Bryanston entrepreneur’s mission to inspire and uplift the youth
Tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Lerato Bodibe challenges the startup dream in his upcoming book, while uplifting young talent, like a 12-year-old golf prodigy from Welkom, through his foundation.
Bryanston-based tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Lerato Bodibe is making waves, not just in boardrooms, but in the hearts of South Africa’s youth.
Raised in QwaQwa, Free State, Bodibe has transformed early curiosity in technology into a career, as founder of digital consultancy ROCVEST and fintech platform ScheduPay.
This May, he adds author to his title, with the release of his debut book: Entrepreneurship is Not for Everyone! Is It for You? “The glossy version of entrepreneurship skips the emotional, financial, and psychological cost. I wrote this to help people assess whether the path is really for them, and if not, that’s okay.”
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He added that his journey began in high school, with a side hustle burning CDs and running a music group. Though those ventures fizzled, they sparked a fire for innovation. “I went on to earn a BTech in Intelligent Industrial Systems and a MBA from Wits University, credentials that now power my mission to solve real-world problems through tech.”
Bodibe elaborated that success has not come easy. As a young, black entrepreneur, he faced limited funding networks and scepticism in corporate spaces. “Credibility had to be earned twice over. When the system was not inclusive, I built my own.”
Beyond business, Bodibe’s heart lies in his foundation, the Lerato Bodibe Foundation, which focuses on education, food security, and equipping youth with Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills. “We do not want our youth to just use technology; we want them to create it. The foundation is QCTO-accredited to offer NQF level 6 software engineering qualifications, opening new doors for underprivileged youth.”
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He said a recent standout initiative by the foundation was his support of Tieho Matona, a 12-year-old golfing prodigy from Welkom. “He had the talent, but not the resources. We stepped in with gear, coaching, and school support. Now, his future looks radically different.”
When asked how he balances it all, entrepreneur, innovator, and philanthropist, Bodibe said: “It is all one mission. Different roles, same purpose.”
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His message to South Africa’s young dreamers is: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Your past is not your destiny; your mindset is.”
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