Heads Talk

• 269 - Johnny Muteba, CEO, President: BRICS Series, Build Africa Group - UBUNTU - Redefining Africa’s Sovereignty

  Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title: 🇿🇦UBUNTU - Redefining Africa’s Sovereignty🇿🇦 We continue the #HTBRICSSeries on Heads Talk  with a leader on a clear mission: To cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among Africa’s youth while strategically integrating the continent’s creative industries, i.e. film, art, and cultural production, into its economic and geopolitical agenda. By aligning hard industries such as energy, manufacturing and mineral extraction with Africa’s untapped soft power, he positions culture as a form of diplomatic capital to drive sustainable growth and global influence.Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu term from Southern Africa that means "I am because we are."Johnny Muteba is the CEO of Build Africa Group, Founder and CEO of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce, and Founder of the Africa Development Agency. He also serves as President of Blacks in Technology South Africa and leads the Hollywood African Film Festival. With over 15 years’ experience spanning media, entertainment, trade, social impact, and entrepreneurship, Johnny is recognised as one of Africa’s most creative and disruptive thinkers. He is a member of the World Trade Organisation, the International Chamber of Commerce Advisory Committee on SMEs, and South Africa’s NEDLAC, where his work consistently bridges entrepreneurship, cultural innovation, and global impact to drive Africa’s transformation.Topics Covered:◽️ Pan-African Trade Barriers and Institutional Insights◽️ Intra-African Visa Restrictions and Barriers to Free Movement◽️ Africa’s Untapped Resource Wealth and Industrialisation Challenge◽️ BRICS Financing: Opportunity or Repeat of Extractive Models◽️ The Role of new development bank in South Africa’s Growth Agenda◽️ Visionary Leadership and Africa’s Geopolitical Positioning◽️ Intra-African Collaboration and Continental Trade Strategy◽️ Strategic Futures of BRICS, Digital Currency and Governance Safeguards◽️ Redefining Pan-African Leadership as Proactive Global Agenda-Setters◽️ Creative Industries and Cultural Diplomacy as Drivers of African Soft PowerSo download⏳grab a cup of Bird & Blend Tea Co. - Peppy Mint Tea ☕️& have a listen🛋Episode Sponsored by◽️Accxia - 𝔼𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖'𝕤 𝕃𝕒𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕤𝕥 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝔸𝕥𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕟ABOUT THE HOST#AFlyOnTheBoardroomWall #HTBRICSSeriesSupport the showFollow, Support, Contact Heads Talk - A Fly On The Boardroom Wall LinkedIn Website Twitter Email at [email protected]

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• 268 - Zheng Junfeng, Senior Anchor, Business News: BRICS Series, CGTN - China's Logic: BRICS+, Currencies and Tariffs

  Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title: 🇨🇳China's Logic: BRICS+, Currencies and Tariffs🇨🇳In this episode of Heads Talk - a collaboration with CGTN, we dive into the BRICS+ Alliance, China's position and my guests thoughts on the tariffs and thoughts on potential de-dollarisation; and diversification. This is the Part 2 of my conversation Zheng Junfeng, Senior Business News Anchor at CGTN, China Global Television Network, a division of China Media Group. Where we talk about the members of the BRICS+ Alliance and China's relationship with them. Topics Covered:◽️Volatility and Tariffs◽️Dedollarisation and Strengthening of local Currencies◽️India's Unilateral Stance◽️BRICS+ Business Focus◽️Domestic  and Energy Policy Calculations◽️The War of NarrativesSo download⏳grab a cup of Bird & Blend Tea Co. - Deep Breath Tea ☕️& have a listen🛋◽️Collaboration with CGTN, China Global Television Network.ABOUT THE HOST#AFlyOnTheBoardroomWall #HeadsTalk #HTBRICSSeriesSupport the showFollow, Support, Contact Heads Talk - A Fly On The Boardroom Wall LinkedIn Website Twitter Email at [email protected]

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• 267 - HRH Princess Lebogang Zulu, President: BRICS Series, India–South Africa Chamber of Commerce, BRICS Women’s Business Alliance - African Women: Architect of Trade “A miracle built on unity”

  Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title: 🇿🇦African Women: Architect of Trade “A Miracle Built On Unity"🇮🇳 We continue the #HTBRICSSeries on Heads Talk with a formidable business leader whose influence spans construction, manufacturing, energy, and international trade. HRH Princess Lebogang Zulu is the Executive Chairperson of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa and the President of the Expanded BRICS Women Foundation. She is also the: Vice President of the India–South Africa Chamber of CommerceChairperson of Africa Women’s Bank (Private) LimitedExecutive Director of Kampara Industries Holdings; and Chief Executive of Kokozu International.With over two decades of leadership, she has championed women’s economic empowerment across Africa and the BRICS nations, spearheading a $2.7 billion initiative in 2023 that created over 120,000 jobs for South African women entrepreneurs.We explored Africa’s evolving role in the BRICS+ framework, highlighting the shift of African women from beneficiaries of inclusion to architects of continental and cross-border trade. Discussions examined deepening economic ties with Russian and Indian partners, particularly in energy and manufacturing, and how South Africa’s expanding commercial footprint in India is reshaping trade flows in exports, transport, and logistics. We also assessed how US tariff shifts have driven BRICS+ nations to strengthen intra-bloc trade, build trust, and reduce reliance on the West. The reduction in aid, rather than a setback, has accelerated Africa’s push to design its own trade architecture, prioritising continental integration while engaging global partners as equals.Topics Covered:◽️ Leadership Priorities across Global Executive Roles◽️ BRICS+ Strategy Reshaping Governance and Trade Corridors◽️ Policy Influence through the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance◽️ African Women Moving from Inclusion to Architecting Trade◽️ Strategic Value of the 2025 BRICS+ Agri-Summit◽️ South Africa’s Growing Footprint in India ◽️ Unlocking South Africa–India Bilateral Trade Potential◽️ Removing Structural Barriers in Manufacturing and Agriculture◽️ Building Energy and Manufacturing ties with Russian and Indian BRICS+ Members◽️ Impact of US Tariff Volatility on Intra-BRICS Trade Trust and Cooperation◽️ How Reduced Foreign Aid is Catalysing Africa’s Self-driven Trade Architecture◽️ Lessons from Transformational Women-led Agricultural Initiatives◽️ Economic Outcomes from the 2025 Global Women Leadership ProgrammeSo download⏳grab a cup of Bird & Blend Tea Co. - Peppy Mint Tea ☕️& have a listen🛋Episode Sponsored by◽️Accxia - 𝔼𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖'𝕤 𝕃𝕒𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕤𝕥 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝔸𝕥𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕟ABOUT THE HOST#AFlyOnTheBoardroomWall #HTBRICSSeries #HeSupport the showFollow, Support, Contact Heads Talk - A Fly On The Boardroom Wall LinkedIn Website Twitter Email at [email protected]

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• 266 - David Sime, CTO, CIO: BRICS Series, Invantage Ltd - Geopolitical Tortoise and the Hare Race

  Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title:🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Geopolitical Tortoise and Hare Race🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Another captivating episode in the BRICS & Geopolitics Series (#HTBRICSSeries) on Heads Talk where we explore the shifting landscape of money, trade, politics, conflict, and the technologies shaping the next global order.This week, I’m joined by David Sime, Chief Innovation Strategist at Invantage Ltd, with over 25 years’ experience spanning international markets, emerging technologies, and education. David has advised global institutions on navigating technological and geopolitical disruption, leading projects in AI, XR, Digital Twins, post-quantum encryption, and advanced energy systems. All with a focus on real-world impact and societal resilience.In this conversation, we marry AI sovereignty and safety with the rise of BRICS+ and the cyclical nature of empires. Topics that might seem worlds apart, yet intersect at every level. From the cultural and political dimensions of surveillance technology to the contrasting innovation models of East and West, David takes us deep into how emerging tech both shapes and reflects global power shifts.We ask: Can Western innovation, constrained by shareholder short-termism, compete with BRICS nations’ state-aligned, long-horizon strategies? How will AI governance evolve in a multipolar world? And what can history’s great power cycles tell us about the future we’re building?David's Post Mentioned hereTopics Covered◽️ Career transition from global market analysis to technology and education◽️ Tragedy of the Horizon and Western short-termism in innovation◽️ Western shareholder stranglehold on innovation versus BRICS+ rapid development model◽️ AI safety frameworks and verification protocols for dual-use systems◽️ Global AI interoperability without reinforcing geopolitical fragmentation◽️ Designing AI architectures for diverse legal and resource environments◽️ AI failures in East vs West:- Differing risks and implications◽️ BRICS innovation strategies in a multipolar technology landscape◽️ Cyclical nature of empires and shifting global power dynamicsSo download⏳grab a cup of Bird & Blend Tea Co. - Mocha Chai Tea ☕️& have a listen🛋Episode Sponsored by◽️Accxia - 𝔼𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖'𝕤 𝕃𝕒𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕤𝕥 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝔸𝕥𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕟ABOUT THE HOST#AFlyOnTheBoardroomWall #HTBRICSSeries #HeadsTalkPodcastSupport the showFollow, Support, Contact Heads Talk - A Fly On The Boardroom Wall LinkedIn Website Twitter Email at [email protected]

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• 265 - Dr. Frank Aswani, CEO: BRICS Series, African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) - Capital Security to Capital Growth: Africa’s Bankable-to-Investable Journey

  Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title: 🇿🇦Capital Security to Capital Growth: Africa’s Bankable-to-Investable Journey🇿🇦 We continue the #HTBRICSSeries on Heads Talk with a dynamic C-suite leader, investor, and influential figure in Africa’s tech, finance, and impact investment Ecosystems. Dr. Frank Aswani is the CEO of the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), a pan-African network mobilising capital grants, debt, equity, and expertise, to drive social impact across the continent. He’s leading efforts to raise a $200 million catalytic fund to unlock at least $2 billion in private investment for African social enterprises.In this episode, we look at Africa’s evolving role in the shifting landscape of global governance, where BRICS+ offer new opportunities but also familiar risks. While partnerships with BRICS nations can bring alternative financing and market access, the focus must first be on building strong intra-African trade, value chains, and industrial capacity, ensuring infrastructure deals protect sovereignty and drive long-term growth rather than decades of dependency.We discuss the leadership, strategy, and entrepreneurial spirit needed to make this shift, starting in schools and extending to the negotiating table, so Africa can move from being a supplier of raw materials to a driver of innovation, manufacturing, and sustainable prosperity.Topics Covered:◽️BRICS+ expansion and Africa’s role in shaping global governance◽️ Managing China and other BRICS partners’ influence on African infrastructure and social sectors◽️ Redirecting resource wealth into domestic industrial capacity◽️ Capability versus political will in Africa’s economic positioning◽️ Strategic avenues for channeling BRICS+ capital into sustainable development◽️ Mobilising scalable social impact investments across Africa◽️ Closing the SDG financing gap through sustainable finance◽️ Dissecting the philanthropy model in venture and social impact◽️ Moving Africa from raw material supplier to high-value innovation hub◽️ Inspiring leadership shifts from corporate boardrooms to impact ecosystems◽️ Defining decisions for Africa’s global positioning over the next decadeSo download⏳grab a cup of Bird & Blend Tea Co. - Peppy Mint Tea ☕️& have a listen🛋Episode Sponsored by◽️Accxia - 𝔼𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖'𝕤 𝕃𝕒𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕤𝕥 ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝔸𝕥𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕟ABOUT THE HOST#AFlyOnTheBoardroomWall #HTBRICSSeries #HeadsTalkPodcastSupport the showFollow, Support, Contact Heads Talk - A Fly On The Boardroom Wall LinkedIn Website Twitter Email at [email protected]

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