
<p><strong>The milestone speaks for itself: it’s the 10th anniversary of FORBES AFRICA’S 30 under 30 list, and just like the honorees who have come before them, the class of 2024 too are driven by impact. Profits aside, it’s about achieving success with innovation, influence and individuality. They aren’t looking to fill big shoes but rather lace up their own and forge ahead with giant strides, leading by example and leaving an indelible path for the changemakers to come.</strong></p>



<p><strong>Words and Curation:</strong> Chanel Retief<br><strong>Additional research and reporting: </strong>Nicole Pillay <strong>With inputs from: </strong>Oluwatomisin Amokeoja<br><strong>Art Direction and Layout</strong>: Lucy Nkosi | <strong>Photography:</strong> Katlego Mokubyane |<strong> Photography Assistant: </strong>Sbusiso Sigidi | <strong>Studio:</strong> NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg | <strong>Styling</strong>: Deneal Van Wyk | <strong>Outfits supplied by</strong>: B Mashilo Designs, DFLO, Franc Elis, Ephymol and Preview Accessories |<strong> Hair &amp; Makeup:</strong> SnehhOnline Beauty</p>



<p class="has-drop-cap">How does one go from working nine to five as a software engineer to becoming one of South Africa’s most-beloved social media influencers? Just ask Chad Jones. Known for his quirky dance videos with his parents, he gained popularity on social media during the Covid-19 pandemic. Scrolling through Facebook one day, he saw TikTok videos on the platform. </p>



<p>“I decided to download the app just to see what it was about. After a few hours of scrolling, all that popped up on my page were these short, catchy dances that looked fun. I created my account and asked my parents to join me for a [brief] dance,” he says.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Under 30: The South African Content Creator With The Right Moves" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bw-oYomt5P0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>Having convinced his parents to join in on his Gqom and Amapiano-style dances (even going as far as bribing his father with a PlayStation game in order to get him to participate), his family has become fan favorites. “Now people ask where they are when I post videos,” Jones laughs. </p>



<p>Almost four years later, Jones has forged his path as a content creator, and even has his parents on his payroll. “I pay them now. And they make a pretty decent amount of extra cash. Coming from [the] background I am from, it’s a wholesome feeling being able to do that for my family,” he says.</p>


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Under 30: The South African Content Creator With The Right Moves


<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-adecadeofunder30">#ADecadeofUnder30</h3>



<p>It’s that time of the year when anticipation gives way to excitement as FORBES AFRICA prepares to welcome and honor, yet again, the next cohort of young innovators, influencers and intellectuals taking the continent by storm.</p>



<p>Marking 10 years of the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list, this edition will also hark back to the journey of unearthing Africa’s youngest and brightest people taking the continent to the future. The 10<sup>th</sup> annual list will highlight the potential of what is yet to come.</p>



<p>“It has been 10 years of showcasing tomorrow’s titans and billionaires! This list continues to draw great interest from our readers, young and old. And on a continent with the world’s youngest population, it’s more pertinent than ever to unravel these young movers and shakers who will be tomorrow’s global newsmakers,” says Renuka Methil, Managing Editor, FORBES AFRICA.</p>



<p>With thousands of applicants and hundreds of list-makers over the past decade, FORBES AFRICA has shone the spotlight on award-winning musicians, actors, tech trailblazers, business leaders, sports stars and social entrepreneurs, among others, who have gone on to become behemoths in their own right. The list has also evolved in the past decade to look at the new wealth creators from the world of content creation and digital media.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-60428" style="width:770px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612-300x300.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612-150x150.png 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612-768x768.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/instagram-daily-2023-12-04T172738.612.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>From names like Tems, Thuso Mbedu, Sho Madjozi and Burna Boy or influencers like Kay Yarms, Mihlali Ndamase and Elsa Majimbo, and let’s not forget business pioneers such as Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa or Charlot Magayi, it has been a journey of listing stellar achievements. &nbsp;</p>



<p>Now is the time to invite the next 30 visionaries, risk-takers, change-makers and pioneers from Africa to take their place in the class of 2024. This is a list that promises to be our biggest and best yet as we foray our way into the next decade.</p>



<p>Our rigorous nominations process will require extensive paperwork including police clearance certificates (PCC) or a report from your country verifying that you have no criminal record, no ongoing or upcoming court cases and that you are a citizen of that country. The FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 team of curators will also need a recommendation/reference letter from a financial institution (like your bank), ensuring that you are a legitimate business/brand employing funds responsibly. We recommend that you contact your financial institution or advisor to prepare for this part of the process as well as apply for your PCC as it could potentially take 4-6 weeks.</p>



<p>Should you wish to nominate someone or yourself, please read the following.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-judging-process-will-take-place-in-four-stages">The judging process will take place in four stages:</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The first stage will be the evaluation of your motivation. If you do not hear back from us (within a specific period), please deem your nomination as unsuccessful.</li>



<li>The second stage will require potential candidates to submit further documentation for the next stage of assessment.</li>



<li>The third stage will include an analysis of your financials, revenue model and credibility as in-depth research will be conducted into who you are and your company/team (no criminal records, troubling lawsuits/bankruptcies, allegations of crime, bad behavior, sexual harassment/abuse cases or fraud).</li>



<li>The final stage will have an expert panel of judges assess the strong candidates, whittling them down to the final 30. The editorial and research team makes the final selection based on judges’ scoring/remarks and adjusts for diversity across company type, gender, background, etc.</li>
</ul>



<p><strong>NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATION CRITERIA:</strong>&nbsp;</p>



<p>Please read and take careful note of the following before applying.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-business-and-technology-categories-nbsp"><strong>Business and Technology categories</strong>&nbsp;</h3>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="1" style="list-style-type:1">
<li><strong>Must be an entrepreneur/founder aged 29 or younger as on</strong>&nbsp;<strong>31</strong>&nbsp;<strong>March 2024</strong>&nbsp;</li>



<li>Should have a legitimate&nbsp;<strong>REGISTERED</strong>&nbsp;business on the continent&nbsp;</li>



<li>Business/businesses should be two years or older&nbsp;<em>(please ensure you have your audited financial documents for at least two years as well as your company’s registration documents; should you make the second stage, this will be required)&nbsp;</em></li>



<li>The more innovative the business the better&nbsp;<em>(as it speaks to Africa’s growth story)&nbsp;</em></li>



<li>Have you/your company created social impact on the African continent?&nbsp;</li>



<li>The company must be profit-generating&nbsp;</li>



<li>Must employ people in Africa&nbsp;</li>



<li><strong>All applications must be in English</strong>&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-sports-category"><strong>Sports category</strong></h3>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="1" style="list-style-type:1">
<li><strong>Must be a sports person aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2024</strong></li>



<li>Must be representing an African team</li>



<li>Should have a proven track-record of no less than two years</li>



<li>Should be making significant earnings</li>



<li>Endorsement deals and/or awards of any kind would be a bonus</li>



<li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must oblige by the same rules as under Business/Technology</li>



<li><strong>All applications must be in English</strong></li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-creatives-category-nbsp"><strong>Creatives category</strong>&nbsp;</h3>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="1" style="list-style-type:1">
<li><strong>Must be a creative aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2024</strong>&nbsp;</li>



<li>Must be from or based in Africa&nbsp;</li>



<li>Should have significant earnings&nbsp;</li>



<li>Should have a proven creative record of no less than two years&nbsp;</li>



<li>Awards/recognition of any kind should be mentioned&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>Social media presence will be taken into consideration&nbsp;</li>



<li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must be legitimate, registered and also two years or older&nbsp;</li>



<li><strong>All applications must be in English</strong>&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-health-science-category-nbsp"><strong>Health/Science category</strong>&nbsp;</h3>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="1" style="list-style-type:1">
<li><strong>Must be a creative aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2024</strong></li>



<li>Must be from or based in Africa&nbsp;</li>



<li>Should have a proven track-record in the field of health and/or science for no less than two years</li>



<li>Must have social influence and impact&nbsp;</li>



<li>If the nominee is a doctor/professor, please provide us with documentation and a reference letter from the institution where the applicant received a doctorate or Ph.D.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must be legitimate, registered, and also two years or older&nbsp;</li>



<li><strong>All applications must be in English</strong></li>
</ol>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-59683" style="width:302px;height:302px" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-300x300.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-150x150.png 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-768x768.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-1536x1536.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/logounder30-blk4-1-2048x2048.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED</strong></p>


Tag: Under 30 2024

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA

Under 30: The South African Content Creator With The Right Moves

Call For Nominations To FORBES AFRICA’s 10th Milestone 30 Under 30 List: The Class Of 2024