Zimbabwean billionaire and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa has issued a cautionary message to entrepreneurs and young professionals, warning that the growing culture of “conspicuous consumption” on social media is misleading and potentially destructive. In a recent reflection, Masiyiwa argued that flashy displays of wealth—cars, luxury brands, exotic holidays, and designer accessories—are not indicators of genuine success but instead “fool those with little understanding of what real success looks like.”
Masiyiwa illustrated his point with personal encounters involving some of the world’s richest individuals, including a global diamond magnate whose lifestyle was strikingly modest. According to Masiyiwa, the billionaire’s wife wore only a plain wedding band and no other jewelry, while the businessman himself favored an old jersey with a hole in it. He also recounted traveling with another major global figure who purchased his shirts from local supermarkets while on the road, shunning branded fashion entirely. These examples, Masiyiwa said, reveal a common trait among truly wealthy individuals: “When you are really rich, you have nothing to prove to anyone.”
The business leader expressed concern that young entrepreneurs and public figures face increasing pressure to display wealth prematurely, a habit he believes undermines long-term financial stability. Masiyiwa referenced the case
of a top African footballer who, despite earning $200,000 weekly, failed to grasp the importance of preserving wealth beyond a short sporting career. He warned that many athletes and entertainers fall into financial ruin within years of retiring because they lack financial understanding and become vulnerable to predatory advisors.
