Refilwe mpakanyane biography samples

By Tebogo Matshana

As a knowledge-sharing forum, the up-and-coming Latitudes podcast platform, in partnership with iTOO Artinsure, makes a critical contribution to conversations centered around the visual arts in South Africa. In a world where digital platforms reconfigure the ways in which we consume information and engage in critical conversations, The Latitudes Podcast emerges as an innovative conversation starter, offering refreshing perspectives. With a commitment to fostering thought-provoking debates and bridging the gap between art enthusiasts and industry insiders, this particular podcast is a crucial part of the South African art landscape. Significantly, the Latitudes Podcast, brings together a listenership of visual art community enthusiasts, its thought leaders in the South African art scene and facilitates accessibility through meaningful conversations. 

Hosted by Refiloe Mpakanyane, who has a deep-rooted passion for visual arts content, the podcast provides access to a diverse range of practitioners and figureheads within the art world. It is a means by which the local art scene connects with the global – sparking intellectual discourse and challenging established norms. In the context of South African contemporary visual art, The Latitudes Podcast is a catalyst for change, broadening the horizons and enriching the dialogue, as it ushers in a new era of understanding and appreciation for the arts in this vibrant and ever-evolving community.

The podcast goes beyond the conventional – welcoming artists, collectors, curators, and enthusiasts to engage in open and candid discussions. Through its inclusive approach, it breaks down silos that have previously separated different segments of the art world, thus fostering a more holistic understanding of the visual arts. For example, by featuring young artists and ANNA Award finalists like Nindya Bucktowar and Alexandra-Naledi Holtman, the podcast spotlights emerging talent and o

Stafford Masie speaks on a range of technology-angled subjects that are applicable to any audience and/or themes, like:

Leadership | Being Visionary | Inspiration | Strategy | Informational | Humanities | Business | Technical | CX (Customer Experience)

Though rooted in technology, Stafford’s views are welcomed by all and many find his perspectives on humanity and futurism both unique and fascinating.

A veteran on both local and international speaking circuits, his references and reviews from past talks – delivered to large and small, intimate audiences – are glowing.

If you want to understand what is happening technologically, geopolitically, economically or socially, within your industry, family, or personally, and how it impacts your business or or the world, Stafford is your speaker. His most recent talk on Ai, bitcoin and the crypto space is immensely popular.

He is also an excellent moderator, Master of Ceremonies and CxO consultative advisor.

Having been in the ICT space for more than 30 years, Stafford started his career as a software developer, network engineer and technology analyst for Telkom and thereafter, was recruited to be the National Software Strategist for Dimension Data. Stafford subsequently held various other technology leadership positions such as co-CEO, co-founder and strategist for Redstar Networks (his first startup), the Product Director for Novell South Africa, a Global Corporate Business Strategist for Novell Inc. based in the USA (Utah) before returning to South Africa after more than 7 years to become Managing Director for Novell Sub-Saharan Africa.

After that, he joined Google where he established Google’s South Africa presence and became Google’s first Sub-Saharan Africa leader. Stafford built the first Google SA team, launched several of Google’s mainstream platforms, prepared all application services in unison with the World Cup Organizing Committee – to ensure SA services were updated and availabl

This September, Nal’ibali is launching a nationwide storytelling competition to find South Africa’s first ‘Story Bosso’. Aimed at reawakening a love of storytelling and reading among South Africans of all ages, the competition will connect the public to ideas and inspiration on how to tell stories and read aloud to others; showcase a range of local stories (in all South African languages), as well as identify undiscovered storytellers in communities across the country.

“Storytelling is one of the greatest tools we have to develop not just our children’s curiosity and imaginations, but also their sense of empathy and belonging. Storytelling and reading aloud allow us to build connections with each other by passing on knowledge and providing a shared experience while at the same time being important building blocks of literacy learning,” comments Carole Bloch, Director of PRAESA (the Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa), which is driving the Nal’ibali campaign.

Research shows that stories spark those parts of the brain concerned with imagination, emotion, sensation and movement; they create the neural circuits that ultimately enable sophisticated thinking and reasoning in young children. We also know that children who read for pleasure perform better in the classroom, not just in vocabulary and spelling, but in maths and science too. And stories are a great way to get children interested in books and reading – right from birth.

“As South Africans, we have a deep and respected history of storytelling. Those most fortunate among us will remember being enchanted as young children by the stories told to us by our gogos, parents and other family members. Stories were told to teach us lessons, instill morals and values and often, simply to entertain us. These storytelling moments stay with us throughout our lives and become some of our most cherished memories,” comments Smangele Mathebula, Nal’ibali Campaign Driver.

Yet, while we don’t all