After attending Bramley Primary and Bedfordview High School, he studied Information Technology and Corporate Law at the University of Johannesburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, his entrepreneurial journey began at 17, when he launched a small web design business called Csonke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat began from my small bedroom in the township with R2,000 as seed capital has risen up to winning against the biggest multinational groups to become a leading global agency,\u201d he explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the beginning, he partnered with his fellow students who designed websites, using their portfolios to attract clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the time, most websites were basic. \u201cThey looked like an A4 piece of paper with chicken scratch. We came with different thinking, asking why they couldn\u2019t be more appealing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This approach helped his company secure work from larger advertising agencies that lacked the technical expertise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how transaction sizes jumped from R15,000 to R150,000. And it was all through partnerships.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe often want to do things alone, but partnerships are essential. The key is choosing the right partners. I\u2019ve failed at this before and even went broke because of it,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t partner with people just because you\u2019re friends. You need people who balance your weaknesses so that together you form a stronger team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This approach became central to his later success. In 2012, he co-founded Avatar with Veli Ngubane. \u201cI\u2019m the strategist and an introvert. He\u2019s the creative and an extrovert. Together, it works,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rapid growth <\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Zibusiso-Mkhwanazi-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe agency grew quickly, winning awards for digital integration and transformation, and securing clients such as H&M and Chevron. In 2016, Avatar opened a Cape Town office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The COVID-19 pandemic tested the business further. \u201cThe easy financial decision was to retrench staff. But we resolved that there was no way we were letting anyone go,\u201d Mkhwanazi said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInstead, the agency secured work creating public campaigns for SARS and the presidency\u2019s lockdown communications. \u201cIt was meaningful work because we were helping to save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mkhwanazi has also been outspoken about the challenges black-owned businesses face in South Africa\u2019s advertising industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlack-owned agencies only hold about 5% of the market, yet it\u2019s worth more than R60 billion,\u201d he explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe biggest barrier is access to capital. If a bank spends R100 million on advertising, you need assets worth the same to get credit.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat keeps many black-owned businesses out. The only way to break through is through partnerships. We\u2019re literally competing with dollars and pounds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond his own businesses, he mentors young entrepreneurs and highlights the importance of integrity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe easiest way to teach culture is by being an inspiration of that culture. As a businessperson, you need to be someone others look at and want to emulate. That\u2019s how you inspire a new generation and a different way of thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avatar has since become a well-established agency, delivering digital and marketing work across 27 African countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company has completed more than 400 projects for clients such as National Geographic, TopTV, Business Connexion, and Fox International Channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe agency grew quickly, winning awards for digital integration and transformation, and securing clients such as H&M and Chevron. In 2016, Avatar opened a Cape Town office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The COVID-19 pandemic tested the business further. \u201cThe easy financial decision was to retrench staff. But we resolved that there was no way we were letting anyone go,\u201d Mkhwanazi said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInstead, the agency secured work creating public campaigns for SARS and the presidency\u2019s lockdown communications. \u201cIt was meaningful work because we were helping to save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mkhwanazi has also been outspoken about the challenges black-owned businesses face in South Africa\u2019s advertising industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlack-owned agencies only hold about 5% of the market, yet it\u2019s worth more than R60 billion,\u201d he explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe biggest barrier is access to capital. If a bank spends R100 million on advertising, you need assets worth the same to get credit.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat keeps many black-owned businesses out. The only way to break through is through partnerships. We\u2019re literally competing with dollars and pounds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond his own businesses, he mentors young entrepreneurs and highlights the importance of integrity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe easiest way to teach culture is by being an inspiration of that culture. As a businessperson, you need to be someone others look at and want to emulate. That\u2019s how you inspire a new generation and a different way of thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avatar has since become a well-established agency, delivering digital and marketing work across 27 African countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company has completed more than 400 projects for clients such as National Geographic, TopTV, Business Connexion, and Fox International Channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n