The Braadcast with Gerald Olitzki (Episode 12): "The Man Who Refused to Give Up on Johannesburg"

The Braadcast with Gerald Olitzki (Episode 12): "The Man Who Refused to Give Up on Johannesburg"

Some people follow opportunity. Gerald Olitzki created it - in a city most people had already written off. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, as businesses abandoned Johannesburg's CBD and property values collapsed, one man saw something different. Not decline. Potential. For nearly two decades, that vision was loss-making. The buildings were neglected, the sentiment was overwhelmingly negative, and almost no one believed what he believed. He kept going anyway. In Episode 12 of The Braadcast, Norman Raad sits down with Gerald Olitzki, Founder of Olitzki Property Holdings, to unpack one of the most remarkable urban regeneration stories in South African history. From the transformation of Gandhi Square to the creation of the Main Street and Fox Street precincts, this is a conversation about what it truly means to hold onto a vision long after everyone else has let go. This isn't just a conversation about property. It's about conviction, resilience, and the courage to believe in something before the rest of the world catches up. In this episode, we explore: 🔹 How Gerald saw opportunity in Johannesburg's CBD when others saw only decline. 🔹 The transformation of Gandhi Square and what it took to make it happen. 🔹 Nearly two decades of loss - and what kept him going. 🔹 Why you can't fix a building without fixing the street. 🔹 The role of public-private partnerships in urban regeneration. 🔹 What Johannesburg's future looks like through the eyes of someone who never stopped believing in it. Whether you're an entrepreneur, an investor, or someone who believes that cities - and people - are worth fighting for, Gerald's story is one of the most powerful reminders that meaningful change takes patience, persistence, and an unshakeable belief in what could be. EPISODE CREDITS: Host: Norman Raad (CEO, Broll Auctions and Sales) Guest: Gerald Olitzki (Founder, Olitzki Property Holdings) Podcast Director: Codi Bentley (Multimedia Designer, Broll Auctions and Sales) Series Coordinator: Lesley Saunders (Head of Marketing, Broll Auctions and Sales) Marketing & Distribution: Hayleigh Kolbe (Marketing Assistant, Broll Auctions and Sales) Studio Production: Kevin Fanny (Multimedia, Broll Auctions and Sales) FOLLOW THE CONVERSATION: 🎧 Watch us on YouTube - https://linktr.ee/brollauctions [https://linktr.ee/brollauctions]

The Braadcast with Brandon Zietsman (Episode 11): "Beyond Returns: Building a Business That Lasts"

Success in business is often measured by numbers. Returns. Growth. Performance. But behind every successful business are the relationships you build, the risks you take, and the moments that shape your journey. In Episode 11 of The Braadcast, Norman Raad sits down with Brandon Zietsman, Founder of PortfolioMetrix, to talk about the journey of building a business from a home office into a global investment platform. This isn't just a conversation about finance. It's about entrepreneurship, taking the leap from corporate life, navigating uncertainty, and building something with purpose. Brandon shares honest insights into leadership, the value of long-term relationships, and why success is often about being ready when opportunity presents itself. In this episode, we explore: 🔹 The journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur. 🔹 Building PortfolioMetrix from the ground up. 🔹 Why purpose matters just as much as performance. 🔹 The role relationships play in long-term success. 🔹 Navigating uncertainty in business and investing. 🔹 Whether success comes down to hard work, timing, or a little bit of luck. Whether you're building a business, growing your career, or simply interested in the mindset behind long-term success, Brandon offers practical insights that extend far beyond the world of investing. EPISODE CREDITS: Host: Norman Raad (CEO, Broll Auctions and Sales) Guest: Brandon Zietsman (Founder, PortfolioMetrix) Podcast Director: Codi Bentley (Multimedia Designer, Broll Auctions and Sales) Series Coordinator: Lesley Saunders (Head of Marketing, Broll Auctions and Sales) Marketing & Distribution: Hayleigh Kolbe (Marketing Assistant, Broll Auctions and Sales) Studio Production: Kevin Fanny (Multimedia, Broll Auctions and Sales) FOLLOW THE CONVERSATION: 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/brollauctions [https://linktr.ee/brollauctions]

The Braadcast with Rael Levitt (Episode 10): "From Collapse to Comeback"

What does it really take to come back from rock bottom? Rael Levitt built one of South Africa's most prominent auction businesses, helping transform property auctions into a mainstream method of buying and selling real estate. Then, in one of the most public business collapses in South African property history, it all came crashing down. Most people would have walked away. He didn't. In Episode 10 of The Braadcast, Norman Raad sits down with Rael Levitt, founder of Inospace and co-founder of Lift Airlines, to discuss entrepreneurship, failure, resilience, and the courage required to start again. From building The Auction Alliance into a national brand to rebuilding his career through Inospace, Rael shares the lessons he's learned from success, adversity, and reinvention. This is not a story about avoiding failure. It's a story about what happens after it. In this episode, we explore: 🔹 The Power of Auctions: Why auctions remain one of the most effective tools for price discovery and deal-making. 🔹 Building The Auction Alliance: The rise of one of South Africa's most influential auction businesses. 🔹 Entrepreneurship and Setbacks: Navigating failure, public scrutiny, and the realities of rebuilding. 🔹 Reinventing Through Inospace: How Rael identified a new opportunity and built a leading industrial property platform. 🔹 Lessons from the Books: Insights from It Takes a Tsunami and Superpower. 🔹 The Entrepreneurial Mindset: What separates people who survive difficult markets from those who don't. 🔹 Rapid Fire: The toughest lessons, defining moments, and advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Whether you're building a business, recovering from a setback, or simply looking for inspiration, this conversation offers a powerful perspective on resilience, reinvention, and the determination to keep moving forward. FOLLOW THE CONVERSATION 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/brollauctions [https://linktr.ee/brollauctions] EPISODE CREDITS Host: Norman Raad (CEO, Broll Auctions and Sales) Guest: Rael Levitt (Founder, Inospace | Co-Founder, Lift Airlines) Podcast Director: Codi Bentley (Multimedia Designer, Broll Auctions and Sales) Series Coordinator: Lesley Saunders (Head of Marketing, Broll Auctions and Sales) Marketing & Distribution: Hayleigh Kolbe (Marketing Assistant, Broll Auctions and Sales) Studio Production: Kevin Fanny (Multimedia, Broll Auctions and Sales)

The Braadcast with Selwyn Nathan (Episode 9): "Behind Every Champion Is a Business"

"Sport has a unique power. It stops nations. It fills stadiums. It creates heroes. But behind every great tournament and every iconic moment, there is a complex world of strategy, business, and leadership." In Episode 9 of The BraadCast, Norman Raad sits down with Selwyn Nathan, one of the architects of modern sport business in South Africa. From pioneering Vodacom Sport & Entertainment to helping position South African golf on the global stage with the Sunshine Tour, Selwyn has spent decades building the commercial engines that allow athletes, brands and nations to shine. Sport is more than entertainment. It is a multi-billion rand industry powered by sponsorship deals, broadcast rights, and the vision of leaders who see opportunity where others see only the game. Selwyn unpacks how corporate South Africa came to embrace sport sponsorship, what truly funds professional sport today, and why Africa holds the key to the future of global golf. In this episode, we explore: 🔹 The Power of Sport: Why brands spend billions on sponsorship and what makes it the most authentic form of storytelling. 🔹 Building the Industry: Pioneering Vodacom Sport & Entertainment and the rise of professional sports business in SA. 🔹 The Money Behind the Game: How television rights, sponsorships, and host cities fund the spectacle we love. 🔹 African Golf on the Global Stage: The role of the Sunshine Tour in developing world class talent. 🔹 Leadership Lessons: What champions, coaches, and tournaments teach us about resilience and business. 🔹 Rapid Fire: Selwyn's greatest sporting moments, defining athletes, and lessons every business leader should know. Whether you are a sports fan, a brand strategist, or a business leader, Selwyn's insights offer a rare look at the people, deals and decisions that shape the world of sport. EPISODE CREDITS: Host: Norman Raad (CEO, Broll Auctions and Sales) Guest: Selwyn Nathan Podcast Director: Codi Bentley (Multimedia Designer, Broll Auctions and Sales) Series Coordinator: Lesley Saunders (Head of Marketing, Broll Auctions and Sales) Studio Production: Lwami Hlongwane (Marketing Assistant, Broll Auctions and Sales)

The Braadcast with Ben Kodisang (Episode 8): "Capital with Conscience"

"Money shapes the world we live in. It determines where we build, what we build, and ultimately; who benefits."💼 In Episode 8 of The Braadcast, Norman Raad sits down with Ben Kodisang, Founder & CEO of ALT Capital Partners. From holding premier executive roles at corporate financial giants like Sanlam, STANLIB, and Old Mutual, to stepping out to build an independent fund, Ben’s trajectory is proof that financial performance and human purpose are deeply connected. 📈✨ Through trailblazing initiatives like the REimagine Social Impact Retail Fund, Ben is moving capital directly into township, peri-urban, and rural communities, unlocking major economic participation in areas traditionally overlooked by institutional funds, while still netting sustainable returns. This conversation goes far beyond typical real estate metrics to unpack the true mechanics of investing with intent, rethinking retail across Africa, and why world-class leadership requires both a good head and a good heart. 🧠❤️ In this episode, we explore: 🔹 The Corporate Exit: Why Ben stepped away from massive corporate institutions to build ALT Capital Partners. 🔹 The Retail Reality: How township and peri-urban retail environments function differently from traditional malls. 🔹 Investing in Africa: What global funds consistently get wrong about risk and opportunity on the continent. 🔹 The REimagine Strategy: Balancing commercial investor yield with real, localized social impact. 🔹 The Conscience of Capital: Can a high-performance investment model truly scale without losing its humanity? Whether you are a developer looking to break ground in emerging markets or an entrepreneur trying to scale with purpose, Ben’s masterclass on capital stewardship provides the ultimate blueprint. Episode Credits: * Host: Norman Raad (CEO, Broll Auctions and Sales) * Guest: Ben Kodisang (Founder & CEO, ALT Capital Partners) * Podcast Director: Codi Bentley (Multimedia Designer, Broll Auctions and Sales) * Series Coordinator: Lesley Saunders (Head of Marketing, Broll Auctions and Sales) * Production & Interview: Thandolwami (Lwami) Hlongwane * Marketing & Distribution: Broll Auctions and Sales Marketing Team