Media and Publications

Article published in City Press on 23 February 2020. Written by Dudu Msomi

Okun's law is named after an economist who, in the 1960s, investigated the statistical relationship between a country's unemployment rate in relation to the growth rate of its economy. According to this law, to achieve a 1% decline in the unemployment rate, rea gross domestic product (GDP) must grow by about 2%.

Article published in City Press on 14 October 2018, written by Dudu Msomi

I place experiences in my life into two categories: what is my lesson to learn and for whom am I a vehicle for them to learn from what I am experiencing. The two major incidents surrounding Nhlanhla Nene; his being fired in December 2015 and his resignation in October 2018 are replete with life lessons as a human being and a leader. With the name Nhlanhla meaning luck, one can speculate that his luck has finally run out. For those who are wise, it is an opportunity for us to introspect and to learn from what has befallen him so that we can do better with our choices.

Video published on 21 August 2018, available on YouTube

Entrepreneurship is a buzzword these days, but is it as glamorous as it is portrayed to be. Dudu Msomi, the founder and CEO of Busara Leadership Partners shares her experience on entrepreneurship.

Videos published in June & July 2018

SA remains a Divided Society - Dudu Msomi
Dudu Msomi, CEO of Busara Leadership Partners says SA remains a divided society unable to maximise on all of our available talents to make society prosper.

Ethics, Racism and Racial Stereotyping - Cynthia Schoeman

Managing director of Ethics Monitoring & Management Services Cynthia Schoeman believes that when considering racism and racial stereotyping within an ethical framework, most people already know what is right and wrong.

A Difficult & Hostile Environment for Black Professionals - Louise Paulsen

Consultant Louise Paulsen feels that corporate South Africa is becoming a very difficult and hostile environment for a lot of black professionals.

Recovering Racists - Adriaan Groenewald

Adriaan Groenewald, founder of The Leadership Platform and Leadership Transformation Platform on CliffCentral says the majority of white South Africans are recovering racists.

Sold Reformation, not Transformation - Mncane Mthunzi

President of the Black Management Forum Mncane Mthunzi believes the governing party has sold us reformation, but we have never really experienced transformation.

Article published in City Press on 29 April 2018, written by Dudu Msomi

In the words of The Black Eyed Peas, gender stereotypes are “2000 and late”. At least that’s what I thought. One would think gender stereotypes are the least of our issues as women, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. Women demonstrated their abilities to take on what were regarded as male-dominated roles during World War 2. This was when the mass mobilisation of soldiers saw women work in factories, shipyards and the military. Why are gender stereotypes still a barrier for women?

Media published on 1 May 2018, available on SoundCloud

Article published in City Press on 17 December 2017, written by Dudu Msomi

The Steinhoff fraud has increased scrutiny of SA Inc. The question being asked is did no board member, even Christo Wiese, a renowned business mind, realise that the convoluted structures former CEO Markus Jooste was spinning with the company’s global expansion could conceal irregularities? 

Article published in City Press 8 October 2017, written by Dudu Msomi

Given the diverse companies – KPMG, McKinsey and Bell Pottinger, among others – that have fallen foul of the law through their unholy association with the Guptas, one can conclude three things. 

Article published on Moneyweb 16 August 2017, written by Sonya & John Culverwell

Dudu Msomi is a well known and often-interviewed strategy facilitator for boards and management; a leadership and executive coach and team builder. However her journey to this point was not predictable by any means and consequently, neither  is her coaching and strategic intervention style. 

Article published in City Press on 22 July 2017, written by Dudu Msomi

To master persuasion and manipulation, you require insights on what drives human emotions and behaviours. Behavioural psychology is the study of the relationship between minds and behaviour.

Article published in City Press on 11 June 2017, written by Dudu Msomi

A CEO should have an opinion on the strategy of the organisation and the responsibility for executing it. One that has the profit-and-loss responsibility is bound to have a performance contract that makes them vulnerable to being ousted when performance does not meet set targets.

Article published in City Presson 14 May 2017, written by Dudu Msomi

The lack of progress in the transformation of South Africa’s workplace, as reported in the 17th Commission of Employment Equity report, released this week, comes as no surprise. The legislative framework to transform the country’s economy – namely, the Employment Equity Act, No. 55, 1998; the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Amendment Act, 2013; and the Codes of Good Practice – can only succeed through consistent and unwavering implementation.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in City Press on 28 August 2016

Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to work for myself, either on my own or by creating a business with like- minded individuals that will attract more people that want to do great things and push the boundaries. 

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in City Press on 18 August 2016

The question of whether we are ready for a female president has been doing the rounds for a while. That we even ask this is problematic as it attests to the patronising attitude that prevails in our otherwise modern society.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Financial Mail on 4 August 2016

We’ve seen major change in SA in recent years when it comes to gender equality. But it remains surprising that the boardrooms of SA’s blue-chip companies still stubbornly evolve at a snail’s pace when it comes to equality for women. In a constitutional democracy in 2016, it shouldn’t be like this.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in City Press on 27 April 2016

When we are going through tough times, we often say: “If I had known how tough it was going to be, I would not have ventured down this path.” I do not agree with this way of assessing things. I believe that we should go into situations with our eyes wide open.

TV interview on 11 January 2016

Racism against black people, the extent to which white people continue to benefit, unfairly, and what solutions we should be focusing on especially in corporate SA.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in City Press on 29 November 2015

Johannesburg - Internationally, statistics are indicating that big companies destroy jobs, while entrepreneurs and small companies are net job creators as they pursue growth. The perception that South African corporates are sitting on cash and are reticent to invest in this economy, and that there is leakage in the financial system leading to billions being sent offshore, is of grave concern.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in City Press on 24 August 2015

My journey as an African woman 21 years on is as unique as women are, but I am sure there are some commonalities that other women may identify with.

TV interview on 8 June 2015

The World Economic Forum Africa summit has come and gone and general sentiment was optimistic. One observer, Dudu Msomi from Busara Leadership Partners, says in the follow-up South Africa needs to re-emphasize manufacturing as a means to regaining its edge in the global economy. She joins us to unpack an article she wrote on this matter.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in City Press on 7 June 2015

Corruption is the use of an official position for the purposes of personal enrichment and unlawful gain. Corruption exists on a spectrum, from dishonest behaviour and giving or accepting bribes and inappropriate gifts to under-the-table transactions.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Business LIVE on 4 June 2015

IT IS laudable for politicians to talk about Africa sharing one destiny - adding to the zeal of investors and analysts salivating at its growth as though it were a country and not a continent.

Media published on 29 April 2015, available on SoundCloud

Iman talks to Dudu Msomi CEO of Busara Leadership Partners about whether South Africa is in fact, losing its competitive edge? And what is its competitive edge? What should we, as the country and its people be doing to ensure that we do not fade into the southern oblivion considering that we not even populous enough to compete with the various countries in Sub-Saharan Africa who are asserting themselves on the economic global stage?

TV interview on 21 April 2015, available on YouTube

Significant changes are taking place within businesses around the world and South African women are certainly making great progress, however equality in leadership positions is evolving at a slow rate, widening the gap between male and females in the work place. Joining us in studio today is CEO and strategist from Busara Leadership Partners, Dudu Msomi, welcome

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in News24 on 17 March 2015

Significant change has happened in many countries with regards to women's emancipation. However, equality in leadership positions stubbornly evolves at a snail’s pace. Though women are increasingly respected as professionals, very few are holding leadership roles. 

TV interview on 14 March 2015, available on YouTube

Though women are increasingly respected as professionals, very few hold leadership roles. The 21st century is an era in which the demand for women leaders greatly exceeds supply. The world economy is faced with vastly different challenges then those, which existed 20 years ago. Mentoring has become an accepted people development approach in the last few decades for both sexes, but for tangible progress to be made, women leaders must not under-estimate their own power. Joining Sam is Dudu Msomi.

TV interview on 1 January 2015, available on YouTube

As we hit resolution time, Busara Leadership Partners, a strategic trans-disciplinary advisory organisation says, re-think how you do it. Busara teaches thinking and approaches for competitive and comparative advantage. They say self-accountability and personal ethics are the foundations to our professional ethics. Dudu Msomi, the CEO, joins us from our studios in Durban.

Article published in Essays in April 2015

Founder and CEO of Busara Leadership Partners, Dudu Msomi is a guidingvoice on transformation, strategy and governance in South Africa. Holding several directorships on the Financial Services Board, National Housing Finance Corporation and Agricultural Research Council, she spoke to Caryn Thandi Petersen about her work of empowering women and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Article by Dudu Msomi - January 22, 2014

Madiba’s passing was inevitable, as is the case for all of us, when our time arrives. However his death has still left me speechless, but very contemplative. The magnanimous pouring of sadness, gratitude and love has caused me to introspect on what our founding father has thought us. I would like to share a few.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in City Press on 19 May 2014

As South Africans, we say we value diversity but in reality, we don’t. We are vicious towards individuals who don’t fulfil the stereotypes we hold.

TV interview on 6 November 2013, available on YouTube

Videos published in 10 October 2013

Bruce Whitfield chats to Dudu Msomi, Busara Leadership Partners about the value of networking.

TV interview on 9 August 2013, available on YouTube

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Business LIVE on 18 April 2013

National planning minister Trevor Manuel's comments that government could no longer blame apartheid for its failures have received much attention. National planning minister Trevor Manuel's comments that government could no longer blame apartheid for its failures have received much attention. The debate unnecessarily relegates us into Manuel-bashing or adulation camps, diverting our attention from the shortcomings of both the public and private sectors - weaknesses which must be overcome to assure a stable and prosperous future.

TV interview on 06 September 2012, available on YouTube

Dudu Msomi, founder and CEO of Busara Leadership Partners, joins ABN's Hannah Viviers in studio to discuss the all important skill of networking, and how it can increase the numbers of women in leadership.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Business Live on 3 October 2012

The mass resignation of the SA Airways board members last week is a powerful example of board activism and is long overdue in corporate governance. Board activism is designed to bring about change.

Article by Dudu Msomi - October 30, 2012

Corporate governance refers to formal and informal structures and processes that exist for oversight roles and responsibilities in organisations and institutions. Until the 1990s, the term ‘corporate governance’ was rarely uttered outside of law school texts and the academic world. Since the 1990s, there have been reforms in governance, but these have not been generally referred to as innovations, which is what they are. The general public hardly questioned the rules and behaviour governing organisations and institutions.

Article by Dudu Msomi - September 5, 2012

When suspended national police commissioner admitted to the board of inquiry into the allegations of misconduct against him that he did, on occasions, sign off on official documents from his deputies without scrutinising them, a gasp escaped my throat. “Was he for real!!?” Cele’s unfortunate disclosure confirmed my long held suspicion that many of the improprieties and allegations of corruption that have gripped our headlines over the years, have been as a result of omission as much as commission.

Article published on September 5, 2012

When suspended national police commissioner admitted to the board of inquiry into the allegations of misconduct against him that he did, on occasions, sign off on official documents from his deputies without scrutinising them, a gasp escaped my throat. “Was he for real!!?” Cele’s unfortunate disclosure confirmed my long held suspicion that many of the improprieties and allegations of corruption that have gripped our headlines over the years, have been as a result of omission as much as commission.

Article published on August 11, 2012

The economic crisis and the prolonged global downturn and uncertainty have placed immense stress on organisations which have added greater demands and pressures on boards. There has been a demand for increased regulation and legislation, especially with regard to governance, transparency, sustainability and accountability. Personal values and ethical aspirations of boards are implicit in good corporate governance. When we assess the financial crisis and the corporate scandals that have rocked our world in the past few decades, in retrospect, it appears that board members were fiscally irresponsible and negligent in their fiduciary duties.

Article published on July 11, 2012

Our media is rife with reports of unethical conduct by both men and women. We also often read stories of unethical sexual behaviour between persons where there is a power differential – that of supervisor or manager and subordinate. This started me thinking: do men and women have differing responses to ethical transgressions? And if they do, would a woman’s response to a situation change when she is in a position of power? 

Article published on June 11, 2012

It is magnanimous to be the teacher than the student. Taking the enlightened path demands sainthood to any attack on your person. The high road is easy when you are not the recipient of criticism and ridicule. ‘Turning the other cheek’ might be the right and prudent action to choose, but it is certainly not the instinctive reaction to judgement on your behaviour, lifestyle or values for any human being, public figure or not. Let us just think of how we respond when we have performance evaluations with our ‘bosses’ and peers which are by mutual agreement and are supposed to be constructive and developmental.

Article published on May 11, 2012

‘The fish rots from the head’ is a Chinese proverb commonly evoked to assign blame and responsibility of organisational failures to leadership, namely the board of directors or CEO. Leadership certainly does set the tone for the behaviour in organisations. It is important that positional leaders lead by example and model the values that enhance the organisation’s reputation and those which employees can emulate.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Business LIVE on 17 November 2011

The economic crisis and prolonged global downturn and uncertainty have placed immense stress on organisations, and added greater demands and pressures on boards with demands for increased regulation and legislation. The economic crisis and prolonged global downturn and uncertainty have placed immense stress on organisations, and added greater demands and pressures on boards.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Business LIVE on 8 September 2011

Dinner table conversations tell you what's on a country's mind. Corruption seems to have overtaken crime as a topical issue for South Africans. Appreciating that corruption can happen anywhere , it is ironic that as South Africans having prided ourselves on superior moral standards, we justify our corrupt practices by embracing the lowest common denominator, by saying that corruption exists in developed economies too.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Business LIVE on 17 March 2011

The supremacy of capital over political power is the culprit in our delayed economic equality, which gives credence to calls for nationalisation The achievement of equality in SA remains elusive. Whereas the miracle negotiated settlement that realised peace in lieu of justice was meant to result in equality, the unintended consequences have been growing inequality and instability.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Business LIVE on 4 March 2010

Political risk is the probability that a particular political action will produce changes in economic outcomes. A risk picture that is restricted to the financial component is deficient. A risk-aware culture incorporates, in strategic planning, the insights gained through identification and analysis of risk assessment and risk appetite.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Business LIVE on 27 November 2009

Parastatal boards should realise that this is not for the fainthearted. Politics is a fact of life in organisations. Therefore leaders need to act politically as well as analytically. The Eskom board was not immune to the highly charged tone before the national elections and the post-election changes of our political landscape. Parastatal boards comprise individuals who should have political sanction.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Business LIVE on 14 August 2009

The lack of progress in breaking down stereotypes has been partly and inadvertently caused by advocates of "gender representation" in that the word gender has been misused in place of "women". Gender is used to refer to the promotion of women only, whereas it is not determined biologically as a result of sexual characteristics of either women or men, but is a social construction.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Business LIVE on 22 August 2008

August, being women's month, provides an opportunity for women - regardless of their race and colour - to celebrate their achievements and appreciate that workplaces and society at large have a schizophrenic view of their role and value. After all, equality is all about diverse people having the same rights and importance, and thus there is an underlying appreciation that the differences among the diverse people have equal weight.

Article by Dudu Msomi, published in Business LIVE on 01 February 2008

This is because, ultimately, the CEO is accountable to the board for results. This is because, ultimately, the CEO is accountable to the board for results. Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga has repeatedly said he is "accountable" for the power crisis that has plunged the country into fits of darkness, but not "responsible".