Zibusiso Mkhwanazi, Executive Chairman of South African Digital Marketing Agency, KRAZYBOYZ digital, has been selected as a Young Global Leader for 2011 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) - an honour which recognises the most distinguished young leaders under the age of 40 from around the world.
Mkhwanazi was chosen from among thousands of young leaders from across the globe by a selection committee comprising the world's prominent business leaders, politicians, and media leaders.
The committee is chaired by HM Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, well-known for her philanthropy and many humanitarian endeavours. David Aikman, Head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders, explains that this year's selection process looked at rapid career progression, delivering results, overcoming adversity and evidence of altruistic entrepreneurship.
He joins a select forum of global leaders, including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, YouTube founder Chad Hurley, Twitter founder Evan Williams, Havas Worldwide CEO David Jones, BBDO Worldwide CEO John B Osborn, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and Internet entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth.
In 2001, at the age of 17, Mkhwanazi, together with 20-year old friend Neo Mothlabane, started Csonke.com, a Web development business, with start-up capital of only R2 000, in his bedroom.
In January 2007, Csonke.com bought 30% of KRAZYBOYZ Digital, forming a leading digital agency with offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, providing digital marketing services in over 30 countries. The spirit of entrepreneurial expansion and strong ethical business values have seen the company grow to servicing large blue-chip clients such as the National Geographic Channel, FOX International Channels, Converse, Business Connexion, Legacy Group Hotels, Eduloan and Hertz Rent-a-Car.
He also serves as a Non-Executive Chairman on the board of The Red Quarter brand design and is the founder of the Mkhwanazi Academy for Christian Entrepreneurship.
“I'm humbled by the amazing honour that has been bestowed upon me by the WEF. It highlights the need to develop young entrepreneurs in our country as well as the need for transformation in the marketing industry by prioritising the upskilling of people of colour in the marketing industry with an emphasis on digital marketing.”
Mkhwanazi is currently in talks with key industry leaders to influence the education system and discuss the integration of digital advertising in public education institutions, as he says, “digital advertising still has not been embraced in public institutions”.
He plans to go from strength to strength in his calling to change people's lives for the better by making information accessible for all and setting up institutions that drive change.
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