Rani caught by the entrepreneurial bug, quits teaching to start an IT company

Meet Luvuyo Rani who took a risk when he quit a secured job to start an IT company, Silulo Ulutho Technologies that serves 3 coastal provinces in South Africa.

Today, Rani has franchised over 40 public internet and education centres in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern and Western Cape.

In an interview with Beautiful News, he revealed that the centres have trained over 60 000 students who were part of training programmes offered at Silulo Ulutho Technologies centres.

According to the article, Khayelitsha was among many townships (including rural areas) that don’t have access to technology, making it impossible for young people to apply for jobs, for a place at institutions of higher learning or to do research.

It reported that in the early 2000s, South Africa’s education system was gradually digitised. But in townships, educators without computers were left behind. So Rani quit his job as an accounting teacher to refurbish old personal computers and sell them.

“[Khayelitsha] owes its digital advancement to a man that residents once assumed was a thief. [Rani] was selling the refurbished computers from the boot of his car, he was met with suspicion,” the publication reported.

Rani said it was difficult to sell these computers as people were not sure about where he got the computers from.

“Because people were not trusting me, thinking I steal computers,” Rani explained.

But that didn’t make Rani to stop selling even when no one was willing to buy from him.

“The pioneering social entrepreneur continued on his quest. In his efforts to connect his community, Rani opened one of Khayelitsha’s first internet cafes,” revealed the article.

Rani saw an opportunity when he established his business.

“I see so much unemployment, poverty, but I also see abundance of opportunity,” he told Beautiful News.

Through the centres, thousands of young people have managed to gain new skills, apply for jobs, and conduct interviews over video call, while some entrepreneurs even run their businesses from the centres.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from,” Rani says. “With the right connection, you can succeed.”

Editor’s note: This pioneering social entrepreneur Luvuyo Rani didn’t hesitate when the entrepreneurial bug caught up with him, he knew exactly what was missing in his computer and came up with a solution to a number of problems facing the youth.

Description: Founder of Silulo hubs Luvuyo Rani has given endless opportunities to young people who could not access internet access or even a computer. At these hubs, young people are able to apply for jobs, for a place at institutions of higher learning or to do research.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu