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Mergon Journey - EPISODE 4

Francois’ next season

In this final episode, Francois and Pieter reflect on the post-2008 years when Francois transitioned his leadership and took on more of a mentorship role, emphasising a move from ‘success to significance’. They explore his ongoing philanthropic endeavours alongside his book, ‘Doing Business with Purpose’, exchanging personal anecdotes and recounting years of shared experiences.

Purchase Francois’ book Doing Business with Purpose here.

Season 2 EP 4

Mergon Journey - EPISODE 3

Mergon through the seasons

What does it mean to be a steward of your business instead of its owner? Mergon founder Francois van Niekerk explores this question with host Pieter Faure in this episode. They reflect on how the understanding of ‘God owning it all’ shaped Mergon’s views on partnership, generosity, and power dynamics in capital ownership, ultimately leading to the Mergon Foundation becoming its majority shareholder.

Purchase Francois’ book Doing Business with Purpose here.

Season 2 EP 3

Mergon Journey - EPISODE 2

Francois as business leader and dealmaker

Founder Francois van Niekerk and Mergon CEO Pieter Faure journey through the halls of Francois' entrepreneurial career in the 1990s. They explore some of the bold investment decisions he made during a time of political and social unrest, business partnership principles, and his growing understanding of stewardship.

Purchase Francois’ book Doing Business with Purpose here.

Season 2 EP 2

Mergon Journey - EPISODE 1

Francois as a business builder

In this first episode, Mergon CEO Pieter Faure invites founder Francois van Niekerk to reflect on his personal business journey and the pivotal events that shaped his leadership and Mergon’s establishment. They explore core leadership principles such as having a learning mindset, giving power away, and prioritising the organisation over personal gain, all fundamental to Mergon's culture throughout its 45-year history.

Purchase Francois’ book Doing Business with Purpose here.

Season 2 EP 1

MERGON JOURNEY - SEASON 2

FOUR EPISODES

Mergon Journey - EPISODE 9

Building One Mergon

Over the last 40 years, Mergon has grown into a multi-faceted organisation that has learned how to leverage cross-industry insight and experience. In this final episode of the series, Pieter Faure, Neil Hart and Keri-leigh Paschal reflect on Mergon’s mission, structure and culture. They share how the values of ‘It’s not about us,’ ‘we’re in it together,’ and ‘we’re stewards on a journey’ have enabled Mergon to become catalysts for kingdom impact.

S1 EPISODE 9

Mergon Journey - EPISODE 8

Maturing in Mergon’s identity

In this episode of Our Mergon Journey, Pieter Faure, Almero Strauss and Keri-Leigh Paschal comment on the growth pains Mergon experienced in maturing as a organisation. There is an art to blending commercial interests and credibility in the market with being overtly Christian – and they share how embracing a learning culture, and intentionally building a unified brand identity, have been key to Mergon’s success.

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Mergon Journey - EPISODE 7

Power of the collective

In this episode of Our Mergon Journey series, Pieter Faure interviews Lauren Cloete-Henning and Keri-leigh Paschal about the origins of Muthobi, Nation Builder and Ziwani. Within the context of a global shift in thinking about corporate social responsibility, these different Mergon initiatives have been serving as a bridge between business and positive social impact, for more than a decade.

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Mergon Journey - EPISODE 6

From conduit to catalyst

In this episode, Pieter Faure, Neil Hart and Danie Vermeulen discuss the Mergon Foundation journey, and what they have learned about redemptive practices in philanthropy. They explain the reasons for shifting from a traditional funder-donor approach, to a strategic partnership approach that now focuses on three regions: South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle-East.

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Mergon Journey - EPISODE 5

Partnering for success and significance

In this episode, we dive deeper into Mergon’s journey as investment entrepreneurs. We discuss Mergon’s portfolio mandate, personal experiences in early-stage investing in South Africa, and finding those elusive instances where prayer, timing, leadership and due diligence converge. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in Mergon’s approach to investing in start-ups.

S1 EPISODE 5

Mergon Journey - EPISODE 4

Beauty in small beginnings

In this episode, Pieter Faure, Almero Strauss and Lauren Cloete-Henning share some of their learning experiences as a small new team. At the time, there simply was no blueprint available for operating in the diverse environments of entrepreneurial investment, philanthropy, and corporate social impact. Undaunted, the team added a kingdom-minded mandate, and found their own way forward.

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Mergon Journey - EPISODE 3

A season of transitions

In this episode, Dick van der Walt provides insights into Mergon’s leadership transition around 2008, when founder Francois van Niekerk handed over the reigns to Pieter Faure and his new team. They candidly discuss the tricky process of embracing organisational growth and change, while keeping the original mandate intact, and celebrate God’s faithfulness along the way.

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Mergon Journey - EPISODE 2

Laying a strong foundation

In this episode of Our Mergon Journey series, Pieter Faure, Gauché Radley and Almero Strauss share their memories of Mergon’s early days. They remember their experiences of working with Mergon founder, Francois van Niekerk, and explain how the values he embedded into the organisational culture from the beginning, still guide Mergon today.

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Mergon Journey - EPISODE 1

Introduction

Welcome to Our Mergon Journey, a podcast series that offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the heart of Mergon. In this episode we find out a bit more about the “why” behind the series, and meet your host, Mergon CEO Pieter Faure.

S1 EPISODE 1

MERGON JOURNEY - SEASON 1

nine episodes

ELEVATE

Strengthening your strategy for impact

In this episode, Dr Steve Patty of Dialogues in Action encourages us to see strategy and evaluation not as an event that we ‘must do’ once or twice a year, but as a ‘way of life’ that architects a culture of learning in our ministry. Through fresh and practical insight, Steve helps us develop our strategic thinking so that we can effectively evaluate and communicate our impact as leaders and organisations.

EPISODE 7

ELEVATE

The power of partnerships in world missions

Have you ever wondered how to benefit from the strength of multi-organisational networks? In this episode, we speak to Kärin Butler Primuth, CEO of visionSynergy, who are collaboration specialists in the global mission movement. Karin makes an inspiring case for the power of Christian partnerships to accelerate Kingdom impact and shape the future of world missions.

EPISODE 6

ELEVATE

Werner Momberg – Growing your organisational health

Have you ever thought about the various dimensions of organisational health and whether you’re nurturing it effectively? Today we join Werner Momberg from the Mergon Foundation, who shares on the vital role that organisational health plays in having long-lasting success and sustainable impact. He speaks to some of the 11 key dimensions that make up a healthy organisation, and how they work interconnectedly to grow your impact over time.

EPISODE 5

ELEVATE

David Denmark – Building healthy donor relationships

As a leader of an NGO or ministry, why is it always so hard to ask for money? In this episode, David Denmark, executive director of the Maclellan Foundation, helps us get to the heart of this question by exploring the complexities of financial giving, from both a beneficiary and donor perspective. Through rich theology and practical experience, he paints an inspiring picture of what healthy donor-beneficiary partnerships can be when rooted in trust and Kingdom principles.

EPISODE 4

ELEVATE

Dr Johan Beukes – Becoming a healthy spiritual leader

How spiritually healthy are you as a spiritual leader? In this episode Dr Johan Beukes shares on ways of growing our spiritual health and leadership, so that we not only survive, but thrive, in change and diversity. Johan explores some of the mindsets that typically derail leaders from their God-given course, and encourages leaders to root their identity firmly in Christ.

EPISODE 3

ELEVATE

Edwin Fillies – The art of cross-cultural leadership

Leading in multicultural environments is not easy – but it can be hugely rewarding. In this episode we asked Edwin Fillies, co-founder of YWAM’s Nations-to-Nations ministry, to speak to us about leading cross-cultural teams and developing God’s heart for the ‘other’. Working with over 25 000 young people every year, Edwin encourages us to embrace hospitality, live open-heartedly and engage multi-culturally in the body of Christ.

EPISODE 2

ELEVATE

Afrika Mhlophe – Growing your cultural intelligence as a leader

Regardless of whether we’re aware of it, all of us carry a cultural bias. Pastor, author and speaker Afrika Mhlophe says if we want to grow our cultural intelligence, we need to scrutinise the culture that drives our beliefs and ultimately determines our behaviour. How can we appreciate other cultural perspectives and let go of any beliefs that are incompatible with the Christian faith? Afrika helps us answer this question and several more in this episode of Elevate.

EPISODE 1

ELEVate

nine episodes