Category: General News

  • Bennum van Jaarsveld: A Heart of Gold and a Voice for Hope

    Bennum van Jaarsveld: A Heart of Gold and a Voice for Hope

    We are proud to celebrate Bennum van Jaarsveld, our wonderful Brand Ambassador, whose professional success is matched by his compassion for others.

    Bennum’s achievements include Prestige Africa Master of Ceremonies of the Year 2026, recognition among the Top 100 Most Influential Men of 2025, and Second Runner-Up at Mister Global South Africa 2025. These honours reflect his talent, dedication and ability to connect with people.

    An accomplished MC, speaker and facilitator, Bennum brings warmth and energy to the stage. He also regularly gives his time to THE CRADLE OF HOPE NPC, helping with food preparation and distribution and lending his voice to our fundraising efforts and events.

    To our CRADLE family, Bennum is a valued ambassador with a heart of gold, who uses his success to make a meaningful difference.

    Thank you, Bennum, for sharing your talent, time and heart with us. We celebrate your achievements and we are grateful to have you walking this journey of HOPE alongside us!

    Bennum brings confidence, energy and connection to events across Johannesburg, Gauteng and beyond. For more information visit www.bennum.co.za


    Originally published by THE CRADLE OF HOPE NPC in their October 2026 newsletter, dated 27 October 2026.

    Learn more about the organisation and the difference they are making:

    Visit The Cradle of Hope NPC

  • Bennum van Jaarsveld op Eden FM: My Reis deur Mister Global SA

    Bennum van Jaarsveld op Eden FM: My Reis deur Mister Global SA

    Op 27 Augustus 2025 het ek lekker saam met Deon en Karen op Eden FM se Aksie met Reaksie gekuier en oor my ervaring met Mister Global South Africa 2025 gesels.

    Teen daardie tyd was die kompetisie klaar en kon ek vir die eerste keer behoorlik terugkyk na alles wat gebeur het.

    Ek het as tweede naaswenner van Mister Global SA 2025 geëindig, iets waarvoor ek baie dankbaar is. Maar as ek nou terugkyk, was die hele ervaring vir my oor baie meer as net waar ek geplaas het.

    Dit was ’n groot persoonlike uitdaging, veral om ná soveel jare weer terug te wees op ’n kompetisieverhoog.

    Hoekom weer Mister Global SA?

    Ek was in 2009 ’n Top 5-finalis in Mr South Africa, maar baie het natuurlik sedertdien verander.

    My loopbaan het ontwikkel, ek het in verskillende bedrywe gewerk en my werk as Master of Ceremonies het oor die jare al hoe meer deel van my lewe geword.

    Toe die geleentheid vir Mister Global SA kom, het ek gedink: Hoekom nie?

    Ek was ouer as die eerste keer, ek het meer lewenservaring gehad en ek het baie beter geweet wie ek is en waarvoor ek staan.

    Ek dink dit was deel van wat die ervaring hierdie keer so anders gemaak het.

    ’n Heel ander uitdaging as wat mense sien

    Van buite af lyk ’n kompetisie soos Mister Global dalk redelik eenvoudig.

    Mense sien die foto’s, die formele drag, die verhoog en uiteindelik die uitslag.

    Maar daar gebeur baie agter die skerms.

    Daar is voorbereiding, oefening, lang dae en natuurlik ook oomblikke waar jy wonder of jy regtig weer hiervoor kans gesien het.

    Vir my was dit juis daardie deel wat waardevol was.

    Dit het my weer uit my gemaksone gehaal en my gedwing om myself op ’n ander manier uit te daag.

    Tweede naaswenner van Mister Global SA 2025

    Om uiteindelik tweede naaswenner te wees, was natuurlik ’n baie spesiale oomblik.

    Jy sit baie tyd en moeite in iets soos hierdie, so dit is lekker om aan die einde te voel dat die harde werk raakgesien is.

    Maar ek dink die grootste ding wat ek uit Mister Global SA gekry het, was nie noodwendig die plasing nie.

    Dit was die ervaring self.

    Ek het nuwe mense ontmoet, nuwe dinge van myself geleer en weer besef dat dit nooit te laat is om iets nuuts aan te pak nie.

    My kuier op Eden FM

    Dit was lekker om daarna saam met Deon en Karen op Eden FM oor die hele ervaring te kon gesels.

    Ons het nie net oor Mister Global SA en die kompetisie gepraat nie, maar ook oor my loopbaan, die uitdagings langs die pad en wat die ervaring vir my persoonlik beteken het.

    Ons het ook gesels oor wat vorentoe lê.

    Ek het nog altyd verskillende belangstellings gehad. My werk as ’n seremoniemeester, spreker en fasiliteerder is ’n groot deel daarvan, maar ek geniet dit ook om myself met nuwe projekte en geleenthede uit te daag.

    Mister Global SA was beslis een van daardie ervarings wat my weer laat dink het oor wat nog moontlik is.

    Jy hoef nie klaar te wees nie

    Een ding wat ek beslis uit die hele ervaring geleer het, is dat jy nie op ’n sekere ouderdom hoef te besluit:

    “Wel, dit is nou maar dit.”

    Ons raak maklik vas in ons werk, ons roetines en wat ons dink ons veronderstel is om op ’n sekere ouderdom te doen.

    Ek dink daar is baie waarde daarin om jouself nou en dan weer ’n bietjie bang te maak.

    Probeer iets anders.

    Sê ja vir iets wat jy nie noodwendig ’n paar jaar gelede sou oorweeg het nie.

    Mister Global SA was vir my presies dit.

    Wat nou?

    Na ’n ervaring soos Mister Global SA vra mense natuurlik altyd:

    Wat is volgende?

    Ek dink nie ek het een groot dramatiese antwoord daarop nie.

    Ek wil eenvoudig aanhou om die werk te doen wat ek geniet, nuwe geleenthede aan te gryp en kyk waar die pad my vat.

    My werk as Master of Ceremonies, aanbieder en fasiliteerder bly ’n groot fokus.

    Ek geniet die mense.

    Ek geniet die verhoog.

    Ek geniet dit om deel te wees van geleenthede waar iets spesiaals gebeur.

    En ek is beslis nog nie klaar om myself uit te daag nie.

    Luister na die Eden FM-onderhoud

    As jy die hele gesprek wil hoor, kan jy die Aksie met Reaksie-onderhoud met Eden FM hier luister.

    Luister op Spotify

    Bennum van Jaarsveld: ’n Reis van Inspirasie by Mister Global SA – Eden FM

    Kyk op YouTube

    Jy kan die onderhoud ook hier kyk:

    Kyk na Bennum se Eden FM-onderhoud op YouTube

    Meer oor Eden FM en hul programme is beskikbaar op die Eden FM-webwerf.

    Dankie, Eden FM

    Baie dankie aan Deon, Karen en Eden FM vir die lekker gesprek en die geleentheid om ’n bietjie meer oor die Mister Global SA-reis te deel.

    Dit was ’n groot jaar, ’n interessante ervaring en beslis een wat ek nie gou sal vergeet nie.

    Ek het in 2025 as tweede naaswenner van Mister Global South Africa weggestap, maar ek dink die grootste wen was om myself weer uit te daag en te sien dat daar nog baie is wat voorlê.

    En nou?

    Ons kyk vorentoe.

    Op soek na ’n professionele Master of Ceremonies?

    Bennum is beskikbaar as Master of Ceremonies, aanbieder, moderator, fasiliteerder en spreker vir korporatiewe geleenthede, konferensies, troues, bekendstellings en ander funksies regoor Suid-Afrika.

    Lees meer oor Bennum Master of Ceremonies

    Kontak Bennum

    Lees ook

    Bennum on Gold FM: Mister Global SA Finalist

  • LEADERSHIP · INFLUENCE · PURPOSE · SOUTH AFRICA

    LEADERSHIP · INFLUENCE · PURPOSE · SOUTH AFRICA

    Being Named One of South Africa’s Top 100 Most Influential Men 2025

    A recognition of leadership, influence, achievement and the positive difference we can make in the lives of others.

    27 April 2025 Top 100 Recognition

    An Incredible Honour

    Top 100 Most Influential Men in South Africa

    Top 100 Most Influential Men

    2025 Recognition

    27 April Freedom Day

    On 27 April 2025, I had the incredible honour of being recognised as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Men in South Africa.

    It was one of those moments that makes you stop for a second.

    Not because of the title itself, but because of what the recognition represents.

    The Top 100 Awards recognise people for their leadership, influence, achievements and contribution to uplifting others.

    For me, it felt like a culmination of many different parts of my life.

    My career. My work as a Master of Ceremonies. The people I have met. The communities I have been part of. The challenges I have faced.

    And hopefully, the positive difference I have managed to make along the way.

    What Influence Means to Me

    Influence is an interesting word.

    I do not think influence is about being the loudest person in the room or having the biggest platform.

    For me, it is much more personal than that.

    What Influence Means

    “It is about how you make people feel.”

    It is about whether you encourage someone. Whether you help someone.

    Whether you use your position, however big or small, to create something positive.

    That is what made this award meaningful to me.

    It reminded me that the things we do every day matter. Often far more than we realise.

    Leadership Using your position to guide, encourage and create something positive for the people around you.

    Upliftment Helping people, supporting communities and creating a positive difference wherever possible.

    Purpose Continuing to grow, challenge yourself and use whatever platform you have with intention.

    My Work as a Master of Ceremonies

    A large part of my life has been spent on stage as a professional Master of Ceremonies, presenter, moderator and facilitator.

    And something I have learnt over the years is that an MC has a unique responsibility.

    You are not there simply to introduce the next speaker.

    You are there to guide the event. You are there to connect the programme with the audience.

    You are there to read the energy, respond when things change and help the people around you feel comfortable.

    Sometimes that means being energetic. Sometimes it means being serious. Sometimes it means knowing when to say less.

    Every event is different. And every audience is different.

    That is one of the things I love most about being a Master of Ceremonies in Johannesburg and across South Africa.

    No two events are ever exactly the same.

    The Person Behind the Microphone Matters

    The MC Can Change How an Entire Event Feels

    Over the years I have realised that the person behind the microphone can have a huge impact on how an event feels.

    An MC can bring people together. An MC can help an audience relax. An MC can create momentum when energy drops.

    And when something unexpected happens — which it often does at live events — the MC can help make sure the audience never feels the panic happening behind the scenes.

    That takes experience. But more than that, it takes an understanding of people.

    Corporate Functions

    Awards Ceremonies

    Weddings

    Gala Dinners

    Panel Discussions

    Sporting Events

    And I think that is where the idea of influence connects very closely with what I do professionally.

    Communication

    “Communication matters. How we speak to people matters. And how we treat people matters even more.”

    Gratitude and Purpose

    Being named one of South Africa’s Top 100 Most Influential Men was an incredible honour.

    But I do not see it as a destination.

    For me, it is another reminder to keep living with gratitude and purpose.

    To keep helping where I can. To keep challenging myself. And to keep trying to make a difference in the lives of the people I meet.

    Life has taught me that success does not always arrive in the way you expect.

    Sometimes it is an award. Sometimes it is a new opportunity. Sometimes it is simply someone telling you that something you said or did helped them.

    Those moments matter too. Probably more than we realise.

    A Proud South African Moment

    Receiving this recognition on Freedom Day, 27 April, made the experience even more meaningful.

    I am incredibly proud to work with people and organisations across South Africa as a professional MC, event host, moderator and facilitator.

    Whether I am hosting a corporate function, awards ceremony, wedding, gala dinner, panel discussion or sporting event, I never take the responsibility lightly.

    Every event is an opportunity to connect with someone.

    And every interaction has the potential to leave an impression.

    That is something this award reminded me of once again.

    Looking Ahead

    I am very grateful for the recognition, but there is still a lot I want to do.

    There are more audiences I want to connect with. More events I want to host. More projects I want to be involved in. And more opportunities to grow.

    Being named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Men in South Africa 2025 is something I will always be proud of.

    But for me, the most important part is what comes next.

    Keep Growing

    Keep Helping

    Keep Showing Up

    Make a Positive Difference

    MASTER OF CEREMONIES · MODERATOR · FACILITATOR

    Looking for a Master of Ceremonies Who Understands People?

    Bennum brings professional stage experience, confident communication and genuine audience connection to corporate events, conferences, awards evenings, weddings and events across South Africa. Enquire About Bennum

  • MISTER GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICA · PERSONAL JOURNEY · 2025

    MISTER GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICA · PERSONAL JOURNEY · 2025

    Top 3 at Mister Global South Africa 2025

    A journey of growth, courage, self-belief and stepping outside my comfort zone.

    27 July 2025 Pretoria

    Mister Global South Africa 2025

    An Incredible Top 3 Finish

    Top 3 South Africa

    Director’s Choice Award

    Debutant Award

    In 2025, I decided to do something that pushed me completely out of my comfort zone. I entered the Mister Global South Africa competition.

    For me, it was never only about the competition itself. It was about growth, challenging myself, doing something brave and proving to myself that it is never too late to take on something new.

    The theme for 2025 was “Men of Essence”, and that really resonated with me.

    The competition was not only focused on appearance or physical discipline. It was about the full person — leadership, influence, community involvement, business acumen, confidence and how you contribute to the people around you.

    That made the journey far more meaningful to me.

    Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

    As a Master of Ceremonies, I am very comfortable being on stage.

    I have spent years working with audiences, hosting events, presenting, facilitating and adapting to all kinds of people and environments.

    But this was different.

    I was not standing on stage as the MC. This time, I was the one being judged.

    That brought a completely different kind of pressure.

    The competition challenged us in areas such as networking, sponsorship, funding generation, ambassadorship and business skills.

    It required a lot of confidence, but also vulnerability. And that was probably one of the biggest lessons for me.

    One of the Biggest Lessons

    “Sometimes growth comes when you put yourself in a position where you do not have all the answers.”

    Top 3 in South Africa

    The final gala and crowning took place in Pretoria on 27 July 2025.

    I was incredibly honoured to finish as Second Runner-Up, placing me in the Top 3 in South Africa.

    I also received the Director’s Choice Award and the Debutant Award.

    That was something I was genuinely proud of.

    When I entered, I wanted to challenge myself. To finish in the Top 3 made the entire journey even more special.

    Challenge Yourself Growth often begins when you are willing to do something unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

    Reinvent Yourself You are allowed to take a different direction and pursue something new at any stage of life.

    Believe in Yourself Sometimes the greatest limitation is the one we place on ourselves before we even begin.

    It Is Never Too Late

    One of the biggest things I took from the Mister Global South Africa journey is that it is never too late to follow a dream or take on a new challenge.

    You are allowed to reinvent yourself.

    You are allowed to try something different.

    And you are allowed to be uncomfortable while doing it.

    The experience reminded me how important self-belief is. It also reminded me how much courage it sometimes takes simply to put yourself forward.

    For me, Mister Global South Africa was not an ending. It was another stepping stone.

    There are still things I want to achieve, projects I want to take on and new experiences I want to have.

    What the Journey Taught Me as an MC

    Seeing the Stage From Both Sides

    Interestingly, the experience also gave me a new perspective on my work as a professional Master of Ceremonies.

    When you are the person on stage guiding an event, you see the event from one side.

    When you are the person standing on stage being judged, interviewed or introduced, you see it from another.

    You realise again how important it is for an MC to make people feel comfortable. How important a good introduction is. How important timing, energy and communication are.

    And how much difference it makes when the person holding the microphone actually understands the people standing next to them.

    Corporate Events

    Weddings

    Awards Evenings

    Sporting Events

    Panel Discussions

    That is something I carry into every event I host.

    Whether I am working as a Johannesburg MC, hosting a corporate event, wedding, awards evening, sporting event or panel discussion, my aim is always the same:

    Every Event

    “Connect with the people in front of me and make the event feel natural.”

    Grateful for the Journey

    I am incredibly grateful for the Mister Global South Africa experience and for everyone who supported me throughout the journey.

    It challenged me.

    It stretched me.

    It made me vulnerable.

    And it reminded me that there is always another version of yourself waiting on the other side of a challenge.

    Finishing in the Top 3 in South Africa was something I will always be proud of.

    But the biggest reward was probably the growth that happened along the way.

    And that journey is far from finished.

    MASTER OF CEREMONIES · SPEAKER · FACILITATOR

    A Personal Journey That Changed the Way I Step Onto a Stage

    Bennum brings professional event experience, personal insight and genuine audience connection to corporate events, conferences, weddings, panels and speaking engagements across South Africa. Enquire About Bennum

  • PERSONAL JOURNEY · PPMC MAGAZINE · SPEAKING

    PERSONAL JOURNEY · PPMC MAGAZINE · SPEAKING

    Passion, Purpose & New Beginnings

    24 October 2025 PPMC Magazine

    Passion, purpose, new beginnings.

    The last 15 months have been filled with destined endings, change, and fresh starts. A journey of unbecoming and letting go. 2025 was a year of challenge and revelation.

    Gently clearing out and saying goodbye to what no longer aligns. Contacts and “friends” have come and gone. And what remains is rock solid.

    Bennum van Jaarsveld featured in PPMC Magazine South Africa Issue 160

    PPMC Magazine South Africa

    Passion, Purpose & New Beginnings

    Thank you PPMC Magazine South Africa for this beautiful feature – a summary of my path, humble beginnings and a celebration of fresh starts.

    Read the article on P38 of the new issue #160.

    Issue #160 Page 38

    Read Issue 160

    Bennum’s New Talk

    My Journey for a Title — Lessons for Life and Business

    I gladly share my story in my new talk: “My journey for a title – lessons for life and business.” Hear why your biggest support often comes from strangers.

    Book me now to inspire your groups, teams and staff

    074 5898 313

    hello@bennum.co.za

    #passion#purpose#NewBeginnings#speaker#motivation#grateful

  • Bennum – Occupational Health & Safety Speaker

    Bennum – Occupational Health & Safety Speaker

    CORPORATE EVENTS · LEADERSHIP · WORKPLACE WELLNESS

    Master of Ceremonies & Leadership Speaker at the Occupational Health & Safety Conference

    16 October 2025 Middelburg

    Bennum van Jaarsveld Master of Ceremonies and leadership speaker at an Occupational Health and Safety conference

    Inspired and grateful to be the Master of Ceremonies and Leadership Speaker at the Occupational Health and Safety, Wellness and Compliance Conference for the mining industry.

    On 16 October in Middelburg, I had the privilege of serving as Master of Ceremonies and Leadership Speaker at the Occupational Health and Safety, Wellness and Compliance Conference with Dr M Jina .

    Bringing people together around important conversations is one of the parts of being a Master of Ceremonies that I value most. Events such as this are about more than keeping a programme moving — they create an opportunity for people to connect, listen, learn and take meaningful ideas back into the workplace.

    “Take care of your staff and they’ll take care of your business.”

    Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace

    One of the big topics of the conference was mental health and wellness — something which impacts employees across every level of an organisation.

    Occupational health, workplace wellness and employee wellbeing are important conversations, particularly in demanding industries such as mining. Creating space for these discussions helps organisations build healthier teams and more sustainable workplaces.

    Bennum van Jaarsveld at the Occupational Health and Safety Wellness and Compliance Conference in Middelburg
    Occupational Health and Safety conference for the mining industry in Middelburg

    Event Details

    Conference Occupational Health & Safety, Wellness and Compliance Conference

    Industry Mining Industry

    Location Middelburg

    The Corn and Cob, Middelburg

    The Corn and Cob in Middelburg was the ideal venue for the conference, with great service and food.

    #miningindustry#occupationalhealth#mentalhealth#conference#bennumMC#MasterOfCeremonies

    MASTER OF CEREMONIES · LEADERSHIP SPEAKER · FACILITATOR

    Planning a Corporate Conference or Leadership Event?

    Bennum brings structure, energy and professional audience engagement to conferences, leadership events and corporate programmes across South Africa. Enquire About Your Event

  • Bennum on Gold FM: Mr Global SA Finalist

    Bennum on Gold FM: Mr Global SA Finalist

    GOLD FM · MISTER GLOBAL SA · PERSONAL JOURNEY

    Bennum on Gold FM: Mister Global SA Finalist & Finding Your Second Wind After 40

    A conversation about pageantry, purpose, community, lifestyle changes and starting a new chapter later in life.

    10 April 2025 Gold FM Interview

    PAGEANTRY · PURPOSE · NEW BEGINNINGS

    Sometimes the next chapter of your life begins when you decide you’re not finished yet.

    Thank you Gold FM for the casual chat about my journey as a Mister Global SA Finalist, and catching your second wind after 40.

    I thoroughly enjoyed the time with Caria Khats, talking about the journey back to pageantry, the different passions that have shaped my life, community involvement, healthier living and what competing for the Mister Global South Africa title means to me.

    The Conversation

    “Catching your second wind after 40.”

    The Questions Gold FM Asked Me

    01

    With being a Top 5 finalist in Mr South Africa in 2009, what made you decide to get back on stage to enter Mr Global SA after so many years?

    02

    From pageantry, to being a Master of Ceremonies, a motivational speaker and working in the insurance industry — tell us more about your passions?

    03

    How important is being involved in the community and being part of community upliftment to you?

    04

    You have undergone a few lifestyle changes to become healthier and happier. What advice do you have for those who are also looking to make some changes?

    05

    What would winning Mr Global SA mean to you?

    06

    Is there any way that the Goldfields community can help you reach your goal of being the next Mr Global SA?

    Listen to the Interview

    Bennum on Gold FM

    Listen to the conversation about Mister Global SA, purpose, personal growth and finding a second wind after 40.

    More Than a Pageant Journey

    The conversation touched on much more than competing for a title. It was also about the experiences, values and passions that have shaped the journey along the way.

    Pageantry Returning to the stage years after being a Top 5 Mr South Africa finalist in 2009.

    Speaking & MC Work A passion for connecting with people as a Master of Ceremonies and motivational speaker.

    Community Community involvement, upliftment and using opportunities to make a positive difference.

    MASTER OF CEREMONIES · SPEAKER · FACILITATOR

    Looking for a Speaker Who Brings a Real Story to the Stage?

    Bennum brings personal experience, professional presence and genuine audience connection to corporate events, conferences, leadership programmes and speaking engagements. Enquire About Bennum