What does it take to navigate the corporate jungle and lead local operations for one of the world’s biggest tech companies? Kabelo Makwane’s journey began in Soweto. After walking away from medical school after realising things like the smell of formaldehyde weren’t for him, he found his true calling during the early digital revolution at Standard Bank.
In this episode of the Business Unusual Podcast, host Ralf Fletcher sits down with Kabelo to explore his fascinating career, dive into the realities of navigating diverse business cultures and how artificial intelligence is being localised to solve uniquely African problems.
You’ll find out:
- Why reaching a “steady state” in your career is actually a warning sign and why you should actively seek out discomfort
- The mechanics of the “FAB” leadership model
- How AI projects like Open Walls are mapping informal settlements to bring critical services to previously neglected areas
- The vital work being done to train AI models on African languages to ensure the continent plays an active role in the AI revolution and rather than being mere consumers and bystanders
Watch the full podcast on YouTube, or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for conversations about doing good business in unusual times.
