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Conn Bertish an iconic internationally awarded creative director, artist, big wave surfer, Fear Factor winner, husband and father of two young children, was handed the toughest brief he had ever seen.
Conn was diagnosed with a severe and extremely rare form of brain cancer.
So rare in fact, that the data available for the behaviour (and the reaction to certain treatments) of the cancer was depressingly hard to find.
Whilst the traditional cancer treatments (like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation) were prescribed, Conn Bertish – Motivational Speaker felt that there was something missing.
It was as if the most important part of the solution was left out of the brief.
Where was he in the solution?
Surely he could do more than just ‘be strong’?
He solved challenges for a living, so surely he could play a role here?
He could try to understand the problem and then creatively become a part of the solution.
After all, the challenge was happening in his body.
Conn’s Cancer Brief:
Conn Bertish knew how to work with tough briefs. He immediately set in motion the biggest creative project of his life.
He began the process of using his imagination to immerse himself into his bout with cancer.
He went straight to the first things he always relied on – his pen, his paper and his playful, problem solving attitude.
He began toying with cancer, studying the helpless people around him creating visual representations of what he was going through; documenting his experience with conceptual thinking and storytelling.
He used his imagination to create a drawn-series of pen-on-paper metaphors that helped him to visualize his tumour and the treatments with intent.
He then took this thinking into everyday life and the world around him.
It became a game; a daily routine.
Conn Bertish had found a playful, debunking way to interact with his cancer. See his cancer. Imagine beating his cancer.
All of a sudden, he had a role in his own survival.
Conn Bertish was able to imagine the effects that different treatments would have on the tumour cells.
Creative thinking helped Conn Bertish – Motivational Speaker to link his mind to his body in a way that augmented all of his treatments, his resilience and his immune system, ultimately increasing his chances of survival.
As somebody whose life was built around creativity and the power of conceptual thought, Conn was used to working with metaphors.
He knew the value in bringing in seemingly insurmountable problems into context.
It was in his nature to deal with the usually invisible.
After beating cancer in 2013, Conn has been urged by doctors, oncologists, neurologists and professors of science to share this way of thinking; to use his experience as a gateway for others to enter the world of his playful visual approach (dubbed Dojo Thinking).
The result is the Cancer Dojo. A digital platform and mobile application that will enable people to engage with their cancer in a new and powerful way. It is, in many medical opinions, way ahead of its time.
Its goal is to help people to unlock the powerful effects of Dojo Thinking; to alter the way in which they deal with their disease.
The app is a space where people can grow, learn and share skills and tools to boost their immune systems and actively participate in their unique bouts with cancer.
It’s a space where people can keep each other company and send each other help.
It’s a dojo, where creative people from all over the world will work alongside doctors and oncologists to find new ways to change the way we interact with the disease.
Cancer Donjo launched a Thundafund; crowd-funding campaign on the 20th of April 2015 and they need supporters, contributors and partners to help to bring this empowering platform to life.
Conn has also authored a book on ‘Cancer & Creativity’ which details his adventures, creative techniques and discoveries through cancer
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Vasti Geldenhuys will make most people feel a bit uncomfortable in a court room, but for Vasti, it is a familiar territory.
In a world of exploration, dominated by men, Vasti always watched and supported from the sideline as her now husband, pioneering explorer, Riaan Manser, completed 3 World first’s. This inspired Vasti to do something extraordinary with her own life.
After a seemingly innocent request for a holiday to New York, Vasti never imagined that she would exchange her legal surroundings to something very, very unfamiliar. The mighty Atlantic Ocean. On a journey humorously but aptly called “Take Me to New York”, Vasti and her husband embarked from Morocco, enduring a 6 month journey at sea on a 6.9 meter rowing boat.
On landing in Miami, USA on 7 May 2014 the pair became the first people ever in history to have rowed from mainland Africa to North America. Vasti also became the only woman from the African Continent to have ever rowed across any Ocean.
They continued their journey by tackling the East Coast of the USA to finally reach New York City on 20 June 2014. Rowing up the Hudson River and passing by the iconic
Statue of Liberty.
In 2015 Vasti Geldenhuys completed her pupillage at the Cape Bar and was admitted as an Advocate. The thrill of exploration remained. In 2016, after tying the knot, the now husband and wife pair decided to set new a standard for the term “Honeymoon”.
Vasti Geldenhuys again tackled the Ocean, this time the mighty Pacific, on the exact same row boat. They rowed from California to Hawaii in a record breaking time of 39 days. They earned themselves another Guiness World record for the fastest mid-Pacific row. This record was previously held by a 4-man rowing team.
Hit by a 6 meter wave and capsized, 2000 km from shore; Riaan getting separated from the boat and Vasti unable to stop the boat drifting further and further away; 12 hour rowing days while managing a new marriage in life threatening situations are just a few examples of life at sea.
Storms and ship traffic provided for harrowing escapes from natural and human threats. But there were the quiet moments when the couple could reflect, savour the sunsets on the ocean and be intrigued by the amazing wildlife.
Vasti Geldenhuys will intrigue the audience with a unique woman’s perspective of the world of adventure; a world usually reserved for rugged and very brave men. Her talk will not only inspire the audience to new possibilities but show ordinary men and women that one is capable of much more than one thinks.
Being inspired lasts longer than being motivated, real stories of having gone out and actually achieving what you set out to do.
As of July 2015, Vasti Geldenhuys can deservedly add the title of Advocate Geldenhuys to her growing status.
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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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Sara-Jayne King is a mixed-race South African/British journalist and radio presenter whose career has taken her across the globe in search of remarkable stories and fascinating characters.
Her career began as a junior journalist in local radio in London and since then has included roles in the Middle East and Africa, most recently as a senior editor for news channel eNCA and presenter for Primedia’s talk radio station Cape Talk.
Born Karoline King in 1980 in Johannesburg South Africa, Sara-Jayne King (as she will later be called by her adoptive parents) is the result of an affair, illegal under apartheid’s Immorality Act, between a white British woman and a black South African man.
Her story reveals the shocking lie created to cover up the forbidden relationship and the hurried overseas adoption of the illegitimate baby, born during one of history’s most inhumane and destructive regimes.
Killing Karoline follows the journey of the baby girl who is raised in a leafy, middle-class corner of the South of England by a white couple. Plagued by questions surrounding her own identity and unable to ‘fit in’ Sara-Jayne begins to turn on herself.
She eventually returns to South Africa, after 26 years, to face her demons. There she is forced to face issues of identity, race, rejection and belonging beyond that which she could ever have imagined.
She must also face her birth family, who in turn must confront what happens when the baby you kill off at a mere six weeks old returns from the dead.
Sara-Jayne King is passionate about issues relating to identity, race, adoption, mental health and addiction and addresses all of those factors in her talks.
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