Siyabonga Mapoko (Siya) is the author of Conversations with JSE AltX entrepreneurs. He has been featured in Financial Mail; Radio 702; e News Channel; Blue Chip Magazine and many other print media. Siya graduated from UCT with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, in 2002. In 2003 he spent some time doing research for his MSc thesis at GlaxoSmithKline in England. His research focused on contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In 2005, Siya joined Investec Asset Management as an Equity Trader. While at Investec Siya was also a financial markets reporter on SAfm for the Vuyo Mbuli Show. Towards the end of 2006 Siya left Investec to start iCaptive Corporate Network, a digital signage company. To get a signed copy of Conversations with JSE AltX entrepreneurs email Siya at siya@icaptive.co.za . The book retails for R179 only.

Today, Siyabonga speaks to TheRandToday.com and answers a couple of our questions:

1. You have recently released a book titled, “Conversations with JSE AltX Entrepreneurs”, how has it been received?
Better than expected. I’ve never had so much media attention in my whole life. Feedback from those who have read the book has been great too.

2. How did you go from being studying a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry to being an equity trader?
Curiosity and following the heart not the traditional career guides. We owe it to ourselves to live our lives as fully as possible and continue to satisfy our curiosity. Unfortunately, the education system is designed to only allow us to choose only one thing to pursue.

3. As an entrepreneur today with iCaptive, what is your biggest challenge today in achieving success for your business?
Convincing clients that they shouldn’t cut their marketing and advertising budgets in a slow economy, but instead they should grow their market share at the expense of their competitors who will fall by the wayside during these challenging times.

4. What do you make of the whole ‘inflation being over stated’ statement from Investec?
I don’t feel that I have enough information or data to have a strong opinion on the matter. I’m sure John Stopford did his homework before making that statement and he is qualified to make such a statement. I give him the benefit of doubt – he said the same thing 5 years ago and he was right. For the rest of us, I feel that we would help ourselves more if we focus on designing our lives such that we thrive under or at least survive all forms of external conditions. In May, when Warren Buffett was asked what’s in store for the [US] economy, he said he doesn’t have a clue and doesn’t care. “I haven’t the faintest idea,” he said. “We never talk about it, it never comes up in our board meetings or other discussions. We’re not in that business [of economic forecasting], we don’t know how to be in that business. If we knew where the economy was going, we’d do nothing but play the S&P futures market.”
In short, our best bet is to focus on businesses we understand while the economists are debating the issue – if John is right: great. If not let’s make sure we are not caught unprepared while fantasizing about it.

5. Where do you think is the best city and suburb to stay in South Africa and why?
We’ve got great cities in this country. Ideally I want to have a lifestyle that allows me to spend time in at least 3 of our major cities every month. They all have different things to offer. In the meantime I spend more time in Cape Town, where I live, and I’m still happy with that. Suburbs are all the same – the only difference is age – (of the suburbs and of residents and the two are directly proportional!).

6. What would you do with R20m?
Invest most of it in food commodities (futures), particularly grain. With the balance maybe I’d start a school where people could be taught to think the opposite of what everybody thinks.

7. Are those in charge of heading the South Africa economy doing a good job? What would you do if you were one of those in charge?
This one is difficult. I think they are, but things can always be better. Good leaders follow the mandate from the followers. Everybody has a responsibility; followers must do more than just complain when the results are not what they want. We must all have clarity of the common goal and choose our leaders carefully.

8. What do you think should be done to alleviate the traffic problems in the major cities in South Africa?
It’s quite intriguing that with all the advances in communication technology people still commute so much, to work. I believe that the businesses of the future will not require offices. As human beings we need to change our old habits when they stop serving us. Companies should introduce more flexi hours; allow people to work from home on certain days; people can form lift clubs, etc.

9. What are your thoughts about the Soccer World Cup to be held in South Africa in 2010?
I’m excited about it, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. As a country, we just need to be clear of our expectations so that we can correctly calculate our expected ROI.

10. If you could have any job in South Africa, which one would it be and why?
Entrepreneur. This is a great country to be an entrepreneur. Most people see a lot that is wrong – entrepreneurs see challenges and great opportunities.

11. Do you see the price of fuel reaching R20 a litre? If so what will happen then?
Five years ago few people would have predicted that the fuel price would be what it is today. Yes I think it will reach R20/l; and soon. We’ll just have to change our consumption habits. That situation will provide even more challenges and opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs.

Be sure to get yourself a copy of Conversations with JSE AltX entrepreneurs by emailing Siya on siya@icaptive.co.za or by contacting TheRandToday.com

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