The South African-ness: Recent Episodes
Veldskoen Podcast
The three founders of Veldskoen, Nick Dreyer, Ross Zondagh, and Nic Latouf, talk to innovative, resilient South Africans who are doing amazing things outside of Mzanzi. South African-ness: Descriptive Noun. A state of mind. A state of heart. The collection of attributes and attitudes that identify someone as a member of the rainbow nation.
Paul Naude tells the story of the surf industry through a career that spans five decades. There's Gotcha, Billabong, and his latest brand Vissla.
He also talks about actual surfing and what South African-ness is to him.
Hosts: Nick Dreyer, Nic Latouf, Ross Zondagh, and Gary Amstutz
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Two-time SA Olympian, Dominique Scott, chatted with the guys about her journey towards the Olympics.
From how she was resistant to running cross country at all as a child, to how a family trip to the US awoke her dream to become an Olympian.
She also talks about ‘The Dom Squad’, her introductory training programme for young female athletes, and gives her unique take on what ‘South African-ness’ means…
Hosts:
Nick Dreyer
Nick Latouf
Ross Zondagh
Gary Amstudz
Producers:
Anna Greenfield
Brandon Daniels
Bryan has been living in the US for a long time. He first went over with iconic South African surf brand Gotcha! And the insights he shares are mind-blowing! Definitely the right podcast to listen to if you're thinking about launching your product or business in the US!
South Africans know Shaun Tomson as a world champion surfer and the founder of Instinct.
did you know he was also instrumental in the growth of Patagonia?
Shaun joined the guys to talk about surfing, olympic medals, business, and of course, South African-ness...
Spoiler alert: Have a tissue handy for the end of the podcast.
Tony Naudé moved to Switzerland from South Africa when she was very small. Tony isn't old enough to legally drive a car on the road yet, but her favourite thing to do is to is competitive Formula 4 racing, where she hits speeds of up to 240 km per hour.
The guys caught up with Tony (and her dad) to learn about her speedy adventures all around Europe.
Dylan Ben Israel is a South African screenwriter and movie maker. Most recently, people know him as the guy who created The Dead Sea and Marked: Military, but back in the day ( if you were around back in the day) he also wrote the original screenplay for the movie Hansie.
Dylan spent some time with the guys talking about the film industry in South Africa compared to Hollywood. He also told us about the essence of South African-ness, which for him is our amazing South African food!
Hosts: Nick dreyer, Nic Latouf, Ross Zondagh
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme Song: Donovan Copley
Connect with the show:
Facebook: @veldskoen.shoes ( also check out SOUTH AFRICAN-NESS, our new page)
Instagram: @veldskoenshoes
website: veldskoen.com
In 2019 Charl Bassil was poached from Pernod Ricard SA, to head up global marketing for Absolut Vodka.
The guys caught up with Charl, and tried to get him to email them the Absolut vodka marketing strategy. He didn't.
He did, however, share amazing insight on how brands can connect with Gen Z and on the value of authenticity when you tell your brand's story.
He also talked about South African-ness and told us about his all time favourite South African brand. Spoiler alert, it's Nando's.
Connect with us:
Facebook: @veldskoen.shoes or @SOUTH AFRICAN-NESS ( it's our open group)
Instagram: @veldskoenshoes
website: veldskoen.com
Podcast hosts: Nick Dreyer, Nic Latouf, Ross Zondagh
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme song: Donovan Copley
Luke Henning has done some awesome things. He studied for two undergrad degrees at the same time. He was a barista for Virgin. He's done an MBA at Oxford. He's met Joe Strummer without realizing he was talking to someone super famous.
Now, he's got a company called Circ that recycles clothes to the raw materials they were made from, and he is revolutionizing the world of green fashion!
The guys caught up with him and chatted about his business journey and his ideas around South African-ness.
Connect with us:
Facebook: @veldskoen.shoes or @SOUTH AFRICAN-NESS ( it's our open group)
Instagram: @veldskoenshoes
website: veldskoen.com
Podcast hosts: Nick Dreyer, Nic Latouf, Ross Zondagh
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme song: Donovan Copley
Music producer, Greg Borowsky, was born and bred in Johanessburg.
In SA he was signed with Sony, won a bunch of SAMAs, and produced the government's official "20 Years of Freedom" song.
But in 2014 he took the leap and moved to New York City to take his musical dreams to the next level.
The guys caught up with this extraordinary South African to learn all about what goes into developing a Broadway musical, how you get nominated for a grammy after just one afternoon's work, and how he ended up making music in the first place... (Greg studied to be an accountant, folks)
And of course, they asked him what he thinks South African-ness means...
Connect with Greg:
https://broadwaylicensing.com/contact/
Connect with Veldskoen:
www.veldskoen.shoes
Facebook: @veldskoen.shoes
Instagram: @veldskoenshoes
The guys talked to serial entrepreneur, start-up investor, and Shark Tank judge, Vinny Lingam.
Vinny shares advice about desirable skillsets for entrepreneurs and employees who want to work in a global market and not be tied down to one economy. He also shares a hilarious experience of South African-ness in the USA.
Hosts: Nick Dreyer, Nic Latouf, Ross Zondagh
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme Song: Donovan Copley
Connect with VELDSKOEN:
website: www.veldskoen.shoes
Facebook: @veldskoen.shoes
Instagram: @veldskoenshoes
Gary Amstutz is the founder and CEO of Rubberstamp SA and also Veldskoen's newest international partner.
Gary chatted to the guys about living abroad with a business in South Africa, the value of the people that make a business work, and the importance of creating a sustainable business.
Connect with Gary:
https://rubberstampsa.co.za/
Connect with us:
Veldskoen.shoes
Hosts: Nick Dreyer, Nic Latouf, Ross Zondagh
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme Song: Donovan Copley
Justin Anthony has been educating Americans about delicious South African food and wine for over 20 years! He has several restaurants in Atlanta, including 10 Degrees South and Biltong Bar.
The guys caught up with him to learn about the magical spin he puts on traditional dishes and how he spreads South African-ness in the US...
Find Justin online...
10degreessouth.com
biltong-bar.com
Find us online...
Facebook: @veldskoen.shoes
Instagram: @veldskoenshoes
Website: veldskoen.shoes
Show hosts: Nick Dreyer, Nic Latouf, and Ross Zondagh
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme song: Donovan Copley
David Evans is the CEO of BOS Iced Tea. He's currently living in the Netherlands and spreading the gospel of delicious Rooibos throughout Europe.
The guys caught up with him and learned about Rooibos, how he underestimated the value of a South African story for his product, oh, yes, and also that he went to completely the wrong high school.
Entrepreneurs, tea drinkers, and Kearsney College Old Boys... this episode is for you!
Hosts: Nick Dreyer, Nic Latouf, Ross Zondagh
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme Song: Donovan Copley
Find BOS Iced Tea on social media:
Facebook: @BOS
Instagram: @bosworld
Find us on social media:
Facebook: @veldskoen.shoes
Instagram: @veldskoenshoes
Through the South African Film Festival, Cecil Herchler and his wife Ruth, raise the money every year that puts thousands of disadvantaged South African kids through school.
They guys caught up with Cecil to learn all about his foundation, Education Without Borders, his love of South Africa and her people, and about his special nostalgic connection with vellies.
Hosts: nick Dreyer, Ross Zondagh, and Nic Latouf
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme Song: Donovan Copley
Find us on social media:
Facebook: @Veldskoen.shoes
Instagram: @Veldskoenshoes
Tami McQueen, originally from Benoni, has been in the US for almost 20 years. She began her marketing career after coming very close to playing pro tennis. Her marketing firm, 31 Degrees South, has worked with companies like Facebook, Twitter, Subway, Red Bull, Billabong, and Porche. (Tami makes fancy friends!) Now she's bringing her love of sport and marketing together, heading up marketing for the New England Free Jacks rugby team!
The guys got Tami online for a chat. There's lots of rugby, and lots of reminiscing about home...
Hosts: Nick Dreyer, Nic Latouf, Ross Zondagh
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme song: Donavan Copley
Let's Connect!
Facebook:
@veldskoen.shoes
Instagram:
@veldskoenshoes
@tamimcqueen
Steve Watts and his wife, and business partner Angela, own Slyde Handboards. Their cool body surfing company caught sharks Mark Cuban and Ashton Kutcher as investors.
Steve is also a part of the Veldskoen team.
In this episode, the guys chat to Steve about his Shark Tank experience and about building small businesses in America...
Hosted by: Nick Dreyer, Nic Latouf, Ross Zondagh
Produced by: Anna Greenfield
Theme song: Donovan Copley
Facebook: @veldskoen.shoes
Instagram: @veldskoenshoes
In this episode, the guys pick the brain of, crypto currency expert and serial entrepreneur, Ran Neuner.
Ran used to be the CEO of Creative Council, one of South Africa's most famous advertising agencies. After selling that business, Ran relocated to the US, where he is currently hosting the Crypto Trader show on CNBC, but he still has business interests in South Africa, and a deep love for its people.
Show hosts: Nick Dreyer, Nick Latouf. Ross Zondagh
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme song: Donovan Copley.
Join our Veldskoen family on social media, @veldskoen.shoes on Facebook, @veldskoenshoes on Instagram!
This week's episode gives the guys a peak into London's west end musical theatre scene. SA actor, Sifiso Mazibuko, shares shares his personal journey with the smash hit Hamilton, including, a gruelling audition process that went on for a whole year!
If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please let us know. (Also let us know if you didn't)
We love getting feedback from listeners!
You can connect with us about the show on any of the Veldskoen Social pages
Facebook: @veldskoen.shoes
Instagram: @veldskoenshoes
Also, please share the show with your friends and subscribe...
Guy Carter is the Marketing Manager for the Nando's Group. He happens to be married to Donnay Carter, the Marketing Manager for Starbucks UK.
Nick, Nic, and Ross spoke to this power couple of marketing because 1) they're brilliant at what they do and all brands can learn from them, and c) ... You guessed it, they both happen to be South Africans!
If you love learning about big brands. If you love sharing stories of South African-ness, this episode is for you!
If you find the episode entertaining or helpful (or even awful) we'd love to hear your thoughts! Please connect with us on Facebook (@veldskoen.shoes) or Instagram (@veldskoenshoes)
Hosts: Nick Dreyer, Nic Latouf, Ross Zondagh
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme Song: Donovan Copley
Fei Gao is taking Veldskoen to China. The guys chatted to her about how to successfully take a South African brand to the East.
This episode is a must listen for any fashion retailer looking to expand to China. Intertwined with her wonderful stories from home, Fei provides great insight into what the Chinese market looks for in a fashion brand, and into daily life in Beijing post Covid.
If you find the episode entertaining or helpful (or even awful) we'd love to hear your thoughts! Please connect with us on Facebook (@veldskoen.shoes) or Instagram (@veldskoenshoes)
Hosts: Nick Dreyer, Nic Latouf, Ross Zondagh
Producer: Anna Greenfield
Theme Song: Donovan Copley