LeadUP Podcast

Michelle Mokone is the co-founder of Mo’s Crib, a homeware brand that works with large international retailers like Woolworths and Target. She is also the Head and Co-founder of The Sole Sneaker Laundry. She holds a BCom (Hons) in Agricultural Economics from the University of Pretoria and a Master's in International and Trade Law from the World Trade Institute of the University of Bern.

On this episode, she speaks to us about:

• her love for UP and her hustle as a student;
• how she got into entrepreneurship from a young age;
• being one of the first people in the world to recycle PVC piping into homeware; 
• working with skilled artisans to build an international brand; and 
• how treating your staff well creates a healthy work environment.

Find us at www.up.ac.za/leadup – click on LeadUP Podcast. To listen, you can stream, download and subscribe online or on your favourite podcast app, or find us on YouTube. 

Help us grow by rating and reviewing the show! 

LeadUP is a production of the University of Pretoria’s Alumni Office. Our host is Lennox Wasara, and our team includes Elna Schütz and Duané Kitching. Our technical engineers are Quick Click Productions, with language and marketing services by Brightlight SA Communications.

Dr Karishma Ramdev is an aesthetic doctor, entrepreneur, and content creator who is redefining beauty and confidence. She built her brand, Charisma by Karishma, at the intersection of science and art. She’s previously worked on the COVID-19 frontlines, competed in Miss South Africa, and built a global platform – all while advocating for self-confidence and living openly with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

On this episode, she speaks to us about:

• Getting into pageant competitions like Miss SA – partly by accident
• Using her skills to help clients in ways far beyond the superficial
• Influencing online authentically to support others
• How time management is her key to handling multiple roles
• How looking after your skin creates a picture of health

Find us at www.up.ac.za/leadup – click on LeadUP Podcast. To listen, you can stream, download and subscribe online or on your favourite podcast app, or find us on YouTube. 

Help us grow by rating and reviewing the show! 

LeadUP is a production of the University of Pretoria’s Alumni Office. Our host is Lennox Wasara, and our team includes Elna Schütz and Duané Kitching. Our technical engineers are Quickclick Productions, with language and marketing services by Brightlight SA Communications.

Christopher Williams is the Director of CJ Distribution, the logistics engine behind retail giant Dis-Chem. A UP Pharmacy graduate, he stepped into the wholesale space at a time when many were stepping away from it.

On this episode, he speaks to us about:

• Why he went into pharmacy, and not farming.
• Launching a wholesaler during a difficult period for pharmacies.
• How to grow a business well, from a small start to a national footprint.
• Building the Local Choice Franchise pharmacy brand. 
• His role in Dis-Chem’s listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

Find us at www.up.ac.za/leadup – click on LeadUP Podcast. To listen, you can stream, download and subscribe online or on your favourite podcast app, or find us on YouTube. 

Help us grow by rating and reviewing the show! 

LeadUP is a production of the University of Pretoria’s Alumni Office. Our host is Lennox Wasara, and our team includes Elna Schütz and Duané Kitching. Our technical engineers are Quick Click Productions, with language and marketing services by Brightlight SA Communications.

Viwe Mkizwana is an award-winning bassist, composer, arranger, musical director and educator. He has performed around the world, plays with the likes of the Gauteng Philharmonic Orchestra and MIAGI Orchestra, and has released three albums. He has picked up SAMA nominations, a Mzantsi Jazz Award, and two Naledi Awards. He continues to push the boundaries of African jazz. 

On this episode, he speaks to us about:

• How he fell in love with jazz music.
• Convincing his family that going into a creative field was the right path for him.
• How his university studies have helped him grow as a musician.
• The message behind his latest album, ‘Black Child’.
• Managing the business of making music.

Find us at www.up.ac.za/leadup – click on LeadUP Podcast. To listen, you can stream, download and subscribe online or on your favourite podcast app, or find us on YouTube. 

Help us grow by rating and reviewing the show!

LeadUP is a production of the University of Pretoria’s Alumni Office. Our host is Lennox Wasara, and our team includes Elna Schütz and Duané Kitching. Our technical engineers are Meropa Communications, with language and marketing services by Brightlight SA Communications.

Izak Smit is the Group Chief Executive Officer at PPS, one of South Africa’s last remaining mutual insurance companies. He completed a BCom Honours in Economics at UP and holds a Diploma in Strategy and Innovation from the University of Oxford. He is a proud Tuks alum and sits on the Faculty Advisory Board of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS).

On this episode, he speaks to us about:

• Why he believes that he already has his dream job.
• How to build and strengthen culture in a company.
• Why the model of mutual insurance works well.
• How to move beyond simplistic work/life balance. 
• Why he is so proud to be a UP graduate.

Find us at www.up.ac.za/leadup – click on LeadUP Podcast. To listen, you can stream, download and subscribe online or on your favourite podcast app, or find us on YouTube. 

Help us grow by rating and reviewing the show! New episodes drop on the last Tuesday of May, July, September and November 2025. 

LeadUP is a production of the University of Pretoria’s Alumni Office. Our host is Lennox Wasara, and our team includes Elna Schütz, Duané Kitching and Samantha Castle. Our technical engineers are Meropa Communications, with language and marketing services by Brightlight SA Communications.

Puno Selesho is a spoken word artist who has performed for presidents and celebrated companies, locally and internationally. In her capacity as a social entrepreneur, she established Harvest House Creative Agency, where she currently serves as creative director. She graduated with an LLB from the University of Pretoria and a certification in social entrepreneurship from UP’s business school, the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), in 2020. 

On this episode, she speaks to us about:

• Studying law, but then moving into the creative and business world.
• Hope as a positive tool in the world.
• What she’s learned through building a creative agency to support creatives.
• Her approach to social justice.
• What’s next for her, and working through shifting seasons professionally.

Find us at www.up.ac.za/leadup – click on LeadUP Podcast. To listen, you can stream, download and subscribe online or on your favourite podcast app, or find us on YouTube. 

Help us grow by rating and reviewing the show! New episodes drop on the last Tuesday of May, July, September and November 2025. 

LeadUP is a production of the University of Pretoria’s Alumni Office. Our host is Lennox Wasara, and our team includes Elna Schütz and Samantha Castle. Our technical engineers are Meropa Communications, with language and marketing services by Brightlight SA Communications.

Sumarie Greybe, co-founder of insurance industry upstart Naked Insurance, graduated from the University of Pretoria with a BCom Honours degree in Actuarial Science. After leaving the corporate short-term insurance world, she decided to shake the sector up with a fresh perspective – and in the process she’s rethinking the status quo with a bold, human-centred approach shaped by her belief in fairness, simplicity and innovation. 

On this episode, she speaks to us about:

• what she enjoys most about working in insurance;
• how she made the leap to creating a disruptive start-up;
• growing a company well while giving staff the freedom to innovate;
• incorporating social good and community into her work; and
• picking great co-founders to work with. 

Find us at www.up.ac.za/leadup and clicking on LeadUP Podcast. To listen, you can stream, download and subscribe online or on your favourite podcast app. Help us by rating and reviewing the show. New episodes are released on the last Tuesday of May, July, September and November 2025. 

LeadUP is a production of the University of Pretoria’s Alumni Office. Our host is Lennox Wasara and our team includes Elna Schütz and Samantha Castle. Our technical engineers are Meropa Communications, with language and marketing services by Brightlight SA Communications.

Prof Francis Petersen became Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria in October 2024, starting a new chapter in his already illustrious career in education. He was most recently Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State, where he was lauded for his focus on stability and transformation. He has previously served at a variety of higher education institutions and organisations in his industry. He is an engineer by training. 

In this episode, he chats to us about:

• His leadership style and personal philosophies; 
• Lessons learned from his industry and previous executive roles;
• The strategies and approaches that have shaped him as a leader;
• His vision for taking UP to new heights; and
• How micro-credentialing, partnerships and more will be a part of the future.

Find us by going to www.up.ac.za/leadup and clicking on Podcasts. To listen, you can stream, download, and subscribe online or on your favourite podcast app on your phone. Help us out by rating and reviewing us. 

LeadUP is a production of the University of Pretoria’s Alumni Office. Our host is Lennox Wasara and our team includes Elna Schütz and Samantha Castle. Our technical engineers are Meropa Communications, with language and marketing services from Brightlight SA Communications.

Clement Manyathela is known for asking tough questions of some of the biggest politicians and changemakers in South Africa and beyond. After completing his BA degree at the University of Pretoria in 2013, he worked for the likes of Power FM, Eyewitness News, and Newzroom Afrika. Now he hosts The Clement Manyathela Show on Radio 702, and a show on eNCA.

On this episode, he chats to us about:

• What running marathons has taught him;
• Defining his style as an interviewer; 
• Some of his favourite interviews; 
• What he would do if he were the president; and 
• His next steps and dreams for the future.

Find us by going to www.up.ac.za/leadup and clicking on Podcasts. To listen, you can stream, download, and subscribe online or on your favourite podcast app on your phone. Help us out by rating and reviewing us. New episodes for Season 4 are out on the last Tuesday of every second month until 26 November. 

LeadUP is a production of the University of Pretoria’s Alumni Office. Our host is Lennox Wasara and our team includes Elna Schütz and Samantha Castle. Our technical engineers are Meropa Communications, with language and marketing services from Brightlight SA Communications.

Tatjana Smith (formerly Schoenmaker) is a top South African female swimmer and University of Pretoria alumna (BCom Financial Sciences, 2020), who became a hero to millions throughout her country when she won gold and silver medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In July 2024 she heads to the 2024 Paris Olympics with high hopes and heaps of humility.

On this episode, she chats to us about:

• How she discovered her passion for swimming in her teens. 
• The support network that kept her focused on her purpose.
• What the Tokyo Olympics meant to her – and how it took her by surprise. 
• Her state of mind as she heads into the 2024 Olympics.
• How her purpose is focused on giving hope to others. 

Find us by going to www.up.ac.za/leadup and clicking on Podcasts. To listen, you can stream, download, and subscribe online or on your favourite podcast app on your phone. Help us out by rating and reviewing us. New episodes are out on the last Tuesday of every second month. 

LeadUP is a production of the University of Pretoria’s Alumni Office. Our host is Lennox Wasara and our team includes Elna Schütz and Samantha Castle. Our technical engineers are Meropa Communications, with language and marketing services from Brightlight SA Communications.