Beyond the Blueprint

Berry & Temweni Chamulonde
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Beyond the Blueprint is your companion for navigating the real-world challenges of early career and adult life. Hosted by brothers Berry & Temweni Chamulonde, each episode dives into the highs and lows of professional growth, personal development, and life’s unexpected moments. Through unfiltered stories, practical advice, and lessons learned from their own journeys, they provide insights to empower young individuals as they tackle career challenges, explore new ventures, and grow along the way.   Tune in for relatable conversations that help you move forward with confidence, clarity, and a renewed mindset. 

  1. Aug 20

    #26 – Axel Köttgen: “A Good Manager Does Nothing” | Is Being An Assistant General Manager Hard?

    Axel Köttgen grew up on a farm in Belgium, coming from a family with deep roots in farming, before eventually branching out into geological engineering. He began his career in Belgium but later decided to leave Europe and move to a predominantly English-speaking country where he could continue pursuing a career in mining. Zambia proved to be the perfect destination. Axel joined Kansanshi Mining PLC in 2009 as an intern and, after gaining experience across different countries and mining operations, eventually returned to Kansanshi in 2024 as an Assistant General Manager. In this episode, Axel shares his deep passion for learning and education and discusses how, within his personal capacity, he tries to invest in the growth and development of the people around him. We explore Zambia’s need to continue expanding and investing in education to empower locals and help address the skilled labour shortage. Axel explains why he believes in "teaching people how to fish rather than simply giving them fish" because building skills and capabilities creates sustainability and allows people to stand on their own. The conversation then turns to what an "Assistant General Manager actually does". Axel explains that a major part of his role is helping people make decisions, providing guidance and support, and ensuring that the broader vision of the organisation is maintained across all departments. He also discusses the importance of encouraging teams to take ownership and responsibility for their functions, ultimately creating competent and self-sustaining teams. We then explore the challenges that come with being an AGM, what Axel’s typical day looks like, the transition from operational work to leadership, and the importance of avoiding micromanagement while still maintaining high standards. Finally, we get to know Axel beyond the workplace, discussing his interests, hobbies, family and his constant desire to learn something new Like, comment, and share your thoughts! Beyond the Blueprint is a Vizure Production.

  2. Aug 9

    #25 – Klein Sitwala: I Can’t Hire Someone Who Doesn’t Play Sport | Therapy Isn’t For Everyone

    We sat down with Klein Sitwala, a project lead by profession, but a charismatic, passionate and analytical thinker beyond his job title. What started as a conversation about Klein’s journey and the way he navigates life took us through entrepreneurship, ambition, success, privilege, sport and mental health. Klein shares the story behind Axlerod, a transport management system built to help fleet operators scale, and the thought process, challenges and execution behind turning the idea into reality. From there, the conversation takes some unexpected turns. We get into some of Klein’s more controversial views, including why he believes he could not hire someone who does not play or watch sport, whether society has become too soft, why not everyone can be elite, and why he believes therapy is not for everybody. In this episode, we discuss: • Klein’s journey and early experiences  • Building Axlerod and the challenges of entrepreneurship  • Sport, discipline and what they reveal about people  • Whether society has become too soft  • Success, standards and the idea that not everyone can be elite  • Therapy and whether it is for everyone  • Privilege and how differently people experience it A conversation about ambition, standards and the different ways we choose to navigate life. Like, comment, and share your thoughts! Beyond the Blueprint is a Vizure Production.

  3. Jul 22

    #24 – Natasha Chitakwa: The Poverty Mindset In Zambia | Being Limited By 'Self Actualisation'

    Meet Natasha, a pharmacist, environmental and reproductive health toxicologist, writer, and researcher who recently returned to Zambia after seven years abroad. In this episode, we take a journey through the experiences, beliefs, and ideas that have shaped the way Natasha views the world. From her personal experiences and professional journey to deeper reflections on growth, identity, and the human experience, we explore the conversations that challenge how we think and understand ourselves. Like, comment, and share your thoughts! Beyond the Blueprint is a Vizure Production.

  4. Jul 6

    #23 – Febian Mulenga Kayula: Everyone Has Their Own Clock | Be Ready Before The Opportunity Comes!

    Febian Mulenga Kaulya is a mining equipment executive with vast experience and leadership in the industry. What's striking about him is his positive, jovial approach to life and the way he interacts with people. We sat down with him for a conversation on life lessons, from preparing yourself for the growth that awaits you, to being rebellious and going after whatever you want to achieve. Fabian opens up about a childhood accident that nearly cost him his leg, and the doctor who fought to save it against the odds. From there, the conversation traces his path from general worker underground in the Zambian copper mines to studying engineering on night shifts, talking his way into an aptitude test he wasn't even on the list for, and eventually stepping into regional leadership across Southern Africa. Along the way, the trio dig into big questions: What does it really mean to be "ready" for an opportunity? Is happiness a feeling or a choice? How do you lead people who don't share your drive? And why does conviction, not just ambition, separate the people who move forward from those who wait for permission? The episode closes with Febian turning the mic around, asking Berry and Temweni how they make brotherhood and business work together, sparking a candid discussion on selflessness, "spilled milk" conflict resolution, and building generational wealth as a family. Like, comment, and share your thoughts! Beyond the Blueprint is a Vizure Production.

  5. Jun 11

    #22 – Musakabantu Unene: Lessons From Chaos | Why Most Organisations Get Culture Wrong!

    Musakabantu Unene is a man with a lifetime of stories shaped by creativity that started in his youth and has stayed with him ever since. He is the founder of Kulture Labs Consulting, a company focused on culture transformation, sustainability, and strategic leadership development. His journey spans global travel and unforgettable experiences. From nearly being kidnapped and scammed in Ethiopia, to a life-changing road trip to Mansa that ended in a car accident, followed by being chased through the night by locals. Like, comment, and share your thoughts! Beyond the Blueprint is a Vizure Production.

  6. May 21

    #21 – Bupe Mparuri: Take Responsibility for Your Life | Comfort Kills Growth!

    We sit down with Bupe Mparuri a driven and intentional woman in finance whose journey has been shaped by leadership, ambition, and a willingness to embrace challenge. We explore how her mindset and upbringing influenced the person she’s become, her unexpected journey into the investment space, and the importance of staying teachable while navigating career growth. Bupe also reflects on balancing ambition in a fast-moving world, building meaningful relationships, and how stepping into opportunities outside her comfort zone led her into public speaking. This episode is a conversation about growth, self-awareness, discipline, and intentionally building a career and life with purpose. Like, comment, and share your thoughts! Beyond the Blueprint is a Vizure Production.

  7. May 19

    #20 – David Ketel: The Art of Taking the Right Risks | Why Some People Chase Extreme Challenges!

    David Ketel is a Canadian born mechanical engineer now based in Zambia, whose career and life have been shaped by bold decisions, continuous growth, and a willingness to step into the unknown. From farm life in Canada to senior leadership roles in engineering, safety, and asset management, his journey reflects steady progression built on calculated risk-taking and further study, including an MBA that helped unlock executive opportunities. Beyond his career, David is an ultra-endurance runner who uses extreme physical challenges as a way to test discipline, mindset, and long-term thinking. His move to Zambia marked a major turning point, exposing him to new cultures and perspectives that reshaped how he approaches both work and life. At the core of his story is a balance between ambition and responsibility, taking risks, adapting quickly, and continuously pushing boundaries while staying grounded in family and purpose. Like, comment, and share your thoughts! Beyond the Blueprint is a Vizure Production.

  8. May 10

    #19 – Breaking the Ice | “You Need to Save Yourself!” & Our Secret Success Strategies

    In this episode we play the Ice Breaker game. But this isn’t your typical lighthearted conversation it turns into a deeper insight into how Berry and Temweni think through difficult questions like, “What is your secret success strategy?” and “What piece of life advice would you leave for your kids?” From personal mindsets to life lessons and perspectives, this episode might just get you reflecting on areas of your own life too. Like, comment, and share your thoughts! Beyond the Blueprint is a Vizure Production.

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About

Beyond the Blueprint is your companion for navigating the real-world challenges of early career and adult life. Hosted by brothers Berry & Temweni Chamulonde, each episode dives into the highs and lows of professional growth, personal development, and life’s unexpected moments. Through unfiltered stories, practical advice, and lessons learned from their own journeys, they provide insights to empower young individuals as they tackle career challenges, explore new ventures, and grow along the way.   Tune in for relatable conversations that help you move forward with confidence, clarity, and a renewed mindset. 

Information

  • Creator
    Berry & Temweni Chamulonde
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond the Blueprint
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Blueprint