I choose to grow as a Resilient Leader. Let's Talk.
Ignite my Resilient Success potential. Let's Talk.
I opt for agile decision-making. Let's Talk.
Some conversations shape us in subtle but transformative ways...
This week, a client reached out for a chat. Having "survived" the past four years despite the odds, he acknowledged his mental and emotional fatigue. He felt lost and scared. I shared a 2020 Lift As We Rise webinar/podcast re: the state of mental health - one which, unknown to me at the time, would shift my approach from one-and-done strategy consulting to enabling success.
Over my career, I have observed that even the most accomplished leaders and athletes go through phases of deep vulnerability. Global statistics report that 49% of entrepreneurs suffer from at least one form of mental health challenge during their careers. Researchers at San Francisco University found that founders of start-up business are driven by the "no pain, no gain" theory and are twice as likely to experience depression, be admitted for psychiatric disorders or have suicidal thoughts and six times more likely to have ADHD. Digitisation and virtual reality are likely to increase mental health risks - the World Health Organisation warns of this.
Everything in life has a trade-off. As South Africans, we are damn proud of our resilience - the "just get on with it" culture can become a hard armour and beneath, unhealthy consequences can fester - physically our health slides, mentally our motivation slips, emotionally we become disconnected or dissociate, relationally/socially we stop showing up, and financially, we are less abundant. This attracts negative experiences and situations, because we become hyper-alert to danger, the cortisol rises and stress modulators short circuit, compromising decision-making and judgement. In SA, one in three people will be challenged with a mental health disorder.
Wherever you are at at this point in 2024, become aware or more aware of what the inner voice is saying. There are plenty reasons and valid distractions to ignore it, postpone it, hoping that it will go away. That is denying yourself the chance to thrive. Rise above the resistance, take action, then success will come. When you've done that, lift others around you because only then, can we thrive sustainably.
Success is a feeling. Own it, nurture it and invest in growing it. Switch it on and make it shine bright.
StratAstute Consulting offers Resilience Success coaching for decision-makers, professionals and rising stars in business, sports and healthcare. Our coaching programmes include optional resilience analysis and evaluations. Let's Talk.
Registration for 2025 Participation is open to schools and pupils aged 6 to 18.
Let's GO >>>Design >Make >Test >Race.
Access learning content on how to set up teams, compete and prepare for the World Finals.
Play Your Part and join the Challenge to take South African STEM talent from Pupil-to-Pinnacle.
I have been asked this question by a good few people who leave safe harbours in pursuit of Purpose...
Kliptown Youth Centre (KYP) encourages children to be active community members, to have dreams and to promote hope for a brighter future. KYP was started by co-founders who are good friends, connected by a big vision to shift the spirit within their Kliptown community from "survive" to "thrive”. Their shared passion is changing lives.
In 2021, KYP became an early adopter of the F1 in Schools programme. This leap of faith, supported by F1 in Schools South Africa, introduced the world of racing to a place where 75% of community members are unemployed and where "Hope" is in short supply. Co-Founder, Thulani Madondo shares insights from KYP’s F1 in Schools journey.
KYP’s part in the F1 in Schools SA challenge.
In the heart of Soweto, where opportunities often feel out of reach, this programme is breaking barriers and igniting the imaginations of our young learners. The F1 in Schools Primary STEM programme has proven to be ground-breaking, enabling our learners to explore race car design and build on a miniature scale, encouraging practical application of maths and science learning.
Highlights from their journey so far.
For many people in our community, the idea of Formula 1 is as distant as the stars. This initiative is a gateway for learners to discover a whole new world of possibilities. Our learners have taken a deep dive into the complex process of designing their own miniature race cars, using customised building block materials, including paper-based cut-out chassis, small wheels and axles. Through hands-on activities such as designing cars, experimenting with color mixing for paint and conducting reaction tests to assess speed, they have gained invaluable technical skills while experiencing the sheer joy of creation and discovery.
We run the Primary STEM programme which is safe and low in complexity for learners and teachers. Resourcefulness and commitment keeps the programme going and is generating high motivation. We have one roll out track and use the hand held pump for propulsion.
The ROI being generated for the school and sponsors.
We are grateful that this programme provides the kind of stimulation that inspires our learners to dream big. We are seeing the positive impact of this programme on participants' motivation for schoolwork.
Our learners have started to experience the world of professional racing, and can access the exhilarating world of motorsports at Zwartkops Raceway and Kyalami, thanks to F1 in Schools South Africa, supportive partners and industry experts. Meeting with engineers, mechanics, drivers and racing team owners has opened participants' eyes to the diverse career opportunities within the racing industry, sparking a new passion for exploration and learning.
Some challenges and how they are being tackled.
Despite our efforts to promote equal participation, there is still a stereotype that racing cars is a “man's sport”. We have to double our efforts to encourage young girls to participate and to expose them to female role models in the field. Our female IT Educational Coordinator, Jane Moepi, has a background in engineering.
The other challenge is combining the program into our curriculum without disturbing the academic flow requires careful planning and coordination.
The “Impossible” goal for F1 in Schools ZA.
The ultimate vision is for Team F1 KYP to participate in the F1 in Schools World Finals. To get there, we need to secure the necessary funding and resources to turn our goal into reality. We are working with Future Ones NPC and partners to make this happen!
Advice to young South Africans who want to achieve extraordinary success.
As someone who continues to unlock his vision for a thriving future, Thulani believes that, "To accomplish great things, it takes hard work, vision, and determination. Always remember that what gets measured, gets done. Nothing in life comes easy, so do the work and trust the process."
Play Your Part
Join the F1 in Schools South Africa community. participant, Sponsor, Partner or Volunteer. Visit the Future Ones NPC website and Let's Talk.
See the F1 in Schools programme in action at KYP:
As I type, I am grappling with the unintended ripples of a recent delicate, in-person conversation with an acquaintance. I shared a suggestion that was intended to encourage but instead, was received as being condescending, evoking some anger and hurt. On reflection, perhaps an empathetic listening ear was all the person needed that day. So often we express a perspective, without being fully aware of where someone is at on the textured spectrum of immunity and vulnerability.
Had this been an online conversation, the flow of human chemistry and rapport would have been detached from the start. Yet social media platforms are the new public square that connect billions of users who are geographically spread and socially diverse. Everyone has a voice to exercise freedom of speech online, from leaders, influencers and brands to the unidentified sensation seeker, even if what gets posted undermines or infringes someone else’s human rights. There are no norms and very few filters - insults and hostile messages flow freely, leading to the misuse of social media to spread violent messages and aggressive comments, using offensive language and hurtling hateful speech towards people and groups who represent “the other”. Consistent content moderation is a challenge, but not an excuse.
Social media companies are not playing ball to limit the damage, electing to prioritise profits above people. In 2021, the Facebook Files exposed the lack of online safety controls that placed peoples’ lives and young users’ mental health at risk, with mention of vulnerable communities in Africa. Research reveals that 80% of European Union (EU) citizens have encountered hate speech online, discouraging engagement. Regulators and social media platform owners are at loggerheads. Legislators in the EU and UK are norming. Guidelines and legislation in South Africa are forming. Meanwhile boardroom leaders are staying in their own lanes, fast-tracking digitalisation.
Online abuse in sport is on the rise, with many athletes, employees and volunteers being pinged with threatening, abusive or rude social media messages, termed “flaming”. Healthy competition and victorious results can unite and inspire like the Boks have done for SA. On the opposite end, fanatical rivalry and defeat can over-heat to hate, with or without socio-political undertones. Elite athletes are prime targets of online abuse, irrespective of good or bad performance. The see-saw of applause and abuse gets usurped by online trolls, mostly using anonymous profiles to side-step accountability. The bottom-line is that athletes will leave the sport and fans will lose interest if nothing is done.
Survey trends indicate that more than 40% of professional English football players have experienced abuse on X and 20% of players in the 2023 Women’s World Cup reported social media abuse. The Mbonambi/Curry racial allegation incident proved that language diversity adds complexity, with World Rugby expressing its concern at the level of online abuse directed at both players. Tennis and cricket players too are calling out the online onslaughts they receive from fans. Cyber bullying is rife in e-sports and online gaming, while a criminal element in legalised online sports betting has compelled FBI intervention to protect the lives of targeted US college football players. At the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula One's online reach is growing at speed but with a downside drag. The 2022 "Drive It Out" video campaign called for greater respect to protect driver safety and well-being, following online attacks against seven times World Champion, Lewis Hamilton and former Williams driver, Nicholas Latifi. President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), Mohammed Ben Sulayem, reached a point of zero tolerance after female race steward, Silvia Bellot, received numerous online death threats in reaction to her controversial post-race penalty decision. The red flags are up and yes, sports leaders are on guard.
Online toxicity in sport has reached a crisis point and international sports federation administrators are at a pivotal choice point. Online abuse and online hate, in the form of racism, misogyny, sectarianism, bullying and other, dampen the spirit of fair play and must be eradicated urgently to sustain prosperity in sport. Elite athletes and experienced employees represent high-value human capital - constant exposure to online attacks threatens psychological safety, a building block for high performance cultures. Weak governance of online abuse will dilute stakeholder confidence, compromising the overall value proposition in sport. The game is on to prevent this.
Spearheaded by the FIA, the United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) is a global, multi-stakeholder coalition aimed at steering the way forward to tackle all forms of online hate speech in sport, in consultation with governments and NGO’s. With a privileged seat on the UAOA research panel, I aim to make a positive difference through generation of evidence-based research that informs responsible and efficacious combat strategies. In parallel, to engage with national sports federation leaders and affected athletes in South Africa, and interested counterparts in the southern hemisphere, to discuss, understand and raise an awareness on this topic. The FIA and Motorsport South Africa have pledged their green light of support. For shared success, the circle of committed collaborators will need to get bigger so that sport continues to, as Madiba said, “…unite people in a way that little else does”.
Circling back to my earlier reflections, I was reminded that human connections are inherently fragile in a turbulent world, requiring mindful calibration, conversation-by-conversation, chat-by-chat, post-by-post. In person or online, say it with human kindness.
Roshni Gajjar is the Founder and Managing Director of StratAstute Consulting specialising in strategy consulting, resilient success coaching and a director of Future Ones NPC which promotes educational STEM programmes fit for motorsport and allied industries.
Rohan Laas (left) and Helgaard Janse Van Rensburg (right) are former F1 in Schools World Finals competitors and now lead volunteers at Future Ones NPC. These two high performers are committed to sharing their knowledge and experience to enable next generation success through excellence in applied STEM.
A decade and half later, they share their story with shining eyes and wide smiles, recalling their "make a plan" journey to the 2009 World Finals in London.
How they got going.
Helgaard led the team and Rohan looked after the finance, marketing and graphics. This is almost similar to what we do in in our current jobs. Helgaard is the co-Founder and R&D Director at EX Management Systems while Rohan wears a finance hat at a leading beverage company in South Africa.
F1 in Schools was introduced to us at another local school over a weekend in the Free State. With very little information or knowledge, we submitted a car concept design and team structure. From there we were selected to continue to the next stage and progressed from there. All we did was to stay focused, while we had fun figuring it all out.
Highlights from their journey.
Our initial thought was, "what is this?". The whole thing was a foreign concept - we knew a bit about Formula One but knew nothing about the F1 in Schools programme. We know that we had no experienced but that did not stop us.
Our team, Double S Racing, collaborated with a team from Germany. We had to set up, self-manage and self-organise the teams with limited process guidelines. It was our teacher who figured things out and shared her own learnings with us, making sure that we were always aligned as a team. This support was motivating.
We faced numerous technological challenges, such as learning how to use CAD design software, CNC machines, wind tunnels and how to prepare digital presentations.
What amazed us as being part of the World Finals event, was seeing how advanced other countries were, especially the investments companies made in their local schools. For example, our collaboration team from Germany had access to one of the biggest motor manufacturers in the world who assisted with our car's paint work. This would have been very difficult to accomplish as a standalone team in South Africa. Also the workmanship and quality of presentations of the other international teams were phenomenal.
The other two South African teams were from Pietermaritzburg and Stellenbosch. They competed independently and not through collaboration.
Some challenges and how they tackled them.
There were challenges and we had to cross them through trial and error because there is no blueprint.
We had some initial designs flaws and re-designed our car multiple times until the design was machinable. From the technical to the thinking - we had to learn to present our design, ideas and concepts to the sponsors and judges. We learnt about fundraising, speaking to sponsors and managing finances. Time management was a big factor to manage school, sports and personal/social activities. We enjoyed the challenges simply because we worked well in our team. The team leader played an important role - this was Helgaard's job.
The ROI delivered to the school and to sponsors.
We were the only school in our town, Sasolburg, that participated and this attracted great publicity, especially after we advanced to the international (World Finals) competition. With the support of the University of the Free State, we were able to get some international and local exposure.
Key learnings that they continue to apply today.
We experienced the high competence of participants from other countries. Today that insight into world class excellence motivates us to showcase South Africa's capability which stacks up with international standards if we put in consistent effort daily and keep performing at those high levels.
What participation can offer to young STEM talent in SA.
Firstly, it forces you to think outside the box and to come up with a plan otherwise you will fail. As the saying goes, "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail".
Secondly, international exposure opens your eyes to endless possibilities of what South Africa can achieve, and also learn, in terms of technological advancements. This type of exposures shows that us South Africans who don't have the means and privilege can still compete at the same level with the best of the best.
Our lead volunteers' “Impossible” goal for F1 in Schools ZA.
Our impossible goal is to involve the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and to mentor upcoming prospective engineers.
Then have as many schools as possible participating, unlike the few schools during our time, with bigger sponsors so that we can have a proper national competition which includes many more pupils and teams across South Africa.
This opportunity can awaken an unknown interest you never knew you had and maybe produce the next Enzo Ferrari producing the first South African design and completely fabricated car right here in Mzanzi!
What an SA team will need to do to reach and win at the F1 in Schools World Finals.
The reality is that you have to push yourself to your limits and only seek the best, there is absolutely no space for being mediocre. Obstacles will always be there but those should not deter you.
Funding will probably be the biggest obstacle but keep at it. Approach international brands where possible, offer them a value proposition. In our experience and unfortunately, local and smaller businesses did not see the value initially so we had to approach international brands. Aligning our values / visions to sponsors made it an easier sell.
Research on what other businesses do and identify what success looks like. Research marketing, branding, technology, performance and measure your team against the best examples out there. Look at printed or digital magazines for presentations, the paintwork must be of a quality that would go on a road car and branding and sponsorships must be approached professionally. Public speaking is an important skill when dealing with sponsors. Look for ways to improve and apply those learnings because that is what gets teams to the World Finals.
Get comfortable with technology and learn how to use the right software so that it sets your designs and presentations apart from others. Know the technologies that affect car performance, for example the effect of paint, wheel friction and other design aspects.
The competition rules are strict. Learn them, live them and love them. This will aid you in applying the rules to your designs and also in identifying the restrictions posed on the teams / vehicles.
How you work as a team is important - identify the team's weaknesses and strengths and use them for your team's success. Relationships in the team must be managed. Good relationships with suppliers and external experts or mentors will help to maximise what the team can deliver within the budget and using the skills available. Involve local business who support the team in achieving the goal.
Lastly, have a business or entrepreneurial mindset. Set a team mission and have a plan - it will guide you on decision making and allow for easier buy in.
Even if you don't win at the World Finals, if you apply these suggestions, you will be very employable and highly experienced by the time you enter the job market.
Advice to young South Africans who want to achieve extraordinary success.
FIA Media, Paris | #UnitedAgainstOnlineAbuse
The FIA-led United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign has announced the first recipients of its prestigious Global Research Scholarship.
The FIA-led United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign has announced the first recipients of its prestigious Global Research Scholarship.
Sport fuels passion and exercises potential. In South Africa, Mandela demonstrated how “sport has the power to change the world... to inspire...to unite people in a way that little else does.” I am honoured and humbled to receive the FIA scholarship award. This opportunity presents a unique privilege to give back; to play my part in the global combat against online abuse. I hope to make a positive difference.”
The four scholars will carry out Master’s by Research at Dublin City University with full funding from the FIA Foundation. Their work will help to improve understanding of online abuse against athletes and officials, providing a strong basis for the UAOA coalition’s ongoing efforts to drive behavioural and regulatory change.
The new scholars are established researchers within their respective fields and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the UAOA Research Centre.
Ana Rodríguez Armendariz (Mexico) is a Deputy CMO at the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix. She has completed clinical placements at Hospital Zambrano Hellion, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, and TecSalud Zambrano Hellion Hospital.
She said: “This opportunity has deepened my appreciation for our sport's pioneers and their legacy of integrity and excellence. This scholarship allows me to further evolve our sport, particularly in combating online hate speech and fostering an inclusive, enlightened community. Our collective efforts are shaping a transformative legacy beyond the field.”
Kimberley Wyllie (Scotland) joins the programme following Psychology Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees at the University of Stirling and Heriot-Watt University. She currently works as a Managing Editor of the Women in a Man’s Race Magazine and actively participates in the UK Girls on Track programme.
She said: “This opportunity from the FIA and DCU is something I genuinely didn't think I'd be able to participate in. It was one of the things I read about, thought I'd pop in an application anyways, but ultimately thought that there would be someone better out there. It's helped my confidence hugely and shown me that it's amazing what a little bit of self-belief can do. I can't wait to get started and join the United Against Online Abuse family. The only limit is yourself.”
Roshni Gajjar (South Africa) is the Founder and Managing Director of StratAstute, a consulting firm based in South Africa, and Future Ones, a company providing STEM educational programmes for motorsport and allied industries. She has also served in various strategy and stakeholder-focussed roles in the financial services, pharmaceutical, healthcare, sports, and higher education sectors.
Roshni said: “Sport fuels passion and exercises potential. In South Africa, Mandela demonstrated how “sport has the power to change the world... to inspire...to unite people in a way that little else does.” I am honoured and humbled to receive the FIA scholarship award. This opportunity presents a unique privilege to give back; to play my part in the global combat against online abuse. I hope to make a positive difference.”
Maria Iuliano (Italy) works as a press officer at Italian motor sport governing body, ACI Sport SpA.
She said: “Enrolling in the Master’s by Research programme at DCU Business School will enable me to thoroughly investigate online abuse, and I hope to make a significant impact with my work. This is crucial because, through research, we can contribute positively to sports, making it fairer and more inclusive for everyone while continuing to tackle discrimination.”
FIA President, and Founding Patron of UAOA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “I am delighted to welcome our diverse scholarship group. United Against Online Abuse is a knowledge-led campaign, which puts research and insights at the heart of all its activities. Our scholars’ research will be key in helping us build a strong knowledge base in this historically under-researched area.”
The UAOA Research Centre is partnered with the FIA University programme which promotes knowledge and research sharing across the international FIA network. The Research Centre is committed to driving inclusive global scholarships, which upskill researchers from around the world, particularly those outside the EU.
Principal Investigator for UAOA, Professor David Hassan, said: “I would like to congratulate Kimberley, Ana, Roshni, and Maria for this exceptional achievement. We are looking forward to working with them, and learning from their unique perspectives, knowledge, and experience on the topic.”
Professor Theo Lynn, Associate Dean of Research at DCU Business School, said: “These new scholarships will explore the nature of online abuse in sports and the efficacy of different measures to combat such abuse. By working with the FIA as part of their Global Coalition Against Online Abuse in Sports and fostering a new generation of International researchers working in sports, we aim to contribute to fostering an environment where respect and camaraderie prevail over vitriol and division."
The scholars will begin their studies this month.
For any further media queries, please contact: aridsdillsmith@fia.com
For UAOA queries, please contact: ebourke-consultant@fia.com
