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.
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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.
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.
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.
Your Financial Statements Are Not a Market Report. They Are a Record of Your Behaviour.
I have seen the impact of taking money from the till with the promise of paying it back. It always feels reasonable in the moment. Just this once. Just until the payment comes in, the consequence is always the same. Cash flow issues. And the business owner says, ” But the sales are good, why can’t I pay what I need to pay?
Mediation Pan African: Equipping the mediation industry for tomorrow
Mediation Pan African (Pty) Ltd is a professional mediation and dispute resolution training and services organisation dedicated to developing high-quality mediators, strengthening ethical practice, and expanding access to affordable, effective dispute resolution throughout South Africa.
Specno and Tentra launch AI-powered rental platform to transform tenant onboarding & rental application processes in SA
he digital tool we developed for Tentra now provides rental agents in South Africa with an instant, data-driven view of applicant strength at the click of a button. This, in turn, will lead to better rental affordability conversations, a reduction in fraudulent applications, and healthier property market dynamics” comments Joshua Harvey, Head of Growth at Specno.
Disability Exclusion Costs SA’s gdp Billions, Yet Corporates “Don’t Know Where to Start”
“Executives have told me that they do not know how to ‘do disability’,” says Lana Roy, the Programme Lead of 360: Disability Inclusion at Afrika Tikkun. “What does ‘do disability’ even mean? In South Africa, companies have a legal obligation to employ disabled people, but there are also moral reasons for companies to make an effort to improve disability inclusion.”
A little juice, a lot of heart: Meet Lucy, BlackBrick’s youngest entrepreneur
“I just wanted to try,” Lucy says matter-of-factly. “You don’t know if something will work unless you do it.” That early curiosity turned into a string of pop-ups – first in the reception of BlackBrick Foreshore, and later at a kids’ entrepreneur market where she outsold her competition with pure enthusiasm. “I shouted for hours,” she laughs. “People bought from me first because they could hear me!”
Baglio’s confirms launch of authentic Dubai Pistachio Kunafa Gelato in partnership with local distributors of luxury chocolate
“For too long, South Africans have watched global food moments go viral online without being able to experience them locally,” says Gareth Brough, Co-Founder of The Clout Group. “Our mission has always been to close that gap. Partnering with Baglio’s ensures that this flavour, and the original Dodo Dubai Chocolate behind it, becomes a long-term summer staple for South Africans, not just a fleeting trend.”
Where Coffee, Flowers and Community Meet
“After years in Johannesburg and a corporate career, life shifted post Covid. We decided to leave the city and establish ourselves in Hartbeespoort, closer to the rest of my family and away from the constant bustle of big-city life. My dad owned the former Ennis Nursery property for several years, and about two years ago he mentioned wanting to sell it. I asked if I could first try to turn it around. I knew there was real potential on the site; it simply needed work to unlock it.
Hisense X-zone Master Wins Top CES 2026 Best of Innovation Award
The innovatively designed dual 1kg independent mini-drums each support integrated washing and drying, making them ideal for the delicate care of baby clothes, premium underwear, and other specialized laundry scenarios. These mini-drums have obtained authoritative maternal and infant certifications, as well as medical-grade certifications for healthy underwear washing.
From California to South Africa: Lessons for Our Advertising Future
By Ray Langa, CEO at Leagas Delaney South Africa Leagas Delaney South Africa, CEO Ray
Editor’s Note
Hard work is never wasted. Sometimes the rewards are immediate, and sometimes they take time to show, but every late night, every difficult decision, and every lesson learned contributes to the harvest we eventually reap. Success is not built on shortcuts, but on perseverance, resilience, and the willingness to keep going even when the results are not yet visible.
Why Direction Matters More Than Momentum
As The Daily Stoic puts it: “When your efforts are not directed at a cause or a purpose, how will you know what to do day in and day out?”
Rapid Scaling vs slow consistent growth.
When a company scales rapidly, it can gain a strong foothold in the market. Growing fast often means reaching new customers before competitors have the chance to react. It also allows a brand to build recognition and loyalty while riding the momentum of success. Investors tend to notice companies that expand quickly, which can open doors to fresh capital and partnerships. For start-ups and small businesses, these benefits can be life-changing. In South Africa’s competitive environment, where market share is often hard-won, moving quickly can help a company establish itself as an industry leader.
HBC MEMBER PROFILE: Connectivity Challenges and Solutions
1. In your experience, what are the biggest connectivity challenges homes and businesses face today,