The Add IDEAS Podcast

“In order to help people, we need to understand them.” In this episode of The Add IDEAS Podcast , Bandile Mndebele sits down with South African disability rights advocate Bongani Mapumulo to explore accessibility, identity, and lived experience. From navigating public spaces to conversations about masculinity, relationships, education, and innovation, this discussion brings lived experience to the...

"In order to help people, we need to understand them." Learn how Bongani Mapumulo is transforming accessibility and innovation for students living with disabilities in low-income communities in the Global South on this podcast conversation featuring disability rights, inclusive innovation, and assistive technology trends. 🎙️ About This Episode In this episode, we talk to Bongani Mapumulo, a leadin...

My friend, what should be happening to resolve the problems South Africans face with spaza shops?  Want to find the right niche? Today, we delve deep into the multifaceted world of entrepreneurship, exploring the challenges and opportunities that shape the landscape for modern business owners and reflecting on South Africa's potentially limiting identity crisis. Join us as we sit down with Avelile...

Annemarie Shrouder (she/her), international speaker, consultant and author of Being Brown in a Black and White World, which shares the personal and organisational costs of polarisation, joined me today to talk about the essentials for community building and what we can borrow or learn from post-COVID-19 amid waning global commitments. On today’s episode: 0:00 - Intro & welcome 0:24 - Common fr...

Today’s guest, Melilizwe Gqobo (he/him) - Founding Director of Hubspace (Khayelitsha) and Venture Scout, has successfully created space for founders and entrepreneurs to thrive by strengthening and reinforcing their capacity or ability to seek opportunities. With the hindsight of co-founding Hubspace, a pioneering startup ecosystem or incubator space to bring communal offices and resources to entr...

E7: We delve into the concept of visibility vs freedom in the LGBTQ+ community with the multi-talented Creative, Writer, Performer, and Organiser, Udoka Maya Okonkwo (they/her). They begin with a personal "Visibility Journey" followed by a thought-provoking discussion on articulating the idea of freedom for LGBTQ+ individuals today. The conversation explores navigating different Pride experiences...

E6: We have now emerged from Covid-19 to a climate of war. We still have losses and are yet to see recovery. Will there also be a war on DEI in South Africa?  Today, we spoke with diversity, equity and inclusion speaker and facilitator Roy Gluckman-John about what conversations we need to urgently have to bring much-needed change and build a community with a better sense of belonging. Reflecting o...

E5: “Hi, will you be my valentine?”😅 It took you months to build up the courage to say at least “hi” to someone you like without feeling like a heart attack is imminent or you might spend a while in a critical unit with minimal recovery. In today's episode, we connected with the phenomenal communications expert, storyteller and trailblazing leader, Thabani Mtsi (he/him), and were deeply inspired...

E4: "Helping someone go to their next step...or career goals is more powerful." Is any dream too big? Leonore van Wyk, influential DEI and global corporate culture builder, details how impactful representation is, from broad media narratives to icons such as Rihanna. Relating to different levels of opportunity strengthens the possibility of what is possible and attainable. In her own phrasing: “Yo...

E3: "Being the change that I can be, where I am, fills my cup... what fills my cup even more, is seeing other people doing the same." 🙌🏾 ESG Enthusiast and Education Changemaker, Pumla Dlamini (she/her) describes how kind leadership should bring others up along the way and inspire change through better listening. She details the benefits and journey of mastering your voice and presence. More abo...

E2: In today's episode, I unpack some insightful self-conversations and important considerations for a year of change. How should we think or talk to ourselves when managing change? What should kindness and success feel or look like? Thank you for listening, following and sharing the podcast. Did you love this episode? Please feel free to leave a comment and let us know.

E1: In today’s episode, I unlock the key steps to building good IDEAS: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Sustainability by asking guiding questions and providing the approach on how to embed suggestions practically for everyday success that is both relatable and intentional. [Inclusion = “How do you feel in the space?’] 1. Psychological safety 2. Intersectionality 3. Active Listenin...

Getting to know IDEAS: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Sustainability. Preview on some topics and guest highlights.