The Add IDEAS Podcast
The Add IDEAS Podcast

The Add IDEAS Podcast

Bandile Mndebele

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Certain things in life are hard but belonging should not be.

Through inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable tips, we help unlock meaningful ideas for a stronger sense of belonging in every aspect of your life.

From war to groove, there is a conversation worth having and lessons learnt about how we show up authentically as ourselves. Sometimes, we only want to afford a good groove towards a thriving community both individually and collectively.

Join me, Bandile Mndebele, as we explore the world of IDEAS: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Sustainability.

Our lived experiences matter and so should our ideas.

Thank you for following and listening to the show.

Recent Episodes

10. Getting niche: why South Africa needs better growth than groove with Avelile Nontanda
NOV 13, 2024
10. Getting niche: why South Africa needs better growth than groove with Avelile Nontanda

My friend, what should be happening to resolve the problems South Africans face with spaza shops? 
Want to find the right niche?

Today, we delve deep into the multifaceted world of entrepreneurship, exploring the challenges and opportunities that shape the landscape for modern business owners and reflecting on South Africa's potentially limiting identity crisis.

Join us as we sit down with Avelile Nontanda, the founder and CEO of Mayhem Digital with more than 10 years of experience helping businesses and brands live their best digital lives from Google to social media and father. Avelile gets candid about shared realities such as dealing with Black Tax, not-so-friendly spaza shops and the importance of a self-reliant economy. 

We discuss the challenges and opportunities facing entrepreneurs today, the importance of a strong brand identity, and the power of digital marketing. 

In this conversation, we'll cover:

00:00 - Finding Your Niche: Being a Jack of All Trades, Master of Niche 

06:25 - The Google Dilemma and Exploring Ownership

15:51 - Dealing with “Pull Him/Her Down” Syndrome and The Discount Mentality

21:29 - Finding a Balance After Groove and Equal Focus

26:10 - First World and Third World Fallacies 

29:15 - Black Tax is Good and Bad at the Same Time

40:54 - Digital Nomads, Why start in Cape Town, and Can Looks Be Deceiving?

Resources:


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55 MIN
9. Better community: doing the best you can with the trauma you carry with Annemarie Shrouder
AUG 6, 2024
9. Better community: doing the best you can with the trauma you carry with Annemarie Shrouder
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31 MIN
8. Why we need more startup giants - not just tech: lessons from Hubspace with Melilizwe Gqobo
JUL 30, 2024
8. Why we need more startup giants - not just tech: lessons from Hubspace with Melilizwe Gqobo

Today’s guest, Melilizwe Gqobo (he/him) - Founding Director of Hubspace (Khayelitsha) and Venture Scout, has successfully created space for founders and entrepreneurs to thrive by strengthening and reinforcing their capacity or ability to seek opportunities.

With the hindsight of co-founding Hubspace, a pioneering startup ecosystem or incubator space to bring communal offices and resources to entrepreneurs and founders within the township economy, meaningfully contributing over 5% to South Africa’s GDP, Melilizwe shares key lessons and insights on what it takes to make a successful venture while highlighting examples from Bolt and Uber’s entry to the South African/African market.

What's Covered On This Episode:
0:00 - The Entrepreneurship and Founder Ecosystems

1:23 - Founder Lessons and Challenges

4:40 - Reasons why I became an Entrepreneur

6:02 - The Opportunity Set – NGOs

8:07 - Making a successful venture

10:51 - Does First Mover Advantage Exist?

12:50 - The Role of Enterprise Development

14:51 - The Township Economy

25:39 - The Importance of Patient Capital, Support, Routine and Mindset for Preservation

32:57 - Allyship: Creating space and an intentional community

38:29 - Innovation and AI

46:17 - Wrap-up: Key Takeaways

RESOURCES:

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/04/04/397101933/far-from-silicon-valley-a-disruptive-startup-hub

https://disruptafrica.com/2014/11/15/townships-offer-real-investment-opportunities-hubspace/

https://www.news24.com/news24/partnercontent/the-rise-and-rise-of-the-township-economy-20230621

https://www.parliament.gov.za/news/multifaceted-approach-needed-deal-protection-fee-and-business-extortion-syndicates-ncop-hears

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz5reve8476o

Follow Melilizwe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melilizwe-gqobo-6229a729/

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50 MIN