Moving from a culture of tasks to a culture of results Walk into any boardroom along Umhlanga Ridge, and you’ll likely hear the same frustration: “My team is talented, but I still feel like I’m the only one driving the bus.” It’s a common sentiment for business owners who find themselves stuck in the trap where every minor decision still lands on their desk. The missing ingredient isn’t usually effort or skill – it’s the...
At Old Town Italy Umhlanga, every detail is thoughtfully curated to create a space where great food, creativity, and genuine hospitality come together. It is more than a dining destination – it is a place where mornings begin with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee, afternoons are spent lingering over beautiful meals, and evenings unfold in a warm, welcoming atmosphere filled with conversation and connection. Our coffee is at the heart of the experience,...
At a gala awards ceremony in London, Rainmaker Marketing’s award-winning campaign for Salt Rock City has been named Best Development Marketing Africa at the International Property Awards, announced on 16 January 2026. The prestigious accolade follows Rainmaker Marketing’s recent Best Development Marketing South Africa win for the same Salt Rock City submission, elevating the campaign from national recognition to continental supremacy and firmly positioning the KwaZulu-Natal-based agency amongst Africa’s leading property marketing specialists. Recognised as...
Sholain Perumal is Redefining Success on Her Own Terms In a world where ambition often competes with personal life, Sholain Perumal is proving that it’s possible to build a thriving business without letting go of what matters most. As the CEO of The Gold Bar, a fast-growing gold recycling company, she is redefining both entrepreneurship and modern motherhood on her own terms. The Gold Bar helps people unlock the value of their old gold jewellery....
Across industries, one concern continues to dominate business conversations: finding the right people. Skills shortages, hiring challenges, and workforce readiness are showing up consistently in labour market reports, economic commentary, and boardroom discussions alike. And while the skills mismatch is very real, it is only one part of a much bigger picture. Many businesses are discovering that the difficulty isn’t simply a lack of capable people in the market – it’s the growing gap between...
How Funky Pants grew from paddling prizes to pop culture. Billy and Tracy Harker, founders of Funky Pants, never intended to make and sell sportswear. In 1997, Billy forged a career in organising paddling races around the country. In the early 2000s, the paddling scene brought Billy and Tracy together, and she took on the role of organising event garments such as T-shirts and prize apparel. Noticing a gap in the market, she became passionate...
The New Currency in a World of Automation and AI We have all been asking the same question: With the rapid advancement of technology, what will people still bring to the table in the distant future? Automation and AI are already deeply ingrained in our everyday lives. It is shaping how we live and work, from predictive systems that warn of breakdowns on production lines to apps that recommend music, films, or even meals. The...
For many entrepreneurs, the hardest part of growing a business is raising funding to fuel and accelerate growth. That’s the strategic intent of SecureClear — a financial services firm founded by Chris van Rensburg and Gordon Rabey, two trade finance professionals who set out to change how small and medium businesses access growth funding. A Different Approach to Trade Finance Both founders had built careers in traditional banks but became frustrated with how clients were...
Step aside, boardroom bros, there’s a different kind of leadership in town. She’s wearing heels, and she’s probably already two steps ahead of you. Meet Shirley Pearson, the woman who eats KPIs for breakfast and built her empire with a laugh, a spreadsheet, a team of fierce females and a few brave men! Shirley’s corporate beginnings saw her lead the Industrial Relations Department of the OK Bazaars—back when it was South Africa’s largest retailer—managing more...
The early sun breaks through the trees outside the Durban North factory, casting light across the quiet building as the day begins. Dane Forman walks the floor, not as a distant director, but as someone who once packed boxes here. Raised on the Durban surf and local slang, Dane was “bru’d” for this. He’s been at Phormpak 23 years. It’s not just a job, it’s a legacy. And Dane holds its success like a treasured...