The Big Positive Guy

As a South African businessman who has worked around the world, I am amazed at the over-riding negative perceptions that most South Africans have about their own country. 

This has a negative effect on staff morale and is often based on misperceptions or excessively negative reporting about South Africa.

Yet, South Africa has made remarkable progress since 1994 and is paving the way for a genuine African renaissance. There are so many positive stories to be told and I attempt to bring some balance in the real story about South Africa.

It is a 'feel good' story, but grounded in fact. If you are a proud South African and want to be reminded why many of us believe that this is still one of the best countries in the world, then you have to hear The Big Positive Guy

Examples of these business presentations would be
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•	Opportunities in the downgrade
•	The road to mid rand
•	Cyril Ramaphosa: Prospects and challenges

Inspirational presentations include
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•	What a Wonderful World
•	Be the Inspiration
•	Winds of Change

Connect with me
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
Email andre@bigpositiveguy.com
Cell +27 82 313 8165

Key Note & Motivational Speaker | MC

High Performance Coaching

High Impact Public Speaking 

Over 20 years of helping others develop their public speaking skills has shown us that becoming the speaker you want to be, is a journey and not a destination.

No single training course will magically make you the speaker you want to be. That is why we offer a range of support services for you as a speaker, from introductory to advanced.

We can combine this with personal coaching and online support to take you from where you are now, to where you want to be.

One of the things that I do know for sure is that the ability to speak and communicate well, will change your life like nothing else can.

CEO | Trainer

Smile 90.4FM

Presenter of Smile Inspires with the Big Positive Guy between 8-10 am, on Smile 90.4 FM radio. A show designed to highlight the inspirational and the positive together with great music.

Contributing editor of the Smile Good News Network.

Radio Presenter

Cape Business Connect

Managing Director

The Executive Business Network

Owner

Rawson Properties

Managing Member

Rawson Property Group

Executive Committee Member

Hanover Reinsurance Internet Services

Oversee, build and transition all Internet and eCommerce activities for the Hannover Re Group

After a successful corporate career in insurance, reinsurance and information technology, culminating in being appointed CEO of Hanover Re Internet Services, (internationally), André moved into the professional speaking arena, teaching and speaking about business and sharing some of the world’s biggest organizations trade secrets.

Passionate about South Africa and Africa, his voice has been in demand by corporate companies and governments alike. Clients as diverse as financial giants Old Mutual, Nedbank and Standard Bank, to the National Fund for Municipal Workers to the Office of the Presidency.

Service offerings include:

Public Speaking

Having had international experience, he has achieved great insight in terms of the global economy and politics, enabling him to share this with organizations in an understandable yet positive manner.

Examples of these business presentations would be:

•	The Economics of Positivity
•	Economic Opportunities post-Covid
•	Cyril Ramaphosa: Prospects and challenges

Inspirational presentations include:

•	What a Wonderful World
•	Be the Inspiration
•	Winds of Change

Training

His is the CEO of High impact Public Speaking, specalising in vocal and public speaking, as well as 
Beyond the Couch, which specalises in leadership, personal development, branding and marketing training.

Coaching

High level executive coaching for a small group of high performing executives, CEOs and marketers.

Radio Presenter

He spent 3 years presenting on Smile Radio 90.4FM, hosting the Monday Night Show called 'The Inspirational Hour with The Big Positive Guy,' showcasing inspirational individuals who make a difference in the world.

Connect with me
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
Email-  andre@bigpositiveguy.com
Cell-  +27 82 313 8165

I was fortunate enough to score a very sought after ticket to the last Clara Business Network as a previous speaker. The excitement? The Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was coming to speak and although I'm an ardent follower I had never met him in person.

Well dressed, looking young and fresh, despite it being a nighttime function,  and ready to speak.

As a full-time speaker my humble opinion is as follows. He is quite remarkable! He spoke to a discerning audience and answered some very difficult questions for over an hour and a half. No notes, no slides and with an in-depth and up to date knowledge of all things city.

His responsibility is enormous. With a budget of over R70 billion rand, over 30 000 staff members and every problem seemingly requiring the wisdom of Solomon he covered most of the pressing issues in Cape Town with honesty and not sugar coating anything but what I loved was in every case there is a plan and a well thought out one at that.

I have never googled him and he has a great track record among others, obtained an Honours degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from UCT, and a Masters in Finance specialising in Economic Policy from the University of London.

He has served in the National Assembly of South Africa for more than a decade from August 2011 until November 2021 and held multiple positions in the DA's Shadow Cabinet in the National Assembly including serving as the Shadow Deputy Minister of Public Service from August 2011 to February 2012, as the Shadow Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry from February 2012 to June 2014, as the Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry between June 2014 and June 2017, and as the Shadow Minister of Finance from June 2019 until he resigned to become mayor in November 2021. In November 2023, Hill-Lewis was elected unopposed as DA deputy provincial leader in the Western Cape.

But the thing I loved most was here was a man who just believed and is getting down and doing the job. He believes in South Africa as much as I do and is not shy to get his hands dirty and to get tough when it is required.

I had the opportunity to ask him a question and it went a little like this, "I am exhausted just hearing how many critical issues are on your plate, many seemingly unsolvable. How do you remain positive and keep the staff of Cape Town motivated and on track? His answer which was longer than I have included said the following.

✅ Put the right people in the right job

✅ No matter the size of the problem, make a plan and make a difference

✅ If you want to know what is going on, go talk to the people

✅ Last but the one that hit me the most and he used a cricket analogy. If you have to tackle a task that is huge like scoring 500 runs, just start batting. Celebrate the small wins even if it's just 5 runs toward the target and keep batting. Before you know it you're halfway there and that makes a difference.

I've used that all week. Just keep batting. Thank you Mr. Mayor. 

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