Nation Builder: Recent Episodes
Nation Builder
Nation building has never been more important in navigating the now and the next. As we examine our new canvas, we need a new combination of colours with which to paint.
Abdullah Verachia, Global Speaker, Practice Strategist, and Innovator
A community that partnered and pulled together in the wake of civil unrest and looting in Kwa-Zulu Natal. We reflect on the crisis, the lessons learned, partnerships formed - and the way forward.
Shaun Tait, CEO of The Domino Foundation in conversation with Siyabonga Hlatswayo, Provincial Co-ordinator for The Red Cross, Lindokuhle Khoza, Director of Lindbong Investments and Cathy Whittle, Head of The Domino Foundation’s Nutrition programme and Disaster Relief Unit
What if our greatest challenge is not the external realities we face, but rather how we think about them? Asking different questions allows us to see things from a different vantage point, sparks new thinking and reveals different opportunities.
Samuel Njenga, Director of Strategy and Training at Systems Thinking Africa
Discover a simple but effective tool that takes us back to the art of fireside storytelling, where perspectives are shaped and shifted in a very human and tangible way. Perhaps this is an art we should return to…
Olefile Masangane, Programmes Manager at the Heartlines Centre for Values Promotion
Human-centred design drives exploration and experimentation, which are both essential for adapting to uncertain times and addressing the challenges faced by our nation.
Richard Perez, Founding Director of the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking, UCT
A holistic view into the social sector, highlighting shifts that have taken place and looking at what we can expect to see as we move forward.
Keri-Leigh Paschal in conversation with Cathy Duff, Director at Trialogue, Tracey Henry, CEO of Tshikululu, Dr Frank Aswani, CEO of African Venture Philanthropy Alliance
Problem-solvers thrive in chaotic and uncertain times because they act to change their future. Opportunists recognise that in a world of growing uncertainty, you can use crisis as a catalyst for positive change.
Bruce Whitfield, Host of the Money Show on Radio 702 and Cape Talk
We need to harness the power of South Africa’s youth to enable them to see their immense value as positive role models and builders of the future in their communities. This is the key to helping young people to lead the way in building back better.
Desiré Peters is the Chief Programme Operations Officer for gold Youth Development Agency. She is a dedicated social activist who founded and continues to lead the social justice movement Collaborating for Change. As Chief Programme Operations Officer for the gold Youth Development Agency she heads up their Africa programme, focusing on bringing about systemic change in youth education in Africa. Video: The Power of an
The Impact Catalyst is an initiative founded by Anglo American, the CSIR, Exxaro, World Vision South Africa and Zutari to create mechanisms that drive large-scale, socio-economic development initiatives through public-private partnerships.
Representatives of Anglo American, the CSIR and Exxaro share their experiences and learnings. Charl Harding is the Impact Catalyst Manager at the CSIR. He's joined on the panel by Mzila Mthenjane, the Executive Head of Stakeholder Affairs at Exxaro and Dr Matthew Chadwick, theHead of Socio-Economic Development and Partnerships at Anglo American, based in London. Video of the Impact Catalyst Fund panel discussion
A panel from GreenCape explains how, as the, country maps its transition from a state of ‘lockdown’ to one of economic recovery, investment in green economy infrastructure is widely being seen as a key element of recovery post-COVID-19. Investment into the green economy not only stimulates business activity but also creates jobs and helps solve problems around energy, water and waste. This is all possible while still addressing the bottom line.
With Cilnette Pienaar, Reshmi Wolvers, Wilberforce Chege and Jack Radmore. youtu.be
Brandon Paschal (LaunchLab), Shawn Theunissen (Property Point) and Remmone Modisakeng (Teambix) discuss how entrepreneurs find innovative and sustainable ways to solve problems they see in society, and to grow the local economy. They explain the ways that entrepreneurs contribute to a thriving economy post-COVID-19. youtu.be
The healing of our land stems from the healing of the economy, according to Patrick Kuwana, CEO of the Crossover Transformation Group. He discusses economic justice and unlocking the economic potential of Africa, as well as and building sustainable prosperity for future generations. Video - Economic Justice: Reconstructing our Economic Foundation
Eddie Eng, Principal Consultant, Facilitator and Executive Coach at Rohei in Singapore, will explore how we can create a culture of trust in our organisations, so that we can build flourishing, innovative environments. Eddie works in Singapore and across the Asian region to develop trusted and relationally competent leaders, build high-trust teams, and navigate the people-aspect of organisational change management. He has a Master’s degree in Industrial Organisational Psychology and in-depth experience in solution-focused coaching and conflict resolution. He has partnered with over 100 organisations – working with senior leaders in banking and finance, manufacturing, real estate, healthcare, telecommunications, the non-profit environment, education and the public sector. Video — Creating A Culture of Trust
COVID-19 has exposed the fragile nature and deep inequality in our society, but it has also presented us with an opportunity for a more realistic vision of the future and the cooperation that can help us navigate this complex period. Daniel Silke, a leading political economy analyst and futurist discusses the risks, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as we work together to Build Back Better. Video - SURVEYING THE LANDSCAPE : ECONOMIC RISKS, CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
Dr Rudzani Moloiwa (Director of the paediatric HIV Clinical Services at Groote Schuur Hospital), Dr Boshoff Steenekamp (Specialist Family Physician and Health Strategist at Momentum Health solutions) and Dr Michael Mol (CEO and founder of "Hello Doctor") discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and it's effect not only on the human body but on the South African nation.
Hlengiwe Phiri is the Product and Community Manager at Nation Builder. She looks at the process of developing a professionalised reporting practice within the funder/NPO partnership relationship.
Stu is the Director at iThemba Projects, an NPO that partners with the people of Sweetwaters in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. He shares how a strong sense of ownership mobilised a community to ensure they relied on sustainable and dignified solutions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Renowned Cognitive Neuroscientist and bestselling author, Dr Caroline Leaf, has made the concept of neuroplasticity accessible to the general public. Dr Leaf explains how prolonged trauma, such as we have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, affects the psyche. She also discusses how we can overcome trauma as a national psyche and move beyond burnout.
GG Alcock shares on the massive impact of the informal or "kasi" economy in South Africa.
Mark is a psychologist specialising in the development of Emotional Intelligence for managers and leaders. He shares about the post-lockdown emotional fallout that so many are struggling with. He talks about the clash between what the business needs and what the staff need - a balance that business leaders need to be aware of as their people return to the office. Mark shares some ideas on how business leaders can go about addressing these challenges.
Remmone Modisakeng is the founder & CEO of Teambix, a platform on which companies can share employees’ working hours with other companies and so share salary costs. He talks to Nation Builder’s Ofhentse Piet about his journey of breaking the mould to become a problem solver and he shares some lessons he has learnt on “failing forward”. He touches on the recent job losses amidst COVID-19 and the need for people to up-skill themselves in the right competencies for post-COVID success.
Patrick Kuwana, CEO of C3 Capital, founder of Crossover Transformation Group, TLI – Development Partner, and a Transformational Leadership Trainer speaks about righteousness and justice as the key pillars of business and advocates for a way of doing business that puts the restoration of human dignity and relationships as the only real way to achieve sustainability. Patrick also shares some thoughts on what building an inclusive economy in South Africa could look like.
Shawn Theunissen explains why he remains optimistic for the future of entrepreneurship in South Africa despite the challenges. Shawn is the head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Growthpoint Properties and the founder and manager of Property Point, Growthpoint’s enterprise and supplier development programme which focuses on the holistic development of SMMEs. He shares some insights with Nation Builder on the impact COVID-19 has had on entrepreneurship and why there is hope.
Beautiful Gate is an NPO based in a township called Phillipi, between Khayelitsha and Gugulethu. Minah Koela shares some of the current realities that people are facing on the ground as result of COVID-19 and also sheds light on how businesses can partner with township communities like Philippi.
Chris du Toit, the co-founder and director of Custom Capital, is passionate about raising up the next generation of entrepreneurs. He is driven by the dream that he and others can be instrumental in shaping and defining the future. Here he chats to Nation Builder’s Ofhentse Piet about the key roles he believes entrepreneurship can play in our society, and gives some advice to entrepreneurs and investors as they navigate this season of uncertainty.
Charmaine Smith, founder and director of Infundo Consulting, shares how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the interconnectedness of business and civil society. She gives some handles on how we can better engage as we seek to strengthen our country’s social fabric.
Kobus Louw, Founder and MD of Digemy shares some of his insights on providing a digital service and some thoughts on how the startup landscape will be impacted, encouraging entrepreneurs to looks at the pandemic with a different perspective and to look for opportunities to innovate. (edited)
Andre Louw, CEO of TradeSwitch and Frei, shares his insights on organisational structures that are being disrupted by COVID-19 and he sheds some light on recent tech trends to be aware of, and possibly embrace, in a post-COVID world.
Almero Strauss, a Group Director of Mergon, provides insights into how business leaders can successfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. He also shares some of his own experiences of managing his business portfolio in this current reality.
Husband & wife duo Champ & Lerato Thekiso of the Thekvest Group chat to the Nation Builder team on leading with intention during COVID-19 and encourage others to be courageous and generous.
Dale Simons, MD of MiDO Technologies, shares some thoughts on what keeps him grounded and moving forward in this COVID-19 season.