a hot communicator and her aim is to provide Internet facilities for everyone. Her company, Global Communication Network Systems (GCNS), is a communications business that deals with everything involved with the Internet.

Thirty-one-year-old Thandeka, who once worked for Telkom, identified a gap in the market and, together with her friend, opened her business. Instead of explaining to a client over the phone how to overcome an Internet problem, as is the case with many companies, GCNS’s service includes going to a client’s house and sorting out the problem. She started the business working from home in March 2005 and has been growing it ever since.

Thandeka employs 15 people, which includes herself and her partner, and her monthly turnover ranges between R70 000 and R80 000.

After matriculating, she attended Pretoria Technikon but when her father died, there were monetary pressures and she decided to join Telkom. She is at present studying through Unisa for a human resources diploma.

She used her initial R70 000 KickStart grant on computers.

Her advice: “Just do it. It’s really tough but if you have everything in place it’s exciting that you are doing something. Also, it’s better creating your own job rather than trying to find one and it gives you a better feeling when you do this.”

Johannesburg, Gauteng / 076 520 5864 / gcns@telkomsa.net / www.gcns.co.za