Stretch Podcast

#139 - #Herstory - Getting to know Mmatshilo Motsei

In this last Episode of the series ‘Her-Story’, I’m in conversation with the powerful Mmatshilo Motsei 
She is an author, speaker and spiritual health coach with a keen interest in integrating indigenous wisdom with modern innovations. With an MA in Creative Writing, she started her career as a nurse, midwife, psychology graduate, social science researcher and rural development facilitator. 
She is currently registered for a PhD in Sociology at the University of Pretoria focusing on obstetric violence with a view of challenging feminist erasure of indigenous midwifery in their critique of medicalisation of childbirth.  
For over 10 years, she worked as a Founding Director Agisanang Domestic Abuse Prevention and Training (ADAPT), an organisation working on domestic and sexual violence based in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg. 
She was also involved as a co-founder of Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy for Women based in Johannesburg. In addition to working with women, she has been instrumental in involving men as part of the solution to violence against women. In 1997, she organised the first men’s march against rape in Alexandra Township. Part of her work with men include using art as a tool for healing for men in and out of prison.

#138 - #Herstory - Getting to know Zama Mkosi

In this episode I am in conversation with Zama Mkosi.
 
Bio
Zama is a visionary and transformational leader with more than 20 years’ professional experience in the public and private sector with depth of experience and expertise in the following areas:
 
• National Department and parliamentary accountability and reporting.
 
• Executive Management and Board level governance.
 
• Public entity operation and management.
 
• Industrial development funding strategies.
 
• Public Funding and Investment management and distribution.
 
• Public Entity Legal Compliance and Governance.
 
 
For 12 years Mkosi held executive management roles in legal practice, development finance institution, NPO, National Public Entity, Financial Services Provider, and Media and Entertainment Sector. Mkosi has driven implementation of strategies aimed at achieving and exceeding set business objectives whilst ensuring corporate governance and compliance.
6 years as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an Agency of the Department of Arts and Culture, where Mkosi developed and managed Public Entity strategy, operations and performance.
 
Key to this leadership role was the driving industry economic growth and sustainability, managing public funds and maintaining sustainability and profitability at an organisational and industry level.
 
Mkosi developed commissioned research on industry investment strategies and led implementation of investment strategy for granting of public funding to approved applicants.
 
As Chief Operating Officer of a Group of Financial Services Company Mkosi applied her strong ability to critically analyse internal and external business environment to enable development of strategies, efficient operational systems and high team performance positioning organisation for efficiency, profitability and sustainability.
Funding System development and management and financial acumen and analysis experience and expertise was acquired during senior management roles held within Industrial Development Financial Institution.
 
Mkosi is passionate about the socio-economic development of our African Continent, particularly through enabling the inclusion of previously marginalised communities into mainstream economies.
 
During her tenure as CEO, Mkosi developed policies, projects and ringfenced funding aimed at specifically supporting and empowering Women and Youth businesses in the creative sector. In her leadership role, she has mentored and coached various young entrepreneurs and professional women in leadership providing imperative creative and business guidance for their success.
 
Contacts:
 
Facebook: Zama Mkosi
Instagram: @zamamkosi
Twitter: @zamamkosi
 

#137 - #Herstory - Getting to know Velile Sithole

In this episode I am in conversation with Velile Sithole, founder of Native Rhythms. 
In the conversation we cover quite a bit. Her ability to reinvent herself,  the origins of Native rhythms, the plight of artists, generosity, business, money, her marriage to the iconic and equally versatile Sipho Sithole and turning 50. 
Velile Sithole holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from University of Port Elizabeth and an Honours degree in Labour Relations from Rand Afrikaans University.WORK EXPERIENCE
• Has worked as a business management consultant for Omega Scientific Research for 5 years advising companies such as MTN, Ericson South Africa on human resources issue.
• Joined her husband in 2003 to co- own Native Rhythms Records, a 100% black owned independent music record label and production company formed in 1998.
• A member of the supervisory committee for The South African Music Awards and a RISA member who is credited for her artist marketing and management.
• Her company Native Rhythms Records has identified, recoded and produced music talent that has won multi music awards in South African and abroad.
• She has worked with artists such as Siphokazi, The Soil, Zuluboy, Zakwe, Camagwini, Gloria Bosman, Zamajobe, Zonke, Nkulee Dube (The daughter of the late Lucky Dube), Tribute Birdie Mbowen, Isabel Novella from Mozambique and Jobie Clarke

#136 - #Herstory - Getting to know Lebo Ramafoko

What better way to open women’s day, than with getting to know the iconic Lebo Ramafoko.
Lebo Ramafoko defines herself ad the girl from Munsieville, a small township in the West of Johannesburg where she grew up as the eldest of 3 girls.  She grew up in a family that valued education and her love for learning propelled her to earn a Masters from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
 
She is an outspoken feminist, a passionate social justice activist and uses her voice and skills to advocate for the rights of the marginalized. She is currently the CEO of Tekano Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity in South Africa, one of 7 global fellows programs that builds a community of leaders   who want to advance fairer, healthier and more inclusive societies.
 
Before joining this prestigious organisation, Lebo was one of the earlier staff members of Soul City, a household pioneer in social change communication  South Africa. She joined the organisation in 1995 when she was a young girl from Munsieville and got to become its CEO for 9 years before she left in 2019. During that period she pioneered many of its groundbreaking programs and later led its revisioning to an intersectional feminist social justice organisation for young women and girls. Lebo walks her talk and challenges herself to learn, unlearn, heal self and others as we all strive to be better versions of ourselves and deal with the wounds of our past.

#135 - A spiritual journey with knowledgeprenuer Sir Max

In this episode, I am in conversation with SirMax on his spiritual journey. 
We begin the conversation with how he began on the ‘road less traveled’. We cover the difference between spirituality and religion- The different spiritual paths 
- Different spiritual teachers and teachings 
- The benefits of spiritual growth 
- African spirituality 
 
- Credo Mutwa teachings 
- His current work and a lot more in between 
If you are on a spiritual journey and find it lonely this episode is for you. It is also for anyone curious about these deep things and questions about our spiritual nature 
 
Sir Max is a Knowledgepreneur, extraordinaire speaker and a leadership captain. As a knowledge merchant, Sir Max uses knowledge to inspire and influence organizations to create high performance culture. 

#134 - Returning to the soil -A conversation with Manti and Sue

In this episode I am in conversation with Manti Maifadi and Susan Granger, on returning to the soil through growing our own food.
 
We begin with how they both came to be organic food growers. Then we cover the basic understanding of why we should be growing our own food. What we mean by organic and the real difference between organic growing of plants and commercial.
 
We also get into the politics the food we eat, the distance between the food we eat and where it comes from. As well as the controversial and hair matter of The Land.
 
Probably one of the most important episode yet.

#133 - Ten Years Of Entrepreneurship with Nozibele Zondi

In this episode, I’m in conversation with Nozibele Zondi on Entrepreneurship.
 
Bio
 
Nozibele Zondi is a self-motivated, goal driven and a passionate entrepreneur who, in the past 10 years has  founded Nubia Advertising and Promotions, Nubia Domestic Worker Placements and Tribes Cosmetics.  
 
Her  natural flair for entrepreneurship as well as lessons learnt in corporate where she occupied various positions in Media Sales in companies such Primedia, YFM, Mediamark, The SABC to mention a few has contributed immensely to her staying power.
 
She believes that on-going education, self-development and keeping up to date are necessary to survive ever- changing world of entrepreneurship.
 
Two quotes she lives by are: “The tragedy of life is not found in failure but complacency” and “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”.
 
In the conversation we talk about the good, the bad and ugly challenges of being a first generation black entrepreneur.
 
Nozi shares openly and generously the lessons she’s learnt in her 10 year journey as an entrepreneur.
 
Contacts:
 
Facebook: Nozibele Zondi
Instagram: Nozi_Zondi

#132 - Femininity and the sacred Womb with Rev. Tshidi Tsimile

In this episode I am in conversation with the newly ordained Reverend T (Tshidi) also known as High Priestess Mar Sophia. Others affectionately know her as Ausi Tshidi.
She is a Founder of Gathering of waters spiritual movement. She is owner and CEO of Beautiful Vibes Conscious Sexuality and Womb company.
To me she’s a sister, a fellow spiritual traveler a teacher and womb whisper.
In the conversation we go deep and wide on what femininity really is. Rev. T busts some myths and sheds some light on femininity.
We go even deeper as she unpacks the sacredness of the womb and why we need to heal from the womb.
She unpacks why we as women must take leadership in matters of spirituality. Arguing that churches and spiritual houses that are only lead by men are not complete.
We also cover GBV, feminism and patriarchy.
It’s one of those stretchy conversations unlike any other.

#131 - The Changing World Of Work During and Post Covid-19 - A conversation with Siphiwe Moyo

In this episode I’m in conversation with Siphiwe Moyo about the changing world of work.
Bio
Siphiwe Moyo is an International Keynote Speaker, Facilitator & Author based in South Africa. He is an Adjunct Faculty member at GIBS, Wits and Henley business schools.
As an Organisational Behaviour specialist, he studies and teaches human behaviour within a workplace context. 
He has AuthorEd  4 books including the famous Bulls and Bears - Life lessons for the Financial Markets and Stagnation Must Fall - 100 Practical Lessons That Will Activate Your Career Progression ———
Covid 19 has affected us in ways that we have not been able to fathom yet. There are those who see and experience the effects everyday directly. These include are the frontline workers, some small business owners and the working class and the poor.
As the country is opening up the economy the full effects of Covid-19 is going to be felt by a large portion of the middle class in corporates.
In the conversation Siphiwe takes me through the some of the things that have began changing in big corporates, such as:
- Salary and bonus cuts- Decreased and flexible working hours - Working from home is likely to be permanent thing - Employer/employee dynamics will change - Side hustles will increase
Amongst other matters We also touched on the mental and emotional adjustment that will be need / as well as lots of healing may be required.

#130 - The History of Yoga with Firdose Moonda

In this episode i’m in conversation with Firdose Moonda on the History Of Yoga  
If yoga is an important part of you life. You will know that is an ancient practice that goes back thousands of year. You will also know that it  originates in the East and moved to the West in the 1800s - and now it is as common a practice as running.
You may also know that yoga is marred with controversy predominantly from religious groups. Some say it’s demonic or dabbles in dark spirits.
Personally yoga,Kundalini yoga in particular has changed my life and deepened me spiritually
So, you can imagine my joy when I found someone who is a yoga teacher and also doing a PHD on The History Of Yoga
In this episode, Firdose Moonda unpacks the history of yoga so elegantly. Who knew that one can talk about yoga and politics - yoga and civil rights - yoga and liberation as well as yoga and Africa?