Wisdom Personified - Conversations with Dudu Msomi

When in the midst of sorrow You can't see up when looking down A brighter day tomorrow will bring You hear the voice of reason Telling you this can never be done No matter how hard reality seems Just hold on to your dreams, yeah Don't give up and don't give in, although it seems you never win You will always pass the test as long as you keep your head to the sky You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky Be optimistic Excerpt from the song ‘Optimistic’ by The Sound of Blackness. One of Sizakele 'Siza' Mzimela’s favourite songs captures her resolute, visonary and problem-solving character. Sizakele 'Siza' Mzimela is a distinguished aviation executive renowned for her visionary leadership, strategic acumen, and unparalleled contributions to the global airline industry. Siza is a pioneer in aviation with over 25 years of aviation industry experience and expertise which has helped her scale to many heights, including being appointed as the first female onto the Board of Directors of the International Air Transport Association (#IATA) in its 70-year history. Previously, she has taken on the roles of Chairperson of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa and President of the #African Airlines Association. Siza has also been recognised in an International Publication of “The 100 Greatest #Women in Aviation”. She is the former #CEO of national carrier, South African Airways (when SAA was still the biggest carrier on the African continent) as well as regional airline, South African Express. As Group CEO of South African Airways (SAA), her tenure was marked by significant regional growth, operational excellence, and strategic alliances that enhanced SAA’s competitive edge and global footprint. In 2015, Siza revolutionised the aviation sector by becoming the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fly Blue Crane - the first black, women-owned commercial airline in South Africa, with both domestic and regional licenses. Another wise and inspirational conversation from a shy, tenacious spirit! Hope you have enjoyed this wisdom as I have. Until the next episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi. Be compassionate. Love-filled and live consciously. #wisdompersonified #sizamzimela #sizakelemzimela #aviation #SAA #Bluecrane #flybluecrane #SAAExpress #jordan #india #dudumsomi #wisdom #leadership

Authors Randall Pinkett and Jeffrey Robinson, in their book “Black Faces in White Places” said: “If experience is the best teacher, learning from someone else’s experience is a close second”. Tshiamo Thebe is proactive in seeking opportunities to learn from others. She lives the adage that ‘when a student is ready, the teacher will appear’. Tshiamo is always on the ready to learn, grow and evolve. She is a Chartered Accountant working a Senior Specialist for a financial services company. Tshiamo is a former television presenter on SABC 2. She graduated from the University of Johannesburg with a Bachelor’s degree in #Accounting, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Accounting Science from the University of South Africa. Academic highlights include being a fellow of the #AllanGray Orbis Foundation Scholarship and #SAICA Thuthuka Bursary both awarded on academic excellence. Tshiamo is passionate about personal mastery, #mentorship, and talent development. She is currently a #mentor on the SAICA Mentorship programme and is an alumna of the Busara Leadership Mentoring journey. An advocate for #women in #leadership positions who believes in leading with kindness and integrity. She holds leadership certificates in the GIBS Women in Leadership short course and WITS Business School Coaching for High performance. To continue to get wise and soul nourishing content, help Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi grow by subscribing to our #YouTube Channel. Don’t miss any conversation. Subscribe, Like and Share. Help us to grow so we can bring you even more diverse content that makes your Wisdom Journey, not just insightful, but fun and joyous as well. Until next time, when we chat to another wise #African.

LEADING YOUR LIFE WITH COURAGE – The Wisdom from Dr Bongani Mageba Roy T. Bennett says, “Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your #vision and #purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others". This quote captures the spirit that drives the life of my guest Dr Bongani Mageba He is the Chief Executive Officer of Telesure Advisory Services which is a multi-product and multi-branded advisory business that provides personalised solutions across a wide range of personal, #business, life and #wealth offerings that align with clients’ specific needs and objectives. Dr Mageba has an LLM with a focus on constitutional law from the University of KwaZulu Natal. An #MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Science commonly known as #GIBS. He has completed programmes at Harvard and The Wharton Business Schools. And has a PhD from the GIBS. Hope you enjoy this conversation with another wise #African. #dudumsomi #bonganimageba #financialservices #CEO #leadership #TelesureAdvisoryServices Until next time, on Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi.

Equality is treating everyone the same. But equity is taking differences into account, so everyone has a chance to succeed, says Jodi Picoult. Speaking to Teresa Oakley-Smith, a pioneer in diversity and change management in South Africa in today's insightful episode. You cannot, but talk about equality and equity in the context of transforming workplaces and society. Teresa Oakley-Smith aptly puts it, "Being a pioneer means forging ahead, not knowing exactly where you're going, but having faith in the journey." She is a psychologist and former academic, who has successfully carved a path and dedicated herself to fostering #transformation, #diversity, #equity and #inclusion in South Africa. She founded Diversi-T in 1993 specialising in transformation and diversity training. With degrees from the University of Wales and the University of the Witwatersrand, Teresa blends academic rigor with practical expertise. Her research, dialogues, and leadership on governmental commissions aim to foster mutual respect and productivity across diverse workplaces, transcending racial, gender, and cultural divides. Until the episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi. Wishing you a prosperous, fulfilling and joy-filled 2025. #elonmusk #DEI #dudumsomi #teresaoakleysmith #racism #unconsciousbias #apartheid #SouthAfrica

If you hear the name ‘Jack Hammer’. You expect a male. Not in the case of the executive search firm. Debbie Goodman is the Group CEO of Jammer Hammer, a global group of executive search, talent advisory and leadership coaching companies. Debbie also acts as Advisor to various VC-backed, high growth companies and she coaches founder CEOs and co-Founders, globally. Debbie is a two-time bestselling author and host of the podcast “On Work and Revolution”. Debbie started her career as an award-winning contemporary choreographer and dancer whilst she was finishing her law degree. Debbie is originally from Cape Town and is now based in Los Angeles. You cannot miss her signature look. Pink framed eye glasses. Debbie shares crystal wisdom about the value of having the discipline of building a cash buffer for challenges times as Covid-19 demonstrated. About building a professional services company that is based on relationships and accumulated networks over time, in a foreign country, where one has to start from scratch. Hope you enjoy the simple and yet, powerful wisdom shared in this episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi. Thank you for supporting our channel. We look forward to bringing you more wise conversations that shift your perspective, energise you to do better and inspire you to be a better person in all endeavours of your life. As we come to the end of the year. May your holiday season be filled with a sense of fulfilment, compassion, love, generosity, and joy. I wish you and your loved ones a glorious festive season. #elonmusk #DEI #CEO #CSuite #leaders #recruitment #toxicworkplace #power #debbiegoodman #dudumsomi #wisdom

Are you driving high performance or are you actually a #bully? “Every #leader has a shadow”, says Dr Ngao Motsei. “To be an effective leader, you have to be aware and the intention of the shadow that you cast in your direct environment.” The reason why Dr Motsei is our first repeat guest is her recently published book called ‘Building Psychologically Safe Spaces: Safeguarding Your Workplace Against Bullying’. It an instructive read worthy of your time. Dr Ngao Motsei is an #author, Leadership Consultant, Speaker and Business School Faculty. Ngao has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Science, a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning and a PhD in Organisational Behaviour. She is trained as a #coach who specialises in working with abrasive leaders. Ngao has worked in Human Resources, Strategy, and Leadership consulting for 25 years. She partners with #C-Suite leaders to raise awareness about bullying in the workplace, provide specialised #coaching to abrasive leaders accused of bullying as well as facilitating team repair workshops in the wake of harassment and bullying incidents. Hope you gain value in this episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi. #dudumsomi #ngao #leadership #mentalhealth #resilience

It is said that leopards symbolise power, strength and confidence, stealth, perception, bravery, survival, shapeshifting, authenticity and self-reliance. An animal spirit that captures the many qualities in Mabatho. She has a B.Com from the University of Cape Town. A B. Com Honours in Economics and Marketing from University of Wales, an MBA from the University of Hull. Mabatho joined the financial services industry in 2001. She currently serves as a professional trustee or independent investment committee member and independent Chairperson on various funds. She also serves as a non-executive director on various company boards. Mabatho is also an entrepreneur. As Managing Director of The Bridge, her focus is on personal mastery, consciousness and leadership. It is great for me to facilitate Mabatho’s sharing of her wisdom in this episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi. As another year comes to the end. Hope you have been enlightened by the wisdom shared on Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi on the various platforms ranging from YouTube, Facebook Watch, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Help spread practical #wisdom and the joy of living to more people. Subscribe, like and share. #dudumsomi #mabathoseeiso #mentalhealth #chronicfatigue #womeninbusiness #womeninfinance

hemba Gamedze epitomises what Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi is about. #Wisdom is not a result of aging nor is it about a high IQ. It is about how individuals use good judgement in everyday life (both in their personal and professional lives). It is the interplay of the use of one’s intelligence, knowledge, #creativity, common sense, and experience, and how it impacts their intra- personal, interpersonal and community relationships. It is not about perfection, but rather how they relate and cope in a world of challenges, changes, complexities, and crises. Themba Gamedze has personified wisdom from the first meeting, having been introduced to him by Roy Andersen, who was the #CEO of #Liberty at that time. He holds a B.A Honours and a Master of Science from the University of Warwick. He has a fellow of the Actuarial Society of South Africa (#FASA), and the first African to qualify as an #actuary in South Africa. He is the founding President of #ASABA which was established with the express aim of increasing the number of black qualified actuaries. Themba Gamedze serves as a non-executive director in various boards including as a specialist trustee of the Government Employees Pension Fund. “What’s that in your hand? What have you got around you that can sustain you? Solve the problems that you got around you?” A wisdom that he shares. That is so poignant and simple. I will never look at a challenging situation the same way after this conversation. For this and other gems. Watch, listen, and share this wise conversation. It is certainly worth your time. #DuduMsomi #ThembaGamedze #financialservices #BBBEE #charter #transformation #infrastructure #pensionfunds #investments

“A true passion that burns within your soul is one that can never be put out”, says Zach Toelke Cathy Mohlahlana is an award- winning broadcast #journalist who calls herself a news junkie. It comes through in every broadcast of hers that you watch and listen to. You can catch Cathy on SAFM on every weekday The Talking Point from 9:00 – 12:00 South African time. She has won the National Press Club Radio Journalist of the Year Award and was selected to be part of the #CNN Journalism Fellowship. In 2014, Cathy was selected as a fellow for the US President #BarakObama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (commonly called #YALI). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Political Science from the University of Witwatersrand known as Wits. Cathy is passionate about #youth, #education and current affairs. She is part of an #NGO that builds schools in rural areas and conducts youth development programmes to empower and up-skill young people. Enjoy this Wisdom Journey, with not just an insightful and intelligent Cathy Mohlahlana, but fun and joyous as well. #cathymohlahlana #dudumsomi #wisdom #media #integrity #journalismmasterclass #southAfrica #disruption #innovation #curiosity

Paying tribute to women who not only pursue excellence in everything they do. But who also exude compassion, kindness and courage. Most of all, who share their wisdom with their fellow human beings and thrive to leave this world better off. Epitomised by Tryphosa Ramano, the guest in this August Month on Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi. When you meet Tryphosa and see the things she is involved in. You get the sense that is aptly conveyed by George Bernard Shaw when he said: “I want to be thoroughly used up when I die. For the harder I work. The more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have a hold of for the moment. And I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it over to future generations”. Tryphosa is a qualified and registered Chartered Accountant (#CA). She has made and continues to make significant contributions through her various roles in diverse sectors of the South African economy. She holds various non-executive director roles including on the South African Reserve Bank (#SARB), #Eskom and the International Women’s Forum of South Africa (the #IWFSA) boards. She is the co-founder and director of Mmakgomake Legacy. Tryphosa has a B. Com and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of Cape Town and completed an Executive #Leadership Programme at Harvard Business School. I hope you gain #wisdom from this fleeting conversation with Tryphosa. Subscribe, Like and share. Invite everyone you know to be part of this wisdom journey. #womensday #womensmonth #corruption #SAA #PPC #mentoring #mentorship #seatatthetable #DuduMsomi #TryphosaRamano

There is a quote from John Burroughs that says, “You must first clearly see a thing in your mind before you can do it”. This captures Lebo’s vision as a co-founder of #Womanomics Africa which exists to connect women to opportunities and ecosystems, creating a Pan -African economic highway, driven by women, significantly increasing their participation in intra-Africa #trade. Lebo Biko is an #Africa inspired social entrepreneur, #feminist, catalyst, optimist, a seasoned strategy and marketing specialist. She is the Co-Founder and Director of Oya Solutions, a holding Company aimed at providing solutions that support the advancement of #women owned and managed businesses across the continent. Oya has taken its name and inspiration from the African Goddess Oya, the Orisha (goddess) of the Winds and the winds of Change. The holding initiatives and solutions are aimed at empowering, enabling, and supporting the #African woman. Lebo has a B.Com. and an #MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand, commonly called Wits in South Africa. Be enriched by another episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi. Remember to subscribe, like, comment and share this conversation. Thanking you in advance for your support. #Wisdom #LeboBiko #Biko #DuduMsomi #SteveBiko #blackconsciousness #Economy #entrepreneurs

This is one of my most heart-warming and yet candid conversations yet. Natasia becomes teary when her daughter Syke shares what she admires about her as a mother. Inspired by a quote by Jane Flax, a psychoanalyst, Skye says, “Mothers and daughters existing as wretched mirrors of each other. I am all you could have been, and you are all I might be”. In this inter-generational conversation, I am speaking to Natasia and Skye Mc Mahon. I have chosen to explore the Coloured identity in this relationship including the unique bond between the mothers and daughters. The theme of the impact of divorce, not on just the children, but on the extended family members is briefly lurks in the background. Skye attended Roedean School for Girls from the time she was 5 years old. All the way to Matric. Her parents ensured she was exposed to sports, culture, music and academics. She played piano from the age of 5, completed the Royal Schools Exams and even joined a Jazz Band. Skye has a passion for social justice, reading and helping people. Making her choice to study law an easy one. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and is now studying LLB at Wits. Natasia is a seasoned, highly motivated and accomplished Executive Consultant at Cornelder Holding, which is a renowned one- stop shop that serves clients’ maritime and logistic needs based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. She holds an Honours Degree in Finance and a Postgraduate certificate in Public Private Partnership Finance. This conversation is a perfect episode for June month during which we celebrate Youth Month in South Africa because of the 16th of June, Soweto Uprising of the 1976. I hope Mothers and Daughters and Fathers and Sons watch this conversation together and use it to spark conversations and navigate inter-generational relationships that will build positive memories that will nourish you throughout your lifetime. This is a poignant conversation that will also teach you never to get comfortable with being angry and to never stop talking to your family and the people that you #love. Because tomorrow is never promised. To any of us. #DuduMsomi #Wisdom #WisdomPersonified #YouthMonth #June16 #SouthAfrica #mothersanddaughters #mchamon #Coloured #Colored #African #identity #mentalhealth

#Networking is an #investment in your #business. It takes time and when done correctly can yield great results for years to come, says Diane Helbig This sentiment embodies the journey that Helen Nicholson has travelled and the lesson that has made her part of the zeitgeist of Corporate South #Africa. Helen is called the Networking Queen. She began her career as an accountant. She has evolved into the Founder and Chief Excitement Officer of The Networking Company which specialises in training professionals on ‘soft skills’ such as Personal Branding, Networking and #Mindfulness which are essential power skills to advance people’s careers. Wisdom is a byproduct of living. We can learn many wisdoms from individuals beyond what they become known for as their areas of expertise. Human beings are more complex and expansive than the boxes we keep people in. When we put people in boxes, we deprive ourselves of the rich perspectives they have on a myriad of other topics. Hope you find nuggets of reflection and growth in this episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi. I certainly have. #wisdom #wisdompersonified #helennicholson #dudumsomi #leadershipdevelopment #EO #leadership #executives #womeninleadership

I love genuine, vulnerable, passionate, compassionate, insightful, intelligent and wise Humans. Those are truly powerful individuals. Pepe is all of these. And more. Pepe Marais is the Founding Partner and Group Chief Creative Officer of the #brand and #communications group Joe Public United, ranked as one of the top independent and fastest growing South African #advertising groups. He has been the recipient of numerous local and international industry awards. Pepe is the author of Growing Greatness and 20 Habits that break habits. He describes himself as a purpose-driven individual who is passionate about human potential and the growth and development of people, including his own. Alvin Toffler said, “The illiterate of the future are not those who can’t read or write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn”. It is truly fascinating to meet a human being who embraces remaking himself every time he knows better. He strives to do better. To use his own words from his book, ‘Growing Greatness: A Journey towards personal and business mastery’, Pepe says, “I may not be greater than Steve Jobs, but equally, I see myself as nothing less. I am Pepe Marais and my name resides comfortably within the word ‘peOpLe’. Because I care about myself as a person. And I care for others. Deeply. I exist for growth. I exist for those around me to be the best that they can possibly be”. I would venture to say that from this conversation, what will be true of its impact on your life is captured in this #wisdom: “Though you can easily count the seeds in an apple; it’s impossible to count the apples in a seed”. The ripple effect of the pearls of wisdom shared, will have an influence and effect, subconsciously, beyond what you could imagine. You will ponder over the wisdom shared for months. Unexpectedly. And you will find yourself more conscious of what you do and how you do it. Most importantly, how you make people around you. Feel. Enjoy this episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi. But don’t just watch. Send the conversation on. Ensure that you subscribe, and help us to grow this channel so we can spread wisdom that builds and nourishes, mind and spirit, far and wide. #dudumsomi #pepe #pepemarais #wisdompersonified #leadership #JoePublic

Annina Van Neel is the founder and CEO of The Tiekie Box Project which is a black cultural #heritage organisation working to decolonise Black history and #archaeology and to make this heritage accessible to the African #Diaspora and descendant communities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental, and Geographical Science and Archaeology from the University of Cape Town. When Annina emigrated to the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena Island in 2012 to work as the environmental officer for an airport construction project, she encountered the neglected, but most significant physical trace of the Trans-Atlantic #Slave Trade, The African Burial Grounds. Her journey is featured in the #documentary, 'A Story of Bones.' Annina is now living in her country-of-origin #Namibia, to learn about her own colonial history and the #genocide of the #Nama and the #Herero under #German rule. George Orwell said, 'The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history. Annina is an individual ensuring that #Africans are not only remembered by history, but their dignity is preserved even in death. Knowing #history provides us a context for understanding the present. Most importantly, understanding the history of the marginalised in our world, helps us to develop our critical thinking, to cultivate our compassion and an opportunity for you to do better and be a better human being. I hope this wise conversation deepens your compassion for humanity. For the perpetrators and those they strive to dehumanise and destroy. Unsuccessfully. Most of all. I hope you are touched to be a better human being today, than you were yesterday. #dudumsomi #wisdom #wisdompersonified #anninavanneel #storyofbones #sthelenaisland #NamibianGenocide #UCT