I am Jonathan Mayer, co-founder of Fundi.digital, a Cape Town–based talent solutions business I started together with my business partner, Hillel. At Fundi, we help leading South African enterprises and growing businesses connect with world-class marketing and creative professionals. Our mission is to create meaningful opportunities for people, while enabling companies to grow with confidence by building teams that are not only skilled but also aligned with their values and vision.

Fundi was born out of a recognition that the traditional recruitment model often fails both companies and candidates. Together, Hillel and I built a model that is retention-first. We specialise in marketing contractors and permanent placements, but what sets us apart is our “Match Made by Fundi™” approach — an innovative contractor-to-permanent pathway and pricing structure designed to encourage long-term success for both sides. This means businesses get access to the right people at the right time, and candidates are empowered to build flexible careers with genuine stability.

In just a few years, we have grown from a startup idea into a trusted partner for some of South Africa’s largest enterprises, including Capitec, Betway, Bash, and more. Seventy percent of our revenue comes from recurring contracts, which speaks to the level of trust and results we deliver. To date, Fundi has created hundreds of work opportunities for South African professionals, while helping companies innovate and grow in competitive markets.

I believe we were nominated for the Jewish Achiever Awards not only because of Fundi’s business success, but also because of the values at the heart of how we operate. Our culture is built around collaboration, innovation, and our uniquely South African motto, “Gooi Mielies,” which reflects our belief in going all-in, supporting each other, and building with purpose. As Jewish entrepreneurs, Hillel and I are proud to contribute to South Africa’s economic landscape by creating jobs, enabling careers, and proving that businesses can thrive by staying true to their values.

What makes us worthy winners is not only the measurable growth of Fundi, but also the impact we are having on people’s lives. Every placement represents someone achieving their career goals and a business gaining the talent it needs to succeed. We have taken a bold idea, executed it with resilience, and turned it into something that makes a tangible difference.

Looking ahead, our vision is to expand Fundi’s footprint beyond South Africa, creating a truly global marketplace for talent while continuing to invest in people here at home. Winning this award would not only be an honour, but also an inspiration to keep building, innovating, and representing the values of hard work, integrity, and community that guide us every day.

Vision: For myself – I aim to grow as a leader who builds with clarity, compassion and discipline. That means sharpening strategic thinking, delegating more, investing in health and family time, and mentoring others so my impact multiplies. Personally I want to be present for my family, stay curious, and keep learning so I can lead by example and not instruction. For my business (Fundi) – I see Fundi as the go-to talent partner for marketing and creative teams across Africa and beyond. We’ll deepen client partnerships with products that solve real retention and performance problems (contractor-to-perm pathways, tools for talent success, and more verticals to come). We’ll scale responsibly by focussing on more recurring revenue, stronger margins, and a reputation for outcomes and integrity while keeping the team small and agile. For South Africa – I want to help build a more inclusive, opportunity-rich economy where talented people can access meaningful work without moving overseas. That means better talent pipelines, vocational and digital skills, and smarter ways for businesses to hire and retain local expertise. Through Fundi I aim to create hundreds more sustainable careers, promote workplace diversity, and show that mission-driven entrepreneurship can be both profitable and socially valuable. In short: grow personally so I can lead better, scale Fundi so we sustainably create opportunities and solve real business problems and contribute to a South Africa where talent stays, grows, and builds the future here.