Startups
Founders on air.
Every young South African business radio talked about this month: founders interviewed about what they built, new brands, first funding rounds. Hear them tell it in their own words.
128 businesses · 101 founders on air · 6 stations · last 30 days
Bokamoso Sports Agency
Sport & fitness
Represents female athletes as an agent and supports the development of women in sport
Founded by Jesse Kankomo
Power FM · Mon, 02 NovHomegrown Shandis
Beauty & fashion · since 2018
Makes handmade, heritage-inspired shoes that tell South African cultural stories
Founded by Sitelo Mabuza and Sikle Mabuza
2 airingsEcodiva
Beauty & fashion
Sells natural skin and health products, including superfood smoothies and skincare for acne and pigmentation
Cape Talk · Sat, 31 OctConscious Kids
Education
Parenting content and resources for raising children to see through curated social media images
Founded by Debbie McCrystal
3 airingsMatsimela Ladies Clinics
Sport & fitness · since 2020
Runs cycling clinics that teach women to ride and then connects graduates to cycling clubs
Cape Talk · Sat, 31 OctBridge Books
Retail & e-commerce · Marshalltown
Independent bookshop in Marshalltown selling local and South African books.
Founded by Griffin Scheer
4 airingsMilk Set
Health
Freeze-dries breast milk for mothers, processing each mom's batch individually and packaging it.
Founded by Melissa Hiels
4 airingsA2X Markets
Fintech
Operates a challenger stock exchange that lists shares alongside the JSE
Founded by Kevin Brady and Sean Melnick
19 airingsMint Sanctuary
Health
Offers breath work and sound bath sessions for mental health and wellness, in groups or privately
Founded by Mutidisi Mujapilo
2 airingsB Dlamini Opulent Clothing
Beauty & fashion · since 2018
Designs and sells opulent clothing, with its founder interviewed about starting the brand
SAfm · Fri, 30 OctFan Mode
Tech & software
Lets fans take part in live sports broadcasts from anywhere, including the Soweto Derby campaign
Founded by Neven Muragan
SAfm · Fri, 30 OctSupports children's physical development through structured movement and play, including gross motor skills and coordination.
Founded by Courtney Van Billion
2 airingsEggsellent by Lebo
Agriculture
Packs and distributes eggs in South Africa, aiming to supply neighbouring countries
Founded by Lebuma Shiko and Lebu Mashiko
3 airingsFitbay
Sport & fitness
Runs a boutique-style community fitness facility for people of all ages and levels
Founded by Emma Scaltz
3 airingsOku Asian Eatery
Food & drink · Franschhoek
Serves a full Asian tasting menu and a lighter à la carte menu, with house-made ingredients.
Founded by Ryan Schell
2 airingsHenlo Coffee
Manufacturing
Manufactures and sells commercial espresso machines with a scoring system that coaches baristas.
Founded by Henlu Fan Divestes
2 airingsZeitgeist
Beauty & fashion
Designs local knitwear and black-and-white men's fashion, sold through its own stores.
Founded by Maxine Ginsburg
Cape Talk · Thu, 29 OctThe Friendly Plant
Agriculture
Offers practical gardening advice and plants suited to hot, dry conditions and low water use
Founded by Craig Dineca and Craig DeNicker
2 airingsNiki Wemateblio
Beauty & fashion
Designs and makes ornate fine jewellery, with the founder's art training behind each piece
Founded by Niki Wemateblio
2 airingsBuy John
Beauty & fashion
Sells bold, colourful, patterned products from a maker brand with two market stalls
Founded by Kayleigh Higgins and Kaylee Higgins
2 airingsShelly Taylor
Beauty & fashion
Fashion jewellery brand with ready-made pieces and a build-your-own silver or gold section
Cape Talk · Wed, 28 OctRochelle Design
Beauty & fashion
Supplies jewellery to the tourism industry, started by a mother and daughter
Cape Talk · Wed, 28 OctSweetest Pie
Food & drink
Bakes and sells baked goods, run by a former government worker
Founded by Zizi Matakiti
Cape Talk · Wed, 28 OctWealthbit
Fintech
Provides wealth management software, retirement planning tools and employee financial wellness programmes
Founded by Alex Cook
SAfm · Wed, 28 OctStandard Estate
Energy & environment · since 2024
Waste management and recycling business run by Ria Lebocha, working with communities
Founded by Ria Lebocha
2 airingsPasitano
Beauty & fashion
Sells swimwear designed for women after mastectomy, sold online and by direct phone sale
Cape Talk · Wed, 28 OctTipsy Twenties Winery
Food & drink
Winery run by young co-founders, making and selling wine
Founded by Ratabila Khatlani
SAfm · Tue, 27 OctWheelchair Holistic Adaptive Strength and Training Program
Sport & fitness
Offers adaptive strength and fitness training for people with permanent disabilities, including wheelchair users.
Founded by Victor Betendach
Cape Talk · Tue, 27 OctCoral Bloom
Retail & e-commerce
Creative products made and sold online, with items printed on demand
Cape Talk · Mon, 26 OctNaughty Water
Food & drink
Makes a low-calorie sparkling hard seltzer for South African drinkers
Founded by Michael Tone
SAfm · Mon, 26 OctCeremony
Food & drink · Cape Town
Sells matcha tea and runs matcha stores in Cape Town
Founded by Michaela McClain
3 airingsThe Wedding Butterfly
Services
Plans weddings for couples, helping them manage the cost of getting married
Founded by Dumeno Makamu
Power FM · Sun, 25 OctHoney
Health
Wellness brand making products from honey and other botanical and indigenous natural ingredients
Founded by Maria Angotzeng Masiu
2 airingsPuns and Things
Media & creative
Writes and performs custom storytelling and poetry for corporate events, galas and special functions
Founded by Donald Mokhaile and Cabello KB Ringani
4 airingsMotoZa TV
Media & creative · Johannesburg · since 2018
Runs an online Formula One fan channel on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok
Founded by Lufefe Mayakiso
SAfm · Sat, 24 OctParking P-Hole
Other · Cape Town
Printed pink parking fines and novelty parking-violation merchandise poking fun at bad Cape Town parking
Cape Talk · Sat, 24 OctStock Sense
Education
Runs masterclasses teaching people how to learn stock market investing
Founded by Ritang Pasla
2 airingsLuxion Fruits
Food & drink · Soweto
Manufactures and sells fruit-based beverages supplied to retail stores
Founded by Lungiello Lawrence Mugaka, Patrick Torke and Lungie Lumbaga
Funding: Started with R800 from the founders' savings
4 airingsLife Form
Health
Corporate well-being tech platform offering wellness programmes for employers and their staff
Founded by Dina Batista
Cape Talk · Sat, 24 OctParent Sense
Tech & software
Parenting app delivering age-specific information to parents of babies on iOS and Android
Founded by Meg Forah
Cape Talk · Fri, 23 OctKW Creatives
Services
Event and PR agency run by its founder, Kensani Wanda Mabunda
Founded by Kensani Wanda Mabunda
SAfm · Fri, 23 OctDawn Wines
Food & drink
Makes wine, and is developing a non-alcoholic wine, and is already exporting
SAfm · Fri, 23 OctNew Dawn
Food & drink
Makes wines with colourful African-inspired labels, including five wines, two of them lifestyle wines priced to be affordable.
SAfm · Fri, 23 OctBro Cabs
Mobility & logistics
Provides taxi rides for commuters, offered as a lower-cost way to get to work.
Founded by Pessy, Pesi Gamata and Pessi Gamata
3 airingsWallet Hero
Fintech · since 2025
Compares grocery prices across retailers so shoppers can find cheaper versions of the same products.
Founded by Sean and Sean Nare
5 airingsMTE xpress
Mobility & logistics
Provides courier services and logistics with warehouses across South Africa, including export work.
Founded by Boni Songyama and Sponi Songema
2 airingsOur Freak
Beauty & fashion
Rents out luxury African fashion from across the continent to women for occasions.
Founded by CJ Njovu and C. Jane Glovu
2 airingsVincent Deaja Personal Training
Sport & fitness
Provides personal training and weight loss coaching, with advice on fitness routines and measurements
Founded by Vincent Deaja
2 airingsPixie and Fairy Village
Tourism & hospitality · Jakobsby
Quirky fantasy village attraction with miniature castles, fairy houses, waterfalls and gnomes
Founded by Pixie Maritz and Mama Pixie Maritz
3 airingsTipsy 20s Winery
Food & drink
Makes and sells wine, with a focus on African wine identity and experience
Founded by Ritabilia Khaikane
Cape Talk · Thu, 22 OctThe Fine Water Company
Food & drink
Sells premium bottled fine water, selected for its mineral content and taste.
Founded by Nico Peterser
2 airings(my)cards
Fintech
Lets users earn and stack rewards points from loyalty cards across retailers and petrol stations
Founded by Byron Rode
Kaya 959 · Wed, 21 OctZulzi
Retail & e-commerce · Cape Town
On-demand delivery business bringing groceries and everyday items to customers' doorsteps
Founded by Wakhari Donald Baloy and Donald Baloy
2 airingsJobjack
Tech & software
Online job platform connecting job seekers with entry-level employers, publishing hiring data
Founded by Hein Billigan
Cape Talk · Wed, 21 OctSecret Scents
Other
Makes incense sticks from aromatic resins, wood, herbs and oils for calming and clearing spaces
Founded by Neville Clark
Cape Talk · Tue, 20 OctRenaissance Learning Center
Education
Gives neurodiverse tweens and teens an individual learning centre suited to their academic, social and emotional needs
Founded by Val Haysam
Cape Talk · Tue, 20 OctOrca Fraud
Fintech · Cape Town
Checks card and wallet payments in milliseconds to detect and catch fraud in real time
Founded by Talia Pillay
2 airingsMastery EQ
Services
Coaches people in emotional intelligence to help them handle daily life challenges
Founded by Charles Ocarfour
Power FM · Tue, 20 OctGreen Arch Innovations
Agriculture
Builds smart farming systems, including water-saving aquaponics that grow fish and vegetables together
Founded by Luvo Gwagwana and Louvo Gunwana
3 airingsHo Meraki
Services
Plant styling brand that transforms homes and workspaces into green living spaces
Founded by Kensani Rokoto
Cape Talk · Tue, 20 OctKeto Lifestyle
Health
Teaches people a lifestyle approach to keeping weight off after a ketogenic diet, through a book and guidance
Cape Talk · Tue, 20 OctBrightSparkCoaching
Services
Offers executive, team and AI adoption coaching to help people shift their mindsets
Founded by Lauren Bright
2 airingsHis Way Labs
Tech & software
Builds and trials low-cost railway monitoring technology to deter cable and railway theft
Founded by Franz Struvich
Cape Talk · Mon, 19 OctFetzani Properties
Property & construction
Property practitioner advising on property investment in South Africa's mining towns
Founded by Fulufetzani Tupe
Power FM · Mon, 19 OctFundutzi by Craig Jacobs
Beauty & fashion
Fashion label whose designer discusses sustainable fabrics and fashion design
Founded by Craig Jacobs
702 · Mon, 19 OctGovChat
Tech & software
Civic tech platform linking South African citizens with municipalities and government services over WhatsApp
Founded by Aldred Yordani
2 airingsMatcha House
Food & drink
Sells matcha and wellness products, with pop-ups and retail spaces planned.
Founded by Twenga Bopi and Tuenga Bobi
5 airingsSmart Pets Mobile Grooming
Services · Johannesburg
Mobile grooming service for dogs and cats, bringing pet grooming to owners' homes
Founded by Gift Zita and Gift
3 airingsTrevTober
Media & creative
Music and lifestyle event bringing local and international DJs and artists together
Power FM · Fri, 16 OctOrigin Productions
Media & creative · since 2022
Produces new theatre shows, including themed productions, directing and staging them as a small company
Cape Talk · Fri, 16 OctHazila Group
Agriculture
Grows food hydroponically and teaches communities in Gauteng townships to farm with water-saving methods
SAfm · Fri, 16 OctFlower Market
Food & drink
Makes slow-fermented bread with quality ingredients and supplies Cape Town restaurants and cafes
Founded by David Donder
Cape Talk · Fri, 16 Oct
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How this page is made
Young businesses talked about on South African radio, found hourly in our transcripts. A website is linked only once we've checked it's theirs. What's said about a business is the speakers' view, not locl's.
Updated Monday, 02 November at 18:16 SAST.