Through his company, JB Creative Cinema, Mr Jele has turned an entrepreneurial vision into a growing business that provides multimedia services, equipment supply, transportation and logistics. His experience illustrates how student entrepreneurship can contribute to economic development and help address youth unemployment.
Established in 2023, after he registered at UMP, JB Creative Cinema was born out of his recognition of an opportunity to contribute to Mpumalanga’s creative industry.
“Starting the business was not easy. With no capital, professional equipment or external funding, I took a calculated risk by investing part of my NSFAS allowance in basic photography and videography equipment,” he explains.
Later that year, an investor contributed R60 000 towards the business. However, when the venture subsequently lost investor confidence, Mr Jele had to rebuild the business, an experience that strengthened his resilience and determination to continue pursuing his goals.
My entrepreneurial journey has been deeply influenced by the University's commitment to developing graduates who can contribute meaningfully to society, embrace innovation, create opportunities and participate in economic development.
“I not only want to graduate with a qualification; I also wish to apply what I have learned to solve real problems, create employment and build an enterprise that could contribute to the community and economy around me,” he says.
Entrepreneurial Journey
Mr Jele’s entrepreneurial journey was further strengthened by UMPCEFERI, which he says provided him with an operating facility that created a professional workplace ecosystem and enabled him to establish a studio.
Mr Jele and some of his employees during a work assignment.
“More importantly, the Centre assisted in developing the systems required to become a sustainable business, including bookkeeping, quarterly management accounts, contracts and operational processes.
Through the Centre's advocacy, JB Creative Cinema was also registered on the University of Mpumalanga supplier database. This opened important doors into the corporate and institutional market and created opportunities to engage with organisations such as Standard Bank and Universitas South Africa.
We then diversified our revenue through our Supply-on-Demand portfolio, which helped secure one of our significant projects through the University's New Infrastructure Projects. What makes this journey particularly meaningful is that we have built this capacity from zero funding.” Over the past two years, JB Creative Cinema has expanded its reach, securing appointments as a service provider to several public and private sector organisations. These include UMP, Universities South Africa, the National Consumer Commission, the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the City of Mbombela Municipality and Standard Bank.
The company has also been appointed by the Department of Tourism to produce a documentary series showcasing Mpumalanga.
From Humble Beginnings to Entrepreneurship
Born and raised in Jane Furse, Limpopo, outside Burgersfort, Mr Jele grew up in a household where both his parents were unemployed. Witnessing financial hardship and limited economic opportunities from an early age influenced his ambition to become an entrepreneur and create a better future for himself and others.
Through JB Creative Cinema, Mr Jele aims to ensure that his entrepreneurial efforts create opportunities for others.
“From a young age, I aspired to become a businessman because I believed entrepreneurship could be a powerful tool for creating opportunities, empowering communities and driving economic development,” he said.
His experience, from investing his student allowance in basic equipment to building a business that serves established institutions, reflects his belief that a person’s background should not determine the extent of their achievements. He attributes his progress to perseverance, discipline, building relationships, identifying opportunities, and consistently reinvesting profits into the business. “It is important for students to take responsibility for shaping their own futures and to recognise entrepreneurship as a practical avenue for creating change. We must become the architects of our own future,” he said.
Through JB Creative Cinema, Mr Jele continues to pursue a vision that extends beyond building a successful company. By creating employment for graduates, developing industry partnerships and planning skills development initiatives, he aims to ensure that his entrepreneurial efforts create opportunities for others.
Looking ahead, Mr Jele aims to create at least nine additional jobs in response to increasing demand for the company’s services. He also plans to secure accreditation from the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations, with the long-term aim of introducing integrated learning and skills development programmes.
“Through these initiatives, I intend to equip young people with practical production, media and digital skills that can strengthen employability and entrepreneurial prospects.”
Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied. Copyright © UMP.