LeadUP Podcast

Sep 24 2023 3
LeadUP Podcast artwork

Alumni and friends of the University of Pretoria (UP) share their stories and leadership lessons on this podcast by the leading contact university in Africa. Prominent UP alumni from across disciplines – from business and law to medicine and the arts – share details about where their journey has taken them after their time at Tuks, and what they’ve learned along the way. LeadUP is a project of the Alumni Relations Office of the University of Pretoria. You can find out more about us or get in touch at up.ac.za/leadup.

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Sipho Ngwenya, media executive and former child star, on how to find your space in the entertainment industry

Sep 24 2023 26 mins  
Sipho Ngwenya, formerly known as Psyfo, was a child star before becoming a household name playing Ajax on Generations. After a successful period as a musician, he received his MBA from the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), and is now a senior manager at Showmax. On this episode, he chats to us about:Lessons he’s learned from achieving fame an

Robyn Oates, UN Sustainable Development Officer, on working for good

Aug 27 2023 23 mins  
Robyn Oates is a Sustainable Development Officer in the United Nations Secretary General’s Office in New York City. After completing her BCom Honours in Accounting Sciences at the University of Pretoria, she worked in the private sector, including at Deloitte and Barclays Capital.On this episode, she chats to us about:How her family’s support helped her find the courage to expl

Munozovepi Gwata, fintech entrepreneur, on financial literacy for success

Jul 30 2023 25 mins  
Munozovepi Gwata is the founder of Kukura Capital, and an entrepreneur passionate about teaching Africans about financial literacy. She completed her LLB at the University of Pretoria before moving to Webber Wentzel, and is currently a Principal Consultant at IQbusiness. She has been involved in the World Economic Forum’s Global Shaper Entrepreneurship Programme, delivered a TEDx

Shakila Dada, communications expert, on communication as a way to boost inclusivity

Jun 25 2023 27 mins  
Professor Shakila Dada is the Director of the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Her work focuses on improving the lives of people with severe communication difficulties. She is a powerful example of UP alumni becoming staff and building long-running relationships with the institution that ultimately help change lives on a large scale.

Laurie Dippenaar, millionaire and businessman, on building trust and wealth

May 28 2023 21 mins  
Laurie Dippenaar is a South African millionaire, businessman, investor, and banker with a wealth of knowledge who co-founded the FirstRand Financial Group, which includes subsidiaries WesBank, FNB, and RMB. He graduated from the University of Pretoria with a Master of Commerce degree, and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate. On this episode, he speaks to us about:How he star

Ndavi Nokeri, Miss SA 2022, on overcoming inequality in education

Apr 23 2023 24 mins  
Ndavi Nokeri is now the third consecutive Miss South Africa to have graduated from the University of Pretoria. She received her Bcom Investment Management degree a few months before she was crowned Miss South Africa and instantly became a role model to young and older people all over the country.On this episode she speaks to us about:How and why she decided to study at the Universi

Broadcaster Carmen Reddy on making it in media

Sep 25 2022 21 mins  
Carmen Reddy started her journalism career at TuksFM while studying at the University of Pretoria, and has since worked for the likes of 5FM, Primedia, eNCA, and Newzroom Afrika. She is currently a media consultant. On this episode she speaks to us about:Starting out on campus radio.Taking risks and proving herself in commercial radio.How her ideas about success have evolved over t

Dr Anton Meyberg on being on the frontline of the pandemic

Aug 28 2022 24 mins  
Dr Anton Meyberg is a specialist physician and pulmonologist, working in clinical medicine as an ICU physician and intensivist at Linksfield Clinic in Johannesburg. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic he faced the disease in wards – and educated the public about it through podcasting and more.On this episode he speaks to us about:Studying in Afrikaans while growing up in English.How

Faan van der Walt, co-founder of WeBuyCars, on building a successful company from scratch

Jul 24 2022 23 mins  
WeBuyCars was founded by two brothers and quickly became one of the biggest car-buying companies in South Africa. Faan van der Walt, one of the co-founders, has learned a lot about success on this journey of growing and evolving a business.On this episode he speaks to us about:How his childhood fascination with cars turned into a long-term career.What it is like to build a business

Dr Perekeme Mutu, Centre for Child Law researcher, on resilience and hard work

Jun 26 2022 22 mins  
Known as ‘Mr Deadline’, Dr Perekeme Mutu moved to South Africa from Nigeria to pursue his studies, and worked multiple jobs – including as a security guard and a car washer – to fund his academic career. His perseverance paid off handsomely when he completed two degrees at the same time, including his Doctor of Philosophy (Law) from UP. He is currently a researcher at the C