Moses Tembe has made a significant journey, starting by selling vegetables in the vast settlement of Umlazi, south of Durban, and evolving into a serial entrepreneur with interests across various sectors. Among South Africa's business leaders, few have managed to create such a broad and enduring entrepreneurial legacy as Tembe.
Over more than three decades, he has established enterprises in the retail, real estate development, manufacturing, engineering, telecommunications, gaming, and tourism sectors. He has become one of KwaZulu-Natal's most influential voices on economic growth and development, advocating for investment, industrialization, and partnership as the foundation for sustainable growth.
Tembe was born on May 28, 1961, in Lamontville and grew up in Umlazi. He absorbed the value of entrepreneurship from an early age. As a child, he sold vegetables to local residents alongside his brother Bongani Tembe, who later became a leading figure in the South African arts scene and CEO of the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra. These early endeavors taught him customer interaction, negotiation, and the discipline required for earning.
Education was another crucial element of his path. While working full-time, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration and Political Science from the University of South Africa. Later, he took courses in finance and business management under the guidance of a Cape Town University professor, gaining the knowledge necessary to transform ambition into a sustainable enterprise.
His professional career began at the Umlazi Magistrate's Court in 1980, after which he joined the KwaZulu-Natal Development Corporation, where he advanced to the position of Chief Credit Controller. This role provided him with valuable insight into finance, business development, and investment. However, Tembe already recognized that his future lay in entrepreneurship.
In 1990, Tembe left his formal employment to start and manage several successful retail businesses in settlements between 1990 and 1995, a period when few entrepreneurs were willing to invest in the economy of these communities. As South Africa entered its democratic era, he expanded his operations beyond the settlements, venturing into Isipingo and the central business district of Durban, gradually building a portfolio of retail and hospitality ventures.
Among his most notable ventures in the early 1990s was the creation of a large portfolio of hospitality businesses, including the Spur restaurant at the former Durban International Airport in 1994, which was later relocated to King Shaka International Airport in 2010. He also developed Spur franchises on Pixley Kaseme Street (formerly West Street) in the Durban CBD, in the Westwood Mall in Westville, Umlazi, and Bridge City, as well as Hussar Grill and Beluga restaurants in Gateway Theatre of Shopping, and several franchises in Ballito Eco Junction.
Parallel to retail, Tembe established himself as a respected property developer. From 1984 to 1994, he built luxury housing in settlements, challenging traditional investment models and demonstrating confidence in the community economies. In 1995, he co-founded Vulindlela Holdings, which partnered with a registered Malaysian company to acquire and develop the Port Waterfront area in Durban, contributing to one of the city's most vital urban regeneration projects.
His property portfolio subsequently expanded to include the development of Richards Bay Eco Junction, investments through Arctic Sun in the Hilton area, and the Dunbar shopping center in Cato Ridge. These projects played a key role in stimulating investment, job creation, and economic activity in developing communities.
As a visionary, Tembe increasingly focused on industrialization. He believed that South Africa's long-term prosperity depended on creating productive industries, not just consumption, so he invested in manufacturing, engineering, and infrastructure enterprises, strengthening local industrial potential.
These investments include Geochem, a specialized chemical manufacturing company in which he is a co-owner, which has transformed over the last two decades into one of the leading producers in its field in South Africa. His industrial interests extended to marine engineering through SAFREIGHT Holdings, which he co-founded with the late Don Mkhwanazi in 1996, establishing a thriving shipbuilding industry in Durban specializing in tugboat construction for Transnet.
He also co-founded SAFRAIL, becoming a significant player in South Africa's rail sector, and SAFCAB, in partnership with France Telecom, which negotiated maintenance agreements with numerous telecommunication operators supporting the SEACOM undersea cable, thereby strengthening regional connectivity and supporting the growth of Africa's digital economy.
His engineering investments continued with the acquisition of Elgin Brown & Hamer with Dr. Diliza Mjiji. Together, they developed the first floating ship repair base in Southern Africa and created one of Namibia's largest engineering companies, expanding their presence beyond South Africa's borders.
Tembe's influence is also felt in South Africa's gaming, tourism, and leisure industries. As one of the founders of Tsogo Sun KwaZulu-Natal, he was part of the leadership team that helped realize the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World project, transforming the economy of the beach area and Durban's tourism offering. He later served as Vice President of Gold Circle, chaired Phumelela Gaming and Leisure, which owned the SuperBets brand at the time, and is currently the Chairman of Sizekhaya Holdings.
Beyond his entrepreneurial achievements, Tembe has become a respected corporate leader in South Africa. He served on the main board of Mr Price Group and was a director of Santova Limited, and currently leads Tinley Leisure Limited, a company that developed its first beachfront resort and signed a management contract with the internationally recognized Club Med as part of major tourism projects along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
Throughout his career, Tembe has been a passionate advocate for organized business and economic cooperation. From 1990 to 1994, he served as the Secretary-General of the National African Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of KwaZulu-Natal, and was later elected President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce in 2007. He subsequently became Vice-Chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal National Business Initiative and a member of the South African Chamber of Commerce board. Currently, he serves as Co-Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Growth Coalition and a business consultant to the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Council, working with government, trade unions, and civil society to promote investment, policy certainty, and inclusive economic growth.
Outside of business, Tembe is a deacon in uMhlanga Assemblies of God, where his Christian faith continues to shape his values and leadership philosophy. Colleagues often describe him as a leader guided by principles, resilience, and a deep commitment to serving business, society, and God.
The story of Moses Tembe stands as a testament to what can be achieved through faith, purpose, and perseverance. From humble beginnings in Lamontville and Umlazi to becoming one of South Africa's most influential entrepreneurs, his journey proves that where one starts in life does not determine how far one can go. More importantly, it shows that lasting enterprises, sustainable legacies, and significant impact are built on integrity, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for others. More than three decades after his first steps in business, Tembe remains one of the foremost champions of entrepreneurship, economic development, and nation-building in South Africa, continuing to invest not only in business but in the country's future.
Moses Tembe transformed a humble beginning into a powerful entrepreneurial legacy in South Africa. Among the business leaders of South Africa, few have managed to create such a broad and enduring legacy as Tembe.
Over more than three decades, he has established enterprises in sectors such as retail, real estate development, manufacturing, engineering, telecommunications, gambling, and tourism. Through this, he has become one of the most influential voices in KwaZulu-Natal, advocating for investment, industrialization, and partnership as the foundation for sustainable growth.
Tembe was born on May 28, 1961, in Lamontville and grew up in Umlazi. He absorbed the value of entrepreneurship from an early age. As a child, he sold vegetables to local residents with his brother Bongani Tembe, who later became a leading figure in the South African arts scene and CEO of the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra. These early morning and evening hours introduced him to customers, the negotiation process, and the discipline required to earn a living.
Education was another crucial step in his journey. While working full-time, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration and Political Science from the University of South Africa. Later, he completed courses in finance and business management under the guidance of a Cape Town University professor, gaining the knowledge necessary to turn ambition into a sustainable enterprise.
His professional career began at the Umlazi Magistrate's Court in 1980, after which he joined the KwaZulu Development Corporation, where he advanced to the position of Chief Credit Controller. This role gave him valuable insight into finance, business development, and investment. However, Tembe realized early on that his future lay in entrepreneurship.
In 1990, Tembe left his formal job and began creating and managing several successful retail businesses in townships between 1990 and 1995, a period when few entrepreneurs were willing to invest in township economies. As South Africa entered its democratic era, he expanded his operations beyond the townships, venturing into Isipingo and Durban's central business district, gradually building his portfolio in retail and hospitality.
Among his most notable ventures in the early 90s was the creation of an extensive portfolio of hospitality businesses, including the Spur restaurant at the former Durban International Airport in 1994, which later moved to King Shaka International Airport in 2010. He also developed Spur franchises in the West Street, Westwood, Umlazi, and Bridge City shopping centers, as well as Hussar Grill and Beluga restaurants in Gateway Theatre of Shopping and several franchises in Ballito Eco Junction. Beyond retail, Tembe established himself as a respected property developer.
Between 1984 and 1994, he built luxury residential homes in township communities, challenging traditional investment models and demonstrating confidence in the township economy. In 1995, he co-founded Vulindlela Holdings, which partnered with a registered Malaysian company to acquire and develop the Port Waterfront area in Durban, contributing to one of the city's most significant urban regeneration projects.
Later, his property portfolio expanded to include the development of Richards Bay EcoJunction, investments through Arctic Sun in the Hilton area, and the Dunbar shopping center in Cato Ridge. These projects played a key role in stimulating investment, job creation, and economic activity in new communities.
As a visionary, Tembe increasingly focused on industrialization. He believed that South Africa's long-term prosperity depended on creating productive industries, not just consumption, so he invested in manufacturing, engineering, and infrastructure enterprises, strengthening local industrial potential.
Among these investments are Geochem, a specialized chemical manufacturing company in which he is a co-owner, which has transformed over the last two decades into one of the leading producers in its field in South Africa. His industrial interests extended to marine engineering through SAFREIGHT Holdings, which he co-founded with the late Don Mkhwanazi in 1996, establishing a thriving shipbuilding industry in Durban specializing in tugboat construction for Transnet.
He also co-founded SAFRAIL, becoming a significant player in South Africa's rail sector, and SAFCAB in partnership with France Telecom, which secured service agreements with numerous telecommunication operators supporting the SEACOM undersea cable, thereby strengthening regional connectivity and supporting the growth of Africa's digital economy.
His engineering investments continued with the acquisition of Elgin Brown & Hamer alongside Dr. Diliza Mjiji. Together, they developed the first floating ship repair base in Sub-Saharan Africa and created one of Namibia's largest engineering companies, expanding their presence beyond South Africa's borders.
Tembe's influence is also felt in South Africa's gambling, tourism, and leisure industries. As one of the founders of Tsogo Sun KwaZulu-Natal, he was part of the leadership team that helped realize the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World project, transforming the economy and tourism offering of the Durban coast. He later served as Vice President of Gold Circle, chaired Phumelela Gaming and Leisure, which owned the SuperBets brand at the time, and today he is also the Chairman of Sizekhaya Holdings.
Alongside his entrepreneurial achievements, Tembe has become one of South Africa's respected corporate leaders. He served on the board of Mr Price Group and as a director of Santova Limited, and currently leads Tinley Leisure Limited, a company that developed the first beach resort and signed a management contract with the internationally recognized Club Med as part of major tourism projects along the KwaZulu-Natal coast. Throughout his career, Tembe has been a passionate advocate for organized business and economic cooperation.
He served as the Secretary-General of the National African Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of KwaZulu-Natal from 1990 to 1994, and was later elected President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce in 2007. He subsequently became Vice-Chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal National Business Initiative and a member of the South African Chamber of Commerce board. Currently, he serves as Co-Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Growth Coalition and a business consultant at the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Council, working with government, labor, and civil society to promote investment, policy certainty, and inclusive economic growth.
Outside of business, Tembe is a deacon at Umhlanga Assemblies of God, where his Christian faith continues to shape his values and leadership philosophy. Colleagues often describe him as a principled leader guided by resilience and a deep commitment to serving business, community, and God. The story of Moses Tembe is a testament to what faith, purpose, and perseverance can achieve. From modest beginnings in Lamontville and Umlazi, he has become one of South Africa's most influential entrepreneurs; his journey proves that where one starts in life does not determine how far one can go. More importantly, it shows that lasting enterprises, sustainable legacies, and significant impact are built on integrity, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for others. More than three decades after his first steps in business, Tembe remains one of the foremost champions of entrepreneurship, economic development, and nation-building in South Africa, continuing to invest not only in business but in the future of the country itself.
Social entrepreneur Fumaza Stuurman, working in the village of Nxarkhuni on the outskirts of East London, is addressing issues of rural poverty and economic isolation among women and youth by leveraging a modern wellness trend inspired by heritage.
Stuurman, founder of Rural Impaqt Bone Broth, along with her team composed exclusively of women, transforms animal bones—often agricultural waste—into nutritious bone broth. This broth is freshly prepared every week and delivered to a growing number of regular urban customers in the East London area.
Bone broth has been consumed by various cultures for centuries and has regained popularity in modern times. It is highly valued by health-conscious individuals and consumers due to its content of natural collagen, amino acids, and minerals, which support joint health, digestive systems, skin and hair, and strengthen immunity.
The chicken and beef broths are slowly simmered over an open fire in a traditional African manner, which maximizes the retention of nutritional value and offers 'heritage-inspired wellness.' Stuurman notes: 'We are putting back on the table what our grandmothers knew, but in a format that meets modern food safety standards and consumer desires to live and eat well.'
According to her, the company offers an alternative to synthetic additives—whole food products that are affordable, natural, therapeutic, and deeply rooted in African culinary tradition. She emphasizes that this is a circular economy approach, creating a chain from waste to nutrition for scalable agricultural production, directing urban consumer demand toward rural jobs and wages, thereby creating value where none existed before.
Inspired by the African term 'vukuzenzele,' meaning 'wake up and do it yourself,' Stuurman saw untapped potential in the wisdom and resources of her rural community instead of focusing on deficiencies.
Stuurman participates in the second session of the Small Business Academy (SBA) at Stellenbosch Business School, a partnership with Standard Bank and the Border-Kei Chamber of Commerce in East London. After a 15-year career in the public sector in financial management and performance evaluation, she returned home to East London for family responsibilities. She viewed the SBA as an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, learn from experienced entrepreneurs, and receive mentorship from business experts.
Despite holding an MBA obtained over ten years ago while working in government service, she believes the SBA gives her a chance to learn how to think on a larger scale and develop a business, rather than just working within one. She currently has three part-time employees who use a home kitchen as a micro-factory for small-batch production, promote the business on social media, and take orders via WhatsApp for weekly deliveries to pick-up points in Beacon Bay and Vincent in East London, as well as selling products at local markets.
However, their plans are much broader: they aim to establish a fully functional small production enterprise that will provide 5-8 permanent jobs for unemployed youth and women in rural areas in the first year, leading to a multiplier effect in local supply chains and strengthening local agricultural ecosystems. Stuurman asserts that their goal is not merely to create a food brand, but to build a rural production ecosystem based on commercially viable and scalable business that uses healthy food as a means of rural economic transformation, ensuring decent local employment and activating local supply chains outside urban centers.
Over the past 14 years, the Small Business Academy has expanded its reach from low-income communities in Cape Town to the entire Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape provinces. The head of the SBA, Professor Armand Baum, stated that this landmark social impact program, serving entrepreneurs in marginalized low-income communities, aims to counteract the high rate of small business failure in South Africa by 'equipping small business owners with the tools necessary to overcome challenges and succeed.'
According to Baum, more than 460 entrepreneurs have graduated from the program to date, having received post-school qualifications (NQF Level 6 qualification from Stellenbosch University). Impact studies show that over 80% of participants continue running businesses and increasing profitability, and over 90% have created new permanent jobs. Baum explains that the SBA is designed to bridge this gap by providing formal business education, practical skills, as well as continuous mentorship and business development opportunities. He emphasizes that unlike many other SME support programs, they do not simply hand out a certificate and leave, as consistent engagement with each business is key to the program's proven success.
