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Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman stands as a beacon of hope and compassion in a world often overshadowed by adversity. With an unwavering commitment to humanitarianism, he has dedicated his life to alleviating suffering and restoring faith in humanity. As the founder of Gift of the Givers, the largest African disaster response NGO, Dr. Sooliman has exemplified the transformative power of empathy and action. His journey is not just a narrative of individual achievement but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the profound impact one person can make on the world.
Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman’s journey towards becoming a symbol of hope and healing began with humble origins. Trained as a medical doctor, his expertise lies not only in the field of healthcare but also in the art of empathy and understanding. With over three decades of experience in disaster response and humanitarian assistance, Dr. Sooliman has honed his skills in navigating complex crises with grace and efficiency.
His profound understanding of the intricate web of challenges faced by communities in crisis has enabled him to develop innovative solutions that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. From providing medical aid in war-torn regions to delivering food and shelter to those affected by natural disasters, Dr. Sooliman’s work knows no bounds.
Through his visionary leadership, the Gift of the Givers Foundation has grown into the largest African-based disaster response NGO, operating in over 43 countries worldwide. Under his guidance, the organization has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the provision of clean water, healthcare services, and educational support to millions of people in need.
Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman’s expertise extends beyond the realm of humanitarian aid. As a sought-after speaker and thought leader, he shares his insights and experiences with audiences around the globe, inspiring others to join the fight for a more compassionate and just world. His ability to blend personal anecdotes with powerful messages of hope and resilience resonates deeply with audiences from all walks of life.
Event planners seeking to inspire their audiences and ignite a sense of purpose should look no further than Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman. His captivating presence and riveting storytelling have the power to move hearts and minds, leaving a lasting impact long after the event has ended. By inviting Dr. Sooliman to speak, planners can create a truly transformative experience that motivates individuals to take action and make a difference in their communities.
Furthermore, booking Dr. Sooliman through Speakers Inc ensures a seamless and professional experience from start to finish. With their extensive network and unparalleled expertise in the industry, Speakers Inc takes the stress out of event planning, allowing planners to focus on creating an unforgettable experience for their attendees. By partnering with Speakers Inc, planners can rest assured knowing that they are working with the best in the business.
In conclusion, Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings to global humanitarian icon serves as a testament to the power of compassion and resilience. His unwavering commitment to serving humanity and inspiring others to do the same has earned him a place of honor in the hearts of millions around the world. Whether speaking to intimate gatherings or large audiences, Dr. Sooliman’s message of hope and solidarity resonates deeply, leaving an indelible mark on all who have the privilege of hearing him speak.
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If ever there was a band that gave life to that weird South African music phenomenon which has everyone who hears their music assuming they are an international act, then Joe Niemand – Conference Entertainers is it.
For months now, the four piece’s melodic rock has dominated airwaves, with songs like “Words” and “Simple Truth” easily slipping into the hearts and minds of music fans now rapidly cottoning onto the fact that Niemand is proudly South African – a truly homegrown group that makes music of a global standard.
That Niemand crafts songs so effortlessly memorable has much to do with the group’s namesake and frontman.
Joe Niemand has been quietly moving behind-the-scenes of the South African music industry, becoming an in-demand songwriter and performer for those in the know – credited for his intuitive gift for a melody and knack of crafting lyrics that speak of universal themes of love, struggle and redemption.
Put this to Joe, however, and this unassuming singer and songwriter is reluctant to make too big a fuss out of his unparalleled reputation in the South African music business, professing to hardly remembering his impressive slate of work.
“I feel like my musical life is beginning with Reborn. It’s the album that I have been waiting to make for years because before this, my songwriting took the form of whoever I was writing for.
With Reborn I wrote every song specifically for this album, with each representing something extremely important in my life.”
Much of Joe Niemand’s low-profile has to do with Joe’s belief in letting the music speak for itself. And thankfully for fans of perfectly on-point rock music, Reborn’s set of 14-songs is gaining momentum, on the back of solid radio-play, the selection of “Rise” as Supersport’s official theme for last November’s UK Springbok rugby tour and plenty of word-of-mouth buzz around the group.
What sets apart Niemand’s debut is the intense journey the album represents – a representation through words, music and visuals (check out Reborn’s artwork) of Joe’s personal journey of the past 10 years.
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Clint Cunningham is no stranger to South African audiences. After 15 years of slogging the pubs and clubs all over South Africa (reportedly the highest paid one-man band in the country at that stage), Clint is now enjoying great success with his various shows in top theatres.
His Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute (over 600 shows in ten years) has rocked sold-out audiences at all of The Barnyards as well as The Performer Theatre, Richard Loring’s Sound Stage, all of the major casinos and many other venues such as The Rustic Theatre on Main, The Blues Room and The Firkin in Centurion.
Clint Cunningham performed in the Carnival Symphonic Pops and he was very well received! He sold more CD’s after each performance than any of the other artists! Due to popular demand
Clint was determined to do the Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena in 2008 – performing to over 1500 people.
From this success, Clint Cunningham and his immensely competent band went on to perform Clint’s U2 tribute, ‘Rattle and Hum’, shows called ‘Joe Cocker & Friends’ and ‘Rock on Safari’. ‘The Midnight Hour’ ran for 6 months at Richard Loring’s Sound Stage and ‘Thunderstruck’ ran for 5 months over 2 years at the Globe Theatre Gold Reef City.
Clint’s production ‘The Midnight Hour’, featured Connie Friedman on sax and keys, Rene Mabotha and Caitlin Cunningham on vocals. They packed the Sound Stage in 2007 & 2008, 7 shows a week for close on 6 months.
This is an amazing achievement for any artist.
The band (Clint & Co) have toured Zimbabwe several times playing to almost 4000 people in Harare.
They rocked Maputo, Gaborone and Swaziland, toured Cape Town and the Garden Route with huge success and they have done a myriad of corporate events from the V&A Waterfront to the Sun City Superbowl.
2 slots on Steve Hofmeyer’s ‘Dis Hoe Dit Is’ and SABC 3’s ‘Noot vir Noot’ (plus a guest spot on ‘Egoli’) has received great response for Clint.
With 15 albums down the line, Clint has a massive original repertoire including his hit song ‘Cry Baby Cry’ and two very successful Afrikaans to English translations.
Clint Cunningham also surprised his fans in 2012 with the release of his first book, a fantasy adventure novel called ‘Sothafa’ and his latest announcement is his DJ slot on 93.8 MIX FM every Wednesday evening where he gets to sing live in the studio and to play his most favourite songs.
“Ultimately, Clint Cunningham mission is to create great rock music in the name of fun. It is a refreshing change in a world full of pop idols and posturing. With boy bands and wannabe singers dominating our airwaves, Cunningham and his sidekicks are emerging as one of the few ‘real-deal’, ‘no frills’ bands on the local music scene.”
Peter van der Merwe, The Star
Peter Hamner (Guitarist) started playing in the hard rock band, ‘Boss’ in 1980. The band later changed its name to ‘Street Talk’ and they played a mixture of original material as well as covers.
In 1983 he recorded an album of original material under the name of ‘Off The Edge’. Between 194 and 2004, Peter recorded and produced a further 4 albums, with Clint as the front man on the 4th album, ‘Site Under Construction’.
He hopes to release a fifth album in the not too distant future. He has been a member of Clint Co – Conference Corporate Entertainers since 2004.
Clint Cunningham runs a production studio called Foxglove Studios and he has been responsible for producing and recording all of Clint’s albums.
Among many other recording projects, Peter’s latest project is his solo instrumental album called ‘Revelation’.
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Dr. Graeme Lategan is a highly regarded corporate speaker, leadership strategist, and training expert with decades of experience transforming mindsets in boardrooms, leadership teams, and professional development arenas across South Africa and internationally. Known for his commanding presence and emotionally intelligent delivery, Dr. Graeme bridges the gap between organisational culture and people performance.
He has facilitated high-impact training and strategic leadership interventions for global brands, the public and private sector, and executive teams in regions including the Middle East and Africa. His focus on adaptive leadership, organizational culture, and management excellence has allowed him to serve clients across industries, cultures, and leadership levels with impact and clarity.
As a Power Speaker, Dr. Graeme Lategan brings a rare mix of authority and relatability — making him a natural choice for events, executive sessions, and strategic consulting. His ability to command attention, translate complex narratives into human stories, and hold space with credibility has positioned him as a sought-after trainer and speaker in both public and private sectors.
With a growing international presence, Dr. Graeme Lategan is increasingly recognised as a distinctive voice on leadership and culture in a globalised business world — combining insight, presence, and relevance on every stage he enters.
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With an interesting combination of talents, Soul Tone shares a good energy on and off of the stage. The group have the knack for grabbing their audience’s attention, swinging into action and ending up on the dance floor.
Performing together since 2007, the group consists of Nonhlanhla on lead vocals, Augustus on vocals and guitar and Chucks on backing vocals and piano.
Soul Tone have recently performed as Emperor Palace’s and Moyo Melrose Arch’s inhouse bands. Currently, they do regular performances at Montecasino, Emerald Casino, Carnival City, Life Grand Café, The Potato Shed and the Davinci Hotel whilst performing for corporate functions, private parties and weddings and government functions.
Individually, they have performed with numerous legends both locally and internationally. Their music varies from Jazz, Soul, Soft Reggae, Afro Pop, African music and party music.
Their performance history includes:
Emperors Palace (every Saturday night from 20:00pm – 00:00am) – September 2013 to April 2014.
The SAPA Gala Dinner.
The SARA Cocktail Dinner.
The SARA Exhibition Cocktail Dinner.
Department of Arts, Recreation, Sports and Culture Gala Dinner.
Road and Transport Agency Dinner.
Metropolis Gala Dinner.
JRA Year End Awards Function, Oracle Motivational Awards.
Back of the Moon, Garden Court Hotel Sandton, National Treasury Dinner.
Nedbank Gala Dinner.
AIGS Gala Dinner.
Rhode & Schwartz yearend function.
ACSA yearend function.
MultiChoice – Africa Magic yearend function.
Davinci Hotel Valentine’s Day Dinner.
Davinci Hotel’s New Years Eve party.
Nelson Mandela Foundation – Stop Hunger Now function.
DHL Awards Ceremony.
Brandhouse Media Awards.
Cummins Dealer Conference Gala Dinner.
Oracle Awards Function.
Leadership Development Graduation Ceremony.
Edcon Gala Dinner.
Cell C Staff Party.
Ayanda Inside Fashion Launch.
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Swing City was born out of the love of swing music from three of South Africa’s most loved artist’s. A harmless side comment from one musician to another ended up in a serious discussion about producing a three piece singing group, backed by a full jazz orchestra and band, celebrating their love of jazz, swing and blues, but adding a modern day twist to the genre.
Swing City consists of Lonehill Estate’s Nathan Ro, whose love for swing music has always engrossed the pop/rock singer’s iPod, Graeme Watkins, whose background in music and theatre started as a swing singer long before his success on Idols or in his indie rock band “The Graeme Watkins Project”; and Loyiso Bala, whose classically trained background in music saw the singer as part of the TKZee crew, the Bala brothers in classical song and in the pop world in his own successful career.
Modern Day Swing Music, inspired by the likes of the Rat Pack, Michael Buble, Robbie Williams.
The three singers of Swing City, already friends, jokingly commented what fun it would be to start a swing band. It would be tears later, that they took the idea seriously, got into a rehearsal space with their friends from Figure of * productions and Swing City was born!
MEMBERS:
Graeme Watkins
Graeme has always been involved with theatre, drama and music. After completing a degree in Theatre and Performance at UCT, he followed a career in music where he formed a Swing trio called “It’s a Swing Thing”.
Graeme took a chance by entering Idols, and ended up the runner up in the annual talent search. The Graeme Watkins Project” has since gone on to produce “Corridors of the mind” and have had several chart topping hits, 2 SAMA nominations, a YOU Spectacular and MKTV nomination and performed at the prestigious MuseXpo in Hollywood in 2012.
Also a voiceover artist, actor, TV presenter and MC, Graeme was also a Fleur De Cap Nominee for Theatre.
Nathan Ro
Nathan started his musical journey as runner up on the reality TV show “Project Fame”. He was subsequently offered a record deal with BMG with his band Lonehill Estate. Three albums & a SAMA nomination later, the band achieved three #1’s on 5fm and two international performances in Los Angeles and Montreux. Nathan also played the part of ‘Tim’ in day-time drama, IsiDingo for two years. Nathan met Graeme while on tour, and met Loyiso on set at One Gospel.
Loyiso Bala
Loyiso is no stranger to the South African music and television industry. After completing his education at Drakensburg Boys High, and being very involved in the Drakensburg Boys Choir, Loyiso began his professional career as an extension of the TKZee crew.
He since went on to grow his personal career and secured several chart topping hits including the most played song of 2009 – I Want You. Loyiso is also part of the family group, The Bala Brothers, and is an all-round entertainer, MC and present
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Musa Kalenga stands as a beacon of innovation in the entrepreneurial landscape, driven by an unwavering passion for leveraging technology to empower those often overlooked in the digital age. As the CEO and Founder of Bridge Labs, Musa channels his entrepreneurial spirit into addressing the pressing issue of accessibility to essential online tools for both entrepreneurs and Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs) in emerging markets. His visionary leadership and dedication to bridging the digital divide have positioned him as a catalyst for change in the global business community.
With a wealth of experience and a keen insight into the digital landscape, Musa Kalenga has emerged as a revered thought leader in the marketing industry. His journey to prominence began with a deep-rooted fascination for the intersection of technology and marketing, which propelled him into various leadership roles across multinational corporations. Through his pioneering work at Bridge Labs, Musa has demonstrated an unparalleled ability to navigate the complexities of emerging markets, driving sustainable growth and innovation through mobile platforms tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and SMBs.
Musa’s influence extends far beyond the boardroom, as he captivates audiences worldwide with his dynamic speaking engagements. Armed with a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience, he delivers compelling insights on digital marketing strategy through his esteemed Marketing in a Digital World Executive Programme. His magnetic presence on stage, coupled with his ability to distill complex concepts into actionable insights, has earned him widespread acclaim as a sought-after speaker at prestigious events and conferences.
Musa Kalenga’s speaking influence transcends mere rhetoric, leaving a lasting impact on audiences and empowering them to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape with confidence. His unique blend of expertise, charisma, and passion resonates with diverse audiences, inspiring them to embrace innovation and harness the power of technology to drive meaningful change in their organizations and communities.
Event planners seeking to inspire and educate their audiences on the transformative power of technology and digital marketing need look no further than Musa Kalenga. With his unrivaled expertise and captivating storytelling, Musa delivers keynote presentations that leave a lasting impression on attendees, equipping them with the knowledge and motivation to thrive in today’s digital economy. His dynamic speaking style and ability to connect with diverse audiences make him the ideal choice for events aiming to foster innovation and drive positive change.
In summary, Musa Kalenga epitomizes the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, and marketing, harnessing his passion and expertise to empower businesses and individuals in emerging markets. As the CEO and Founder of Bridge Labs, he leads the charge in bridging the digital divide through innovative mobile platforms tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and SMBs. His dynamic speaking engagements and renowned Marketing in a Digital World Executive Programme showcase his ability to inspire and educate audiences worldwide, making him a highly sought-after thought leader in the global business community.
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The Graeme Watkins Project brings a dirty, edgy, rough approach to a medley of pop, indie, rock and electronic genres!“Runner Up” in Idols, Graeme Watkins has returned to the big stage on his own terms, with his highly successful band, “The Graeme Watkins Project”.
But this band is not only about Graeme. It consists of phenomenal musicians who can be individually recognised – Ryno Zeelie (lead guitar), Rudo Pieterse (bass) and Matthew Marinus (drums).
The unit has managed to break the ‘cookie-cutter’ mould of the stereotypical SA-Pop Rock sound by producing fresh sounds!
Some background on the project:
The Graeme Watkins Project band exploded in South Africa in 2011, after the release of their debut album, ‘Corridors of the Mind” – a hot product at most events and festivals around the country.
The group were invited to Los Angeles to perform at A + R Worldwides Musexpo, where they had the opportunity to perform for industry legends such as Larry King, Seymour Steyn and Michael Chugg to name a few!
Whilst performing in LA, the band was spotted by international Producer and A+R specialist, Jeff Blue of Atlantic Records.
In the space of one year, they have produced five Top 10 hit singles from the album.
In 2012, they were nominated for 2 SAMA Awards (‘Best Rock’ and ‘Best Video’), 1 MK Award (‘Best Newcomer’) and a YOU Spectacular Award (‘Best Music Act’). See Speakers Inc list of Bands
2013 has seen their fresh new single, “Fight When We’re Young”, produced by LA-based producer, Jeff Blue. This song comes from their hugely anticipated album, due to be released in the middle of this year.
With a range of songs, incorporating a host of genre’s – from rock to indie, to pop, to deep and meaningful ballads – this band is full of surprises!
Their music has an ADHD inspired beat, which is designed to get the crowd into the mad-capped mind set of the band members – with the intention to get the audience to break out of their comfort zone and to rock out to the all-encompassing movement of this group’s melody!
“The front man’s massive amount of energy got the crowd going and before long I was jumping up and down and happy again. The Graeme Watkins Project performance sufficiently inspired me to purchase a copy of their CD at the door on the way out”
– The Urbanist
“[The album] is the perfect mix of rock, indie and electro and really is a step up for South African music”
– ontheradio.za.net
“You’ll recognise the band’s passionate foot-stamping and wide-eyes with their utter enthusiasm and pride in their music.”
– Looklocal.co.za
“Africa is listening and the fans can’t believe the music they are making”
– takealot.com
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Tshiamo Matibela is an award-winning retail architect with over a decade of experience in revitalising and growing retail businesses. Her expertise lies in crafting innovative store designs and delivering strategic, end-to-end management solutions.
Tshiamo’s dedication to empowering local businesses has seen her collaborate with leading South African brands like Bathu and The Drip Group, playing a pivotal role in their growth, sustainability, and brand presence.
As the founder of StratScape, Tshiamo offers turnkey retail solutions that address every aspect of retail operations. From designing impactful retail spaces to implementing comprehensive management strategies, she ensures her clients achieve both functional efficiency and a compelling brand identity. Her innovative approach has made her a sought-after partner in the retail industry.
Furthering her commitment to the growth of local enterprises, Tshiamo established The Retail Girl, a Retail Academy focused on skills development and empowerment. Through this initiative, she equips local retailers with the tools and knowledge they need to enhance profitability and sustainability in an ever-evolving market.
Tshiamo Matibela’s work is a testament to her passion for driving excellence in retail. Her unique ability to blend creativity with strategic thinking has positioned her as a transformative force in the industry, inspiring businesses to achieve their fullest potential.
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Zelda la Grange’s journey from a conservative Afrikaner upbringing in apartheid South Africa to becoming the trusted personal aide of Nelson Mandela is a compelling narrative of transformation and reconciliation. Her unique experiences offer profound insights into leadership, diversity, and the power of forgiveness, making her an inspiring figure on the global speaking circuit.
Born on October 29, 1970, in Boksburg, South Africa, Zelda pursued a National Diploma in Executive Secretarial studies. She began her career in 1992 at the Department of State Expenditure. In 1994, she joined the office of President Nelson Mandela as a senior ministerial typist. Recognizing her dedication and skill, Mandela promoted her in 1997 to one of his three Private Secretaries.
Upon his retirement in 1999, he personally selected Zelda to continue as his aide, a role she fulfilled with unwavering commitment until his passing in 2013. During these years, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Nelson Mandela Foundation, serving in capacities ranging from Private Secretary to Office Manager, Spokesperson, and Aide-de-Camp.
In June 2014, Zelda published her memoir, “Good Morning, Mr. Mandela,” which became an international bestseller. The book provides an intimate account of her 19-year journey alongside one of history’s most revered leaders, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at Mandela’s daily life and the profound lessons she learned from him.
Her dedication and service have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International. In 2022, she established the Zelda la Grange Foundation, aiming to assist children in protective and foster care to realize their potential.
Event planners seeking a speaker who embodies resilience, transformation, and firsthand insights into leadership will find Zelda la Grange an exceptional choice. Her talks resonate deeply with audiences, drawing from her personal evolution and close association with Nelson Mandela. Zelda’s ability to weave personal anecdotes with universal themes of forgiveness, diversity, and inclusion makes her presentations both relatable and profound.
Her experience navigating complex political and social landscapes equips her to address topics such as ethical leadership, reconciliation, and the importance of embracing change. Her authenticity and eloquence ensure that audiences are not only engaged but also inspired to reflect and act.
In summary, Zelda la Grange’s remarkable journey from a product of apartheid-era South Africa to the trusted confidante of Nelson Mandela offers unparalleled insights into the human capacity for change and understanding.
Her experiences underscore the transformative power of forgiveness, the importance of embracing diversity, and the enduring impact of compassionate leadership. As a speaker, Zelda captivates audiences with her heartfelt narratives and profound lessons, making her an invaluable addition to any event seeking to inspire and educate.
Hashtags: #ZeldaLaGrange #NelsonMandela #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #Transformation #Forgiveness #Inspiration #Speaker #Author #GoodMorningMrMandela
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Andy Golding is an employee experience specialist and co-founder of Still Human. Her primary focus and area of impact is businesses relevance in a rapidly changing world. To achieve this she works with companies to craft and build cultures that are always innovation ready as well as designing employee experience to ensure that people are being switched on and grown.
She assists companies and leaders in businesses across diverse sectors from start-ups to established, century old organisations to become places where the best talent wants to work, chooses to come to and where they thrive.
Andy Golding has personal experience working in awful work environments as well as awesome work environments across various sectors from performing arts to strategy. She became fascinated with the impact of employee experience creates on performance, retention and business execution capability and this fascination led her to embark on a massive research exercise that included spending time inside some of the best companies to work for both locally and abroad.
The findings thereof, combined with her personal experience working in different environments, culminated in her starting a business focused on company culture and employee experience. This was later merged into Still Human.
A keen researcher, blogger, speaker and facilitator Andy Golding has written for and continues to contribute to many publications at the forefront of business, human capital and employee experience design. Andy regularly speaks to audiences across industries on a variety of topics within the theme of Relevance, and facilitates for teams across the organisational hierarchy on creating exceptional culture and employee experience.
The key topics that she addresses include:
Andy Golding was also named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s ‘50 Top South African Business Women to Watch’ in 2018 and is the co-author of We Are Still Human (and work shouldn’t suck).
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Lee Roebeck is an abundance coach and one of South Africa’s best-trained speakers. He travelled to Boston in the USA, to receive his training at “The Harvard of Professional Speaking Schools” – The Bill Gove Speech Workshop.
Lee is also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course for Effective Communication where he received the Award for Highest Achievement in his graduating class.
Lee helps entrepreneurs clear money blocks and attract clients easily. He works with entrepreneurs from all over the world, and these businesspersons are experiencing quantum leaps in their results because of the ideas he teaches.
Lee believes that every single human being has deep reservoirs of latent potential within them and he has made it his life’s mission to awaken this potential in as many people as possible.
From rock-bottom and bankrupt to someone making a significant impact and difference in the lives of those around him, it took sheer determination, courage, willpower and the study of personal development to change his story for the better.
Lee has this rare ability to combine humorous stories with content that inspires, entertains and motivates all at the same time.
Lee Roebeck talks are engaging and awaken the potential in people from all walks of life.
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Jonathan Shapiro, famously known as Zapiro, stands as one of South Africa’s most influential and fearless voices in political satire. For over three decades, Zapiro’s cartoons have served as a powerful commentary on the nation’s evolving social and political landscape, from the end of apartheid to today’s pressing issues. With a background that combines fine arts training and socio-political insight, Zapiro captures the complexities of power, justice, and accountability in single frames that are both humorous and hard-hitting.
Renowned for his sharp wit and unyielding honesty, Zapiro’s work resonates with audiences far beyond South Africa, bringing global recognition to his craft. As a keynote speaker, Zapiro takes audiences behind the scenes of his creative process, using his art to provoke thought, inspire change, and encourage critical thinking on issues that affect us all. His unique perspective, delivered with a touch of humor and profound insight, makes him an unforgettable addition to any event.
Jonathan Shapiro, better known by his pen name, Zapiro, is a household name in South Africa and a globally recognized political commentator. With over three decades of experience, Zapiro has been at the forefront of political satire, expertly blending humor with hard-hitting insights to critique power structures, promote democracy, and spotlight social justice issues. A graduate of Fine Arts from the University of Cape Town and a Fulbright Scholar, he deepened his craft at New York’s School of Visual Arts, where he trained under celebrated cartoonist Art Spiegelman. His rigorous academic foundation in art, combined with a dedicated commitment to truth-telling through satire, positions him as a leading authority on political discourse and visual storytelling.
Zapiro’s work resonates due to its accuracy, depth, and ability to distill complex issues into single frames. His background in socio-political analysis, coupled with his unique satirical voice, has made his cartoons staple commentary in publications like Mail & Guardian, The Sunday Times, and The Times. Through this medium, he has adeptly commented on major events, from the end of apartheid to the ongoing challenges facing South Africa, showing both his expertise and unwavering dedication to justice and free speech. For any audience keen on gaining insights into political landscapes, Zapiro’s presentations bring a wealth of knowledge combined with an unforgettable wit and wisdom.
Zapiro’s career has evolved in tandem with South Africa’s dynamic political history. Since 1994, his sharp eye has captured critical moments in the nation’s democratic journey, including pivotal events such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, leadership changes, and policy debates. His cartoons are an archive of South Africa’s political climate and serve as essential reflections for understanding societal shifts.
His influence is underscored by numerous accolades, including the International Publishers Association’s Freedom to Publish Award and multiple wins for the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards for Editorial Cartoons. These honors are testament not only to his skill but also to his dedication to challenging political and societal norms, proving his relevance in today’s discourse. Zapiro’s experience as a keynote speaker extends beyond South African borders, as he shares his perspective and process at conferences, universities, and public forums globally. Event attendees gain access to not only his illustrations but also his in-depth analyses of South Africa’s past, present, and potential future.
Zapiro’s authority as a speaker lies in his rare ability to critique power through satire without compromising on truth or integrity. His fearless commentary on political, economic, and social issues has often sparked debate, even leading to legal battles and censorship attempts, yet his work has remained steadfast, respected, and widely acclaimed. Zapiro’s keen insight into South Africa’s political climate, as well as his profound understanding of international affairs, has earned him respect as a thought leader.
His presence in major publications, including The Daily Maverick and Mail & Guardian, reinforces his reputation as one of South Africa’s top political minds. As a keynote speaker, Zapiro’s content is not only timely and impactful but also serves as a wake-up call to audiences about the importance of free expression and the role of media in safeguarding democracy. His mastery of satire, combined with a fearless approach to addressing the most contentious issues of our time, make him an unparalleled authority in political commentary.
Summary and Conclusion
Zapiro’s extraordinary career as a political cartoonist and commentator positions him as an essential voice in any discussion on social justice, democracy, and freedom of speech. Through his fearless satire and unwavering commitment to truth, he has built a legacy that resonates with audiences worldwide. As a keynote speaker, he brings a wealth of expertise, authority, and authenticity, making him a transformative presence at any event. With each presentation, Zapiro inspires audiences to engage critically with the world, providing insights that are both educational and motivational.
Booking Zapiro through Speakers Inc ensures that event planners can access his unique perspective seamlessly and professionally. As a trusted bureau, Speakers Inc specializes in curating impactful speakers and creating unforgettable experiences. With Zapiro on stage, audiences are guaranteed a memorable and enlightening experience that resonates long after the event.
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