‘Everyone has a gift’ — Vusi Thembekwayo urges rethink on unemployment with new book

Vusi Thembekwayo argues that the country is not debating the right side of the equation when it comes to what drives South Africa’s rampant youth unemployment.

The businessman and author expressed those sentiments on Thursday evening during the launch of his latest book, The Underdogs: How small players can become business titans , co-authored with Michael Hinton.

Written over six years and four drafts, the collaborative project gives insight on what it takes to be the top dog and highlights the importance of creating opportunities for oneself.

“Everyone has a gift; it’s up to you to test to try different things. The entrepreneurial calling is not for everyone, but don’t put your eggs in one basket,” he told TshisaLIVE.

“This book is for everyone who was told they are not good enough. I think that South Africa, we’re being cowardly with our youth generation because we tell them that the reason they are unemployed is because they don’t create work. In what world does that make sense? It’s not the role of young people to create the work. It’s the role of the state to create work opportunities, for businesses to create the work and young people will take up those jobs.”

Having climbed up the ladder of success from just being a cashier at a trade centre in East Rand, Thembekwayo has garnered a huge following and does not shy away from speaking up on issues affecting the country.

Reflecting on his widely circulated viral video where he directly called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to step up or step aside, Thembekwayo explained how it cost him personally and professionally.

“That moment cost me. Sadly, we live in a generation when those in power think criticism is opposition, and they don’t know how to separate my critiquing you to my opposing you. If you are charged with public responsibility and resources, that affects my life. And if it affects my life, I have the right to critique you.

“We just need to be real. I think that the people that have been charged with leading this nation are out of ideas. It’s not the role of young people to create jobs. Right now, people who should be speaking won’t speak because if they do speak, it might cost them something.

“I relocated; I was living in a different part of the world. My biggest business and community now is outside South Africa because in that time when my own people turned against me, the rest of the continent embraced me.”

Thembekwayo admits he’s been approached several times to participate in the political arena but does not want to reveal which political parties.

He said should he feel it’s a call from God to venture into the space, he will heed the call.

“I’ve learnt to listen to God’s voice. I don’t listen to the voice of man; the same people who say you should do it will turn against you tomorrow when you’re doing it in a manner they don’t like, or when you’re doing it in a manner that advances collective interest but not their individual interests. I will go where God calls me ... but until then, I am doing what I believe God has called me to do now and celebrate that season.”