The Alec Hogg Show

In this episode, we explore how lessons from the ultimate meritocracy - world class sport - can be applied elsewhere in our lives, including business. Brad Barritt was vice captain of his hometown rugby team, the Sharks, and just 21 when among the 2008 Currie Cup winning team. The day after that triumph he relocated to the UK for what was to become a 12-year-long love affair with trailblazing North London rugby club Saracens, playing a key part in helping rewrite the record books. Barritt was one of numerous South Africans involved in what was to become Europe's most successful club of the past decade, becoming only the second captain to lift three European Championships trophies. He also led Saracens to five English Premiership titles. Along the way, Barrett was selected for England and the British & Irish Lions, playing a key role in a number of famous victories, including wins over the All Blacks and the Springboks. Barritt hung up his boots last year and five months ago relocated his young family to Cape Town where he now exercises rapidly developing entrepreneurial talents directing his already famous coffee company and a fast growing fintech...

In a world overpopulated with fakes, the authenticity of GG Alcock is a beacon of hope. Raised in a mud hut by committed South African Liberals, Alcock's story is inspirational, insightful and uplifting. For those who have read them, his excellent books Third World Child and Kasinomics expose a country few suburb-dwelling South Africans know exists. In this wide ranging discussion, Alcock shares how his roots in rural poverty created unique perspectives on issues that today baffle most of his fellow citizens. For instance, how the corruption-ridden ANC retains political power despite its well acknowledged failings; how massive but mostly unrecognised economic transformation has changed the landscape of former townships; and why he is optimistic at a time when pretty much every pundit sees the SA glass as half empty. For anyone seeking to understand the contemporary South African story, this is a must-listen. Alcock is simply superb.

The focus of this episode is one of South Africa's most successful entrepreneurs, Port Elizabeth's Adrian Gardiner. The inspirational story of this low profile family man exposes the ingredients needed by all successful entrepreneurs: curiosity, tenacity, humility, grit and, most of all, the self-belief to dust yourself off and start again. Gardiner lost everything in 1979 when an economic recession pushed his highly geared businesses into bankruptcy. But within a decade he was back on top of the local pond - and through his Mantis Group, making inroads on the continental and global stage. A fascinating story of a man who, at 77, despite being heavily invested in the Covid-19 affected hospitality sector, retains all the optimism of his youth.

It's a year since Mmusi Maimane followed the lead of the late Frederick Van Zyl Slabbert and resigned from the Official Opposition to seek a political solution for SA outside of Parliament. History shows Slabbert made the right call, his contribution from outside the tent far more effective than it could possibly have been inside. So too, it seems, with Maimane. The mushrooming of this workaholic One South Africa movement suggests that he, too, is on the road to making a big difference. Drawing on the examples of France's En Marche, Poland's Solidarity and Zimbabwe's MDC, the Maimane-led movement is referencing successful templates. And as South Africa's Constitutional Court has demanding a re-writing of the Electoral Act, the timing is perfect. In episode 13, we hear the back story to South Africa's youthful politicial disruptor whose activism is rooted in deep religious roots.

Another extraordinary South African features in this episode of the long-form biographical podcast. At 68, Bobby Godsell's passion for his homeland hasn't dimmed and in this rare interview, he proposes an approach to living in SA that works. Born in Boksburg and raised in Durban, Godsell spurned repeated offers by one of the world's richest men to run a mining empire - and not for a moment regrets that decision. And at this difficult time, when many of his countrymen are giving up on SA, Godsell offers perspective and a message of hope. Among his suggestions: returning to a Government of National Unity to help SA overcome the massive challenge of recovering from the Covid-19 destruction.

Our guest in this episode is outspoken economist Chris Hart, a former science teacher who did a B Comm because he thought it would help when he was became a headmaster role. Instead, it was the ticket to a bank's dealing room where he helped traders make a packet when contrarian forecasts that often beat the economic consensus. But the real story about the free spirited, independently minded Chris Hart is in how he was targeted by political interests ahead of South Africa's fractious 2016 Municipal elections. The gentle giant refused to be bowed by a social media mugging fuelled by London's unlamented PR shop Bell Pottinger. But his employer blinked. And just three months after being headhunted because of an independent mindset, his corporate career was sacrificed on the altar of political correctness. It's a fascinating story of a life punctuated with series of testing personal challenges, including the murder of his identical twin brother. Yet he remains in service of his less fortunate fellows. And an inspiration to the rest of us.

Our guest in episode is an extraordinarily talented and courageous young man whom the Scott family call David but the rest of South Africa knows as The Kiffness. His wildly popular musical parodies and satirical Youtube videos have attracted millions upon millions of viewers, turning the mild mannered musician into one of the most recognizable faces in the country. The one-time medical student's art hasn't been without risk, however, with occasional puffed up politicians taking sufficient umbrage, occasionally letting lose their social media attack dogs. But as you'll hear in this deeply moving discussion with a 32 year old with wisdom well beyond his years, The Kiffness is unbowed. Because he figures that without freedom of expression, there're no point in calling ourselves a democracy.

Having just turned 60 and with the kind of wealth that brings total independence, globally successful entrepreneur Rob Hersov shares his obsession of helping weld together anti-ANC forces to unseat the ruling political party. Having swum against the tide when returning home three years ago, he has a vision for a South Africa that is very different to today's troubled, failing State. The man who was tutored by two Ruperts (Murdoch and Johann) believes the turnaround will start with ejecting the country's ruling political party.

Kevin Hedderwick, Supreme Wealth Creator, is our guest in episode eight of The Alec Hogg Show. Hedderwick has had a spectacular career and in this podcast, he openly discusses what happened with the acquisition of Gourmet Burger Kitchen in the UK, his business relationship with Brian Joffe, how he started out with the iconic Halamandaris family at the family's small Steers Group and, of course, Famous Brands. 

Our guest in episode seven of the half hour Alec Hogg show is Allen Ambor, creator of the 600-store Spur restaurant group which he started in 1967 with an instantly successful steakhouse around the corner from Cape Town's iconic Newlands rugby stadium. Eccentric, focused and opinionated, yoga teacher Allen is still living a full life. Typically, in the interview he doesn't hold back – whether it's on the real reason for a sudden departure from Spur or his advice to budding entrepreneurs.

This episode features Sygnia founder Magda Wierzycka, a visionary financial services entrepreneur whose story is an inspiration for all. A rags to riches story of penury in Poland when the country was a vassal to the Soviet Union, to a role model for anyone possessing the grit and determination to overcome the odds. Today Magda is living her dream - but in her words, getting there "hasn't been a picnic." The Alec Hogg Show: Meet Magda Wierzycka, an entrepreneurial role model for all South Africans. Ep 5

Our guest in this episode is Leon Louw, the Marxist-turned-Free Marketeer who emerged from a conservative Afrikaner background to embrace communism before having his views reversed by a street vendor in her 70s. For almost half a century louw has provided a clear voice of rationality in a country where economic policies have been shaped by political rather than wealth creating agendas. A riveting half hour.

In Episode Four our guest is a lad from Kensington in London whose chance meeting with a lass sitting on a wall in Cornwall sent him on an adventure that was to have a massive impact on South Africa's peaceful transition. Until fate intervened, the highlight of Clem Sunter's life had been playing on the undercard of a Rolling Stones concert at Oxford University as one half a folk music duo called Clem and John. Like other guests on this show, Clem was selected on the basis that if his story were captured in book form, it would likely be a bestseller. The only surprise is why South Africa's most famous futurist hasn't written that autobiography already. Clem Sunter is a prodigious written, having written 17 books, the most recent of which refer to how we can all learn from foxes in this world of warp speed change. Clem Sunter

Next week, 45-year-old restauranteur Anastasia Sideris will enjoy a double celebration: 15th anniversary of the founding of her 25-store Tasha's restaurant group; and the repurchase from Famous Brands of the 51% stake sold in 2008. In this biographical podcast, we get a unique insight into an OCD workaholic who has already surpassed the achievements of her successful restauranteur father. After reaching her targets in SA and UAE, she is about to introduce Tasha's into new geographies, including the UK and Australia. The Alec Hogg Show: Tasha's story

South Africa possesses many extraordinary people few of us ever hear about until they get pushed into the spotlight by unusual circumstances. Like the Covid-19 pandemic which was grabbed as an opportunity by politicians to stir up fears enabling them to wield unfettered power. In episode two of the Alec Hogg Show, the founder of Biznews.com taps into one of the few consistently dissenting voices. In this podcast, we get to hear what makes PANDA co-ordinator Nick Hudson tick. And discover a well-travelled, widely-read, deep-thinking actuary from a long line of community-focused Eastern Cape physicians who makes his living in private equity and intends becoming an educator. Riveting. Nick Hudson

In the inaugural episode of the Alec Hogg Show, the Biznews founder engages with Paul O'Sullivan, nemesis of the corrupt. In this half hour, O'Sullivan opens up about his Irish childhood that sounds a lot like that in Frank McCourt's classic Angela's Ashes to the reason why he has channelled the fruits of a successful business career into bringing the powerful to society's heel.