TheLife Team
The Chewing Gum Reinvention: How a South African Biohacker Just Created SA’s First Plastic-Free Functional Gum
A South African entrepreneur just did. Meet GNASH, SA’s first plastic-free, biodegradable, tooth-friendly functional gum.
Inside South Africa’s most overlooked franchise opportunity
“South Africa’s franchise sector has proven its resilience and economic value, contributing close to R1 trillion to the economy and supporting around 500,000 jobs nationwide,” says Ryan Gaines, CEO at Fastway Couriers South Africa. “Despite this, many franchise opportunities remain under-recognised. We’ve seen strong growth since 2019, reflecting how structured business ownership models are becoming a more attractive and stable pathway for entrepreneurs, particularly amid rising living costs and economic uncertainty.”
From Japan to South AfricaHow global skin longevity traditions inspired the relaunch of Face Blossom
“I spent a long time studying longevity cultures in the East, where populations are known globally for their clear, healthy complexions. What stood out to me was their focus on supporting the body rather than forcing external change,” says Carroll. “I then focused on sourcing ingredients that were both pure and effective. The cherry blossom extract from Japan was especially important because of its long history in skin health and its antioxidant properties. When combined with rose bud extract and vegan L Cysteine, the goal was to create something that supports the skin at a cellular level, rather than relying on quick fixes.”
Cape Town startup Happy Pay raises $5M seed round to scale the first ad-subsidised payments network, to deliver cost-free Buy Now Pay Later payments for SA consumers
“Our mission is simple, to make cash-flow management free for consumers,” said Wesley Billett, Co-Founder and CEO of Happy Pay. “If we can connect the right product to the right person at the right moment and remove payment friction, commerce itself can fund the flexibility. That allows us to deliver installment payments without charging consumers interest.”
Skincare Is Either Stripping or Suffocating Your Skin
“Most skincare today either strips the skin or overwhelms it,” said Nick Hunt, General Manager RTSCBeauty. “Sel:pH is engineered to reset the skin to where it naturally thrives, at 5.5. When you restore balance first, you treat acne more effectively, retain moisture properly, and unlock a glow that comes from healthy skin function — not surface shine.”
A seat in the city: Why public seating shapes how we experience Cape Town’s Inner City
“We want our back to something. We want to sit under a tree and people-watch while feeling safe,” Thompson shared.
What Your Independent Trustee Should Be Doing — and Why It Matters
It is in this context that the role of the independent trustee becomes essential. South African courts have long emphasised the need for independent judgment in the administration of family trusts, most notably in the 2003 Land Bank of South Africa vParker decision. This principle was reinforced in 2017 when the Master of the High Court issued a directive requiring many family trusts — particularly those where trustees and beneficiaries are related — to appoint an independent trustee.
Ponciana Superior Guesthouse:Where Comfort Meets Elegance in Hartbeespoort
Elegant suites offer a tranquil and luxurious stay, while family friendly spaces, including thoughtfully designed bunk rooms, ensure comfort for guests of all ages. Outside, inviting courtyard areas and a sparkling pool create the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the Hartbeespoort climate.
The Perfect Hartbeespoort Escape
Press release
“Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Hostex made this year’s show particularly meaningful,” said Lerato Nako, Events Manager of Hostex. “The theme ‘Opening doors’ truly came to life, creating new opportunities, strong connections and renewed energy across the hospitality industry.”
Multinational tech giant celebrates 30th anniversary in SA & reinforces commitment to local manufacturing at Buy Local Summit & Expo in Johannesburg
As one of the country’s largest consumer electronics manufacturers, celebrating it’s 30th anniversary in South Africa this year, Hisense SA’s participation in the summit underscored the company’s long-standing investment in local manufacturing and industrial development. Since entering the South African market in 1996, Hisense has steadily expanded its footprint through local production, job creation, and technology investment.
South Africans Are Done Being Sold To. They Want Skincare That Works.
“The shift we are seeing is not just about product preference. It’s about a fundamentally different relationship between the consumer and the category. South Africans have become genuinely ingredient-literate. They are approaching skincare the way they approach health; with questions, with scepticism, and with high expectations.”
Hospitality as a catalyst for accelerating localisation
StatsSA confirms that though the sector has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, South Africa’s tourism sector continues to grow, with total arrivals reaching 8.92 million in 2024, marking an impressive 5.1% increase compared to 2023. The sector now contributes 8.8% to GDP and supports 1.68 million jobs, according to World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates. This positive momentum underscores the resilience of the sector, despite global economic pressures. The sector’s contribution to the economy eclipses that of the mining industry, which was once the mainstay of South Africa’s economy. Yet the sector is often unfairly overlooked despite its significant economic contribution. The growth of tourism has the potential to serve as a powerful driver of SME development across many sectors.
THE COST OF BEING UNPREPARED
“The cost of being unprepared is not only short-term pressure. It is the long-term damage caused when reactive decisions become patterns. Interest becomes a tax on future income. Catch-up spending becomes normal. The gap between what you earn and what you keep widens quietly.
Editor’s Note
As we move into the second half of the year, let this be a gentle reminder to stay focused, keep pushing forward, and trust both the process and the purpose.
