Raymond Khotsofalang Mayekisa AGA(SA) is keen businessman, model, stylist, MC, and a freelance broadcaster at Inkonjane Community Radio station popularly known as RK Mayekisa. But his favourite business venture remains to be a fun-filled flea market that is helping other businesses to flourish.
Raymond Mayekisa was born and bred in Matatiele, Eastern Cape. After completing his matric in 2007, he set off to study at UJ where he completed his studies in accounting. Today he is a proud AGA(SA) who is doing an exceptional job at help others with his knowledge. Raymond Mayekisa is a co-founder of Itekeleng Management Company which focuses on accounting services and business development and solutions. He is a co-founder of BizEnts which focuses on the entertainment industry.
He was pulled back to Matatiele with the desire to liberate his people and assist the small businesses market, especially those owned by women and youth. Today Raymond extends his expertise by giving them advice on how to develop their businesses, identifying the potential for growth to try improving the economy of the town and surrounding towns.
‘Life in Matatiele is that of any rural developing town; what I love about it is that it is a very diverse town, alive with possibilities,’ Raymond explains. ‘The people from here don’t just sit around waiting for miracles, they strive for success and work hard to achieve it, especially the youth. Many youth-owned businesses are still developing.
‘There are a lot of people with great ideas on how they can grow the economy of the town and that is exactly what drove me to go back home and invest in my people,’ says Raymond.
One of his favourite business initiatives is the Fun Filled Flea Market that happens once a month or every two months in Matatiele. And Raymond says it is not your typical market where you just walk in, buy and leave.
‘Here you will experience anything that screams lifestyle. The primary objective is to buy and sell and expose our brands to potential customers and clients. But over and above that we want to entertain; we want it to be something you look forward to every month. It’s a great excuse to show up and dress up. We incorporate anything from a fashion parade, poetry, dance groups, rappers and DJs to board games,’ he explains.
‘In a town like Matatiele, not many activities are happening currently besides people that enjoy going to clubs every month or week when they feel bored. The Imbizo Lifestyle Market offers an alternative ideal place to have fun for those that do not enjoy the clubbing scene. It’s for everyone, no matter what age. We have had mothers coming with their kids to play on jumping castles or sliding on water slides and jumping on trampolines.’
The market attracts a lot of media, especially local newspapers and local radio stations, and has become a great exposure for the business and brands. It is Raymond’s dream to host it in almost all the small developing towns in Eastern Cape and parts of South Africa.
‘Seeing how those small developing business owners that have joined in the flea market and have grown their businesses through it makes me happy!’
He admits that being registered as an AGA(SA) has opened doors for him. ‘I wanted to be an associate of one of the most prestigious accountancy body corporates in the world, so registering as AGA(SA) at SAICA was the way forward.
‘It allows me to do a lot more than being employed end being behind the desk 8 to 5 every day. The qualification gives hope to you and those around you, you are capable of engineering an idea and turning it into money. Being registered as an AGA(SA) has opened a lot of doors for me and I have earned the necessary respect especially after the training that one receives before you qualify,’ says Raymond.
‘The Voice of Matat community radio station is where I trained as a radio broadcaster and hosted their primetime slots.’ The station started as an idea. While Raymond was busy with articles, he would assist by research and when the licence was finally obtained, he jumped in to help find the right talent also assisting in creating content, compiling music, operations and marketing.
What are his thoughts on COVID- 19? ‘Just like any other South African, I am anxious and stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially as a businessperson it is a knock to many of us. But I think if there was a time when South Africans should unite and respect the rule of law is now. We can only overcome this if we stick to facts and stick to what we are being told to do by those with extensive knowledge of the virus.’