Suits and Sneakers: Insights to Ignite Change

The Suits and Sneakers Main Event was a celebration of human resilience, visionary leadership, and the courage to carve one’s own path. Among the attendees was EasyEquities' Head of Education, Véronique Van Rensburg, who immersed herself in this inspiring gathering of thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and artists. In this blog, she shares her key learnings and insights from the event, each centered around the shared determination to drive meaningful change - both personally and for the broader community.

Key Take-Aways:

• Resilience is at the core of success.

• Visionary leadership and innovation are essential.

• Building a legacy means creating value that uplifts communities.

• Small, consistent actions can lead to profound change.

Resilience in Action

From GG Alcock’s exploration of the informal economy to Lira’s story of overcoming aphasia after suffering a stroke in 2022, resilience emerged as a powerful theme.

Author of 'KasiNomics', GG Alcock, had insights that challenge conventional views on unemployment in South Africa. He argues that official statistics overlook the substantial informal sector, where many South Africans earn livelihoods - like the woman at Baragwanath Taxi Rank who buys full rolls of toilet paper for R5, divides them into smaller rolls, and sells these for R2 each. With millions of people passing through the rank every month, she's able to turn her small initial investment into a significant profit. It's this spirit of hustle, adaptability, and grit that defines our nation.

Lira, one of South Africa's most celebrated and respected artists, took this concept to a deeply personal level. Overcoming aphasia and relearning to speak, read, write AND sing after 18 months of silence is no small feat. She taught us that sometimes resilience means slowing down, finding grace in hardship, and embracing the silence. It’s about learning to celebrate the little victories that lead to big breakthroughs.

The Power of One

Well-known business journalist and author, Bruce Whitfield, is no stranger to breaking down complex ideas, and his message was simple but profound - change starts with one action. Whether for ourselves, our communities, or our country, the power of "One Thing" can ripple outwards, creating waves of transformation. It's a reminder that we don't need grand gestures to make a difference. Instead, focusing on small, consistent actions can ignite lasting change. Imagine if each of us took just one step how much momentum we could create together.

This theme of individual impact echoed through Gilan Gork's talk on influence. As an internationally acclaimed mentalist, best-selling author, and international speaker, Gilan reminded us that real influence starts from within. It's about nurturing a growth mindset ('Improving' over 'I'm proving'), being generous with recognition, and consciously shaping our environments. True leadership isn’t just about persuading others; it's about inspiring them through our own actions and example.

Leadership and Innovation

Mteto Nyati, the current chairperson of Eskom and former CEO of Altron and MTN South Africa, emphasised the importance of visionary leadership and the courage to drive innovation in challenging environments, highlighting the importance of managing 'upwards' and empowering the right people to solve problems effectively. He also shared how the best leaders rise to meet challenges by creating order from chaos, understanding the root causes, and inspiring others to strive for excellence, thereby turning obstacles into opportunities.

Building Value, Creating Legacy

Theo Baloyi and Natasha Sideris both spoke about building something bigger than themselves - something that serves their communities and lifts others up. As more than just the CEO of fashionable sneaker brand 'Bathu', Theo's mission extends to creating jobs, giving back through initiatives like donating school shoes to underprivileged communities, and staying true to his origins. His story is a brilliant example of what can happen when ambition meets purpose.

Natasha Sideris (restaurateur extraordinaire) showcased the magic that comes with the relentless pursuit of quality. Her journey from struggling to secure a loan to building Tashas into a beloved restaurant empire was not just about growth; it was about staying fiercely committed to her vision and delivering an exceptional dining experience. She reminded us that to build something lasting, we must be uncompromising about quality and be bold in our vision.

Both Theo and Natasha demonstrated that building value goes beyond financial success, creating a lasting legacy that truly connects with and impacts people's lives. It’s about knowing your boundaries, retaining ownership, and scaling responsibly without losing the essence of what makes your brand unique.

Harnessing Potential

Vusi Thembekwayo, the renowned venture capitalist, author, and speaker, brought a dynamic perspective on unlocking individual and organisational potential. Drawing from his extensive experience in transforming businesses across Africa, Vusi highlighted the necessity of embracing change and leveraging unique strengths to achieve excellence. His insights served as a powerful reminder that success is attainable through self-belief and strategic action. Vusi’s emphasis on the quality of execution, process optimization, and market expansion encouraged us to think about how to build structures that support sustainable growth.

Closing Thoughts

The message was clear: change begins with each of us, but it grows through community. We were challenged to be proactive about changing our mindset, supporting our communities, and creating new opportunities. The Suits and Sneakers Main Event was a masterclass in human potential, showing how resilience, vision, and courageous action can reshape our world.

If you missed the Main Event, check out the chat between Charles Savage and Mark Sham at one of Suits and Sneakers' regular meet-ups - it's packed with themes that echoed throughout this event: breaking barriers, community engagement, and driving meaningful change. You'll love how their discussion reinforces these big ideas with fresh perspectives and insights!