Business in the time of COVID-19

Patrick Kuwana, CEO of C3 Capital, founder of Crossover Transformation Group, TLI – Development Partner, and a Transformational Leadership Trainer speaks about righteousness and justice as the key pillars of business and advocates for a way of doing business that puts the restoration of human dignity and relationships as the only real way to achieve sustainability. Patrick also shares some thoughts on what building an inclusive economy in South Africa could look like.

Shawn Theunissen explains why he remains optimistic for the future of entrepreneurship in South Africa despite the challenges. Shawn is the head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Growthpoint Properties and the founder and manager of Property Point, Growthpoint’s enterprise and supplier development programme which focuses on the holistic development of SMMEs. He shares some insights with Nation Builder on the impact COVID-19 has had on entrepreneurship and why there is hope.

Beautiful Gate is an NPO based in a township called Phillipi, between Khayelitsha and Gugulethu. Minah Koela shares some of the current realities that people are facing on the ground as result of COVID-19 and also sheds light on how businesses can partner with township communities like Philippi.

Chris du Toit, the co-founder and director of Custom Capital, is passionate about raising up the next generation of entrepreneurs. He is driven by the dream that he and others can be instrumental in shaping and defining the future. Here he chats to Nation Builder’s Ofhentse Piet about the key roles he believes entrepreneurship can play in our society, and gives some advice to entrepreneurs and investors as they navigate this season of uncertainty.

Charmaine Smith, founder and director of Infundo Consulting, shares how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the interconnectedness of business and civil society. She gives some handles on how we can better engage as we seek to strengthen our country’s social fabric.

Kobus Louw, Founder and MD of Digemy shares some of his insights on providing a digital service and some thoughts on how the startup landscape will be impacted, encouraging entrepreneurs to looks at the pandemic with a different perspective and to look for opportunities to innovate. (edited)

Andre Louw, CEO of TradeSwitch and Frei, shares his insights on organisational structures that are being disrupted by COVID-19 and he sheds some light on recent tech trends to be aware of, and possibly embrace, in a post-COVID world.

Almero Strauss, a Group Director of Mergon, provides insights into how business leaders can successfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. He also shares some of his own experiences of managing his business portfolio in this current reality.

Husband & wife duo Champ & Lerato Thekiso of the Thekvest Group chat to the Nation Builder team on leading with intention during COVID-19 and encourage others to be courageous and generous.

Dale Simons, MD of MiDO Technologies, shares some thoughts on what keeps him grounded and moving forward in this COVID-19 season.