The Incredible Machines Beyond the Numbers: Muhammad Seedat
Welcome to Episode 20 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Muhammad Seedat, an entrepreneur, media executive, and community leader. From selling chips in school to chairing the board of Hilaal TV, Muhammad’s story is one of hustle, resilience, and hard-earned wisdom.
Being a Durban-born entrepreneur with a career spanning accounting, consulting, media, and sports administration. He opens up about building businesses, navigating cultural and personal challenges, and the importance of slowing down to think.
He is the co-founder and board chair of Hilaal TV, former CEO of the Dolphins cricket franchise, and a seasoned leader in the professional services sector. Known for his strategic thinking, integrity, and ability to drive change, Muhammad’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by both high-impact wins and deeply reflective moments.
This episode is a must-listen for an insight into entrepreneurship, leadership, and anyone in pursuit of a meaningful life.
⏱ Timestamped Overview
00:00- Introduction
01:00 – What Muhammad would tell his younger self
05:00 – Community, identity, and choosing to stay in Durban
10:00 – Selling sweets & tickets at school: early entrepreneurship
13:00 – Parental influence & entrepreneurial independence
16:00 – Sourcing stock and learning simple business logic
22:00 – Getting married at 19 and juggling work, study & business
30:00 – Moving to the UK: working as a financial analyst
35:00 – Living through the 2008 UK financial crash
58:00 – Secret second marriage: navigating the emotional toll
01:02:00 – Trauma, criticism, and finding inner strength
01:10:00 – Building Hilaal TV: how it started in crisis
01:32:00 – EO Learning Chair: planning, energy & diverse offerings
💬 Quote of the Episode
“Doing nothing is underrated. It gives you the space to think, and that’s when breakthroughs happen.” – Muhammad Seedat
🧠 Related Campaign Example
Nando’s provocative billboard campaigns — Muhammad loves their use of cultural relevance and “brand bravery.”
Nando's TV Commercials: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg-UXGhfC4Wk6PRAsZsqbp4Jis4xaJlhR&si=H-nHkqRU-O3FJ5l-
👣 Relevant Links
Hilaal TV: https://hilaal.tv/
Entrepreneur’s Organization: https://eonetwork.org/
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🎧 Podcast Page: https://www.pod.tim.africa