Zimbabwean children

Strategies for Success
Until four years ago I had never been to business school. I learnt business by doing business, and making lots of mistake. I only went to business school when I was well into my forties to help me deal with the challenges of running a growing business. Alpha Media Holdings is now the largest privately owned media house in Zimbabwe, with three newspapers in South Africa and one of Africa’s most prominent websites.

I have succeeded in life through unconventional means. I am helped by the fact that I am acutely aware of my short comings and compensate by surrounding myself with people who are far much smarter and more talented than me. I give them space to follow their dreams and passions and they in turn have made me shine. Continue reading →

Trevor Ncube bought the Mail & Guardian weekly South African newspaper in 2002

Journalism
My journalism career has been absolutely unconventional and I have fully embraced it. I am not a trained journalist which means I have never been to a school of journalism.

How unconventional is this: For shooting off my mouth at an Economic conference in Harare I was picked to anchor a national prime time television programme that became a huge success, launching me onto the national stage and journalism. Just like that! I had zero television experience.

Next I was spotted by a newspaper publisher who later appointed me assistant editor of the Financial Gazette which was then Zimbabwe’s only independent newspaper.

With the benefit of hindsight I believe my father introduced me to journalism when I was doing 5th grade. He brought home old newspapers from his employers which I enjoyed reading. I made scrap books from old exercise books and newspaper cuttings, mainly of political events. This was my own version of Twitter and Facebook. I proudly showed them off to friends and visiting relatives in our township home.

At the Financial Gazette I rose to the position of Executive Editor in seven years, winning awards and then I was fired for being too critical of President Mugabe and ZANUPF.

My world crashed around me. I felt humiliated, alone and exposed. I was angry at this treatment. My ego took a knock. My job was me, my identity and my livelihood. Three long months after this life changing experience I was forced to go into business.

Continue reading →