Fail Forward #10 | Print Media vs. The Internet: The Destiny Mag Story | Malesela & Roche
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In this episode of Fail Forward Fridays, Malesela (Male) and Dr. Roche Mamabolo explore the story of Khanyi Dhlomo and the rise and fall of her groundbreaking media venture, Ndalo Media. The discussion is sparked by a viewer’s suggestion to delve into the story of Destiny Magazine, a once-iconic publication that sought to celebrate the success stories of Black professionals and entrepreneurs.
Khanyi’s journey is described as one of early brilliance and unmatched ambition. A journalism prodigy, she became editor of True Love Magazine at just 22, turning it into a household name. She later pursued an MBA at Harvard, returning with a vision to create her own media empire. Through Ndalo Media, she launched Destiny Magazine, Destiny Man, and Sawubona (SAA’s inflight magazine). These publications became benchmarks of sophistication, storytelling, and Black excellence.
However, as Roche and Malesela recount, the media landscape was shifting. The rise of the internet, declining print sales, and an audience increasingly consuming content online became existential challenges for Ndalo Media. Despite her success, Khanyi, like many entrepreneurs, faced the tension of being an optimist in the face of daunting realities. Print advertising and subscriptions, the traditional lifelines of magazines, were no longer enough in a digital-first world.
The conversation takes a reflective turn as Roche and Malesela ponder how entrepreneurs can navigate massive shifts in their industries. Roche highlights how optimism, a trait crucial for entrepreneurial success, can sometimes delay difficult but necessary pivots. They also note the recurring theme in entrepreneurial failure stories: the challenge of embracing change quickly enough to adapt.
The episode closes with warmth and admiration for Khanyi's contributions. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience required in entrepreneurship and the lessons to be learned from failures, big or small. Roche and Malesela celebrate her courage and innovation while urging other entrepreneurs to keep learning, evolving, and staying attuned to market realities.
Khanyi’s journey is described as one of early brilliance and unmatched ambition. A journalism prodigy, she became editor of True Love Magazine at just 22, turning it into a household name. She later pursued an MBA at Harvard, returning with a vision to create her own media empire. Through Ndalo Media, she launched Destiny Magazine, Destiny Man, and Sawubona (SAA’s inflight magazine). These publications became benchmarks of sophistication, storytelling, and Black excellence.
However, as Roche and Malesela recount, the media landscape was shifting. The rise of the internet, declining print sales, and an audience increasingly consuming content online became existential challenges for Ndalo Media. Despite her success, Khanyi, like many entrepreneurs, faced the tension of being an optimist in the face of daunting realities. Print advertising and subscriptions, the traditional lifelines of magazines, were no longer enough in a digital-first world.
The conversation takes a reflective turn as Roche and Malesela ponder how entrepreneurs can navigate massive shifts in their industries. Roche highlights how optimism, a trait crucial for entrepreneurial success, can sometimes delay difficult but necessary pivots. They also note the recurring theme in entrepreneurial failure stories: the challenge of embracing change quickly enough to adapt.
The episode closes with warmth and admiration for Khanyi's contributions. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience required in entrepreneurship and the lessons to be learned from failures, big or small. Roche and Malesela celebrate her courage and innovation while urging other entrepreneurs to keep learning, evolving, and staying attuned to market realities.
