Siyabulela Sophi, founder of Sophi Strategies, creative director of MK Originals and a member of the team that founded Udaba the Pop Up Khaltsha, was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young People (TOYP) of South Africa, under the category of Business, Economic and Entrepreneurship.
The TOYP programme is an initiative of Junior Chamber International, an international non-profit organisation which encourages young people to become active citizens and to contribute to social and economic development, as well as international cooperation, goodwill, and understanding.
Mr Sophi, a Cape Peninsula University of Technology research fellow who obtained his Masters of Business Administration degree in Project Management, said he aims to use his entrepreneurial skills to drive sustainable development in his community.
When asked what this prestigious award meant to him, he said: “The award is proof that teamwork is the cornerstone of great things. Without the commitment of my team, this moment would not be possible.”
Mr Sophi added that recognition like this was motivating and served as an inspiration to them and other young people in his community.