Startups
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
Beauty & fashion · since 2018
Makes handmade, heritage-inspired shoes that tell South African cultural stories
Founded by Sitelo Mabuza and Sikle Mabuza
Education
Parenting content and resources for raising children to see through curated social media images
Founded by Debbie McCrystal
Sport & fitness
Runs a boutique-style community fitness facility for people of all ages and levels
Founded by Emma Scaltz
Media & creative
Writes and performs custom storytelling and poetry for corporate events, galas and special functions
Founded by Donald Mokhaile and Cabello KB Ringani
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
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
Fintech · since 2025
Compares grocery prices across retailers so shoppers can find cheaper versions of the same products.
Founded by Sean and Sean Nare
Sport & fitness
Provides personal training and weight loss coaching, with advice on fitness routines and measurements
Founded by Vincent Deaja
Beauty & fashion
Fashion label whose designer discusses sustainable fabrics and fashion design
Founded by Craig Jacobs
Fintech
Operates a South African stock exchange that challenges the JSE's long-standing monopoly
Founded by Kevin Brady and Sean Melnick
Services · Johannesburg
Mobile grooming service for dogs and cats, bringing pet grooming to owners' homes
Founded by Gift Zita and Gift
Tech & software
Telecommunications company founded by entrepreneur Jani Chakani after his corporate and SOE career
Founded by Jani Chakani
Food & drink
Sells coffee; a brand built on core values, growing from its founder's entrepreneurial journey
Media & creative · Kenilworth
Children's book publisher opening its first permanent bookstore in Kenilworth station's former post office
Founded by Alison Harris
Health · Lone Hill
Wellness business offering wellness services in Lone Hill, north of Joburg
Founded by Simi Lottenbala and Samila Mbala
Clear the filters for the whole month.
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 17:29 SAST.