The Silicon Valley Trap: Why South African Entrepreneurs Should Stop Playing Copycat

Two South African entrepreneurs reveal why copying Silicon Valley's "move fast, break things" mentality is a dangerous trap for South African startups. From the isolation complex holding back African innovation to the hidden costs of efficiency-obsessed cultures, Louis Janse van Rensburg and Louis-Neil Korsten discuss entrepreneurial ecosystems that serve communities, not just growth metrics. They challenge founders to stop playing entrepreneur and start doing the unglamorous work that actually builds lasting companies - offering practical steps to shift from imitation to innovation in the South African context.