Collen Mashawana

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Collen Mashawana (born 2 September 1981) is a South African philanthropist[1][2][3] and entrepreneur.[4]

Early life[edit]

Collen Mashawana was born in Venda, Limpopo. He attended his junior school at Tshishonga Primary School and completed High School at Liivha Private School.[5] He proceeded to study Information Technology and Business Management at Henley Business School.[6][7]

Career background[edit]

Mashawana's career began at Microsoft South Africa after completing his studies in Information Technology. He then joined Dimension Data in 2005 where during that period he received the Esprit du Corp Award in 2008.[8] In the same year, he was appointed as National Public Sector Director for South Africa.[9][10]

Mashawana formed Afribiz Invest in 2005[11] and the investment company is reported to be having about 25 subsidiaries through acquisitions and mergers.[12] In 2010 he established another IT company Khwinisa Technologies now Telcolink.[13] In 2018 he was honored by the South African Government, Department of Social Development with an Award of Entrepreneur of the Year through the South African Men of the Year. Collen Mashawana has further been nominated as one of the 100 most influential Africans for 2020[14] by the Reputation Poll International.[15]

Philanthropy[edit]

Mashawana established the Collen Mashawana Foundation[16] in 2012 and foundation's thrust is to assist the most disadvantaged members of communities[17][18] by bringing relief to the elderly,[19] people living with a disability,[20] and child-headed families with economic empowerment and housing programs[21][22] and initiatives[23] as well as other community organisations.[24][25] The foundation has built around 300 houses and some of its initiatives are in collaboration with the South African government.[26]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Holtz, Robert (March 11, 2022). "The Collen Mashawana Foundation To Host 10 Year Gala Dinner".
  2. ^ "#YouthMonth: How the Collen Mashawana Foundation is planting seeds of hope and courage". Bizcommunity.
  3. ^ "Ukhozi FM lubambisene ne Collen Mashawana Foundation kade bese-PMB, ukuyonikela ngezindlu ezimbili". Ukhozifm. 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  4. ^ "Afribiz Invest founder Collen Mashawana on tackling youth unemployment". CNBC Africa. October 2, 2018.
  5. ^ Village, Youth (February 20, 2014). "Collen Mashawana interview". Youth Village.
  6. ^ "Henley MBA student Collen Mashawana is helping build communities during a pandemic". 23 April 2021.
  7. ^ Wahinya, Beth (October 6, 2020). "Collen Mashawana is a well known businessman and philanthropist in South Africa". Briefly.
  8. ^ "A bag full of dreams". Fin24.
  9. ^ "Entrepreneur, Collen Mashawana Shares His 20 Most Important Lessons Learnt Throughout His Life - StartUp Magazine South Africa". startupmag.co.za.
  10. ^ Relations, IT Public (April 12, 2010). "Former IS director joins Vharanani". ITWeb.
  11. ^ "73 Year-old pensioner to receive fully furnished house courtesy of the Collen Mashawana Foundation". October 13, 2021.
  12. ^ "Collen Mashawana Bio: All About His Age Accomplishments and Net Worth". AnswersAfrica.com. January 25, 2022.
  13. ^ "Khwinisa expands operations - IT News Africa - up to date technology news, IT news, Digital news, Telecom news, Mobile news, Gadgets news, Analysis and Reports".
  14. ^ "2020 List of 100 most reputable Africans announced". Vanguard News. July 27, 2020.
  15. ^ "When Business Meets Social Change". 8 December 2021.
  16. ^ Team, News (May 24, 2020). "Collen Mashawana Foundation distributes food parcels". {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  17. ^ Toloane, Ntsoaki (April 30, 2021). "Collen Mashawana contributes on building better communities".
  18. ^ Mahamba, Chulumanco. "Collen Mashawana Foundation to hand over new house keys to two families affected by KwaZulu-Natal floods". www.iol.co.za.
  19. ^ "Minister Lindiwe Zulu and Collen Mashawana Foundation deliver early Christmas Presents in Cape Town, 14 Dec | South African Government". www.gov.za.
  20. ^ Sokutu, Brian (March 11, 2022). "Mashawana's 10 years of making a difference to the needy". The Citizen.
  21. ^ Roberto, Muyela (August 1, 2022). "Kind man builds new home for single mum of 9 who lived in rundown mud house". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news.
  22. ^ Omotayo, Joseph (February 11, 2020). "Kind man gives family who lived in shanty for 30 years new house". Legit.ng - Nigeria news.
  23. ^ "Department of Social Development - Minister Zulu and Collen Mashawana Foundation to Visit a Homeless Older Person Who Lives in a Car in Orange Farm". www.dsd.gov.za.
  24. ^ "Collen Mashawana Foundation pledges R120 000 to support Kasi Hero". December 3, 2021.
  25. ^ Carignan, Kevin D. "The Collen Mashawana Foundation meets with civil society, churches and traditional leaders – Empower SA". ambientrance.org.
  26. ^ Sokutu, Brian (August 12, 2021). "Govt partners with Collen Mashawana Foundation to help vulnerable communities". The Citizen.
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