Mrs Basa Selepe a fearless entrepreneur , the Chief Operations Officer at Affluence 12, a B-BEEE Consulting Firm that specializes in Enterprise Supplier Development in 12 sectors (Mining, Energy, Construction, Property and Infrastructure development, Financial Sectors, Oceans Economy, Aviation,
Transport and Logistics, Retail and Wholesale, ICT, Agriculture, Manufacturing, whose vision and mission is to empower and raise Kingdom Billionaires and Millionaires through leadership and generational wealth mentorship programs.
She uses her work of B-BBEE Consulting to empower individuals and communities. She is also an advisor to numerous tribal communities and business forums across the country. The unusual events of this new decade have truly taken many of us by surprise. A shift in our day to day, adapting to a new norm, and questioning the forthcoming. But for business woman Basa Selepe,
life’s twists and turns have already granted her the vigour and courage to overcome even the most terrifying obstacles. With Grandiose, Basa shares her intimate entrepreneurial journey.
What makes the topic of gender equality so important, in light of the many other global challenges ?
The topic of gender the equality is important to ensure that women have equal opportunity in life and business. Research has shown that many households are women led and in that regards they also need to be given an opportunity to demonstrate their gifts and talents.
What drives you, and motivates you, to be empowered every day ?
The Holy Spirit in me gives me an unction to function. I am inspired by the desire to make a difference. I just don’t want to exist, I believe in purposeful living. I want to create platforms and programs where people can be able to create jobs for themselves through common wealth.
How would you best describe Affluence 12 ?
Affluence is an organisation that is raising Kingdom Millionaires and Billionaires through Enterprise Supplier Development programs and Community Development Programs. Our organization more than anything specializes in changing mindsets. Affluence 12 empowers SMEs and communities spiritually, mentally, socially and financially.
Were you always entrepreneurial ?
Yes I have always been entrepreneurial, I started selling at my High School’s tuck shop at the age of 13 years. I was running events management company with my cousins at the age of 16 years, we would organise successful parties and festivals at a cost. I also owned a security company with my youngest uncle by the time I was 17 years. Smiling…..
You also a Director at WIIN Africa (Women Integral Network) a GBV and fund
management company for women empowerment programs. Can you give us a senseof the scale and size of the business – are there still new markets and countries to conquer ?
WIIN is playing an instrumental role in ensuring that victims of gender-based violence are protected and empowered. And through WIIN’s programmes the women are able to be self-empowered emotionally and socially. While it is great to see the women empowered, researched has shown that most of these women will go back to abuse spouses and abusive environment for financial reasons. There-fore a need arises to create an economic empowerment hub for gender based violence victims in particular women. What a better way to empower these women than to assist them in becoming entrepreneurs and to assist them to self-sustain themselves.
Yes there still new markets to conquer as WIIN is endorsed by the Department of Justice in South Africa, and we would like to see more countries following South Africa’s example and get many of the Department of Justices across the globes endorsing WIIN.
As the first black person in South Africa to become an accredited business advisor with Growth Wheel international, an organization that certifies business advisors in over 64 countries, you have been dedicating your life not just to entrepreneurship but also to sustainability. Can you share with us why this is important to you ?
Sustainability is important to me as I feel that most entrepreneurial projects especially in the Enterprise Supplier Development are done just as a B-BBEE box ticking exercise and therefore they chase numbers (quantity vs quality). As a business advisor the buzz word for me is IMPACT. Projects that have a long lasting impact are close to my heart.
You have a passion for economic empowerment and you seem to be the epitome of a global citizen, with all your travel and investments in many different places. What does being a global citizen mean to you ?
Being a global citizen means that I am for international relations and global collaborations. I am open to exploring different cultures, perspectives and interacting with people from all works of life. Being a global citizen means that I encourage my peers to not only thinking locally but international in reaching their goals and aspirations.
You also sit as an Enterprise Supplier Development adviser at NEAWASA, a transformation arm which falls under the Department of Energy, How do you unwind with such a busy schedule ?
I unwind by dedicating Sundays to myself, I usually shy away from the phone and TV on Sundays and give myself some time to do the things that I enjoy like praising and worshipping, reading book, writing in my journal, walking on the grass, meditating, dancing etc.
What have been (or still are) the main barriers that you face in your personal journey, as a woman ?
My work seems a bit challenging sometimes as women are not taking seriously and we have to work 7 times harder to prove ourselves. Being a beautiful young women, some men will deliberately close the door because you won’t have “dinner” with them.
You are involved in many charitable activities. Are there any that are particularly close to your heart ?
SA Heroines is close to my heart as it celebrates ordinary women doing extraordinary things. I love that most of the selfless Heroines are doing all this great exploits with their own gifts, talents and resources and are not waiting for support from the government. They are a true example that each individual can make a change right where they are using what they can have.
Describe an ideal vision of the future for young upcoming entrepreneurs around the world – say in the next 10 years.
An ideal vision of the future will be a place where young entrepreneurs realize their power in creating opportunities for themselves instead of waiting upon the government. I am a firm believer that our country’s growth and development is dependant on entrepreneurs. Most job opportunities in the coming 10 years will come from the SME space, I am confident of this.
Do you have a favourite city ?
Yes I do have a favourite City and its Cape Town. I love the place for its beautiful scenery and of course it has a wealth ambiance, the people are calm and have a care free attitude/’space” (the kind that says I have worked hard and it is time to enjoy my wealth, that’s where I would like to be in the next five years, more relaxed and enjoying life’s pleasures)
All-time favourite book or movie ?
Yes I do have a favorite book the Blessed Life by Robert Morris. The book explores how living a generous life changes every area of your life. It has taught me about the Biblical principles of giving, the obstacles that prevent generosity and how God blesses you and the world around you when you live generously. I have applied the principles in my personal and work life. This principle has taught me to live beyond myself and to be a blessing in everything that I do and everywhere I go.
My favourite movie is the Gladiator starring Gerald Butler, it is about a soldier who became a slave and later a gladiator. What I like about the movie is that the gladiator was willing to die for a cause greater than himself, he was willing to die in honour of for his country. This movie sorts of reflect the challenges that I come across in my work as a transformation agent but like the “gladiator” this is a cause that I am willing to die for. We have to address the inequalities that exist in our country. B-BBEE consulting gives me the space and opportunity to do that.
2020 was an extremely difficult year for many in all parts of the globe. Given your experience with the unexpected, what advice could you give those who need a glimmer of hope during these trying times ?
2020 was a challenging year but more than anything it gave us an opportunity to tune in inside our lives and do some introspection on what is important. I think in a big way it was an opportunity to re-evaluate our lives and sense of purpose. The most important message of hope that I would want to live is that gratitude is the best attitude and your attitude determines your altitude. One cannot be grateful and sad at the same time. I would like to encourage all of Grandiose readers to write 10 things that they are grateful for every morning when they wake up, I promise that their lives will never be the same.
Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity to contribute to your article. I am so grateful and deeply blessed.
