MASHSTARTUP

Lutcha
  • 4.7 (153)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
MASHSTARTUP

Learn from South Africa's entrepreneurs, solution builders and opportunity creators. In each episode, we dive into the process—unpacking practical lessons and candid journeys of Africa’s next generation of builders as they navigate the realities of starting and growing what they believe in. From tough challenges to game-changing breakthroughs, we uncover what it truly takes to build impactful businesses that shape South Africa and beyond. Join a community of builders and find resources, mentorship, and opportunities at www.mashstartsup.co.za

  1. Building More Than Denim: TSHEPO’s Journey of Legacy, Grit and Growth

    3 DAYS AGO

    Building More Than Denim: TSHEPO’s Journey of Legacy, Grit and Growth

    Meet Tshepo Mohlala, founder of TSHEPO—the premium denim brand worn by presidents, royalty, and everyday believers in quality and identity. But this isn’t just a story about jeans. It’s about a young man from Tsakane who dared to dream bigger than the limitations placed on him. It’s about betting on yourself—even when the odds are stacked. And most importantly, it’s about building something that lasts. In this episode, we dive into: • The fabric store gamble that started it all and how Tshepo turned a small purchase into a globally recognized African brand • The pivot that saved his business and why he had to choose between being a designer and being a CEO • Manufacturing in Africa vs. overseas—the real costs, quality trade-offs, and why local production became his competitive advantage • The “president moment”—how one high-profile client changed his brand’s trajectory and what it taught him about premium positioning • Building for legacy, not just profit—his framework for making decisions that compound over decades, not quarters Whether you’re scaling a creative business, navigating manufacturing challenges, or trying to build something that outlasts you—Tshepo’s journey offers hard-won insights you won’t find in business school. This is a conversation about the unglamorous work behind the glamorous brand. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    48 min
  2. Engineering Everyday Solutions: Bootstrapping a Scalable Startup with Ayanda Dladla (Mowash)

    24 JUN

    Engineering Everyday Solutions: Bootstrapping a Scalable Startup with Ayanda Dladla (Mowash)

    Ayanda Dladla is the co-founder of Mowash – a mobile car wash platform turning everyday inconvenience into innovation. What started as long Saturday waits at local car washes became the spark for a tech-enabled service that connects customers to car washers on demand. In this episode, Ayanda shares how his background in engineering shaped the foundation of Mowash, why he believes township businesses are Africa’s real startup frontier, and how he built a platform with zero funding, using Twitter and hustle. We explore lessons in bootstrapping, customer engagement, and what it takes to turn a side hustle into a formal business that creates jobs and dignity. This is a masterclass in purpose-led building — and why the future of African innovation lives in everyday problems.#Entrepreneurship #TownshipTech #SouthAfricanStartups #Mashstartup

    52 min
  3. Built to Last: A Decade of Walk Fresh with Lethabo Mokoena

    10 JUN

    Built to Last: A Decade of Walk Fresh with Lethabo Mokoena

    What does it take to build something that lasts — not just in profit, but in purpose? Lethabo Mokoena, the founder of Walk Fresh, unpacks the lessons, phases, and grit behind building a township-born business that’s stood the test of 10 years. What began in a backyard in Daveyton is now a movement, a trusted brand, and a symbol of what’s possible when vision meets relentless execution. Lethabo reflects on how Walk Fresh grew from a local sneaker-cleaning hustle into a nationally respected company with commercial products, collaborative campaigns, and cultural relevance — all while staying rooted in community. This is more than a business story. It’s a story of impact. In this conversation, we explore: ​The unseen work and mindset it takes to build over a decade​How township businesses can scale without losing their soul​The culture and economy of sneaker care in South Africa​Walk Fresh’s expansion, product innovation, and ecosystem thinking​The power of building infrastructure in overlooked spaces​Lethabo’s tone is honest, grounded, and clear: greatness doesn’t come from hype — it comes from discipline, community, and staying true to your 'why'. His story is a blueprint for entrepreneurs looking to build something real, relevant, and rooted. If you're serious about business as a tool for transformation, this is the episode to tune into. This is how you build something that lasts. ________________________________________________ Learn from South Africa's entrepreneurs, solution builders, and opportunity creators.Each episode dives into real stories, hard-won lessons, and the unfiltered realities of building in South Africa. From tough calls to turning points, this is for builders who are serious about the work. We’re not just telling stories—we’re building a home for South Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs.Explore tools, mentorship, and opportunities at www.mashstartup.co.za. New episodes weekly. Subscribe. Share. Leave a review.And if it connects—send it to someone building something that matters. #SouthAfricanEntrepreneurs #StartupSouthAfrica #Mashstartup #SmallBusiness #Podcast

    1h 6m
  4. From Engineering to Impact: Redefining Success with Kay Matjila

    5 JUN

    From Engineering to Impact: Redefining Success with Kay Matjila

    What does it really take to walk away from stability and build a life on your own terms? In this episode, I sit down with Kay Matjila — a Mechanical Engineer turned Social Media Strategist and Entrepreneur — to unpack the bold pivot that reshaped her career and purpose. After leaving behind a comfortable corporate job, Kay bet on herself and built a platform that educates and empowers young South Africans on money, job hunting, income generation, and digital growth. We talk about: The identity shift and emotional weight of starting over How failure, trial and error, and side hustles shaped her journey What it takes to build a personal brand that creates real value And why freedom, impact, and authenticity matter more than fancy titles This isn’t just a story about social media — it’s about choosing courage over comfort, redefining success, and carving out your own lane in the digital economy. 🎙️ Listen now for practical insight, mindset shifts, and real talk from one of South Africa’s most relatable builders. ________________________________________________ Learn from South Africa's entrepreneurs, solution builders, and opportunity creators.Each episode dives into real stories, hard-won lessons, and the unfiltered realities of building in South Africa. From tough calls to turning points, this is for builders who are serious about the work. We’re not just telling stories—we’re building a home for South Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs.Explore tools, mentorship, and opportunities at ⁠www.mashstartup.co.za⁠. New episodes weekly. Subscribe. Share. Leave a review.And if it connects—send it to someone building something that matters. #SouthAfricanEntrepreneurs #StartupSouthAfrica #Mashstartup #SmallBusiness #Podcast

    48 min
  5. Filtering the Future: Lessons in Impact and Innovation with Murendeni Mafumo

    3 JUN

    Filtering the Future: Lessons in Impact and Innovation with Murendeni Mafumo

    What does it really take to build a solution that changes lives? Murendeni Mafumo, founder of Kusini Water, a groundbreaking South African social enterprise using macadamia nut shells and nanotech to purify water for communities across the country. From developing his first prototype to scaling an innovation that now produces millions of litres of clean water every month, Murendeni shares the real story behind building a purpose-driven business. We talk about: The messy middle of prototyping and product development The role of grants and pitch funding in getting ideas off the ground What it means to be a social entrepreneur in South Africa And why taking care of the whole person—mental health, personal purpose, and inner resilience—is vital for any entrepreneur building something that matters This isn’t just a story about water. It’s about vision, grit, and building from the ground up to solve some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. Listen now and learn from one of South Africa’s most innovative builders. ________________________________________________ Learn from South Africa's entrepreneurs, solution builders, and opportunity creators.Each episode dives into real stories, hard-won lessons, and the unfiltered realities of building in South Africa. From tough calls to turning points, this is for builders who are serious about the work. We’re not just telling stories—we’re building a home for South Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs.Explore tools, mentorship, and opportunities at ⁠www.mashstartup.co.za⁠. New episodes weekly. Subscribe. Share. Leave a review.And if it connects—send it to someone building something that matters. #SouthAfricanEntrepreneurs #StartupSouthAfrica #Mashstartup #SmallBusiness #Podcast

    44 min
  6. Driving South Africa’s EV Future with Fezile Dhlamini (Green Scooter)

    29 MAY

    Driving South Africa’s EV Future with Fezile Dhlamini (Green Scooter)

    Fezile Dhlamini is the founder and CEO of Green Scooter, the company behind Africa’s first electric motor-tricycle — the Zbee. In this episode, Fezile shares how he built a locally assembled electric vehicle business from the ground up, with no external funding, and why he believes the future of mobility lies in practical, affordable, and sustainable solutions. We explore his early challenges breaking into the transport sector, how a lack of access to funding led him to bootstrap through other ventures, and the growing demand for last-mile delivery and commuter EVs in South Africa. Fezile also unpacks the importance of quality and local manufacturing, the lessons learned from working with global technical partners, and what it takes to create an electric mobility ecosystem designed for African cities. ________________________________________________ Learn from South Africa's entrepreneurs, solution builders, and opportunity creators.Each episode dives into real stories, hard-won lessons, and the unfiltered realities of building in South Africa. From tough calls to turning points, this is for builders who are serious about the work. We’re not just telling stories—we’re building a home for South Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs.Explore tools, mentorship, and opportunities at ⁠www.mashstartup.co.za⁠. New episodes weekly. Subscribe. Share. Leave a review.And if it connects—send it to someone building something that matters. #SouthAfricanEntrepreneurs #StartupSouthAfrica #Mashstartup #SmallBusiness #Podcast

    1h 21m
  7. Reimagining Maternal Healthcare with Tsitsi Marote (Guardian Health)

    27 MAY

    Reimagining Maternal Healthcare with Tsitsi Marote (Guardian Health)

    Tsitsi Primrose Marote, co-founder of Guardian Health — a platform reimagining maternal healthcare in South Africa through AI, data, and community-driven innovation. From academic research to award-winning innovation, Tsitsi’s journey is rooted in a deep desire to solve real challenges faced by women in public healthcare systems. In this episode, she shares how Guardian Health is transforming how clinics, hospitals, and community health workers collaborate to deliver better care—especially for pregnant women at risk. We unpack her path from software engineer to healthtech founder, the power of building with purpose in resource-constrained environments, and the practical process of turning complex problems into scalable solutions. Tsitsi also shares candid insights on the realities of being a young innovator in the health space, what it takes to drive adoption in the public sector, and how data can shift outcomes for millions—if built right. ________________________________________________ Learn from South Africa's entrepreneurs, solution builders, and opportunity creators.Each episode dives into real stories, hard-won lessons, and the unfiltered realities of building in South Africa. From tough calls to turning points, this is for builders who are serious about the work. We’re not just telling stories—we’re building a home for South Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs.Explore tools, mentorship, and opportunities at ⁠www.mashstartup.co.za⁠. New episodes weekly. Subscribe. Share. Leave a review.And if it connects—send it to someone building something that matters. #SouthAfricanEntrepreneurs #StartupSouthAfrica #Mashstartup #SmallBusiness #Podcast

    32 min
  8. Changing Education for South Africa’s Future with Kagisho Masae (Matric Live)

    20 MAY

    Changing Education for South Africa’s Future with Kagisho Masae (Matric Live)

    Matric Live is a mobile-first learning platform that has supported over 600,000 high school learners — the majority from under-resourced communities — with free, accessible, and engaging tools to prepare for matric. Built by co-founders Kagisho Masae and Lesego Finger, the platform is reshaping how South African students experience education, and was recently crowned FNB App of the Year 2024 for its innovative and inclusive approach. In this episode, Kagisho shares the journey from his beginnings in finance to co-creating a solution that would democratize education in a country where inequality still defines access. He reflects on how Matric Live started as a passion project to keep Lesego learning and out of trouble, and how their collaboration evolved into a nationally recognized platform. We explore the thinking behind features like interactive video lessons, gamified learning journeys, mock exam simulations, and AI-powered tutoring, as well as the company’s bold move to expand into tools for teachers. Kagisho unpacks what it means to prioritize impact over profit, the responsibility of building for underserved schools, and the belief that tech built by township kids can change lives. This is a story about innovation with purpose — a reminder that solving real problems at scale starts with empathy, community, and relentless execution. ________________________________________________ Learn from South Africa's entrepreneurs, solution builders, and opportunity creators.Each episode dives into real stories, hard-won lessons, and the unfiltered realities of building in South Africa. From tough calls to turning points, this is for builders who are serious about the work. We’re not just telling stories—we’re building a home for South Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs.Explore tools, mentorship, and opportunities at ⁠www.mashstartup.co.za⁠. New episodes weekly. Subscribe. Share. Leave a review.And if it connects—send it to someone building something that matters. #SouthAfricanEntrepreneurs #StartupSouthAfrica #Mashstartup #SmallBusiness #Podcast

    57 min
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4.7
out of 5
153 Ratings

About

Learn from South Africa's entrepreneurs, solution builders and opportunity creators. In each episode, we dive into the process—unpacking practical lessons and candid journeys of Africa’s next generation of builders as they navigate the realities of starting and growing what they believe in. From tough challenges to game-changing breakthroughs, we uncover what it truly takes to build impactful businesses that shape South Africa and beyond. Join a community of builders and find resources, mentorship, and opportunities at www.mashstartsup.co.za

Information

  • Creator
    Lutcha
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lutcha
  • Show Website
    MASHSTARTUP

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