INSPIRATION BUILDING THE BLOCKS OF LIFE: REFILWE LEDIGA, CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY INNOVATOR C


ivil engineering graduate Refi lwe (29) spotted an opportunity and grabbed it. He noticed that the South African construction industry was badly


outdated, using what now seem like archaic techniques to build various structures. Enter his brainchild, Printcrete, Africa’s fi rst and possibly only construction company to use 3D-printing technology. “Basically, what we do is connect a computer with a structure’s design and produce a concrete 3D model. This has allowed us to signifi cantly reduce building costs, as well as increase the rate of construction,” he explains. Refi lwe also dabbles in other


interests. He owns Varsity TV, which installs TV screens in student


residences and tertiary institutions, then provides relevant content to students and sells advertising space. This venture also saw him starting his own video production company, VTV. “We’ve been taught that many


things are impossible, such as starting a business straight after graduating, which is what I did,” he says. “I started companies with no credit history, no cash fl ow and no experience, so it defi nitely can be done!” Getting out of the starting blocks has


never been an issue for Refi lwe, whose 3D-printing machine will be going to market in 2018. Printcrete will begin working with the City of Joburg next year on its infrastructure goals. “Every great company we know and


respect started off with the fi rst few steps. We all need to take them and persevere,” says Refi lwe.


MARCHING TO HIS OWN BEAT: DANNO PETERSON, DRUMMING PRODIGY


“I


t always seems impossible, until it’s done.” Those inspiring words were uttered by former President Nelson Mandela, a man who


perhaps faced more impossibilities in his life than the average person ever will. A number of ordinary South Africans have heeded his call and achieved extraordinary things against the odds. Danno’s resumé reads like that of a much older person, but at just 15, the drumming prodigy is proving that age is no deterrent to realising a dream. “I’ve just returned from the


USA, where I spoke to more than 15 000 young people, encouraging them to achieve their goals,” he says. “Being a drummer has opened many doors for me, including raising enough funds to start an after-school music programme that caters for more than 5 000 children.”


Danno began doing the impossible


at the prestigious New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival when he was just six years old. He’s still pushing himself in everything he undertakes, particularly his drumming skills. He’s used to playing on a seven-piece drum kit, but has recently partnered with Drum Workshop and is releasing a 15-piece Danno Peterson set, complete with four bass drums. He recently recorded Song for


Africa with African icons such as Senegalese Akon and Youssou N’Dour, Congolese Fally Ipupa and SA’s Yvonne Chaka Chaka. “Young as I am, I’ve learnt that in


order to succeed in anything, you have to focus on your strengths and have an abundance of self-belief. Leave your weaknesses for critics to highlight. You just concentrate on achieving your goals,” he says.


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