Out of crisis comes opportunity. If there are no challenges, there's nothing that pushes you to think differently or innovate. That’s why Jacques Burger, M&C Saatchi SA Group CEO, finds South Africa to be an exciting space for business right now.

In this bonus episode of season one of the Willing & Abel podcast, host Mike Abel spends some time with his fellow founder of M&C Saatchi Abel to share insights on the value of connecting with people and how to navigate brand building in this evolving world.

As someone who has left the country and then returned, Jacques can speak with authority about what you can’t get anywhere else: our space, the light, and the kindness of our people. The diversity and the vibrancy of our economy and entrepreneurs.

The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes!

Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”.

This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes.

Important links:

Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5

Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA

Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS

M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za

The power of seeing beauty in problems TED Talk: https://youtu.be/CukTwKeglIU

Jacques Burger to head up M&C Saatchi Abel Joburg: https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/12/50316.html

5 start-up lessons that will secure your industry status: https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-za/starting-a-business/5-startup-lessons-that-will-secure-your-industry-status/332727

This is a once-in-a-century crisis – let’s not waste it:

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2020-05-03-this-is-a-once-a-century-crisis-lets-not-waste-it/ Willing & Abel Website · Mike Abel Linked In · Mike Abel X · Jacques Burger_The promise of a problem with Jacques Burger.pdf — PDF (123.1 KB)

South Africa is not looking great. But, according to Mbali Ntuli, founder and CEO of Ground Work Collective, what is in our favour is that we've got a young population who have the potential to reboot our country. As an optimist, Mbali says that whenever she sees a challenge, we must run towards it.

In a deep and candid conversation with host Mike Abel, the former DA youth leader shares her hope that if we make sure that young people understand what's at stake and how to use democracy, they’re going to be far smarter than the generations before us. She also shares more about how she’s getting young people involved (with fried chicken and fashion vouchers), how self-awareness helps with handling conflict, and the power of forgiveness.

The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes!

Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”.

This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes.

Important links:

Mike Abel’s LinkedIn page: bit.ly/3wwwWt5

Mike Abel on X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA

Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS

M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za

Mbali Ntuli’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbali-ntuli-gwc/?originalSubdomain=za

Mbali’s website: https://www.mbalintuli.com/meet-mbali/

Mbali’s Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbali_Ntuli

Ground Work Collective website: https://groundworkcollective.org/

Mbali’s Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/flowermcdust/

Make voting great again: https://www.vryeweekblad.com/en/opinions-and-debate/2023-10-06-make-voting-great-again/

Mandela Washington Fellowship

https://yali.state.gov/mwf/#:~:text=The%20Fellows%2C%20between%20the%20ages,in%20their%20communities%20and%20countries

The current political system and parties have failed us – we must change from the bottom up: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2022-04-25-the-current-political-system-and-parties-have-failed-us-we-must-change-from-the-bottom-up/

The sterrings of the journey: https://mg.co.za/article/2018-05-04-00-the-sterrings-of-the-journey/ Willing & Abel Website · Mike Abel Linked In · Mike Abel X · Willing & Abel podcast- Achieving change from the ground up with politician and activist Mbali Ntuli.pdf — PDF (204.8 KB)

What’s the difference between financial happiness and wealth? What sets successful investors apart when it comes to saving? And where’s the quicksand when planning for retirement? Global investor, entrepreneur and consumer champion Steven Nathan answers these questions and more in the latest episode of the Willing & Abel podcast.

Steven sees himself as a force- for- good in the retirement and investment industry (meaning that yes, there are opposite forces at work), and shares pearls of wisdom in his conversation with host Mike Abel that will hopefully empower anyone listening to be more in charge of their financial health and future.

The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes!

Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”.

This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes.

Important links:

Mike Abel’s LinkedIn page: bit.ly/3wwwWt5

Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA

Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS

M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za

Steven Nathan’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-nathan-ca-sa-cfa/?originalSubdomain=za

10X website: https://www.10x.co.za/

A maverick approach to money: https://issuu.com/mcsaatchiabel/docs/intuition_issue_01/34?fr=sOTM3ZjcwNjM4Njk Willing & Abel Website · Mike Abel Linked In · Mike Abel X · Transcript: When finances meet feelings with investment expert Steven Nathan .pdf — PDF (152.0 KB)

Free Maths lessons in her home. Bursaries in her name. Social justice on her mind. Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandaba is a true original: a chartered accountant who wants to be remembered for how much she loved.

In the latest episode of Willing & Abel, Ayanda and host Mike Abel speak about the opportunity for upliftment in the forgotten township economy, using one’s own unique skills to contribute to society instead of just throwing money at the problem (even if you have the money), and how you can’t quantify the time you put into people.

The conversation has so many nuggets of wisdom for business people both aspiring and seasoned, and anyone who cares about contributing to South Africa.

The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes!

Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”.

This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes.

Important links:

Mike Abel’s LinkedIn page: bit.ly/3wwwWt5

Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA

Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS

M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za

Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandaba’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayanda-vabaza-mvandaba-ca-sa-1a1800bb/?originalSubdomain=za

Meet the young CA daring to disrupt SA’s non-alcoholic drinks market: https://femaleentrepreneursa.co.za/meet-the-young-ca-daring-to-disrupt-sas-non-alcoholic-drinks-market/

New Youth Bridge programme addresses solutions to youth unemployment: https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/publicity/153562/new-youth-bridge-programme-addresses-solutions-to-youth-unemployment

Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandaba: Commerce Bursaries 2024: https://stufnews.com/bursaries/ayanda-vabaza-mvandaba-commerce-bursaries-2024/#google_vignette

https://kwandiso.com/

Drink Nil website: https://www.drinknil.co.za/

SAICA Top 35 Under 35: https://www.top35-under-35.saicaevents.co.za/wp/2022/09/29/ayanda-vabaza-mvandaba-31/ Willing & Abel Website · Mike Abel Linked In · Mike Abel X · Willing & Abel podcast- Finding our own solutions with social entrepreneur Ayanda Vabaza-Mvandaba.pdf — PDF (131.7 KB)

Technology is about managing change; it’s not really about the actual tech. So how do we ensure that advancements in AI and automation manage change for us in a responsible way, and for the greater good? The guest of this episode, Dr Nick Bradshaw, shares with host Mike Abel how AI modelling, automation and digital twinning can help us with healthcare outcomes, resource management, climate change, drug discovery and more, and what South Africa’s youth need to do to get involved in the industry.

A tech-focused entrepreneur, Nick helps clients, communities and start-ups understand the value of AI, automation, and digital solutions. He is the founder and director of the South African AI Association, which aims to boost economic growth, trade, investment, equality, and inclusivity in South Africa, and his company, AI Media Group, runs the AI Expo Africa.

Nick believes that AI can create more jobs than it will destroy, if our government can create an enabling environment, give financial support, and apply good governance and long-term thinking. And if every one of us gets involved in shaping it for our country, too.

The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes!

Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”.

This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes.

Important links:

Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5

Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA

Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS

M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za/

Dr Nick Bradshaw’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickbradshaw/

AI Expo Africa website: https://aiexpoafrica.com/

SA AI Association website: https://saaiassociation.co.za/

State of AI in Africa Report: https://aiafricareport.gumroad.com/

AI Media Group website: http://aimediagroup.co.za Willing & Abel Website · Mike Abel Linked In · Mike Abel X · Transcript: Keeping our eyes on the horizon with African AI community builder Dr Nick Bradshaw.pdf — PDF (127.6 KB)

What does it mean to be an artist? Why is it meaningful to show what’s extraordinary within the ordinary, and in doing so bring people together? One of South Africa's most recognised and beloved musical artists, David Kramer, answers these questions and more in a delightful trip down memory lane, with an eye still firmly on the future, in this episode of Willing & Abel.

David was generous enough to share some of his formative childhood stories and insights on creativity with host Mike Abel. Listen as they discuss our country’s rich cultural history, the importance of grey areas, music as a form of political protest, and what it means to be a storyteller at heart.

The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes!

Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”.

This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes.

Important links:

Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5

Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA

Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS

M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za

David Kramer’s website: https://www.davidkramer.co.za/history.html

David Kramer’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidKramerSA

David Kramer’s Karoo Kitaar Blues – one magical night: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-10-10-david-kramers-karoo-kitaar-blues-a-magical-night/ Willing & Abel Website · Mike Abel Linked In · Mike Abel X · Transcript: The strength of South African storytelling with David Kramer.pdf — PDF (129.3 KB)

If we want to make meaningful contributions to our relationships with others – whether that’s at home, at work, or in our communities – we need to know ourselves, says Joanne Smollan, an executive and teams coach based in London. Joanne joined host Mike Abel in getting vulnerable for this episode, sharing lessons about leadership, the opportunity in intergenerational tensions, and how personal struggle can be good for you.

The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes!

Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by , a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of Brutal Simplicity of Thought.

This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes.

Important links:

Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5

Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA

Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS

M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za

Joanne Smollan’s LinkedIn page: https://bit.ly/4bLRNZk

Joanne’s Q&A for Walnut Office: https://www.walnutoffice.com/#Questions Willing & Abel Website · Mike Abel Linked In · Mike Abel X · Transcript: The power of knowing yourself with executive coach Jo Smollan.pdf — PDF (132.1 KB)

If we want to succeed, we need to get comfortable with uncertainty. If we embrace that things are going to turn out differently to what we think, we can find opportunity and possibility within that, says impactful entrepreneur Gidon Novick, the guest of this episode of the Willing & Abel podcast. Gidon is the founder of LIFT, Kulula.com, Lucid Ventures and Circle Senior Living; former Chief Digital Officer at Discovery; chairman at SA Harvest, a food rescue and hunger relief organisation; and an incorrigible stray-dog rescuer. (He has seven.)

In a fascinating and energising conversation with host Mike Abel, Gidon shares the power of demonstrating our own authenticity to the world, why we should be curious in our leadership, and how choosing the right people to be around can give us the only guarantee in business and life.

The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes!

Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by M&C Saatchi Abel, a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of “Brutal Simplicity of Thought”.

This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes.

Important links:

Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5

Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA

Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS

M&C Saatchi Abel website: https://www.mcsaatchiabel.co.za

Gidon Novick’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gidon-novick/?originalSubdomain=za

SA Harvest website: https://saharvest.org/

Lift Airline website: https://www.lift.co.za/en

Home Suite Hotels website: https://homesuitehotels.com/

Kulula founder Novick bets on luxury retirement studios complete with spas, cinemas and yoga: https://www.news24.com/fin24/entrepreneurs/see-kulula-founder-novick-bets-on-luxury-retirement-studios-complete-with-spas-cinemas-and-yoga-20230401

The future of travel: https://homesuitehotels.com/the-future-of-travel-with-gidon-novick/

Making old folks feel at home with new venture: https://www.businesslive.co.za/fm/fm-fox/2023-02-09-gidon-novick-making-old-folks-feel-at-home/#google_vignette

In conversation with Lift’s Gidon Novick:

https://businesstech.co.za/news/business-opinion/475256/business-talk-in-conversation-with-lifts-gidon-novick/ Willing & Abel Website · Mike Abel Linked In · Mike Abel X · Transcript: Finding new heights with impactful entrepreneur Gidon Novick.pdf — PDF (124.0 KB)

Sometimes taking a few unexpected turns in your career can bring you to the place that you most need to be. This is one of the many insights podcast host Mike Abel garnered during his chat with Mamongae Mahlare, Executive Chairperson of the Takealot Group, for the first episode of Willing & Abel.

Mamongae Mahlare is an executive with extensive experience building brands and businesses across 12 African countries. She is currently the Executive Chairperson of the Takealot Group, having moved into that position from the CEO role that she had held since 2021. In this episode, we find out how Mamongae went from growing up in dusty Sekhukhuneland to being a formidable woman in business, and a nation builder.

The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to be hopeful but realistic in South Africa and the world, how to get involved as an active citizen, how to build a business in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes!

Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by , a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of Brutal Simplicity of Thought.

This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes.

Important links:

Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5

Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA

Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS

Mamongae’s LinkedIn page: https://bit.ly/48yDvIA

Takealot’s leadership on Amazon coming to SA: https://mg.co.za/business/2023-10-21-interview-takealot-ceo-on-the-amazon-invasion/

Live discussion on the power of local data:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsAQuZPMO1s

Addressing the skills shortage in SA will reduce youth unemployment: https://mg.co.za/partner-content/2023-04-18-addressing-the-skills-shortage-in-sa-will-reduce-youth-unemployment/

Celebrating South Africa’s true can-do culture: https://retailingafrica.com/blog/2022/08/22/celebrating-south-africas-true-can-do-culture/

Mamongae’s profile at Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association: http://hbsaaa.net/mamongae-mahlare.php Willing & Abel Website · Mike Abel Linked In · Mike Abel X · Transcript: Taking Unexpected Turns with Takealot Group CEO Mamongae Mahlare.pdf — PDF (117.4 KB)

How much time do you spend with people who don’t share your views? Probably not nearly enough, according to Songezo Zibi, national leader of RISE Mzansi, a modern political organisation of patriotic South Africans, who joined Mike Abel as a guest on this episode of Willing & Abel.

With over two decades’ experience in roles spanning the automotive, mining, media, banking and financial services industries, Songezo is an author, speaker, strategist and mentor. In an invigorating discussion, Songezo and Mike cover everything from balancing hope with realism, to really listening to people, focusing on what you don’t know (instead of the opposite), and what drives us when we feel like giving up.

The Willing & Abel podcast is the home of hopeful conversations that challenge perspectives. If you’re interested in how to get involved as an active citizen, and how to grow as a person while you build something meaningful in this uncertain world, click the subscribe button on our podcast profile to make sure you don't miss more episodes!

Season 1 of Willing & Abel is brought to you by , a proudly South African award-winning creative company founded on the principle of Brutal Simplicity of Thought.

This podcast is produced by 2Stories. Written by Linda Scarborough, produced by Carol Williams, with audio editing, engineering and sound design by Kozi Mzimela, with production assistance from M&C Saatchi Group South Africa’s team, Maciek Dubla and Nadia Siegel. Special thanks to Sonic Nursery and Edible Audio for the recording of these episodes.

Important links:

Mike Abel LinkedIn: bit.ly/3wwwWt5

Mike Abel X: https://bit.ly/3IhWDjA

Willing & Abel website: https://bit.ly/3SNDNFS

Songezo Zibi’s LinkedIn page: https://bit.ly/49HQPvs

Inside Songezo Zibi’s plan for Rise Mzansi to break old politics: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-10-04-inside-songezo-zibis-plan-for-rise-mzansi-to-break-old-politics-can-he-pull-it-off/

Springbok Lessons in Leadership: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/springbok-lessons-leadership-songezo-zibi-lmzbc/?trackingId=oJ8bn1eEZ6BZlj0uMQR3QA%3D%3D

Taxi "Strike" is a systemic issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS0g9ywxKB4

Manifesto by Songezo Zibi:

https://booklounge.co.za/product/manifesto-by-songezo-zibi/

About Rise Mzansi: https://www.risemzansi.org/about Willing & Abel Website · Mike Abel Linked In · Mike Abel X · Transcript: Dreaming and Doing with Songezo Zibi.pdf — PDF (115.4 KB)