Behind the quiet surface of Babirwa lies another business, one less visible than hospitality yet more fundamental. Beyond the game reserve and the golf courses, the farm is held together by patient, technical work. Animals are monitored, grazing patterns studied, vegetation balanced and people trained. This is the quiet discipline through which land and wildlife are brought back into equilibrium after years of uneven stewardship by previous custodians. When the property was acquired in the early 2010s, the land…
Long before Babirwa became associated with wildlife corridors and conservation, another story lay beneath its soil. Tin. Not scattered loosely across the veld, but locked into ancient fractures of the Bushveld Complex, one of the world’s great geological formations. Rooiberg’s tin field, positioned within this mineral-rich terrain, became one of South Africa’s most significant tin-producing regions. The metal never carried the glamour of gold nor the strategic dominance of platinum, yet for decades it sustained a town, shaped identities,…
You can’t turn the noise down here. Power interruptions, water stress, port congestion, cable theft and fibre breaks, FX swings – there’s always something. My job isn’t to predict the noise; it’s to keep the system steady while it’s happening. This is the operating rhythm I run every quarter. What I control vs. what I influence Every Monday I review a one-page “Stability Map.” On the control side sit the things we own outright: liquidity for the next 13…
One of the questions I often ask myself as a leader is this: How much of our energy is going into real progress, and how much into simply looking busy? If you lead a team or an organization, you know how easy it is to mistake busyness for productivity. Calendars fill up, messages fly back and forth, and people feel stretched thin. Yet when you zoom out, you sometimes see that the most important initiatives, the ones that will…
Imagine picking up a bottle of South African wine, scanning a code, and instantly uncovering its entire journey, from the vineyard where the grapes were hand‑picked to every processing step, bottling date, and tasting notes. Or consider your morning coffee: a quick tap on your phone reveals the precise farm, harvest day, roasting details, and even how your purchase supports local communities. This is the promise of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) – a living, digital record that travels…
We’re living in a time where business advantage no longer belongs to the biggest, it belongs to the boldest. Over the past year, one trend has made that crystal clear: early adopters of generative AI are pulling ahead. Not just in tech companies, but in logistics, healthcare, HR, and even creative industries. While others are still debating the risks, early movers are already reaping the rewards. And it’s not because they have it all figured out. It’s because they’re…
Have you ever wondered what sets exceptional leaders apart? In my journey as a leader, entrepreneur, and mentor, I’ve discovered that one trait consistently distinguishes the best from the rest: curiosity. Curiosity isn’t simply about asking questions—it’s a powerful mindset that fuels growth, innovation, and adaptability. It encourages you to explore new possibilities, challenge assumptions, and embrace change rather than fear it. But don’t just take my word for it—science backs it up! According to Anne-Laure Le Cunff in…
When I started out in business, I assumed success depended largely on having solid funding, a clear strategy, and the right team. Over time, I realized there’s an invisible force that matters more than all these factors combined: trust. It’s the often-overlooked element that accelerates deals, wins customer loyalty, and unites teams around a shared vision—especially here in South Africa, where diverse perspectives and vibrant cultures converge in a single marketplace. The Case for Trust as “Currency” When people…
As an entrepreneur, I’ve often found myself juggling a never-ending list of tasks. From managing my team to handling clients, there’s always something demanding my attention. It’s easy to think that working harder or longer hours will increase my productivity and help me achieve success. But the truth is, pushing myself too hard only leads to burnout and diminishing returns. In my quest to become a more effective leader, I discovered a game-changing principle that has helped me reclaim…
Africa stands on the brink of a transformational era. As the youngest continent demographically, with over 60% of its population under the age of 25, the energy, creativity, and resilience of its people are unmatched. For entrepreneurs, innovators, and policymakers, this is the moment to harness Africa’s untapped potential and shape a future defined by progress, sustainability, and self-determination. As an entrepreneur and advocate for African business thinkers, I’ve observed key trends that are reshaping our business landscape. From…
Tebogo Mogashoa
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