BNI Free State - South Africa

30/10/2026

BNI Free State Success Story 285

From the Free State to Monaco: Chris Dednam Takes His Seat at BNI’s Global Table

Some leaders build networks. Chris Dednam builds the leaders who build networks.

At the BNI Connect Global Convention 2026 in Monaco, the Founder’s Circle elected its new leadership team. Ten nominations came in. Six candidates made the final ballot. Two leaders rose to the top.

JJ Phang, Executive Director of BNI Malaysia, steps in as President.
Chris Dednam, Executive Director of BNI South Africa, steps in as Vice President.

For the Free State, this one lands close to home. Chris is our Executive Director, the steady hand behind the chapters, the training and the culture we walk into every week. Now he carries South African grit, warmth and Givers Gain® spirit into the room where BNI’s global future takes shape.

The convention theme says it perfectly: Continuing the Legacy. Shaping What’s Next. Chris honours what BNI’s founders built and brings fresh fire to what members across the world need next. Stronger together. Global perspective. Meaningful contributions. Greater impact.

To every BNI member in the Free State: each visitor you invite, each referral you pass and each one-to-one you show up for adds a line to the story that placed a South African flag on that Monaco stage.

Congratulations, Chris. A brighter tomorrow, together, starts right here at home.


[Story captured and published by Werner StorySchmidt, BNI Free State Director of Success Stories]

28/10/2026

We extend a warm welcome to Heinricht van Vrede, representing MediaScape (Advertising and Marketing) in BNI Octane.

May your membership be everything you want it to be and MORE!

27/10/2026

We extend a warm welcome to two new members, Elri Vermeulen and Stephen Styer.

Elri is from Print Depot and joined BNI Prima (Kimberley) in the Advertising and Marketing - Branding classification.

Stephen represents PWC Elec Solar at BNI Rectiora in the Construction - Solar seat.

Please join us in welcoming them to the BNI Free State family!

24/10/2026

Bon Voyage to Monaco, Chris!

Our very own Chris Dednam, Executive Director of BNI Free State, is on his way to the Riviera for the 2026 BNI Global Convention.

From 28 to 30 October, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco becomes the meeting place of the BNI world. Members and Directors from across the globe will gather for three days of learning, leadership and connection.

Chris carries the Free State with him. Every referral passed, every visitor welcomed and every chapter that showed up and grew this year travels in his suitcase.

He’ll come home with fresh ideas, new global friendships and a few stories for the rest of us. That’s Givers Gain on an international stage.

Safe adventures, Chris! Fly high, connect deep and bring the Riviera home to the Free State.


[Written by Werner StorySchmidt]

21/10/2026

284. 13 YEARS OF GIVERS GAIN, R124.5 MILLION IN BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES CREATED
BNI Oliewenhuis turns 13. Congratulations!

Thirteen years of breakfasts, referrals, and relationships that compound. Here’s who led the charge this year.

TOP 3: REFERRALS GIVEN TO FELLOW MEMBERS

Elsa Pienaar, 1,274
Stefan Van Biljon, 1,012
Herman Claassens, 966

TOP 3: REFERRALS RECEIVED FROM FELLOW MEMBERS

Michelle Reyneke, 1,007
Danie Hoffman, 760
Herman Claassens, 731

TOP 3: FIRST-TIME VISITORS INVITED

Gys Botes, 93
Stefan Van Biljon, 90
Elsa Pienaar, 88

TOP 3: BUSINESS & NETWORKING EDUCATION HOURS

Elwin Strachan, 699
Michelle Reyneke, 521
Tokkie Lourens, 441

TOP 3: RAND VALUE OF REFERRALS GIVEN

Stefan Van Biljon, R6,627,136
Herman Claassens, R4,939,761
Gys Botes, R4,649,840

And the chapter total, thirteen years in the making:
23,543 referrals given to fellow members. 25,089 referrals received. 2,111 first-time visitors invited. 10,887 hours invested in business and networking education. R124,522,488 in business opportunities created, member to member.

Here’s to exponential growth into the next 13!

A testament to Givers Gain leadership in action.



[Story captured, written, and published by Werner StorySchmidt, Director-Consultant of Success Stories, BNI Free State]

08/10/2026

🎉 Please Join Us in Welcoming Our Newest BNI Rectiora Members 🎉

BNI Rectiora continues to grow from strength to strength, and we are excited to welcome three outstanding professionals to our chapter!

🔨 Francois van Niekerk from Gecko Solutions joins us in the Handyman seat.

⚡ Craig Truluck from ProPower Generators & Electrical joins us in the Electrician seat.

🏦 Sandra du Randt joins us in the Banking Services seat, taking over from Vaughn Nienaber and continuing FNB's representation within the chapter.

On behalf of our Executive Director - Chris Dednam, Area Director - Mirna Butler, and Chapter President - Zieg Badenhorst, we extend a warm welcome to each of you.

We look forward to seeing the relationships, referrals and opportunities that will come from your membership and wish you every success on your BNI journey.

✨ Cheers to new connections, business growth and living the spirit of Givers Gain®

08/10/2026

Chasing leads through cold calls can feel like an uphill struggle when there is a much smarter way to land new clients. By building solid relationships with other skilled local professionals, you unlock a steady stream of trusted referrals that directly grow your income.

If you're ready to stop relying on cold calls and start growing through trusted relationships, BNI is built for you:

🤝 Referrals: Get quality introductions from people who already trust you.
🔗 Relationships: Build strong, long-term connections with like-minded entrepreneurs.
📈 Real Results: More business. More clients. More income.

Whether you're an established business owner or an ambitious entrepreneur, claim your spot at an upcoming chapter meeting and see how referral marketing works.

Seats are limited per industry category. Click below to request your invitation!
👉 Reserve your spot here: https://grow.bni-freestate.co.za/

Join BNI Free State to grow your business through referrals, connect with professionals, and generate consistent opportunities through structured networking.

30/09/2026

283. TWO PRINT BUSINESSES, ONE DREAM TEAM

At MRD Designs, Michelle and her team specialise in high-volume, high-precision print and branding work.

In BNI, as a member of BNI Oliewenhuis, she has turned a second so-called rival into a full-blown dream team.

Makgaje, of EpiCtee and a member of
BNI Riferimento, also works in print, branding, and design. Another business that could easily have stayed a competitor.

Chris, executive director of BNI Free State, introduced the two of them, believing they could work together rather than against each other, and the instinct was spot on.

Makgaje needed support with specialist, high-volume work, like printing hardhats for national corporate clients. MRD Design stepped in to help carry the load.

With clients spread between Gauteng and Durban, the partnership means deadlines get met and workloads stay balanced, for both businesses and their clients.

Thank you, Michelle and Makgaje, for building trust across rival classifications, and for proving that collaboration beats competition every time, for true co-opetition.
A testament to Givers Gain leadership in action.


[Story captured, written, and published by Werner StorySchmidt, Director-Consultant of Success Stories, BNI Free State]

23/09/2026

282. THE DAY SOMEONE ASKED FOR THE MANAGER, AND CHANGED EVERYTHING
At Del Forno (Moreleta), Gillian runs a restaurant built on hospitality, consistency, and heart.
In BNI, that same heart has carried her through the toughest chapter of her business, and out the other side.

It started the way restaurant trouble usually starts: someone walked in and insisted on speaking to the manager. Except this time, it was not a complaint. It was an invitation to BNI. Specifically, BNI Superabundant, within BNI Tshwane, South Africa.

Gill had never heard of BNI. Two years later, as a member of BNI SuperAbundant, she has received 101 referrals worth R484,000, and given 114 referrals worth R172,000 - beautifully reflected in the numbers.

Another twist in this remarkable story is what happened in her first two months as a member. A fire broke out at the restaurant, and Del Forno had to close its doors for two months. For the start of her BNI journey, Gill technically did not have a business.

BNI played a huge part in helping her rebuild.

Gill's advice to anyone on the fence about joining: take the leap. You never know where one conversation can lead.

Werner is already counting down to his next Del Forno check-in, hoping to hand Jill referral number 1002 in person, though at her pace, it will already be given by the time he gets there.

Thank you, Gill, for turning a fire into a comeback, and for showing what really means when a community bands together.
A testament to Givers Gain leadership and relationship-building in action.


[Story captured, written, and published by StorySchmidt, Director-Consultant of Success Stories, BNI Free State]

21/09/2026

🎉 Please Join Us in Welcoming Our Newest Member! 🎉

We are delighted to welcome Henry Scheun from Scheun Financials to BNI Oliewenhuis as our newest member in the Accounting Services seat 📊💼

On behalf of our Executive Director, Chris Dednam; Area Director Mirna Butler; and Chapter President Herman Claassens, we extend a warm welcome to the BNI Free State family.

We are excited to have your expertise represented in the chapter and look forward to the relationships, opportunities and referrals that lie ahead. May your BNI journey be filled with meaningful connections, business growth and the true spirit of Givers Gain®. 🤝✨

🌟 Welcome to BNI Oliewenhuis! We look forward to celebrating your success with you.

💙💛📈