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Benny Masekwameng is a genuine South African homegrown treasure. He was lured into the art of preparing and cooking food by his mother, who supplied meals to construction workers in Alexandra Township as an additional income.
Benny Masekwameng is one of the judges for the renowned MasterChef SA reality television programme.
Benny believes it is this early start in his mom’s kitchen that set him off on his impressive culinary journey. After graduating in Catering Management at the Natal Technikon, Benny held various positions throughout South Africa and joined Southern Sun Hotels in 2006.
With the support from Southern Sun and acclaimed Execeutive Chefs like Kenneth Ngubane and Arnold Stuurman, who had an interest in his exceptional natural talent, Benny rose to the top in a profession where the odds were against him. His mother taught him the stamina and creativity required to be successful and to continuously rejoice in and celebrate his heritage. “Sometimes people tell me that I am so lucky to be an executive chef, but luck has nothing to do with it. I am successful because I am true to myself, the values my mother taught me, I work hard, I love food and I have received the support required to excel”, says Benny.
Benny Masekwameng revels in the opportunity to represent Southern Sun and South African cuisine at international food festivals and is especially excited about the opportunity to be a judge on MasterChef SA.
“I’m so privileged to be chosen as a judge. Now perhaps I can pass along the opportunities and direction I received in my career and hopefully inspire others with the story of my journey.”
This popular taste maker is in constant demand, and is eminently qualified to offer an expert perspective on what constitutes culinary excellence.
In addition to his many daily responsibilities at Tsogo Sun, he also gives of Benny Masekwameng time to serve on the panel which awards the coveted “platinum status” ranking to the country’s most prestigious restaurants and establishments.
He has also been instrumental in the recent upgrade of SAA’s First Class and Business Class menus.
With such an impressive track record, it’s easy to see why Chef Benny is a key player in the latest season of MasterChef South Africa. His undisputed authority and vast experience equips him to evaluate contestants with a high degree of expertise – and, for those who can’t take the heat, the MasterChef kitchen may just prove to be the ultimate challenge.
A perfect gentleman with an easy smile, Benny is passionate about sharing his culinary knowledge with his peers and with the contestants, and sets the bar for aspiring chefs countrywide. Let the games begin.
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Zipho Sikhakhane is a globally recognized business strategist, keynote speaker, and thought leader whose transformative insights have inspired audiences across six continents. As the first black South African woman to earn an MBA from Stanford University, she brings a unique blend of academic excellence, corporate experience, and entrepreneurial spirit to her engagements. Raised in a township in KwaZulu-Natal, Zipho’s journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim exemplifies resilience, authenticity, and visionary leadership.
Her keynotes delve into themes of authentic leadership, organizational transformation, and Africa’s economic potential. Drawing from her roles at global firms like McKinsey & Company and Inditex (ZARA), as well as her leadership at EMZ Advisory, Zipho offers actionable strategies that resonate with diverse audiences. Her storytelling captivates, her insights challenge the status quo, and her presence energizes any event.
Zipho Sikhakhane’s professional trajectory is marked by a series of pioneering achievements and impactful roles. After completing her MBA at Stanford University on a full scholarship, she embarked on a career that spanned continents and industries. At McKinsey & Company, she contributed to strategic initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa, including establishing the firm’s presence in Nigeria. Her tenure at Inditex (ZARA) as International Project Director saw her managing projects across five continents, enhancing operational efficiencies and customer experiences.
In 2015, Zipho founded EMZ Advisory, a management consulting firm dedicated to enhancing organizational effectiveness and productivity. Under her leadership, EMZ Advisory has delivered customized solutions in leadership development, change management, and strategic execution to clients across Africa. Her commitment to fostering inclusive growth is evident in her investments in early-stage ventures throughout East, West, and Southern Africa.
Beyond her corporate endeavors, Zipho is a published author and former weekly business columnist for South Africa’s Sunday Times. Her thought leadership extends to board roles, including positions at Allan Gray Group and E Squared Investments, where she influences decisions on asset management and impact investing. Her TEDx talk, “The Poetry of My Africa,” delivered in the USA, reflects her passion for redefining Africa’s narrative and potential.
Zipho’s academic credentials are equally impressive. She holds a Bachelor of Business Science with first-class honors from the University of Cape Town and has completed leadership programs in Austria, China, the Czech Republic, Russia, and South Africa. Her educational background equips her with a global perspective and a deep understanding of diverse business environments.
Her accolades include the Outstanding Young Achiever Award from the UNESCO Center for Global Education and recognition by the Independent Pan-African Youth Parliament. These honors underscore her influence as a leader committed to driving positive change and empowering the next generation.
Zipho Sikhakhane embodies the qualities of a transformative leader: resilience, authenticity, and a commitment to empowering others. Her journey from a township in South Africa to global stages exemplifies the power of vision and determination. As a speaker, she offers more than insights; she provides a roadmap for individuals and organizations to unlock their potential and drive meaningful change. Booking Zipho ensures an event marked by inspiration, engagement, and lasting impact.
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A passionate female empowerment activist, Dr. Makaziwe Mandela is widely known as the daughter of the famous Nelson Mandela.
Currently the co-founding Chairman of the House of Mandela, Makaziwe has played a prominent role in carrying forth the values and name of the Mandela family and supports the empowerment of women across South Africa.
Now booked as a speaker for corporate events, Makaziwe covers topics such as female empowerment, service leadership, social justice, conflict resolution and more.
A highly educated individual, Dr. Makaziwe Mandela has previously been the recipient of the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship and the Fulbright Distinguished Fellowship Award. Such awards allowed her to achieve a Masters in Sociology and a Doctorate in Anthropology, studying at the University of Massachusetts.
Since then she has enjoyed a successful career as Executive Manager of Corporate Services for the Development Bank of South Africa and the General Manager of Human Resources for Spoornet. She also co-founded House of Mandela, a business started with her daughter and carried on her family legacy as the Director of the House of Mandela Family Foundation.
Dr. Makaziwe Mandela has also been involved in work with Nozala, an organisation helping with women’s investments and empowering the economic upliftment of women in the region of South Africa.
Throughout her career, Dr. Makaziwe Mandela has made it her mission to empower women to accomplish all that men do and to raise awareness of how women are going to continue to shape the future of South Africa. In her work with the Mandela family foundation, Makaziwe passionately advocates African social issues such as HIV and AIDS, women’s rights, education and energy.
Carrying on the Mandela family name, Dr. Makaziwe Mandela is an inspirational figure of female empowerment and a fantastic choice as a female motivational speaker.
Spreading awareness of various topical social issues, Makaziwe empowers other women to follow in her footsteps and create awareness for all that they are passionate about.
On a mission to see an active change in the world around her, Dr. Makaziwe Mandela promotes the history of the 200-year-old Mandela name and covers topics such as female empowerment, leadership, conflict resolution, competition and collaboration.
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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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Dave Starke’s smooth crooner voice and gentle guitar playing style provide a classy musical backdrop to compliment the elegance and style of your event.
He can provide a selection of popular music from the 1950s to the present day including hits by Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Elvis, Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens, Jack Johnson, Johnny Cash, Rodriguez and many more…
Having grown up in Cape Town, Dave studied music at school and later went on to graduate with a degree in Drama and Classical studies from the University of Cape Town. He has been based in KZN since 2007 and has performed at many of the province’s favourite venues in Durban, Ballito, Zululand and The Midlands.
Dave has 20 years’ experience in live entertainment and was a contestant on the first season of The Voice South Africa. What sets Dave apart from many other musicians is his commitment to professionalism at all times – this includes punctuality, responsive communication, smart and stylish appearance, high quality equipment and a service oriented attitude.
Dave generally performs as a soloist using guitar, looping technology, trumpet and percussion to create performances that are both musically and visually impressive. Should you wish to hire a full Jazz band, this can be arranged for an additional fee.
Dave Starke believes that the way a performer looks is just as important as the way he sounds and he is able to accommodate a variety of styles requests to compliment the feel of your wedding – this can include style and colour of clothing and guitars.
In addition to corporate and wedding entertainment, Dave Starke composes music for television and film and tours extensively, having performed in Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Johannesburg and Swaziland.
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Chocochino Trio – Conference Entertainment If you looking for a live vibe at your private party, wedding or corporate event you’ve got the right group.
Our versatile 3 piece band can play swing, jazz, and Latin plus funk and soul.
Not to mention the Vocal repertoire with a fabulous female vocalist depending on the clients requirements.
Some of the music we can provide for Events:
Cool laid back jazz for background music or lively jazz for dancing
Up-tempo soul and funk with popular Jazz standards
We’re based in Johannesburg and do travel to other provinces in South Africa as well. Follow Speakers Inc on Twitter
Chocochino has done corporate events at venues such as Emperors Palace, Misty Hills, Radisson Hotels, Katzy`s Cigar Lounge, Smoke Restaurant, Westcliff hotel, Summer Place, Sun City and The Kyalami Castle amongst others.
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Dr Martyn Davies is the Managing Director of Emerging Markets & Africa at Deloitte Africa. He also leads the Africa firm’s China and Japan Services Group.
Over his career, he has been an advisor to a large array of multinational firms on their market entry & engagement strategies in Africa.
He has also conducted a large amount of advisory work on behalf of the public sector.
He has previously been ranked the # 1 analyst in South Africa in the “Other African Economies & Markets” category as awarded by the Financial Mail in its Annual Analysts of the Year awards.
He is a Senior Fellow at the MasterCard Center for Inclusive Growth – a group comprising leading international economists which works on subjects relating to macro-economy and inclusive growth.
He is also a member of MasterCard’s MENA & Africa Knowledge Fora providing strategic advice to the management of MasterCard in the Middle East & African regions.
Dr Martyn Davies was selected in 2010 as a Young Global Leader, an honour bestowed by the World Economic Forum each year to recognise the most distinguished young leaders nominated below the age of 40 from around the world and has served in various advisory capacities at the WEF.
Martyn completed his PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand at the age of 25, has studied at Yonsei University (Seoul) and has completed executive programs at Harvard Business School, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Yale University and Said Business School at Oxford University.
He has previously been on the faculty at Stellenbosch University and the University of Pretoria, as well as at the business schools of both universities.
Dr Martyn Davies is a Visiting Professor at IE Business School, Madrid, Spain.
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Abner Mariri is a Change Architect. He is a former lead facilitator of the I Can Maxwell Africa group which is headed by Dr David Molapo, President and Founder of the I Can Group.
Abner’s enthusiasm is contagious. As a pragmatist, Abner consistently dazzled his audiences with real life examples of the significance of persistence, determination, passion and hard work. His style of presentation is adaptable and tailor-made to suit his clients’ needs – from the board room to the shop floor.
He is a facilitator, as well as a motivational speaker and a program director.
Abner toured as a motivational speaker with companies such as Transnet, Metro Cash and Carry, Woolworths, Pick ‘n Pay, the Foschini Group, MTN, the Department of Infrastructure Development and Cricket SA.
The list of Abner Mariricorporate clients who would recommend his keynotes include Sasol, ABSA, FNB, Adcock Ingram, Black Management Forum, Pam Golding Holdings and The Demarcation Board (to name a few!)
Abner Mariri is the co-founder of Promise Keepers and the Director of the National Centre for Fathering in South Africa. He is an educationalist, a Hollywood performer, a peacemaker, a management consultant and a full time professional speaker. He obtained his Bachelors degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
He speaks to thousands of people in South Africa and he inspires and challenges them to “make it happen” and to “balance your private life and public life”.
Abner Mariri has worked in conjunction with various government departments in putting together special events for the youth, World Health Day as well as World AIDS Day. He was also instrumental in launching a Road Safety program for the Department of Transport.
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