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Christo Brand is a South African former prison guard who was one of several that were responsible for guarding Nelson Mandela. He came to Robben Island, where Mandela was being held, in 1978 when he was 19 years old.
In 1982 he was transferred along with Mandela to Pollsmoor Prison. Christo and Mandela developed a close friendship over the course of many years. He is the co-author of his book, Doing Life with Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend (2014). Christo retired from Robben Island on 31st July 2018 to pursue his storytelling on a full-time basis.
How was it possible for these two men from such seemingly different backgrounds to develop a relationship which was to become so much more – a lasting friendship based on a mutual trust and respect for each other?
Surely, they should have hated each other. One was a white, 18-year-old Afrikaans speaking prison guard representing the oppressive, apartheid regime of the time; the other – a black, 60-year-old Xhosa speaking terrorist serving a life sentence.
Rather than join the army for National Service as was compulsory for every South African white male, Christo Brand decided to join the prison service. After training for a year in Kroonstad, he applied for a post on Robben Island because he wanted to be close to home.
His application was successful and at the age of 19 he was sent to work on Robben Island in 1978. That was when Christo first came across Nelson Mandela who at that time was 60 years old. This was where they formed a relationship which was to become so much more. A close friendship built on trust and mutual respect for each other.
In 1982, Mandela was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison. On 13th March that year, Christo married Estelle. Soon afterwards, Christo was transferred to Pollsmoor and was responsible for guarding Mandela for the next 6 years.
Encouraged and supported by Nelson Mandela, in 2014 Christo wrote his book “Doing Life with Mandela – My Prisoner, My Friend”, with co-author Barbara Jones.
In the Foreword, Ahmed Kathrada writes: “My lasting impression of Christo Brand is that he’s a very good human being. He’s not a politician; he’s just a very caring man who took chances for other people, which could have brought him trouble.
I sincerely hope that Christo’s book will receive the respect and attention it deserves. It is a valuable addition to the writings about imprisonment in the apartheid era, and it is written by a fine man.
It is also unique in that it is the most honest account I have read by a warden relating their interaction with Nelson Mandela, and for that alone it deserves credit. I wish Christo Brand all the success in the world.”
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David Kibuuka is undeniably one of South Africa’s top comedic talents!
Having spent over ten years in the business, he has performed on various stages around the world from New York to London, Toronto to Kigali, Nairobi, Gaborone, Harare and of course, everywhere in South Africa!
Having garnered close to 50 000 Twitter followers from his comedic endeavors, David is widely known and he continues to thrill the different kinds of audiences where ever he goes.
Seen weekly on eTV’s twice-Emmy nominated comedy show, ‘Late Night News with Loyiso Gola’, (now in its 12th season), David has the opportunity to showcase his talents to a weekly audience of more than 800 000 viewers.
Hailing from Uganda and a graduated Finance Honors student from Wits University, Dave has a unique brand of humor that combines wit and intellect without losing touch with his audiences.
He broke into the comedy world when he won 5FM’s ‘Freshest Five Stand Up Comedy Nationwide Comedy Search’ and he hasn’t looked back since …
Equally comfortable MC’ing or performing at any event.
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Andisa Liba is a powerhouse in human capital strategy, leadership development, and organisational transformation. With over 15 years of experience across Africa, she is currently the Chief People Officer at Floatpays, where she aligns people strategies with business objectives to cultivate high-performance cultures. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, she co-founded Women’s Tech Connection, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women in the technology sector.
A highly sought-after Pan-African moderator, Andisa has facilitated leadership dialogues in countries including Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Eswatini, Namibia, and South Africa. She has a unique ability to bring together policymakers, executives, and thought leaders to tackle pressing socio-economic and governance challenges.
Her influence in the leadership and tech spaces has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2024 Women in Tech Africa Summit Best Ally Award, Forty Under 40 South Africa Human Capital & Social Impact Award, and special recognition from the African Union for her contributions to human capital development.
Previously serving as CEO of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce, Andisa has been a vocal advocate for enterprise development and job creation, shaping policies that support sustainable economic growth. Recognised as one of Africa’s Most Influential Women in Digital Transformation, she continues to champion leadership excellence through mentorship, coaching, and public speaking.
From driving organisational success to fostering inclusivity in tech, Andisa Liba is a catalyst for transformation—making an undeniable impact on businesses, communities, and the next generation of leaders across the continent.
Andisa serves on the LeanIn Sustainability and Equity South Africa Chapter where she moderates dialogues around the impact of ESG and facilitating conversations with executives for best practice and strategy for the country.
In 2024 Andisa was conferred a special recognition award of excellence by The African Union in partnership with The Hesed Foundation for her exemplary dedication and contribution to the human capital field.
Andisa Liba was a top finalist in the inaugural Wired4Women Awards a platform aims to recognise the achievements of women working in the South African tech sector and pay it forward, opening doors for future generations. She was a finalist in the Leader of the Year Award as well as Tech for Good categories respectively. She has recently been nominated as a finalist in the Gender Mainstream Awards under the category Inclusive Leader & Positive Role Model.
Andisa Liba is not only a leader in her field but also a true pioneer driving social change through innovation and empowerment.
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Dr Kobus Neethling holds six degrees including two Masters, a Doctorates and Post-Doctorate (cum laude) in the identification and development of creative behaviour (Universities of Cape Town and Georgia-USA)
Dr Kobus Neethling has written more than 80 books and 9 TV series including a number of international best-sellers (Including three new international best-sellers: ‘Creativity uncovered’; ‘Very smart parents’ and version two of ‘’Am I clever or am I stupid’—has sold more than 200000 copies)
President of the South African Creativity Foundation
Guinness World Record Holder: Co-author of “Making the Impossible possible” —the book of more than a 100 pages written in the fastest time ever —four and a half minutes
Kobus Has received 10 International Who’s Who Awards including Personality of the Year (2000); One of 2000 outstanding Scholars of the 20th century (1999: Cambridge England) and The International Who’s Who of Intellectuals Award
Member of an international steering committee to research the possible integration of the two disciplines—Creativity and Innovation (2009)
Invited as a co-author to contribute to the trendsetting book on 21st century innovation “The future ofinnovation” (London; March 2009) —coining the phrase. “Innovation of the mind without innovating the heart is no innovation at all”
Dr Kobus Neethling gave the opening keynote at the European Creativity and Innovation Conference (ECCI) –Belgium October 2009;
Member of the International Innovation Alliance –a group of 7 innovators from five continents – all international ‘innovation reward recipients’ The most prestigious innovation expert group in the world.
Dr Kobus Neethling is one of the top 3 speakers in the world on the topics of creativity and innovation” —-as quoted in the programme of the 12th European Conference on Creativity and innovation
Dr Kobus Neethling is a Keynote Speaker and Corporate Trainer. He focuses on getting companies and individuals to extra-ordinary levels of thinking and doing. He is also an author of more than 70 books and has written and presented many television series.
Dr Kobus Neethling has presented motivational talks, training programmes, development programmes to most of South Africa’s leading companies and organisations and numerous international companies
Left, Right, and Whole-Brain Writing
Many popular authors have a left-brain writing style. Some authors have a right-brain writing style. Very few authors have a whole-brain writing style.
Consider articles in news magazines. Many of these, such as the ones found in Forbes and Fortune magazines, have a left-brain writing style.
That is, these articles incorporate facts in a linear, logical format. Data and information are analyzed, and ideas flow from one idea to the next, then to the next, and so on. This is a classical left-brain writing style. Many nonfiction books, newspaper articles, and magazine stories use this writing style.
Very Smart Parents
During the 20th century parents, who are the primary educators of their children, tried to manage this vital educational role untrained and often lacking insight. “Very Smart Parents” is the ultimate whole-brain parenting book.
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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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It’s strange, how in a single brief moment in time, with only a few words spoken, one’s life can change so completely. Suddenly all you know, trust and rely upon, Yavi Madurai plummeted into the depths of the unknown.
This is precisely what happened to self- professed 33 year old, “control freak”, Yavi Madurai.
On the 14th of November 2003, at 15h02, her doctor uttered those words, “It’s breast cancer”. As life around her continued on as normal, the earth still spinning on its axis, people still going about their daily lives, hers came to a painful, grinding halt.
Hopes, dreams and wishes seemed far away now – especially those of becoming a mother.
What followed in the next two weeks, she can only describe as a “Brown Blur” – A surreal experience of living in the limbo between brown medical buildings, carrying brown envelopes containing test results.
Soon this muted hue seemed to seep into every aspect of her life, staining her days with sorrow. But a bright reprieve was to soon emerge from the depths of this monochromatic existence, coming in the form of another cancer patient.
Yavi Madurai is grateful for every new day and loves getting up in the morning. “I feel alive and know that I am now living in the moment” story acted as a catalyst for Yavi, triggering a metamorphosis within her. And like the seasons bring about the change from caterpillar to butterfly, so the new Yavi was born.
Previously her life had been lived in the fast lane, ambitious, driven and always on the go. She never stopped to appreciate the beauty contained within the tiny moments between life.
But now, Yavi had been presented with the precious gift of choice. It was as if her cancer said, “hey listen, wake up, value it”.
She began to view the world through different lenses, counting her blessings for the things she had previously taken for granted.
She decided that her greatest weapon against cancer would be a positive attitude. Even through the physical and psychological devastation of a partial mastectomy and the aggressive courses of chemotherapy and radiation, her positivity was unwavering.
Yavi Madurai soon discovered the undeniable, yet inexplicable power of the mind-body-connection, as her new attitude began to have a marked effect on her recovery.
But perhaps Yavi Madurai is grateful for every new day and loves getting up in the morning. “I feel alive and know that I am now living in the moment” greatest gift came from the “Moments in Time” project, which made her see her cancer as a gift from God. This knowledge allowed her to find profound meaning, in what was once a seemingly senseless struggle.
Cancer was no longer a burden under which she stumbled and faltered. Rather, it was a second chance at life.
And then, as if by some act of universal synchronicity, Yavi was granted her greatest wish, giving birth to a beautiful baby girl in October, breast cancer month.
This survivor had come full circle, from fighting for her life, to giving new life.
She believes that her cancer not only prepared her for the challenges of motherhood, but also gave her a priceless heirloom, a legacy that could be passed onto her daughter; the fundamental values she learnt, that so wholly transformed her life.
Today, Yavi Madurai is grateful for every new day and loves getting up in the morning. “I feel alive and know that I am now living in the moment”
Branding solutions and Reputation Management
Brand positioning and reputation management go hand in hand and serve as the heart of the Marketing and or Communications strategy of any company which in effect is the foundation of that company. At BBT, we have a passion for brand management solutions and ensuring a company’s reputation is managed efficiently
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Dikeledi Seleka is a sought after Professional Speaker, Business Coach, and a CEO of Dynamic Timz Coaching (DTC), guided by the values of Ubuntu, she blends practical insights with strategic expertise to inspire individuals and businesses to achieve meaningful success through ethical leadership and collaboration.
As a Professional Speaker, Dikeledi delivers impactful talks on Leadership, Team Motivation, Resilience and Businesses Growth and tailored Coaching Programs like Success by Design and her acclaimed Leading Forward with Ubuntu Masterclass, she inspires for entrepreneurs Ethical Leadership, Inclusivity and Collaboration to foster Innovation and Measurable Growth.
With over 15 years of corporate experience and 11 years as an entrepreneur, Dikeledi’s empowers leaders to embrace diversity, inclusion and purpose driven leadership.
Dikeledi’s unique approach bridges purpose and action creating a culture of growth, inclusion, driven, leadership and collective success that thrives in today’s competitive environment.
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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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With their mischievous rock sound, Lonehill Estate shows are riddled with humorous anecdotes and eye-twitchingly good music. The band has achieved much in recent years.
Lonehill Estate (Nathan Ro, David Waugh, Sunshine D and Mark van den Berg) is one of the top live performing bands in South Africa.
With their mischievous rock sound, their shows are riddled with humorous anecdotes and eye-twitchingly good music. The band has achieved much in recent years.
The band burst onto radio in 2005 with hit singles “Girl On A Roof” and “Skyward” dominating the airwaves.
The band did however get to perform alongside Muse, Korn, Good Charlotte and 30 Seconds to Mars at the 2008 My Coke Fest that same year.)
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