Zwane hopes his Rotary journey will inspire Daveyton youth
A former Benonian was inducted as the first black and youngest president of Cape Town's Rotary Club of Waterfront (RCW) on July 4. Kgotso Hamilton Zwane, born and bred in Daveyton, shared this achievement with Benoni City Times to inspire black youth in his hometown.
A former Benonian was inducted as the first black and youngest president of Cape Town’s Rotary Club of Waterfront (RCW) on July 4.
Kgotso Hamilton Zwane, born and bred in Daveyton, shared this achievement with Benoni City Times to inspire black youth in his hometown.
He explained that his life journey has been challenging but inspiring, with many positive outcomes.
“Hence, I have the drive to motivate, inspire and teach through a book that I am working on, to be published soon.”
Hamilton was raised by a single parent, Lizzie Mazibuko, and is the second eldest of three brothers.
“Growing up in Daveyton exposed me to entrepreneurship, education and leadership – values I believe were naturally inherited from both my grandfathers.”
His maternal grandfather was an astute businessperson and community leader during the 50s and 60s when Daveyton was formed, and also the first person to sell coal in Daveyton in the 50s. His paternal grandfather was a professional boxer in Daveyton in the 70s.
These milestones gave Hamilton the courage to work hard and be the best version of himself.
Hamilton’s entrepreneurial journey started when he was just six years old, in Morester Primary School in Springs, where he sold sweets and snacks to schoolmates, using the profit to start selling perfumes.
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“I restocked in Joburg CBD every Saturday morning to resell in Daveyton.
“At 17, while in high school at St Francis College in Benoni, I bought my first car.
“From here, I bought and sold cars before. At the age of 20, I developed a passion for real estate and climbed the ladder from being an estate agent to a property developer.
“My biggest highlight was to be part of the executive team that renovated Daveyton Mall – in fact, I was the only Daveyton resident on the team.”
These successes have been interspersed with academics.
“I was blessed and motivated by industry giants – Raymond Ackerman in particular, who sponsored and funded my entrepreneurial courses.
“The advice I received from him directly also sparked passion and inquisitiveness to look into farming, which I am also doing today.”
Cape Town
Hamilton describes relocating to Cape Town as the best move, both professionally and personally.
“I ended up serving on several boards and serving as the only black and youngest committee member for the City of Cape Town under Subcouncil 1.
“I was introduced to the Rotary Club of Waterfront by one of my mentors, and upon joining the club, I became the founding member of the Peacebuilder Club.”
Two years later, the board of directors approached me to be the president of the club for 2026/2027.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity because I will be the first black and youngest president in the history of RCW.
“This opportunity will grow me in the best way possible because Rotary is a well-respected organisation internationally; hence, we have the King of Britain, King Charles, as an honorary member of Rotary.”
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