When we think about the impact of the Silulo Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, we often focus on the transformation it brings to businesses – new clients, stronger strategies, better systems, and the confidence to grow. But sometimes, its ripple effects go far beyond business and touch lives in deeply personal ways.
Take Thembile “Teddy” Sambu, founder of TEDDY SAMBU PHOTOGRAPHY. Teddy, who was part of Cohort 3 of the Entrepreneurship Programme, has built a thriving business offering affordable, high-quality photography and videography services not only within his Khayelitsha community but also to individuals and businesses outside it. His lens doesn’t just capture moments – it preserves the heart, joy, and stories of the people he serves.
Teddy’s journey with Silulo is a story of persistence, passion, and purpose. He grew up in the Eastern Cape while his late mother lived in Cape Town. During a school holiday visit, he carried a small point-and-shoot digital camera – a simple device that would later change his life. He took a photo of his mom during that visit, not realising how meaningful it would become. When she sadly passed away, that single photo became the only image his family had to remember her by – and the one used at her funeral. From that moment, Teddy’s love for photography was born.
Driven by that emotional connection, Teddy began to explore photography more deeply. Though he had no formal training, his passion spoke louder than credentials. During a job interview for a corporate project that required a professional photographer, Teddy shared his story. The authenticity of his journey impressed the panel so much that he was hired – an opportunity that even took him as far as Botswana to capture special moments.
eddy’s relationship with Silulo began back in 2009, when he approached Mr Luvuyo Rani, offering to photograph Silulo’s graduation ceremonies. His first proposal was declined, as Silulo already had a photographer at the time. But Teddy didn’t give up. At one of the graduations, he decided to show up anyway, camera in hand, and quietly captured the day. When Silulo’s directors later saw his work, they were deeply moved. That moment marked the start of a long-standing partnership.
Since then, Teddy has become a valued part of the Silulo story – capturing milestones, graduations, and community events with warmth and authenticity. In 2024, a year after the Silulo Foundation was established, he joined the Entrepreneurship Development Programme to strengthen his business management skills and grow his enterprise.
“I enrolled in the Silulo Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme two years ago, and since then my life has changed in so many positive ways,” Teddy shares. “The Foundation hosted forums for us as entrepreneurs where I learned not only about business but also about personal growth.”
Through the accountability forums, peer-to-peer mentorship, and networking events, Teddy learned how discipline, accountability, and time management apply both in business and in life. Before enrolling, he worked seven days a week, with little time left for family.
“Through the lessons I gained at the Foundation, I learned how to separate business time from family time. I also decided to separate my business and personal accounts, which helped me manage my financial life better and spend more quality time with my loved ones.”
These changes created space for reflection – and love.
“As I spent more time with my family, I realised how much I truly love my girlfriend at the time. I decided to marry her, and today she is my wife. I am so proud of myself and grateful for this beautiful journey.”
For years, Teddy hesitated to take the step of marriage despite being in a long-term relationship. The accountability and leadership lessons he absorbed through the programme helped him understand that commitment is not only vital in business – it’s just as important in love. With the support and encouragement of his entrepreneurial peers, he took that courageous step and recently tied the knot, marking not just a new chapter in his personal life but also a reminder that growth in business is inseparable from growth in character.
“A heartfelt thank you to the Silulo Foundation for changing my life,” Teddy adds. “On behalf of the Maduna and Mgcina families, we say thank you so much to Silulo Foundation.”
As our own Ritshidze Lishiba reflected: “At Silulo Foundation, support extends beyond entrepreneurship. It’s about creating a family where we stand by each other in all areas of life. Entrepreneurship is a path that needs encouragement, and Silulo has shown time and again that no one has to walk it alone.”
“Teddy’s story stands as a testament to resilience, passion, and the belief that purpose often finds us in the most unexpected moments,” says Aqhama Tinese of the Silulo Foundation. “His journey reminds us why we do what we do, because when you empower one entrepreneur, you often transform an entire life, and sometimes, even a family.”
✨ We wish Teddy, and his lovely wife, Sinozuko Sibewu, all the best on their new life journey!