Attention globetrotters: get in touch with your inner entrepreneur in South Africa this weekend, at the BET Experience Africa. Three inspiring Genius Talks—candid, revelatory and intimate conversations between celebrated individuals and industry leaders who’ve impacted popular culture across the fields of music, sports, politics and business—are scheduled for December 12 at Johannesburg’s Ticketpro Dome.
Joining the lineup for the Genius Talks is South African media mogul, Khanyi Dhlomo. Dhlomo was the youngest-ever editor of the country’s True Love magazine, growing its popularity and doubling its circulation under her leadership. She also flexed her tourism and marketing acumen as the head of South African tourism in Paris for two years. Armed with an MBA from Harvard, she returned home to found South Africa’s first 100% Black-owned multiplatform media company, Ndalo Media, where she now serves as CEO. Dhlomo also founded both Destiny and Destiny Man magazines, their online extensions, and the events company Athari Concepts & Events.
NBA vice president and managing director for Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall, aims to elevate the continent through basketball. The Senegal native oversees the NBA’s grassroots’ basketball development initiatives and its partnerships with marketing, media and consumer product companies all over Africa. Keen to leverage the power of sport as a vehicle to access better opportunities, in 1998 Fall founded a global nonprofit organization called SEED (Sports for Education and Economic Development) Project, whose mission is to use sport to inspire, empower and support the holistic development of promising African youth.
Then there’s America’s own Black Girls Rock! founder, Beverly Bond. Inspirational U.S. DJ, producer, businesswoman, social innovator and female empowerment trailblazer, she’s also creator of the annual Black Girls Rock! awards show: a media platform designed to showcase and celebrate the nexus of achievements of women of color throughout the African diaspora, and to promote positive role models for women and girls.
“Designed to inspire, educate and entertain, Genius Talks are candid conversations that allow the public to interact with thought leaders and achievers,” says Viacom Africa senior vice president Alex Okosi. “The accomplished individuals on stage at this inaugural Genius Talks will grant the audience an opportunity to gain insights into their lives and careers. The main point of Genius Talks is to create a platform where inspirational people share the real persona behind the public figure.”
Radio futurist and “musical maestro” Greg Maloka, Amadou Gallo Fall and BET president of programming Stephen Hill will have their conversation moderated by South African singer-actress Unathi Msengana, while Beverly Bond and Khanyi Dhlomo will engage in conversation with Nikiwe Bikitsha. These speakers join previously announced Genius Talks participant Fikile Mbalula (South Africa’s minister for sport and recreation), who’ll share his inspirations and legacy with Amargi Media CEO Nikiwe Bikitsha.
Genius Talks will be held in the Conference Centre at the BET Experience Africa, Ticketpro Dome, December 12 from 12:30 pm–14:00 pm.
For more information on the BET Experience Africa, visit BETafrica.tv or Facebook.com/BETinafrica.com. Join the conversation about Genius Talks on Twitter and Instagram @BET_Africa using the hashtags #BETXAfrica and #BETGeniusTalks.
Genius Talks Program:
12:30: The Honourable Fikile Mbalula, minister for sport and recreation, in conversation with Nikiwe Bikitsha
13:00: Khanyi Dhlomo and Beverly Bond, in conversation with Nikiwe Bikitsha
13:30: Greg Maloka, Amadou Gallo Fall and Stephen Hill, in conversation with Unathi Msengana
