Image supplied. Those who know, know - Gqeberha has a way of slowing you down when it rains. Not enough to stop life, just enough to make you listen.   I finally got hold of Lucia on a slightly rainy morning, the kind that hangs gently over the city. After a day of moving between errands, responsibilities, and people, she finally sat down. As a people’s person, a mover and shaker, Lucia is always in motion, always showing up for someone or something. But when we found a quiet

Image supplied. Some brand stories arrive loudly. Others take their time, revealing themselves through discipline, restraint, and clarity. Caavirno Vorne belongs to the latter. Long before we spoke, the brand had already made its presence felt through clean visuals, thoughtful silhouettes, and a sense of intention that cut through the noise of social media. There was nothing performative about it, just consistency and confidence. It felt like one of those stories that had bee

On image: Brand artwork. After an hour-long drive to a festive-season event, somewhere between laughter, traffic pauses and reflections on life, Lunathi Tahirih Fudu’s story unfolded so naturally that it demanded to be written. It was one of those conversations that took over, not because it’s loud, but because it’s honest. By the time we arrived, it was clear that Graceful Earth Organic Skincare is not just a new business, it is a lived philosophy, carried by a humble go-get

On image : Kouga Municipality Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman. One of the best and fastest-growing municipalities, Kouga, hosted the official opening of the festive season on 15 December, with an early media breakfast at St Francis Links. The event brought together councillors, Kouga Municipality staff, stakeholders, and members of the media for a day that reflected progress, partnership, and purpose. The key address was delivered by Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman,

Image supplied. South Africa’s only real spritzer made from wine with flavours, has a new look and campaign evoking a classic and timeless style. Introducing a range with effortless elegance, where real wine meets sparkling sophistication. Pop It, Swirl It, Breathe It In. This is the Bernini ritual, the appealing sensory real wine taste and aroma that is so deeply intertwined to memory. Inviting women to create moments worth remembering. Being present, slowing down, grounding

On image: Founder of GQ Comedy, Emilio Tobias. The first time we had a chat with Emilio Tobias,   the man behind GQ Comedy he laughed and said, “Just so we’re clear, I’m from Soweto in Johannesburg. Not the Soweto-on-Sea idea people like making jokes about.” That set the tone for everything that followed - sharp, honest, playful, and rooted in the kind of life experience that shapes real comedians.

Image supplied. We recently spent time with one of South Africa’s standout coffee tasters and baristas, Simphiwe “Bobby” Adams, the flavour force behind the proudly Eastern Cape brand, Mm Coffee. In our conversation, we were joined by the founders of the coffee brand he works closely with, to learn more about their working relationship with Bobby and how they are driving mentorship, community development and the pursuit of excellence through coffee in Kenton On Sea.

Images supplied. Let me tell you this upfront, the moment Bianca Baartman starts speaking about Beauty by Binki, you immediately understand why her brand feels different. There’s a gentleness to her passion, not loud, not forced but deeply rooted, like someone who has always known beauty is more than something you sell. It’s something you make people feel.

Archived image. In business, things move quickly, and if you’re not plugged in, you get left behind. That’s why business magazines have always mattered to me. They connect us entrepreneurs and SMEs to real stories, fresh insights, and the shifts shaping our economy. More than just reporting, they inspire and equip us. And as someone who’s deeply invested in South Africa’s business landscape, I’ve seen how the right information, shared through a publication people trust, can s

On image: MBDA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anele Qaba, local media and partners at t he Kariega Railway Sheds. The Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) hosted media and strategic partners at the Kariega Railway Sheds to provide a first look at the significant progress made on one of its flagship urban renewal initiatives in the precinct. According to MBDA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anele Qaba, the redevelopment will culminate in a Small Business Incubation and Business Par

On image, from left: Christopher Dickie from ORT SA, Feronicia Terblanche, Thalente Bekwa, Yanga Xotyeni and Owona Madlingozi from AEDF. The New Venture Creation program by ORT SA, in partnership with the Astron Energy Development Fund, was successfully launched in Nelson Mandela Bay three months ago. The program’s first cohort of 22 entrepreneurs completed intensive training designed to prepare them for the Perfect Pitch Business Plan Competition, where a total of R20,000 i

On image: Trevor Brewer, Director of Solenco. On Black Friday, millions of South Africans will wage silent battles in stores and online, hunting for discounts, deals, and the thrill of the checkout. But as the frenzy ramps up, the smartest form of saving isn’t always about scoring the lowest price. Rather, it’s about investing in technology that improves your daily life, lasts for years, and even helps reduce the mountains of electronic waste piling up globally.   Trevor Brew

On image: Author, musician and founder of TJ Wine, Thabo Jama. The world will always need individuals who do not just walk the journey, but after walking it, are willing to share their experiences to motivate the next person. Such giving back is invaluable, it offers insights to those still searching for roadmaps that lead to their own version of success. Learning from those who have walked the path before us can inspire, guide, and gently nudge us toward being authentic whil

On image:  Founder of Mzansi Bread Bakery, Nomzamo Steven. Mostly, the business you would wish to start would hardly be the first ever idea to exist in this world, but how you start it and strategize your way forward could be what puts you a step ahead. Some entrepreneurs draw inspiration from their academic backgrounds, others from casual conversations, and some from their roots, the environments and experiences that shaped who they are. Yet, in all cases, the success of a b

Images supplied. One thing that always stands out to me about entrepreneurs is their ability to act when they see an opportunity. This mindset has solved countless problems because the world needs problem-solvers more than it needs constant complainers. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with a man who noticed a glaring gap in the African market, there was no premium African cigar brand. From that observation, Kamal Moukheiber, CEO of Bongani Cigars, acted - and the re

Images supplied; We recently had the opportunity to speak with Sonto Pooe, whose story stands out as one of purpose and power in the ever-evolving space of beauty entrepreneurship. As the trailblazing mind behind Native Child, a proudly South African natural hair and body care brand on a remarkable growth path, Sonto has redefined what it means to create for African women. Through innovation and authenticity, she has not only built a brand but also transformed conversations a

On image: BNI Success PE, President John Rankin. Twenty years ago, one of the BNI chapters was established in Nelson Mandela Bay and this weekend, members came together to celebrate this remarkable milestone alongside their fellow chapter members. BNI Success PE, led by President John Rankin, now boasts over 30 members who see each other not just as business partners, but as family.   President John Rankin shared that the evening was about celebrating “20 incredible years of

On image : Entrepreneurs listen to a panel discussion during the Township SME Exhibition at Nelson Mandela University’s Missionvale Campus, where they also showcased their businesses to promote township enterprise growth and inclusion. As South Africa continues to navigate economic headwinds, the growing township economy presents a powerful and often overlooked opportunity for inclusive growth and job creation. Recognising this, Standard Bank, in partnership with the Nelson M

On image : iGEMS board members with some of the alumni celebrated on the day. This year marks a decade of innovation, impact, and inspiration for the Incubating Great Engineering Minds (iGEMS) programme, a flagship initiative of the Unity in Africa Foundation (UiNA) that has transformed the lives of young people across the Eastern Cape while strengthening South Africa’s engineering talent pipeline. What began ten years ago as a small pilot project to bridge the gap between ed

On image: The team that manages your bookings and travel administration at Lelo-N Travels. The humblest duo behind Lelo-N Travels came out boldly to take us through their remarkable business journey, a journey that has made this enterprise a go-to travel agent for anyone seeking an affordable yet reliable service provider. Not only do they curate packages that are pocket-friendly, but they also craft experiences that leave their clients with memories to last a lifetime.