In this episode of The Truth Talk Podcast with Larreth Jimu, we dive deep into the inspiring world of entrepreneurship, personal growth, faith, and the challenges facing the next generation.

Join host Larreth Jimu as he sits down with Marko Stavrou, a 20-year-old trailblazing entrepreneur, founder of Gen Link, and self-proclaimed "Gen Z Guy." Marko, a third-generation Cypriot South African, shares his unconventional journey from dropping out of high school during COVID-19 to bootstrapping multiple businesses and raising funds to scale his venture—all while staying rooted in his Christian faith and a passion for biohacking.

Marko opens up about his early life in Johannesburg, where a love of learning instilled by his doctor father and psychologist mother fueled his competitive spirit in sports, academics, and public speaking.

He recounts the pivotal moment when the pandemic shifted his focus from school and sports to launching his first ventures: a sneaker resale business started with just R500 in savings, followed by a PR and marketing agency that generated R150,000 in revenue before he had to refund clients due to school commitments.

Marko emphasizes how he bootstrapped everything without parental funding, turning small profits into bigger opportunities through service-based businesses that required no upfront capital—proving that anyone can start from scratch with determination and skill.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you.

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In this very special episode of The Truth Talk Podcast, host Larreth Jimu is joined by his "most special guest ever"—his beautiful wife. Fresh from their traditional marriage ceremony, the newly married couple invites listeners into their world for an intimate, honest, and inspiring conversation about their entire journey.

They share the charming and "pretty cool" story of how they first met at Eastgate Mall, a chance encounter that began with Larreth boldly giving her his number on a Nando's napkin. From that first text message, they trace their path to marriage, opening up about the serious challenges they faced, including a difficult period during her first year of studying civil engineering that tested their relationship and even led to a breakup.

This episode dives deep into the podcast's core themes of personal growth and faith, exploring:

• The pivotal role of building a "beautiful friendship" as the foundation of their marriage.

• The romantic proposal story at a beautiful, empty chapel in Cape Town, which caught his wife completely by surprise.

• The "magical" and "divine" experience of their lobola (traditional marriage) negotiations in Lesotho and the profound sense of peace that followed.

• The realities of wedding planning, including the stress of perfectionism and a shocking R95,000 quote for a wedding dress.

• The financial dynamics of their relationship, with Larreth as the sole provider and his wife as a 21-year-old university student.

This conversation is a heartwarming and authentic look at young love, navigating life's difficulties, and the "anointing" that comes from building a life and partnership centered on God.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you.

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Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐

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Cloud Innovation and Personal Purpose with Sizwe Mabanga

In this dynamic episode of The Truth Talk Podcast, host Larreth Jimu welcomes Sizwe Mabanga, a trailblazing Cloud Architect and Security Engineer, for an in-depth conversation on the cutting-edge intersections of technology and life.

As the digital world accelerates into 2025, Sizwe shares his expert insights on cloud computing trends, the transformative power of data as "the new gold," and strategies for building secure, scalable infrastructures that empower businesses and individuals alike.

But this isn't just about tech—Larreth and Sizwe dive into how entrepreneurship fuels innovation, the role of resilience in overcoming industry challenges, and weaving faith into a high-stakes career. Discover practical tips for aspiring leaders, real stories of purpose-driven success, and actionable advice on personal growth in a fast-evolving landscape.

Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, tech professional, or someone seeking inspiration to align your calling with your career, this episode will equip you to navigate change with confidence.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you.

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In this captivating episode of The Truth Talk Podcast, host Larreth Jimu sits down with Tahir Mullins, a seasoned Venture Capitalist from Cape Town. Tahir offers an unparalleled look into the world of VC, sharing his unique journey, insights into identifying groundbreaking tech, and the realities of investing in African innovation.

From his unexpected path into VC to the critical elements of deal-making and fostering a thriving tech ecosystem, Tahir sheds light on what it truly takes to back companies that can go global. He also

Raising a Fund in Africa: Why Africa receives smaller allocations in global funding, the impact of historical narratives, and what's changing for the continent's investment landscape.

AI's Impact on Business & Careers: A nuanced take on why some businesses might not need AI, why most will benefit, and how aspiring tech professionals can leverage AI without over-relying on it.

Overcoming Challenges & Public Speaking: Tahir shares his personal battle with public speaking and sales, and how being "forced" into it ultimately led to unexpected growth and mastery.

This episode is packed with invaluable wisdom for entrepreneurs, aspiring VCs, tech enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the future of innovation and investment in Africa.

Key Takeaways & Discussion Points: VC Due Diligence: The importance of strong IP, commercial skill sets, industry knowledge, and team dynamics. "Chameleon" VC: The art of adapting and connecting across diverse cultures and business environments. Africa's Investment Potential: Changing narratives, increased connectivity, and the need for investors who truly care about local impact.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you.

Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment.

Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐

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In this impactful episode of The Truth Talk Podcast, host Larreth Jimu sits down with Lindokuhle Ndlovu, Marketing Officer at Skills Development Corporation (SDC), to unpack everything you need to know about learnerships in South Africa.

If you're a young person looking for opportunities, skill development, and a pathway to employment, this is a must-watch! Lindokuhle shares incredible insights from SDC, an accredited training provider, on how learnerships are truly changing lives. We dive deep into the practicalities of these programs, from application to full-time employment.

What you'll learn in this episode: What is a Learnership? Discover how learnerships offer a practical, hands-on approach to skills development and workplace experience. How Much is the Stipend? Lindokuhle reveals the average learnership stipend at SDC, starting from a minimum of R4,020 and going up to R9,000+! Learn what influences these amounts.

The Vetting Process: Understand SDC's thorough vetting and recruitment process, designed to match the right individuals with the right opportunities, ensuring commitment and success. Workplace Experience: Find out how learnerships provide a crucial 12-month "interview" period, building relationships with employers and leading to high absorption rates (between 60-70% placement to full-time employment!).

Benefits for Companies (B-BBEE): Explore the significant advantages for businesses, including B-BBEE scorecard points, tax rebates, and access to a skilled talent pool.

This conversation is vital for anyone seeking to understand the power of skills development in South Africa and how practical training can lead to sustainable employment.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you.

Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment.

Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/
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Join me, Larreth Jimu, on this compelling episode of Truth Talk as I sit down with Gareth Bleazard, a former investment banker turned venture capitalist who's betting big on Africa's startup ecosystem.

Gareth shares invaluable insights into what it really takes to raise capital in South Africa versus international markets, explaining why 95% of local startups struggle to secure funding and the key differences founders need to understand. We dive deep into the challenges facing African entrepreneurs, from limited market size to policy constraints, and explore why Gareth believes the continent's biggest problems could actually be its greatest opportunities. He discusses his controversial take on government policies like BEE, the importance of corporate venture studios, and why he thinks South African companies should be doing more to innovate internally.

Whether you're considering starting a business, looking to raise capital, or simply want to understand the African startup ecosystem better, this conversation offers rare insights from someone who's seen both sides of the table.

Tune in to hear Gareth's unfiltered take on building businesses in Africa and gain valuable lessons from his transition from high finance to high-impact entrepreneurship.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you.

Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment.

Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/
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In an illuminating episode of The Truth Talk Podcast, Larreth Jimu engages in a profound dialogue with the exceptional Francois van der Merwe.

As the pioneering force behind Otinga.io, a trailblazing enterprise dedicated to catalyzing innovative product launches and fostering the growth of new business paradigms through the dynamic mediums of hackathons and design thinking, Francois van der Merwe embodies a visionary approach to technological advancement. Simultaneously serving as the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of InvestRand, Francois spearheads initiatives that empower everyday South Africans to cultivate prosperity through strategic property investments and cutting-edge technological solutions.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you.

Nourish your intellect with the wisdom and inspiration shared in The Truth Talk Podcast, as Francois Van der Merwe unveils his riveting narrative and imparts invaluable lessons on harnessing the power of technology for sustainable growth and innovation. Subscribe to The Truth Talk Podcast on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐

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Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you.

About Darren Mansour

Darren Mansour is the Founder and Director of So Interactive, a digital-first agency that combines technology, creativity, and strategy to craft impactful brand experiences. With over 22 years of expertise, he specialises in digital transformation, UX/UI, and multi-platform storytelling, helping brands connect with people in meaningful ways. Passionate about pushing digital forward, Darren leads So Interactive in delivering human-centered, results-driven solutions that elevate brand engagement and growth. Connect with him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenmansour/).

About So Interactive

So Interactive is a digital-first creative agency that creates human-centered digital experiences designed for impact and building brand value. With over 18 years of expertise, we blend strategy, design, and technology to help brands connect with people in meaningful ways.

Our expertise spans brand Strategy, UX/UI Design, Website and Platform Design, Digital campaigns, Content Creation, and Social Media Engagement, all crafted with a commitment to seamless, intuitive, and engaging digital experiences.

At So Interactive, we don’t just execute projects—we shape the future of digital engagement. 

By bridging technology with human insight, we deliver high-performance solutions that drive business growth.

For more information, visit www.sointeractive.co.za or connect with us on [email protected]

• Instagram - @sointeractive

• LinkedIn -  @so-interactive
  

Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment.

Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/
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Twitter - https://twitter.com/larrethjimu
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Ready to embark on your transformative journey towards success and enlightenment? APPLY NOW to Melsoft Academy, where innovation meets opportunity - https://melsoftacademy.com/apply-now/

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join Larreth Jimu as he sparks meaningful conversations and equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to navigate the ever-changing world around you.

Subscribe now and embark on your journey of truth, growth, and empowerment.

Connect with Larreth Jimu 🌐

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larreth/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larreth-jimu/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/larrethjimu/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/larrethjimu
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@larreth

Follow Melsoft Academy 🌐

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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melsoftacademy/
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Ready to embark on your transformative journey towards success and enlightenment? APPLY NOW to Melsoft Academy, where innovation meets opportunity - https://melsoftacademy.com/apply-now/

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.