‘We are getting B-BBEE all wrong’

Social entrepreneur believes re-injecting integrity into it could hold the key to solving SA’S woes and provide financial independence, which must be at the root of any economic recovery

dividends.

After settlement, profits from its shareholding in Compass will help ensure it and the three non-profit organisations at its heart – Grace Aid, ithemba Projects and The Domino Foundation, which all focus on empowerment through education and humanitarian work – can be self-sustaining.

For Compass and its managing director, Ian du Randt, this was the culmination of a seven-year journey.

“Our search for the ultimate B-BBEE partner took time because we were determined to partner with an organisation with values and a work ethic that mirrored our own.

“We found a partner with a passion for assisting successful businesses to grow, as well as a desire to leave a legacy through the provision of a sustainable philanthropic solution. 1970s and an “entrepreneurial and philanthropic” mother.

After apartheid was dismantled, the family moved to Kloof. He finished his schooling at Highbury and Hilton College, where he became the first black head boy in 2001.

“I took a gap year that became a gap life,” he says of his decision to join disaster and relief organisation, Mercy Ships, after matriculating.

Mercy Ships builds schools and houses, feeds the hungry and organises free medical procedures for those who need them.

Although some might think that sounds glamorous, the reality came down to spending a year washing dishes for 300 people.

“As long as I was playing my part in helping, I didn’t mind what job I performed,” he says with a smile.

There was more to it than that, though. It was soon evident Mokoape had an aptitude for languages. He was fluent in Spanish by the end of his first year with the organisation and, as a result, became an envoy, engaging leaders, ministers and even presidents of countries where Mercy Ships delivered services.

He says that, after three years of doing “the most gratifying work”, he returned to South Africa to become a conflict journalist, visiting and reporting in countries like Somalia, Syria, Afghanistan, the Ivory Coast and the Gaza Strip.

“The first 10 years after leaving school was a crazy time for me but so rewarding. I learnt a number of languages and travelled to more than 50 different countries, learning life-changing lessons,” he says.

Somewhere in between, he also found time to study theology in South America and then international politics through Unisa.

In 2009, he again returned home, this time to focus on business and begin to build a career as a social entrepreneur. He served on 25 boards of non-governmental, non-profit and faith-based organisations.

In 2010, he was approached by Wesley Smith, who shared with him his vision of creating LIV Village. Today, this is a cluster of foster homes that provides holistic residential care for 154 orphaned and vulnerable children.

Part of this vision was the creation of LIV Business, which comprises eight businesses whose profits ensure the long-term sustainability and expansion of the village.

Mokoape became one of four directors of LIV Business.

That, too, was an incredible learning experience.

Two of the original directors, Wesley Smith and Alan Beesley, formed Gap Capital, while Mokoape became a trustee of its