Jamie Thurston Wyngaard appointed as Cape Town's global advocate
James Vos with Jamie Thurston Wyngaard
Image: Supplied
When you see entrepreneur Jamie Thurston Wyngaard’s name pop up, you know something remarkable is brewing. And this time, it’s a full-circle moment.
Weekend Argus has followed Wyngaard’s journey from his earliest award wins to the milestones that have defined him as an entrepreneur and innovator and now he has been inaugurated as one of the City of Cape Town’s new Invest Cape Town Ambassadors, joining a three-year initiative to position Cape Town as Africa’s leading destination for business, investment, and innovation.
For Wyngaard, the appointment is more than a title; it is deeply personal.
Raised on the Cape Flats, an area often associated with struggle rather than success, and brought up in a single-parent household after the passing of his father, Wyngaard’s journey defies every limitation historically placed on young people from disadvantaged communities.
Yet his story is not one of circumstance it is one of choice.
“I grew up in a place where many people are told to survive, not to dream,” said Wyngaard. “But I was raised by the people around me and shaped by every encounter that told me I mattered. My environment did not define my future; my actions did.”
Wyngaard shared a memory that has stayed with him for decades.
“My father passed away when I was in grade 11, and I distinctly remember he was on his deathbed with cancer and he asked, or at least told me, ‘Jamie, make your mother proud.’ I told him I wanted to make us proud, not understanding the depth of his words.
“I was young and thought it just meant ‘be good.’ Years afterwards, I realised what he truly meant. He didn’t mean change, he said those words because he knew my capabilities, he knew what I could do. This is dedicated not only to my parents but to all those parents who believe in their children and say the same thing to their young Jamie,” said Wyngaard.
Today, he stands as proof that greatness is not reserved for those born into privilege, but for those who combine belief with relentless action.
Through his work with Loop, a fintech mobility platform built in Cape Town, Wyngaard has focused on unlocking access to financial tools, mobility, and participation in the economy for communities often left behind. This purpose now aligns with a larger mission: representing Cape Town and attracting meaningful global investment to the city.
“My role will be to attract investors to what I truly believe is the most beautiful city in the world and that is a very easy sell,” said Wyngaard.
“But beyond its natural beauty, Cape Town is filled with talent, culture, resilience, and innovation. We are home to problem-solvers, entrepreneurs, creators, and visionaries who are already building solutions the world needs. It is my duty to shine a light on this and connect our people to global opportunity.”
When it comes to advice, Wyngaard said he doesn’t like giving it, because he believes everyone has their own path and journey.
“But what I would say is, you don’t have to be what your environment is. You don’t have to choose a life because it has been given or dictated to you. You can decide yourself who you want to be and what you want to do and that is your reality,” he explained.
He was also blunt about the influence of others’ fears.
“Sometimes people care about you and they say ‘you can’t do this’ or ‘you can’t go there’ but that comes out of their fear and anxiety. It doesn’t have to be ours. You can dissociate yourself from their reality and build your own reality,” said Wyngaard.
The Invest Cape Town Ambassador Programme is a three-year initiative that brings together influential leaders to use their networks and insight to attract business, jobs, and investment particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, the green economy, BPO, the ocean economy, and creative industries.
Jamie Thurston repping South Africa when Loop was recognised as the Best Mobility and Logistics for Southern Africa and Best Mobility and Logistics Startup in Africa.
Image: Supplied
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed the new ambassadors and extended his gratitude to them for their commitment to promoting the city:
“On behalf of the City of Cape Town, I sincerely thank our ambassadors for their dedication. Over the next three years, they will serve as global advocates, forging new connections and opening doors to incredible opportunities. Their unique insights and networks are crucial to attracting the right investment that will propel Cape Town to even greater heights.”
James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth said, “The diversity of thought, background, and talent our ambassadors bring is exactly what Cape Town needs. I am confident that their collective expertise will help propel our city into a new era of inclusive growth, innovation, and prosperity.”
For Wyngaard, the role is deeply purposeful.
“This appointment isn’t just for me,” said Wyngaard. “It’s for every child on the Cape Flats who has never seen themselves represented in rooms of influence. It’s proof that where you come from does not limit where you can go. Success is not a matter of luck it is the result of belief, discipline, community, and action.”
He concludes with a simple but powerful mission:
“Over the next three years, I will use my voice, my experience, and my network to help open doors for others, attract opportunity to our city, and remind the world that greatness rises from every corner of Cape Town. Not just through what we say we believe but through what we choose to do.”