Marketing Masterclasses

How do you go from an unexpected start to leading marketing at one of Africa’s biggest banks?
In this episode of Marketing Masterclass, Sydney Mbhele, Chief Marketing Officer at Absa, shares the journey that shaped his career and the mindset that’s guided him along the way.
Sydney reflects on the moments that changed his trajectory, why he believes attitude matters more than talent, and what he looks for when building teams. The conversation also explores what the role of a CMO really involves today, beyond advertising and into real business impact.
If you’re thinking about growth, leadership, or your next step, this is a conversation worth listening to.

From engineer to CMO of PepsiCo South Africa, Vilosha Soni’s journey is anything but conventional.
In this episode, she unpacks what it really takes to build iconic brands, stay relevant across generations, and lead high-performing teams at scale. You’ll learn why curiosity is a marketer’s greatest advantage, how to translate consumer insight into business impact, and why having a bias for action beats waiting for perfection.
This is a masterclass in modern marketing, leadership, and thinking like an opportunist in a world full of noise.

How do you grow into leadership in marketing?
In this episode of Marketing Masterclass, Vilashni Vandayar, Marketing Director of Convenience Food and Beverages at PepsiCo, reflects on her journey from starting out in science to leading some of South Africa’s most recognisable brands.
Vilashni shares the mindset that has shaped her career, from staying curious and continuously learning, to stepping into opportunities that feel bigger than you’re ready for. The conversation also touches on leadership, building teams across diverse portfolios, and why real growth often comes from uncomfortable moments.
If you’re building a career in marketing or stepping into leadership, this is a conversation worth listening to.

As retail continues to evolve, digital is becoming a big part of how Pick n Pay connects with customers and delivers value.
In this episode, Kerry Janse Van Rensburg, Head of Digital Marketing Operations at Pick n Pay, shares how her team is rebuilding the retailer’s digital engine. From paid media strategy and marketing technology to customer data and the Smart Shopper ecosystem, Kerry explains what it really takes to modernise digital inside a massive organisation. She also reflects on her journey from agency life to leading digital at scale and why understanding the entire digital ecosystem is now essential for modern marketers.
A great conversation for anyone interested in the future of retail and digital transformation, so give it a listen.

What does it take to build one of South Africa’s fastest growing digital banks?
In this episode of Marketing Masterclass, Lucia Malapane, Head of Brand Marketing at GoTyme Bank, shares with Declan the story behind the bank’s growth to more than 12 million customers.
Lucia reflects on her journey from being part of building the business in its early days to leading the brand today, and how GoTyme Bank is rethinking banking by making it more accessible, simple, and customer focused.
The conversation also explores what great marketing looks like in financial services, how brands can build trust with customers, and why young professionals should focus on learning, curiosity, and being open to opportunity.