From Start to Scale: The Wumdrop Journey with Simon Hartley
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6BVFEZ41f1u0tA5myjE4uf?si=9cZkeSXdTW2KXqMYFUdDvA
In this episode of the Mashstartup Podcast, we sit down with Simon Hartley — the entrepreneur behind Wumdrop, a last-mile delivery startup that grew from humble beginnings into a game-changing logistics platform, eventually acquired by Makro.
Wumdrop started with a simple idea: deliver nappies on subscription. But when Simon and co-founder Roy Borole handed scheduling power to customers, they uncovered a much bigger opportunity — on-demand, tech-enabled logistics that put convenience and control first.
Simon shares how early mistakes, like outsourcing deliveries, nearly cost them customers — and how rebuilding around owned operations and customer experience became their edge. That shift led to partnerships with major brands like Builders Warehouse, Standard Bank, and Zando.
The breakthrough moment? Winning the Business App of the Year in 2015. The recognition gave Wumdrop credibility, opened doors with enterprise clients, and proved the platform’s potential at scale.
In 2017, Makro acquired a majority stake, using Wumdrop's tech to power three-hour delivery — a defining milestone for both Simon and South Africa’s tech startup ecosystem.
We unpack the lessons behind building something scalable and acquirable: product-market fit, defensibility, and staying customer-obsessed.
If you’re building with the long game in mind — or aiming to scale toward acquisition — this one’s for you.
Reimagining Stokvels and Unlocking R50 Billion in Community Wealth with Tshepo Moloi
Tshepo Moloi — founder and CEO of StokFella, a fintech platform reimagining South Africa’s stokvel culture through innovation, technology, and community-driven design. Inspired by his own experience in a traditional stokvel, Tshepo saw the inefficiencies firsthand — from manual records to limited investment potential — and set out to build something better. StokFella is now a fast-growing platform helping stokvels manage money transparently, automate savings, and invest collectively, unlocking new pathways to ownership and generational wealth. With over R50 billion circulating annually through stokvels, Tshepo’s mission is simple: modernize how communities save and build wealth, without losing the trust, culture, and collaboration that make stokvels powerful in the first place. We unpack his journey from mining engineer to fintech founder, the challenges of digitizing trust, and how he’s positioning StokFella to transform South Africa’s informal financial system from the ground up.
https://youtu.be/nPCvKv1fz2A?si=mnJrd8bL26poNzt2
Building Healthcare for South Africa’s Future with Zanele Matome
https://youtu.be/3SUkrdFavR8?si=gBnlGBDK0bdT_1yn
Zanele Abraham Matome, the visionary founder of Welo Health — a platform revolutionizing healthcare access across South Africa and the SADC region. From growing up in communities with limited healthcare, to building a nationwide gig-economy model connecting nurses, doctors, and patients, Zanele shares her remarkable journey of purpose, innovation, and resilience. We dive into her early lessons as a mining contractor, her bold pivot into healthtech, and the mindset shifts that helped her transform personal experiences into a scalable solution recognized by global institutions like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Zanele also unpacks the key differences between building a startup in South Africa versus Silicon Valley, the real challenges founders face on the continent, and what it takes to create impactful ventures that blend human touch and technology.
Unlocking South Africa’s Township Economy: A Conversation with Bulelani Balabala
https://youtu.be/Dg42pS5NnMY?si=DW5fosjr7cccUvkV
Bulelani Balabala has spent the last decade building the Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA), a platform that’s impacted over 50,000 township-based entrepreneurs across South Africa. From selling fat cakes to founding one of the country’s most important small business movements, Bulelani is on a mission to unlock the full potential of South Africa’s informal economy. We spoke about his journey, the power of community-led development, and what it will take to scale township businesses into real economic forces.
How Startup Club ZA is Building South Africa’s Largest Startup Community
https://youtu.be/sy9qGXP7IMQ?si=0XmLEk-ViIt-qJhO
In the latest episode of The Mashstartup Podcast, we sit down with Mathew Marsden, the founder of Startup Club ZA, to explore what it takes to build and sustain South Africa’s largest tech startup and investor community.
The Power of Community in Startup Growth
Mathew shares his journey to becoming a purpose-driven entrepreneur and the lessons he’s learned as a visionary steward of a growing ecosystem. Through Startup Club ZA, he has built a network that fosters connections, unlocks opportunities, and provides critical support to entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of building and scaling businesses in South Africa.
The Big Pitch 2025 – South Africa’s First $1M Startup Pitch Event
One of the most exciting milestones for SCZA is the launch of The Big Pitch 2025—the country’s first $1 million startup pitch event. This initiative aims to give South African founders unprecedented funding opportunities while showcasing the talent and innovation emerging from the local ecosystem.
Mathew unpacks the vision behind The Big Pitch, the importance of early-stage funding, and how SCZA is partnering with key players like FNB South Africa, RMB, Paystack, and more to make this event a game-changer for the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
A Must-Listen for Founders & Ecosystem Builders
If you’re a founder, investor, or someone passionate about South Africa’s startup ecosystem, this episode is packed with insights on community-driven growth, funding opportunities, and the future of entrepreneurship in the country.
Empowering Entrepreneurs to Master Sales with Michelle Lima
https://youtu.be/7M9hPJdrjIs?si=UOiEh2mZnx1w0Y3K
Resonate Hub is changing the game for entrepreneurs, equipping them with the sales skills and business strategies needed to thrive. In this episode, we sit down with founder & CEO Michelle Lima to talk about her journey—from learning sales in her parents’ business to building a global platform that helps entrepreneurs scale.
We dive into the mindset shifts needed for growth, the biggest mistakes people make when selling, and how Resonate Hub is opening doors for small businesses to think and build globally.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify & share this with builders who need to hear it!
Building Bold: The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs | The State of The Strong 2, Episode 1
https://youtu.be/cMWq_Yh4AJc?si=qAW7rnU2egpgNdkD
Discover a different South Africa through the voices of Mzansi’s boldest young trailblazers with Bull Brand’s The State of the Strong Podcast. In this powerful episode, Mashudu Modau joins the conversation to discuss the grit, resilience, and ambition driving a new generation of entrepreneurs, creators, and pioneers who are redefining success on their own terms.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in South Africa
- How young visionaries are shaping the future through innovation and creativity
- The importance of resilience and standing strong in the face of challenges
- Mashudu’s insights on building impactful businesses in today’s economy
- Stories of dreamers who are turning bold ambitions into reality
From overcoming obstacles to embracing new opportunities, this episode shines a light on those who refuse to be defined by limitations but instead choose to build, create, and thrive.
Living in the Creator Economy | The Gareth Cliff Show
https://www.youtube.com/live/Botpcqk63i0?si=ayhy68VEavggArnJ
The creator economy is reshaping entrepreneurship, and Mashudu Modau is at the forefront of this transformation. As an entrepreneur, creator, and ecosystem specialist, Mashudu is passionate about building the future from Africa. In this special guest co-host episode of The Gareth Cliff Show, he dives into the realities of entrepreneurship in South Africa and the key challenges small business owners face.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The rise of the creator economy and its impact on entrepreneurship
- How digital platforms are changing the way businesses operate
- The biggest challenges small businesses face in South Africa
- Strategies for entrepreneurs to navigate the modern business landscape
- Mashudu’s insights on building sustainable ventures in a rapidly evolving economy
Decoding the African Startup Landscape: Insights, Challenges & Opportunities | With Mashudu Modau
https://youtu.be/oO66OvNd5xo?si=Z0irOJbdOq3q1NG3
The African startup ecosystem is evolving rapidly, offering both immense opportunities and unique challenges. In this episode, Mashudu Modau—Startup Ecosystem Builder, Founder, and Podcast Host—joins us for a deep dive into what it takes to succeed in South Africa, Africa, and beyond.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The stages of a startup: Understanding the startup lifecycle
- Funding options and strategies for securing investment
- The essential skills every entrepreneur needs to build a thriving business
- Key challenges facing African startups and how to navigate them
- The biggest opportunities in Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape
Mashudu shares invaluable insights from his experience working with founders, investors, and ecosystem players, providing practical advice on how to build, sustain, and scale a successful startup in Africa.