Success isn't about the summit, it's about the journey

RAYMOND Ledwaba described himself as a bit of an imposter in the author world.

- VERNA VAN DIEMEN

"In my mind, people who write books have made it to the top of the mountain," he says with a smile. "They've made their billions and now they're telling everyone else how to do it. But me? I'm still in the hustle, I'm still fighting in the trenches."

His honesty is precisely why his book The First Generation Founder: How to Build a Start-up Mindset and Thrive, resonates with South Africans who recognise themselves in his story.

Ledwaba is an accomplished chartered accountant, MBA graduate, CEO of IT-Thynk Smart Solutions and he has now expanded his portfolio to author.

He is also deeply committed to youth development through his non-profit organisation, Diski Nine9, which runs soccer and netball tournaments in Soweto and other areas of Joburg.

Ledwaba's journey to becoming an author started with a pandemic-era Zoom talk. At the request of a friend, he was invited to speak to a group of youngsters about a topic deeply close to his heart.

In his humble and heartfelt presentation, he shared the honest realities of the entrepreneurial journey - rewarding yet messy, far from glamorous, and filled with personal challenges.

Two weeks later, a publisher reached out to him to ask if he would consider writing a book about his journey so far. He didn't believe he was ready for a book but the pitch was convincing.

"Of course I had never thought of writing a book. She (publisher) was quite compelling. She pointed out that there was a lack of business books written by black people and a clear need for new voices in the literary space. She also emphasised the importance of writing from the perspective of, 'This where I am right now'."