John Vlismas

John Vlismas
Vlismas in 2026
Born (1973-05-03) 3 May 1973
EducationHenley Business School Africa
Notable workHow to manage the workplace diversity dilemma - a Henley White Paper
Comedy career
MediumStand-Up

Research Class Room

Board Room
GenresDiversity, Equity and Inclusion
SubjectsPolitics
Everyday life
Websitewww.ogocreative.co.za

John Vlismas (born 3 May 1973)[1] is a South African stand-up comedian, academic and DEI strategist.

Comedy career

Vlismas won the 2007 South African Comedy Award for best stand-up comedian of the year and was a finalist in the 2008 Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh Off.[2]

In 2010, Vlismas appeared in the comedy film Outrageous alongside fellow South African comedians Barry Hilton, Joey Rasdien, Loyiso Gola, Mark Banks, Riaad Moosa and Krijay Govender.[3]

In April 2014, Vlismas was part of the panel for Comedy Central Africa's Roast of Kenny Kunene and Steve Hofmeyr.[4]

He has also appeared in several Comedy Central productions, including solo specials and additional Comedy Central Roast programmes.[4]

Vlismas has performed internationally at venues including the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Sydney Modern Art Museum and the Tempodrome in Berlin.[4]

He was appointed as a 46664 Ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.[4]

Academic and business career

Vlismas was awarded a scholarship at Henley Business School Africa, where he completed an MBA.[5]

During his MBA studies, he received distinctions in Strategic Marketing and Relationship Marketing.[6]

He works in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), leadership, culture and community building through his business, OGO Creative, where he serves as co-founder and Head of Strategy.[7]

Vlismas has collaborated with Henley Business School in the co-design and facilitation of course material and contributed to the transition of marketing and learning activities to virtual delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

In 2023, he co-authored a white paper with Henley Business School on workplace diversity.[9]

In 2024, he presented a work titled Player Zero at LeaderEx and at academic and industry conferences.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Who's Who SA: John Vlismas". whoswhosa.co.za. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  2. ↑ "John Vlismas | Level Up Management Agency". Level Up MA. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "SPLING | Movie Critic | Movie Reviews | Film News | Celeb Interviews – Outrageous! | Comedy".
  4. 1 2 3 4 "TVSA Actor Profile: John Vlismas". TVSA.
  5. ↑ "Henley Business School Africa profile". Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Henley Business School programme information". Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "OGO Creative". Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Henley Business School Africa news and programmes". Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "White Paper: How to manage the workplace diversity dilemma". Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  10. ↑ Vlismas, J. (2024, September 10). Player Zero [Presentation/Talk]. Leaderex 2024, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.