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
Founder on air this week
Operates a challenger stock exchange that lists shares alongside the JSE
Fintech · Kevin Brady and Sean Melnick
A2X Markets is a South African stock exchange set up as a challenger to the JSE, letting companies list on both exchanges. Its CEO and co-founder Kevin Brady is interviewed about what he learned about taking on a large incumbent.
“Kevin, I have a few questions about what you've learned about starting something against a big incumbent.”
Beauty & fashion
Surf and beachwear clothing brand with a range designed by a young entrepreneur
Founded by Will Tremier
Sport & fitness
Represents female athletes as an agent and supports the development of women in sport
Founded by Jesse Kankomo
Beauty & fashion
Makes shoes designed for the African foot
Founded by Stelema Wooza
Beauty & fashion · since 2018
Makes handmade, heritage-inspired shoes that tell South African cultural stories
Founded by Sitelo Mabuza and Sikle Mabuza
Beauty & fashion
Sells natural skin and health products, including superfood smoothies and skincare for acne and pigmentation
Education
Parenting content and resources for raising children to see through curated social media images
Founded by Debbie McCrystal
Sport & fitness · since 2020
Runs cycling clinics that teach women to ride and then connects graduates to cycling clubs
Retail & e-commerce · Marshalltown
Independent bookshop in Marshalltown selling local and South African books.
Founded by Griffin Scheer
Health
Freeze-dries breast milk for mothers, processing each mom's batch individually and packaging it.
Founded by Melissa Hiels
Health
Offers breath work and sound bath sessions for mental health and wellness, in groups or privately
Founded by Mutidisi Mujapilo
Beauty & fashion · since 2018
Designs and sells opulent clothing, with its founder interviewed about starting the brand
Tech & software
Lets fans take part in live sports broadcasts from anywhere, including the Soweto Derby campaign
Founded by Neven Muragan
Supports children's physical development through structured movement and play, including gross motor skills and coordination.
Founded by Courtney Van Billion
Agriculture
Packs and distributes eggs in South Africa, aiming to supply neighbouring countries
Founded by Lebuma Shiko and Lebu Mashiko
Sport & fitness
Runs a boutique-style community fitness facility for people of all ages and levels
Founded by Emma Scaltz
Food & drink · Franschhoek
Serves a full Asian tasting menu and a lighter à la carte menu, with house-made ingredients.
Founded by Ryan Schell
Manufacturing
Manufactures and sells commercial espresso machines with a scoring system that coaches baristas.
Founded by Henlu Fan Divestes
Beauty & fashion
Designs local knitwear and black-and-white men's fashion, sold through its own stores.
Founded by Maxine Ginsburg
Agriculture
Offers practical gardening advice and plants suited to hot, dry conditions and low water use
Founded by Craig Dineca and Craig DeNicker
Beauty & fashion
Designs and makes ornate fine jewellery, with the founder's art training behind each piece
Founded by Niki Wemateblio
Beauty & fashion
Sells bold, colourful, patterned products from a maker brand with two market stalls
Founded by Kayleigh Higgins and Kaylee Higgins
Beauty & fashion
Fashion jewellery brand with ready-made pieces and a build-your-own silver or gold section
Beauty & fashion
Supplies jewellery to the tourism industry, started by a mother and daughter
Food & drink
Bakes and sells baked goods, run by a former government worker
Founded by Zizi Matakiti
Fintech
Provides wealth management software, retirement planning tools and employee financial wellness programmes
Founded by Alex Cook
Energy & environment · since 2024
Waste management and recycling business run by Ria Lebocha, working with communities
Founded by Ria Lebocha
Beauty & fashion
Sells swimwear designed for women after mastectomy, sold online and by direct phone sale
Beauty & fashion
Designs and sells swimwear and resultwear, including prosthetic-supportive swimsuits for women after mastectomy.
Founded by Debbie Combrug
Sport & fitness
Runs High Rocks, a sport that has grown into a global community and participation activity
Funding: Acquired by LVMH for 600 million Euro
Food & drink
Winery run by young co-founders, making and selling wine
Founded by Ratabila Khatlani
Sport & fitness
Offers adaptive strength and fitness training for people with permanent disabilities, including wheelchair users.
Founded by Victor Betendach
Retail & e-commerce
Creative products made and sold online, with items printed on demand
Food & drink
Makes a low-calorie sparkling hard seltzer for South African drinkers
Founded by Michael Tone
Food & drink · Cape Town
Sells matcha tea and runs matcha stores in Cape Town
Founded by Michaela McClain
Services
Plans weddings for couples, helping them manage the cost of getting married
Founded by Dumeno Makamu
Beauty & fashion
Makes swimwear designed to fit and flatter women of all shapes, sizes and life stages
Health
Wellness brand making products from honey and other botanical and indigenous natural ingredients
Founded by Maria Angotzeng Masiu
Media & creative
Writes and performs custom storytelling and poetry for corporate events, galas and special functions
Founded by Donald Mokhaile and Cabello KB Ringani
Media & creative · Johannesburg · since 2018
Runs an online Formula One fan channel on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok
Founded by Lufefe Mayakiso
Other · Cape Town
Printed pink parking fines and novelty parking-violation merchandise poking fun at bad Cape Town parking
Education
Runs masterclasses teaching people how to learn stock market investing
Founded by Ritang Pasla
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
Health
Corporate well-being tech platform offering wellness programmes for employers and their staff
Founded by Dina Batista
Tech & software
Parenting app delivering age-specific information to parents of babies on iOS and Android
Founded by Meg Forah
Services
Event and PR agency run by its founder, Kensani Wanda Mabunda
Founded by Kensani Wanda Mabunda
Food & drink
Makes wine, and is developing a non-alcoholic wine, and is already exporting
Food & drink
Makes wines with colourful African-inspired labels, including five wines, two of them lifestyle wines priced to be affordable.
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
Beauty & fashion
Hair care brand for textured hair, developed with Korean skincare innovator Jun Lim
Founded by Nolu Mkwonza
Mobility & logistics
Provides courier services and logistics with warehouses across South Africa, including export work.
Founded by Boni Songyama and Sponi Songema
Beauty & fashion
Rents out luxury African fashion from across the continent to women for occasions.
Founded by CJ Njovu and C. Jane Glovu
Agriculture
Makes vegetable powders and vegetable-infused butters, creating markets for local growers
Beauty & fashion
Beauty and grooming brand with about 30 products
Founded by Georgina Hugh
Food & drink
Supplies bakery products to coffee shops, restaurants and hotels
Founded by Frank Low
Sport & fitness
Provides personal training and weight loss coaching, with advice on fitness routines and measurements
Founded by Vincent Deaja
Tourism & hospitality · Jakobsby
Quirky fantasy village attraction with miniature castles, fairy houses, waterfalls and gnomes
Founded by Pixie Maritz and Mama Pixie Maritz
Food & drink
Makes and sells wine, with a focus on African wine identity and experience
Founded by Ritabilia Khaikane
Food & drink
Sells premium bottled fine water, selected for its mineral content and taste.
Founded by Nico Peterser
Skincare products developed by a biomedical scientist, discussed in relation to atopic eczema
Founded by Judy Pretorius
Fintech
Lets users earn and stack rewards points from loyalty cards across retailers and petrol stations
Founded by Byron Rode
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
Tech & software
Online job platform connecting job seekers with entry-level employers, publishing hiring data
Founded by Hein Billigan
Other
Makes incense sticks from aromatic resins, wood, herbs and oils for calming and clearing spaces
Founded by Neville Clark
Beauty & fashion
Makes bold, funky, durable bags in prints and woven neoprene designs for working women
Beauty & fashion
Sells bags and accessories under a proudly South African fashion brand
Education
Gives neurodiverse tweens and teens an individual learning centre suited to their academic, social and emotional needs
Founded by Val Haysam
Beauty & fashion
Designs menswear clothing, a line the host says offers more variety than typical men's clothing
Founded by Ephraim Malingwana
Fintech · Cape Town
Checks card and wallet payments in milliseconds to detect and catch fraud in real time
Founded by Talia Pillay
Tech & software
Fraud-fighting cybersecurity business that creates jobs in South Africa
Services
Coaches people in emotional intelligence to help them handle daily life challenges
Founded by Charles Ocarfour
Agriculture
Builds smart farming systems, including water-saving aquaponics that grow fish and vegetables together
Founded by Luvo Gwagwana and Louvo Gunwana
Services
Plant styling brand that transforms homes and workspaces into green living spaces
Founded by Kensani Rokoto
Health
Teaches people a lifestyle approach to keeping weight off after a ketogenic diet, through a book and guidance
Services
Offers executive, team and AI adoption coaching to help people shift their mindsets
Founded by Lauren Bright
Tech & software
Builds and trials low-cost railway monitoring technology to deter cable and railway theft
Founded by Franz Struvich
Property & construction
Property practitioner advising on property investment in South Africa's mining towns
Founded by Fulufetzani Tupe
Beauty & fashion
Fashion label whose designer discusses sustainable fabrics and fashion design
Founded by Craig Jacobs
Tech & software
Civic tech platform linking South African citizens with municipalities and government services over WhatsApp
Founded by Aldred Yordani
Food & drink
Sells matcha and wellness products, with pop-ups and retail spaces planned.
Founded by Twenga Bopi and Tuenga Bobi
Services · Johannesburg
Mobile grooming service for dogs and cats, bringing pet grooming to owners' homes
Founded by Gift Zita and Gift
Food & drink
Hole-in-the-wall bakery in Wendywood serving baked goods and treats
Food & drink
Runs a small hole-in-the-wall shop selling cupcakes and other treats, and a cupcake ATM.
Food & drink
Small baking outfit selling baked goods, operating mainly on weekends from a small shop
Services
Offers emotional intelligence, leadership development and workplace well-being services
Founded by Richard Cullinan
Media & creative
Music and lifestyle event bringing local and international DJs and artists together
Media & creative · since 2022
Produces new theatre shows, including themed productions, directing and staging them as a small company
Agriculture
Grows food hydroponically and teaches communities in Gauteng townships to farm with water-saving methods
Food & drink
Makes slow-fermented bread with quality ingredients and supplies Cape Town restaurants and cafes
Founded by David Donder
Food & drink
Sells burgers and quarters to customers who place orders for collection or delivery
Mobility & logistics
Provides bulk transportation and PPE supply, mainly serving the mining sector
Founded by Edith Ramadzetse
Retail & e-commerce
Paint retail business recognised as Standard Bank's Small Business of the Year
Services
Tattoo studio offering cover-up tattoos for people with cancer treatment scars
Founded by Regan Ross
Services · Cape Town
Helps residents navigate municipal queries by taking them straight to the right city department
Founded by Kyle Kanemea
Beauty & fashion
South African hair care brand developing practical solutions for textured hair
Founded by Masia Abe Mukine, Masiya Be Mukine and Marcia Abe Mukini
Beauty & fashion
Beauty and empowerment brand focused on hair care, skincare and African identity
Founded by Nonte Matsabula
Mobility & logistics
Rents out electric cars, with a fleet supplied to corporate clients such as Woolworths
Founded by Indira Magadagela, India Magadagala and Magada Gela
Funding: Family office Sakum Noto Group Holdings invested to buy the first five vehicles; more capital raised since
Fintech
App that reminds users when retailer rewards and vouchers are about to expire
Founded by Byron Road
Beauty & fashion · Bryanston
Offers beauty and nail services at a salon in Bryanston, founded by a breast cancer survivor.
Founded by Lauren Chibu
Food & drink · Ulundi · since 2018
Raises goats and supplies goat meat to retailers, hotels, restaurants, butcheries and an export buyer in Dubai
Founded by Len Kosi Mbata and Bata
Tourism & hospitality · Cape Town
Runs massive outdoor cinema events and curated intimate retreats for people to enjoy experiences.
Founded by Wenu Solsona
Property & construction · Katu · since 2023
Provides property sales, rentals and management services in the Northern Cape
Founded by Fulufu Fulufetzani Tupe
Food & drink
Promotes and sells indigenous fruits and vegetables, such as mashlala and makwakwa, and related snacks
Tech & software
Telecommunications company founded by entrepreneur Jani Chakani after his corporate and SOE career
Founded by Jani Chakani
Tech & software
Provides affordable high-speed broadband to township and rural communities
Founded by Vuyani Jakana
Media & creative
Provides entertainment PR, events and talent management services, with clients including artists.
Founded by Dizoto Ni Sekwanyane and Dietzo Tony Sekwanyan
Energy & environment
Reclaims useful ingredients from human urine to make liquid fertilizer and reusable water.
Founded by Dylan Randall
Education · since 2023
Offers accredited skills training in culinary arts, hospitality, beauty, and health and safety
Founded by Nantlantra Manganya
Funding: Launch of the academy funded from income of its catering business
Agriculture
Works with organisations on agriculture collaboration and relationship-building, as described on air
Founded by Nona Sukoto
Services · Kuruma
Provides cybercrime protection and business security advice, including response plans and phone separation
Founded by Isaho Nevo Musikazi
Other
Sells handmade resin keyrings and pieces with pressed flowers, and runs resin workshops
Beauty & fashion
Makes jewellery with real pressed flowers inside, fully customisable, plus bereavement pieces and workshops
Founded by Rafaela Nefertu
Tourism & hospitality · Cape Town
Designs travel experiences that help people explore nature in their own backyard
Founded by Luca Niso Giba and Auslukhani So Giba
Food & drink
Sells coffee; a brand built on core values, growing from its founder's entrepreneurial journey
Education
Driving academy teaching driving skills, mainly to young people, founded by a motorsport enthusiast
Founded by Lorenzo Gualtieri
Tech & software
Femtech app aimed at confronting South Africa's gender inequality
Founded by Mona Lisa Zwambila
Media & creative · Kenilworth
Children's book publisher opening its first permanent bookstore in Kenilworth station's former post office
Founded by Alison Harris
Beauty & fashion · Soweto
Offers beauty services in Soweto, with prices starting from R300 for two people
Health · Lone Hill
Wellness business offering wellness services in Lone Hill, north of Joburg
Founded by Simi Lottenbala and Samila Mbala
Food & drink
Makes artisan cheese, with milk collected fresh from its own farm herd
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 18:59 SAST.
