At 25, this Zimbabwean is already a philanthropist and multiple business owner

At just 25 years old, Michael Mangondoza, affectionately called “Money Mike”, has made a name for himself as an astute businessman and most importantly a philanthropist. The 25-year-old was born in the ghetto in the Zimbabwean city of Chitungwiza.

He had a challenging childhood, he told The Herald. According to him, his mother, sister and himself were stranded on the streets of Harare with no food and shelter when he was just nine years old.

“My mother died when I was 12, my father was absent and I was everyone’s child and soon to be the golden goose,” Money Mike said. “I was raised by my grandmother who was strict about church values and ethos which has made me the man I am.”

Despite his challenging upbringing, he did not compromise on his education. He attended six primary schools before doing his high school at Churchill Boys, Conway College where he was the head boy. Afterward, he did ACCA internship at Financial Focus Group in Harare.

He worked in marketing, property, sales and branding after he completed his ACCA. He first worked with Platinum Fuels, which gave him his first exposure to the petroleum industry. He worked as a sales agent and upon reflecting on his first sale, he felt inspired to do more in the fuel industry.

Although he was raised in the ghetto, Money Mike was a big dreamer. “I was fascinated by planes that would fly over our house when I was young, so I wanted to be a pilot initially,” he told The Herald. “In my family, I have a little sister who has big dreams as well.”

Today, Money Mike is the chief executive officer for two petroleum companies called BetterBrands Petroleum and Rocket Energy. However, Money Mike wants to be remembered for his philanthropic acts. He is a financier of Salem’s Children’s Home. According to him, financing a children’s home was his way of giving back to society and assisting children from less fortunate families to aspire to be like him in the future. 

Money Mike said his entrepreneurial journey has been inspired by Grant Cardone (American-based billionaire sales entrepreneur) whose principles have guided him through his sales learning journey.

“Then there is Vusi Thembekwayo. I am part of the Vusi Thembekwayo exclusive Club 100,” he added.