ndondo , a technology partner of choice for many organizations in Africa, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026. When David Nkwanyana founded it in 2006, he had no business experience and no funding. Despite these handicaps, David built ndondo into Africa’s leading provider of Data solutions and services, known for its excellence and innovation. Today, as the CEO, he is steering it toward greater accomplishments and a listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Guided by the principle in Colossians 3:23, 24: “Work so hard as if you are doing it for God himself,” David believes that just as God would never accept second best, neither should customers. So, under his leadership, ndondo consistently exceeds customers’ expectations. David’s commitment to excellence and his remarkable achievement have not gone unnoticed.
He has been featured multiple times in prestigious business magazines. In 2013, he was featured in Destiny Man magazine’s Annual Power of 40 edition, which profiles the top 40 most successful individuals under the age of 40. A year later, in 2014, Business Day, one of South Africa’s leading newspapers, recognized ndondo as one of the top 20 most successful businesses founded in the first two decades of democracy. In 1994, South Africa held its first general elections, in which every citizen was granted voting rights. David also sees it as a great honor to be featured in CIO Business Leaders magazine.
Building from Scratch a Business without Experience
David had no business experience or acumen, but he still took the plunge into entrepreneurship and founded ndondo, a custom software development company, in 2006. It was a one-man show when he started it. David approached several companies, but none would give him the opportunity to develop software for them. Then he got his first big break when the Land Bank of South Africa gave him his first contract to develop arrears management software. “I feel we don’t appreciate enough the companies that take a risk in us,” David points out.
At the time, according to him. “I was just armed with the determination to succeed.” His penchant for perfection and attention to detail also helped him successfully develop the software for the bank. Originally, the bank had signed the contract with David for only six months, but gradually, it was extended to 4 years.
“Just through word of mouth, the business grew significantly within the first 4 years,” David says. Impressed with their software development for the Land Bank of South Africa, other service providers began contacting them. They were seeking partnership with ndondo on some of their customers. David and his team partnered with other System Integrators and OEMs. Later, they primarily focused on data following the advent of Off-The-Shelve Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management Solutions (CRM). The focus is now on data solutions and services.
Nicolous Chula has been a pillar of support for David throughout his entrepreneurial journey. “I would be amiss not to mention my business partner Nicolous, who has been instrumental in getting the business where it is today,” he says.
Collaboration and Innovation
ndondo has grown largely because of David’s vision, innovative spirit, and his decisive collaborations with other tech companies. For example, they collaborated with Zimele Technologies to develop a cutting-edge Data Cleansing and Migration Technology called iTRACK.
David explains that one of their key offerings to the market is to assist organizations with their technology transformation journeys, largely to migrate quality data from SAP ECC6 or older to a more modern cloud-based S/4 Hana. “This tool is pivotal in eradicating the chaos predominantly associated with large technology transformation projects,” he adds. The strength of iTRACK is not only in the migration of data, but it is also in ensuring data quality of existing systems and maintaining high data quality continuously.
The Challenge: Building the Business from Scratch Again
In August 2012, South African Police opened fire on striking mine workers at a Lonmin Plc-owned platinum mine in the Marikana area in North West province — 34 workers were killed. This tragic event has come to be known as the Marikana Massacre.
Lonmin Mine was not a customer of ndondo, but a mining, earthmoving equipment manufacturer was, according to David. The manufacturer, who was their largest customer at the time, had to halt all their work with the mine. “The customer requested that we pull the consultants who were on-site rendering software services and keep them in our offices so as to preserve project skills and knowledge,” David recalls.
He and his team were happy to do that as it guaranteed that they still had the customer – and a large project – on their client list. But the problem was that the business began losing millions of rands (South African currency) with each passing month. David says that they were not only paying salaries but also spending money on rent, electricity, water, data, telephone, and more.
“Before we could completely deplete all our business savings and reserves, we were told the end was in sight,” he recalls. However, six months later, the business had no funds left, and they also had to deal with substantial tax and rent bills. David had no other option but to start the retrenchment process.
For David, the personal ramifications were dire as well. “I had to relinquish a lot of my personal assets,” he says. He had to start over from the bottom with bad credit, few personal possessions, and zero funding. And the banks no longer trusted him.
Despite all the issues, David successfully steered ndondo through the turbulent waters. Today, it is bigger than it has ever been, he points out. According to him, from this challenging period, he learned quite a number of lessons. One is to keep customers always happy.
David explains that happy customers should be every businessman’s top priority. “Of course, it’s intertwined,” he adds. “A customer will really be happy if the service or goods exceed their expectations.” David also found that it was important to build good relationships with customers. When he was rebuilding his business, the first doors he knocked on were those of his former customers, who still trusted him as a person and the values he stood for.
David also learned this “critical” lesson — not to put all the eggs in one basket. He explains that one gets comfortable when one large customer is paying every month without fail. David says that this is a big mistake, and often, one realizes that only after the catastrophe strikes.
Additionally, David discovered that it was always harder the second time. “It’s harder to rebuild than to build,” he says. “Even if it’s not your fault, you have dented the trust of many, including banks, employees, business partners, and your loved ones.” This was a hard lesson for him, and he realized that he would have to introspect and take ownership of the situation. “I found communication is the answer here,” David says. According to him, it is not easy to do that as well, as one’s ego and self-confidence also get shattered because of the setback. One begins to question oneself, “Am I as smart as I thought I was? Why couldn’t I have seen this coming?”
Success is Peace, Time, and Healthy Relationships
David does not view success as wealth or status. Instead, he sees it more in terms of peace, time, and healthy relationships.
“While one makes money, it is often accompanied by unimaginable stress,” he says. “So, peace becomes a valuable commodity – the serenity, the happiness, and safety of the people I love.”
David also points out that entrepreneurs are constantly chasing a “deal” or ensuring the satisfaction of their current customers and employees. This leaves them with almost no time for what matters the most, such as family, recreation, and religion. For David, making time for life’s important things is a serious measure of success.
He also says that in the pursuit of financial success, it is easy to neglect the people who matter. The thought is that they will always be there, and one can focus on them later — once they are successful. “Over the years, I have learned the folly of this thinking,” David says. “So healthy, happy relationships have also become a serious measure of success.”
Wisdom Guiding Leadership Approach
David’s leadership is guided by a few wise African and biblical Ethea. These include Ubuntu and a biblical principle.
Ubuntu – Ununtu umuntu ngabantu, which translates to “I am because you are.” David explains that it drives home the importance of luminosity. “It is about how much we need each other for ultimate success,” he says. And, closely related to that is a biblical principle found in Mathew 7:12, commonly known as the golden rule. It says, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
David explains, “If one honestly treats others the way they want to be treated, who would rob/defraud the other, or who would make the lives of others unbearable in a working environment, who would accept less than excellence”
Influence of Mentors
Every accomplished leader appreciates the important role their mentors have played in their journey. David does that as well. He has a few mentors who he absolutely respects and looks up to. One of them is Isaac Mophatlane, Captain of Industry, who co-founded BCX with his twin brother and grew it into a billion-rand business. Another mentor that David talks about is Michael Langeveld, a trailblazer, who has served in many local and international key positions, including Chief Technology Officer – he currently holds the position of Head of Technology & Business Development (Emirates & Africa).
“Thando Mjebeza, CEO at Zimele Technologies, not only is he a brother and friend,” David says, “he has proven to be one of my most valuable minds and mentors.” Cunning Gangeni, Former CIO of Liberty Life Corporate, known for his uncanny attention to detail, is another mentor he respects.
And David’s father, Phillip Nkwanyana, also had a great impact on him. “My father is one of the most intelligent, kind leaders I know,” he says.
The Leadership Style
David employs the “lead from within the team” style of leadership. According to him, effective leadership is leading with the troops in the trenches, while maintaining foresight, oversight, leadership, direction, and guidance. “This may not always be easy,” David says, “but the air of camaraderie and cheer makes for high-performance teams.”
During his MBA, he learned the importance of valuing and appreciating every person’s effort and communicating such appreciation all the time. So, as the CEO, he makes sure to appreciate every team member’s work. “People just automatically do a lot more when they feel valued,” he says.
David is a firm believer in people-centric leadership. He values both his customers and his people. He explains that by continuously improving both their people and processes, they are able to maintain a high level of excellence that distinguishes them. “It is also part of our slogan and ethos,” he adds.”
“With people being our most valuable asset,” David says, “we insist on continuous skills improvement through certifications and general education upgrades to keep up with the ever-changing technologies and environments.”
Work-Life Balance
David admits that he finds it difficult to maintain a work-life balance. As he is leading a medium-sized business, he does not have the advantage of various departments. “I do not have an army of support services, such as Finance, Human Resources, Legal, or Personal Assistants at my beck and call,” he says. He has to pay attention to all such services as well as manage the demands of securing new business, attend conferences, and explore opportunities outside the country. And he has to keep an eye on quality core business deliverables. With all these responsibilities, he struggles to focus much on his personal life.
“I end up wearing the CEO hat almost all the time,” David says. “The big idea is to retire early so one can focus on things that really matters.”, he chuckles.
However, despite his busy schedule, he makes earnest efforts to support initiatives, events, and business planning sessions to support aspiring entrepreneurs. “I’ll take a free lunch to have my brain picked,” he says.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Many young Africans aspire to become successful entrepreneurs. David advises them to, “Partner. Partner. Partner. Don’t go at it alone.” He points out that some people have already cut their teeth in what they are probably still figuring out. David encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to use the expertise of experienced partners.
“While partnerships are invaluable, no one wants to work with an uninspired, lazy person,” he adds. “Put in the work as well. Take the lead in looking for assistance.”
The Ultimate Goal!
David’s ultimate goal is to follow in one of his mentor’s footsteps and list ndondo on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange within the next 10 years. “In the short term, we are focused on becoming the leading Data Cleansing and Migration provider, contributing significantly to the general business landscape,” he adds. “And we want to have fun doing it.”