Meyersdal CEO starts project to help learners in SA

Meyersdal’s Zareef Minty has started a new programme that aims to change over 13.2 million learners’ lives across SA.

The programme, Generational Wealth Education (GWE), aims to change learners’ mindsets in schools and introduce them to the world of business by enriching them with projects that will see them have different business ideas.

The programme mainly focuses on subjects not taught in schools, like the networking concept, branding themselves, creating multiple sources of income while in school, starting to monetise using social media platforms and many more, but with everything done responsibly.

According to Minty, he works with various public figures to achieve the GWE mission. He said most people involved in the project built a name for themselves while still young, and it is crucial to help future leaders.

“The project will start in Gauteng as soon as schools re-open for term two. Then, once we have visited every school in Gauteng, we will branch out to other provinces in SA. We are well aware that some learners dream of being celebrities. That is why we have included celebrities to cater for each learner’s needs,” Minty said.

Minty is a Wits graduate who founded, directs and serves as CEO of ZRF Holdings, which includes a public relations agency, a clothing company and a law firm founded in 2015.

The entrepreneur believes education is the most important thing for an individual in SA.

“Education is necessary for everyone to stop looking for work and start creating it. Education is the most potent weapon for conquering anything, which is the key to advancing SA.

“Three factors drove me to become who I am today. These include having wonderful mentors, a goal of inspiring millions of people, and, finally, having a good impact on my aim. It is vital to be grateful for what you have in life and make a positive difference wherever you can because it changes the world for the better,” Minty added.

When he was 19, he penned the best-selling book Empire, which aimed at a youthful readership seeking guidance in their personal and professional lives.

Minty’s accomplishments

He won the SABC 1 One Day Leader title and is a One Young World ambassador for SA, annually representing the country in other countries globally as a young, successful entrepreneur.

“My small accomplishments mean a lot to me. I have a rigid routine to keep the ship afloat – not procrastinating but completing things on time. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, so remember to be humble and give everyone the respect they deserve because I believe in establishing new relationships to grow my circle even broader,” he affirmed.

Along with Patrice Motsepe and Phuti Mahanyele, Entrepreneur Magazine recognised Minty as one of the top 30 people in business to watch, and he was listed as a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 candidate.

Community work

Minty is a motivational speaker who travels to SA schools every two weeks to speak to learners and help them realise their aspirations.

“I believe in education so much, so it is important for me to go around the country and share the knowledge with other youngsters because our youth is everything to me and should be taught about leadership at a young age,” Minty added.

The entrepreneur has impacted many lives for the better in any capacity he could and measures his life by the moments that take his breath away, usually by assisting those who are less fortunate.

This and that

He also has a project named Zareef Minty Build a School Foundation, which aims to help the government build more education facilities.

“As per a conversation I had with the minister of Basic Education, Angelina Motshekga, a while ago, it is much easier to work on schools already on the database. In Limpopo, there is an overpopulation in schools and a lack of resources, so restoring hope to the youngsters in that province would mean the world to them,” Minty concluded.