Shapers Podcast

Shapers Podcast

We now have the ability to access the collective wisdom of the leading thought leaders of our day. In this podcast Riël Mallan and Benjamin Shaw will have in-depth conversations with.... The "Shapers" - the visionaries, the seekers, the philosophers and dreamers. The ones who innovate and live in a world of ideas The "Makers" - who create. The artists, artisans, performers and musicians. The "Builders" - who are the strategists, the organizers. Leaders that take ideas and products and incorporate them into organizations that are larger than themselves. The "Breakers" - that are outspoken and controversial. The ones who challenge the status quo and our thinking, that "breaks" convention and pushes our boundaries.

Episodes

June 25, 2025 61 mins

In this episode of Shapers, host Benjamin Shaw sits down with Professor Japie Greeff – electronic engineer, AI educator and one of South Africa’s leading minds in gamification and serious game design.

With over two decades of experience spanning RF design, embedded systems, software develo...

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In this episode of Shapers, host Benjamin Shaw is joined by Bernard Laurendeau – a trailblazing entrepreneur and founder of Laurendeau & Associates. With roots in Ethiopia and France, and over 15 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, Bernard shares his unique journey from Silicon Valley to Addis Ababa and Tokyo.

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In the final episode of Shapers for 2024, Co-Hosts Riël Mallan and Benjamin Shaw reflect on an extraordinary season filled with insights from leaders like Prof Nkuhlu, Dion Chang and Caitlin Nash. They also highlight key trends shaping the future and share holiday cheer while looking ahead to what 2025 has in store. Perfect for a reflective moment during the festive season!

 

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From her humble beginnings in a small Free State town to reshaping the future of technology and innovation in Africa, Anita Nel’s story is truly extraordinary. On The Shapers Podcast, Anita sits down with Benjamin Shaw to recount her remarkable journey – from working alongside tech pioneer Mark Shuttleworth to founding the renowned LaunchLab and establishing the ...

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In this episode of The Shapers Podcast, host Benjamin Shaw sits down with Ronak Gopaldas, a political economist, writer and Africa specialist. Ronak’s career spans across multiple sectors, including his role as Director at Signal Risk, Fellow at GIBS and co-founder of Mindflux Training. He shares insights into his journey from aspiring journalist to a leader in risk analysis, having served as Head of Country Ri...

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The latest episode of Shapers features Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Executive Mayor of Cape Town and a key figure in South African politics. In a candid conversation with Riël Mallan, Hill-Lewis reflects on his journey from his childhood in Plettenberg Bay and Edgemead, to his rise within the Democratic Alliance. He shares insights from his early passion for politics, starting with his time as a student leader at UC...

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In the next episode of Shapers, Benjamin Shaw hosts Caitlin Nash, an advisor to emerging startup nations and the co-founder of a global innovation group. Caitlin founded Loudhailer, a market innovation and engagement business, and is a key driver behind the South Africa Startup Act. She is an impact investor and also represents Blockchain for Good.

 

Born and raised in ...

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In this episode, we are delighted to host Tishanya Naidoo, Principal of Venture Capital at 27four Investment Managers as our guest, where we chat about her expertise in venture capital, diverse sectoral experiences and the general outlook on Africa’s potential.

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In this riveting episode of The Shapers Podcast, Benjamin Shaw engages in a fast-paced, whirlwind conversation with Dion Chang – a futurist and trends analyst described as a professional cage rattler. Dion is a thoughtful strategist who challenges conventional wisdom and has the unique ability to synthesize great swathes of data into useful ...

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In the upcoming episode of the Shapers podcast, host Benjamin Shaw welcomes Prof Wiseman Nkuhlu, a titan in South Africa's journey of upliftment. With a CA MBA and numerous honorary doctorates, Prof Nkuhlu's career has seen him advise presidents and lead corporate turnarounds, notably as chairman of KPMG during challenging times. As the form...

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Join us for an illuminating discussion with Herman Marais, the Founding Partner of EXEO Capital. Benjamin Shaw takes us on a journey through Herman's rich 25+ years of professional experience, from s...

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In this episode, Shapers Podcast host Benjamin Shaw welcomes Talifhani Banks, a data and advertising guru with a remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Banks started his first business at 10, studied st...

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In this episode, we engage in a conversation with Solly Moeng, a professional brand re...

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In the upcoming episode of the Shapers podcast, Benjamin Shaw welcomes Ameil Harikishun as our distinguished guest. Ameil serves as the Finance Thematic Lead at Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and stands as a prominent authority in the realm of sustainability and resilience within the context of climate change. With a wealth of technical expertise and practica...

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In this interview on the Shapers Podcast, Benjamin Shaw sits down with Zachariah George, the Managing Partner of Launch Africa Ventures, to delve into his remarkable journey in the world of venture capital and entrepreneurship. Zachariah's impressive background and experiences are highlighted throughout the conversation.

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This episode is part two of a two-part special in partnership with SA Innovation Summit. We have an in-depth discussion with Daniel Novitzkas and Will Green; venture builders and entrepreneurs who each tell their own unique story and share lessons on product development, founder support, business development and leadership.

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This episode is part of a two-part special in partnership with SA Innovation Summit. We had the opportunity to engage with key shapers of the Southern Africa entrepreneurial ecosystem, Michelle Geere and Tamiko Sher. They are Tech Research and AI marketing entrepreneurs who are digitsing and uplifting Africa. They have lessons to share on ecosy...

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We’re ushering in the new season with a new season of Shapers, Makers, Builders and Breakers. 

The premise of the podcast remains the same – we interview extraordinary people who are moving the needle in significant ways.

The show was founded by Riël Mallan in 2021, and has been growing steadily.

In this season, the podcast will introduce a co-host,...

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In this episode Rachel Kolisi and I discuss the incredible journey that has shaped her life. From her upbringing to her current roles as the Kolisi Foundation Co-Founder and CEO, Businesswoman and Humanitarian, Rachel's story is one of resilience and empowerment.

As the wife of South African rugby team Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Rachel brings a unique perspective on leadership, te...

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It is both our honour and pleasure to share with our listeners our latest podcast interview with the highly-esteemed and internationally-acclaimed humanitarian relief activist and founder of Gift of the Givers, Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman.

 

He shares invaluable insights into the organisation’s relief efforts, which is hinged on the motto: best among people ...

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