Keynote speaker and digital strategy / entrepreneurship expert
Entrepreneurs, startup ecosystems, SMMEs, marketing teams, digital innovators, and organisations seeking to strengthen community driven brand engagement
Mongezi Mtati is a South African digital strategist, entrepreneur, and community builder known for his ability to help brands generate authentic buzz and meaningful engagement online. As the founder of WordStart, he specialises in connecting companies with influencers and early adopters, enabling brands to amplify their message through genuine, conversation driven advocacy. His work is rooted in a deep understanding of digital behaviour, storytelling, and the power of community in shaping modern brand reputation.
Mongezi’s early entrepreneurial journey placed him at the intersection of content, innovation, and culture. In 2009 he launched NetwebTV, a YouTube channel created for startups looking to challenge convention and build purposeful businesses. The platform featured insights and interviews from leading local and international innovators, including two conversations with best selling author Seth Godin. Alongside the channel, Mongezi hosted monthly NetWeb events that connected entrepreneurs, sparked collaboration, and celebrated disruptive thinking. His commitment to platform building and idea sharing eventually led him to host TEDx Newtown in 2009.
Through WordStart, Mongezi has worked with publishers, corporates, and media leaders to amplify key cultural moments.
Mongezi Mtati has spent the past six years playing and working on the web. He founded his company WordStart in order to help companies generate buzz around their products and services amongst South African influencers.
During the company’s first year, Mtati had the opportunity to present the WordStart business model and MC at Richard Branson’s South African book launch of ‘Screw Business as Usual’. In addition he also assisted Jonathan Ball Publishers spread the word about Gareth Cliff’s ‘Gareth Cliff on Everything.’
As an entrepreneur, Mtati believes that there is great value in learning from others on the entrepreneurial and SMME path.
In 2009 he launched the NetwebTV channel on YouTube which is aimed at start-ups who wanted to defy the status quo and build meaningful organizations.
In its first year the channel featured interviews and thoughts from influential local and international entrepreneurs, including two interviews with best-selling author, Seth Godin.
Mongezi Mtati has been a director of Young Business for South Africa (YBSA) since 2010. YBSA is a non-profit organisation focused on assisting young business people to become strong, positive leaders and role models.
He is also a regular contributor on some of the most widely read local sites such as BizCommunity, Ideate and Ventureburn where he shares his thoughts, observations and expertise on entrepreneurship, social media and the digital space.
Mongezi Mtati has been interviewed by a number of local print and online magazines and portals including Entrepreneur Magazine , Destiny Man, Loocha Magazine, on the Heavy Chef blog, FirstStep.me and The Digital Edge.
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