Dr. Mengi Portalo – Entrepreneur
Born in Northern Tanzania, living in a mud hut that he shared with livestock, Reginald Abraham Mengi struggled to get an education in a world where “doing alright” included one meal a day and shoes on your feet. However, he ended up studying accounting in the United Kingdom and then returned to his home country to work with Coopers & Lybrand, Tanzania. He became one of the company’s chairmen and then left to create his own business, which then became one of the country’s largest.
Djimon Hounsou– Actor
Djimon Hounsou followed his dreams, which landed him a modeling and acting career worth around $10 million. How did he do it? After being born in Benin to a poor family, he made his way to Lyon, France. He lived there in his early teens, living on the streets and fighting for survival while simultaneously trying to find jobs as a model. Against all odds, he made it in Paris and lived there until he was fully established, before heading to New York.
” Being educated and being intelligent are two different things. I thought I was smart enough. And I wanted to be an entertainer. I stopped going to school as a way of saying I was mature, a way of saying I was going to choose who I was going to become.“ – Djimon Hounsou
Samuel Eto’o – Football player
Samuel Eto’o may have grown up in what may look like a terribly poor situation, but in his home state of Cameroon, he wasn’t doing too poorly, sharing a small space with his five siblings. With a lack of toys or money for toys, he and his brothers created balls out of plastic bags and played football barefoot. He loved soccer and had a real knack for the sport, which was soon noticed by scouts. He was picked up at the age of 16 and taken to Spain, where he got a deal with Real Madrid. Since, he’s retired from international football and received the Golden Foot Award.
Steven Pienaar – Football player
Growing up in some of the worst parts of South Africa, Steven Pienaar was no stranger to violence and murder throughout his formative years. However, he always maintained a passion for football throughout his childhood. When he was spotted by a scout for his talents on the field, he was signed to Ajax Cape Town. He later left South Africa, as soon as he was 18, to play for Ajax Amsterdam. His success in football has provided him with enough wealth to move his family away from their previously dangerous living conditions.
Lebo Gunguluza – Entrepreneur
Growing up in Port Elizabeth, Lebo Gunguluza had a lofty goal from a young age. He aimed to become a millionaire by the age of 25. He didn’t quite make it, but he did become a millionaire when he was 27, becoming one of South Africa’s youngest self-made black millionaires. He worked in advertising until he became an entrepreneur, and is now a motivational speaker.
“I learned the value of hard work by working hard.“ – Lebo Gunguluza
Cosmas Maduka – Entrepreneur
In the work force since the tender age of four years, Cosmas Maduka has been a hard worker all his life. From selling bean cakes at four to becoming an automobile apprentice at the age of seven, he worked his way through the automobile business until he was working his own company with his brother, selling spare automobile parts. His ingenuity and had work paid off, and he was a well-settled businessman by the time he turned 19. Mr. Maduka is now the founder of Coscharis Group, a multi-million dollar empire.
“My friends, I tell you that unless you have a vivid picture in your mind of what you want to create; you will not be passionate about pursuing and actualizing the goal.“ – Cosmas Maduka
No comments:
Post a Comment