UP launches LeadUP Podcast with prominent alumni sharing leadership lessons

The LeadUP Podcast will launch on Monday 2 August, with new episodes released every second Monday. Listeners will hear from prominent UP alumni who’ve become leaders in the worlds of the arts, business, sport, and more. Guests will include Taelo Mojapelo, CEO of BP Southern Africa and Yvonne Dausab, Justice Minister of Namibia.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced UP to find new ways of communicating and staying in contact with its alumni,” said Samantha Castle, Senior Alumni Relations Manager. “Podcasts are increasingly becoming a way of communicating with existing and new audiences in a way that brings the world of growth that UP and its alumni can offer right onto any device, and during any time the listener has available to continue their own personal-growth journey.”

Castle explained that UP was the first university in Africa to host and deliver events on LinkedIn Live, in the wake of lockdown restrictions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which made hosting face-to-face events impossible. “We launched the LeadUP alumni webinars, which is a series of virtual topical debates hosted on UP’s LinkedIn and YouTube page to create a space for UP’s highly skilled and well-placed alumni to stir debate and engagement on various critical issues affecting South African, African and global society.

“Our new LeadUP Podcast series aims to be a platform of engagement for our alumni, staff and students, while also inspiring other interested listeners everywhere. It’s our way of motivating and educating, bringing interesting alumni and topics to the audience, reaching our alumni all over the world, and encouraging a sense of pride in this wonderful institution.”

Professor Tawana Kupe, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UP, said, “Our LeadUP Podcast series aims to inspire our listeners to be a force for positive change. We aim to add our collective voice to global conversations and help find solutions to some of the challenges we face as a continent and broader global society.”

He said institutions of higher learning are important spaces for the preparation of each new generation of trail-blazing innovators and leaders. “At UP, we empower our students and staff through high-quality education and cutting-edge research that makes a positive transformative impact.”

To get a taste of what you can look forward to, listen to the LeadUP Podcast trailer.

You will be able to download, listen, and subscribe to the LeadUP Podcast from 2 August 2021. Go to www.up.ac.za/LeadUP and click on Podcasts, or find us on your phone on apps like Apple Podcasts, Pocketcasts and Spotify.