HEAD FOR HARVARD
Heart full of solid gold
FROM selling second-hand computers from the boot of his car, Komani-born Luvuyo Rani, founder of awardwinning Silulo Ulutho Technologies, is heading to Harvard University on invitation to a leadership programme.
Silulo Ulutho Technologies is a one-stop shop that provides Information Technology (IT) business solutions and training.
A teacher by profession, Rani’s remarkable journey started back in 2004 when the government introduced Information and Communications Technology (ICT) studies in township schools.
Teachers needed computers, and he saw the opportunity to start his business.
At the time he was teaching accounting, economics and entrepreneurship in a high school in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
Seeing his colleagues using computers for the first time and watching them struggle with the technology gave him an idea that would later put him on the business stage with some of the world’s top entrepreneurs.
Rani decided to change his career path and focus on spreading access to technology. Together with his younger brother, Lonwabo, they bought old computers, refurbished them and sold the gadgets to teachers.
For two years they ran the business from the boot of his Corsa Lite, travelling to schools to sell the computers. “Some people called us crazy and some even said we were thieves,” said Rani.
But little did his critics know that this “crazy thief” would one day become an influential young entrepreneur.
In 2006 Rani realised people were not skilled enough to use the gadgets they were selling, and they decided to open an internet cafe in Khayelitsha. By 2007 they had added computer basic skills training for schools.
“Our break came in 2009 when we opened a one-stop centre for internet access, mobile phone repairs and computer training.”
Today, there are 42 one-stop IT centres, of which 32 are franchises, spread across three provinces – Eastern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, with a 43rd centre to open in Gauteng next month.
Silulo also has an incubation centre that has trained thousands of students in entrepreneurial skills and the business currently employs 220 people.
Rani’s big strides in the business could not go unnoticed. He has received numerous accolades for his social impact in the business sector, including the prestigious Schwab Social Entrepreneur of the Year award at the 2016 World Economic Forum on Africa, which recognises “top innovators driving global, regional and industry agendas to improve the state of the world”.
Earlier this year he was part of team South Africa at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Attending Harvard forms part of the World Economic Forum programme, where all costs will be paid.
“I have always dreamt of going to Harvard, in fact I think everyone dreams of going to Harvard and my dream is about to come true,” he said.
Despite all these big achievements Rani remains grounded, and believes his story is one of an ordinary person who achieved success through perseverance and hard work.
He still gives back to his community in Komani by funding disadvantaged and deserving students from the community.
He believes anyone can achieve success when they put their mind to it. “Whatever you do, you need to be the best. Focus, discipline and perseverance are some of the main ingredients to achieve success.”