Welcome to The Speakery

– where voices find their stage.

Mandy Wiener is one of South Africa’s most respected journalists, authors and broadcasters. She hosts The Midday Report on 702 and CapeTalk, writes for EWN, and has earned numerous national awards for her investigative and legal reporting. Author of bestselling books including Killing Kebble, Ministry of Crime, The Whistleblowers, and The Deal (2025), she’s known for exposing crime and shaping public discourse. A sought-after media trainer and speaker, Mandy balances her dynamic career with motherhood, padel, and walks with her dogs in The Wilds.

Ferial Haffajee is a multi-award-winning South African journalist, author, and global moderator. Currently Associate Editor at Daily Maverick, she has previously led Mail & Guardian and City Press as Editor-in-Chief. A champion of press freedom, she’s served on global media boards and received top honours, including the International Press Freedom Hero Award. Author of What If There Were No Whites in South Africa? and Days of Zondo (2022), she continues to shape discourse on race, leadership, and corruption through her writing and thought leadership.

Stephen Grootes is a well-known journalist and political commentator, having reported on our politics for over twenty years. Stephen is currently the presenter of The Money Show on 702 and Cape Talk, an anchor on the television channel Newzroom Afrika 405 and an associate editor at the Daily Maverick. He has been present at all of the major political turning points of the last two decades, from the trial of Jacob Zuma’s financial advisor Schabir Shaik, to events in Parliament and all of the ANC’s conferences since 2007. He is well-known for his analysis of current events, and is in regular contact with our country’s decision-makers.

Annika Larsen is an award-winning broadcast journalist based in Cape Town with eTV and eNCA. With over 22 years in journalism, she began at Eyewitness News before joining eNCA in 2005 and later presenting on Carte Blanche. A Duke University Fellow, she has reported for global outlets like the BBC and ITN. Known for her incisive political and legal reporting, Larsen now hosts My Guest Tonight with Annika Larsen, interviewing South Africa’s most influential leaders and newsmakers.

Amy is a specialist in intelligent automation and business scaling, with over 20 years’ experience leading digital transformation across industries. Founder of Architech and Partner at Deep Tech Solutions, she helps global brands design human+machine systems that drive innovation and growth. Combining behavioural science, strategy, and emerging technology, Amy guides executives to build future-ready, human-centric organisations. A Chartered Accountant with an MBA (cum laude), she is completing a PhD in AI and Human-Machine Collaboration at Stellenbosch University.

Ziyanda Ngcobo is an award-winning South African journalist, broadcaster, and senior politics reporter at Newzroom Afrika. Known for her sharp political insight, she has covered national and international affairs, including accompanying South Africa’s delegation to meet U.S. President Donald Trump. A former Eyewitness News reporter, she headed Newzroom Afrika’s KZN bureau at 26. Her acclaimed podcast Poisonous Bullets won Vodacom and IAB Bookmark awards. A Wits Politics and International Relations graduate, Ziyanda reports fearlessly across South Africa and abroad.

Pieter du Toit is a journalist with News24, where he is assistant editor for investigations. The Dark Prince is his fourth book with Jonathan Ball Publishers. ANC Billionaires was published in 2022, Enemy of the People appeared in 2017, which he co-authored with Adriaan Basson, and The Stellenbosch Mafia was published in 2019. All previous books were bestsellers, with The Stellenbosch Mafia occupying the number one spot on the Nielsen South Africa chart in the first week of its release. After attending school and university in Stellenbosch, he went on to work for various titles at Media24, including as a crime reporter in Pretoria, parliamentary correspondent in Cape Town and news editor in Johannesburg. He lives in Johannesburg with his family.

Cindy Poluta is a digital wellbeing specialist and keynote speaker who helps parents, educators, and organisations navigate the impact of technology on mental health, behaviour, and connection. With a gift for turning complex issues - screen time, social pressure, digital burnout, adolescent vulnerability - into clear, actionable strategies, Cindy brings calm authority, humour, and relatable storytelling to every stage. Blending media experience, human insight, and evidence-based tools, Cindy equips audiences to build healthier digital habits, stronger relationships, and more resilient communities in an always-on world.

Kgomotso is a seasoned broadcaster, multi–award-winning journalist, and compelling storyteller who brings insight, clarity, and authenticity to every stage she steps onto. With more than a decade of experience in journalism and broadcasting, she has reported on some of South Africa’s most defining news moments, helping audiences make sense of complex stories shaping the country’s democracy. In addition to her journalism work, Kgomotso is a regular voice on 702 and CapeTalk. She brings her journalistic depth, storytelling ability, and natural stage presence to events as a moderator, facilitator and MC, creating conversations that are insightful, engaging, and memorable.

Bronwyn Williams is a polymath who will challenge your assumptions about the present and the future. She is a Futurist, Economist and Business Trends Analyst. Part economist, part strategist, Bronwyn’s particular areas of expertise include fintech trends, alternative economic models, and sustainable futures design. Bronwyn has delivered keynotes to audiences across dozens of countries. Her top speaking topics centre around “futurenomics,” that is, the future trajectory and potential of the social and political economic forces that shape our world and how we connect and trade with each other.

Francis Herd is a beacon of trust and excellence in the realm of broadcast journalism. She has hosted prime-time news on both the SABC and eNCA and is currently anchoring and assisting in directing Business News at eNCA. As a facilitator and emcee, Francis brings a unique blend of gravitas and warmth, ensuring that every event she hosts is memorable and flawlessly executed. Whether she’s facilitating panel discussions or leading high-level events, Francis’ keen understanding of the politico-economy ensures that she elevates any event with insight and professionalism.