Washington Mageto’s betrayal lesson in a good name quest

The Turks have a proverb: “A man who sleeps on the floor cannot fall out of bed.”

Washington Magetto learned this very early, falling onto the undulating concrete floor of life under his cozy blanket in a shelter at Daystar University. First, he got someone’s daughter pregnant. That “someone” was a bishop. Then his scholarship was revoked… for similar reasons. He was only 21 years old. What should have taken him four years, cost him 12.

Now he thinks about his past, and talks about wanting to make a good name, because the Bible says a good name is better than silver and gold.

So he started different businesses; from MAG-TECH INC (now MTI Group – a portfolio company), which handled cyber security and digital forensics to ITIPS Ventures (a software and website development company). Currently, he runs Dell boarda multi-vendor e-commerce and logistics marketplace. That’s what happened when the Potemkin Village of his youth was destroyed, when he realized what many of us learn later in life: that gods do bleed.

At the Lukenya Motocross race, he talks about his faith in God, his love of speed, his daughter… and sometimes he shifts in his seat, showing me the knife that was stuck in his back by people he trusted.

We come here for fun. I like to go hiking, swimming and quad biking.

When I was studying at Daystar, this was the thing that kept us going.

We pick it up and ride it around with friends, but in a confined area. I would like to try it as a sport because I love speed.

I just got my car fixed after an accident. I wasn’t driving the car but I was in it. The bumper was completely destroyed. It took me four days to fix it myself – all the work.

We do everything, haha! That’s what excites me, the ability to create something, research it, and implement it.

Not yet. I’m close to that fast track. I think being on the fast track is everyone’s dream.

I have two things I do: There are times when I like to calm down with worship music. Then I tend to have conversations with my eight-year-old daughter. This lady can talk, haha! I’ve had to develop the patience to just sit and listen. So when things are moving fast, I video call her, and that calms things down and slows them down.

I used to be afraid. For a while I thought about putting a sign on the gate that said “Mbuh Kali” (Vicious Dogs). I have learned the art of raising a child, convincing them not to conform to what society wants. I am realistic in that I believe that she needs to interact with everyone in society – the good and the bad, which is very important for shaping views. What I do is ask her opinion through interaction and then I form that opinion.

We rarely had time to play because we grew up in a poor neighborhood, and that comes with its ups and downs. We were always afraid that our parents would beat us. I don’t raise my daughter to be afraid, but that doesn’t mean I’ve eliminated caning for discipline purposes.

I always had the drive to be an entrepreneur, but at 21, I had my daughter, and that shaped my approach to entrepreneurship. The question was how do I pass what I have on to others in 20 years, rather than living for the moment – ​​which is what I sometimes do.

Yes, I was still in college, in my first year. I was studying under the auspices of the church and my daughter’s mother was the daughter of a bishop.

It was exhausting. But looking back, I can say that it got better with time. I raised my baby. She became my greatest joy… and so did the bishop, haha!

We’re in very good shape now. It took us seven years to get here.

It was a problem because my sponsorship ended and it took me years to complete a four-year college degree, about 12 years. It shook my faith, the respect that was there changed and some friendships ended. The beautiful thing about all of this is that I grew, spiritually and mentally.

A good name is something I have been trying to build for several years. It comes from being an entrepreneur and a good reputation goes a long way. I have seen how a good name opens doors – in business and in the changes I make in life, creating opportunities for people.

I make my reputation, and sometimes no one can live up to my reputation. So reputation lives up to my pace in a way.

Not really. People who know me know what I’m capable of. If I say I’m going to do something, I’ll do it—no matter what anyone else says.

Without naming names, there are a few people who helped me with my studies. They had absolutely no reason to do this, but they did. Some people sacrificed their lives for me to do this – donated money to help me draft contracts, acted as guarantors. They did a lot without even knowing what they were doing. It’s a team effort.

How do I trust? At first, I met you and trusted you right away. I changed my mind about how I was going to commit – and that was just yesterday. It’s still a work in progress.

I have had investments that didn’t materialize. Potential investors came with different business ideas, which I helped shape by solving an African problem versus their European outlook. I trusted them to follow suit with me, but in less than a year, they changed the business line and poached some of my employees. They used some members of staff to funnel money… It was hectic. From now on, I treat people as strangers first and then trust them after many years, depending on the person’s behavior.

My level of resilience and calm in the midst of a storm. That might annoy people.

There is no need to rush, if you hurry you will reach your goal, if you walk slowly you will reach your goal, add that to your virtue.

You have the power to have it all, but what’s the point?

Haha! I’m a secret open book, if that makes sense. There are things I hold dear to my heart that you might know without me telling you.

I’ve never thought about this before. I need to think about it, but it might be a quick tempo.

Drama. I don’t like drama and conflicts. The less drama and conflicts the better. (laughs)

You are looking at a smart man.

Keep it up, or keep going.

Because I never stopped, because I kept my word, because I am the man I am.

Nature. Take a nature trip, go hiking, or spend time with friends in a place where there is no cell service.

God. You should know him.

The way He does things in ways we don’t deserve or understand is why I think you should get to know Him. His ways are amazing.