• Home
  • Blog
  • Community
  • Knowledge
  • Cover Stories
  • Startup Stories
  • Playbooks
  • Podcasts
  • Português
    • Events Homepage & Booking
    • Start-Up Night Africa Series
    • Lioness Lean In Series
    • Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference
    • Harvard University / Lionesses of Africa Conference
    • Young Lioness Lean In Series
    • About Us
    • Impact Partners
    • Contributor Team
    • Contact
    • Join the Community
    • Signup for FREE Newsletters
    • Share Your Startup Story
    • Share Your Lioness Launch
    • Share Your Lioness Co-Lab
    • Become a Contributor
    • Nominate to '100 Lionessess'
    • Become an Impact Partner
    • Contact LoA
Menu

Lionesses of Africa

276 5th Avenue
New York, NY, 10001
(212) 634-4540
The Pride of Africa's Women Entrepreneurs

the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Community
  • Knowledge
  • Cover Stories
  • Startup Stories
  • Playbooks
  • Podcasts
  • Português
  • Events +
    • Events Homepage & Booking
    • Start-Up Night Africa Series
    • Lioness Lean In Series
    • Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference
    • Harvard University / Lionesses of Africa Conference
    • Young Lioness Lean In Series
  • About +
    • About Us
    • Impact Partners
    • Contributor Team
    • Contact
  • Connect +
    • Join the Community
    • Signup for FREE Newsletters
    • Share Your Startup Story
    • Share Your Lioness Launch
    • Share Your Lioness Co-Lab
    • Become a Contributor
    • Nominate to '100 Lionessess'
    • Become an Impact Partner
    • Contact LoA

The Big Interview: Stafford Masie - the need for more inventive entrepreneurs in Africa

July 24, 2014 Melanie Hawken
Stafford Masie presenting at TEDx Soweto

Stafford Masie presenting at TEDx Soweto

 

In conversation with Stafford Masie, South African Serial Tech Entrepreneur

LoA recently had the opportunity to sit down with Stafford and hear his views on the need for inventive entrepreneurs....

Whenever I talk about entrepreneurship, I like to take a step back.  What is entrepreneurship?  After all, there are multiple types of entrepreneurs.  There are innovative entrepreneurs, and there are inventive entrepreneurs.  Innovation and invention are very similar but there is a dichotomy between them.  An innovative entrepreneur is someone that takes what is already there and optimizes it to create an opportunity.  An innovative entrepreneur may go and build an apps company to leverage for example opportunities through the Apple apps store.  That is an interesting approach to entrepreneurship and there is quite a bit of this going on in South Africa for example.  However, innovative entrepreneurship does not lead to fundamental change, whereas inventive entrepreneurship does.  Inventive entrepreneurship is about making things, not consuming them.  In Africa, we have traditionally had a culture of consumption of technology, not of making our own technology.  If you go to the United States, conversations are very different, particularly amongst young people who are tech savvy – here in Africa, we talk about how we consume technology, how we use apps for example, whereas similar conversations in the US focus on how they are inventing apps, creating new ways of using technology.  I wish we had more of that approach here in Africa because I think we need more inventive entrepreneurs on the continent.  

“Inventive entrepreneurs are the maniacs, the mavericks - inventors are those who create something with no reference point, with no previous best practice, there is nothing to work from – all they have is their passion, their belief, their calling.”
— Stafford Masie

Inventive entrepreneurs are the maniacs, the mavericks - inventors are those who create something with no reference point, with no previous best practice, there is nothing to work from – all they have is their passion, their belief, their calling.  When you speak to inventive entrepreneurs, they are not ordinarily businesspeople - they are engaged in making stuff.  People often see entrepreneurs as glamorous, yet many do not actually see the hard work and sacrifice that it takes to be an entrepreneur behind the scenes.  I think we need to define entrepreneurship much more carefully, looking at the two sub-sets of inventive entrepreneurs and innovative entrepreneurs, particularly when we look at Africa from an entrepreneur culture perspective.  In Africa, we need people that are inventive, that are makers of things, because the opportunity to bridge gaps, to do something that has a socio economic benefit, to develop something new in healthcare, is critical.  For example, someone built a small, simple application for women in the Congo that made a huge difference to their entrepreneurial lives.  The story goes, there was a group of women sitting next to a river in the Congo and they would fish in the morning, and by lunchtime they would take their produce to the market where they would sell it.  The weather there is hot and humid and the fish deteriorates – as a result, they make a small return on their sales.   A little kid sees this situation and writes a mobile application that works on a mobile phone and provides a better solution - instead of the women taking themselves and their produce from the river to the market each day, they now have intermediaries who SMS them to give them orders for their produce.  The women leave the fish that they catch in nets in the river and their produce is collected from the intermediaries direct from the source, fresh for consumption.  There is a lot of this type of inventive entrepreneurship happening in Africa that sees a human need, develops a small, simple solution, and in the process positively changes lives.  It is not the next Facebook or Skype being developed, yet it still makes a human and socio-economic difference in this part of the world.  

When it comes to building an entrepreneurship culture, we look at the root problem and challenges here in Africa, particularly in places such as South Africa, and we have an education system that is basically a risk mitigation system that teaches you to avoid it.   What we need to do particularly as an IT community in Africa, which to date we haven’t done well enough, is approach leadership in the public sector to truly articulate in a manner that they understand what the opportunity is associated with entrepreneurship relative to technology and what the political capital is.  We haven’t been good at discussing why we don’t have an effective framework for entrepreneurship to exist on the African continent and that is why entrepreneurship here flourishes in its miniscule form, and then gets picked up and taken to the United States where it can grow.  It happens all the time.  Being in Africa and being an entrepreneur is tough, because governmental leadership doesn’t understand it, and that is probably because as an IT sector, we haven’t managed to explain it to the public sector in the most effective way.  We need to look at issues such as effective tax structures, protection of intellectual copyright to an international standard that is respected globally, all little yet vital elements that allow an entrepreneurship culture to exist and thrive.  Venture capitalists look for a combination of skills, intellectual property protection structures, and effective trade bridges, and these things can only exist when government understands and supports entrepreneurship properly.  It starts with us, as entrepreneurs, explaining to government what is needed for the sector to thrive in Africa.  They don’t yet understand the range of opportunities that go hand in hand with entrepreneurship and we need to do more to bridge this gap.  Yet, I believe that government is the foundation stone of all entrepreneurialism in the country and on the continent.  Its role is not to innovate, its role is to create fertile ground for all innovation to thrive.  So, what I see happening in Africa from this perspective makes me feel optimistic for its future.

About Stafford Masie

Stafford Masie is a highly successful serial tech entrepreneur and angel investor, with a long-standing and distinguished career background in the global and South African ICT industry.  Today, he is the CEO and founder of thumbzup, a new technology company in South Africa.  A former Country Manager GM for Google SA, and MD for Novell SA, and with a considerable amount of executive experience working for Novell Inc in the USA as a Global Corporate Technology and Global Business Strategist, his previous background was also gained working as a National Software Strategist for Dimension Data and Technology Analyst at Telkom SA.  

In The Big Interview Tags Stafford Masie, Technology, Influencer
← Essential Read: Lean In - Women, work and the will to lead - by Sheryl SandbergThe Big Interview: Rowan Gibson the business innovation guru speaking on innovation and entrepreneurship →

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCAST

LIONESSES OF AFRICA · AI Series - Navigating Artificial Intelligence In The Workplace

Lioness Radio Show Special Episode: Navigating AI in the Workplace - Tune in for an engaging conversation designed to equip you with the knowledge to embrace AI and unlock its possibilities for your business.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow
Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c
Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi
Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company
Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p
Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized
Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has
Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y
Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates
Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Jacqueléne Coetzer, a pan-African business consulting and specialist trade firm builder empowering other women entrepreneurs
Jacqueléne Coetzer, a pan-African business consulting and specialist trade firm builder empowering other women entrepreneurs
Schneidine Phidelmond, an entrepreneur building a holistic digital agency supporting WSMEs and SMEs in Mozambique
Schneidine Phidelmond, an entrepreneur building a holistic digital agency supporting WSMEs and SMEs in Mozambique
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy

LIONESS DATA & INSIGHTS


LIONESS PLAYBOOKS



Screen Shot 2020-01-27 at 6.01.32 PM.png
Screen Shot 2020-01-27 at 5.34.58 PM.png

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.

* indicates required
Required: Please select your newsletter(s):


LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Authentic Selling: Be Real to Seal the Deal by Kendrick Shope
Authentic Selling: Be Real to Seal the Deal by Kendrick Shope
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer

About Us  |  Contact Us  | PRIVACY POLICY | terms OF SERVICE  | Community Guidelines  

© 2025 LIONESSES OF AFRICA public benefit corporation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.