Zimbabwean billionaire and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa has urged young entrepreneurs and professionals to avoid mistaking flashy lifestyles for real business success, warning that “conspicuous consumption” weakens long-term financial growth and the ability to build meaningful enterprises.
In a reflection shared with his followers, Masiyiwa said the rising trend of flaunting luxury cars, designer labels and extravagant lifestyles on social media creates a false picture of prosperity.
He said this culture pressures many young people into chasing appearances instead of building the discipline needed to create durable wealth.
Masiyiwa shared anecdotes of global billionaires he has met who live modestly despite their fortunes. He spoke of a diamond industry giant whose wife wore only a simple wedding band and another renowned businessman who bought shirts from supermarkets while travelling.
These individuals, he said, “have nothing to prove to anyone,” showing that true wealth is rarely expressed through brand names.
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He warned that money spent on image instead of investment limits an entrepreneur’s ability to grow. “Conspicuous consumption, or the need for it, will destroy your capacity to build a truly successful business that will contribute to your country’s development,” he said.
Masiyiwa also highlighted how even top-earning athletes face similar struggles. He recalled advising a footballer who earned US$200,000 a week in Europe that such income may only last a decade, yet must sustain him for many years after retirement.
Many athletes, he said, fall into financial trouble because they lack financial literacy and receive poor advice.
Reflecting on personal responsibility, Masiyiwa said one of his proudest achievements was paying for his children’s education from his own earnings — a financial commitment he planned early in life.
He urged young people to prioritise long-term obligations such as family stability over lifestyle spending, asking: “Will I be able to pay for the education of my children myself, or am I hoping someone else will?”
Masiyiwa’s message comes as critics increasingly question social-media-driven consumer culture. His reflection reinforces that genuine wealth is built through resilience, smart investment and long-term planning — not visible displays of luxury.
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