Lira, David Tlale, Marc Lottering and other influencers deliver life lessons online
By CityLIfe Arts Writer
Certainly having top recording artist, a leading businessman, a multi-award winning comedian, a celebrated fashion designers thrown in with a couple of other interesting characters in one room is something bound to create curiosity even from those cynical. But this is exactly what is happening whereby this group of influential people have had their experiences and skills harnessed in creating this online learning experience.
This brand-new online learning, video-on-demand subscription platform, MyMastery is available across South Africa and on the African continent. Launching with five initial classes, MyMastery offers exclusive lessons across a variety of skills and disciplines under the tutorage of South African instructors whose life experiences and the knowledge they have gained in their particular field of expertise means subscribers learn from the best in their industry! MyMastery is the only local online learning platform where you can learn on demand, in your own time, with exclusive video access to selected individual and often iconic “masters” in a structured curriculum.
Entertain. Inspire. Educate. The MyMastery mantra is the basis of every workshop hosted by luminaries such as President of Business Unity SA, author and the powerhouse behind many major SA companies Bonang Mohale (ethical leadership and strategy); award-winning recording artist, singer and actress, Lira (The art of performance); popular leading comedian, writer and awarding winning stage performer, Marc Lottering (Storytelling and comedy); CNBC cryptocurrency host and global thought leader, Ran Neuner (Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin) and healthy living advocate and fitness instructor,Steve Uria (Fitness and wellness).
Future 2022 instructors, amongst others include human behavioural specialist, Catriona Boffard, (Sex and intimate connection) launching later this month and sales “guru” Mark Keating (Sales and the art of persuasion) in March followed by fashion icon, David Tlale (Fashion design) in April. Additional instructors and classes will be introduced regularly.
The COVID-19 pandemic greatly influenced the increased demand for online learning impacting on the exponential growth of Online learning across Africa to become an alternate means of delivering education across all age groups. “We want to inspire and provide ordinary South Africans with access to some of our most well-known and successful masters, by gaining a behind-the-scenes learning experience, at an affordable price” says Richard Rayne, Chief Executive Officer, MyMastery. With over 20 years’ experience in the online and adult educational business spectrums, Rayne identified the opportunity for a platform such as MyMastery to best serve the need to inspire and educate people within the African context. “As part of our introductory community development initiative we are offering one complimentary subscription for every 10 paying MyMastery subscribers. Subscriptions will be awarded to qualifying post-Matric learners who don’t have the means to become a subscriber.” adds Rayne.
New MyMastery classes are added monthly. On average, classes comprise of 12 lessons each consisting of approximately 13 minutes taught by each individual instructor. Lessons include insights, guidelines and where applicable, demonstrations. Subscribers receive access to downloadable workbooks, offline viewing (via the MyMastery app) and access for up to five devices. Content viewing is via mobile, desktop, or tablet and is compatible with Android and iOS apps. If data is a concern, then users are encouraged to make use of the app and select which lessons they would like to download on Wi-Fi and view later at their leisure. The addition of multi-language subtitles (English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa and isiZulu) is currently in progress.
Create your MyMastery account and sign up today on www.mymastery.tv for your all-access pass to the voices, minds and experiences of some of this country’s most influential game-changers. The monthly subscription from only R295 per month includes all classes. This contract is automatically renewed unless cancelled (at any time) by the user. The Single Class subscription costs R495 per class for a full 12-month period. MyMastery gift cards are available and MyMastery offers various volume-based discount packages for businesses.
Master your skills with MyMastery, anytime, anywhere. Be entertained, inspired and educated.
MyMastery instructors’ profiles
Richard Rayne, CEO, MyMastery: Richard founded iLearn, a well renowned corporate education provider in 2001. Armed with a Business & Information Systems degree together with 20 years’ experience in adult based education, he identified the opportunity for MyMastery and the need to inspire & educate people within the African context.
Bonang Mohale: Bonang Mohale’s post-graduate business education studies include a Certificate in Marketing and Sales Management, Basics of Pharmacology at Wits Medical School, three year Diploma in Marketing Management (IMM), eighteen months post-graduate advanced diploma in Marketing Management (IMM), Finance for Non-Financial managers (France), Director Development Programme on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, International Programme in Management (Switzerland), School of Business Administration (USA), Total Quality Management (Spain) as well as a Chartered Marketer at IMM.
Marc Lottering: Marc Lottering hails from Cape Town and is one of South Africa’s top comedians. He has been in the funny business for more than 20 years and continues to keep audiences in stitches across the country. Lottering has extensive experience in both Theatre and Television, and has written no fewer than 16 one man shows for the stage, earning him 2 Fleur Du Cap Theatre Awards, a Naledi Award, and several nominations along the way. Lottering has also penned 2 critically acclaimed musicals, AUNTY MERLE THE MUSICAL, and the smash hit award-winning sequel AUNTY MERLE IT’S A GIRL! Lottering has performed in London, Toronto, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Auckland and Dubai. Marc broke local online-show records with his first online show in 2020, when his show MY FELLOW SOUTH AFRICANS sold more than 17 000 tickets.
Lira: Singer, songwriter and entertainer LIRA, whose music career spans 18 years and includes 6 studio albums, 4 live DVD’s, an autobiography and a feature movie; has established herself as the foremost female artist in South Africa and a formidable presence on the global music scene.
She released her debut album All My Love in 2003. The title track off the album would go on to surpass Beyonce’s “Dangerously in Love” on its run to the top of the SA Charts, marking the beginning of her meteoric rise. LIRA then signed to Sony Music in 2006 and released three albums, all 3 of which certified platinum and subsequently won her numerous accolades and multiple South African Music Awards (SAMAs) – 11 to date. In further pursuit of growing her international brand, LIRA released Rise Again in 2014 through the independent USA record label – Shanachie. This was the perfect introduction to the full spectrum of LIRA’s artistry for American audiences.
She took her band on tour in the US over several years and shot the entire experience thus creating four seasons of her documentary series called ‘LIRA – Dream Chaser’ which was aired to 50 countries on FOX. The SABC subsequently bought the series and aired it in December 2021.
In 2010 she had her first acting role in the feature film called THE ITALIAN Consul which was a collaboration between SA and Italy, she had a supporting lead role. She spent a month touring Italy promoting the film at all the Italian film festivals including the Taormina Film Festival where the film was launched.
Lira also made a cameo appearance on the South African romantic comedy Happiness is a Four Letter Word on which she is credited as executive producer. In 2016 she released her first global album Born Free under her own label OTAREL MUSIC. 2016 became a busy year for LIRA as she became a coach and mentor on South Africa’s version of the international hit music reality TV show, The Voice. She was a coach for all three seasons of the show.
Bobbi Brown cosmetics announced LIRA as their first South African influencer, making her the first African to formally collaborate with the cosmetic house in a campaign titled “Bobbi x LIRA”.In August 2019, international doll company Martell launched Africa’s first Barbie doll made in the likeness of LIRA to commemorate Barbie brand’s 60th anniversary. This made LIRA the 50th global icon to be given this honour. She also attended the 62nd Grammy Awards in February 2020 and was invited to perform in front of the Grammy committee.
Steve Uria Steve’s roots in South Africa’s military specialist in advanced training provided him the foundation to push beyond preconceived limits, and pursue personal empowerment. Whether training the many beginners who come to his class, or the professional athletes who continually seek him out such as Oscar de la Hoya, Jamal Lewis, and Charles Barkley, Steve’s mission is simple: to bring out the very best in each clientthat walks through his fitness studio’s doors, and have them leave feeling stronger and better than when they walked in.
Ran Neuner is the Co-founder and CEO of Onchain Capital, a Blockchain Investment fund and Advisory service. In 2017 Ran Neuner launched Crypto Trader , the world’s first televised cryptocurrency show featured on CNBC. Today he is still the host and executive producer. The show has had huge success is the most viewed show on the channel today
Previously Ran Neuner was the founder CEO of The Creative Counsel Group. The company which he founder grew to become the largest sales and marketing agency in Africa. He sold this business to the Publicis Groupe in 2015 for what was recorded as the biggest business transaction in Africa.
Ran holds a Bachelor degree in Finance, is a CFA and is currently completing his OPM studies at Harvard Business School.
Ran Neuner is also involved in several initiatives to grow and mentor entrepreneurs including several incubator projects to support transformation in the industry.
Ran was also involved in the Branson Mentorship Programme that identifies successful entrepreneurs who is able to offer guidance, connections and opportunities through their peer and partnership network, supporting entrepreneurs to structure and scale their businesses by providing training, mentoring and networking to help them on their entrepreneurial journey.
Ran’s success in the Blockchain world has earned him the ranking of one of the top 10 most influential people in Blockchain by Richtopia and is also a sought after speaker at in Entrepreneurship, Blockchain Crypto Currency events and conferences.