At just 31 years old, Mongezi Masombuka is redefining what it means to be a young entrepreneur in South Africa. This dynamic IT specialist and serial entrepreneur is the driving force behind not one, not two, but three successful businesses, proving that ambition and innovation can go hand in hand.

In an exclusive interview, Mongezi opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges he’s faced, and what’s next for his business journey.

But before he was entrepreneur, he was a BCom Accounting student. he discovered early on that the field was too rigid for his creative aspirations. Financial difficulties further compounded his decision to leave university. “I didn’t like accounting because it confined me creatively,” he explains. “Dropping out was a tough decision, but it set me on the path I’m on today.”

After leaving university, Mongezi worked as a commercial property administrator at a bank. But even then, he felt unfulfilled. Determined to find his true calling, he pivoted to the IT industry.

“I started exposing myself to IT through YouTube and taking Udemy courses around 2018 to 2019,” he shares. “I also did a couple of learnerships and internships along the way.”

Building an empire

Mongezi’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished during this time. In 2018, he launched his first business, a clothing line called UDARKIE.

Two years later, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he founded Clowdy, a tech company specialising in cloud management and consulting services.

“At Clowdy, we help enterprises in their cloud journey,” Mongezi explains. “We move their infrastructure from on-premises servers and hardware to cloud-based solutions.”

In 2023, Mongezi expanded his portfolio by acquiring Vatii, a water and beverages company. Managing multiple businesses, however, came with its challenges.

“I wasn’t coping in the beginning, but having a structure and a competent team made all the difference,” he says.

A Triumph on Engen The Making Of

Mongezi recently added another accolade to his name by winning the inaugural season of Engen The Making Of for Clowdy. The competitionsaw Mongezi secure R225,000 in prize money.

“What motivated me to enter was the creativity element,” he says. “I saw an ad on Facebook and thought, why not? The brief and concept excited me.”

Despite early setbacks, including being voted out by his teammates, Mongezi made a comeback as a wildcard and ultimately claimed victory.

“I met entrepreneurs at different stages of their lives, and it reminded me to stay focused on my goals.”

Family and inspiration

Mongezi’s entrepreneurial drive is deeply rooted in his family background.

“My late grandmother was very entrepreneurial. Even in her last days, she sold archaar, ice lollies, and second-hand clothes,” he recalls. “Subconsciously, those traits rubbed off on me. I don’t come from a well-off family so getting out of that drove my pursuit to have an incredible appetite for building successful businesses.

Today, Mongezi is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a family man. He has a fianc e and a four-month-old daughter .

Mongezi’s journey offers valuable lessons for young entrepreneurs, particularly those looking to break into the tech industry.

“When you’re exposed to money, it’s easy to give in to the lifestyle,” he cautions. “Stay disciplined and focus on building sustainable businesses. As an IT entrepreneur, always stay ahead of trends. Look to countries like the US, which lead in the industry.”

Mongezi shares his vision for the future as he reflects on his journey.

“I wish we could come together as Black professionals to build solutions for people who look like us,” he says.

He also expresses gratitude for the opportunities that have come his way.

“I’d like to thank Engen and Raizcorp for the platform. It has opened so many doors for me.”