Seasoned radio personality Phindile Gule offering female entrepreneurs an opportunity in the business world

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

Seasoned radio presenter Phindi Gule has in addition to her successful radio career, found a new purpose in life, and this time in the world of business.

However she is not making inroads alone in the world of business, but she is also taking along young female business entrepreneurs into her eco-system as a mentor and business coach.

Wel,l she started off her commercial radio at YFM, when the station was still in its infancy in the late 1990s in their Bertrams studios, east of Johannesburg. Gule’s career on radio has since ballooned and grown to new heights. I remember meeting her in their studios for an interview when I was writing for a daily paper, when those studios were a hive of activity with many a young would-be presenter, hanging around there looking for opportunities in radio that the then just started station promised. Some of course made it, while others fell by the way side.

Those were the years of big dreaming by young South Africans, and I must say they partied hard, especially on Wednesdays when the station hosted Wednesday networking sessions that had more drinking than actual networking. To these sessions many a journalist was invited to simply go and party with the then young but big dreamers. I for one never missed those sessions, for they gave one an opportunity to mingle and get to know the then young dreamers better, and of course the drinking party.

It was a time when Thandanani Dlhamini was news editor, Savita Mbuli was deputy editor, Oskido was transforming himself from a club DJ to a radio DJ, Fresh was still trying to find his way around, and so was DJ Ganyani and the list goes on and on.

One must state that the energy then among the young and happening was great. The dream of the New South Africa  was in the air,and everything was possible for a young South African who dreamt big. It is also the time when a taxi driver called Khabzela suddenly transformed his life from a taxi driver to a hot shot radio station DJ. There is no need here to explain how he conquered the young and happening black youth radio market. He was just phenomenal. He understood the language of the streets, and that connected him to young radio listeners.

Gule was among that crop of these young would be radio presenters, who at the time dreamed big. Among those young people was Claire Mawisa and of course Gule,  for example, young women at the time, who swam with the sharks so to speak. Gule was part of the few then young female radio presenters groomed by that station who went on to make a life for themselves on bigger radio platforms.

Gule has since moved to several commercial radio stations in the country where she continued to make a name for herself.

However it is as a business woman where she is currently fast consolidating her foothold, and on that journey, crucially taking along young female entrepreneurs as well. Having female business coaches during these trying times is important for young entrepreneurs.

After all, the socioeconomic repercussions of the pandemic are still hitting young people everywhere faster and harder than other age groups. Young South Africans are facing multiple shocks, including disruptions to education, training, and on-the-job learning; employment and income losses due to lay-offs and reduced working hours; and greater difficulties in finding good quality jobs.

This is a burden that nobody had time to plan for but sadly several entrepreneurs in the past two years have had to close shop.

It is in this context that the work Gule through Phindi Gule Marketing & Communications chose to focus on being part of a solution that is going to REBUILD South is very important.,

Gule has designed YoungStar Entrepreneur Programme/ Search – a Women Empowerment initiative aimed at arming women with business skills and to afford them access to mentors/ coaches aligned to their respective field of work/ businesses.

The Programme is open to South African women between the ages of 20 and 50, and all sectors of business.

“YoungStar Entrepreneur’s approach to entrepreneurship is holistic,. Physical aad Mental Health are incorporated in the programme as they play an integral part in human development. – “Fact – South Africa is Female!!!! The country needs to start investing in its women entrepreneurs because they have a critical role to play in the country’s socio-economic recovery. YoungStar Entrepreneurs is set on contributing to producing exceptional Women Entrepreneurs who will play a critical role in jump-starting the economy, creating jobs and financial stability back on track after a tumultuous two years. At YoungStar Entrepreneur, we pride ourselves as Enablers – we are here to Support and ensure that women entrepreneurs succeed,” says the Founding Director of YoungStar Entrepreneur, Phindi Gule-Burley.

The Programme does not only offer tools and development for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners but it gives them the incentive to succeed. The 5-month long programme is aimed at strengthening support for Women Entrepreneurs. At the end of the programme, YoungStar Entrepreneur will present the one Woman who has shown significant growth (personally and in their business) throughout the programme with a Prizes valued at over R500 000. The Grand Prize includes a Brand New Car, R100 000 Cash Prize and more. YoungStar Entrepreneur is not only assisting with the development of entrepreneurs in the country but is also investing in their future to enable them to create jobs and build their communities, according to a statement from her company.

 Entries for the Programme are still open and will close on 30 April’ 2022. Visit the website for more information and to Register. www.youngstarentrepreneur.co.za