“In a world that is often polarised and divisive,” writes Ayanda Seboni, Group Executive for Mutuality, PPS (South Africa), “it is heartwarming to know that there are like-minded people out there who want to do good and be good, not just for themselves but for society as a whole. This sentiment epitomises PPS’s ethos of mutuality, where professionals come together in the good times so that anyone who needs support can count on the rest to help. The mutual model is regenerative, with purpose and sustainability built in, and the community not only takes ownership but constantly pays it forward.”

In 2023, the BBC World Service decided to trial a good news service called the Happy Pod after receiving many years of feedback that the news was gloomy and depressing. The idea was simple yet powerful: once a week, on a Saturday, broadcast a 30-minute segment, the only rule being that it must be good news. The Happy Pod could feature uplifting stories about anything from anywhere in the world.

In a world that is often polarised and divisive, it is heartwarming to know that there are like-minded people out there who want to do good and be good, not just for themselves but for society as a whole. This sentiment epitomises PPS’s ethos of mutuality, where professionals come together in the good times so that anyone who needs support can count on the rest to help. The mutual model is regenerative, with purpose and sustainability built in, and the community not only takes ownership but constantly pays it forward.

The Happy Pod initiative was met with great enthusiasm and quickly gained a loyal following. People were tired of hearing about the negativity and the problems of the world and they craved stories of hope, kindness and progress. The Happy Pod provided exactly that, and more.

Listeners of the Happy Pod heard about children who overcame adversity, communities that came together to solve problems and individuals who made a positive impact on their surroundings. These stories not only brought a smile to people’s faces but also inspired them to do more good in their own lives.

The success of the Happy Pod is a testament to the power of positivity and the impact that one small idea can have on the world. It also highlights the importance of having a sense of community and shared purpose, which is what PPS embodies. By working together and supporting each other, we can create a better world for all.

The vision of eight dentists who realised that they were only stronger together, not just for themselves but for like-minded people, led to the creation of a permanent endowment for South African professionals. In 2023, PPS members funded 70 young people with incredible potential to achieve an education and join the exclusive community of graduate professionals. Thousands of other aspiring professionals were reached around the country through PPS’s money matters and work readiness programme, which equips students with complementary skills to their academic studies. Supporting young people unlocks their potential and grows their talent, which in turn grows the economy and creates more opportunities for personal and societal growth.

It is essential to understand that business is not disconnected from society but a contributor. Doing the right thing, even when it is hard, is critical. The infinite potential that lies in the network of PPS members is what our eight founding fathers had envisioned. Senior members mentor early career professionals – not only in their respective crafts – but also in sharing the lessons they have learned along the way.

Perhaps the most evident expression of the elegance of the mutual model is how PPS members who decided to participate in the Healthy Weigh Challenge to improve their health and well-being could fund a student for a year from their collective contributions. That is impact; when scaled up, it could chip away at many seemingly insurmountable challenges.

My personal favourite of PPS’s initiatives has to be Cultivating Tomorrow’s Professionals, an employee volunteerism programme whose focus is to help high-potential learners from under-resourced schools improve their chances of success in high school. Grade 11 and 12 learners are given maths enrichment classes and access to cutting-edge digital tools such as Advantage Learn to help them prepare for their matric final exams. In addition to academic support, the programme also offers valuable life experiences through guest speakers who share their personal stories, fields of study and career paths. Representation truly matters and having diverse individuals share their experiences is crucial.

Watching the Group CEO share his love of mathematics and teach wide-eyed learners about Pascal’s Triangle and the poetry of the golden ratio is a marvel. In an instant, you experience the fear of mathematics evaporating as the love for it begins to grow. Perhaps it was not an accident that our founding fathers chose the mutual model; it was the numerical poetry of the infinite game.

Our thanks to Ayanda and PPS for their permission to share this guest blog with ICMIF members. The article was originally published in the PPS magazine for members The Professional.

In the next session of the ICMIF Brand and Marketing Forum, taking place on Tuesday 7 May 2024 Ayanda Seboni, Group Executive Mutuality at PPS (South Africa) will give a case study presentation and share PPS’s journey to create the multi award winning campaign Finding the Forgotten Graduate. With a narrative centred around inclusivity, Finding the Forgotten Graduate is a profound and moving interactive documentary that gives dignity to those marginalised people who were written out of South African history. Ayanda Seboni will also share how the campaign is a social commentary piece which underpins the PPS purpose and mutuality. Learn more and register here.