Mhlonishwa Winston Kunene’s remarkable story begins on a family farm — a place where the seeds of entrepreneurship were planted early in his life. Growing up, his father encouraged him to sell fruits and vegetables to neighbors, a simple task that would eventually define his business philosophy.
“I remember walking door to door, talking to people, and convincing them to buy our produce,” he recalls. “At the time, it felt like a chore, but looking back, it was one of the most powerful lessons of my life.”
Those early experiences didn’t just teach him how to sell; they instilled in him communication skills, resilience, and an understanding of human behavior. These skills would later form the foundation of his professional life — especially in real estate, where trust, connection, and value creation are everything.
Kunene’s interest in real estate was more than financial. While he noticed that nearly 70% of the world’s billionaires built their wealth through property, it was the purpose behind it that truly inspired him.
To him, real estate is not just about buildings or profits. It’s about transforming communities, creating generational wealth, and giving people access to opportunities that can change their lives.
“Real estate felt like the perfect intersection between creating wealth and making a meaningful impact,” Kunene explains. “It’s not just about owning property — it’s about building people, opportunities, and legacies.”
This philosophy became the foundation for his future ventures and his lifelong mission to democratize access to real estate opportunities, especially for young Africans.
One of Kunene’s most celebrated achievements is Libertalia Properties, a 100% black-owned, Level 1 B-BBEE real estate company that has become a respected name in South Africa’s property market.
But for him, Libertalia is more than a company — it’s a symbol of empowerment and transformation.
“My biggest achievement has been building Libertalia Properties,” he says proudly. “It represents not just business success, but a vision of possibility — proof that transformation in the property sector is achievable.”
Through Libertalia, Kunene has created opportunities for young people who once saw real estate as inaccessible. By offering mentorship, resources, and platforms for aspiring professionals, he’s building a new generation of entrepreneurs who can drive the sector forward.
What makes Libertalia truly unique is its commitment to inclusivity and education. The company not only develops properties but also nurtures talent, bridging the gap between ambition and opportunity.
Like most success stories, Kunene’s journey wasn’t without obstacles. He started with limited resources, no connections, and little access to capital. Many dismissed him because of his age and background, but those very challenges became his greatest motivators.
“I started small — selling, negotiating, learning step by step,” he reflects. “The challenges forced me to be creative, to build systems from scratch, and to stay disciplined even when things weren’t going my way.”
What carried him through those early years was an unshakable belief in his vision and a deep sense of purpose. He understood that success is rarely instant — it’s built on perseverance, humility, and consistent action.
Kunene’s current mission is perhaps his most ambitious yet — establishing a university dedicated to the real estate industry.
The goal is to create an integrated platform that combines education, skills training, and real-world business opportunities. Through this initiative, Kunene hopes to give aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs a direct path into the property sector.
“The aim is to build a structured pathway for people to learn, work, and grow in real estate,” he explains. “It’s about equipping young people with the tools to create sustainable wealth and participate meaningfully in the economy.”
By bridging the gap between education and employment, Kunene envisions a system that not only reduces unemployment but also redefines what it means to build in South Africa — literally and figuratively.
For Kunene, success has never been about speed. Instead, it’s about consistency, integrity, and purpose — values that he holds as the foundation of both his business and his life.
“In real estate and business, there will always be highs and lows,” he shares. “What matters is staying grounded and true to your purpose. That’s what keeps you standing when others give up.”
He believes that leadership is not defined by titles or public recognition but by reliability and commitment. “Leadership,” he says, “is not about being the loudest in the room, but about being the most dependable — the one who builds when no one is watching.”
These words perfectly capture the quiet strength that defines Kunene’s leadership style — steady, sincere, and deeply rooted in service to others.
Kunene’s long-term vision extends far beyond personal success. His mission is to transform the real estate industry into an inclusive, purpose-driven ecosystem that empowers people from all walks of life.
Through initiatives like Libertalia Properties, SAYIPA, and the Real Estate Institute of South Africa, he aims to make real estate accessible to those who were once overlooked.
“I want to inspire young Africans to see real estate as a vehicle for wealth creation and nation-building,” he says. “My goal is to use business as a tool for change — to build systems, leaders, and legacies.”
His philosophy is simple yet profound: when you uplift others, you rise too. And it’s this commitment to shared success that sets Kunene apart from many entrepreneurs in his field.
Reflecting on his journey, Kunene says he wouldn’t change a single thing. Every challenge, failure, and setback was a lesson that shaped his resilience and vision.
“Every betrayal, every mistake taught me something I could never have learned from comfort,” he shares. “If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be — trust the process. The pain and pressure are preparing you for what you prayed for.”
These words are a testament to his deep faith and unwavering belief in personal growth. For Kunene, every season — whether good or bad — serves a purpose in shaping one’s destiny.
Today, Mhlonishwa Winston Kunene stands as one of the most inspiring figures in South Africa’s real estate landscape — a visionary who blends entrepreneurship with purpose and profit with people.
His journey from selling fruits on a farm to leading one of the country’s most respected property firms is not just a success story — it’s a message of hope for countless others striving to change their circumstances.
Kunene continues to push boundaries, redefining what it means to lead with integrity and build with impact. His story reminds us that true success is not measured by what you accumulate, but by what you contribute to the world around you.
As he looks toward the future, Kunene remains steadfast in his mission: to educate, empower, and elevate. Through every venture and every challenge, he’s proving that it’s possible to build not just wealth — but legacies that last. Do follow him on Instagram.
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