Tirhani Ezekiel Mabunda
| Tirhani Ezekiel Mabunda | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 21, 1963 Elim Hospital, Limpopo, South Africa |
| 🏳️ Nationality | South African |
| 🎓 Alma mater | University of the North; Stellenbosch University; UNISA; Da Vinci Institute |
| 💼 Occupation | Academic, entrepreneur, auctioneer |
| Known for | Founding Tirhani Auctioneers; professionalising auctioneering in South Africa |
Tirhani Ezekiel Mabunda (born 21 October 1963) is a South African academic, educator, entrepreneur, and professional auctioneer. He is the founder of several businesses across diverse sectors and is noted for his role in professionalising auctioneering in South Africa.[1] Mabunda has been credited with establishing more than sixty businesses during his career, with over twenty still active. He serves as Chairperson of Tirhani Group Holdings and has played leading roles in business associations, education initiatives, and philanthropic projects.[2]
Early Life and Education
Mabunda was born at Elim Hospital, Limpopo, and grew up in Nkovani village near Malamulele. He was raised by his mother following the death of his father in 1967, and began working at the age of seventeen as a clerk for the former Gazankulu government.[3]
He pursued further education while working, earning multiple qualifications:
- Diploma in Public Administration, University of the North (1984)
- BA, University of the North (1987)
- Higher Education Diploma, University of South Africa (1989)
- Honours in Business Administration, Stellenbosch University (1993)
- Diploma in Auctioneering, SA College of Auctioneering (2003)
- Professional auctioneering designations from the United States, including Accredited Auctioneer Real Estate (2008), Benefit Auction Specialist (2008), and Certified Auctioneer Institute (2010)[1]
In 2017, he obtained a PhD in Management of Technology and Innovation from the Da Vinci Institute, with a thesis entitled Enterpriseneurship as a Catalyst for Sustainable Enterprise Development in South Africa: Towards a New Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship.[4]
Career
Teaching and Administration
Between 1981 and 1990, Mabunda held roles in administration and teaching. He worked as a clerk for the Gazankulu government, later becoming a teacher and acting headmaster of Hanyani Thomo High School. From 1990 to 1993, he served as Registrar at Giyani College of Education, then affiliated with the University of the Witwatersrand.[3]
Business Ventures
Mabunda transitioned into entrepreneurship in the late 1980s, beginning with a taxi business in 1988 and later acquiring Nando's franchises in Giyani (1993) and Thohoyandou (1995).[5] He founded Xihluke Construction (later BR Tsima Construction, in partnership with Basil Read), owned a Caltex service station, and held shares in Audi Polokwane.[6]
In 2008, he founded Tirhani Auctioneers, which grew to become one of the largest black-owned auction houses in South Africa.[1] He also co-founded Anthus Services (Taxi Recapitalisation Scrapping Administrator), Rixaka Group (funeral insurance and services), Habana Trading (scholar transport), and RNSA Technologies (infrastructure security).[2]
Auctioneering Career
Mabunda is a professional auctioneer with more than 20 years of bid-calling experience. He has served as Chairperson of the South African Institute of Auctioneers (2009–2013) and the South African Professional Auctioneers Association (2015–present).[2] He is also a member of the National Auctioneers Association of the United States.[1]
Philanthropy and Education
In 2013, Mabunda established the Tirhani Foundation to promote career development and entrepreneurship training. In 2016, he co-founded the Nyukani Education Centre, a private school in Giyani.[1] In 2017, he launched the Centre for Enterpriseneurship, designed to implement his PhD research on enterprise development.[3]
Personal Life
Mabunda has expressed a passion for music, especially reggae and jazz, citing Bob Marley as a personal inspiration.[3] His life story has been described as one of resilience, rising from modest rural beginnings to becoming a leading entrepreneur and academic in South Africa.[1]
Media Appearances
Mabunda has been featured in multiple interviews and profiles:
- Soweto TV – Tonight with Tim Modise (2016)[7]
- CNBC Africa – Closer Look at SA Auction Industry (2011)[8]
- CNBC Africa – Closer Look at SA Auction Industry - Part 2 (2011)[9]
- Absa Business Banking – Meet Tirhani (2017)[10]
- eNCA – GameChangers: Tirhani Auctioneers (2021)[11]
Radio
- Power 98.7 – Unpacking President Ramaphosa’s R500bn economic, social plan (2020)[12]
- Power 98.7 – Political school: Active collaboration in entrepreneurship (2018)[13]
- Power 98.7 – The Academic Paper: Entrepreneurship as a catalyst for Sustainable Enterprise Development (2020)[14]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Become an auctioneer". Drum. 28 July 2017.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Black auctioneers at low end of the bargain". Sowetan Live. 2 February 2009.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Mabunda believes that having a sense of humour has increased his success". Sowetan Live. 25 June 2007.
- ↑ Mabunda, T. E. (2017). Enterpriseneurship As A Catalyst For Sustainable Enterprise Development In South Africa: Towards a New Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship. Da Vinci Institute. Search this book on
- ↑ "Taxi boss Jothan Zanemvula 'King Mswazi' Msibi remembered in a memorial service". Daily Sun. 12 January 2024.
- ↑ "Council ready to auction off 849 stands". Zoutpansberger. 16 September 2021.
- ↑ Tonight with Tim Modise (video). Soweto TV. 12 July 2016.
- ↑ Closer Look at SA Auction Industry - Part 1 (video). CNBC Africa. 13 May 2011.
- ↑ Closer Look at SA Auction Industry - Part 2 (video). CNBC Africa. 13 May 2011.
- ↑ Absa Business Banking - Meet Tirhani (video). MOI Content. 28 March 2017.
- ↑ GameChangers: Tirhani Auctioneers (video). eNCA. 27 July 2021.
- ↑ "Unpacking President Ramaphosa's R500bn economic, social plan". Power 98.7. 22 April 2020.
- ↑ "Political school: Active collaboration in entrepreneurship". Power 98.7. 10 December 2018.
- ↑ "The Academic Paper: Entrepreneurship as a catalyst for Sustainable Enterprise Development". Power 98.7. 23 June 2020.
External links
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