‘Perfect happiness is to know the wonder of oneself and share it freely’

I am … an actual nice guy with a passion for meeting new people, conversation and the wonders of life, and a flair for theatrics.

Where were you born? Haifa, Israel.

Where do you live? Sea Point.

Who do you share your house with? My flutes, a projector and a lot of movies, music and art. And friends on occasion.

How did you get into your career? I did a BA degree. I opened a business providing IT tuition and consultancy for high-end corporate clients. Then I studied graphic design, dropped out, raised funding for a mobile phone re-evolution concept, travelled Europe, launched a Japanese corporate company in SA. Then I quit and took a year to work on my art and to study how to teach English as a second language. I then went into business with my friend Eric Edelstein. We opened fashion stores and Internet companies, sold them and got into more Internet businesses. But I am best known for our brand Springleap.com, where we run T-shirt design competitions.

What’s your radio show called and how would you describe it? It’s called The Whole Truth and it focuses on demystifying technology.

Facebook and Twitter are … essential for the Internet entrepreneur who knows how they work and where their value lies. They have brought people closer together in a world where 15 years ago it was exorbitant to stay in touch. Either way, they’re here to stay.

What’s the best advice you’d give someone who is technologically challenged? Don’t be scared to try, ask and hit that “I’m feeling lucky” button on Google. People are helpful and the Internet is a very big place filled with pretty much most of the answers you need when you calm down and read the plain English.

What gadgets can’t you live without? I’m a nerd - there are too many to list.

What do you think of twitlonger? These tools are great but people need to understand the Twitter vehicle is about learning to be concise. Delivering a message in 140 characters instead of a litany of drivel.

I’m predisposed to … drinking too much Asian tea and great coffee, talking too much and getting lost in the details.

What’s your favourite building in Cape Town? Why? I’m still pretty new to Cape Town, so off the cuff I would say the castle in Hout Bay. It has a certain crazy charm sitting all alone up there by itself.

What’s the ugliest thing about Cape Town? Gangsters. I don’t like people who are mean to others.

What is the most memorable moment you’ve had in Cape Town? Now that’s tough. I think it would be being awed at the silence on top of Table Mountain, sitting at one of the iodine lakes surrounded by chalk-white rocks with no sound or interference.

How do you get around? I zoot around in my Nissan Almera, but am thinking of changing to an ’80s topless 911 Porsche.

I can’t go a day without … kung fu training, laughing, loving, playing the flute, and a damn fine cuppa joe or green tea.

If you inherited R100-million what would you do with it? Find ways to empower other budding entrepreneurs, help my friends and teachers find ways to fulfil their dreams and explore their talents and passions, travel a bit, buy my mom a new house (blush), and seek out new experiences. I might even take a break and get a steady girlfriend.

What CDs are you playing in your car? What’s a CD? I use an iPod Touch loaded with Solar Fields, Vibrasphere, Aqualatica, Bjork, U2 and Radio Tarifa.

If your house caught fire what would you save? My flutes, some tech, my Andrew Walford collection. And, hopefully, myself.

What are your creature comforts? Green tea, fantastic coffee, XO Cognac, time with a select few people, walking through nature and life in general taking photos and playing the flute, watching beautiful movies, practicing kung fu, eating Spruengli chocolates (when available).

What are you reading? Mantak Chai’s Taoist Secrets of Love, Dr Jeff Lan’s Tui-Na and De Da and Jeff Howe’s Crowdsourcing.

When I go out at night … I love going out for a great meal, hanging out with fantastic company and meeting new people to strike up conversation. I love dancing for hours to great music.

I collect … good flutes, amazing friends, Andrew Walford pottery and great photographic opportunities.

My friends and I like … studying kung fu, Dharma, drinking tea, watching movies, going for walks and adventures.

My most valued possession is … my Hocchiku Japanese flute from John Roff.

If you made a movie about Cape Town what would you call it? No Fear in Sight.

Perfect happiness is: To know the wonder of oneself and share it freely.

Everything in moderation but … moderation itself. Still, there is a lot to be said for a lot of chocolate.

I met my partner … I joke that I have been romancing a love affair with my business for the past few years.

If money could buy happiness … I’d invest in a lot more of it and give it to some people I know who have a lot of money and not much happiness.

By Ziphezinhle Msimango - Lifestyle Magazine