When Shift Happens

Accepting setbacks and learning from failure: Sibusiso Vilane on grace under pressure

What does it really take to handle life when things don’t go to plan? In this episode of When Shift Happens, host Saray Khumalo sits down with South African adventurer and speaker Sibusiso Vilane to explore what happens beyond the big moments, when the pressure builds, expectations shift, and the outcome is uncertain. From his early life in rural South Africa to summiting Mount Everest, Sibusiso’s journey is often told through milestones. But this conversation focuses on something deeper: how he has learned to navigate setbacks, manage pressure, and carry himself with humility through both success and failure. They unpack the mindset required to keep going when things fall apart, how to rebuild confidence, and why grace under pressure is often the real measure of growth. This is a conversation about resilience, perspective, and the quiet discipline it takes to keep moving forward. --- Sibusiso Vilane is a South African adventurer, motivational speaker and author of To the Top From Nowhere. He made history as the first Black African to summit Mount Everest in 2003, and again in 2005 via the more challenging North Ridge route. He has since completed the Seven Summits and reached both the North and South Poles, becoming the first African to achieve the Explorers Grand Slam. Raised in a rural village, Sibusiso’s journey from humble beginnings to global recognition continues to inspire audiences worldwide. Through his work as a speaker and mentor, he shares lessons on perseverance, purpose, and the importance of staying grounded, especially in the face of adversity. Saray's website [https://saraykhumalo.com/]

Rising from nothing: Frank “Dr Mags” Magwegwe on resilience and leadership

What does it take to move from survival mode to building a life with purpose? In this episode of When Shift Happens, Saray Khumalo speaks to Frank “Dr Mags” Magwegwe, researcher, behavioural scientist and financial wellness expert, about the shift from survival to leadership. As a young man arriving in Johannesburg, Frank found himself homeless and forced into a daily fight for survival. With no safety net and no clear path, he had to make decisions that would shape his future from the ground up. This conversation explores how that experience shaped his thinking, from the role of education in changing his trajectory to the mindset required to move beyond survival and begin building something sustainable. It also reflects on leadership through a different lens, grounded in lived experience, as well as the habits and choices that help people regain control and move forward with intention. Guest bio: Frank “Dr Mags” Magwegwe is a researcher, keynote speaker, applied behavioural scientist, and resilience and wellbeing expert. His work combines academic insight with lived experience, following a journey from homelessness in Johannesburg to leadership in financial services and academia. He focuses on helping individuals, teams, and organisations navigate adversity, make better decisions, and build sustainable success. Saray's website [https://saraykhumalo.com/]

Leadership is not a solo act: Helena Dolny and Totsie Memela-Khambula on support and mentorship

No one gets to the top alone. In this episode of When Shift Happens, Saray Khumalo sits down with Dr Helena Dolny and Totsie Memela-Khambula to explore the role of support, mentorship, and community in shaping strong leadership. From moments of crisis to career-defining decisions, they reflect on the people who stepped in, stood alongside them, and helped them navigate the hardest climbs. It’s a conversation about leadership that goes beyond performance. One that centres emotional intelligence, trust, and the understanding that real progress is rarely a solo journey. Dr Helena Dolny is an accomplished leader, author and organisational change expert, with experience spanning community development across Africa and senior leadership roles in major institutions. Totsie Memela-Khambula is a transformational executive and global consciousness coach, known for her work in ethical leadership, governance, and human-centred transformation. Saray's website [https://saraykhumalo.com/]

The inner climb: Louis Carstens on why failure matters more than success

Failure teaches you more than success ever will. In this episode of When Shift Happens, Saray Khumalo speaks with Louis Carstens, psychologist, mountaineer and executive, about the lessons that come from being turned back and choosing to go again. From multiple attempts on Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest mountain in the Himalayas, to navigating major career shifts, Louis reflects on resilience, ownership and why the most important decisions in your life cannot be outsourced. “In life, you’ve got to own your life. You’ve got to take accountability. You can’t outsource critical decisions to other people.” It’s a conversation about what it really takes to keep moving forward when things do not go to plan. New episodes drop every Monday at 5am. Listen first on jacarandafm.com under JacPod, or wherever you get your favourite podcasts including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. Saray's website [https://saraykhumalo.com/]

Redefining success: Zureida Ebrahim on leadership and perspective

Success at the top can look certain from the outside. But the reality of leadership often involves moments that force you to rethink what success really means. In this episode of When Shift Happens, Saray Khumalo speaks with Zureida Ebrahim, Group Chief Operating Officer at Old Mutual, about the shifts that reshaped how she thinks about ambition, responsibility and leadership. It’s a thoughtful conversation about perspective, pressure and the moments that quietly change how leaders see their work and their lives. New episodes of When Shift Happens drop every Monday at 5am. Listen first on jacarandafm.com under JacPod, or wherever you get your favourite podcasts including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. Saray's website [https://saraykhumalo.com/]