In Conversation With Rudy Samuel

Rudy Samuel

In Conversation With Rudy Samuel is an entrepreneurship and business podcast exploring the stories behind Africa’s builders, creators, athletes, and leaders. Hosted by Rudy Samuel, each episode uncovers the mindset, strategies, and lessons behind success across industries including business, sport, media, and culture. Through powerful storytelling and honest conversations, the podcast educates, inspires, and equips listeners with practical insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, personal growth, and building meaningful impact in Africa and beyond.

  1. Sep 1

    The Story Of 22Ours : From Millions to Thousands. Rebuilding 22Ours with Volo Ganca

    Most entrepreneurship stories are told after the comeback has already happened. This conversation is different because Volo Ganca and 22Ours are still rebuilding. A simple TikTok video introduced me to Volo’s story. In it, he revealed how a company that once had millions in its account was left with thousands. His decision to document the journey publicly pushed me to invite him onto the podcast and understand what really happened behind those numbers. Volo is the Managing Director of 22Ours, an African sports media and content marketing agency. In this episode, he speaks honestly about rapid growth, leadership, business mistakes, retrenching staff, losing confidence and fighting to rebuild the company. We also discuss what money in the bank can hide about the true health of a business, the importance of knowledge and relationships, and why African sports storytelling remains undervalued. This is not a completed success story. The comeback is still being written. CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro02:15 - The TikTok video that inspired this episode06:03 - Volo’s life and business update06:27 - Why Volo publicly shared the decline of 22Ours08:15 - How 22Ours went from millions to thousands09:47 - When Volo realised 22Ours was in trouble17:30 - The public response to Volo’s viral TikTok video20:00 - What is 22Ours?22:28 - How 22Ours became a serious sports media business and worked with SuperSport31:24 - What 22Ours looked like at its peak34:15 - Did 22Ours grow faster than its systems and leadership?35:22 - Volo’s advice on rapid business growth and scaling37:28 - The business mistakes hidden by millions in the bank41:00 - Losing money but keeping knowledge, relationships and reputation42:00 - Who was Volo at the height of his business success?43:39 - Losing confidence, rebuilding publicly and retrenching staff48:47 - Why Volo refuses to give up on 22Ours52:57 - Why African sports storytelling remains undervalued55:36 - Are brands genuinely investing in African sports culture?58:52 - Volo’s advice for young entrepreneurs59:47 - Volo’s one-year comeback vision for 22Ours1:00:27 - Outro

  2. Aug 18

    Bianca Sibiya: Canva’s Bet on South Africa, AI, Education & the Future of Work

    Canva is doing far more in Africa than helping people design. On this episode of In Conversation With Rudy Samuel, Rudy sits down with Bianca Sibiya, Head of Canva Africa, to explore why South Africa has become such an important market for Canva and how technology, creativity and AI can unlock new opportunities across the country. They discuss Canva for Education, supporting South African teachers and learners, reaching township communities, and Canva’s partnerships with SACE, Cell C, Paystack and Capitec. Bianca also shares her perspective on the challenges facing African entrepreneurs, the importance of good design in business, how AI is changing the playing field for small businesses, and the skills young people will need for the future of work. This conversation goes far beyond design. It’s about education, entrepreneurship, digital access and Africa’s digital future. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:50 - Why South Africa Matters to Canva Africa 04:29 - Canva Africa’s Growth & Impact in South Africa 07:29 - What Is Canva for Education? 08:46 - Is Canva for Education Free for Teachers & Learners? 11:00 - Canva Africa’s SACE Partnership & Supporting South African Teachers 12:36 - How Canva & AI Can Reduce Teachers’ Workloads 15:00 - How Canva Plans to Reach South African Townships 17:39 - Preparing South African Learners for the Future of Work 19:48 - Canva x Cell C: Making Digital Creativity More Accessible 23:15 - How the Canva & Cell C Partnership Happened 24:45 - Can Digital Access Create Career Opportunities? 25:26 - Canva’s Partnerships with Paystack & Capitec 27:15 - The Biggest Branding Challenges Facing African Entrepreneurs 29:12 - Can Good Design Help Grow Your Business? 30:00 - Branding & Marketing Mistakes Small Businesses Make 31:32 - How AI Helps Small Businesses Compete with Bigger Companies 36:36 - The Skills You’ll Need to Succeed in the Next Decade 38:20 - Preparing Young People for Jobs That Don’t Exist Yet 40:25 - Bianca Sibiya’s Message to Women & the Next Generation 42:32 - What’s Next for Canva Africa? | Closing Remarks

  3. Aug 4

    An insight into Ballers in God and Faith, Football, Money & Life Beyond the Football Pitch

    What happens when professional footballers need support beyond what happens on the pitch? Claudio Ofosu is a director at Ballers in God, a football agent and someone working closely with players across Europe. In this conversation with Rudy Samuel, Claudio takes us inside the Christian football movement founded by former Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace footballer John Bostock. They discuss how Ballers in God supports professional footballers through prayer, mentorship, accountability and trusted relationships. Claudio also speaks about Christianity within football, money, fame, agents, player exploitation, commercial activities and the realities African footballers face when attempting to move to Europe. Claudio shares what he has learned from working closely with Borussia Dortmund and Germany international Felix Nmecha, his experience visiting South Africa and his vision for the future. This is an honest conversation about faith, identity and protecting the person behind the footballer. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction04:00 - Claudio Ofosu’s life update04:50 - Who is Claudio Ofosu beyond football, ministry and business?05:30 - What being a player, football agent and spiritual mentor taught Claudio about people06:52 - What professional football promised Claudio but could never give him08:30 - How Claudio feels about remaining in professional football after his playing career09:49 - Claudio introduces ⁨Ballers in God⁩11:45 - Why John Bostock founded ⁨Ballers in God⁩13:45 - What ⁨Ballers in God⁩ provides that clubs, agents, family and friends cannot16:44 - How ⁨Ballers in God⁩ keeps professional footballers accountable18:35 - Creating honesty and accountability among professional footballers20:37 - How ⁨Ballers in God⁩ protects trust within its football community22:10 - Can Christianity, wealth and status genuinely coexist in professional football?25:58 - Why Christian footballers are becoming more open about their faith28:40 - Claudio Ofosu’s journey as a football agent31:05 - When should a young footballer get an agent?32:20 - Warning signs that a football agent may be exploiting a player33:29 - What young African footballers misunderstand about moving to Europe35:10 - The biggest financial mistakes footballers make after signing their first major contract38:10 - Working with ⁨Felix Nmecha⁩ and managing commercial activities at the highest level39:14 - Claudio Ofosu’s visit to South Africa41:54 - What Claudio the agent wishes Claudio the footballer had known42:48 - What Claudio will tell the ⁨Ballers in God⁩ team about South Africa43:43 - What God is teaching Claudio that success cannot teach him44:44 - What is next for Claudio Ofosu?46:10 - Advice for people struggling with their Christian faith47:17 - Outro #BallersInGod #FootballPodcast #ChristianFootball #ClaudioOfosu #JohnBostock #FelixNmecha #ICWRS

  4. Jul 21

    Vincent Tshituka | Becoming a Springbok, Money, Leadership & Life After Rugby

    What does it really take to become a Springbok? In this episode of In Conversation With Rudy Samuel, I sit down with Hollywoodbets Sharks and Springbok loose forward Vincent Tshituka for one of his most open conversations yet. Vincent reflects on the journey to wearing the green and gold, what it's really like inside the Springbok environment, and the lessons he's learned from leaders like Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi. Beyond rugby, we dive into the realities of money in professional sport, sponsorships, preparing for life after rugby, navigating friendships, family, leadership and building a legacy that extends far beyond the game. Whether you're a rugby fan, athlete, entrepreneur or someone chasing excellence, this conversation offers valuable lessons on discipline, purpose and long-term thinking. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who would enjoy the conversation. #VincentTshituka #Springboks #SharksRugby #SouthAfricanRugby #Rugby #Leadership #LifeAfterRugby #SportsPodcast #InConversationWithRudySamuel #ICWRS 00:00 Intro 03:30 Vincent Tshituka's Life Update 04:33 Staying Humble Despite Success 06:24 The Influence of Northcliff High School 08:00 When the Springbok Dream Became Real 12:26 Vincent's First Springbok Call-Up 15:17 Inside the Springbok Camp 16:40 Captaining the Springbok A Team 19:07 Rassie Erasmus & Siya Kolisi Behind the Scenes 24:00 Family, Sacrifice & Staying Grounded 27:40 Sharing the Journey with Emmanuel Tshituka 30:00 Money & Life After Rugby 32:30 Vincent's First Professional Paycheck 34:00 Sponsorships & Building a Personal Brand 36:20 Financial Advice for Young Rugby Players 38:16 Real Friends vs Transactional Relationships 40:40 The Toughest Period of Vincent's Career 43:20 Balancing Rugby & Family Life 44:45 Planning for Your Family's Future 47:22 Leadership, Responsibility & Growth 49:37 Vincent's Vision for Life After Rugby 51:21 Did Rugby Give More Than It Took? 53:24 The Biggest Lesson from Vincent's Journey 54:48 The Legacy Vincent Wants to Leave Behind 55:43 Outro

  5. Jul 7

    Ash & Migs: Building The Manchester Derby | Football, Marriage & Content Creation

    Ash & Migs, the husband and wife duo behind The Manchester Derby, join Rudy Samuel for an honest conversation about football, marriage, content creation and building one of South Africa's most recognised football brands. From starting a football page in Johannesburg to working with SuperSport, collaborating with global football brands and creating content around the world's biggest clubs, they share the journey behind the cameras and the lessons they've learned along the way. In this episode we discuss: • How The Manchester Derby was born • Building a football brand from South Africa • Working with international companies • The opportunity to work with @supersport • Losing their account and bouncing back • Collaborating with @mancity • Watching Manchester City vs @realmadrid • Meeting #BernardoSilva and #RubenAmorim • Experiencing Manchester City vs @manutd • Navigating criticism and social media pressure • Balancing marriage with content creation • Planning viral football content • Advice for aspiring content creators • What's next for Ash & Migs Chapters 00:00 - Intro 03:07 - Quickfire Football Questions 06:45 - How Ash & Migs Started The Manchester Derby 13:20 - Building a Football Brand & Working With International Companies 17:54 - Working With @supersport & Meeting Football's Biggest Names 31:40 - Losing Their Account, Working With @mancity, Watching Manchester City vs @realmadrid, Meeting #BernardoSilva & #RubenAmorim, and Experiencing @manutd vs Manchester City 37:00 - Dealing With Criticism, Pressure & Social Media Judgment 42:05 - Balancing Marriage, Content Creation & Business 49:34 - How Ash & Migs Plan Viral Football Content 53:54 - Advice for Content Creators & Football Creators 57:50 - What's Next for Ash & Migs? 59:24 - One Word That Describes Ash & Migs 1:01:13 - Outro If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who loves football, content creation or inspiring African stories. New conversations every second Tuesday. Hosted by Rudy Samuel.

About

In Conversation With Rudy Samuel is an entrepreneurship and business podcast exploring the stories behind Africa’s builders, creators, athletes, and leaders. Hosted by Rudy Samuel, each episode uncovers the mindset, strategies, and lessons behind success across industries including business, sport, media, and culture. Through powerful storytelling and honest conversations, the podcast educates, inspires, and equips listeners with practical insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, personal growth, and building meaningful impact in Africa and beyond.