This is Episode 9 of the Black Woman Business podcast (hosted by Speaker A) produced by Neon Bloom Productions. The host interviews her maternal grandmother, Bhelekazi, about grassroots/community leadership. Key themes: the centrality of honesty and sticking to established rules in society committees (chair, secretary, treasurer); practical governance challenges (misuse of burial society funds) and a specific operational fix (requiring ID numbers to reduce fraudulent claims); mentoring younger members and teaching leadership; and adapting traditional leadership practices to modern/digital contexts. The episode mixes personal anecdotes with practical governance lessons for community organizations.
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Have you ever thought about how much you'd like to say but never knew where to begin? Well, Neon Bloom Productions is the place for you. They provide services like podcast production, vocal training, translation and consultancies. They've produced a number of super diverse and up and coming podcasts within Africa. Go to www.neonbloom.co.za for more information and awesome podcasts including, including this one that is www.neonbloom.co.za Neon Bloom Productions. We make your voice heard. Okay, guys, episode nine about leadership. There'll be a bit more coarser on this because I'm not doing it alone. I have a guest. I hope you guys can keep up. Hi everybody. Welcome to my podcast, Black Woman Business. Today we're doing a very interesting topic. I'm pretty excited about today's episode. It's episode nine. So we're going strong for anybody who's joining this podcast for the first time. This past podcast is anything to do with being black, being a woman and being in business, and all three on separate days. So guys, welcome, welcome, welcome. The topic today that we'll be discussing is leadership. Leadership. And I'm so excited. Why? Because somebody's joining me today. Yay. Guess what? I don't even want to do this intro for her for my by myself. I let her introduce herself. Mama, can you step forward? And why do you think you are the one that's been called here to speak about leadership?
Oh, thank you Mrs. I'm saying it. I'm here to speak about leadership.
Wonderful. Mama. I did say mama, let's speak a lot of English because we going to go international with this podcast. But I'm just thinking to get ourselves relaxed. Mama, we can speak his course. I know when I address you we usually speak mostly is Xhosa. Maybe we can do that just to create a relaxed vibe. I mean there's lots of what you call apps that can translate this for anybody who wants to hear us. Guys. So the reason why I invited you to come and speak to us today about leadership is because she's my maternal grandmother. I grew up under her wing. I've watched her lead a lot of community based initiatives. She's been very, very successful in a lot of them. So she's just introduced herself. She started a few societies in the community. She started Stockfells that started in the 90s that are still in existence. And she always teaches me a lot of life's lessons. She's basically my mentor and has led me in most of my decision when it comes to decision and working with people. From what I've seen, she really masters working well with communities. I mean, which is not my strength. Like in the communities. What do you think are the most important features as a leader?
As a leader, it's a very difficult part to be a leader. But what is important when you are in a gathering? So you have to have a.
So.
Number one, you must speak. Because.
The rules, Mama. Yes.
Because there must be a church, there must be a secret, and there must be a treasurer.
Yes.
So those three, they must be honest. Number one.
Mama, looking back, you know, I've watched you and your committees come back after you've had to really stick with the rules. Because Abandu base, sometimes your committee, they feel sorry for the family. They want to do things the wrong way, even though it's not with because. Because we are humans, we start feeling sorry for each other and we want to cut corners. Mama, I've watched you being very deliberate and very direct, even though it's disappointing to other families, even like really doing your best to stick to the rules. How do we overlook those things? Because we find our way ourselves being compromised when it's really crunch time and abandoned rules. I think mostly even the corruption is you stick to what we said from the beginning without wavering, without being scared of what the community or the people will say. Okay.
Najam?
Yes, yes.
Because.
Because you know what? As somebody that knows you deeply and somebody that has watched you start things that grow, I was so amazed in the same. Mama, you know, even there was four of you in the house. Four of you. And I used to watch how are you able to maintain. And also I've watched you being able to teach younger people. How have you been able to do that?
It's very important. Yes, that's very important. It's very important. So we must speak to the rules and we must be very honest and.
Yes, yes, yes. Also you've dealt with. You've. In the past, you've worked with a lot of money, being Treasury. Treasury. I, I watched you navigate a very difficult time whereby. And I also like the conversations that you and I have. You're so open about the trials and the challenges that you go through. I mean, there was one time all the time, and you were thinking, you know what? You are so worried. The society burial society was having so much claims and the money was running out. And I remember when you said to me, you know what? I've just figured out? They've got Cape Town, who's related, so abandoned because of just that Name and surname and it can mean anybody in the family because people sometimes share names in the family. And you say to to me you figured that out and now people need to put in ID numbers to be recognizing exactly who are they covering in between. And I remember when you said that thing made major major changes in between because the claims now suddenly reduced. How do you start to figure out isn't residential mama. How do you get to that point.
As a community?
Yes.
So what is important?
Yes yes, yes.
Honest.
In general what do you think about the leadership of women in general, what do you think about things like that? Yes.
We have different characters. So what is important is Anam.
Yes. Because leadership in communities is also very important as especially at this time where there's a lot of looting going on. I just feel like. I just feel like communities can really put or in in terms of trying to control I mean obviously shops and all of those things but fortunately affected at this moment I think it's because a good job that are really making a very positive input in the country and as you can see to make my contribution in the economy and also my contribution in South Africa or Africa as a whole and to encourage you and say that I really look up to how you carry yourself as a leader. Most of his decisions in Zenzayo Nam are based on the actions that I've seen you navigate. I mean you've navigated some very tough times. I remember when one of your closest friends closest friends was implicated society and you were so hurt and disturbed because treasurer and apparently the allegations were were correct and I watched you navigate that I remember it was a tough time but like you say you pulled out the rules and that friendship it of yours it dissolved because you had to pull out Iran rules and navigate according to that. So I I really know that what you're saying is what you actually do for the contribution that you've made for abandoned. Personally I feel so privileged to be somebody that's been watching you so closely literally watching you navigate. I feel like Indiana responsibility that has done quite a lot for for you've contributed quite a lot in the universe. So sometime.
Very important.
Yes yes. South Africa.
President.
Dingai Patali Dingayanzali Candy President AS Loluka Zingali Kash so you know what about yourself? You are somebody that has been able to navigate now you have moved into a more digital space in trouble in terms of walking around with loads of cash. You always encourage you've encouraged and move with the times and also always avoiding dangers so sense progressive in the future. Sometimes when it comes to abandoned future and you move with the times. That is something that I really look up to. Because stuck in the old ways, used to putting pen to paper. Yeah. Understand. But you are somebody that's able to navigate meetings.
Whatever, be honest. You were just approached. It's very important. Everybody.
Yes, Mama. Thank you so much for your wisdom. Thank you so much for your wisdom. I'm so privileged because we will continue this walk and this talk as usual, Sam.
