August is not a celebration. It is a call to remembrance and reclamation.

We honour the resilience of women who walked in 1956—not just as a historical act, but as a reminder that resistance is relational, collective, and generational.

On Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi on this Women's Month, we pay tribute to

Sis Nomshado Twala, popularly known as Shado Twala, as a trailblazer in the South African media as radio DJ, talk show host, voice-over artist, journalist, Entrepreneur and TV producer.

She started her career in 1986 on the 1st Black English language radio station, Radio Metro. Straggling two worlds, one in which broadcasters working for a government entity like the SABC during apartheid could be perceived as sell-outs, juxtaposed with the lived reality of enduring harsh discriminatory practices every day at work .

There is a generation of South Africans, who know her best as a judge on SA’s Got Talent for 9 seasons.

Sis Shado manages her own entertainment business, Black Olive Entertainment and is also a Public Relations and Media Consultant.

Sis Shado is a proud single mother to two children, her Vusi Zion and daughter Owami.

Hope you enjoy this wise conversation from a South African gem! We would surely be poorer for not having her in our midst.

To all women taking time out of your schedule to watch and listen. Thank you for supporting our channel. This Women’s Month, I do not offer praise.

I offer witness.

To your strength.

To your softness.

To your power.

You are power, personified.

#shadotwala #SABC #dudumsomi #wisdom #media #pioneer #PR #trailblazer #power #womensmonth #DJ #talkshowhost #music #metrofm #women

Irene Kiwia, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer (Cgo), Adanian Labs, #Kenya. #Nigeria & South Africa began the conversation with the quote, “True wisdom is often found not in the voice that leads… but in the silence that listens. And sometimes… even the listener deserves to be heard.”

In this episode, the host of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi is sharing her perspectives on issues of interest to her fellow #Fortune500 mentee. Having met in Washington D.C. in 2010 on U.S. State Department sponsored Fortune Mentorship Programme, a sistahood developed between them.

Dudu Msomi is the Founder and CEO of Busara Leadership Partners, a strategic advisory and consulting company whose expertise is to facilitate the development and effectiveness of leaders to achieve their desired goals.

Msomi labels herself an expert generalist which affords her the ability to strike the right balance between depth and breadth of knowledge to be an effective strategist and facilitator for clients to see the possibilities ,have the courage and the knowledge to do the right things, the first time. She has trans-disciplinary qualifications and multi-sectoral experience making her a sought-after and powerful Strategy Facilitator, Corporate Governance Expert, Leadership Coach, Diversity & Inclusion Strategist, Business Advisor, Mentor, Keynote & Guest Speaker, and Writer. She is also a seasoned non-executive director.

Dudu was awarded the 2013 Laureate Award by the University of Pretoria as a GIBS Alumna to honour her outstanding contribution to her chosen field and recognised by #Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the Top 29 Influential South African Business Leaders in 2019.

Dudu Msomi has a B.A. Hons. (University of Natal, Durban); Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising and Marketing (AAA School of Advertising); Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance (RAU/University of Johannesburg); Programme for Management Development (Gordon Institute of Business Science (#GIBS) and a Master’s in Business Administration (GIBS).

Hope you find this conversation enlightening.

#dudumsomi #irenekiwia #busara #wisdom #busaraleadershippartners #adanianlabs #leadership #MBA #strategy #governance #womeninleadership #womeninbusiness #panafrican #siblings #agingparents #dementia

#love #death #grief #africancontinent #49afrikaners

Behind every elegant and powerful woman lies a story of resilience and impact. This Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi is with Dr. Detoun Ogwo. A woman who embodies elegance and a fervent dedication to transforming the landscape of youth employability.

Dr Detoun Ogwo is the Executive Director and Technical Advisor at The Skills Development Practice that provides technical and vocational training for 7500 youth across 36 states achieving 85% employment within three months.

She has worked with companies such as PWC, Stanbic IBTC, the International Labour Organization (ILO), Diageo, British Airways, British American Tobacco, T-Mobile, and Halifax Bank Plc. She has led projects in human capital development, strategic recruitment, capacity building, public-private partnerships, and policy implementation. She consults with organizations and governments on solutions to equip graduates and address the skills gap in alignment with economic demands.

Dr Ogwo has a doctorate degree from the University College London Institute of Education, where her research focused on strategies to enhance higher education and skills training in Nigeria to improve graduate employability. Her unwavering commitment and passion for uplifting the youth is a tale of resilience and tenacity.

I am in awe of the Detoun's impact and transformative efforts in shaping a brighter future for the youth of Nigeria. Be enriched by this episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi this Youth Month (June) in South Africa.

#detounogwo #dudumsomi #youth #youthmonth #youthday #education #employment #skillsdevelopment #Nigeria #SouthAfrica #economicdevelopment

When in the midst of sorrow

You can't see up when looking down

A brighter day tomorrow will bring

You hear the voice of reason

Telling you this can never be done

No matter how hard reality seems

Just hold on to your dreams, yeah

Don't give up and don't give in, although it seems you never win

You will always pass the test as long as you keep your head to the sky

You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky

You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky

Be optimistic

Excerpt from the song ‘Optimistic’ by The Sound of Blackness.

One of Sizakele 'Siza' Mzimela’s favourite songs captures her resolute, visonary and problem-solving character.

Sizakele 'Siza' Mzimela is a distinguished aviation executive renowned for her visionary leadership, strategic acumen, and unparalleled contributions to the global airline industry. Siza is a pioneer in aviation with over 25 years of aviation industry experience and expertise which has helped her scale to many heights, including being appointed as the first female onto the Board of Directors of the International Air Transport Association (#IATA) in its 70-year history. Previously, she has taken on the roles of Chairperson of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa and President of the #African Airlines Association.

Siza has also been recognised in an International Publication of “The 100 Greatest #Women in Aviation”. She is the former #CEO of national carrier, South African Airways (when SAA was still the biggest carrier on the African continent) as well as regional airline, South African Express. As Group CEO of South African Airways (SAA), her tenure was marked by significant regional growth, operational excellence, and strategic alliances that enhanced SAA’s competitive edge and global footprint.

In 2015, Siza revolutionised the aviation sector by becoming the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fly Blue Crane - the first black, women-owned commercial airline in South Africa, with both domestic and regional licenses.

Another wise and inspirational conversation from a shy, tenacious spirit! Hope you have enjoyed this wisdom as I have. Until the next episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi. Be compassionate. Love-filled and live consciously.

#wisdompersonified #sizamzimela #sizakelemzimela #aviation #SAA #Bluecrane #flybluecrane #SAAExpress #jordan #india #dudumsomi #wisdom #leadership

Authors Randall Pinkett and Jeffrey Robinson, in their book “Black Faces in White Places” said: “If experience is the best teacher, learning from someone else’s experience is a close second”. Tshiamo Thebe is proactive in seeking opportunities to learn from others. She lives the adage that ‘when a student is ready, the teacher will appear’. Tshiamo is always on the ready to learn, grow and evolve.

She is a Chartered Accountant working a Senior Specialist for a financial services company. Tshiamo is a former television presenter on SABC 2. She graduated from the University of Johannesburg with a Bachelor’s degree in #Accounting, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Accounting Science from the University of South Africa. Academic highlights include being a fellow of the #AllanGray Orbis Foundation Scholarship and #SAICA Thuthuka Bursary both awarded on academic excellence.

Tshiamo is passionate about personal mastery, #mentorship, and talent development. She is currently a #mentor on the SAICA Mentorship programme and is an alumna of the Busara Leadership Mentoring journey. An advocate for #women in #leadership positions who believes in leading with kindness and integrity. She holds leadership certificates in the GIBS Women in Leadership short course and WITS Business School Coaching for High performance.

To continue to get wise and soul nourishing content, help Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi grow by subscribing to our #YouTube Channel. Don’t miss any conversation. Subscribe, Like and Share. Help us to grow so we can bring you even more diverse content that makes your Wisdom Journey, not just insightful, but fun and joyous as well.

Until next time, when we chat to another wise #African.

LEADING YOUR LIFE WITH COURAGE – The Wisdom from Dr Bongani Mageba

Roy T. Bennett says, “Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your #vision and #purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others". This quote captures the spirit that drives the life of my guest Dr Bongani Mageba

He is the Chief Executive Officer of Telesure Advisory Services which is a multi-product and multi-branded advisory business that provides personalised solutions across a wide range of personal, #business, life and #wealth offerings that align with clients’ specific needs and objectives.

Dr Mageba has an LLM with a focus on constitutional law from the University of KwaZulu Natal. An #MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Science commonly known as #GIBS. He has completed programmes at Harvard and The Wharton Business Schools. And has a PhD from the GIBS.

Hope you enjoy this conversation with another wise #African.

#dudumsomi #bonganimageba #financialservices #CEO #leadership #TelesureAdvisoryServices

Until next time, on Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi.

Equality is treating everyone the same. But equity is taking differences into account, so everyone has a chance to succeed, says Jodi Picoult.

Speaking to Teresa Oakley-Smith, a pioneer in diversity and change management in South Africa in today's insightful episode. You cannot, but talk about equality and equity in the context of transforming workplaces and society.

Teresa Oakley-Smith aptly puts it, "Being a pioneer means forging ahead, not knowing exactly where you're going, but having faith in the journey."

She is a psychologist and former academic, who has successfully carved a path and dedicated herself to fostering #transformation, #diversity, #equity and #inclusion in South Africa.

She founded Diversi-T in 1993 specialising in transformation and diversity training. With degrees from the University of Wales and the University of the Witwatersrand, Teresa blends academic rigor with practical expertise. Her research, dialogues, and leadership on governmental commissions aim to foster mutual respect and productivity across diverse workplaces, transcending racial, gender, and cultural divides.

Until the episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi. Wishing you a prosperous, fulfilling and joy-filled 2025.

#elonmusk #DEI #dudumsomi #teresaoakleysmith #racism #unconsciousbias #apartheid #SouthAfrica

If you hear the name ‘Jack Hammer’. You expect a male. Not in the case of the executive search firm.

Debbie Goodman is the Group CEO of Jammer Hammer, a global group of executive search, talent advisory and leadership coaching companies. Debbie also acts as Advisor to various VC-backed, high growth companies and she coaches founder CEOs and co-Founders, globally.

Debbie is a two-time bestselling author and host of the podcast “On Work and Revolution”.

Debbie started her career as an award-winning contemporary choreographer and dancer whilst she was finishing her law degree.

Debbie is originally from Cape Town and is now based in Los Angeles. You cannot miss her signature look. Pink framed eye glasses. Debbie shares crystal wisdom about the value of having the discipline of building a cash buffer for challenges times as Covid-19 demonstrated. About building a professional services company that is based on relationships and accumulated networks over time, in a foreign country, where one has to start from scratch.

Hope you enjoy the simple and yet, powerful wisdom shared in this episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi.

Thank you for supporting our channel. We look forward to bringing you more wise conversations that shift your perspective, energise you to do better and inspire you to be a better person in all endeavours of your life.

As we come to the end of the year.

May your holiday season be filled with a sense of fulfilment, compassion, love, generosity, and joy. I wish you and your loved ones a glorious festive season.

#elonmusk #DEI #CEO #CSuite #leaders #recruitment #toxicworkplace #power #debbiegoodman #dudumsomi #wisdom

Are you driving high performance or are you actually a #bully?

“Every #leader has a shadow”, says Dr Ngao Motsei. “To be an effective leader, you have to be aware and the intention of the shadow that you cast in your direct environment.” The reason why Dr Motsei is our first repeat guest is her recently published book called ‘Building Psychologically Safe Spaces: Safeguarding Your Workplace Against Bullying’. It an instructive read worthy of your time.

Dr Ngao Motsei is an #author, Leadership Consultant, Speaker and Business School Faculty. Ngao has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Science, a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning and a PhD in Organisational Behaviour. She is trained as a #coach who specialises in working with abrasive leaders. Ngao has worked in Human Resources, Strategy, and Leadership consulting for 25 years. She partners with #C-Suite leaders to raise awareness about bullying in the workplace, provide specialised #coaching to abrasive leaders accused of bullying as well as facilitating team repair workshops in the wake of harassment and bullying incidents.

Hope you gain value in this episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi.

#dudumsomi #ngao #leadership #mentalhealth #resilience

It is said that leopards symbolise power, strength and confidence, stealth, perception, bravery, survival, shapeshifting, authenticity and self-reliance. An animal spirit that captures the many qualities in Mabatho.

She has a B.Com from the University of Cape Town. A B. Com Honours in Economics and Marketing from University of Wales, an MBA from the University of Hull.

Mabatho joined the financial services industry in 2001. She currently serves as a professional trustee or independent investment committee member and independent Chairperson on various funds. She also serves as a non-executive director on various company boards.

Mabatho is also an entrepreneur. As Managing Director of The Bridge, her focus is on personal mastery, consciousness and leadership.

It is great for me to facilitate Mabatho’s sharing of her wisdom in this episode of Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi.

As another year comes to the end. Hope you have been enlightened by the wisdom shared on Wisdom Personified Conversations with Dudu Msomi on the various platforms ranging from YouTube, Facebook Watch, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Help spread practical #wisdom and the joy of living to more people. Subscribe, like and share.

#dudumsomi #mabathoseeiso #mentalhealth #chronicfatigue #womeninbusiness

#womeninfinance