Collen Mashawana (born 2 September 1981) is a South African businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Afribiz Invest and Collen Mashawana Foundation.
Mashawana owns many businesses, including construction companies and the IT company Khwinisa Technologies, now Telcolink.
Collen Mashawana
Businessman, philanthropist, and entrepreneur – Collen Mashawana.
Quick Facts
Full name:
Collen Mashawana
Born:
2 September 1981 (age 43 years old)
Place of birth:
Venda, Limpopo, South Africa
Nationality:
South African
Education:
Henley Business School
Occupation:
Businessman, philanthropist
Company:
Afribiz Invest
Spouse:
Lerato Moloi (m. ?–2016)
Partner:
Thembi Seete
Children:
Prince Mashawana Dakalo Mashawana
Net worth:
R270 million (2023)
Early life
Collen Mashawana was born on 2 September 1981 in Venda, Limpopo, into a family of three, where he is the last born. He grew up in a typical small family in the rural parts of Venda.
His father ran a tourism business while his mother worked at a local hotel. He helped out in his grandmother’s and father’s business.
In 2000, Mashawana moved to Johannesburg, Gauteng, for a better life. He worked as a cleaner in a supermarket.
Education
Collen Mashawana attended Tshishonga Primary School and matriculated at Tshikevha Christian School. He studied information technology and business management at Henley Business School.
Collen Mashawana interacting with students in the same classroom where he completed his Grade 7 decades ago.
Career
Mashawana worked as a part-time salesperson at a Levis store in Johannesburg and later as a packer for a national retail store. He started a payphone business and later a car wash, making him the first person to start a payphone business in the area.
After graduating, Mashawana got a job at Microsoft and continued his business. He later opened a restaurant in the area and another in his hometown.
After working at Microsoft for three years, he left for Dimension Data in 2005. There, he gained experience and exposure to government operations. He was later promoted to the position of divisional director.
In 2008, he was honored with the Esprit du Corp Award and appointed National Public Sector Director for South Africa. He launched the investment company Afribiz Invest in 2005.
In 2010, the businessman created another IT company, Khwinisa Technologies, now Telcolink. In 2012, Mashawana launched the Collen Mashawana Foundation to help the most disadvantaged members of communities.
In 2018, he received the Award of Entrepreneur of the Year from the South African Government, Department of Social Development, through the South African Men of the Year.
The Reputation Poll International nominated him as one of the 100 most influential Africans for 2020. He received the Exceptional Business Mogul Award from the Mzansi Men of Influence Awards in 2025. The accolade recognizes visionary entrepreneurs who have made remarkable achievements and are leaders in the business world.
Personal Life
Collen Mashawana married fashion model Lerato Moloi. They had a son together named Prince Mashawana, who holds a world record as the youngest person to join a TEDx Talk.
They appeared on Top Billing when Collen planned a surprise engagement during Moloi’s birthday party in Sandton. Their marriage ended in a divorce in 2012.
Mashawana has another child, Dakalo Mashawana, with actress Thembi Seete. He and his partner, Thembi Seete, attended Lebo Gunguluza’s wedding in Mauritius. He has introduced Thembi to his family.
Net Worth
Businessman Collen Mashawana has an estimated net worth of R270 million, according to The South African in 2023. He owns a Dubai-inspired mansion that cost R30 million.
In 2012, the multi-millionaire made headlines following a report that he was paying for Floyd Shivambu’s luxury BMW 5 Series.
