Kenyan Agritech Startup WeFarm Secures $1.6 Million In Funding

How much of an over-achiever is Elon Musk fixing to become, though? In the last week, he’s added providing global internet coverage via a massive satellite network to his audacious To-do List. In this week’s African Tech Round-up, I reflect on how Musk’s latest ambition might upset net neutrality watchdogs around the world who might not trust SpaceX to responsibly execute on something they don’t trust the likes of Google and Facebook to do.

Also on this week’s show is more about perhaps the most publicised tech investment news of the past week, the $1.6 million investment haul made by the Kenyan agritech startup WeFarm. It’s exciting to see agritech startups start to excite the global VC community. It’s absurd how millions of people on the continent go hungry every year despite how well-endowed Africa is in terms of natural resources. It’s about time we harness tech to work smarter, improve our yields, and get food to hungry people not just on the continent, but wherever it’s needed around the world.

Finally, listen in to hear my conversation with Milena Taieb, Head of Video for France, Africa and the Middle East at Believe Digital Studios— the world’s leading multi-channel network (MCN) specialising in multi-platform distribution, audience development and content monetisation. Milena reveals how Believe has upended the traditional music and video production business, and how despite the plethora of self-publication platforms available to creators today, success is predicated on executing a killer digital strategy.

First published in AfricanTechRoundup.com

Unathi Msengana & Asanda Madyibi: 14 Years of Creative Collaboration

Unathi Msengana is a well-loved South African media personality and business woman (Musician, Metro FM DJ, Idols South Africa Judge and Television Producer) who is easily one of the most relevant and, indeed, most bankable entities in the Africa’s fickle entertainment industry. While, Asanda Madyibi is an incredibly talented fashion designer to the stars whose garments have graced catwalks around the world.

Unathi, Asanda and I go way back, but not quite as far back as their friendship. They have been thick as thieves since Asanda designed Unathi’s graduation dress 14 years ago.

Recently, I was lucky enough to crash a dress fitting at Asanda’s private fashion studio in Milpark, where Unathi was being outfitted for a high-profile musical performance. A lively chat ensued, and happily, I got it all on tape!

Enjoy this brief exploration into the lives of two very different, yet equally brilliant women, whose life journeys have seen them begin the transition from craftsmanship to entrepreneurship.

Many thanks to my mate, Global Entrepreneur, Author, and CEO of Sirdar Global Group, Carl Bates, whose ideas have inspired me to explore the difference between craftsmanship and entrepreneurship, and led me to appreciate the importance of distinguishing between the two.

#AndilesTake Podcast: Do What You Love– Celebrating Workers’ Day Muffin-style

The wait is over! The Muffinz have finally released their much-anticipated sophomore album, “Do What You Love”— following the success of their critically-acclaimed, award-winning debut, “Have You Heard” in 2012. After touring widely since the release of their first album (selling out venues like New York’s famous Apollo Theatre along the way), and sharing the stage with legendary artists like Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Oliver Mtukudzi (who features on their latest album), I asked them to give an honest account of what it’s really like to “be a Muffin”. I also get a little personal in this episode as I reveal some interesting shared history I have with one of The Muffinz, and reflect briefly on the importance of choosing work that is both purposeful and fulfilling.

The Pivot: Confessions of a Broadcaster

In December 2011, I made a pivot. I laid down the reigns at the boutique agency, Zwile, that I’d co-founded three years earlier with my close friend, Lwazi Khoza (who now owns and runs TruGreen Properties). I left to pursue a full-time career in broadcasting. It was a dramatic decision. You see, I’m not a entrepreneur in the traditional sense. While my interests, skills and competencies are widespread (focus requires diligent effort for me), I realised that I wasn’t the type of person for whom simply ‘running a business’ with the sole aim of making profit would cut it. Much of the work we did at Zwile wasn’t directly linked to my passion for broadcasting, or in line with my broader calling to air and amplify empowering, positive ideas and messages. Even the impressive coups we’d pulled off as a teeny-tiny, little-known agency couldn’t keep me motivated enough to carry on. I was worn-out and uninspired.

Happily, save for a few difficult seasons of self-doubt and uncertainty, my choice to change course has proved to be the right one. Given this, one might question the rationale of my new business partnership with creative director-extraordinaire, Jonathan Munnik and gifted rain-maker, Faizel Ishmail to form Crosshare Productions. Well, the three of us are convinced that the future of broadcasting lies in mastering the game-changing dynamics of the online dissemination and consumption of information. Together, we’ve worked out a model that allows each of us to stay on purpose and produce world-class new media content. My job at Crosshare? I’m the broadcaster. (I’ll share more on the specifics of what that entails in future blogs).

We didn’t start Crosshare just make awesome video content. We’re here to play ball in the global, content-driven new media arena. TV. Online. Music. Lifestyle. Entertainment. Corporate. Event. Personal. Promo. Bring it. On.

Follow Crosshare Productions on YouTube, Vimeo, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.