Durban’s own make Forbes list

Both were featured in the business category

TWO innovative Durban entrepreneurs have made the prestigious Forbes Africa Top 30 under 30 List for 2019. Nerushka Viranna, 27, and Avthar Aniruth,

21, both featured in the business category.

The annual watch-list showcases Under 30s in the driving seat of Africa’s next big start-up, creative concept, or rising business venture. Viranna, a former teacher, is a tech entrepreneur who started Shopli which designs and develops online stores and catalogues.

Viranna, who hails from a family of academics, said she took a leap of faith by leaving a job with a steady income to follow her passion. She said Shopli was established when she realised many businesses struggled with high rentals, paying multiple salaries and often had to pay a percentage of their profits to their landlords. She also wanted to make the world of technology more accessible to people, especially the older generation and women who often felt intimidated by it.

“Don’t be intimidated. People see tech as a male-dominated industry but that’s because we don’t assert ourselves. Speak up because people are willing to listen,” she said. Viranna said making the Forbes list was a “validation because everyone was sceptical about me leaving a job that pays a set salary”.

However she was thriving and said it felt great to be her own boss. Meanwhile, Aniruth, who founded Epic Motion Pictures and Audience Networks three years ago, was the youngest person to make it onto the Forbes list.

He had always wanted to be an entrepreneur and his “obsession” with making videos paved the way for his business ventures. “Video is the future and I learnt everything I know online.”

He said young people needed to be innovative to fight South Africa’s high unemployment rate. He has already produced shows for Dstv, SABC 1, 2 and 3. Aniruth said: “Thousands of graduates are despondent at having to stay at home despite having qualifications.

“Job success depends on work experience, and graduates are not given the opportunity to gain experience.

“I truly believe that entrepreneurship is the solution to many of Africa’s unemployment issues,” he said.