On today's show, Jonathan and Shaneil talk about networking during lockdown. They provide some examples of what has work for them, and also highlight key things to consider on your networking journey during lockdown.

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In today's episode we speak to Dean Benjamin. Dean is a CA(SA) who formed part of Investec's specialist banking practice in South Africa, London and Sydney. He was also the founder of 2 non profit organisations, and would continue to develop these initiatives over the years as well as representing South Africa and speaking at One Young World.  Dean is currently pursuing an M.B.A. at the Harvard Business School with a vision to merge his commercial and impact-focused interests. 

In todays episode we unpack his journey in the build up to his Harvard MBA and understand the implicit and explicit costs involved. We then delve into the Harvard MBA experience, and understand exactly what it means to walk this journey. We end off by retrospectively discussing Dean's thoughts on whether or not the MBA (from Harvard) is worth it, given the exorbitant cost and huge time commitment. 

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Today's episode features Gracia Munganga, a sustainable energy expert currently working at Carbon Trust at their Southern Africa office in Pretoria, focusing on delivering strategic advice and analysis for public and private sector clients in sustainable energy. 

Before joining the Carbon Trust, Gracia was senior manager at The Innovation Hub, mandated with the commercialisation of clean tech innovations in the energy, water and waste sectors, in collaboration with the World Bank’s InfoDev programme. Prior to this Gracia worked on the New Horizons Waste to Energy Project - Africa’s first large scale municipal solid waste to biogas plant.

Gracia is a graduate of the University of Cape Town with a BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering.

She takes us through her journey that started in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

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In today's episode we speak to Neo Maboe, stage name 'The Yze' (pronounced "the wise"). Neo is a 28 year-old Pretorian who is passionate about the African hip hop scene.  Neo's day job is in the financial services sector, but he is also a recording artist, songwriter, and content producer. 

We discuss the African music scene and delve deeper into some of the challenges and opportunities that exist for young aspiring artists in todays new normal. One of they key discussion points during this interview relates to how Neo has scaled his brand as a musician over the years, while still working and maintaining a steady income. 

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In today’s episode, we chat to Wanjiku Kimani. 

Wanjiku is from Kenya and is currently completing her Masters at the London School of Economics (LSE). She is passionate about using Inclusive technologies that provide solutions for economically marginalized groups, with a special focus on women empowerment. 

Wanjiku is a Mandela Rhodes scholar, as well as a Derek Cooper fellow. In today’s episode we discuss her journey, and gain some valuable insight into how she attained a scholarship to complete her local and international studies. 

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In todays episode Jonathan and Shaneil chat to Serisha Iyer. Serisha is a product manager for one of the biggest banks in Africa, and is also one of the youngest managers in her team. 

Serisha comes from a non-traditional commerce background (having a bcom undergrad with a masters in Philosophy). 

She delves into some of the insights thats she's gained from working in the industry, specifically around succeeding in the job market when you are following a non-linear career path in terms of your degree. She also opens up about the job market's perception of her degree, and goes on to explain how she was able to overcome some of these challenges by having the right attitude and work ethic. 

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Today's episode features Ziyanda Khumalo, a Debt Capital Markets Deal Originator at Africa's largest bank, who is currently based in London.

She has worked on some landmark deals over the years including deals for the South African and Ghaninan sovereigns, and most recently, closed the first corporate bond deal executed in Africa in the Covid-19 era. 

Before a career in investment banking, Ziyanda spent three years in marketing in the fast-moving consumer goods industry before successfully pivoting. She takes us through her journey that starts in Apartheid South Africa in a small township called eNgwelezane in Northern Kwazulu Natal.

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A completed CV/resume aims to impress recruiters and is sent as an application to jobs adverts or as a speculative approach to prospective companies. CVs are valuable and important because they are your first and maybe only direct communication with a potential employer.

In today's episode, Jonathan and Shaneil discuss some of the key insights that they've learnt from industry leading experts in the field regarding how to go about writing the best possible CV. 

The points discussed in this episode may be the reason that you are currently being rejected for your dream job, without even getting to the interview stage. 

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On todays episode we have Jonathan Asiamah the founder of South African insurtech start-up DentX. Dent X is disrupting the insurance space by creating a new data-driven vehicle repair pricing platform that changes the way vehicle owners and insurance partners source quotes for repairs. Jonathan shares his journey from corporate banking to starting his own start up.

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In this episode we chat to Clarity Mapengo, a food scientist and innovator whose currently completing her Ph.D. at the university of Pretoria. Her research focus and work experience are centered around sustainable food engineering and food security. 

Her work in the development of biopolymers contributed to the development of low-energy dense food and food ingredients and has been presented at major international conferences. 

She is an active innovator and has most recently participated in the Unleash Innovation Lab 2019 that was held in China. She is also part of the Local Pathways Fellowship, which is a global youth initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

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