1000 African Voices

Nametso Mathlaga, President at African Woman in Leadership and Director of Matthan Jewellery Collection

Nametso Matlhaga is the founder of Matthan Jewellery Collection in Botswana. Her business is passionate about making memories come true, manufacturing jewellery using precious metals like gold and silver, and precious and semi precious stones. The business started in 2010 and today has 5 employees. Her team of craftsmen transform every client’s personal design ideas into bespoke and highly individual pieces of jewellery, making every piece memorable. As a young female entrepreneur with a decade of successful experience in the jewellery manufacturing and retail business, she was selected for, and successfully completed the 2018 Tony Elumelu Foundation entrepreneur training programme. She is a strong advocate for entrepreneurship, women empowerment, mentorship and a believer in positive thinking.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nametso-matlhaga-72484b162?

Gigi Lamayne - African Rap Goddess, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, Multiple Award winning Hip Hop Artist

Artist & Speaker, Gigi Lamayne was born Genesis Gabriella Tina Manney. She is a 24-year-old South African award-winning rap artist. Rapper, Singer, song-writer and Poet all describe this multi-facet artist. Her poetic skills were developed at the tender age of 11, having her first poem titled “Valentine’s Day” published at the Poetry Institute of Africa under the Anthology – Fairytale moon. Gigi Lamayne later developed her unique writing skills into rap by the age of 16, drawing inspiration from the likes of Jean Grae, Bob Marley, Brenda Fassie and Tupac Shakur. Gigi Lamayne’s talent was realized at an exchange programme in the UK under the Richard Branson Scholarship programme at Stowe School Buckingham where her performance earned her the runner‐up position, as well as at The DCS showdown East District in 2011 where she scooped an award in the category: Best in Rap.

The quadruple talent has made a magnificent impact on the growth and development of the female MC scene in the African Continent.

Twitter - @Gigi_Lamayne

www.gigilamayne.co.za

Every successful event needs a great Master of Ceremonies to keep things moving according to schedule and importantly to keep audiences engaged. In Malawi, one of the most popular MCs currently is Judith Msonthi, founder of Judie Emcee, bringing her unique style and personality to enliven any event.

In just two years she has lent her voice and stage presence to more than 20+ shows and events nationally and has catered to an audience of over 500+.

The talented, young Malawian woman adds yet another feather to her cap, as she is an experienced media personality who anchored various television programs including “Check-In” & “Breakfast live”.

Her dynamic, energetic personality, and love for the stage, will set your shows standard, A CLASS APART!

Facebook- @judiemsonti

Twitter- @Judde63

Tumi Morake is a South African comedian, actress, TV personality, and writer.

In 2018, she became the first African woman to have her own set on Netflix. She is also known to be the first woman to host Comedy Central Presents in Africa.[5][6]

Since beginning her career in smoky clubs in 2006, Tumi Morake has steadily grown into one of South Africa’s most sought after comedians, earning the title of South Africa’s First Lady of Comedy – not bad for a mother of three and wife of one. Named Free State Icon in 2011, Morake’s edgy brand of comedy has earned her a place as a headliner in comedy festivals all over South Africa. She’s bold, she’s sassy and you simply cannot ignore her. The first woman to host Comedy Central Presents on African soil, Morake has become relentless in her quest to maintain her footing as a comedy tour de force.

Morake’s continental claim to fame began as the host of The Big Brother Hot Room, a comical round up of Big Brother Africa.

In this episode we talk about what it means to be a female comedian, Tumi's life in the states and the irresistible comparisons between the US and Africa, apartheid and her book, 'And then Mama Said'. You can connect with Tumi on Twitter - @tumi_morake

Yvonne Chaka Chaka – Singer-songwriter, humanitarian and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka is an internationally recognized and highly respected African singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, Global Health Advocate and Humanitarian. Dubbed the “Princess of Africa” Yvonne has been at the forefront of South African popular music for 30+ years. Born in 1965 in Soweto she released her debut album at 19 “I’m in Love with a DJ,” which sold 35 000 copies in a week and the song “Umqombothi” was featured in the opening scene of the movie Hotel Rwanda.

Yvonne is the first African woman to have been awarded the Crystal Award by the WEF World Economic Forum, in Davos in 2012 recognizing her Humanitarian work. Yvonne has shared the stage with megastars such as #Bono, #AngeliqueKidjo, #AnnieLennox, #YoussouN'Dour, the classic rock band #Queen, and South Africans #JohnnyClegg, #MiriamMakeba, and #HughMasekela, to name a few. She has staged a stage with #Beyonce. In the episode we talk about her reasons for her longevity, the value of humanity and respect and how she became a global brand.

Twitter - @YvonneChakaX2

Instagram – Yvonne_chakachaka

www.yvonnechakachaka.co.za

This episode features Ntombenhle Khathwane, a South African entrepreneur and

Ntombenhle Khathwane graduated from university in the late 1990s with a

Ntombenhle grew up in the Mpumalanga Province in South Africa. She wants to

In 2012 she was in the first cohort of the Goldman Sachs-GIBS 10,000 Women

In this episode she takes us through her entrepreneurial journey and talks

linkedin.com/in/ntombenhle-khathwane-b6650615

afro-botanics.com

Instagram – afrobotanics

@afrobotanics

Edrisah Musuuza (Eddy Kenzo), is a Ugandan singer and music executive who is a member of Big Talent Entertainment. 

He has collaborated with #FrenchMontana, #Drake, #Micasa, #Niniola and #ChrisBrown to name but a few.

Eddy's type of music is a relentlessly upbeat Ugandan dancehall like Afro-beat. In short, its high energy super infectious music that makes you want to get down.

In his life he has overcome tragedy including the death of his mother at his early age.

He received international attention after the release of his 2014 single, "Sitya Loss" and an accompanying viral video that featured the kids of his home village Masaka. In total, he has released 4 albums, including most recently, Roots, in 2018. Kenzo has also won numerous national and international awards, including a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award in 2018, a BET Award in 2015, and multiple All Africa Music Awards. He was the first Ugandan artist to win the BET award in 2015. Eddy Kenzo has inspired very many youths out there in Uganda.

In this episode he talks about the art of making good music, his beloved Uganda, being a YouTube sensation and his life's purpose.

Instagram: @eddykenzo

Twitter: @eddykenzoficial

Brian Thomas has served in several senior leadership roles, including Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Healthcare Executive in the Fortune 500, Healthcare and public sector spaces. He is known for delivering innovative and user-friendly solutions to the business partners and customers he serves.

Prior to his executive roles, he gained experience in and recognition for dependable performance improvement, leadership, program management and solution innovations. Brian has 20 years experience in technology and healthcare. He has been featured in several publications including the Harvard Business Review, and was recently named one of the Top 100 Chief Information Technology Officers by Richtopia.  He is a regular contributor to CIO Online and the greater IDG organization.

In this episode we talk about podcasting, the fourth industrial revolution and #Covid-19. You can connect with Brian on 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianethomas1/

DivergentCIO on Twitter

This episode features Danny Tong (Ph.D Candidate, Serial Entreprenuer, Pan-African Activist and Founder at InvesTong Group) and Boma Harrison (Marketing Director)

Boma has a strong marketing background of +14 years of proven results across FMCG categories - Laundry, Homecare, Feminine care, Beauty and Beverages. Over the years she has worked across different markets and regions including the Middle East Africa and Europe focusing on established brands as well as launching into whitespace new brands / categories such as Safeguard, Camay and Fairy. She holds an MBA from the University of Liverpool.

Danny Tong is the Founder of InvesTong Group. He is responsible for driving Business Strategy, New Business Acquisition, Innovation and Capital Raising for InvesTong Group of Companies.

Born and bred in Molelema village in Taung, North West, in a family of five siblings, Danny started his schooling at the Molelema Primary School.

He holds an MBA from African Leadership University School of Business (ALUsb) in Rwanda and currently studying for his Doctorate (PhD) with his research topic within the 4IR sphere. His aim is to contribute new knowledge towards the current Industrial Revolution through research and subsequently a Thesis Publication by 2021.

linkedin.com/in/dannytongsa

This episode features Tom Peters, business coach, reader, student, people watcher, researcher, writer and international speaker.

Tom is the recipient of the Thinkers50 Lifetime Achievement Award. He virtually invented the modern thought leadership industry. He co-authored In Search of Excellence, which helped create the business book industry – and had a serious impact on how managers managed and how we view organizations. The book changed the way the world does business, and is often tagged as the best business book ever. His blog tompeters.com is ranked #9 among the Top 150 Management and Leadership Blogs.

In this episode, we talk about Africa, his feelings about President Trump and the process that has seen him write 18 books and as always we cover a whole lot more.

You can connect with Tom on his favourite platform, Twitter - @tom_peters and for more on his bio visit his website - tompeters.com

In this episode, Tyson takes us on a journey to where it all began. From a call centre agent – to one of Africa’s comedic rising stars. Tyson’s brand of character-driven humour and sharp observations is a distinct addition to Africa’s well of talent. 

His is a thrilling blend of stand-up and vocal deftness and he represented his country in Showmax's 'Funny People Africa' - a show curating the continent's rising comedy talents. Tyson speaks fluent Dutch - owing to his first job in a call centre. His subsequent background in media, research and advertising has had a profound impact on his work, which emphasizes story.

Tyson holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in drama and Bachelor of Journalism from Rhodes University.

Twitter: @tysonngubeni

Instagram: @tysonngubeni