Ancient principles, New Economy

Businessman Thabo Mahlobo held a book tour at Rhodes University on Saturday 30 September. The main aim of the book tour was to promote his book and business entrepreneurship among the youth of Grahamstown.

The multi-talented Thabo Mahlobo is an author and blogger, career coach, and relationship and marriage coach. As the founder of the New Economy Institute and co-founder of Mahlobo Foundation, his mission is “to cultivate a strong entrepreneurial spirit among young people”. His belief is that the only way to solve some of the country’s problems, especially unemployment and strikes, is by empowering people.

He encourages young people to become entrepreneurs, as he believes each and every person has the ability to do something for themselves.

Mahlobo chose Grahamstown to launch his project because he saw an emerging opportunity in entrepreneurship.

Jerry Malete, entrepreneur and co-founder of the Lethulwazi Educational Programme, explained why the tour chose Rhodes as its base.

He believes that the only way to transform Grahams- town is through entrepreneurship and that the town is ready for transformation: “A wise man once said that when the students are ready, the teacher will come.

If you are a teacher and you go to class to teach and students fail, it is not that the teacher is not doing the job but it is that the students were not ready,” Malete said.

The first edition of Mahlobo’s book, The New Economy, was released in 2016 in Parliament.

The book was revised and a second edition was released this year.

The book infuses biblical principles into everyday busi- ness activities.

Mahlobo analyses challenges in the economy and provides possible solutions to these problems.

The book brings ancient hope to the modern economy. Mahlobo’s view is that it does not matter whether the economy is communist or capitalist – everything depends on God’s agenda for the Earth.

Karisma, a student from Rhodes University who attended the event, said she found it interesting and eyeopening.

“For me I have never thought about incorporating God in business and entrepreneurship,” she said.