#006 Season 2 of our Optimizing Podcast draws to a close
Join us in the final episodes of our Optimizing Podcast Season 2
Season 2 of our podcast has ended
In this newsletter:
> Optimizing Podcast: S2-Episode 9. In conversation with Cliff de Wit
> Optimizing Podcast: S2-Episode 10. In conversation with Nomso Faith Kana
> Optimizing Podcast: S2-Episode 11. In conversation with Sifiso Skenjana > Optimizing Podcast: S2-Episode 12. In conversation with Tiyani Nghonyama > Optimizing Podcast: S2-Episode 13. Epilogue : Prof Barry & Kerryn Gammie
Hello there,
This is our 6th Grand Geeks Newsletter. Once again, you’ve received this newsletter either because you subscribed or because we’ve selected you to be part of this new community. We will deliver a newsletter to your inbox every fortnight. However, you are free to unsubscribe at any time.
In February this year I became a podcaster. Its been a great learning curve and an interesting journey. I launched the podcast called “Optimizing – Leading Africa’s Digital Future”. The aim was to speak across the generational gap. On the one side we have me and my fellow Grand Geeks – the veterans of our local digital economy. On the other side we have the new generation – the future leaders and shapers of digital Africa.
I teamed up with Kerryn Gammie, a young South African who has just started working at a major South African bank as part of their AI team. Together we have recorded 21 episodes in two seasons. Season 2 has just ended with an “Epilogue” in which we summarize 12 amazing conversations with some of the leaders, role models and influencers in the digital economy in South Africa, Africa and the World.
We are very proud of these podcasts and we continue to receive enthusiastic reviews and endorsements. If you haven’t had time to listen yet, maybe the upcoming festive season is a good time to start?
You will find links to these podcasts and other interesting material on our new content portal www.TheGrandGeeks.africa . Via this portal we will continue to share content which we either create ourselves or curate to contribute towards this important inter-generational conversation. We hope that you will engage, share and contribute.
Until next time,
Prof Barry Dwolatzky
1. S2:E9 of Optimizing Podcast – In Conversation with Cliff de Wit
Cliff graduated in 1996 from Wits University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. His passion for computing led him into financial services, where he worked in a team that launched one of world’s first internet banking solutions in 1998 with Nedbank. He Joined Microsoft in 2000 and in 2009 Cliff took on a Director role, running one of the 7 segments within Microsoft South Africa. In this role amongst other things he developed and launched the SA BizSpark start-up program, which mentored over 3000 tech start-up’s, manged the Microsoft relationship with South African universities, managed the DevOps business in South Africa, and ran and keynoted several conferences including TechEd, DevDays and Build Tour.
After almost 18 years with Microsoft Cliff decided to build a start-up of his own and in his current role, he is the CTO and co-founder of a new Digital business. In addition to this, Cliff holds two board positions at WITS university, Tshimologong and JCSE. Here he contributes back to both his University and to help individuals and companies in the industry. Clifford is also a regular contributor on “the money show” on Radio 702 where Bruce Whitfield will invite him on a few times a year. He also keynotes and speaks at developer and technology conferences.
2. S2:E10 of Optimizing Podcast – In Conversation with Nomso Faith Kana
Nomso Faith Kana is a nuclear scientist and founder of two startups. These are “Sun n Shield 84 Technologies” which manufactures fibre optic cable, and “Blaze Away SA”, a business strategy consulting firm. She was also invited to participate as a commissioner on President Ramaphas’s Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (or 4IR). She has worked hard to encourage young Africans – particularly women – to become involved in STEM.
3. S2:E11 of Optimizing Podcast – In Conversation with Sifiso Skenjana
Sifiso Skenjana is one of South Africa’s top new economists. He is the Chief Economist and Thought Leadership Executive at IQ Business, the leading independent management consulting firm in South Africa.
4. S2:E12 of Optimizing Podcast – In Conversation with Tiyani Nghonyama
Tiyani Nghonyama finished high school in 2010. Nine years later he was named by the IITPSA as its “South African IT Personality of the Year” for 2019. He is, so far, the youngest guest we’ve had in Season 2 of the Optimizing podcast and yet, in terms of his impact on future digital leaders, he is quite possibly one of the most influential
5. S2:E13 of Optimizing Podcast – Epilogue to Season 2 : Prof Barry Dwolatzky & Kerryn Gammie
Season 2 of the Optimizing podcast has come to an end. Prof Barry Dwolatzky and his co-host Kerryn Gammie have presented 12 episodes in which they have conversations with leaders, role models and influencers in the Digital Economy in South Africa, Africa and the World. The metaphor in this season is “life as a relay race” and each guest was asked to pass “batons” to Kerryn and her generation of future leaders. In the epilogue Prof Barry and Kerryn reflect on these conversations and review the batons that were passed on.
NOTE: The Optimizing Podcast is available on Spotify, iTune, Google Play and via all streaming Apps. It is also available on www.TheGrandGeeks.africa .
6. The Grand Geeks website – a portal for curated content on Leading Africa’s Digital Future
We are pleased to announce our new website at www.TheGrandGeeks.africa .While are still hard at work fine-tuning its features and its “look”, the current version will allow you to access some of our current, and recent articles, video material and – of course – the Optimizing Podcast. There is space on the website for you to comment, and we would appreciate your thoughts both on the website and on the content it features. We are hoping that this site soon becomes your go-to place for high quality content relevant to the present and future state of our local digital economy. Join the conversation, and share the link with others who are part of our special community.
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