Owen Senzangakhona Nkomo

Owen Senzangakhona Nkomo - Founder of Inkunzi Emnyama Investments

“I would like to be part of the few but growing examples of black people doing business successfully and honestly, with a big dash of high conviction in their ideas, commonly known as stubbornness.”

Q1: When did you join The Grind? How did you get to know about the Foundation?

A1: I joined The Grind on day 1. Been there since.

Q2: Tell us about your career journey and where you are today.

A2: : Wow, where do I start! I started my career off at Legae Securities about 20 years ago, I then worked for the global investment banks, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan Securities and Citi Group over a ten-year period before starting Inkunzi Emnyama Investments.

I am currently looking after our group of companies which include Inkunzi Wealth Group, Inkunzi AlterNativz, ISAf Ithubalethu. We have had great success through the past “Lost Covid Years”, with our group adding new and successful entities in the lending, Telcos and Capital advisory space. I have several executive teams looking after each of the entities, and I chair most of them and provide strategic steer. I am in a place where I am grateful for the gift of enterprise because I can see it changing people’s lives. We employ about 60 people across our companies, not one of them is on a short-term contract.

Q3: What personal sacrifices have you had to make in your career?

A3: Huge personal sacrifices. I have lost friends, but I have gained business associates. I have lost my patience, but I have become more efficient in demanding results. I have had my personal balance sheet weakened, just to make these entities work. I have lost out on a great balance of work and life, and more importantly, I have sacrificed a lot of family time, but I am happy my family still stands by my side. I have also stopped doing the things I enjoy because I feel like a pilot flying 7 different planes - but all for a lot of good reasons.

Q4: Looking back on the past 2 years, what has been the impact of Covid-19 on you and your family, as well as the way you work? 

A4:  The past two years have been great eye openers. We adapted our business strategies, we invested in new opportunities that are extremely defensive so that when the next Covid-like challenge comes we will be ready. We have had our best financial performance in some of the entities and have used Covid to implement cost controls and the use of technology. My wife had Covid in June 2020, and thank the Almighty she survived. So in my household we know Covid’s ugly head, and are grateful for God’s mercy.

Q5: How do you see the industry in which you work change post-Covid?

A5: I see a lot of technology usage, I see fewer people-led implementation, I see consolidation in some sectors. I also see a huge scope of opportunity in the Telco space. Just look at the number of Telco deals this year. This is a sector that will lead implementation of processes post-Covid. It’s good to be positioned here for opportunities literally from Cape to Cairo.

Q6: What would you like to be remembered for - what type of legacy would you like to leave?

A6: That brother who refused to take no for an answer, and blindly went for his dreams and helped change society through his gift of enterprise. I would like my businesses to outlive me because they are not about me, but about the solutions they provide. So, I would like to be part of the few but growing examples of black people doing business successfully and honestly, with a big dash of high conviction in their ideas, commonly known as stubbornness.

Q7: As we wrap up the year and reflect on where we are, are you happy with what you achieved this year?

A7: I am blessed to have had the year I had. We successfully raised capital to fund our ideas, we helped lots of black entrepreneurs get much-needed unsecured capital, and helped them create and sustain jobs.

Next year, undoubtedly Chelsea and Orlando Pirates will clean out in all their respective competitions. Don’t doubt it! I look forward to consolidating and growing our current opportunities. Personally, I am looking forward to the continued gift of life, and some new members of the Yengwayo clan, my little man is fourteen and in high school, soon to leave the house, so it would be great to have one or two-nyana babies. Pray with me and Zakithi for this to happen.

Q8: Which fictional character do you resonate with, and why?

A8: Harvey Fuckin Specter from Suits! He is a G. Gets things done and wipes the floor with the bad guys.

Grind Feed: Owen Senzangakhona Nkomo