CliffCentral.com — On this edition of Candid Business, Ellis Mnyandu brings you Johannesburg’s newest Mayor Herman Mashaba of the Democratic Alliance. In August his party entered into a coalition to take the city from the African National Congress. With a little more than 50 days in office, Mashaba has hit the ground running. Candid Business caught up with him at the 126th Annual General Meeting of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). He used his address at the event to set out his core pillars of his strategy to revive the economy of Johannesburg, the gateway into the African continent and also South Africa's economic hub.
CliffCentral.com — This latest edition of the Candid Business show features an exclusive discussion between Ellis Mnyandu and his guest Ismail Mapara, the Chief Executive Officer of 3M in Southern Africa. 3M, which makes everything from Post-it Notes to mining materials, is a diversified manufacturing company with headquarters in the United States. It employs almost 90,000 people around the world. Mapara shares insights into what makes 3M an outstanding hub for innovation and one of the catalysts for Africa's development. He also speaks about his leadership journey from Pakistan to South Africa.
CliffCentral.com — Ellis Mnyandu interviews Ernest Mahlaule, president of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). They discuss the South African economy and the work that the JCCI is doing to create a seamless platform through which key stakeholders - business, government, labour and civil society - can foster a strong partnership to drive economic growth and transformation.
CliffCentral.com — To wrap up 2016 Women's Month, this edition of Candid Business showcases a wide-ranging conversation about the social and economic obstacles that continue to thwart the advancement of women in South Africa. Ellis Mnyandu's guests are Nokwazi Mzobe, Diane Naidoo-Ngcese, both entreprenuers, and Didi Okoro, spokeswoman for Woman In Business.
CliffCentral.com — Ellis Mnyandu talks to Deon Dhlomo, founder of the Kwande Group, a black-owned investment company with a keen focus on the energy sector. Dhlomo is a chemical engineer-turned-entrepreneur. His company recently joined forces with two other investment firms to conclude a strategic acquisition of a 35% stake in Masana Petroleum Solutions, a leading petroleum company.
CliffCentral.com — In this edition of Candid Business, Ellis Mnyandu brings out another thought-provoking podcast about how to start a business. His guests for the Small Business Basics feature are Nokwazi Mzobe - founder and CEO of Matoyana, an entrepreneurship development consulting firm, and Maushami Chetty, entrepreneur and partner at Novate Legal.
CliffCentral.com — Ellis starts a series of conversations about the WHY and the HOW of entrepreneurship in South Africa and beyond. His guests are Nokwazi Mzobe - entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Matoyana, an entrepreneurship development consulting firm, as well as Diane Naidoo-Ngcese - entrepreneur and editor of Greenovation.
CliffCentral.com — Ellis Mnyandu launches a series of conversations about the WHY of entrepreneurship. The launch featured a panel discussion which tackled a few myths about entrepreneurship. The panelists in our inaugural discussion were Nokwazi Mzobe, founder and CEO of Matoyana (a consulting firm), and Diane Naidoo-Ngcese, an entrepreneur and enterprise development expert.
CliffCentral.com — What are the risks for Africa from Brexit? And how will Brexit shape the balance of power in the world as the European Union faces its biggest ever existential challenge since its creation over four decades ago? This episode of Candid Business features an in-depth conversation between Ellis Mnyandu and Dr. Phiwokuhle Mnyandu, a professor of International Affairs from Howard University in Washington, D.C. They also talk about the implications for bilateral relations, the BRICS countries, trade, immigration and economic growth.
CliffCentral.com — When last were you on a cruise? If you’ve never considered taking a cruise, this is probably your best chance to hear what is so special about this experience. Ellis Mnyandu is joined by Johann Strydom, Managing Director of MSC Cruises for South Africa, to discuss how his company - with some of the world’s most iconic cruise ships - plans to redefine the experience of cruising, both in our African shores or abroad. So, pack your bags and take a listen.
CliffCentral.com — South Africa faces a myriad of socio-economic challenges – from poverty to inequality – and there are calls for South Africans to solve some of their own problems by becoming a more “active” citizenry. Ellis Mnyandu and his guest co-host Bongiwe Moeli are joined by Mzwandile Simelane, who represents Citizens ZA Movement, a non-profit organisation looking to build platforms for engagement and active civic duty. They discuss the role of the youth, challenges to economic transformation and the inability of government and business to work together.
CliffCentral.com — Ellis Mnyandu looks at a unique strategic advisory programme run by The Center for Global Enterprise (CGE) to equip African businesses, including start-ups, with world-class technical and strategic capacity to drive growth, tap new markets and contribute to the continent’s development. Ellis is joined on the show by Natalino Mwenda, CEO of Tanzanian software start-up Rasello, which recently received strategic advice and engagement via the CGE learning platform and the positive impact it has had to his business.
CliffCentral.com — Last week South Africa narrowly averted a downgrade to junk status or sub-investment grade by Standard & Poor’s. This reprieve will give policymakers, business and consumers some breathing room, but the country continues to face serious obstacles toward creating a sustainable, robust and more dynamic investment climate. In this episode of Candid Business, Ellis Mnyandu talks to Grant Thornton Pretoria’s managing partner, Johan Blignaut, about his company’s latest survey showing that nearly two-thirds of South African business executives (60%) are delaying their investment decisions, while almost half are considering investing offshore (49%), due to uncertainty regarding the future political direction of the country.
CliffCentral.com — This Small Business showcase features a conversation with Maushami Chetty, partner at Novate Legal - a law firm with a twist. Novate Legal is run by and structured for entrepreneurs. Maushami talks about what Novate Legal does, plus some of the legal hurdles that entrepreneurs and small business need to be aware of and how to overcome them. She is joined by her business partner, Eugene Botha.
CliffCentral.com — Ellis Mnyandu and his guest co-host Bongiwe Moeli interview Paddy Brearley, managing director of Legacy Hotels & Resorts, a company that runs some of South Africa's iconic hotel properties, including The Michelangelo, and bush lodges. They discuss how the company is differentiating itself, driving innovation and looking to grow in the months ahead.