You are a podcaster and blockchain fan; tell me more about these roles as well as the other work you do, and how all the different roles complement each other.
The Grey Ave podcast allows me to engage with some of the smartest people in the world, which expands my horizons and challenges my position in life. I become smarter, too. My roles as an entrepreneur and blockchain enthusiast complement each other because I'm able to synthesise and connect dots. I realise most things are connected; you just need one insightful conversation to realise it.
You are the marketing director for the Blockchain Association of Africa. What does this mean, and what role does the association play?
This role is about bringing blockchain awareness to the African continent, that there is so much blockchain and cryptocurrency on The Grey Ave Podcast or on my YouTube channel. The role is also about bridging gaps between the decentralised start-ups that are building the technologies and government or private institutions to see how they can be implemented.
Please explain the importance of blockchain.
Blockchain can change governance as we know it, which would eliminate corruption and lower the costs of running organisations. It also allows us to digitise assets, which adds an extra economic layer to the existing assets.
You are an entrepreneur - do you believe SMEs can help to solve our huge unemployment problem?
It's an obvious yes. It's silly that "jobs" and "government" have become synonymous in our public discord, but it's not the government's job to create employment. Jobs are created when value is being created, and only businesses create economic value - governments only collect taxes.
What's needed is for government to create an ecosystem where SMEs can thrive. This can be achieved by removing unnecessary regulatory frameworks, improving efficiency by government institutions and incentivising citizens who start businesses.
What do you find most meaningful about the work you do?
That I create jobs. Also that I'm self-sufficient - I know how to create value to the system instead of just taking from it.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I went through phases, but I knew it had to be something to do with computers.
What is the best career advice you have ever received, and who gave it to you?
That there is no such a thing as a career. A "career" is a box we lock ourselves into for most of our lives.
How about just living life and doing what excites you at the time?
In summary, it means be fearless. I read this in The 4-Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferriss.
