Willing & Abel

South Africa is not looking great. But, according to Mbali Ntuli, founder and CEO of Ground Work Collective, what is in our favour is that we've got a young population who have the potential to reboot our country. As an optimist, Mbali says that whenever she sees a challenge, we must run towards it. In a deep and candid conversation with host Mike Abel, the former DA youth leader shares her hope that if we make sure that young people understand what's at stake and how to use democracy, they’re going to be far smarter than the generations before us. She also shares more about how she’s getting young people involved (with fried chicken and fashion vouchers), how self-awareness helps with handling conflict, and the power of forgiveness. The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes! Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”. This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes. Important links: Mike Abel’s LinkedIn page: bit.ly/3wwwWt5 Mike Abel on X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za Mbali Ntuli’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbali-ntuli-gwc/?originalSubdomain=za Mbali’s website: https://www.mbalintuli.com/meet-mbali/ Mbali’s Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbali_Ntuli Ground Work Collective website: https://groundworkcollective.org/ Mbali’s Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/flowermcdust/ Make voting great again: https://www.vryeweekblad.com/en/opinions-and-debate/2023-10-06-make-voting-great-again/ Mandela Washington Fellowship https://yali.state.gov/mwf/#:~:text=The%20Fellows%2C%20between%20the%20ages,in%20their%20communities%20and%20countries The current political system and parties have failed us – we must change from the bottom up: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2022-04-25-the-current-political-system-and-parties-have-failed-us-we-must-change-from-the-bottom-up/ The sterrings of the journey: https://mg.co.za/article/2018-05-04-00-the-sterrings-of-the-journey/

What’s the difference between financial happiness and wealth? What sets successful investors apart when it comes to saving? And where’s the quicksand when planning for retirement? Global investor, entrepreneur and consumer champion Steven Nathan answers these questions and more in the latest episode of the Willing & Abel podcast. Steven sees himself as a force- for- good in the retirement and investment industry (meaning that yes, there are opposite forces at work), and shares pearls of wisdom in his conversation with host Mike Abel that will hopefully empower anyone listening to be more in charge of their financial health and future. The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes! Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”. This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes. Important links: Mike Abel’s LinkedIn page: bit.ly/3wwwWt5 Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za Steven Nathan’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-nathan-ca-sa-cfa/?originalSubdomain=za 10X website: https://www.10x.co.za/ A maverick approach to money: https://issuu.com/mcsaatchiabel/docs/intuition_issue_01/34?fr=sOTM3ZjcwNjM4Njk

Free Maths lessons in her home. Bursaries in her name. Social justice on her mind. Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandaba is a true original: a chartered accountant who wants to be remembered for how much she loved. In the latest episode of Willing & Abel, Ayanda and host Mike Abel speak about the opportunity for upliftment in the forgotten township economy, using one’s own unique skills to contribute to society instead of just throwing money at the problem (even if you have the money), and how you can’t quantify the time you put into people. The conversation has so many nuggets of wisdom for business people both aspiring and seasoned, and anyone who cares about contributing to South Africa. The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes! Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”. This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes. Important links: Mike Abel’s LinkedIn page: bit.ly/3wwwWt5 Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandaba’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayanda-vabaza-mvandaba-ca-sa-1a1800bb/?originalSubdomain=za Meet the young CA daring to disrupt SA’s non-alcoholic drinks market: https://femaleentrepreneursa.co.za/meet-the-young-ca-daring-to-disrupt-sas-non-alcoholic-drinks-market/ New Youth Bridge programme addresses solutions to youth unemployment: https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/publicity/153562/new-youth-bridge-programme-addresses-solutions-to-youth-unemployment Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandaba: Commerce Bursaries 2024: https://stufnews.com/bursaries/ayanda-vabaza-mvandaba-commerce-bursaries-2024/#google_vignette https://kwandiso.com/ Drink Nil website: https://www.drinknil.co.za/ SAICA Top 35 Under 35: https://www.top35-under-35.saicaevents.co.za/wp/2022/09/29/ayanda-vabaza-mvandaba-31/

Technology is about managing change; it’s not really about the actual tech. So how do we ensure that advancements in AI and automation manage change for us in a responsible way, and for the greater good? The guest of this episode, Dr Nick Bradshaw, shares with host Mike Abel how AI modelling, automation and digital twinning can help us with healthcare outcomes, resource management, climate change, drug discovery and more, and what South Africa’s youth need to do to get involved in the industry. A tech-focused entrepreneur, Nick helps clients, communities and start-ups understand the value of AI, automation, and digital solutions. He is the founder and director of the South African AI Association, which aims to boost economic growth, trade, investment, equality, and inclusivity in South Africa, and his company, AI Media Group, runs the AI Expo Africa. Nick believes that AI can create more jobs than it will destroy, if our government can create an enabling environment, give financial support, and apply good governance and long-term thinking. And if every one of us gets involved in shaping it for our country, too. The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes! Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”. This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes. Important links: Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5 Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za/ Dr Nick Bradshaw’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickbradshaw/ AI Expo Africa website: https://aiexpoafrica.com/ SA AI Association website: https://saaiassociation.co.za/ State of AI in Africa Report: https://aiafricareport.gumroad.com/ AI Media Group website: http://aimediagroup.co.za

What does it mean to be an artist? Why is it meaningful to show what’s extraordinary within the ordinary, and in doing so bring people together? One of South Africa's most recognised and beloved musical artists, David Kramer, answers these questions and more in a delightful trip down memory lane, with an eye still firmly on the future, in this episode of Willing & Abel. David was generous enough to share some of his formative childhood stories and insights on creativity with host Mike Abel. Listen as they discuss our country’s rich cultural history, the importance of grey areas, music as a form of political protest, and what it means to be a storyteller at heart. The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes! Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”. This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes. Important links: Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5 Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za David Kramer’s website: https://www.davidkramer.co.za/history.html David Kramer’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidKramerSA David Kramer’s Karoo Kitaar Blues – one magical night: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-10-10-david-kramers-karoo-kitaar-blues-a-magical-night/

If we want to make meaningful contributions to our relationships with others – whether that’s at home, at work, or in our communities – we need to know ourselves, says Joanne Smollan, an executive and teams coach based in London. Joanne joined host Mike Abel in getting vulnerable for this episode, sharing lessons about leadership, the opportunity in intergenerational tensions, and how personal struggle can be good for you. The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes! Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by , a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of Brutal Simplicity of Thought. This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes. Important links: Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5 Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za Joanne Smollan’s LinkedIn page: https://bit.ly/4bLRNZk Joanne’s Q&A for Walnut Office: https://www.walnutoffice.com/#Questions

If we want to succeed, we need to get comfortable with uncertainty. If we embrace that things are going to turn out differently to what we think, we can find opportunity and possibility within that, says impactful entrepreneur Gidon Novick, the guest of this episode of the Willing & Abel podcast. Gidon is the founder of LIFT, Kulula.com, Lucid Ventures and Circle Senior Living; former Chief Digital Officer at Discovery; chairman at SA Harvest, a food rescue and hunger relief organisation; and an incorrigible stray-dog rescuer. (He has seven.) In a fascinating and energising conversation with host Mike Abel, Gidon shares the power of demonstrating our own authenticity to the world, why we should be curious in our leadership, and how choosing the right people to be around can give us the only guarantee in business and life. The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes! Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”. This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes. Important links: Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5 Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za Gidon Novick’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gidon-novick/?originalSubdomain=za SA Harvest website: https://saharvest.org/ Lift Airline website: https://www.lift.co.za/en Home Suite Hotels website: https://homesuitehotels.com/ Kulula founder Novick bets on luxury retirement studios complete with spas, cinemas and yoga: https://www.news24.com/fin24/entrepreneurs/see-kulula-founder-novick-bets-on-luxury-retirement-studios-complete-with-spas-cinemas-and-yoga-20230401 The future of travel: https://homesuitehotels.com/the-future-of-travel-with-gidon-novick/ Making old folks feel at home with new venture: https://www.businesslive.co.za/fm/fm-fox/2023-02-09-gidon-novick-making-old-folks-feel-at-home/#google_vignette In conversation with Lift’s Gidon Novick: https://businesstech.co.za/news/business-opinion/475256/business-talk-in-conversation-with-lifts-gidon-novick/

Sometimes taking a few unexpected turns in your career can bring you to the place that you most need to be. This is one of the many insights podcast host Mike Abel garnered during his chat with Mamongae Mahlare, Executive Chairperson of the Takealot Group, for the first episode of Willing & Abel. Mamongae Mahlare is an executive with extensive experience building brands and businesses across 12 African countries. She is currently the Executive Chairperson of the Takealot Group, having moved into that position from the CEO role that she had held since 2021. In this episode, we find out how Mamongae went from growing up in dusty Sekhukhuneland to being a formidable woman in business, and a nation builder. The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to be hopeful but realistic in South Africa and the world, how to get involved as an active citizen, how to build a business in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes! Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by , a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of Brutal Simplicity of Thought. This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes. Important links: Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5 Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS Mamongae’s LinkedIn page: https://bit.ly/48yDvIA Takealot’s leadership on Amazon coming to SA: https://mg.co.za/business/2023-10-21-interview-takealot-ceo-on-the-amazon-invasion/ Live discussion on the power of local data: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsAQuZPMO1s Addressing the skills shortage in SA will reduce youth unemployment: https://mg.co.za/partner-content/2023-04-18-addressing-the-skills-shortage-in-sa-will-reduce-youth-unemployment/ Celebrating South Africa’s true can-do culture: https://retailingafrica.com/blog/2022/08/22/celebrating-south-africas-true-can-do-culture/ Mamongae’s profile at Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association: http://hbsaaa.net/mamongae-mahlare.php

How much time do you spend with people who don’t share your views? Probably not nearly enough, according to Songezo Zibi, national leader of RISE Mzansi, a modern political organisation of patriotic South Africans, who joined Mike Abel as a guest on this episode of Willing & Abel. With over two decades’ experience in roles spanning the automotive, mining, media, banking and financial services industries, Songezo is an author, speaker, strategist and mentor. In an invigorating discussion, Songezo and Mike cover everything from balancing hope with realism, to really listening to people, focusing on what you don’t know (instead of the opposite), and what drives us when we feel like giving up. The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to get involved as an active citizen, and how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes! Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by , a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of Brutal Simplicity of Thought. This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes. Important links: Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5 Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS Songezo Zibi’s LinkedIn page: https://bit.ly/49HQPvs Inside Songezo Zibi’s plan for Rise Mzansi to break old politics: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-10-04-inside-songezo-zibis-plan-for-rise-mzansi-to-break-old-politics-can-he-pull-it-off/ Springbok Lessons in Leadership: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/springbok-lessons-leadership-songezo-zibi-lmzbc/?trackingId=oJ8bn1eEZ6BZlj0uMQR3QA%3D%3D Taxi "Strike" is a systemic issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS0g9ywxKB4 Manifesto by Songezo Zibi: https://booklounge.co.za/product/manifesto-by-songezo-zibi/ About Rise Mzansi: https://www.risemzansi.org/about

Sometimes knowing nothing can be like a naive superpower, says Nick Dreyer, the co-founder of Veldskoen shoes. From an idea sparked between two buddies with no experience in the footwear industry, Veldskoen has grown into a global brand selling in 32 countries and worn by South Africa’s best at the 2020 Olympics. Nick was generous enough to share with podcast host Mike Abel his amazing story of how friendship, determination and intuition catapulted this truly South African brand to international success. The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to get involved as an active citizen, and how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes! Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by , a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of Brutal Simplicity of Thought. This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes. Important links: Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5 Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS Nick Dreyer’s website: https://nickdreyer.co.za/ Veldskoen: https://www.veldskoen.com/ CNN Business tells how this South African brand reshaped a classic shoe for the masses: https://edition.cnn.com/videos/business/2023/07/28/marketplace-africa-veldskoen-shoes-south-africa.cnn Veldskoen made the Olympics – a classic underdog story: https://nickdreyer.co.za/2022/10/13/we-made-the-olympics-a-classic-underdog-story/ South Africa – a start-up nation in the making: https://nickdreyer.co.za/2022/10/05/south-africa-a-start-up-nation-in-the-making/

At this point in history, challenging perspectives – of others and our own – is more needed than ever. How can we connect despite differences to balance strength and vulnerability, hope and realism? Join Mike Abel, a business, marketing and communications specialist, and the founder of M&C Saatchi Abel to hear what his inspiring guests think of these questions and more in Willing & Abel, a space for hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. Subscribe now so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes. Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of Brutal Simplicity of Thought. This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes.