3 Show Notes

00:02 Johannesburg, known locally as Jozi, is the largest city in South Africa. It is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa. The city is one of the 50 largest urban areas by population in the world, and is also the world’s largest city not situated on a river, lake, or coastline. The city was named and established in 1886 following the discovery of gold on what had been a farm. The name is attributed to one or all of three men involved in the establishment of the city. In just ten years, the population grew to over 100,000 inhabitants.

While Johannesburg is not one of South Africa’s three capital cities, it is the seat of the Constitutional Court, which has the final word on interpretation of South Africa’s constitution as well as with issues in connection with constitutional matters. The City is regarded as the economic powerhouse of the African continent.

00:27 JoziMyJozi is a movement born out of a deep passion for Johannesburg and a call for citizens and business alike to contribute to its regeneration.

00:46 Melusi Mhlungu's instagram account and We Are Bizarre's Insta

00:59 Soweto is an urban settlement or 'township' in South Africa, an acronym that denotes its geographic location (south western township), in rhw South West of Johannesburg, South Africa. Soweto was created in the 1930s when the white Government started separating black and whites before apartheid was officiallly state policy in 1948. Blacks were moved away from Johannesburg to an area separated from white suburbs by a so-called cordon sanitaire (or sanitary corridor), usually a river, a railway track, an industrial area or a highway etc.. They did this by using the infamous 1923 'Urban Areas Act'. Soweto became the largest black city in South Africa, but until 1976 its population could have status only as temporary residents, serving as a workforce for Johannesburg. It experienced continuous civil unrest during the Apartheid regime, most publicised among them the riots in 1976, sparked by a ruling that Afrikaans be used in black schools as a medium of instruction, despite widespread resistance.

William Carr, chair of non-European affairs, initiated the naming of Soweto in 1959. He called for a competition to give a collective name to townships dotted around the south-west of Johannesburg. People responded to this competition with great enthusiasm. Among the names suggested to the City Council was KwaMpanza, meaning: 'Mpanza's Place', revoking the name of James Mpanza and his role in bringing the plight of Orlando sub tenants to the attention of the City Council. He was a pivotal political activist and community leader often called the 'Father of Soweto'.

01:05 The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL), serving as the culmination of the professional American football season. Held in late January or February, it has evolved beyond a mere sporting event into a major American cultural phenomenon, often described as an unofficial national holiday. It is a single, winner-take-all matchup between the champions of the NFL's two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The winner is awarded the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Super Bowl is consistently one of the most-watched television events in the United States, often drawing over 100 million viewers. It is broadcast to a global audience in over 170 countries. Super Bowl commercials are a significant part of the spectacle, with companies spending millions for 30 seconds of airtime to showcase their most creative and memorable advertisements. The game is hosted in a different, usually warm-weather or domed city each year, bringing extensive media buildup and a festival-like atmosphere. Essentially, the Super Bowl is a high-stakes, commercialized entertainment spectacle that merges elite athletic competition with pop culture, advertising, and national tradition.

01:33 Melusi reads his Ode to Johannesburg - this is the letter he wrote as an homage to his hometown Johannesburg when he started creating the JoziMyJozi brand.

01:52 Link to Insta post of Melusi as a young boy. “What would I tell younger me? Don’t let the world change your smile.”

02:42 Nkandla is a town and local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, situated in a mountainous, rural region, widely known as the 'cradle' of Zulu history and the private home of former President Jacob Zuma. It is characterized by deep valleys, indigenous forests, and a developing, mainly traditional economy. Considered a central location in Zulu history, it is the site of King Malandela and King Cetshwayo's graves. It is closely linked to the history of King Shaka and King Dingane. Jacob Zuma's homestead in Nkandla is widely known for the private, state-funded security upgrades that ran into millions and were part of a bigger scandal of the looting of government coffers on various levels under Zuma's reign. The property became a major political issue commonly referred to as 'Nkandlagate'.

03:41 The migrant labour system was a cornerstone of apartheid, designed to exploit cheap black labor for Johannesburg's industry while enforcing strict racial segregation. It forced men from rural areas into single-sex hostels, prohibiting their families from joining them and keeping them in a cycle of oscillating migration to prevent permanent urban settlement. The hostels acted as centres of social control. Contracts typically lasted 11 months, forcing workers to leave their families, travel to the city, work, and return to rural areas for a month, keeping them dependent on both systems. The system created a 'labour reserve', where rural areas supported the families of workers who were not paid enough to support their families in the city. The system developed alongside the gold mining industry, bringing in workers from rural South Africa and neighbouring countries. It then increased rapidly with the formalisation of townships like Soweto, concentrating black workers near Johannesburg. Residents resisted, leading to events like the 1957 'Bloody Riot' over pass laws and eventually forming a strong base for anti-apartheid activism. 

07:02 Founded in 1999, IIE-Vega School is a prominent South African tertiary institution specializing in brand building, design, and advertising. It focuses on the mantra 'wisdomwithmagic', blending strategy with creativity. As part of The Independent Institute of Education (IIE), it offers specialized degrees and has evolved into a leading school of brand innovation with campuses in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban. It launched in 1999 with 93 students to challenge traditional advertising education, focusing on experiential learning. In 2009 it re-positioned itself as the School of Brand Innovation to better integrate creative and brand leadership studies.

07:14 Generations is a pioneering South African soap opera created by Mfundi Vundla, which premiered on SABC 1 on February 4, 1994, just in time to reflect the birth of a new, democratic South Africa. It became a cultural phenomenon, boasting over 10 million viewers at its peak and functioning as a "star-making machine" that launched many of the country's most famous actors, such as Connie Ferguson and Menzi Ngubane. Set against the backdrop of the high-stakes advertising industry, the show initially focused on the dreams, aspirations, and rivalries of Black professionals trying to succeed in a changing corporate landscape. As one of the first locally produced soapies (replacing imported ones), it was crucial in showcasing black professionals thriving in business, reflecting the aspirations of post-apartheid South Africa. While TV viewing habits have shifted, Generations: The Legacy continues to be one of the most-watched daily dramas in South Africa, often reaching millions of viewers nightly, despite increased competition from streaming services.

07:18 Days of Our Lives has held a significant place in South African television culture since its debut on SABC in the mid-1990s, becoming a staple afternoon soap opera that transcended age, gender, race, and culture for two decades. Known for its dramatic and often outlandish storylines, the show attracted a massive, dedicated following, largely on SABC3, where it was a top-rated program. Days of Our Lives first hit the box in 1965 in the US, and is one of the longest running tv programmes, revolving around the trials and tribulations of the fictional town Salem. It was first introduced to South African viewers in 1992. It stopped broadcasting in South Africa in 2022.

07:22 The Bold and the Beautiful has been a cornerstone of South African television since its debut on the SABC in 1997, growing into one of the country's most-watched soap operas. Known for its glamorous fashion setting and dramatic storylines, the show built a massive, loyal fanbase, leading to cast tours, 30th-anniversary celebrations in 2017, and a move to streaming via Vodacom's Video Play in 2019 after leaving SABC3.

08:29 Leo Burnett (1891–1971) was a pioneering American advertising executive who built his agency on the 'HumanKind' philosophy, focusing on the inherent drama and emotional connection in products. His approach championed 'telling the people' how products make them feel, rather than just selling features, creating iconic brand mascots like Tony the Tiger. Burnett believed every product has an emotional core and a story waiting to be told. Known for his workaholism, the Huxley.media notes, he believed 'Interest in life in all its manifestations is the secret of all creative people'.

10:00 In 1942, a descendant of the original owner sold a portion of the farm Palmietfontein to Samuel Potter, a publisher and company director of Irish descent. In 1947, work began on the farmhouse of what would later become known as Southdowns, a dairy farm run by his wife Jessie. Potter died in Durban in 1963 at the age of 82, and Jessie continued to run the farm until 1969. She then sold the property to the General Mining and Finance Company Ltd, who intended to develop the land into a suburb of Alberton. Brackendowns was declared a township in 1972 and the house was sold in 1979. Concerned community members have reported that the first house built in Brackendowns is deteriorating fast due to lack of maintenance. In 2011 Anna Cox wrote a piece for The Star newspaper, revealing the history and significance of the house (click here to read). It is the very first house built in Brackendowns and is linked to one of the white founding families of Joburg.

11:05 The Mandela Bridge is located in the heart of the City of Johannesburg, serving as a bridge between the vibrant student precinct of Braamfontein and downtown Joburg. The area is part of a massive rejuvenation drive, filled with sites of cultural and historic significance and the bridge is the conduit for all traffic to and from the area. The Nelson Mandela Bridge was recognised as being 'an outstanding civil engineering achievement' by the South African Institute of Civil Engineers. Of the many buildings, roads, squares and bays named after the first democratically elected president of South Africa, the Nelson Mandela Bridge is the most fitting tribute to the former political prisoner. This Johannesburg landmark symbolically links the old and new as it ushers traffic into the heart of rejuvenated downtown Johannesburg. It cost R38 million and is the largest cable-stayed bridge in southern Africa. The vast quantities of construction materials that went into its creation underpin what a feat of engineering it is. It took 4,000 cubic meters of concrete, 1,000 tons of structural steel and 500 tons of construction steel to realise the seemingly weightless pinnacle that gleams with the promise of the new. The bridge is 284 meters long, 42 meters high at the north pylon and 27 meters high at the south pylon.

12:25 David Ogilvy (1911–1999) was a British advertising executive known as the 'Father of Advertising' and founder of renowned ad agency Ogilvy & Mather. He revolutionized the industry with a research-driven, "brand-first" approach, emphasizing creative, informative copy over mere hype. His philosophy held that advertising's goal is to sell, treating customers as intelligent, not gullible. Before advertising, Ogilvy had a diverse career as a chef in Paris, a stove salesman, and a British Intelligence agent during WWII. He founded his agency in New York in 1948, which grew into one of the largest in the world. Starting with no clients and a staff of two, he built his company into one of the eight largest advertising networks in the world with more than 500 offices and 20,000 staff across 169 cities. Ogilvy & Mather South Africa’s origins lie with a small shop in Cape Town, founded by Bob Rightford, Brian Searle-Tripp and Roger Makin in 1976. After merging with Ogilvy in 1984, Ogilvy & Mather RS-TM dominated the local creative scene during the first decade and over the next twenty years was recognized as a brand-focused agency that acted with integrity.

12:26 FCB Africa is a premier, full-service creative agency network with over 90 years of experience building brands in Africa, known for its 'Never Finished' mantra and data-driven, consumer-centric advertising. It has created iconic campaigns like Sasol’s Glug Glug ad and now operates as part of the global FCB network (part of Interpublic Group) with a focus on blending local culture with international expertise. Opened in 1926 as E Lindsay Smithers Advertising Agent in South Africa, with Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company as its first client.

12:35 Long-time creative guru Brett Morris is executive creative chair at the Nahana Communications Group. His work in advertising has been recognised numerous times at major award shows including Cannes and by his peers in the industry. In 2014 Brett was appointed Group Chief Executive of Nahana Communications Group and has since been voted by his peers as most admired agency leader in Johannesburg for five years in a row and three times across South Africa. He is a veteran in the industry, having worked on some of South Africa's most iconic campaigns. He was a mentor to Melusi in the early days of his career, and is a long time friend.

12:55 Neo Mashigo is a prominent South African creative leader, currently serving as the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Up & Up Group. He has a long history in the advertising industry, previously acting as a creative director at M&C Saatchi AbelSouth Africa since 2017. iN 2025 he formed part of of the Cannes Lions 2025 Film Jury.

13:22 Molefi Thulo. Molefi Thulo, aka Mo, began his career at DraftFCB in the early 2000’s. It was here where he developed a love for storytelling and incorporating humour into his work. In 2009 he joined Ogilvy & Mather Johannesburg where he worked his way up to Creative Director. He’s had the privilege of working on a number of impressive accounts such as KFC, Lucozade, Samsung, Coca-Cola, Toyota, Unilever and South African Breweries, to mention a few. His work has been awarded both locally and internationally, and he’s proud to be part of the team that won 2 Cannes Grand Prix Lions, in 2014 and 2016. Molefi passed away in August 2021 from COVID-19. An industry loses creative trailblazer Molefi Thulo “It is with profound sadness that we share the news that Molefi Thulo has passed away. This ever humble, always inspirational human will leave a massive hole in the industry that he loved so much, and to which he gave so much.” Ogilvy set up a bursary fund in his name, to honour his contribution to his craft.

22:41 Marianna O’Kelly “Mariana O’Kelly is EVP/Executive Creative Director at Leo Chicago, where she leads creative for the entire Kellogg’s portfolio. With over two decades of global experience, she’s known for crafting emotionally resonant, culturally sharp work that drives impact.

Previously Global ECD at Ogilvy, Mariana has won multiple Cannes Lions Grand Prix—including three in Audio—and more than 70 international awards. She served as Cannes Lions Jury President, was named one of Adweek’s Creative 100, and recognized by the Gunn Report as one of the top creative leaders in the world. Originally from South Africa, Mariana is also a passionate advocate for diversity in the industry, having led gender transformation efforts across agencies. She brings a human-first leadership style and a belief that great ideas should feel like authentic conversations. If she wasn't in advertising, she would renovate old houses or teach art to kids.”

24:47  The Adams & Adams Young Creatives Award is a prestigious South African accolade recognizing brand communication talent aged 27 or younger at the start of their careers. Sponsored by law firm Adams & Adams as part of the Loeries, it awards winners with a Gold Loerie, R50,000, and often a trip to the Cannes Lions Festival, highlighting the firm's focus on nurturing emerging talent and protecting intellectual property. It aims to encourage the next generation of brand communication leaders and protect the intellectual property rights of young innovators. Adams & Adams, a leading African intellectual property law firm, sponsors the award, aligning with their role as the official legal counsel to the Loeries. Adams & Adams has a long history of sponsoring the Loeries Young Creatives Award in South Africa, a prestigious award for individuals under 27 in the brand communications industry. Some search results also mention Adams & Adams being involved in "The CIPC IP Youth Awards" as of April 2026, reinforcing their continued focus on supporting young talent in creative and innovative fields.

25:47 The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is the world's most prestigious advertising and marketing awards, held annually in Cannes, France. Celebrating creative excellence across various disciplines, it brings together global talent to set industry benchmarks. 

25:49 The Loeries Awards are Africa and the Middle East's premier initiative recognizing, rewarding, and fostering creative excellence across brand communication, advertising, design, and digital media. As a not-for-profit, they promote innovation, with winning a "Loerie" regarded as the highest regional honor, often referred to as the "premier awards”. It covers wide-ranging creative fields including film, radio, print, digital, design, PR, and live activations and acts as a standard for creative excellence, with winners featured in the Loeries Official Rankings. Entries are open to agencies, brand owners, and production companies. The Loerie Awards first took place in 1978 in Johannesburg. Television was introduced to South Africa relatively late in 1976,^[1] and the delay was due to the political belief at the time that television was "undesirable". Once television had finally been introduced, the first television commercials commenced in 1978, and consequently, the Loerie Awards were introduced in the same year to promote the new medium of television advertising.

29:41 Lexus radio commercial: Lexus Precognition Lights FCB Advert 2010

32:52 Argentinian Javier Campopiano was named Chief Creative Officer for Leo Americas and Iberia in June 2026, returning him to the Publicis Groupe after he served as the Global Chief Creative Officer of Omnicom Advertising (McCann Worldgroup got absorbed into Omnicom as part of a merger). He has led the creative vision for some of the largest brands across the globe, having worked with L’Oréal, Xbox, Coca-Cola and Mastercard to name a few. Previous roles saw him as worldwide CCO at Grey and WPP’s OpenX, CCO across many FCB agencies, and Saatchi & Saatchi. "Having an insight is key for any piece of creativity, however," Campopiano argues "it's not enough. More than ever, searching for truths is important." 

33:42 The McCann company was originally founded in 1902 and officially formed in 1930 through a merger, McCann (formerly McCann Erickson) is a top global advertising agency network. Part of Interpublic Group and McCann Worldgroup, it operates in 120 countries, famed for its "Truth Well Told" philosophy and iconic campaigns for clients like Coca-Cola, L'Oréal, and Mastercard. The agency established a presence in Canada in 1915, Europe in 1927, Latin America in 1935, and further expanded into Australia (1959) and Asia (1960). Throughout the mid-20th century, the agency was recognized for pioneering coordinated marketing communications and developing the first agency holding company structures. The agency is guided by the "Truth Well Told" philosophy, a mantra that has been in place since 1912, focusing on uncovering cultural or human truths to drive effective, creative, and meaningful advertising.

34:35 Anselmo Ramos is the cofounder and Creative Chairman of GUT, a global creative network with offices in Miami, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Toronto, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Madrid and New York. He opened GUT in 2018 along with Gastón Bigio, with the goal of being the go-to agency for the world’s biggest brands who are looking to do 'brave work' and long-term bold brand building. Some of their clients include AB InBev, Tim Hortons, Kraft Heinz, and Mercado Libre. Anselmo has won over 200 Cannes Lions throughout his career, including 9 Cannes Grand Prix - two of them at GUT. The agency was awarded the 2021 Cannes Independent Agency Of The Year in Entertainment and Reach. And 2022 #2 Cannes Independent Network Of The Year.

34:58 DAVID (or DAVID The Agency) is a renowned global creative advertising agency founded in 2012, inspired by the legacy of adman David Ogilvy. Known for producing high-profile, 'headline-worthy' creative work, it has offices in Miami, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Bogotá, and New York. They are famously recognized for work with brands like Burger King, Coca-Cola, Netflix and Dove, Corona, Twitter, and Heinz. Founded in 2012 by Fernando Musa, it was created to be a global creative company that prioritizes, as they call it, 'firsts' or trailblazing ideas. DAVID is often associated with bold, disruptive, or unconventional, advertising that frequently generates news, aiming to solve business problems through creative, high-level solution

50:27 Budweiser’s ‘Typical Americans’ Superbowl advert

53:47 Devour’s ‘Food Porn’ Superbowl advert

55:25 Instagram surprise home visit

In 2025, Melusi’s agency We Are Bizarre, was appointed as the new lead creative agency for Nando’s South Africa. The agency won the pitch to handle the Through-The-Line (TTL) creative business for Nando's South Africa, marking a significant change in the brand's agency lineup. This move follows the departure of M&C Saatchi Abel, which had been the ATL lead agency since 2015, and the end of VML South Africa's ten-year partnership with Nando's in May 2025. We Are Bizarre confirmed the appointment on social media, thanking the Nando's team for ‘choosing to flame-grill your brand with our fire’.

57:12 Robert Brozin, known as ‘Robbie’ to most, is a South African entrepreneur, businessman and co-founder of the Nando's international restaurant chain. Robbie was born in 1959 in Mpumalanga, South Africa. After stepping back from Nando’s in 2020, Robbie’s passion for making a difference grew. He now champions changing lives at Nando’s; co-founded Goodbye Malaria; is a Constitutional Hill trustee; is helping to secure the future of Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital; and is part of the JoziMyJozi team who are working hard to revitalize Johannesburg. Robbie’s philosophy of having fun while making money and changing people’s lives has been an underpin of his personal philosophy.

57:19 Chicken guy - reference to Nando’s, the South African-founded international restaurant chain famous for its Afro-Portuguese flame-grilled peri-peri chicken. Founded in 1987 as an out-of-the-way Portuguese restaurant in the south of Johannesburg, it specializes in chicken marinated for 24 hours in spicy bird's eye chilli sauce, served in various heat levels with sides like chips and coleslaw. The name and flavour peri-peri are inspired by the African Bird's Eye Chilli (per-peri (pepper-pepper)), which Portuguese explorers brought to Mozambique in the 16th century. It was created by Robbie Brozin and Mozambique-born Fernando Duarte, who together purchased a 67% stake in the Portuguese take-away restaurant business called Chickenland, where they frequently had lunch. In 1990, they bought Chickenland entirely, rebranded it as Nando’s, and brought in other partners including the Enthoven family who acquired a 30% stake. Nando's is known for its ‘home away from home’ atmosphere, featuring southern African art and music, and often brands itself through witty, humorous advertising. It operates over 1,000 restaurants in 35 countries and has a significant presence in the UK and Australia, (obviously) besides its extensive presence in South Africa.

57:36 Constitution Hill is a former notorious prison complex in Johannesburg, South Africa, that was transformed into a human rights precinct and living museum. It houses the highest court in the country, the Constitutional Court, serving as a powerful symbol of South Africa's journey from apartheid-era oppression to democracy. In 2024, Constitution Hill was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a "living museum" experience. Visitors can tour the Old Fort, Number Four (native jail), and the Women's Jail, where leaders like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were held.

57:41 The Flame of Democracy at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg is an eternal flame lit on December 10, 2011, to mark the 15th anniversary of the signing of South Africa's Constitution. It symbolizes freedom from oppression and serves as a reminder of universal constitutional rights. It is situated in the stairwell of the former Awaiting Trial Block, a prison section built in 1928 where thousands, including activists like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Robert Sobukwe, were detained. The flame was officially lit by former Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe on December 10, 2011. It was brought from Qunu in the Eastern Cape (Nelson Mandela's home) to Johannesburg to signify the transition. The flame serves as a focal point on Human Rights Day, Freedom Day, and other significant national days to remind citizens of their rights and their responsibility to uphold democracy.

57:46 Preamble to the Constitution of South Africa:

We, the people of South Africa,

Recognise the injustices of our past;

Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land;

Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and

Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.

We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to ­

• Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights;

• Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law;

• Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; and

• Build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.

May God protect our people.

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso.

God seën Suid-Afrika. God bless South Africa.

Mudzimu fhatutshedza Afurika. Hosi katekisa Afrika.

01:02:20 Anglo American plc is a major British multinational mining company headquartered in London, recognised as one of the world's largest producers of platinum, diamonds (via De Beers), copper, nickel, iron ore, and metallurgical coal. Founded in 1917 in South Africa, it operates globally, focusing on mining resources needed for modern life and industrial growth. It was founded by Ernest Oppenheimer and historically had deep ties to South African mining, later shifting its headquarters to London in 1999. The company operates in Africa, South America, Australia, North America, and Asia. It is a leading producer of platinum (approx. 40% of global output), diamonds, and holds significant copper, nickel, and iron ore assets. It has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

01:04:34 JozimyJozi website

01:17:15 Adam Craker is the Chief Executive Officer at IQbusiness, the largest South African management and technology consulting firm and a majority-owned subsidiary of JSE-listed Reunert Group, since July 2023. Adam joined IQbusiness in September 2009 and was appointed CEO in November 2010. As an ‘activist CEO’ Adam is an ardent lobbyist for government and business collaboration, though he places the emphasis on education as the key ingredient to drive an inclusive future for all South Africans. Adam has forged strong partnerships between IQbusiness and various NGOs and social enterprises, such as SmartStart, Tomorrow Trust, Harambee, Partners for Possibility and the National Mentorship Movement to act as catalysts for positive trends in education and self advancement. Three social enterprises resulted under Adam’s leadership as CEO: the COBRA Initiative, SAtion and now Jozi My JoziTM.

01:17:18 'geshido' - trademarked acronym for 'getshitdone'!

01:19:48 ABSA originally stood for Amalgamated Banks of South Africa, formed in 1991 through the merger of UBS Holdings, Allied Bank, and Volkskas Group to unify its operations across the continent. While it was formerly known by this acronym, the entity now officially operates simply as Absa Group Limited or Absa Bank Ltd, having rebranded from Barclays Africa Group in 2018. The name reflected the merging of several large financial institutions and is a major South African financial services provider based in Johannesburg that offers retail, business, corporate, and investment banking services. In 2004, Absa was the first of the big four banks to sell a direct stake (10%) to a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) consortium (Batho Bonke). They utilize data to track the health of the SME sector, providing crucial insights into economic trends. With over 41,000 employees and one of the largest branch networks in South Africa, Absa is not just a financial institution but a deeply embedded, and transforming participant in the country's economic and social life.

01:21:54 Bea Swanepoel is the founding CEO and former leader of Jozi My Jozi, beautifully described as ‘the coalition of the willing’ that is focused on rejuvenating Johannesburg’s revitalisation through public-private partnerships. As of early 2026, she transitioned to leading the national expansion of this model as CEO of NewCo Trust which will focus on the rollout of the Jozi model to other South African cities. She previously worked as a project manager at Anglo American, where she was involved in managing the company’s move out of the CBD, which sparked her dedication to revitalizing the city centre.

01:26:24 ‘Despite the hardship, African youths are the most mentally stable in the world. (Significant sub-title: Wealth isn’t necessarily a benefit when it comes to mental health, a new report released in February shows, and nowhere is this more evident than in Africa. If you look at the key factors affecting youth mental health, this finding is not surprising: * Key factors affecting youth mental health include family relationships, spirituality, early smartphone usage, and ultra-processed food consumption. Instagram post)