Raymond Ledwaba has penned an inspiring guide to help foster entrepreneurship and honour the hard work that comes with believing in your dreams.
South Africa (01 April 2025) – Raymond Ledwaba is leading the charge in his family by becoming a first generation business founder, moving away from the corporate world to be an entrepreneur and he is using his experience to inspire up-and-coming entrepreneurs with his new book and guide “The First-Generation Founder: How To Build A Start-Up Mindset and Thrive”.
The hands-on guide was created with emerging entrepreneurs in mind, who aim to break away from corporate South Africa and build a life on their own terms.
The book starts with a heart-touching dedication to his parents, who sadly are not here today to see his success in print form. But it is the foundation on which they raised Raymond that enabled him to achieve this success today. It then leads into a detailed look at his family tree, where he details each generation, going back as far as seven generations.
For Raymond, the entire point of the book is to inspire young minds with great ideas to take the chance on themselves, to believe that they can do it, no matter where they came from, how they started in life, and that its ok to challenge tradition for the benefit of your financial health. He discusses themes of racism, black tax, entrepreneurial challenges and how to overcome the obstacles we place in front of ourselves.
The whole goal is to help people change their mindsets and to fight the system. He highlights that, especially for black entrepreneurs, the entrepreneurial journey is not a financial one but an emotional one deeply embedded with cultural nuances.
Another big system to combat is racism. His guide helps entrepreneurs navigate this embedded system, not just in South Africa, but globally, where racism is still ingrained today. Not only how to navigate it but also how to address it in a way that doesn’t hold you back. For Raymond, his biggest way to combat racism was to succeed in spite of it.
Raymond found his success in the gaming industry, saying that it was never just a pastime for him but a catalyst to learning about tech and giving him a chance to think outside the box. Showing up every day, no matter what, is the secret to success. That and preparing so that when opportunities present themselves, you are ready to take them on.
“Next time you fail at something, do not allow yourself to let it limit you and do not see failure as the end but rather the beginning of opportunities” – Raymond Ledwaba
Raymond ends the book by mentioning something that plagues us all at some point: imposter syndrome. I particularly enjoyed his take on the pesky invasive thought that is impostor syndrome because no matter how long you have been doing something, sometimes it just creeps in. He even lists some of the most famous humans on Earth who have been plagued with it.
So if you are looking to vaccinate yourself from it, as Raymond says, have the courage to claim your space!
Back of the Book
Rooted in the real-world journey of its author, Raymond Ledwaba, this book captures the unique challenges and rewards that come with stepping into entrepreneurship for the first time as an executive.
It offers readers more than just advice on creating a business; it provides the mindset shifts, skill-building strategies, and personal anecdotes necessary to navigate the unpredictable path of a start-up founder. It provides insights and advice on navigating the daunting journey into the unknown while dealing with South African problems like inequality and black tax.
From the crucial decision to leave behind corporate security to building a resilient, growth-oriented mentality, The First-Generation Founder is crafted for individuals who are ready to take risks, confront failures, and pursue success in the world’s most unequal society.
Emphasising patience, self-confidence, and discipline to keep moving forward, the book combines practical lessons in business fundamentals with wisdom gained on the rocky road of personal growth. Raymond Ledwaba delivers an inspiring guide on how to jump off the corporate ladder and pursue your dreams.
If you would like to learn more about this book, visit its website here. It is also available at all major literary retailers and online.
Interested in more proudly South African books? You can find more of our book reviews here.
by 