Discover Conversation Starters, the African SAP User Group's groundbreaking podcast series, designed to spark innovation and collaboration among SAP professionals worldwide. Tune in for exclusive sessions with industry leaders, thought pioneers, and technology enthusiasts, exploring the latest trends, best practices, and emerging technologies shaping the SAP landscape. Join the movement and elevate your SAP knowledge with Conversation Starters.
https://afsug.com/conversations/
A converstation hosted by Sphume Dlamini of AFSUG, Jesper Schleimann, AI Officer EAME at SAP and Jhani Coetzee, Epi-Use Labs
20 Oct 2025
Connecting with GenZ with Marko Stavrou
Rethinking the Future of Work, Volunteering and Community - Interview with Marko Stavrou - Enrepreneur | The Gen Z Guy | Founder and CEO of Genlink
21 Jul 2025
AFSUG Conversation Starters Episode 8
SAP and smallholder farming. The role of ERP and smallholder farmers in global agricultural suppy chains. Tanja Reith SAP, Carsten Friedland MSG Global and Sphume Dlamini AFSUG.
21 Apr 2025
Adoption Catalyst - Unlocking the shift to Cloud
Sphume Dlamini, our new AFSUG Podcast host interviews Anre Schmidthals, Business Delveopmetn Chief Expert at SAP.
1 Oct 2024
A Journey of Ambition, Humility, and Innovation with SAP Africa's Trailblazer
In this sixth episode of Conversation Starters, we’re joined by Kholiwe Makhohliso, Managing Director of SAP Southern Africa. Kholiwe takes us through her incredible career journey, from growing up in Mount Ayliff village to holding leadership positions at Accenture, Oracle, Software AG, and SAP. She shares her passion for mentorship, skills development, and the transformation of the African workforce through innovative SAP programs like the Young Professional Program and Educate to Employ. Throughout the conversation, Kholiwe emphasizes the importance of building a digital skills hub in Africa and SAP's commitment to empowering the next generation of professionals.
The episode touches on Kholiwe’s personal interests, including her love for cycling and adventure, offering a holistic view of a leader who balances professional ambition with personal passion.
Timestamps:
0:07 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=7s) – Introduction and Sponsorship
0:24 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=24s) – Guest Introduction and Career Overview
2:10 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=130s) – Career Progression from Auditor to SAP
4:47 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=287s) – Understanding Customer Needs and Value Selling
6:53 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=413s) – Impact of Audit Background on Technology and Risk
8:01 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=481s) – SAP's Role in Transformation and Skills Development
12:12 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=732s) – Opportunities for Young Professionals and Entrepreneurship
14:22 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=862s) – Mentorship and Coaching for Young Professionals
15:21 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=921s) – Engagement with Gen Z and Millennials
16:47 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=1007s) – Upskilling Workforce for AI and Future Skills
17:47 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=1067s) – SAP Southern Africa’s Role in the EMEA Region
20:51 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=1251s) – Cloud Acceleration and Customer Engagement
23:38 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=1418s) – Skills Development and Digital Skills Hub
24:19 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=1459s) – Future Opportunities and Partnerships
27:52 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=1672s) – Personal Interests and Hobbies
31:16 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGZ9ZzP50E&t=1876s) – Conclusion and Future Engagement
Follow Kholiwe Makhohliso - https://rb.gy/dw2vhe (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm5BMThxSGdQM3JmdUtJQVFicG5hYk4yTzVQZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsT2ZUU2ttUjZIbW9IMHJ6cGhDLVNPOS1yTzZBMV9zV3dPX2pCSVc1dzVMM2JtVWZVYlB2Q0N6SzVwLUVsOXh1Nm5TVzZadXlqbkgtY1FMWnd6dXp5RzUzY2o2RXl1WFQ1Mk1QbWI0ZXp6NFlHWF9MQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Frb.gy%2Fdw2vhe&v=kGGZ9ZzP50E)
Follow Louise Steenekamp - https://rb.gy/53byr6 (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUpDd3hIbnUtMVFVT2dwWVNpT0F6NTV6MHF1QXxBQ3Jtc0tueVFaYlZaV0NYWnRrY2MyMFYxUW0wLXE2RlJ4SHhkRmF6RnJqM05wODc4WGxBY2NzdlBIZXBHZE5SOEg3STZ2d05vdERsNkhqQVhfQUZOU0pHSzAzSzJNZzVMY2s3YXBreFc0UUdTVnFBc003bDlQUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Frb.gy%2F53byr6&v=kGGZ9ZzP50E)
Sponsored by:
AFSUG – Unifying Africa's SAP Community for a Digital Future
26 Jul 2024
Marco-Polo-ing the New World of Work: Charting the Course for Digital Transformation & Youth Empowerment
Join host Louise Steenekamp as she interviews Aveena
Mothilall, CIO at Engen, in this insightful episode of Conversation Starters. They discuss digital transformation, the evolving role of CIOs, skills development in IT, and Engen's successful SAP implementation. The conversation also highlights women in tech leadership, the future of work with a focus on diversity, and the importance of collaboration between academia and industry. Key takeaways include the need for mentorship, support for women in tech, and the potential of hybrid working models.
00:07 - Introduction and Sponsorship
00:22 - Guest Introduction (Aveena Mothilall, CIO of Engen)
01:42 - Digital Transformation
06:57 - SAP Functional Consultant of the Future
10:22 - Data Conversation
14:54 - Community and Collaboration within the African SAPUser Group
17:19 - Innovation and Influence on Technology Roadmaps
18:05 - Skills Development and Education
27:18 - SAP Implementation Success Stories
33:24 - Challenges in Digital and Data Focus
35:01 - Role of Women in IT Leadership
41:06 - Diversity in the Workforce
45:26 - Conclusion and Closing Remarks
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Discover how programmes like the Data Analytics for Student Success (DASS) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) bring together academia and corporates to collaborate on real-life student learning projects.
https://rb.gy/3hukde (https://rb.gy/3hukde) | https://rb.gy/6ro0s3 (https://rb.gy/6ro0s3)
Follow Aveena Mothilall
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/fifzha (https://rb.gy/fifzha)
Follow Louise Steenekamp:
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/kp7ewq (https://rb.gy/kp7ewq)
Sponsored By:
AFSUG – https://afsug.com/ (https://afsug.com/)
ONE VOICE Unifying Africa's SAP Community for a Digital Future
14 Jun 2024
AI Magic and Myth. Beyond the Hype and Focussing on the Business Case
In the fourth episode of Conversation Starters, we welcome Nadine Hoffmann, Global AI Product Manager at SAP. She shares insights on her transition from banking to AI, the evolution of product management, and practical AI applications. The episode covers generative AI, large language models, and announces a collaboration between SAP’s Joule and Microsoft's Copilot. It concludes with updates on the German SAP user group and plans for further AI integration.
0:23 – Introduction to Guest (Nadine Hoffman)
1:10 - Career Background and Evolution of Technology in Payments
2:09 - Role at SAP and Business AI
3:14 – Evolution of the role over time
4:07- Delivering Business Value and Real Business Value
5:01 - Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology
5:20 - Hype Cycles and Technology Trends
6:58 – Idea to Improve the Process
8:05 - Multidimensional Aspects of Technology and Business
Value
9:11 - Data Security and Ethical Aspects
10:37 – Future Tools and Inclusiveness in Tech
14:27 – Networks and Innovation
15:34 – Mindset Shift and Open-mindedness in Technology
17:26 – Agility and Customer/Partner Exchanges
19:37 – Experience Garage teams & Hackathons
20:50 – AI Technology and Large Language Models
23:42 – Chatbots and Digital Assistants
27:10 – Latest Announcements and Key Topics from Sapphire
32:30 – Partner Collaborations and Compliance Topics
34:33 - User Group Exchange and Learning Together
42:27 - Building Code with AI
44:53 - Skills and Learning in Technology
48:22 - Opportunities for Experienced Professionals
49:54 - Conclusion and Future Conversations
Follow Nadine Hoffmann:
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/qt0zz0 (https://rb.gy/qt0zz0)
Follow Louise Steenekamp:
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/kp7ewq (https://rb.gy/kp7ewq)
Sponsored By:
AFSUG – https://afsug.com/ (https://afsug.com/)
ONE VOICE Unifying Africa's SAP Community for a Digital Future
4 Jun 2024
Untangling Cloud ERP (GROW & RISE)
In the third episode of AFSUG Conversation Starters, we are joined by David Yawalkar, product marketing leader at SAP in Waldorf. He discusses SAP Environments, maintenance timelines, and transitioning to the Cloud.
Show Notes:
0:25 - Introduction to David Yawalkar and his role at SAP
1:12 – Timelines for ECC Customers
4:20 – GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP
9:22 – RISE with SAP and Business One Customers
11:38 – Ads
13:19 – ECC Customer Scenario
16:54 – Clean Core Strategy
20:31 – Enterprise Architecture
23:15 – SAP's Innovation Roadmap
27:03 – Ads
27:13 – Upcoming SAP Solutions
29:28 – Signavio’s Role
31:17 – Upgrade Cycles and New Releases
32:29 - BTP: What skills do I need?
34:29 – Customer Concerns, Privacy, and Cloud Offerings
37:36 – Closing Remarks
RISE with SAP Resource Links:
Announcement: Transform with confidence using RISE with SAP Methodology (https://news.sap.com/2024/04/transform-confidence-rise-with-sap-methodology/)
Blog #1: Jumpstart your cloud ERP journey with guided enablement in RISE with SAP Methodology (https://community.sap.com/t5/enterprise-resource-planning-blogs-by-sap/jumpstart-your-cloud-erp-journey-with-guided-enablement-in-rise-with-sap/ba-p/13679776)
Blog #2: ‘Clean core’ focused success plan, runbook, and quality checks (https://community.sap.com/t5/enterprise-resource-planning-blogs-by-sap/enhanced-rise-with-sap-methodology-with-clean-core-quality-checks/ba-p/13679681)
Web content: Migration from SAP ERP (https://www.sap.com/products/erp/rise/migration/sap-erp.html?) AND Transition from SAP S/4HANA (https://www.sap.com/products/erp/rise/migration/on-premise.html)
Partner Blog: Expert Insights for Partners: RISE with SAP Methodology (https://afsug.lt.emlnk9.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=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&sig=3PydRkkscMB221jmexo4jQZiYapwqSTmConHWb4ebaze&iat=1714114927&a=%7C%7C252721299%7C%7C&account=afsug%2Eactivehosted%2Ecom&email=nWL2Bv1YXGBfW%2FYO94kDglds1Ts6aQerF%2BnPErPrjxDlmQEtwsSnSh5Rjw%3D%3D%3Au0tqOO1so3q3bzrb2hjjHN2SdW9lqBDb&s=5886b0ecdde415c8f0a75ae580ebce90&i=1056A1197A8A8795)
Follow David:
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/fbhfpe (https://rb.gy/fbhfpe)
Follow Louise:
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/kp7ewq (https://rb.gy/kp7ewq)
Sponsored By:
AFSUG – https://afsug.com/ (https://afsug.com/)
ONE VOICE Unifying Africa's SAP Community for a Digital Future
24 May 2024
Pearls of Wisdom: from a life in IT, from then till AI
David Cohn is a seasoned CIO with over 30 years of experience in the retail industry, currently heading the technology development for Africa's largest food retailer, Shoprite. With a deep understanding of the role of technology and data in transforming organisations, David has driven large-scale projects and ensured stable services as CIO. His passion for innovation has kept Shoprite at the forefront of global technology trends. Under his leadership, the company has won prestigious awards, including the SAP Africa Business Transformation Award (2018) and the 2020 Africa PMO of the Year.
00:00 – Intro
01:20 – David's career journey
03:11 – The field of IT Then vs. Now
04:30 – The rise of the Internet, home computing, and high-speed telecom networks
06:45 – From Sci-Fi to real innovation
08:26 – LLMs built into ERP
10:25 – David's early career
12:30 – Word of advice to Young Professionals
17:05 – Ads
17:16 – Reflecting on behaviour in the workplace
19:06 – Doing what it takes (There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch)
22:05 – David’s speaks on his favourite tech
24:03 – An old story about old tech
25:04 – Serving the communities we operate in
27:21 – Impactful Tech: Checkers Sixty60
32:10 – What you know now and not then
34:30 – David's reflection on approaching retirement
39:10 – Ads
39:20 – Mentorships and humbling experiences
41:48 – AI's impact on us in the near future
43:30 – Article reference: https://www.ghostmail.co.za/what-tiny-pineapples-can-tell-us-about-our-future/
Follow David: LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/hq29cp
Follow Louise:
LinkedIn - https://rb.gy/kp7ewq
Sponsored By: AFSUG – https://afsug.com/ ONE VOICE Unifying Africa's SAP Community for a Digital Future
18 Apr 2024
Transforming RES: Navigating SAP Implementation in the Cloud Era
Rob Coombe, Royal Eswatini Sugar's (RES) Group IT Manager, and host Louise Steenekamp unveil the secrets of RES's successful SAP implementation and flourishing in the Cloud Era.
29 Mar 2024
A Podcast About A Podcast & 51 Questions
In this week's Special Episode: AFSUG CEO, Amanda Gibbs introduces Louise Steenekamp, Conversation Starters host and Vice-Chair of AFSUG.
www.afsug.com
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YouTube views
11,099
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 23 / 100
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5
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0
YouTube
76
Engagement
27
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