Topic: Inspirational

Zipho Sikhakhane is an international speaker, writer and business advisor. She has been a motivational speaker for 15 years and has presented to audiences across four continents, including TEDx Talk delivered in the USA on Africa’s business potential. She is also a weekly Business Columnist for the Sunday Times and is the first black South African to complete an MBA at the prestigious Stanford University in the USA. She delivers inspiring talks and poetry on topics related to Africa’s potential, leadership, entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment.

In 2016, she received the Outstanding Young Achiever Award from the UNESCO Center for Global Education and the Independent Pan- African Youth Parliament. Zipho’s professional background includes developing strategies for large public and private sector clients as a management consultant at McKinsey & Co (the leading management consulting firm globally).

She also held project management and change management positions for the industry leading retailers – Edcon in South Africa (the biggest clothing retailer in Sub-Saharan Africa)and Inditex in Spain (the parent company of Zara and the biggest fashion retailer globally). In 10 years, she has travelled to 30 countries and worked in 10 of them. Currently she is an Executive at a new venture that is acquiring the scaling businesses in the food sector. She also provides advisory and investment support to small businesses and entrepreneurs across Africa.

Leadership Begins with YOU

Individuals need to learn how to lead themselves first, before they can effectively lead others. Emerging from humble beginnings, Zipho beat the odds to achieve outstanding academic success and hold leadership positions in leading corporations locally and globally. She shares insights on the leadership techniques that enabled her to become an exceptional leader.

Leading Africa to Prosperity

The African continent presents immeasurable growth opportunities for local and multi-national corporations. The leaders that will succeed in making the most of these opportunities are ones that understand the importance of having a long term vision and adapting their leadership approaches to the demands of the local context. Zipho has presented inspiring talks across four continents on the progress and potential of African economies – including a TEDx talk delivered in the United States.

Entrepreneurship – Building the Giants of Tomorrow

Zipho is passionate about helping entrepreneurs build businesses that will last and achieve scalable growth. Having been an entrepreneur throughout her youth, since as early as the age of five years old, she shares her perspectives on some of the pitfalls that prevent small business owners from taking their businesses to the next level. She also shares the latest trends and insights on entrepreneurship in the local context – based on research done for the weekly business columns written in the Sunday Times on this topic.

Inspirational Poetry

Zipho has been writing and presenting poetry for many years. She can deliver engaging poetry recitals on a variety of topics.

Disadvantage to Advantage

Oscar was born with a rare fatal genetic illness, MPS 6. At 20 years old he stands just 117 cms tall, has aluminium screws in his left leg, recently had a two cornea transplant, and has survived two bone marrow transplants and a ten minute cardiac arrest. Despite all of this he has discovered a thrilling talent for hip hop and developed a powerful and unique style of motivational speaking and stand-up comedy. His message of overcoming huge obstacles and turning adversity into triumph is guaranteed to not only inspire your audience, but because of his talent, humour and charm, will also truly entertain and empower them.
Inspirational Empowering Entertainment!

Disadvantage to Advantage

Oscar was born with a rare fatal genetic illness, MPS 6. At 20 years old he stands just 117 cms tall, has aluminium screws in his left leg, recently had a two cornea transplant, and has survived two bone marrow transplants and a ten minute cardiac arrest. Despite all of this he has discovered a thrilling talent for hip hop and developed a powerful and unique style of motivational speaking and stand-up comedy. His message of overcoming huge obstacles and turning adversity into triumph is guaranteed to not only inspire your audience, but because of his talent, humour and charm, will also truly entertain and empower them.
Inspirational Empowering Entertainment!

Two minute intro by Sir Twyz; Oscars best friend and Mc.

Ten Minute Motivational speech by Oscar. 
The speech will consist of his life story, the obstacles he has faced and conquered, the achievements he has achieved since and the key lessons he has learnt so far that can empower young peoples minds and give a new perspective of bigger picture thinking.

Two and a half minute high energy Hip Hop/ Kasi style dance done by Oscar and his team. 


End off with Q and A where the audience can ask any questions that they may have.

Oscars key take home messages include:

• All obstacles can and will be over come if a person plans well and is persistent.
• Vision and Action is key to achieving what a person wants in life
• Sometimes your biggest Disadvantage is your biggest Advantage
• Work on your natural skills and combine learned skills to succeed

Frank Magwegwe is an entrepreneur, personal finance and employee financial wellness expert, active citizen, and business speaker whose work has been recognized by many esteemed organizations. A lifelong learner, Frank is reading for his doctorate in financial planning at Kansas State University.

Life.Money.You

The average person makes six to ten money decisions per day ranging from small decisions like buying a cup of coffee or packing lunch for work to saving for retirement or a child’s education. So many financial decisions require a balance of financial literacy, self-control and making the best possible decision given limited information. Most of these decisions are unguided. No wonder money continues to keep people up at night. Since personal finance is hardly taught in schools, most people learn to manage money through trial and error or from their parents who also learnt to manage money through trial and error. No wonder, low financial literacy is accompanied by high levels of debt, irrespective of income and background and general financial stress. Financial stress can impact negatively impact mental and physical health. People need more financial guidance but they are not getting it Get hope in your financial life and get started on the journey to long-term financial security using Frank’s 6 SMARRT steps. In this practical talk, Frank will discuss the money mindset, money stories, money mindfulness, the power of choices and the money behaviours that sabotage long-term financial security

Life.Purpose.You

Are you passionate about how you are living today and where you are going in the future? Or do you sometimes feel that you are merely a passenger in a bus to nowhere that you hopped on early in your working life and allowed to determine the direction of your life With very few people instinctively knowing where they want to go with their lives and many people in search of purpose, Frank’s talk puts people in the driver’s seat of their life, making them confident about being there, knowing where they want to go and more importantly WHY. Through the 6 SMARRT steps, Frank shows that the “why” of life is the force that inspires people and the foundation for finding their purpose.

Life.Obstacles.You

Be inspired by Frank’s deeply personal story of setbacks, challenges, adventure, success and triumph. Frank takes you on an amazing journey through his life experiences as a barman, dead broke, unemployed, and homeless young man, fruit & vegetable vendor, entrepreneur and most importantly, the lessons learned. Motivate your audiences to get out of the shadows, overcome obstacles, go from invisible to invincible and flourish with Frank’s 6 SMARRT lessons from overcoming obstacles. The proven, actionable, real-life and practical SMARRT steps show how Frank “beat the odds” and “escaped” homelessness in his transformation from invisible homeless young man to personal finance and employee financial wellness expert, entrepreneur and active citizen. The 6 SMARRT steps can be brought into the context of any organization and harnessed by anyone with determination, drive and desire to excel.

Devi, an award-winning investigative journalist with MNET’s Carte Blanche, is a sought-after MC/Keynote speaker for corporate events which include awards ceremonies, conferences and panel discussions. Devi has a special interest in finance, which together with an MBA ensures she will be an asset to your event. Some of her clients include: Microsoft, IBM, Telesure, Sanlam, Nedbank, Old Mutual, Barloworld Logistics, Bristol Myers Squibb and Novartis.

1. The Day I Chose Me

Four years ago Devi received the news that she was pre-hypertensive. Hardly surprising when this award-winning investigative television journalist also doubled up as a wife and mother to two young children. The news set in motion a series of events …. false starts and stops……an unexpected meeting with Huffington Post founder, Ariana Huffington …. And it all culminated in a blog which went viral – much to Devi’s surprise. In this hilarious, yet touching talk, Devi talks about her constant fight with finding “balance” and how she has learnt to finally put herself on top of her list while chasing crooks on TV. This 45 minute talk with a 15 minute Q and A session is suitable for a mixed-gender audience and includes tips on how to stay sane, brilliant and dazzling, in a world which doesn’t stop to breathe.

2. How to catch a crook …. in heels!

Devi is an award-winning investigative journalist who has spent the past 25 years in the media. For the past 16 years, Devi, an MBA graduate, has focussed her efforts at Carte Blanche, South Africa’s leading current affairs television programme, gaining a reputation for being fearless (despite beingin numerous life-threatening situations) in exposing corruption wherever it may exist. In this hilarious, yet motivational talk focuses on Devi’s early life in KZN, and a behind-the-scenes look at her work on Carte Blanche. 45 minutes. 15 minute Q and A.

Visionary. Leader. Trailblazer. Miles Kubheka, aka Vuyo, is a game-changing entrepreneur who empowers others to find success. The IT graduate turned successful gastronomist is the founder, owner, and believer behind the renowned Vuyo’s brand, as well as being a sought-after public speaker.

Visionary

Miles has always had the desire to make a meaningful mark on the world and in 2012 he became the first person in the entire world to create a business based on a TV advert. The advert was about a character named “Vuyo” who starts off selling wors rolls from a food cart and then makes it “beeeg”. Miles innovatively trademarked the Vuyo’s brand and opened the first Vuyo’s restaurant in Braamfontein, serving fast-casual food, including gourmet-style South African staples, such as wors, potjiekos and pap. Miles expanded his enterprise to include food carts and then expanded it even further with the introduction of food trucks. He now has a restaurant on the famous Vilakazi Street, in Soweto, four food trucks, and more plans to expand and inspire.

Leader

Miles teaches would-be entrepreneurs that all that’s required to start a business is vision and a hunger to succeed. He believes Africa needs leaders committed to creating wealth for their communities and that doing good is good business.

Public Speaker

Miles connects with and inspires audiences of all ages and backgrounds and he’s proven this repeatedly during motivational talks at various events and companies, including at Sage Pastel, Discovery, and Wits Business School, among others. Miles is considered to be “one of South Africa’s best”, “an exceptional individual”, “a natural speaker”, and “truly excellent”. Miles has appeared on various talk shows and TV programs and in several publications. For a motivational talk with a difference, book Miles as a speaker at your next event.

Trailblazer for purely traditional South African food

Miles’ passion is to set in motion a South African food revolution – he wants South Africans to feel proud of their food and to be able to go out and eat “what they grew up eating”.

Miles lives in Johannesburg, where he cooks and eats good food, spends time with his adorable seven-year-old son, and stays up late plotting how best to change the world

Brings out the best in those around him.

Pepe, founding partner and Group Chief Creative Officer of the Brand and Communication Group Joe Public United. Pepe’s definition of success is to create an environment of harmony and joy, focusing on the well-being of people by developing their growth and achieve the highest levels of self-worth, honesty and excellence by nurturing ideas, dreams and trust.

He believes that Joe Public United is at the beginning of what he and his business partner set out to do in terms of the calibre of work they create.

Founded in 1998 and growing into Joe Public United in 2007, makes this brand and communications group one of South Africa’s largest 100% independently owned advertising agencies. Its core purpose is to deliver on Growth–the growth of its clients, people and country as well as aiming to be an agency that inspires greatness.

Joe Public’s service offering is through its specialist companies:

• Joe Public (Above-the-line)
• Connect Joe Public (Digital)
• Engage Joe Public (Public Relations)
• Ignite Joe Public (Cross-platform)
• Shift Joe Public (Brand Design)

The group has African and European partners/affiliates in fourteen different countries.

Achievements

Currently ranked number one creative leader in the South African advertising industry

• Autor of Growing Greatness, a journey towards personal and business mastery, offering purpose as a significant path towards business success
• Recipient of the 2018 Sanlam Business Partnership Entrepreneur of the Year Award for medium companies, together with his business partner
• Serves on the board of SA Day
• Founder and Chairman of One School at a Time
• A Closet Afrikaans rocker and Humanitarian at heart

Author, Motivational Speaker as well as an Entrepreneur.

Sibusiso grew up just like any other kid in Soweto. Strong to his Faith, by God’s grace he was afforded the opportunity to go to boarding school. Growing up in a township, the experience, exposed him to many things.
To dream bigger and work harder.

“Your talent will be seen once you are given an opportunity to try out things.”

Sibusiso’s book, Work Through the Barriers to Success, speaks about what he refers to as the five significant barriers preventing our dreams from coming true.

1.Lack of Vision
2.The Enemy Within
3.Negative Opinions from others
4.Victims of Circumstance
5.Being Comfortable

Keynote Topics

1.From Idea to Reality

Sharing strategies on how to take an idea and make it a reality as well as ways in which to overcome procrastination

2.Attitudes of Champions

Sharing five attributes that Champions display:
1.Attitude of Patience
2.Attitude of Plus +1
3.Attitude of Persistence
4.Attitude of Personal Growth
5.Attitude of Partnership

3.From Communication to Connection

Sharing strategies that help people become more effective, confident and eloquent communicators that will not only communicate but connect with their audience.

Stephen McGown, an ordinary guy, was abducted and held hostage by Al Qaeda in Mali for almost 6 years.36 at the time and travelling by motorbike from London to South Africa, he was kidnapped from Timbuktu along with a Dutch and Swedish national.

During the six years ,Stephen lived far from civilisation, kept deep in the Sahara away from the searching eyes of French surveillance planes and drones.He had limited communication with his family in the first six months of his captivity, which ceased altogether once the French Military Forces arrived in Mali.

Living outdoors in harsh conditions, he learnt a variety of skills such as how to protect himself from the elements. But most significantly, he learnt how to stay alive and positive when everything was stacked against him. Uncertain as to whether he would ever be released–or die in the Sahara–Stephen made a decision to come out of this experience a better person.

He chose to hold onto hope and keep a positive attitude despite the tough and seemingly hopeless situation he was in. Stephen was finally released in August 2017 and is now in the process of getting his life back together. Stephen is from Johannesburg where he went to school and attended university. Prior to Stephen’s kidnapping, he and his wife had been living in the UK and had plans to return back to South Africa to start a family and run his family’s farming business.

Keynote Topics

Stephen’s keynote take’s you on a journey through his experience of being captured by Al Qaeda. A grueling story, which taps into the resilience, and hope that Stephen, the Government, and his family endured, to get him home. This is a deeply human story, which is relevant for any organization that would like to tap into themes on
resilience, self leadership, hope, and team work.

Even though Stephens story is far removed from the reality of people lives, the essence of his struggles are not far off from his audience. His story is about resilience, and the overcoming of adversity amidst harsh weather conditions, a different culture, language, and religion.

“Everyone is faced with challenges, but is it who you are, and the depth of your determination that will get you through life’s darkest moments”

You will be immediately struck by Rusty’s sincerity and humility as he delivers a dramatic account of his transformational experience following such a traumatic experience! In 2003, without a body and against police evidence, Rusty was wrongly convicted of drowning a fish poacher and spent ten harrowing years under horrendous conditions in Zimbabwe’s prisons during Mugabe’s rule.

In the process, Rusty developed not only a lifesaving resilience but also empathy and a keen desire to help his fellow inmates. With his faith in God, positive mental attitude, leadership qualities, and lessons in forgiveness, gratitude and humility, Rusty brings a personal, transformative and authentic message of hope and freedom. Rusty explains how to harness inner strength and let go of what we cannot control.

Beating Chains Victory over Injustice

“I write about being subjected to conditions most people would find unbearable, having to draw on my inner resources and strengths to endure the unimaginable. In the process I not only developed a life-saving resilience but also an empathy and keen desire to help my fellow inmates. My positive mental attitude, leadership qualities, and lessons in forgiveness, gratitude and humility bring a personal, transformative and authentic message of hope and freedom.”

Zolani, well-known and respected for bringing South Africa and its people together across social, racial and cultural divides through her work as a musician. Quoted to say, “our individual stories are unique and there is value in examining one’s personal history, and to being curious about those around us … that we help each other move toward our fullest expression as human beings”. Zolani is passionate to share her own personal experience of growing up in a divided South Africa, speaking intimately about the coping mechanisms she
developed as a child and what impact they had on her both positively and negatively grow from a township girl to an international superstar.

Freshlyground was formed in 2002 and has become a household name as one of South Africa’s most acclaimed and successful bands. Capturing the heart of South Africa and claimed global recognition. One of Zolani’s highlights, a collaboration with pop superstar Shakira with whom Freshlyground recorded the official song for the FIFA World Cup 2010, performing at the closing ceremony to a global audience of over a billion people.

After an unbelievable 17 years with the band, we know as ‘The One Who Sings’ to spread her wings and fully commit to her new venture as a solo artist and inspirational speaker.

Interesting Facts about Zolani

Studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Cape Town where she
met and formed the band Freshlyground
• Sung with legends, such as Stevie Wonder, Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba
• Staged a tribute show for the great Ella Fitzgerald
• Recognised for her portrayal of “Boniswa” the popular character in the
inspirational SABC drama series Tsha Tsha
• Stared in the feature film, Cold Harbour
• A judge on the a’capella show, and a guest judge on Idols

Paddy is an acclaimed speaker, Head Coach in international cricket, a university Professor, and mental coach to professional athletes from 10 countries and 11 different sports. His unique and out-the-box approach to leadership, coaching and performance has seen him described as ‘one of the best coaches’ and ‘the most innovative coach’ in the world.

His over 150 keynotes in 40 cities across five continents, include glowing references from Boeing, Dell, General Electric, Google, Microsoft, Unilever and many more, and ‘consistently being rated the highest scoring speaker’ at conferences in the USA, Australia and South Africa. He is described as a ‘delightfully entertaining’, ‘authentic’, ‘inspiring’ story-teller, with an ‘amazing ability to translate his message to be relevant and applicable
across industries’.

Some accomplishments include;

Helping lead the Indian Cricket Team to achieve the World’s No. 1 Test ranking for their first time, and then to win the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time in 27 years.

Helping lead the South African Cricket Team to become the first team ever to simultaneously hold the World No. 1 ranking in all three formats of the international game.

Head Coach in 13 global T20 cricket seasons, for five different teams in three of the worlds’ premier tournaments, the Indian Premier League (IPL), Australian Big Bash League (BBL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL).

In his first season, he led underdogs Rajasthan Royals (IPL) from four years at the bottom of the log, to both the IPL and then Champions League finals, and followed this by leading Sydney Thunder team, after losing 21 out of 22 games prior to his arrival, to become Big Bash League Champions in 2015!

He has been mental coach to professional athletes from 10 countries and 11 different sports, including International cricketers, rugby, soccer and hockey players, Olympians, para-Olympians, World Tour golfers and World Tour surfers.

He has degrees from four different universities, including two masters degrees. In recognition for his innovative leadership and coaching approach, applicable in both sport and business, he was appointed Professor of Practice at Deakin University (Business and Law faculty. Melbourne, Australia)

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Karen Dudley (born 1968) is a South African chef, food writer and restaurateur. She is best known for her restaurant, The Kitchen in Woodstock, Cape Town, which was visited by former First Lady Michelle Obama in June 2011. “If you’re a regular politician’s wife, you go to the Mount Nelson. But if you’re Michelle Obama, you’re looking to make the biggest impact. She understood the power of her endorsement.

We played our regular music. We were making sandwiches for her two girls, and she brought her mom. I think she was saying she was coming to Woodstock, a growing area, to a black woman-owned business. Locals have often stopped me in the street and said: did she really come to us?”

For Karen Dudley, food informs the family dynamic and her home is as multilayered and as delicious a delight as her colourful personality and cooking style. ‘When it comes to food and cooking, I learned from my mother how to make “nice” with what we feed the people we love and care about,’ says Karen Dudley, author, cook and creator of The Kitchen, the much-loved Woodstock dining destination that she opened in Cape Town in 2009. ‘We were the kind of family who would be sitting at the kitchen table in the middle of the night, eating her perfectly thin French crêpes, if repairs after an argument needed to be made.

Delicious food has always been her love language,’ she says. When news broke that The Kitchen would not be reopening in June after lockdown, people were shaken. Dudley has produced beautiful cookbooks, and is active on Instagram and YouTube. She believes her future will involve being an authority on food and recipes