My Blog
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I’m Back – Time for a New Turing Test
It’s been nearly a year since my last post, and much like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic declaration in The Terminator—”I’ll be back”—I’ve returned, not just to reflect but to share an ambitious project I’ve been developing. The journey has been both enlightening and challenging, shaped by my experience leading a family business and engaging with entrepreneurs…
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Empowering Female Victims of Gender Based Violence Through Entrepreneurship
While teaching entrepreneurship to marginalised communities at the bottom of the pyramid in our township environment is my primary focus, linking this activity to more specific challenges other than the catchall “unemployment” was not on my radar. Hence, last weeks opportunity to address an event focused upon the challenge of reintegrating ex-offenders and parolees into…
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The Role of Entrepreneurship in Reintegrating Ex-offenders and Parolees into Society
On Thursday the 5th this week I had the privilege of addressing a group of NGOs as well as representatives from the Department of Correctional Services on the role of KiPiDi in the community and how teaching entrepreneurship to ex-offenders and parolees could help break the cycle of recidivism. Below is an edited version of…
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The Interplay between Entrepreneurship and Family Business
The interplay between entrepreneurship and family business represents the intricate relationship and mutual influence that exists between these two dynamic domains of business operation. It encompasses the synergies and tensions that emerge when entrepreneurial aspirations and activities intersect with the characteristics and complexities of family-owned and operated enterprises. Whether located in the highest echelons of…
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Navigating the Modern Economy: Uniting Entrepreneurship and Family Business
All journeys have a starting point. My journey into the world of families and the businesses they own began with the passing of my father and the taxi business he bequeathed to our family. The challenge that came with managing the business as a family forced me to look for answers to what I soon…
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Are we what we Measure?
Verwoerd labeled us hewers of wood and drawers of water. Twenty-eight years into our democracy and we have yet to liberate our minds. Only the master has changed. Lembede, Sobukwe, Biko, we hear you.
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First, start with yourself
Take care of yourself first. You’ll be in a better position to help others.
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Own Your Sh!t
Stop blaming others. Look in the mirror. Act now and take control of your future. No one else will do it for you
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Who will lead the revolution?
Image courtesy of Ernesto and the R50m donation our leaders made to the people of Cuba on our behalf. Also, I don’t mean “revolution” literally.
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Save your social grant for 837 years and start a business!
A question for the “red tape team”. What planet do you live on? Since when do families starving at the bottom of the pyramid care about your red tape? No business, no red tape required.
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Forget SONA, the Budget Speech is where the Money is!
I thought I’d get ahead of the queue, leapfrog over SONA, and get my ten cents worth in with our new Minister of Finance. Budget Speech 2022 is where the money will be spent. In my blog last week I encouraged corporate South Africa to relocate their head offices from Sandton to Soweto, highlighting the…
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Move your head office to Soweto
While driving through Sandton the other day, I couldn’t help but stare and marvel at the magnificent head offices of some of our more prominent corporate citizens. I also asked the question: why were these buildings built in Sandton and not in one of our many townships that no doubt supply most of the workers…
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Township economies – hold on to your entrepreneurs
The good news story on the Times Live website of Lucky Lekgwathi and the reopening of his restaurant Grootman, in the Southdale Mall, is testimony to the man’s resilience both on and off the soccer pitch. If we are to rebuild our communities and leave behind the devastation wrought by the events of July 2021,…
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Community involvement – maintain the focus!
Over the past several decades there has been a revolution in the way that the relationship between business and society is understood. To misquote well known economist and Nobel laureate Milton Friedman – the business of business is no longer just business. Or, to paraphrase Harvard Business School professor Theodore Levitt – although profits are…
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Build a culture of continuous learning
Learning is no longer a phase in our life, something we do before we start working. The digital revolution, while creating new jobs and commercial opportunities, also demands new skills that in turn undergo constant change at increasing speed. Continuous learning is therefore a life-long theme we must embrace if we are to remain relevant…
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Succession – don’t leave it to chance!
The most basic of human desires to pass on our name, our heritage, and our possessions from one generation to the next finds modern-day expression in the business family as they seek continuity in the family business. Founders do not start out on their journey of hard work, sacrifice and risk without at least hoping…
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Communication and the Family Meeting
While there are many components required for a successful business family, communication tops the list. Effective communication in your business family allows family members to share their needs, wants and concerns with each other. It is through communication that your family resolves many of the unique difficulties that are part and parcel of owning and…
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Leadership, Trust & your Say-Do Ratio
How often have you heard someone say “… he’s all talk and no action …” or “ … talk is cheap, money buys whiskey …”? Trust Would you trust that person to follow through on what they say they are going to do? Whatever the nature of the organisation – business, social club, sports team…
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Old Wounds & New Beginnings
The passing of my father Abel Mathole in 2019 brought to a close a painful chapter in my life. Although my father and mother Gasta Mathole separated over 30 years ago, the pain I experienced as a young girl remains. I am my father’s daughter. How could he abandon me, my mother and my little…
