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Inspiring entrepreneurship in Nelson Mandela Bay pupils

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Despite the trials awaiting pupils once they leave school, those challenges can be overcome with an entrepreneurial spirit which enables hard workers to become “a Richard Branson in the making”.
This was the message to Bay pupils this month from Bay advocate-turned-entrepreneur Denton Goodford, whose dream to own his own business after matriculating from Uitenhage High School saw him start up national company Multisure Corporation.

Goodford, who hosted Harvest Christian School Grade 11 girls as part of a Women’s Month initiative, also addressed Grade 12s at a ceremony celebrating their final 40 days of school last week.
Goodford, who grew up in Uitenhage and after studying in Cape Town became a successful state prosecutor, even drove a taxi part time while he furthered his studies before he started up his own practice as an advocate.

He encouraged pupils to follow their dreams and to have a goal – something he did when he started up insurance and network marketing company Multisure in the early 2000s.

“Sometimes you have to give up what you are successful at in order to enjoy more success,” he told pupils. “Things won’t always go according to plan… Decide on your values. Constantly improve your knowledge about your business and industry.”

Respect was also an important factor in success.

“Also be grateful and remember to thank those who played a part in your life, no matter how small.”

After opening its headquarters in Port Elizabeth in 2005, Multisure opened an office in Johannesburg in 2010, and Cape Town late last year. Plans to open in Durban, Bloemfontein, East London and George were at an advanced stage, said Goodford.

Multisure Harvest
Goodford, an advocate-turned-entrepreneur, spoke about his lessons in entrepreneurship and encouraged the pupils to knuckle down and study hard to carve out successful career paths for themselves. The Port Elizabeth’s Harvest Christian School in Walmer pupils are (from left) Karisma Sarangarajan, Nomtha Gocina, Kelsey Weyer, Beth Foutie and Onela Makupula.
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.