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In conversation with the Branson Centre

In conversation with the Branson Centre

By Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship South Africa

Welcome to in conversation with the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship South Africa.

A series of conversations with industry experts. We hope these conversations will delight you, ignite ideas and propel you forward as you think about and grow your businesses.
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Simone Smit on the SDGs

In conversation with the Branson CentreFeb 04, 2022

00:00
17:38
Milisa Talks Red Hot Pitching on Let’s Get Funded

Milisa Talks Red Hot Pitching on Let’s Get Funded

A pitch where your investors very willingly cut the red tape and roll out the red carpet for you is a pitch that gets you what you need. Telling the story of your business and its purpose is an art but not something that you can’t learn and master. Successfully getting your investor to be interested in you, your team and your journey is what a red-hot pitch is all about.

Join Milisa Mabinza, the UKSA Tech Hub Director, on this exciting part of the journey of getting funded. Milisa brings her red hot and relevant knowledge into this episode and will leave you inspired to get going with your pitches. Wishing you all of the success with your pitches!

About Let’s Get Funded

Branson Centre has partnered with the UK SA Tech Hub, an initiative of the UK Government, to create our on-demand series ‘Let’s Get Funded’, for founders looking to get funded. We connected with South Africa's most experienced and inspiring female finance professionals to discuss investor readiness. Let's Get Funded challenges traditional financial and investment content norms with a conversational 9-part series of on-demand content.

Oct 26, 202307:04
Sihle Talks Exit on Let’s Get Funded

Sihle Talks Exit on Let’s Get Funded

It can feel counterintuitive to think about the investor exit whilst you build your investable business. Once you get over this, you’ll realise that it only makes sense to have the investor exit strategy top of mind as you articulate your pitch. An investor wants to know that they will be able to make a return on their investment and so being able to show the assumptions you have made, including some calculations and realistic plans will serve you well.

Meet Sihle Gumede, who is a Principal at Sanari Capital. Sihle packs a punch as she clarifies what is meant when investors talk about an exit strategy. This part of the raise process can quickly become overwhelming because of the dizzying array of acronyms - ROI, IRR.. - so let Sihle set you straight on this episode of Let’s Get Funded.

About Let’s Get Funded

Branson Centre has partnered with the UK SA Tech Hub, an initiative of the UK Government, to create our on-demand series ‘Let’s Get Funded’, for founders looking to get funded. We connected with South Africa's most experienced and inspiring female finance professionals to discuss investor readiness. Let's Get Funded challenges traditional financial and investment content norms with a conversational 9-part series of on-demand content.

Oct 26, 202304:38
El-Shebah Talks Scale on Let's Get Funded

El-Shebah Talks Scale on Let's Get Funded

It is easy to assume that scaling a business simply refers to getting more revenue. What investors are truly looking for is for a business that shows the ability to yes, grow its revenue, by gaining more customers and moving into new markets. That being said, it is equally important to understand that a business that is scaling is a business that is looking to be at the optimal size relative to its product, its competitors and unique selling points.

Join El-Shebah as she discusses the ins and outs of thinking about scale when building your business. El-Shebah is the New Business Development & Partnerships Executive at TymeBank. This episode delivers on insights and practical suggestions on how to think about how you scale your business and lose the focus you have on building a purpose-led business.

About Let’s Get Funded

Branson Centre has partnered with the UK SA Tech Hub, an initiative of the UK Government, to create our on-demand series ‘Let’s Get Funded’, for founders looking to get funded. We connected with South Africa's most experienced and inspiring female finance professionals to discuss investor readiness. Let's Get Funded challenges traditional financial and investment content norms with a conversational 9-part series of on-demand content.

Oct 26, 202309:16
Victoria Talks Business Model on Let’s Get Funded

Victoria Talks Business Model on Let’s Get Funded

Investors are really interested to see if your business is one that is set up to be on a path to profitability. Do the founders understand the brilliant basics that they need to obsess about every day? Do the founders have a process that allows them to adjust how they test their assumptions at different points of the life cycle of the business? These are some of the questions that an investor has in mind.

Meet Victoria Harris, an enabler of founders who currently serves as the COO at WomHub. Victoria masterfully takes us through the different planning and modelling requirements for a business as it moves through different stages. We are fans of her human-centred approach to all things scaling businesses too.

About Let’s Get Funded

Branson Centre has partnered with the UK SA Tech Hub, an initiative of the UK Government, to create our on-demand series ‘Let’s Get Funded’, for founders looking to get funded. We connected with South Africa's most experienced and inspiring female finance professionals to discuss investor readiness. Let's Get Funded challenges traditional financial and investment content norms with a conversational 9-part series of on-demand content.

Oct 26, 202313:47
Naadiya Talks Market on Let’s Get Funded

Naadiya Talks Market on Let’s Get Funded

Founders are filled with extraordinary ideas and have the most ambitious goals for the growth of their businesses. Investors are curious to find out if you show an understanding of who you know will part with their money to buy from you. The aim of the game isn’t necessarily to dominate industries but to understand who is realistically available to you as a potential customer. 

We are thrilled to have Naadiya Moosajee, the co-founder of WomHub, in this episode of Let’s Get Funded. Naadiya is an engineer turned entrepreneur turned investor. She dives right into demystifying buzzwords and making the concept of identifying and describing a market to an investor accessible and easy to understand. This episode also marks the exact midpoint in our 9-part series, Let’s Get Funded.

About Let’s Get Funded

Branson Centre has partnered with the UK SA Tech Hub, an initiative of the UK Government, to create our on-demand series ‘Let’s Get Funded’, for founders looking to get funded. We connected with South Africa's most experienced and inspiring female finance professionals to discuss investor readiness. Let's Get Funded challenges traditional financial and investment content norms with a conversational 9-part series of on-demand content.

Oct 26, 202309:30
Sarah Talks Product on Let’s Get Funded

Sarah Talks Product on Let’s Get Funded

As a founder, you are likely to fall in hopelessly in love with what you have created as a solution. This is a good thing. What is even better is when you are able to demonstrate to investors that the solution you have on offer is something that will delight your customers. Investors are thrilled when you are able to show them that you have developed early and basic versions of your product that have allowed for you to collect critical feedback that helps you improve your product. 

Sarah Dusek is the co-founder of Enygma Ventures. Sarah has built valuable businesses and is now an investor - it would be a very good idea to listen to her carefully. She provides clarity and and sage advice on how founders should prioritise their product when it comes to looking for funding. What she says may just surprise you - and bring some relief.

About Let’s Get Funded

Branson Centre has partnered with the UK SA Tech Hub, an initiative of the UK Government, to create our on-demand series ‘Let’s Get Funded’, for founders looking to get funded. We connected with South Africa's most experienced and inspiring female finance professionals to discuss investor readiness. Let's Get Funded challenges traditional financial and investment content norms with a conversational 9-part series of on-demand content.

Oct 26, 202308:34
Barati Talks Value Proposition on Let’s Get Funded

Barati Talks Value Proposition on Let’s Get Funded

The true test of a business is if there is a group of people who are willing to pay for the product or the service that is on offer. In other words, people are willing to pay money for the solution you provide because you are solving a real problem. Demonstrating the value proposition of your business will set you up for success as you seek funding and grow your business.

In this episode, we spend time with Barai Mahloele, who is the Venture Capital Fund Director at Tiger Brands. Barati concisely takes us through the importance and utility of having a clearly defined value proposition in your business. She leaves no room for ambiguity and we hope you enjoy this episode of Let’s Get Funded.

About Let’s Get Funded

Branson Centre has partnered with the UK SA Tech Hub, an initiative of the UK Government, to create our on-demand series ‘Let’s Get Funded’, for founders looking to get funded. We connected with South Africa's most experienced and inspiring female finance professionals to discuss investor readiness. Let's Get Funded challenges traditional financial and investment content norms with a conversational 9-part series of on-demand content.

Oct 26, 202306:01
Lee Talks Problem & Vision on Let’s Get Funded

Lee Talks Problem & Vision on Let’s Get Funded

Everybody is inspired when the meet someone who dreams big and reimagines a brighter future today.  The same goes for an investor who is interested in making a contribution to the success of your business. It is important that you, as a founder, are able to show investors that you have a clear understanding of the problem you are trying to solve and that your vision will what guides you along your journey. 

Lee Zuk is the COO at JAG Method and a co-founder of Dazzle Angels. She brings her experience as an angel investor into this episode. Lee keeps it very real and her straightforward manner will be sure to help founders looking for finance understand the importance of a well-articulated Problem & Vision in your raise journey.

About Let’s Get Funded

Branson Centre has partnered with the UK SA Tech Hub, an initiative of the UK Government, to create our on-demand series ‘Let’s Get Funded’, for founders looking to get funded. We connected with South Africa's most experienced and inspiring female finance professionals to discuss investor readiness. Let's Get Funded challenges traditional financial and investment content norms with a conversational 9-part series of on-demand content.

Oct 26, 202304:07
Ayanda Talks Team on Let's Get Funded

Ayanda Talks Team on Let's Get Funded

Founders cannot build investable companies by themselves; they need to be surrounded by a reliable team that understands the purpose of the company. Investors want to know that their involvement in a company is supported by the presence of a relevant and hardworking team. 

Meet Ayanda Mzondeki, the founder and MD of the Liyema Group. Ayanda joins us on Let’s Get Funded to help founders understand the importance of building teams that drive rapidly growing and scaling companies. Ayanda delves into her personal experiences to bring the topic of Team to life. 

Watch and/or listen to this whole episode and find out which investor Ayanda thinks is the most crucial to growing your company.

About Let’s Get Funded

Branson Centre has partnered with the UK SA Tech Hub, an initiative of the UK Government, to create our on-demand series ‘Let’s Get Funded’, for founders looking to get funded. We connected with South Africa's most experienced and inspiring female finance professionals to discuss investor readiness. Let's Get Funded challenges traditional financial and investment content norms with a conversational 9-part series of on-demand content.

Oct 26, 202306:40
Let's Get Funded Teaser
Oct 26, 202301:20
Ahunna Eziakonwa on SDG Acceleration in Africa

Ahunna Eziakonwa on SDG Acceleration in Africa

Isn’t it cool that we live in a world where humanity is being inspired to get together around highly ambitious goals that are universal? A set of goals whose existence is to enable people, planet and prosperity - these are the Sustainable Development Goals. Ahunna Eziakonwa from the United Nations Development Programme, joins Nwabisa In Conversation with the Branson Centre to discuss how opportunities to accelerate against the SDGs in Africa ignite her purpose.

Ahunna leads the UNDP’s work supporting 46 countries in Africa to achieve Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Ahunna is a passionate advocate for enabling people in Africa to live in peace and prosperity. 

During this conversation, Ahunna will challenge you to “flip the script!” when it comes to harnessing the power of home-grown innovation in Africa. She dares us to make moves towards securing a future for thriving people who live in a sustainable environment whilst enjoying shared prosperity. 

Ahunna represents changemakers who insist on living in a more equal and inclusive world. We are convinced that many of these changemakers are entrepreneurs. Do you agree with us? Are you one of these changemakers?

Watch Ahunna’s colleague, Simone Smit, from the UNDP Accelerator Labs South Africa talk more about the SDG’s here.

May 26, 202322:25
Cass Collier on Ocean Innovation

Cass Collier on Ocean Innovation

It is not everyday that you get to sit down with a Big Wave World Champion surfer. Cass Collier is a father, professional surfer and surfing coach. His surfing adventures - inspired by his father, Ahmed Collier - have taken him around the world. Cass brings his wisdom into this storyteller series for our Ocean Innovation Challenge.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Cass inadvertently captures the spirit of the Branson Centre’s approach of ensuring entrepreneurs are always part of a red-carpet experience. Cass has recently launched the Cass Collier Surfing Academy & Foundation so that he can prove that underresourced surfers can’t be enabled through handouts. All those with a purpose-led dream and vision must be enabled by meaningful access to resources, tools and opportunities.

This Master Surfer reminds us to do as he does when he’s on the surf: take the lessons for what they are and keep catching the waves.

To learn more about the Ocean Innovation Challenge, visit our website.

Join our Ocean Innovation Network to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, industry experts and access inspiring content.

Oct 31, 202236:57
Kim Whitaker on Ocean Innovation

Kim Whitaker on Ocean Innovation

No storyteller series about entrepreneur-led innovation in the ocean economy would be complete without including an entrepreneur. Kim Whitaker started her first business at the age of 23. She has been an entrepreneur in the tourism sector and now enables other tourism entrepreneurs in South Africa.

Kim has witnessed the inextricable link between tourism and the ocean. She describes how consumers are driving ocean tourism activities and experiences that enable the well-being of people and the health of the ocean. As a result, Kim views ocean innovation entrepreneurs as trendsetters.

She reminds us that as individuals, we have a responsibility to make sourcing and buying decisions that prevent the knock-on effects of depleting oceans. A thriving ocean is not just about delightful summer holidays but is about enabling communities to create livelihoods that enable economic well prosperity and foster dignity amongst all people.

To learn more about the Ocean Innovation Challenge, visit our website.

Join our Ocean Innovation Network to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, industry experts and access inspiring content.

Oct 26, 202226:17
Karen Bosman on Ocean Innovation

Karen Bosman on Ocean Innovation

Did you know that South Africa is the second largest manufacturer and exporter of luxury catamarans in the world? Did you know that 50% of South Africa’s agricultural exports leave by sea from the Western Cape? Did you know that fish is one of the top 20 exports from South Africa to the world? The ocean economy exists in South Africa.

Our latest storyteller is Karen Bosman, Head: Strategy and Advocacy at Wesgro. Wesgro is the tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town. The organisation drives investment into the economy, promotes local exports to the world and markets the Western Cape as a destination.

Karen makes it clear to us that the ocean economy couldn’t be a better example of how an internationalised economy works. Customers and consumers are becoming more demanding and discerning about the buying decisions that they make. Matters of sustainability are now a competitive advantage.

There is so much opportunity for entrepreneur-led innovation when it comes to building towards a sustainable ocean economy because every single business practice is currently pivoting towards enabling a healthy ocean. Our activities in the ocean economy need to drive towards decarbonisation and the promotion of biodiversity. Every entrepreneur has a role to play.

To learn more about the Ocean Innovation Challenge, visit our website.

Join our Ocean Innovation Network to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, industry experts and access inspiring content.

Oct 26, 202221:17
Lindani Mchunu on Ocean Innovation

Lindani Mchunu on Ocean Innovation

Lindani Mchunu’s journey with the ocean began when he was a young boy spending time with his grandmother who is a healer and used seawater as part of her practice. His respect for the ocean was fostered when he was a pilot with a bird’s eye view of its vastness. Lindani’s relationship with the ocean was solidified when he became a qualified skipper through the Royal Cape Yacht Club.

Lindani joins our conversation as the Marine Manager at the V&A Waterfront. There, he looks after all of the ship movement in and out of the harbour precinct. He views the V&A Waterfront as a key part of the ocean economy and refers to it as “the centre of the centre of the centre”.

Listen out for Lindani’s description of the ocean economy and how he challenges us to think about what it takes for entrepreneur-led innovation to take place so we can build a sustainable ocean economy. He is enthusiastic about the localisation of the ocean economy and the opportunities localisation presents for entrepreneurs from communities that have up until now not participated in the ocean economy.

Lindani emphasises that there is no innovation without integration and that there is no integration without inclusion. We couldn’t agree more!

To learn more about the Ocean Innovation Challenge, visit our website.

Join our Ocean Innovation Network to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, industry experts and access inspiring content.

Oct 26, 202234:23
Lynton Burger on Ocean Innovation

Lynton Burger on Ocean Innovation

Entrepreneur-led innovation must be enabled by access to finance in the form of investors. Innovation for a sustainable ocean economy needs impact investors who are passionate about the ocean. Meet Lynton.

Lynton is the Principal at Venture 4th Ocean Ocean Impact Fund - a deal-leading venture capital fund that invests in and supports ocean impact entrepreneurs. Whilst the topic of this episode isn’t focused on finance, it is fascinating to understand why Lynton would be involved in the ocean economy and how he found his way there. He tells us that the purpose of the fund is to pin the hope on entrepreneurs to lead the way in innovating for a sustainable ocean economy. We agree with him that entrepreneurs are driven by passion and a desire to fix what is broken and to provide what is needed. They can do this whilst creating livelihoods and wealth through their businesses.

It is clear that innovating for a sustainable ocean economy is urgent. Lynton reminds us that it is the 11th hour. This conversation provides hope as the Afro-optimist in Lynton encourages us to take action and show the rest of the world that change for the better is possible and it is coming from Africa.

Lynton has written a novel called She Down There and he is a photographer. Have a look at his incredible photos here.

To learn more about the Ocean Innovation Challenge, visit our website.

Join our Ocean Innovation Network to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, industry experts and access inspiring content.

Oct 23, 202215:12
Zandile Ndhlovu on Ocean Innovation

Zandile Ndhlovu on Ocean Innovation

The storyteller in this episode of our Ocean Innovation Challenge series grew up in landlocked Soweto. Yet, Zandile Ndhlovu is South Africa’s first black free diving instructor.

Zandile’s passion for the ocean and the conservation of the ocean is palpable and urgent. She is a budding filmmaker who is committed to documenting the magical beauty of the ocean whilst bearing witness to the ways in which humanity cannot keep its own out of the ocean.

She is a voice that challenges the assumptions we make about the ocean being for all. Zandile is not afraid to share with us that the ocean space is currently undiverse. She seeks to ensure young black South Africans start their positive relationship with the ocean at an early age. Zandile is curious to find out the career and lifestyle choices young South Africans can make after they have been exposed to the ocean. The Black Mermaid Foundation was established for this very reason.

On the ocean economy, Zandile shows up as a lighthouse; cautioning us about how rampant economic interests can override matters of sustainability. She is a believer that entrepreneur-led innovation can build a sustainable ocean economy. Pay attention to the advice she has for entrepreneurs that comes from the art of freediving: breathe, trust yourself and keep exploring! As a bonus, check out Zandile’s TEDxCapeTown talk and enjoy.

To learn more about the Ocean Innovation Challenge, visit our website.

Join our Ocean Innovation Network to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, industry experts and access inspiring content.

Oct 23, 202224:24
Simone Smit on Ocean Innovation

Simone Smit on Ocean Innovation

Simone Smit is no stranger to the Branson Centre’s podcasts (when you are done with this one, watch her break the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals down here). In the first of our series of stories within our Ocean Innovation Challenge, Simone gives us a glimpse into the trends she has seen around existing innovations in the Ocean Economy. She talks about a Blue Awakening and it is thrilling! Stay tuned towards the end of this episode and find out what Simone’s wishlist is for innovation for a sustainable ocean economy.

The United Nations Development Programme’s Accelerator Labs South Africa has partnered with the Branson Centre on a voyage of discovery about entrepreneur-led innovations that build a sustainable ocean economy.

What is a sustainable ocean economy? Simone describes it as one that restores and protects the ocean whilst contributing to economic growth, job creation and the wellbeing of people. She tells us that there are no better dreamers than entrepreneurs, and so innovative entrepreneurs (and investors!) have an important role to play in building the equitable and sustainable future that we all want to be a part of.

To learn more about the Ocean Innovation Challenge, visit our website.

Join our Ocean Innovation Network to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, industry experts and access inspiring content.

Oct 23, 202223:46
Tinyiko Mageza on Customer Experience

Tinyiko Mageza on Customer Experience

Have you ever wondered if you could change the question “what am I selling?” to “how can I make your life better?”? Give a listen to our latest podcast with V&A Waterfront Marketing Executive, Tinyiko Mageza.

Tinyiko is a purpose-led marketer who consistently asks herself the question “am I adding value?”. This makes her a red hot and relevant guest to talk about Customer Experience. Whilst listening to Tinyiko, be sure to hear her thoughts on how Customer Experience intersects with Purpose, and is driven by People (purpose-led teams).

Tinyiko oversees the marketing for Africa’s most visited destination - a destination that is much more than “a mall and a Ferris wheel”! She describes the V&A Waterfront as a place of possibilities and opportunity. This “born and bred Jo’burg girl” will inspire you to get into the business of experience.

Through our conversation with Tinyiko, we understand the difference between customer service and customer experience. Tinyiko offers practical (and very doable!) advice on how to map out your customer journey and she brings the idea of “moments of truth” into our activities. 

Sep 26, 202222:51
Customer Segmentation with Kgaiso Mokgethi

Customer Segmentation with Kgaiso Mokgethi

Are you an entrepreneur who wants to understand your customers better? Give our latest podcast with Kgaiso Mokgethi, head of marketing at ClearScore SA, a listen.

We welcome Kgaiso Mokgethi to our podcast to talk about customer segmentation- a valuable marketing tool that can help a business better understand its customers.

She describes herself as an innovative and culturally aware marketing strategist, and she is currently the Head Of Marketing at ClearScore SA.

ClearScore is on a mission to help everyone achieve greater financial well-being, no matter their circumstances.

With Kgaiso, we explore customer segmentation, why it is important, and how to get it right in your business with the digital tools at your disposal.

Does she have any advice for entrepreneurs just starting out?

Understanding your customers starts with you, the founder, and you should use your intuition and digital marketing tools at your disposal to get to know them better.

Aug 31, 202219:45
Partnerships with Antonette Benting

Partnerships with Antonette Benting

Anyone interested in developing partnerships or improving existing partnerships should listen to this podcast.

The latest episode of our podcast features Antonette Benting, the Business Development Manager at Workshop 17, one of South Africa’s most recognisable co-working spaces.

She has spent many years in the co-working industry and brings years of experience in improving and building value-added relationships to Workshop 17.

Antonette's job is to build successful partnerships, and she shares how she does it.

She always considers whether she and her partners are aligned before entering into a partnership. And once the partnership is established, she communicates openly with them and continually evaluates whether the partnership is working or not.


Aug 21, 202219:41
Community with Velma Corcoran

Community with Velma Corcoran

In this week's episode, Velma Corcoran, the Regional Lead for Middle East Africa at Airbnb, joins Nwabisa Mayema in our studio at Workshop 17.

Airbnb operates an online marketplace for accommodations, homestays for vacation rentals, and tourism activities, and it is driven by its communities of hosts, guests, and employees.

Because of her time at the company, Velma understands the importance of community. From her, we learn how Airbnb manages and engages with their communities and how they’ve managed to keep their communities going despite the devastation the pandemic has caused to tourism and hospitality globally.

No matter how large or small your communities are, entrepreneurs can learn a lot from Velma about community management and engagement.

Aug 05, 202223:27
Investor Readiness with Rajiv Daya

Investor Readiness with Rajiv Daya

"What I would be expecting to see is that you have a very very acute or deep understanding of a problem you're looking to solve."

Season 2 of our podcast continues with Rajiv Daya, who sits down with Nwabsia Mayema to talk about investor readiness.

Rajiv started his career in management consulting and investment banking, before moving to Founders Factory Africa, where he now focuses on funding small and medium-sized tech enterprises.

From an investor's perspective, he shares with us what the key indicators are that an entrepreneur or business is ready for investment:

A deep understanding of the problem they are trying to solve, expertise in the industry and sector they operate in,team members who complement one another, and a pitch deck or financial model, for example, that credibility demonstrates they have taken into account all the above.

When it comes to investor readiness, Rajiv is very knowledgeable, and he makes investment relatable and easy to understand for anyone who's listening.

Jul 22, 202231:28
Angel Investment with Lee Zuk

Angel Investment with Lee Zuk

"An Angel is an individual, generally who comes with money and networks and a bit of processes and ways they can help enable businesses. "

We continue our investment conversation with Lee Zuk, co-founder of Dazzel Angels, one of South Africa's first angel investment firms.

Dazzle Angles, a female-focused angel fund, was founded to increase the number of female investors in the country and to increase the number of investments in women-owned and operated businesses.

During the podcast, Lee clarifies what Angel investment is and how it differs from other types of investments such as Venture Capital, Seed Capital, Incubators, and Private Equity.

She also explains what she and her fellow angel investors at Dazzle look for when making investments in businesses and what entrepreneurs can expect when approaching angel investors.

If you're an entrepreneur interested in investment this podcast is for you.

Jul 10, 202219:48
Changing Business for Good with Wesley Noble

Changing Business for Good with Wesley Noble

Changing Business for Good is more than CSI or the social project or the trees you plant on Arbour Day. It’s about how and what you do every day in your business.

In our latest podcast, the Executive Director of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship SA, Wesley Noble, sits down with Nwabisa Mayema to talk Changing Business for Good!

Changing business for Good is at the heart of everything we do at the Branson Centre SA. But what do we mean by that? Changing business for Good means that not only are we purpose-led, but we also enable other entrepreneurs to discover, embed, and measure their purpose.

Why do we believe that it’s important for entrepreneurs to be purpose-led? Research has shown that it can increase your customers' loyalty, keep your business competitive during difficult economic times, and retain your top employees.

For more on purpose, visit our website and explore our purpose resources.

Jun 25, 202208:56
Marketing with Nthabiseng Makgatho

Marketing with Nthabiseng Makgatho

“Can I Google you? That’s the first question because I think nowadays because we have that platform, if you tell me my business is so and so and how do I verify it as a consumer? I’m going to check Google, and if I can’t pick you up, I don’t know if you’re real, I don’t know if I should be giving you my money.”

Nthabiseng Makgatho is a marketer who has been very deliberate with the brands she has worked for, choosing brands that have a positive impact.

In this podcast, she discusses the evolution of marketing over the last few years, particularly the shift from traditional to digital marketing.

With the rise of digital media, marketing is no longer a one-way conversation - with marketers bombarding consumers and customers with messages. Consumers and customers can now co-create marketing messages with marketers.

Nthabiseng also highlights how digital marketing has made marketing more affordable and accessible to entrepreneurs, who can now access many of the same resources as big corporations, and encourages entrepreneurs to use these resources.

For more on marketing and digital marketing, listen to the full interview with Nthabiseng.

Jun 10, 202225:12
Richard Branson on Business as a Force for Good

Richard Branson on Business as a Force for Good

“If you try something you have a chance of succeeding and I found that by trying a lot of things in my life you know some have succeeded beyond my expectations and others have fallen by the wayside and it’s been a lot of fun in the process.”

Sir Richard Branson, the name behind the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship, needs no introduction. In his most recent visit to Cape Town, he stopped by Studio 17 to hear about the Branson Centre's entrepreneurs and sat down with Nwabisa Mayema to discuss business as a force for good on our podcast, "In Conversation with the Branson Centre."

During the interview, he encourages entrepreneurs To Screw it and Just Do It as he has done in his entrepreneurial journey and points out the impact we can make, not only as entrepreneurs but also as individuals.

It's an insightful conversation with Sir Richard Branson that you don’t want to miss.

May 27, 202209:08
Fintech with Buhle Goslar

Fintech with Buhle Goslar

“People used to say data is the new oil and now I think you can extend that to fintech is the new oil, it’s driving economies, it’s changing the world, it’s changing livelihoods.”

In our latest podcast, Nwabisa Mayema sits down with Buhle Goslar, a technology operating executive and currently the Africa CEO for Jumo, to talk fintech.

Jumo is a banking platform that operates across emerging markets and gives many people access to finance for the first time.

Buhle is well versed in tech, and during the podcast, she expertly explains what fintech is and why it’s so important.

She also goes on to discuss the various financial tools available to entrepreneurs and how these financial tools are not only simplifying once complicated business processes, but also creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

If you’re interested in fintech, this is a podcast worth listening to.

May 20, 202228:42
 Finance with Barati Mahloele

Finance with Barati Mahloele

We're back with another episode of In conversation with the Branson Centre. This second season of our podcast kicks off in Studio17, our brand new studio, with our first guest, Barati Mahloele.

Having worked in finance for the FMCG industry on multiple continents for years, Barati is now the Tiger Brand Venture Capital Fund Director.

In her latest role, Barati brings together her passion and purpose and works to alleviate the barriers that prevent entrepreneurs, particularly women, from accessing finance and unlocking their full potential.

In this episode, she discusses what finance means to her, what she looks for when investing in a company as a VC fund director, and which financing options are available to entrepreneurs.

This episode is a must-listen if you're an entrepreneur thinking about financing.

May 06, 202219:03
Simone Smit on the SDGs

Simone Smit on the SDGs

“So the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are part of agenda 2030 for sustainable development which was adopted by all UN member states in 2015, it’s called transforming our world."

Our latest podcast episode features Simone Smit, who is the Head of Exploration at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Lab in South Africa.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the development agency of the UN and focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals. While The Accelerator Labs specifically focuses on infusing innovation in everything they do to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs by re-dreaming the way they deliver development!

During the podcast, Simone explains what the SDGs are and how they provide a blueprint for a more sustainable and better world by working to eradicate poverty, protect our planet, and ensure all people live in peace and prosperity.

She also emphasises the important role that entrepreneurs and businesses can play in accelerating the achievement of the SDGs.

Visit https://sdgs.un.org/goals/ for more information on Agenda 2030 and the SDGs

For more on the SDGs, watch the full interview with Simone on our Youtube channel.

Feb 04, 202217:38
Investment with Sine Zulu

Investment with Sine Zulu

"Impact is basically making the lives of people, the lives of Africans and South Africans better, and that can take the shape of giving them sustainable jobs. It can take the shape of giving them affordable housing, access to quality education, access to the internet even and also financial inclusivity; you know, giving people the tools in order to make their lives better."

Sine Zulu is an investment and finance expert at Ninety One, who specialises in impact infrastructure projects on the African continent.

With more than 12 years of experience in investment, she is well versed in South Africa's impact investment landscape and its key players.

In this podcast, she breaks down what impact investment is, what impact investment opportunities are available for South African entrepreneurs, and how entrepreneurs can prepare for investor readiness.

For more on investing and impact investing, watch the full interview with Sine Zulu on our Youtube channel.

Dec 10, 202114:50
Brand with Fiona Ross

Brand with Fiona Ross

"I think the first thing is what is purpose? And so purpose is about really being clear on the role and meaning you want to play in people's lives. It's why we exist, why we are here on earth. What difference do we want to make? And Richard (Branson) had a lovely quote that if you're not making a difference in people's lives, you don't have a business."

If you're an entrepreneur struggling to find your purpose, this podcast is for you.

Nwabisa Mayema, Strategic Partnership Director at the Branson Centre, sits down with Fiona Ross, the Head of Brand and Creative Capabilities at the Virgin group.

Fiona has the wonderful job of codifying the Virgin brand DNA so Virgin teams across the world can bring it to life across all aspects of creative expression and experience design.

During this insightful interview, she discusses what is the role of brand in business. Why is it important to be purpose-led, and how do you embed purpose into your brand by using examples from the Virgin Group.

For more on brand and purpose watch the full interview with Fiona Ross on our Youtube channel.

Nov 26, 202112:06
Partnerships with Nwabisa Mayema

Partnerships with Nwabisa Mayema

"I'm a big word nerd, so I think when we start thinking about partnerships, let's go back to the basics of what the word is, which is to partner, and so that already means that there is more than one side to the conversation, there's more than one player in the relationship. And then we start thinking about what good partnerships feels like; it's when there is good exchange, there's clear exchange and so in order to get to that place of good and clear exchange, it actually means that we have shared objectives and have alignment in terms of our values and we're kind of we're striving towards the same things, and we also exist to make each other look good."

In the latest episode of our podcast, we talk Partnerships, and who better to talk to than the Branson Center's own Director of Strategic Partnerships, Nwabisa Mayema.It is Nwabisa's purpose to connect people with one another and to opportunities.

Many entrepreneurs overlook the significance of partnerships when developing business strategies, which is unfortunate since a well-developed and well-defined partnership strategy will elevate your business.

In this partnership masterclass, Nawabisa guides us through what partnerships are, how to identify potential partners within your network, how to embed purpose into your partnerships, and so much more.

Those who don't understand the concept of partnerships or aren't sure where to start will find this podcast useful since it simplifies it in a practical and understandable way.

For more on Partnership watch the full episode on our Youtube channel.

Nov 12, 202120:53
People with Ayanda Mzondeki

People with Ayanda Mzondeki

"Through the journey of entrepreneurship, I've learnt that tenacity is everything, and It's very difficult to be tenacious in achieving your goals as an entrepreneur if you are not living your purpose. That being said, if an organisation has a clear purpose and the leader of that organisation is aware of what that clear purpose is for that organisation. The people within that organisation will also be as clear in terms of that organisation's purpose and leader's purpose."

Nwabisa speaks with Ayanda Mzondeki, the founder and managing director of Liyema HR Consulting, a global HR consulting firm that serves some of the biggest multinationals in the engineering and management consulting sectors, about People.

At the Branson Centre, we are deliberate about not talking about HR-human as resources- but rather about people, since it's about seeing the people in your business as enablers rather than as a resource or employees. We see people at work and beyond as people.

Ayanda echoes this sentiment and as she puts it, Liyema Consulting's success is due to the people who make it what it is! The company has evolved and innovated despite the challenges it faced, especially in the last year, thanks to her people's commitment, tenacity, passion, and excitement for learning.

Like us, Ayanda is a big believer in showing up in the world with your purpose in the forefront of what you do! And when it comes to embedding your company's purpose in your people, she maintains that you need to live and breathe your company's values and culture daily. By doing this, you can filter the people who enter your business and ensure you hire the right people.

For more on People and purpose, watch the full interview on our Youtube channel.

Nov 05, 202119:10
Brand with Pride Maunatlala

Brand with Pride Maunatlala

“When people meet you, your product, your service, your staff, your employees or your leadership, they meet a brand! So, Brand is a way to create an identifier for them to connect with. So, that they can say ``wait that thing, that connection we made, that's the Brand.”

As the owner of ar.che.ty.pal, a personal branding consultancy, Pride Maunatlala lives and breathes, creates and curates brands. In this podcast episode, Pride talks brand, why it’s important and how to embed your brand with purpose.

According to Pride, embedding your brand with purpose has perks! Not only will it drive innovation, but it will also drive profits by attracting the right advocates and customers to your business.

Now you can watch the full interview with Pride on our Youtube channel.

Oct 28, 202117:11
Product with Tumi Sineke

Product with Tumi Sineke

“People think, well I need to build my product first and then I will find my customers and I’m always trying to dissuade people from doing that because it actually starts with your customer. And it starts with customer discovery and so right at the point where you observe the problem and you think I may have a way to solve that problem, the next thing you do is you start speaking to people.”

Tumi Sineke describes herself as a cheerleader of others and loves to watch people grow and develop. She also serves as an Entrepreneur Relationship Manager at the Branson Centre.

In this episode of our podcast, Tumi talks about product development and the importance of using product personas and customer journey mapping to develop products that solve problems.

According to her, product development begins with customer discovery. Customer Discovery is all about asking the right questions about the problem, gathering insights, and then developing Customer Personas and the Customer Journey.

For more on product development, watch the full interview with Tumi on our Youtube channel.

Oct 22, 202116:15
Processes and Finance with Charlie Luzuka

Processes and Finance with Charlie Luzuka

“Processes are really just the steps and actions that you do to get a desired outcome. Whether it is building a product or service, it’s just what are the key steps or actions that you need to do to get what you’re looking for.”

Charlie Luzuka is a partner at Dazzle Angels, an Angel Investing firm created to not only increase access to finance for women entrepreneurs, but also to give more women the chance to invest.

Her background as an accountant and consultant has taught her the importance of consistently executing the processes or  'brilliant basics' of your business well, as they determine both the success and the failure of your company.

During the interview, Charlie discusses what funding is available for startups and entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses in South Africa. She also stresses the importance of entrepreneurs and startups ensuring that their values align with investors they approach in order to find the right funding options for their businesses.

For more on processes and finances, watch the full interview with Charlie on our YouTube channel.

Oct 12, 202120:49
Planning with Tamburai Chirume

Planning with Tamburai Chirume

“Planning is really important! It either happens in your head or on a piece of paper, but either way, we all have a vision for our business, we all have a vision for our lives, but how do we get there?”

Nwabisa sits down to chat with Tamburai Chirume, the co-founder of ONEOFEACH, an African luxury brand based in Cape Town, about Planning in your life and business.

Tamburai, a second-generation entrepreneur, knows that goal-setting is important when it comes to planning and that you have to find the things around you that will help you achieve your goals.

Among her tips for achieving your goals are:

  • You can achieve your goals by breaking them down into smaller ones because big plans can be overwhelming.
  • Find accountability partners to hold you accountable to those goals.

Watch the interview on our YouTube channel.

For more advice on setting and achieving your goals, register to join our community.

Sep 27, 202113:29
Food Waste conversation with Petro Myburgh

Food Waste conversation with Petro Myburgh

"Food waste, in essence, is a resource, it’s something that holds mass and nutritional value, it’s meant for human consumption that then goes to waste.”

Petro Myburgh, is Senior Operations Manager at the V&A Waterfront, one of Africa's largest commercial precincts and Africa’s most visited destination. She oversees the cleaning, waste management and landscaping of the precinct; and also sits on the V&A Waterfront’s sustainability committee.

She believes biodiversity and natural resources need to be conserved for future generations, and the way commercial precincts deal with food waste is an important part of that.

The V&A Waterfront has implemented policies and procedures for separating waste, including distributing composting bins to tenants, which has prevented tons of waste from going to landfills.

She adds that Commercial precincts are ideally positioned to lead by example in the fight against food waste since landlords have the partnerships and information needed to influence their tenants and the communities in which they operate. And while it can be overwhelming to get started, with the right partnerships and a little help from friends, she believes you can make a significant impact.

Watch the interview on our Youtube channel.

Register to join the Food Waste Innovation Community.

Sep 27, 202118:43
Food Waste conversation with Pavs Pillay

Food Waste conversation with Pavs Pillay

“That’s how you have to look at things as a system and I always like to start off by saying if you are to ever do anything in the realm of conservation, sustainable resources, how you manage the planet, how you exist- someone’s behaviour has to change”

In this episode of our podcast, Nwabisa sits down to talk to Pavs Pillay, Behaviour change practitioner at the WWF SA.

Pav shares some alarming statistics regarding food waste and loss, hunger and food insecurity and the prevalence of childhood stunting in our country as a result.

Despite the challenges, it isn't all doom and gloom. Food waste is a fixable problem, but it begins with us and the small changes we can make in our daily lives.

She suggests that we start with how we buy and store food since everything we eat has an environmental impact.

Some of her suggestions include:

  • Don't buy on impulse, plan your shopping and your meals
  • Whenever possible, buy local and seasonal food
  • Shopping when you are hungry or full is not a good idea
  • Understand the difference between sell-by and use-by dates on food labels
  • Don't bulk buy or buy 2 for 1 if you don't intend to consume the food.
  • Keep food fresh by purchasing good storage containers.
  • Be smart about your leftovers and freeze food.

Watch the interview on our Youtube channel.

Register to join the Food Waste Innovation Community.

Sep 20, 202132:28
Purpose with Pride Mauntlala

Purpose with Pride Mauntlala

“Purpose for me is a living breathing journey of discovery of what I can contribute to the world, why I’m actually here, and that’s been so important for me because it doesn’t stop it, it evolves, it grows, it manifests, and it actually pours out into the spaces that I work, the work that I do and the people I’m around.”

Pride Mauntlala is a purpose coach with 18 years of experience connecting brands to purpose and profit.

Nwabisa sits down with Pride to chat about what Purpose means to her. Over the years, Pride has developed a very clear idea of what her purpose is today.

“My purpose is to enlighten and illuminate other people’s purpose within them. My superpower is clarity, I create clarity in the spaces that I'm  in, and so my purpose is to bring that clarity to others to see what their purpose is.”

Pride’s cheat-sheet for discovering and articulating your purpose includes asking yourself the following questions:

  1. Who are the people, and what are the experiences that are common in my life? (Look for things that are common in your life.)
  2. If I don’t exercise my purpose, what will the world lose? (Look for the things you do that make other people feel better than they did before you came into the room.)

Watch Pride’s interview on our Youtube channel.

Visit our website to find out more about the Branson Centre's Purpose.

Register to join the community to Discover Your Purpose.

Sep 15, 202123:27
#ZeroWaste conversation with Sally-Anne Kasner
Dec 03, 202029:27
#ZeroWaste conversation with Lorren De Kock
Dec 03, 202035:57
#ZeroWaste conversation with Rowan Le Roux
Dec 03, 202028:21
#ZeroWaste conversation with Dr Linda Godfrey
Dec 01, 202030:60