Franchise networks face mounting pressure from costs, franchisees and staff

[Larry Hodes] Larry Hodes, CEO of Grow Franchising & FASA Board Member, shares three pressure points that can weaken an entire franchise network...

Your brand’s credibility is now more valuable than a pretty website

[Mkhuseli Vangile] According to Mkhuseli Vangile, founder and CEO of The Dynaste Communication Firm, trust is emerging as one of a business's most precious assets...

#HeritageMonth | Local brand Ndilulo Activewear bets on self-belief, confidence and community

[Evan-Lee Courie] Ndilulo Activewear (the Xhosa word for ⁣I am) offers a window into the opportunities facing emerging South African brands competing against established international names...

How Ocean Basket is building for the next 30 years

[Evan-Lee Courie] Ocean Basket's chief marketing officer, Jonathan Muir, explains how the South African restaurant brand is using an omnichannel model, franchise support and data to remain relevant and scale for growth...

Woolworths plans to strengthen its private-label food offering with in2food deal

[Karabo Ledwaba] The Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve Woolworths’ proposed acquisition of in2food...

#WomensMonth | Nelisiwe Shiluvana on rising to top finance role at Famous Brands

[Evan-Lee Courie] Famous Brands’ group financial director reflects on mentorship, resilience, technology and the importance of creating pathways for the next generation of women leaders...

#WomensMonth | Beer Association of SA's Nirishi Trikamjee on reshaping the beer industry

[Evan-Lee Courie] Nirishi Trikamjee, interim CEO of the Beer Association of South Africa (Basa), reflects on why the future of the beer industry depends on greater gender diversity...

Jockey marks 150 years with a brand refresh and e-commerce push

[Evan-Lee Courie] As Jockey celebrates 150 years globally and 75 years in South Africa, the brand is using the milestone to strengthen its retail proposition, refresh its visual identity and accelerate its digital growth...

#WomensMonth | Massmart's Unathi Kildase says "leadership in retail is ultimately about people"

[Evan-Lee Courie] This Women's Month, Kildase shares insights into purposeful leadership and creating pathways for women in retail...

#WomensMonth | Pepkor's Konaye Dlatu: Leaving an impact

[Evan-Lee Courie] Konaye Dlatu is the trailblazer behind Pepkor's digital strategy...

#WomensMonth | Nicole Hapgood-Strickland on engineering corporate wear for real-world use

[Evan-Lee Courie] For Nicole Hapgood-Strickland, fashion is about far more than what meets the eye...

SA's franchise growth outpaces structure, risks brand reputation

[Larry Hodes] South Africa has one of the highest rates of franchise sector participation of any economy. It is also quietly running out of the people who make the networks actually work...

If you stepped away for 90 days, would your franchise survive?

[Larry Hodes] Most franchise owners believe their business will hold, but the honest answer is more complicated than most expect, writes Larry Hodes, CEO Grow Franchising...

Poor franchisee support threatens growth, jobs and royalties across South Africa

[Larry Hodes] Franchisors and franchisees are both reporting falling revenues and tougher trading conditions. The standard responses “open more stores," “tighten brand audits”, “cut costs" are not working the way they used to...

SA’s franchise growth may depend on better franchisee support

[Larry Hodes] There is a fundamental difference between monitoring a franchisee and developing one, writes Larry Hodes, CEO of Grow Franchising and Franchise Association of South Africa board member...

#WomensMonth | Mondelez South Africa's Juliet Tshele on what it takes to lead as a woman

[Evan-Lee Courie] Understand people, understand the business, and never lose sight of the bigger picture. This is the leadership philosophy of Juliet Tshele...

#WomensMonth | Danone's Lungile Mbatha talks commercial leadership, AI and consumer changes

[Evan-Lee Courie] This Women's Month, Mbatha offers insights into consumer change, commercial leadership, and creating long-lasting enterprises...

#WoolworthsYouthMakers2026: How one beaded bag became the beginning of Mayaka Accessories

[Chloe Posthumus] A single handmade beaded bag sparked a business journey for Anointing Lukola, founder of Mayaka Accessories, a brand celebrating African craftsmanship through contemporary design...

#WomensMonth | SANBWA's Charlotte Metcalf on why purpose, proof and persistence matter in water stewardship

[Evan-Lee Courie] For Metcalf, water stewardship has moved beyond being a corporate social responsibility consideration. It is becoming a question of resilience and survival...

#WomensMonth | PepsiCo's Suraya Hamdulay on leading with purpose, trust and the courage to keep growing

[Evan-Lee Courie] Having worked across multiple African markets, Hamdulay has seen the contribution women are already making to business, entrepreneurship and community development...