In South Africa, millions of people live in communities where access to basic goods, services, and economic opportunities remains limited. Qwili is a company that has changed that. Founded in 2019 by Thandwefika Radebe, Tapfuna Masunzwabam, and Luyolo Sijake, Qwili is building a platform in which technology meets opportunity, empowering individuals in the informal sector to earn, sell, and thrive.
The Problem That Sparked Qwili
Qwili has a symbolic name inspired by an Xhosa healing herb traditionally used to treat flu and other illnesses. The name reflects the company’s mission: to provide solutions that address real community needs.
The idea for Qwili emerged from Sijake’s experience at a large corporate brand. He observed that companies could only serve half of the informal market because reaching everyone wasn’t cost-effective. “They said only half of the people are worth servicing. The rest aren’t entitled to these services,” Radebe explains. This meant basic goods became more expensive and less accessible, creating market distortions that affected low-income communities.
Qwili was built to fill that gap. The goal was to give the communities the opportunity to get the necessary products and services at a reasonable price, and to generate economic opportunities for individuals distributing goods and services to earn an income.
Creating Opportunities Through an Agent Network
Qwili’s business model empowers people through an agent network. Agents earn commissions while distributing products and services, enabling them to make money and contribute to their communities. “People want access to opportunities,” Radebe says. “When you give someone a chance to earn income, they don’t say no. Everyone is energised by the idea that they can use a smartphone to start selling products to friends and family.”
Overcoming Challenges
The journey hasn’t been smooth. “Making money is hard,” Radebe admits. Convincing people to spend R1 can be difficult, especially when disposable income is limited. Securing investment is another challenge; For every 100 conversations with potential investors, maybe one person is willing to fund your business.”
Scaling the business also comes with its own difficulties. Running a growing business requires managing logistics, customer support, and countless operational details. “Once you start making millions of rand a month, you realise all the little things you take for granted; someone has to ensure lights are on, tables are in place, and everything works smoothly,” Sijake explains.
Celebrating The Wins
Despite these challenges, Qwili also achieved some milestones. One of Radebe’s proudest moments was when nine agents, each earning about R 4 000 per month, began generating over R 10 000 collectively. “It took us two years, but it showed that what we were doing was truly needed and relevant,” he shares
Another significant milestone was securing funding through Entrepreneurs 4 Entrepreneurs Africa, a venture capital company. This financing helped Qwili expand its horizons. More than figures, the human element is the best part of the business. Through their customer support channels, users often send messages thanking Qwili for the opportunity to earn income, confirming that the platform is fulfilling its mandate.
Technology with Purpose
“Technology should make things easier for people to solve problems and participate in the economy,” Radebe explains. This ensures that every update improves the user experience and helps agents generate income effectively.
The South African Future Trust Summit
The summit was held at the Sandton Convention Centre on the 6th of November 2025. Radebe was part of the “Tech Transforming Townships” alongside Godiragetse Mogajane, Founder and CEO at Delivery Ka Speed, and Imtiyaaz Riley, Founder and CEO at Loop, Mobility and Payments Entrepreneur. The theme was how technology is being reimagined to meet real township needs, spotlighting challenges, bold ideas, and disruptive solutions transforming township economies and shaping South Africa’s inclusive future.
Radebe highlighted that the South Africa Future Trust Summit is an important platform for entrepreneurs. “The Summit allows founders to see what others are doing, share ideas, and understand challenges in the market,” he says
He emphasised the importance of networking: “Connecting with people who have gone through a similar journey as you is invaluable. You gain insights into scaling operations, managing resources, and navigating policies.” The summit reinforces Qwili’s mission, which is to create accessible economic opportunities for everyone. “When we interact with other founders, we gain perspective on creating opportunities, improving technology, and serving our communities,” Radebe adds.
Looking Ahead
The founders of Qwili want to become the primary distribution channel into South Africa’s informal sector and eventually across Africa. They imagine it as a “train” connecting major cities to local communities, providing a reliable, efficient way to deliver products and opportunities.
In South Africa, millions of people live in communities where access to basic goods, services, and economic opportunities remains limited. Qwili is a company that has changed that. Founded in Read More
