Podcasts and Press
Here are the latest episodes of our podcasts where we have conversations with wholesalers, retailers, as well as local and international industry experts to promote excellence in the retail industry.
Podcasts
“Don’t have time to listen to our podcast? Click here for a quick read”
- Co-creating towards meaning in Retail- Prof Frans van der Cloff
- Ready to fuel up?- Prof Marius Wait and Sizwe Sibeko
- Current retail trends and impact of the 4IR technologies- Deborah Machard
- Retail as a career
- Digital Marketing in Retail- Dr Ewoudt Cloete
- Till packer to MBA graduate- Manfree Maake
- Practical implications of frontline employee inspiration- Kathrin Neumueller
- Building the Digital Backbone of Business SA – Retail for SMEs- Kekeletso Mabizela
- Can companies afford to overlook informal retail- Christy Tawii
- Be versatile in your career- Thembi Mazibuko
- Retail 360-an in depth view of careers in retail- John Bradshaw
 Dr Ewoudt Cloete – Senior Manager Digital Operations – GAME |  Mr Manfree Maake – Managing Director M & M guesthouse. Manfree shares his inspiring story of how he started as a till packer and worked his way up to becoming a Regional Manager of a large FMCG, an MBA graduate, and, today – a business owner. Not many people understand the career and growth opportunities in the Retail sector. Be inspired by the possibilities in a career in retail HERE |
 In coversation with Mr Grant Jooste and Mr Shawn Visser of the Batho Pele Group. Tackling the Youth Unemployment challenge and what we can do to make a difference in their lives. We discuss how a career in Retail can be rewarding and the importance of changing the perceptions about “working in Retail” amongst the youth, and the need to create better awareness about what the Retail sector has to offer. |  We chat with Ms Deborah Machard who is the Executive for Strategic Planninf, Performance and Reporting at the Wholesale and Retail SETA. The 4IR has had a major impact on the retail sector and in this conversation we take on the challenges and opportunities that technology has presented, especially with employment. Be inspired by the possibilities in a career in retail HERE |
 Be versatile in your career – pursue new paths and enjoy the journey! Change your career every few years. Gear up for an exciting, dynamic, ever-changing career choice! Learn about the world of Retail, the skills you will develop, the different careers you can pursue, and the changes you can make to society. Our guest is Thembi Mazibuko, Chief People Officer at PnP. Join us as the Chair (Dr. Beate Stiehler-Mulder) unpacks Thembi’s career in Retail – from marketing, to buyer, to HR. Learn from her experience and consider making an exciting career choice – join a Retailer. Be inspired by the possibilities in a career in retail HERE |  An exciting podcast with John Bradshaw! John worked as a strategy consultant in the UK, South Africa, and India before returning to Cape Town to join Pick n Pay (PnP). In his time at PnP he worked in strategy, customer insights, and loyalty. He then headed up omnichannel, and was responsible for ecommerce, financial services, and other value-added services. In John’s episode, he speaks about his story and why retail is such an interesting place to work. You’re in for a treat. |
Press
The W&R Seta hosted the Inaugural Research Conference on the 5th of October in Cape Town. There was a great line up of key note speakers like Prof Dobbelstein from Germany, Keke Mabizela, Senior Digital Media Manger for Momentum and Dr Melanie van Rooy, Head of Marketing at Clicks.
The Fuel Retailers Association in partnership with the W&R Seta leadership chair (Gauteng) held a Fuel Retailers Conference 2022 at the Expo centre in Johannesburg from 7th – 10th June 2022. The theme was “New Capabilities” where it covered topics such as wholesale fuel regulations and the increasing price of fuel. Our very own Dr. Beate Stiehler-Mulder presented on ‘Towards Enterprising Fuel Retailers’ touching on the importance of communication between the employer and employees.
The W&R Seta Chair trio which consists of the W&R Seta Chair UJ, W&R Seta Chair DUT and W&R Seta Chair CPUT visited the Mr Price DC in Hammersdal on the 17th of August 2022. The excursion was fantastic and a very educational experience. Members of the W&R Seta were also present. Many thanks to Mr Price and Mr Doba.
The Wholesale and Retail Chair (Gauteng) is deeply involved in creating a space where retail can be considered a successful career path. We have initiated and implemented several projects that have been fruitful. To share all the work that we do with the public, we have been fortunate enough to have a talk with EVogue radio (EVogue is South Africa’s first AVR (audio and video) online radio station), where we shared insights on building a career in retail.
EVogue radio thoroughly enjoyed our interview and was interested in carrying the conversation forward with Mr. Manfree Maake.
Well done to both Dr. Beate and Manfree for taking part in these successful interviews.
Dr. Beate had an interview with 702 on John Perlman’s show. They picked up one of the W&R Seta chair articles on Bizcommunity titled: What’s driving online shopping among SA’s low-income consumers? In the interview they discussed the key factors that influence low-income users to shop online.
Click the link to read-https://bit.ly/3h7AABZ
Listen to this lovely interview here https://bit.ly/3UjoSlV.
Announcements
Mr. Kirshen Pillay has joined the W&R Seta chair (Gauteng) as the GB chair. He assumes the role immediately.
A very warm welcome to Mr. Kirshen Pillay and we look forward to working with you.
