Biography

15 Things You Need To Know About Lebo Gunguluza

February 10, 2021 : By Mpho Chawane

Self-made millionaire Lebo Gunguluza is best known for his role as an investor on South Africa’s Dragon’s Den.

He has had a difficult business career, claiming to having it all and losing it all twice. However, his resilience has seen him recognized as one of South Africa’s most famous entreprenuers.

Here are some things you may not know about Lebo Gunguluza.

1. He was born in Port Elizabeth in 1989.

2. His father died when he was just 6, leaving him to endure a rough childhood.

3. Gunguluza left his home for Durban to attain higher education at the University of KwaZulu Natal. He graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

4. He started his career at SABC, promoting stations that broadcast in African languages. His second job was at Metro FM.

5. He left for the US to pursue a course in broadcasting.

6. Upon returning, he joined an advertising agency and was tasked with managing accounts such as South Africa Breweries, Hush Puppies and Metro FM.

7. He left employment in 1997 to enter the business world.

8. His first business deal was as a marketer and promoter for popular night club Insomnia. This was his first foray into this world of a promoter.

9. He soon founded Gunguluza Entertainment – a record label and artist management firm. That venture failed.

10. In 2002, he started Gunguluza Enterprises and Media group (GEM). It had investments in IT, hospitality and media.

11. Although GEM found initial success, cumulative managerial and financial mistakes brought it to its knees in 2004. The entreprenuer found himself in R2 million debt. He fired his staff and even had to sell his Porsche.

12. After the collapse of GEM, Gunguluza sought new partnerships, joining hands with SAA’s Sawubona Magazine publishers – Uhuru Communications. He would also become a partner at
Realm Digital and Ezweni.