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CEO Nights with Nyimpini

CEO Nights with Nyimpini

By: Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard
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About this listen

 Accelerate your growth. CEO Nights with Nyimpini is a monthly live podcast that brings together top CEOs for casual yet aspirational discussions on life lessons to foster success, providing practical tips and guidance to others who aspire to be the next generation of leaders. We dive into insightful, relaxed conversations with top CEOs, exploring their personal journeys. Each episode introduces a CEO from a renowned organisation, offering a glimpse into the person behind the title. This podcast is inspired by Nyimpini Mabunda's best selling book titled 'Take Charge", where he shares the lessons and personal experiences that shaped his journey to becoming CEO of an international company before the age of 40. Set in an intimate auditorium-style venue, the show emulates a coffee-house conversation and atmosphere, blending professional insights with personal development themes. CEO Nights with Nyimpini focuses on the human aspects of the leader and not the title or role; the family person, the individual in and outside of work – providing insight into a ‘day in the life of a CEO’ and your journey to the top.Solid Gold Podcasts and Audiobooks Career Success Economics
Episodes
  • Dion Shango I Partner and CEO at PWC Africa

    Dion Shango I Partner and CEO at PWC Africa
    Jan 21 2026
    Leading with purpose in a changing world.
    In this episode of CEO Night, host Nyimpini shares an intimate conversation with Dion Shango, CEO of PwC Africa. A lifelong PwC professional, Dion became one of the firm’s youngest partners, the first black CEO of its Southern Africa practice, and later leader of the entire African business. Blending personal anecdotes, from high-school rugby captaincy and family road trips to his pride as a husband and father, with practical leadership wisdom, he offers rare insight into authentic, Pan-African leadership at one of the world’s top professional services firms.

    The discussion explores key themes: the power of hiring people smarter than you, learning more from failure than success, the art of genuine listening and creating psychological safety, delivering tough messages without destroying relationships, and empowering teams so leaders can truly step away. Dion addresses pressing realities, AI’s disruption of professional services, responsible AI adoption, rapid global change, and energy access as Africa’s biggest growth enabler, while lighter moments reveal his Deep House passion, limited home DIY skills, and family playlist battles.

    Sponsored by NedBank, AVIS Chauffeur Drive, and Heineken Beverages, this episode mixes inspiration, vulnerability, and actionable advice. Dion’s closing tough-love message urges professionals to embrace discomfort and persevere through challenges, because true growth (and greatness) lies just beyond the comfort zone. Ideal for aspiring and seasoned leaders seeking real, human-centered insights on leadership in a complex African and global context.

    Key Learnings / Insights
    - Hire people smarter than you; leadership strength is humility, not being the smartest in the room.
    - Failure teaches more than success, resilience and a “never say die” attitude matter more than raw intellect.
    - Authentic listening > constant talking; know when to follow, create psychological safety for risk-taking.
    - People leave people, not organisations, persevere through difficult relationships for growth.
    - AI won’t replace professionals; the one who uses AI better will, upskill aggressively and adopt responsibly.
    - True empowerment shows when you step away (e.g. sabbaticals); teams often perform better than expected.
    - Energy access is Africa’s critical unlock for sustainable growth, healthcare, education, and opportunity.
    - Leadership is a people business, mentoring, presence, and authenticity outweigh technical skill long-term.
    -Greatness lives outside your comfort zone, endure pain and uncertainty for the biggest leaps.
    -Balance ambition & family is imperfect; be fully present at home (no multitasking with devices). Watch this episode on YouTube · Connect with Dion on LinkedIn · Take Charge Facebook · Connect with Nyimpini · Listen to Take Charge on Audible · Listen to Take Charge on Spotify Audiobooks · YouTube · Nedbank · AVIS Chauffeur Drive · Business Day · FInancial Mail · CHEPA Africanprint Streetwear · Solid Gold Podcasts and Audiobooks · Dzuguda Productions
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Angelo Swartz | CEO The Spar Group Ltd

    Angelo Swartz | CEO The Spar Group Ltd
    Nov 4 2025
    Humility, purpose and keeping it real in leadership.

    In this peer to peer leadership conversation with Angelo Swartz, Group CEO of The SPAR Group Ltd — one of South Africa’s biggest retailers and a leading JSE Top 100 company, we explore

    • What it truly means to lead in times of crisis
    • Leading in a highly competitive retail environment
    • Building resilient teams that thrive under pressure
    • Driving growth that impacts communities across the country
    • How to lead with confidence in uncertain times
    • The mindset required to turn around a struggling business
    • Lessons in resilience from one of South Africa’s top retail leaders

    From navigating economic headwinds and rising costs to rebuilding confidence among investors and teams, Angelo shares his journey of steering one of South Africa’s most iconic retail brands through turbulent times. With over two decades in retail and two years as CEO, his story offers powerful lessons in leadership, adaptability, and purpose-driven decision-making.

    Hosted by Nyimpini Mabunda, best-selling author of Take Charge, this series brings together some of the most admired leaders from South Africa and beyond — in relaxed, peer-to-peer conversations that reveal the human side of senior leaders. Watch this episode on YouTube · Connect with Angelo on LinkedIn · Take Charge Facebook · Connect with Nyimpini · Listen to Take Charge on Audible · Listen to Take Charge on Spotify Audiobooks · YouTube · Nedbank · AVIS Chauffeur Drive · Business Day · FInancial Mail · CHEPA Africanprint Streetwear · Solid Gold Podcasts and Audiobooks · Dzuguda Productions
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    59 mins
  • Theo Baloyi | Founder & GCEO - Bathu Group

    Theo Baloyi | Founder & GCEO - Bathu Group
    Sep 10 2025
    n this episode wonderful CEO Nights episode, Nyimpini Mabunda sits down with Theo Baloyi, the visionary founder and CEO of Bathu, to explore his remarkable journey from the streets of Alexandra to building a globally recognized shoe brand.

    Inspired by Nyimpini's book Take Charge, this candid conversation delves into Theo’s leadership philosophy, his commitment to empowering communities, and the strategies that have sustained Bathu’s growth over a decade. From navigating early financial struggles to corporatising a startup and balancing profit with social impact, Theo shares invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned leaders alike. Connect with Theo on LinkedIn · Watch this episode on YouTube · Take Charge Facebook · Connect with Nyimpini · Listen to Take Charge on Audible · Listen to Take Charge on Spotify Audiobooks · YouTube · Nedbank · AVIS Chauffeur Drive · Business Day · FInancial Mail · CHEPA Africanprint Streetwear · Solid Gold Podcasts and Audiobooks · Dzuguda Productions
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    1 hr and 4 mins
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