Leading Boldly into the Future

Can a mobile operator truly drive social change? Join us as we explore the transformative journey of MTN, Africa’s largest multi-billion-dollar mobile operator, with a commitment to shared value, inclusion, and belonging. In this episode, we sit down with Paul Norman, an influential leader at MTN, who shares his personal journey and insights into the company's impressive growth, including their work connecting millions to the internet for the first time. From growing up under apartheid to leading a company that unites diverse communities across the continent, Paul’s story is one of resilience, vision, and breaking barriers. Discover how MTN goes beyond technology, fostering connection and empowerment, and building a legacy that redefines corporate social responsibility by investing in education across Africa. Don't miss this episode to discover the power of inclusion in action!

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In today's episode, we dive deep with Jo-Ann Pöhl, a powerhouse of resilience and leadership, who shares her journey of measured vulnerability. From humble beginnings in small mining towns in South Africa to becoming a recognized leader in international finance, Jo has garnered accolades, including Africa's Top 20 Rising Stars and the Trailblazer Award.

Join us as we explore how this former Chief Financial Officer for Standard Chartered Bank Africa navigated the complexities of her career while facing personal challenges, including her battle with cancer. Jo's insights into authenticity, the strength found in vulnerability, and the importance of building connections are sure to inspire. Get ready for an enlightening conversation that challenges conventional notions of success and reveals how true leadership is forged in the fires of adversity. You won’t want to miss this!

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In this captivating episode, join us as we sit down with an extraordinary guest, Dr. Mansour Malik—a corporate lawyer turned international human rights advocate and founder of Kingdom of Love—whose career spans London to Dubai. Discover how his unique journey, rooted in his early exposure to herbal medicine, transformed his life’s mission from practicing law to serving humanity. From fighting landmark cases that set legal precedents in the UK’s Supreme Court to addressing the power of love in today’s world, this conversation will inspire you with stories of resilience, passion, and a deep commitment to making a global impact. Tune in to hear the remarkable tale of a life dedicated to justice and compassion.

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The Mandela International Magnet School is leading the way towards an innovative model of higher education that aims to give our world a human face. Leading a dynamic team to fulfill this challenge is Tony Gerlicz, an international educator who came up with the concept for the international magnet school in 2014. In this conversation with Anne Pratt, Tony relives the pivotal moments in his life and career that led him to a passionate pursuit for meaningful change. He also shares how Nelson Mandela’s ethos around education served as a model for what he set out to create. Join in and learn more!

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In the mid and late 1980s, a brave, young lawyer defended the “Sharpeville Six,” who were wrongfully prosecuted and sentenced to death for a crime they did not commit. Prakash Diar lost the case, but he used that loss to propel himself to a bigger struggle – to take on the entire apartheid system and apply global political pressure to galvanize the world, to fight for a collective cause. Prakash may have lost the first battle, but he eventually won the war. He is a great example of how one individual’s voice can spark a collective effort to bring about change. Learn more about his story here.

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Our children are our future. But what kind of future will we have if our children can’t get the best healthcare they deserve? Like many other things, health is intricately linked with deeper societal issues. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to do it with excellence. Dr. Nkuli Boikhutso exemplifies this virtue as the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital. Sitting down with Anne Pratt in this episode, Dr. Nkuli shares how she went from child patient to someone who ensures exemplary delivery of care to children in need. Tune in to hear her powerful story and inspiring takes on bold leadership!

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There is a lot of untapped power in big business, and it’s not just because of the financial power they possess. Collectively, the world’s capitalists have the potential to join forces and create positive change in the world. And what better what to leverage all that power and scale than to address some of the most pressing problems the world is facing? There are a couple of directions this could take, but today’s guest specifically explores how global capitalism can be a force for good in terms of addressing climate change. Harvard Professor Rebecca Henderson talks about this topic extensively in her highly-acclaimed book, “Reimagine Capitalism in a World on Fire.” Join her and Anne Pratt in this transformative episode as she unravels her thoughts on how we can use big business power to make the world a better place.

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With all the tragedy happening in the world every day, it’s quite easy to lose hope in humanity. However, as leaders, we should be the first to model that optimism so that others can be inspired. In this episode of Leading Boldly into the Future, Anne Pratt is joined by Jon Foster-Pedley, dean and director of Henley Business School Africa. Jon invites us to rethink “tragic optimism” and use it as paradigm for leadership. He also talks about the lasting value of kindness and paying it forward, the importance of collective intelligence, and why Nelson Mandela’s anger can be inspiring. Tune in for more!

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You can only lead others to the extent that you can lead yourself. Self-discipline and leadership go hand-in-hand. This is something that every aspiring bold leader needs to understand if they are to lead effectively. Dr. Modupe Taylor-Pearce of Sierra Leone learned this important principle from his stay in West Point and his years of experience in wartime and peacetime leadership in his home country. In today’s episode, he joins Anne Pratt in a wide-ranging conversation that touches on the themes of servant leadership, the future of Africa and humanity, and the importance of self-discipline in leadership and in life. Tune in for more!

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Many times, what people really need to change their lives for the better is a sliver of hope, and that hope can come in many forms. As leaders, we can use the power of story to inspire hope in others. This is what Janis Kearney has been doing as an author and philanthropist. Janis is the author of the inspirational memoir, “Cotton Field of Dreams.” we listen and learn about some defining childhood moments and powerful moments in the White House, meeting multiple heads of states, including defining moments with President Bill Clinton and President Nelson Mandela, the little-known story and childhood pain of the late and great Maya Angelou and how she turned pain into purpose and her mute, voiceless period in her life into one of the most powerful voices of our time. Join in!

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