Vusi Thembekwayo is a South African entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and internationally recognized keynote speaker. He founded and currently leads MyGrowthFund Venture Partners, advising Fortune 500 companies and supporting early-stage African enterprises. His books, Vusi: Business & Life Lessons from a Black Dragon (2017) and The Magna Carta of Exponentiality (2018), share his insights with a broad audience.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Vusi Thembekwayo |
| Date of Birth | 21 March 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Partner | Palesa Mahlolo Thembekwayo (married in 2009) |
| Children | Three |
| Occupations | Entrepreneur, venture capitalist, author, speaker, investor |
| Net Worth | Approximately US $600 million (2023 estimate) |
Early Life and Education
Early Life and EducationVusi Thembekwayo was born on March 21, 1985, in Benoni, South Africa. He grew up in a modest family and often studied by candlelight because of limited resources.
He finished high school at Benoni High School. Vusi started a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Pretoria but had to leave because he couldn’t afford the tuition.
Later, he continued learning by completing several programs: a management course at the University of Witwatersrand, a postgraduate diploma in business at Gordon Institute of Business Science, and an executive MBA through Ashridge and Hult International Business School.
Career
At 22 years old, Vusi started working in corporate finance. By the time he was 25, he became a divisional director at Metcash Africa, managing a unit worth R400 million.
He founded his first company, a recruitment startup called GPSA, working from his bedroom in a township. He sold his growth consultancy company Motiv8 Advisory in 2017 and used the money to create MyGrowthFund, a venture capital firm that helps small and medium businesses grow.
Vusi was the youngest investor on the TV show Dragons’ Den SA from 2014 to 2015. Since 2015, he has given over 180 keynote speeches in 38 countries. He is known as “the Black Dragon” for his role as an investor on South Africa’s Dragons’ Den,
Vusi also co-manages VUKA Capital, a growth fund with R1.5 billion in assets, and leads School of Scale, which teaches entrepreneurship.
Personal Life
Vusi married Palesa Mahlolo Makhetha in 2009, and they have two sons and a daughter. He often credits his mother’s strength and the late influence of his father as key contributors to his strong work ethic.
Controversies
- Domestic violence allegations (2021): His wife filed assault charges, which he denied; the issue coincided with their ongoing divorce and property settlement.
- Remarks involving rapper AKA (2023): He apologized publicly after controversial comments involving the late artist sparked backlash on social media.
Both incidents prompted public debate about responsibility among prominent business figures.
Vusi Thembekwayo Net Worth
Estimates put Vusi’s net worth at around US $600 million, earned from speaking fees, equity holdings, book royalties, and venture capital returns. Due to private investments and undisclosed holdings, exact figures are difficult to verify. He is considered one of Africa’s wealthiest entrepreneurs under 40.
Bibliography
- The Magna Carta of Exponentiality
- Focuses on achieving exponential growth in linear markets.
- Vusi: Business & Life Lessons from a Black Dragon
- A memoir sharing his business and life lessons from his journey to success.
- Underdogs
- Highlights stories of people who succeed against the odds by embracing resilience and determination.
Awards and Honors
- Guardian Award, EMY Africa Awards (2024)
- African Achievers Award for Leadership Excellence, House of Lords UK (2024)
- Toastmasters International Communication & Leadership Award, District 74 (2025)
- GQ Business Leader of the Year (2019, awarded 2020)
- Thought Leader of the Year, Africa’s Best Awards (2022)
- Ranked among the Top 12 Global Speakers by MeetingsNet Magazine (2016)
- Named one of the “Top 10 Venture Capitalists to Follow” (2013)
