DispatchLIVE

End Israel-Hamas war now - BCM protesters

Tuesday saw a large crowd gathering down Oxford Street demanding an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict, organised by Masimanyane Women's Rights International and the International Network to end Violence against Women and Girls (INEWAG). Below the World War II stone pillar, a roughly 15-meter-long Palestinian flag was spread out on…

15 Dec 2023 10 min

ConCourt rules 1,000 signatures required for independent candidates to contest elections

Following objections to the Electoral Amendment Act, the Constitutional Court has now rendered a decision about how independent candidates would compete in the future general elections of 2024. It has been determined that independent candidates will just require 1,000 signatures to compete in the 2024 ballots. In this episode, Daron…

7 Dec 2023 10 min

Eastern Cape's Cannabis indusrty set to be a game changer

With the provincial government announcing the creation of at least two incubator centers for cannabis and hemp production, plans to build a thriving cannabis economy in the Eastern Cape are beginning to take shape. Earlier this week, Ntabankulu mayor Tsileng Sobuthongo announced plans to build a R220m college in the…

1 Dec 2023 10 min

BCM's Phillips scoops top prize in Youth in Waste Summit

In this episode, Daron Mann chats to Jodie Phillips, winner in this year's Youth in Waste Summit where young entrepreneurs pitched and presented their businesses. Phillips is the co-founder of Waste Takers Smart App , which seeks to makes life easy for waste collectors to recycle waste.

29 Nov 2023 10 min

Beautiful East London gardens to host Blooms & Brushstrokes festival for charity

For the entire weekend, 14 homeowners are converting their living rooms and braai areas into cafes and art galleries in a bid to raise money for non-profit organizations. On November 11 and 12, the inaugural Bass Property Group Blooms & Brushstrokes festival will be a flurry of activity, with everything…

28 Nov 2023 7 min

Grandads Army growing younger as finish line beckons

In this episode, Daron Mann speaks with Grandads Army rider Rodney Offord as they pedal 1,500 kilometers to Mapungubwe in order to raise money for the Eyabantwana Trust, which provides training and supplies for the paediatric surgical unit at the Frere and Cecilia Makiwane hospitals.

28 Nov 2023 8 min

Even good strategies fail if they are not well executed

In this episode, Ted Keenan chats to Ian Rusell , non-executive director of RB Africa, which specialises in a host of business support programmes. RBA works with corporate businesses in mining, auto, manufacturing,construction, transport and fisheries as well as national and government departments, including home affairs, trade & industry and…

23 Nov 2023 15 min

 Johann Evertse:  "Many firsts in SA's automotive industry."

Johann Evertse is the retired executive director human resources and a member of the board of directors, Mercedes-Benz SA, a position he held for many years. He has served in several public organisations  including universities, business chambers and professional organisations, as well as a few others in the field of…

17 Nov 2023 9 min

Ensuring real homes in vibrant complexes

In this episode, Ted Keenan chats to Own Haven MD Andrew Wiseman, who under the guidance of the Own Haven board, is responsible for the strategic direction, expansion and management of the company. Own Haven was established as an NPO in 2002 with the aim of providing sought-after and well-managed…

10 Nov 2023 12 min

How to beat a property scamster

East London property mogul Xoliswa Tini has bad news for those who take estate agents at face value — among even the reputable ones are some crooks. Ted Keenan's Dispatch Live talks to Tini about the fraud challenges facing first time home buyers

7 Nov 2023 14 min

A passion for empowering people

Ted Keenan speaks to Thembi Chagonda, a business partner and shareholder in EL consultants Global Business Solutions (GBS), who is living her professional dream. GBS is a leading labour law, human resources and industrial relations consultancy offering a diverse range of services aimed at empowering businesses to achieve their objectives.

3 Nov 2023 8 min

Nothing is impossible

Taryn Woodbridge is the CFO at Mercedes-Benz SA, as well as executive director of finance and controlling.She joined the East London car manufacturer in 2004. She chats to Ted Keenan in this episode about her leadership skills.

3 Nov 2023 9 min

Look for the positives, celebrate the small wins

In this episode, Ted Keenan speaks to Claire Sutherland, COO of Dynamic Brands. Dynamic Brands is an innovative beverage maker that supplies retailers nationally withdairy blend Fusion, as well as brands like Mr Orange, Rascals and Slimsy.

3 Nov 2023 7 min

Beautiful East London gardens to host Blooms & Brushstrokes festival for charity

For the entire weekend, 14 homeowners are converting their living rooms and braai areas into cafes and art galleries in a bid to raise money for non-profit organizations. On November 11 and 12, the inaugural Bass Property Group Blooms & Brushstrokes festival will be a flurry of activity, with everything…

2 Nov 2023 7 min

Taking the hot seat at Border Athletics, Pongoma

After holding the position on an acting basis in the past, Sicelo Pongoma has taken on full-time responsibilities as Border Athletics President. Charged with raising the federation's profile, he claims that winning back the clubs' trust has been one of their greatest successes this year. Born in Stutterheim, Pongoma was…

26 Oct 2023 7 min

Never give up on a goal

Ted Keenan speaks with Geraldine Viviers in this episode, and she claims that creating five restaurant ventures in three years, starting in 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, was her biggest accomplishment. Her achievements are even more impressive given that she was involved in a near-fatal car accident…

26 Oct 2023 7 min

The golden touch with new ventures

Natasha Hogg, who had a remarkable talent for creating profitable restaurants from the ground up, selling them, and moving on to the next project, is interviewed by Ted Keenan in this episode. She appears to have anchored in Lavender Blue in East London with her spouse, James, though they are…

26 Oct 2023 8 min

Changing the world one person at a time

In this episode, Ted Keenan chats to Melanie Van Vreden, co-owner and MD of recruitment company Abantu Staffing Solutions, with offices in East London and Gqeberha. In 2011 she won the Business Women’s Association regional award for the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year. "We have come a long way since…

26 Oct 2023 8 min

The ocean is angry with us - Nick Pike

Is our ocean furious? The prolonged downpour, totalling 117mm of precipitation, cast doubt on predictions of a dry, hot El Niño summer. In this episode, Daron Mann and Nick Pike talk about how our climate is changing.

20 Oct 2023 9 min

Saw the gap: truly a one-stop mortgage solution

For most people, especially first-time buyers, buying a home is fraught with decisions that they normally do not make and getting a bond is at the top of that list. Jocelyn Carr, a partner and founder of Mortgage Master, which has offices in East London and Gqeberha, says her company…

20 Oct 2023 6 min