Name: Sphelele Brian Mchunu 

Province: KwaZulu-Natal  

Sphelele Brian Mchunu from Miriam Hill in KwaZulu-Natal describes himself as a leadership coach, innovator and social change champion. He is an entrepreneur who places the interest of his community first. 

What are you championing in your community?  

Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Technology

How are you driving change in your community?

I currently work with social entrepreneurs under the theme Professionalisation of Youth Work. The focus of the training is to highlight the importance of branding, marketing, digital presence strategy and storytelling of social enterprises.

I’m the founder of a summit called I-Innovate4Afrika which is a platform that is aimed at creating platforms for social enterprises to encourage dialogue with innovators and digital champions on “How to incorporate Innovation and Technology within their ventures?”

How has ACTIVATE! and the network supported you in driving change? 

The network has supported me in mobilising resources in order to host training and workshop. I also collaborated with Activator Nkosikhona Mpungose and Nonkululeko Hlongwane who supported me when I hosted a 4-day (two weekends) residential work on Professionalisation of Youth Work in partnership with the Democracy Development Program.

Furthermore, the network has also supported me to mobilise other Activators and youth leaders to participate in workshops and other training I have hosted. 

The Bus Journey

Why have you decided to be part of the Bus Journey?

I’m interested to participating in conversation that will create the foundation to explore and collaborate. I believe being in the bus will create a platform for me to explore opportunities that we as South African Social Entrepreneurs can tap in to while ensuring that we continue to drive change in our communities.

I also want to learn about activities other Activators (on the Bus and those who will be hosting us) are doing in their communities and start exploring how we can support each other to expand as an organisation and social enterprises.

What are you hoping to take out of the Bus Journey?

I’m hoping to take and sustain partnerships that will be created during the Bus Journey. I furthermore hope I take away solutions that we as a network can introduce to support and increase participation within the network.

What are you most looking forward to on the Bus Journey?

I look forward to engaging in dialogue about social entrepreneurship; our current South African politics and innovation and technology.

In an ideal world, who would you like to engage in conversation with on The Bus Journey and why?

Vusi Thembekwayo, because I believe he is one of South Africa’s social entrepreneurs who are changing the face of business and the development of our communities. I’d really be interested to hear and have a conversation about his strategy and methodology as an agent of change and businessman.

What are your plans for next year?                                                    

In the next year I plan to grow and expand the I-Innovate4Afrika. I’m looking to expand by hosting the summit in Gauteng, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. I will also be introducing an I-Innovate4Afrika Challenge which is aimed at involving South African youth to create Apps4Change.

How will you be involving the network in your plans?

I hope to collaborate with Activators to support each other to self-mobilise for the summit. I also hope to introduce the role of innovation and technology into our spaces and how it can support our social ventures.