South Africans Doing Great Things

Guest: Athenkosi Nzala – Executive Director and Founder AfrikaCan Foundation

Guest: Fatima Abdool - Editor of Izzit Magazine

Film-maker Zwelethu Radebe spoke about his recent success winning numerous awards and life as a filmmaker, some of work includes directing; The Butterfly Effect commercial as part of M&C Saatchi Abel’s South African launch campaign for Strongbow, which won a Silver Apex Award for creative effectiveness. M&C Saatchi says it was “the most successful launch globally for the Heineken Company” in 2016.

South Africans Doing Great Things with Scientist and Social entrepreneur based in Durban Bathabile Mpofu, an Award-winning Durban entrepreneur and founder of ChemStart. She makes Science Kits for school pupils, which she sells and distributes to needy township, rural schools and directly to parents.

 On SADGT: Gugu spoke to Dr Sindisiwe van Zyl a medical doctor – with a particular interest in the Prevention-of-Motherto-Child Transmission of HIV programme (PMTCT), who uses social media and digital technology to share health-related knowledge. Her passion is to help create an HIV-free generation by imparting knowledge that empowers patients and health workers.

Wasanga spoke to Zuko Mandlakazi on his startup which developed a wearable wrist device that detects sounds and communicates them to the user through vibration and LED lighting, alerting them to potential danger. The product is aimed at solving what he describes as a significant challenge for millions of deaf and hard of hearing people.

Cheri Yase Kasi, Co-Founder, Sunshine Shibambo after resigning from her position as assistant brand manager for Flying Fish at SAB, she and her business partner Tumi Mohube started Cheri Yase Kasi which roughly translates to “Girl from the Township” which is an advertising agency. They come up with solutions to some major problems by combining a technical way of thinking; with never-ending ideas and unconventionally tackle strategy, creativity, experiential events & marketing.

Bulelani Balabala, CEO of IAF Brands an award winning brand agency, that he started in his mother’s garage at the age of 18. He has been awarded as the best Corporate Citizen in Youth Development by the Former Mayor of Ekurhuleni. Today Bulelani is a professional speaker who covers brand development, entrepreneurship and inspiration.

Gugulethu Mhlungu set down with 1st Lady Tobeka Madiba-Zuma for an in-depth conversation touching on her foundation, duties of the spouse to the President, her interests in public health, the importance of social media for public figures and ultimately what everyday life is like being married to the President of the country.

Gugu spoke to Ntsako Mgiba, a student and the co-founder of Jonga Community Alert Systems on their startup Jonga, which has designed an affordable app for home security, which came tops in the Santam Safety Ideas campaign earning them R150 000 in prize money

Wasanga spoke to founder of Sophie A Kanza Foundation which is a fully self-funded youth led organization led by Sophie & Louise Kanza, Congolese sisters who attempts to tackle some social stereotypes in award-winning Joburg short film, the sisters use pan-Africanism to spread love, peace and tolerance in a number of youth volunteerism projects.

Wasanga spoke to Nkosinathi Nkomo Cofounder of AquaRenu who invented a Greywater system which aims to reduce the amount of water people use at home and work. Nkosinathi whom along with his partner Sesethu Mazangazanga, was able to turn his problem into an opportunity thereby developing a greywater system which could be used in South African homes and places of business.

Wasanga spoke to Mthabisi Ncube, Pharmacy Manager at Khayelitsha Day Hospital & Business Relations Director at AugmentSA, who is currently working with Department of Tourism and Department of Health on a Bid to Host the FIP (International Pharmaceutical Federation) international conference for 2021 in Cape Town with an estimated economic injection of R50M to the Cape Town economy.

Gugu spoke to Lindiwe Ndlela, CFO of 4 Africa Exchange Proprietary Limited (4AX), one of only two exchanges in South Africa with a full license to trade across asset classes on how they are different from the JSE and how the exchange aims to entrench a culture of learning about trading and Stock exchanges among the youth.

For South Africans Doing Great Things Gugu spoke to Somatologists Dr. Karien Henrico, a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and a graduated PhD Health on her research in health and Somatology and also on her Women of Valor Inspirational Awards, which aims to motivate, uplift, encourage and strengthen the 21st Century female through networking.

For South Africans Doing Great Things Gugu spoke to Nomveliso Mbanga, Managing Director at Mayine Development Institute on her Teen coaching camps which helps teens ensures looking at the emotional wellbeing of teenagers, their mind-set around their role & responsibility in academic excellence, and a platform to share & talk about how they can manage family dynamics better

Gugu spoke to Sisters Nella and Zintle Qata who are carving out their own space in the renewable energy sector and are determined to shake up this industry, The dynamic sister duo heading Yabasha Energy Solutions and Africa Energy Capital are paving their way towards the economic inclusion of youth within the Green Economy.

Raymond is a Chartered Accountant by profession and the CEO of ITTHYNK Smart Solutions, a Johannesburg based software development and consulting company. He is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Diski Nine9 Africa, a not for profit company that uses soccer as a tool to educate and empower South African youth. Raymond has over 8 years professional experience in the auditing, consulting and project management space and has worked in the United States, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and numerous other African countries.

Guest: Nwabisa Mda, co-founder of Pap Culture

Guests: Glad Kaiser- Head Honcho at Bala Books and Jean Luc Greyvenstein - Big-Time Operator at Bala Books

For South Africans Doing Great things Nokubonga Pearl Dlamini co-founder of Circumfort speaks about life as an innovator and entrepreneur and the success of their product Circumfort which helps speedy the healing process after circumcision.   

Charmaine Mojapelo is MA Clinical Psychology candidate She has been selected to attend the International Society for Cultural Historical and Activity Research in Quebec, Canada in August later this year which focuses on cultural and historical research.   She will be presenting her research on the effects of skin bleaching on black South African women, and exploring why many women do this to fit into westernised standards of beauty. 

Injabulo Projects is an NPO established in 2015 that renders services such as; an anti-bullying project, incest survivor project and an LGBTIAQ+ support project.

The Barefoot Walk is an initiative challenging all South Africans to walk Bare foot for 40 Days, all day and night, to show commitment to raising funds for school kids who don’t have proper school shoes.

Bonolo Mataboge, founded of Afriblossom, a fashion label for plus-sized women. At the age of 22, Bonolo had to drop out of fashion school after developing a growth disorder that caused her lower leg to grow at an inward angle. Now an emerging fashion designer, she is changing that dynamic with a fashion range for plus-size women.

Phambili Mzansi doesn't just talk about solutions they implement. Phambili Mzansi was born out of a conversation between four friends. They asked the question “why is it that African states fail?”’.Making SA better with inter-generational conversations The organisation typically targets students and young professionals between the ages of 18 to 27 says Velani Mboweni, Co-Founder of Phambili Mzansi. Velani says the organisation was created with the intention to try and effect change. Setting out to create a space that can facilitate positive and progressive inter-generational conversations where wisdom and energy can be shared.

Dr Asanda Benya is a sociology lecturer at the University of Cape Town (UCT).  Her work looks at the role female miners have played in South Africa's mining industry.  She speaks to #NightTalk's Lovelyn Nwadeyi.

Known as the Spinach King, Espinaca Innovations founder Lufefe Nomjana has been leading a healthy eating revolution in Khayelitsha.  He speaks to #NightTalk's Lovelyn Nwadeyi about the growth of his business of producing food products made of spinach. 

Ayabonga Cawe is a development economist, writer and speaker. He is also an avid photographer.  On #NightTalk, Wasanga Mehana speaks to Cawe about his developmental work.

Makhamisa Foods offers a range of sauces with a uniquely South African flavour.  Terence Leluma, CEO of Makhamisa Foods, speaks to Wasanga Mehana on #NightTalk about the plans to grow the company's range of sauces, and the entrepreneurial journey of Makhamisa Foods. 

The African Leadership Academy develops the continent's next generation of leaders.  Dr Robert Aswani, Vice-President at the African Leadership Academy, speaks to #NightTalk's Lovelyn Nwadeyi.

Quali Health is a facility which follows a primary healthcare model that reduces medical bills and cuts down on queues. Dr Nthabiseng Legoete, founder of Quali Health, speaks to #NightTalk's Lovelyn Nwadeyi. 

Ntombenhle Khathwane, co-founder of Afro Botanics speaks to #NightTalk's Lovelyn Nwadeyi about the brand's vision to cater for natural hair. 

Established in 2010, the Right2Know Campaign has championed the cause for South Africans' access to information.  Busi Mtabane from the Right2Know Campaign speaks to #NightTalk's Lovelyn Nwadeyi about the work the campaign has done.