Most leaders rise through the ranks by being self-driven. Few talk about the real challenge that comes next: learning to lead through others, not just yourself. Charl de Villiers learnt this early, and mastered it. As CEO of Libstar, one of South Africa’s largest food manufacturers behind brands like Lancewood and Cape Herb & Spice, Charl transformed from a strong, independent achiever into a leader who united 7,000 employees across 27 previously competing business units. In this conversa...

How do you scale a leadership philosophy across 40,000+ people when your secret weapon is asking "What if we failed?" In this episode, Christiaan sits down with Akona Qengqe, General Manager of KFC Africa and the brand's first Black female GM for the continent. From running 1,468 restaurants across sub-Saharan Africa to creating the groundbreaking "Fail Forward Award," Akona reveals how a middle child's curiosity became the leadership philosophy behind one of Africa's most successful food e...

Most CEOs talk about building culture. Marnus van Heerden is actually doing it. As Co-Founder and CEO of Pineapple, South Africa's fastest-growing InsurTech, Marnus has scaled from startup to 140+ employees and R400+ million in funding. But here's what makes this conversation different: He did it by leading with love, demanding radical responsibility, and creating what he calls "superior discontent." This isn't your typical founder success story. It's a raw, honest dive into the messy reali...

What does it take to lead 15,000 people without losing your values? In this episode of Build the People, Greg Solomon reflects on his 28-year journey with McDonald’s South Africa, from starting as a project manager to becoming CEO and growing the brand into a national icon. We dive into: Why leadership starts with leading yourselfHow to build trust, earn respect, and scale cultureThe power of developing people from withinMaking decisions in tough times like C-19 and load sheddingBuilding re...

How do you build a brand that customers love, and a culture your people stay loyal to? In this episode, Christiaan van den Berg sits down with Ricky Ruthenberg, CEO of Bootlegger Coffee Company, to explore the leadership lessons behind one of South Africa’s most recognisable coffee brands. From growing up in Cape Town's restaurant scene to helping Bootlegger expand to over 77 locations nationwide, Ricky shares the pivotal moments, people-first principles, and hard-won wisdom that shaped his...

How do you build a people-first company without losing sight of performance and purpose? In this episode, Christiaan van den Berg sits down with Daneel Steinmann, Founder and CEO of Old School, to explore what it takes to lead with conviction, take bold risks, and develop high-output teams. From bootstrapping a fan-led jersey brand into a licensed partner of the Springboks and Orlando Pirates, Daneel shares the mindset and leadership principles that have helped him build culture, trust, and m...

What will I gain from owning my flaws as a leader? In this eye-opening episode, JOBJACK Co-founder, Christiaan van den Berg, dives into the leadership journey of South African entrepreneurial icon, Alan Knott-Craig. From scaling Mxit to 50 million registered users and connecting over 74,000 township homes with fibertime™, Alan shares how leveraging self-awareness fuelled his growth. As a CA-turned-tech-pioneer with multiple successful ventures, his resilience offers people management...

What makes a team unstoppable in driving business success? In this episode, Christiaan van den Berg (JOBJACK Co-founder & Co-CEO) joins Léan Boezaart (Freedom of Movement Co-founder & CEO) to unpack the leadership secrets behind a thriving, values-led team. From trust and authenticity to smart hiring, they share the lessons that turned Freedom of Movement into a South African icon. Connect with Christiaan van den Berg on LinkedIn. Build the People is proudly brought to you by J...