SuperLead Podcast

What happens when life repeatedly tests your limits—and you choose to turn that pain into purpose?

In this episode of the SuperLead Podcast, we sit down with Brandon Fairweather, a leading brand and health industry executive with over two decades of experience, to discuss his remarkable journey through open-heart surgery, stroke, cancer, and severe anxiety.

Brandon shares the lessons he's learned about resilience, mental health, leadership, and finding meaning in adversity. We also explore his debut book, The Hell Inside Our Heads, where he offers an honest account of his struggles and practical tools to help others navigate anxiety and build a stronger, healthier mindset.

This is a powerful conversation about courage, perspective, and transforming life's toughest challenges into opportunities for growth.

What happens when other people’s perceptions become the story of who you are?

In this episode of the SuperLead Podcast, we sit down with Dr Sibongile Vilakazi Research Psychologist, Founder of Ntsikelelo Business Solutions, academic, board member, and author of Put Her in Her Place.

Drawing on her expertise in leadership, organisational development, and human behaviour, Dr Vilakazi explores the dangers of single-story narratives, the power of self-definition, and the impact that labels, assumptions, and stereotypes can have on our lives and careers.

We also discuss the inspiration behind her book, Put Her in Her Place, and unpack practical lessons for leaders, professionals, and anyone seeking to lead more authentically and intentionally.

A thought-provoking conversation on leadership, identity, power, and the courage to write your own narrative. 🎙️📖

In this episode of the SuperLead Podcast, we sit down with Bulelani Balabala, one of South Africa’s leading advocates for township entrepreneurship.

As the founder of the Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA), Bulelani has helped impact over 100,000 entrepreneurs across the country—championing the growth of businesses built from eKasi.

We dive into his 20-year journey of building, failing, and growing multiple businesses, and unpack the powerful lessons from his book, The Township Entrepreneurs Guide to GET THINGS DONE.

This conversation explores the realities of township entrepreneurship, the importance of execution over ideas, and the mindset needed to build sustainable businesses in challenging environments.

If you’re serious about entrepreneurship, leadership, and driving real impact this episode is for you.

In this episode of the SuperLead Podcast, Dr Maanda Tshifularo sits down with Ayanda Vana, Chief Operating Officer of KHULA, a leading agritech platform transforming access to markets, finance, and resources for farmers across South Africa.

With over 20,000 farmers already integrated into the KHULA ecosystem, Ayanda shares her journey into leadership and the mission behind building scalable solutions that drive real impact—particularly for women and youth in underserved communities.

The conversation explores the structural challenges within agriculture, the role of technology in unlocking financial inclusion, and what it takes to lead with purpose in a rapidly evolving industry.

This is a powerful discussion on innovation, leadership, and shaping the future of agriculture in Africa.

🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation.

What if breakthrough performance isn’t about doing more — but shifting differently?

On this episode of the SuperLead Podcast, we are joined by internationally recognised performance scientist and author of Key Shift: 6 Keys to Unlocking Your Potential, Dr Nceba Hene.

With over two decades of experience spanning elite sport, corporate leadership, and wellness-driven systems, Dr Hene shares powerful insights on what it truly takes to perform under pressure and sustain growth over time. From global rugby stages to executive boardrooms, his work reveals that transformation is not accidental it is designed.

In this conversation, we explore the six keys to unlocking potential, including the power of a learner mindset, reframing failure, building meaningful relationships, and sustaining performance through wellbeing.

This is a conversation for leaders, professionals, and anyone standing at a crossroads ready to move from who they are, to who they are capable of becoming.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one key shift.

On this week’s SuperLead Podcast, we are joined by Nicky Verd digital futurist, international keynote speaker, and author of AI: Humanity’s Greatest Frenemy. From rock bottom after losing her job to becoming one of Africa’s most influential voices on artificial intelligence and digital disruption, Nicky’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and unapologetic self-disruption.

In this powerful and thought-provoking conversation, we go beyond the surface of AI and explore its deeper impact on humanity. Nicky challenges us to rethink not only how we work and lead, but how we think, trust, and define what it means to be human in a world increasingly shaped by intelligent machines. She unpacks why AI is both a breakthrough and a threat a true “frenemy” and why conscious participation in this new era is no longer optional.

This is not just a conversation about technology; it’s a conversation about identity, power, responsibility, and the future we are actively creating. Press play and step into a discussion that will shift how you see AI and more importantly, how you see yourself in the age of it.

In this episode of the SuperLead Podcast, we are joined by entrepreneur and author Marthinus van der Westhuizen, the creator of The Rock Blueprint: Build a Business That Runs Without You. What started as a response to personal crises that forced him to step away from his company became a powerful framework for building organisations that are resilient, adaptable, and not dependent on the founder.

Marthinus shares how his business not only survived but grew significantly in his absence, and the lessons he distilled into a practical operating system for leaders navigating constant change. We dive into why so many businesses remain founder-dependent, what it really takes to build empowered teams, and how leaders can create clarity, alignment, and momentum inside their organisations.

If you are looking to scale your business, step out of the day-to-day, and build something that lasts beyond you, this conversation offers both perspective and practical insight.

On this week’s SuperLead Podcast, we are joined by a leading voice in leadership, wellbeing, and women’s health, Dr Ashika Pillay.
She is a medical doctor, executive coach, and wellbeing and mindfulness teacher, with a holistic approach that integrates leadership, preventative medicine, and mindful living.

In this conversation, we explore her journey and the work she does to support women particularly through menopause to lead healthier, more balanced, and more purposeful lives. We unpack her philosophy of total wellbeing, the role of mindfulness and functional medicine, and how evolving mentally, physically, and spiritually enables us to become better leaders and human beings.

In this episode of the SuperLead Podcast, Dr Maanda Tshifularo is joined by Linda Maqoma, Founder and Director of Nomatshawe Consulting Group, for a powerful conversation on leadership, strategy, and building sustainable businesses in Africa.

Linda shares her journey from Fort Beaufort to becoming a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs, executives, and boards across the continent. Together, they explore the real challenges businesses face today from strategy and financial management to execution and adaptability and unpack how values‑based leadership, governance, and clarity can unlock long‑term growth.

This episode is for entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals seeking practical insight, grounded wisdom, and purposeful leadership in a fast‑changing world.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired by leadership that delivers impact.

On this episode of the SuperLead Podcast, we sit down with Punki Modise, Group Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at Absa Group Limited.

Punki shares insights from her leadership journey at the highest levels of banking and unpacks how strategy, sustainability, and long‑term growth intersect at scale. Recognised as one of the Top 250 Women in Sustainability 2025 and Business Leader of the Year 2025, she reflects on building institutions where profit and purpose go hand in hand.

A powerful conversation on leadership, impact, and Africa’s sustainable future.