Building Access, Community, and the Future of South African Tech with Ntsako Mgiba (Darkies in Tech)

MASHSTARTUP

What does it take to build real power for Black founders in South Africa’s tech ecosystem — and create a future where professionals of colour have equitable access to knowledge, networks, and funding?

In this episode, I sit down with Ntsako Mgiba, founder of Darkies in Tech — the country’s largest vetted community of Black founders, investors, and ecosystem builders — to unpack the journey from a single WhatsApp group to a thriving platform reshaping the future of African innovation.

We dive into the launch of the new Darkies in Tech platform, the game-changing partnership with Gijima, and why their mission goes beyond representation — to building a diverse, inclusive tech ecosystem that truly reflects South Africa’s rich demographic diversity.

Ntsako shares the hard lessons of building with purpose, the values guiding his leadership — from giving value before you take it, to engaging authentically and learning together — and what the next generation needs to do to not just survive, but own the future of African tech.

If you care about the future of African innovation and the role of community as infrastructure, this is a conversation you can’t afford to miss.