KwaZulu-Natal’s automotive sector has been urged to establish robust leadership pipelines to remain competitive, stable, and sustainable. Durban Automotive Cluster (DAC), Annual General Meeting (AGM) This was the central theme at the Durban Automotive Cluster (DAC) Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on18 May, at the Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies. The event, themed “Engineered to Last: Succession Planning for KZN’s Automotive Future”, brought together prominent industry stakeholders and manufacturing leaders to address succession planning and leadership continuity as critical regional priorities. Following the keynote address, an interactive panel discussion unpacked actionable strategies for developing local talent and future-proofing automotive firms. Industry leaders, including Paul Vermaak from Hesto Harnesses, shared insights on strengthening leadership continuity, building sustainable skills pipelines, and enhancing overall value chain resilience. The panel emphasised that proactive leadership transition planning is essential to maintaining the region’s manufacturing excellence. Durban Automotive Cluster Chairperson Andrew Valemen said: “The Durban Automotive Cluster remains committed to strengthening collaboration, investing in skills development, and building robust leadership pipelines. Through initiatives such as the Automotive Management Development Programme, we are actively preparing the next generation of leaders to ensure the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the sector. We remain confident that, through continued partnership between industry, government, and stakeholders, KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa can position themselves as globally competitive automotive manufacturing hubs.” Deputy Head in the Economic Development Directorate, Takalani Rathiyaya, said the AGM provided an important platform to review the automotive industry’s performance over the past year and outline priorities for the new financial year. He said the theme of succession emphasised the importance of strengthening people, systems, and institutions to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the sector. Rathiyaya further expressed optimism for the upcoming financial year, highlighting continued collaboration between the Durban Automotive Cluster, eThekwini Municipality, and industry stakeholders. The 2026 DAC AGM successfully demonstrated that by prioritising leadership capability, KwaZulu-Natal’s automotive industry is actively engineering a stable, competitive, and sustainable future.

From the sugar fields of Tongaat to the leadership corridors of KwaZulu-Natal’s public institutions, Logie Naidoo’s story is one of resilience, service and transformation. A former deputy mayor and speaker of the house of the eThekwini Municipality, and now a board member of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Logie has spent decades helping shape the province’s economic and social landscape. His leadership journey reflects a deep commitment to community upliftment, ethical governance and sustainable development, values that continue to define his work today. From Tongaat to Public Leadership Logie’s roots are firmly planted in the small sugar town of Tongaat, where generations of his family built their lives after arriving in South Africa from India. “A story I know from my grandparents is that my great-grandfather came from the south of India to work in the sugar fields,” he recalls. “When he landed at the port of Durban, he walked 40 kilometres to the Tongaat sugar mill to get this job.” After leaving high school, Logie became politically active while balancing work and private studies. At the time, many political organisations were banned, and Logie joined the Natal Indian Congress (NIC). Founded by Mahatma Gandhi, the organisation carried deep historical significance within the liberation movement. He describes his teenage years as ‘quite colourful – activist by day and party animal by night’. Logie entered the working world during a period of significant technological and political change in South Africa. His first job was with Mercedes-Benz, then Daimler-Benz of Africa, where he worked in a vast warehouse managing spare parts logistics at a time when computers were only beginning to enter the workplace. From there, he joined the La Mercy Beach Hotel Group as an accountant, eventually rising to company director. Although trained in finance, he soon found himself overseeing construction projects and hotel operations, experiences that would broaden his understanding of business management and leadership. “What was a steep learning curve for me was that I was given the task one day of being responsible for the building of the hotel, which I had no experience whatsoever in,” he says. The hospitality industry offered him a comfortable and successful career, something he admits he was reluctant to leave behind. “I had this wonderful job. I could drive in at 9am, staff would bring my coffee, and I could sit and watch the dolphins in the surf,” he says with a laugh. “Why would you want to leave that to go into a city with all the stress and pressures that come from that?” Yet in 1996, encouraged by members of his community, Logie stood for local government elections and won his ward in Tongaat. It was a decision that would alter the course of his life. Building a World-Class Durban Logie entered local government during a defining period in South Africa’s democratic development. By 2000, the newly formed Durban Metropolitan Council was consolidating municipalities into a single uni-city structure, requiring leaders capable of navigating complex transformation. He was elected once again and eventually appointed deputy mayor and chair of economic development, roles in which he helped oversee some of Durban’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. “In my ten years heading economic development, we built some of the best infrastructure in the city,” he says. Among the projects closest to his heart are the Moses Mabhida Stadium, King Shaka International Airport and uShaka Marine World. “When we wanted to build uShaka Marine World, people were telling us, ‘You guys are crazy,’” he remembers. “There was an American bank that came to the party and said, ‘We have faith in this project.’ We built uShaka Marine World, the fifth-largest aquarium in the world.” Logie also takes pride in smaller innovations that transformed Durban’s public spaces. One example is the iconic Whalebone Pier in Umhlanga, inspired by a creative engineering solution to disguise stormwater infrastructure. “The pier you see now won an international award for the best pier in the world,” he says. Yet despite the large-scale developments associated with his tenure, his most meaningful moment was granting the Freedom of the Town of Tongaat to Nelson Mandela who had a strong historical link to the town. “Mandela came to Tongaat numerous times when he was still underground and hid from the police at Gopallal Hurban’s sugar cane farm in Esenembe,” explained Logie. When we invited Madiba to the civic function, many of his staff advised him not to attend because it was only a small-town event. However, Zelda La Grange, his personal assistant, later told us that he insisted on coming despite his demanding schedule. He wanted to personally thank the people of Tongaat and acknowledge his connection to the town. Nelson Mandela was officially presented with the Freedom of the Town of Tongaat by Logie Naidoo on 21 October 1994. “For me, conferring the Freedom of the Town on this international statesman, a man with such an incredible aura and inspirational presence, remains one of the proudest and most memorable moments of my life.” Logie credits much of his leadership philosophy to struggle veteran Billy Nair, who spent 20 years imprisoned on Robben Island. “He always said to me, ‘Whenever in doubt, think about what is in the best interests of the people.’” That principle became central to Logie’s public service approach. “When I left the city, I left with just a pension,” he says. “I did some of the biggest projects, but I made sure that all the deals were neat and clean. Today I walk proudly in the streets of Durban. I get stopped by people such as the security guard at the boom gate, who said, ‘Please come back, sir’.” A Vision for KwaZulu-Natal’s Future Today, Logie serves as chair of Commercial Services at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, where he is helping lead efforts to restore tourism infrastructure damaged by Covid-19, social unrest and severe storms. “Our task is to ensure that we restore the infrastructure and facilities to a global standard,” he explains. “We are currently embarking on a programme to upgrade all of our resorts, keeping in mind that we attract a lot of overseas visitors who love wildlife.” The conservation authority oversees many of KwaZulu-Natal’s most important biodiversity assets, including the internationally renowned Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, home to one of the world’s largest populations of black and white rhino. Beyond conservation, however, Logie remains deeply concerned about the broader future of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa’s metropolitan centres. He believes the province has all the ingredients necessary to reclaim its position as South Africa’s second-largest economy. “We have two beautiful ports, Durban and Richards Bay. We have some of the best climate in the world. We have diversity of people and skills,” he says. “We need to rebuild this economy and restore confidence.” For Logie, economic growth depends on stability, efficient infrastructure and ethical leadership. “Business people want stability. They want good infrastructure. They want efficient government services,” he says. “If we get that recipe right, KZN can grow and really become number two again.” He is equally passionate about restoring dignity and effective service delivery within local government. “We must adopt the policy of back to basics,” he says. “Focus on water, electricity, sanitation and refuse removal.” Despite the challenges facing South Africa, Logie remains inspired by leaders who dedicated their lives to service, especially Nelson Mandela. “We learnt so much from Mandela,” he says. “He was brilliant in his simplicity.” His own personal philosophy is summed up in a simple but powerful motto that he encountered years ago. “Love all, serve all,” he says. “Simple words, but profoundly meaningful.” For Logie, leadership has never been about titles or prestige. It has been about building communities, creating opportunities and leaving institutions stronger than he found them. Across decades of public life, that commitment to service has remained unchanged.

By: Dylan Naidoo Like an annual event in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape, the sardine run has been a staple event in the provinces for both fisherman and tourists. For a brief analysis, the annual sardine run is when a massive number of sardines form a giant school, commonly referred to as a shoal, and migrate up the KZN coast. This phenomenon attracts many predators, such as sharks, dolphins and seabird, towards the sardines, creating an absolute spectacle. And with recent discoveries, it seems that the sardine run almost here, and earlier than expected! East Coast Radio (ECR) reported early sightings of the sardine on the KZN coastline, signifying that the Sardine Run is coming quite soon. " There was footage of it and they were proper sardines, not like bait fish. So, the guys had an inkling that they might be out yesterday (Thursday, 21st May), and they were ready. But nothing came through and there wasn't any wild bird life or dolphin activity as yet. However, they are already ready because they feel it could come any day now," said Vinesh Soogreem from the Angling Times to East Coast Radio. This follows shortly after the SABC speculated that the Sardine Run may be on the horizon in the coming weeks, but it is ultimately dependent on weather and sea conditions. Angling expert Adam Kamdar explained to the SABC that this is still potentially the beginning stages of the Sardine Run. “At the moment, we’re waiting for them to regroup around the East London PE area. We’ve had some reports of gannets diving but not too much action yet, so it’s really right at the beginning of the sardine run. Sardines look for the cold-water channels, so we really need the water temperatures to drop. If there’s snow on the Berg and the snow melts, the rivers flow out to sea and cools things down, as well as cold fronts that move up the coast cause huge south-westerly swells which helps to push the sardines up, as well as drop the temperatures,” said Kamdar. Hailed as a grand event for fishermen, the annual sardine run is expected to be in full force within the coming force. Local fisherman and coastal communities waiting in anticipation for this year's Sardine Run. Tourists may also find the Sardine Run as an attractive prospect, with huge shoals of sardines travelling in groups to make a great sight to see. Not to mention the increased activity of marine life such as sharks, dolphins, whales and sea birds[GA2] , all proving to be attractive sights to behold for tourists and local communities. This wildlife spectacle is vital to the economy of the KZN South Coast, through the increased tourism activity, driving booking and accommodation in the region. This also increases coastal activities such as diving and boating activities. The sardine also proves to be a vital food source for predators, attracting them in the thousands, which not only provides a spectacle on display, but also feeds these beautiful predators. The KZN Sardine Run is getting close! (Note: Image background was created using generative Ai)

KZN TOP BUSINESS AWARDS 2026 Time is running out for KwaZulu-Natal businesses to secure their place among the province’s leading companies. Entries for the KZN Top Business Awards 2026, brought to you by Standard Bank and the Women of Africa Group in association with East Coast Radio, officially close on 12 June 2026. The awards celebrate businesses, organisations, and entrepreneurs that are driving innovation, economic growth, job creation, and community impact across KwaZulu-Natal. From emerging enterprises to established industry leaders, the awards recognise excellence across a broad range of sectors. The 2025 winners reflected the depth and diversity of business success in the province, including: Arena Trims – Standard Bank Client of the Year (SME) Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund – Standard Bank Client of the Year (Larger Enterprise) Hulamin Limited – Manufacturing Sector Avemel Logistics – Transport & Logistics Sector Meondo Holdings Pty Ltd – Franchising Sector Siyaka – Family-Owned and Managed Business GreenHill Laboratories – Agriculture and Agri-Processing Sector Royal Tyres – Business, Finance and Education Sector aQuellé – Community Upliftment and Improvement Brahman Hills – Renewable Efficiency and Green Initiatives Beekman Group – Employee Wellness Durban Direct – Partnership Award SA Home Loans – Top Brand Award Entry Criteria Please note that businesses entering the awards must: Be based in KwaZulu-Natal or have a significant operational footprint in the province Submit a completed online entry form with supporting information relevant to the selected category Demonstrate business excellence, sustainability and innovation within their sector Meet the specific criteria outlined for their chosen category There is no entry fee, and businesses of all sizes are encouraged to participate. Full category details, judging criteria, and submission guidelines are available on the website www.kzntopbusiness.com Top Brand Voting Open Public voting for the sought-after Top Brand Award is already underway and attracting strong support from across the province. Businesses are encouraged to mobilise clients, staff, suppliers, and communities through social media and digital platforms to cast their votes. Only one vote per email address is permitted, and voting closes on 28 June 2026 at 10 pm. Finalists will receive extensive publicity across multiple media platforms, with winners announced at the prestigious gala event taking place on 16 July 2026 at the Durban ICC. For more information contact Gayle Adlam on +27(0)83 653 0465 or via email at gayle@mweb.co.za.

Wade Howard, Director and Senior Photographer, OD Media (Pty) Ltd We have just finished covering a conference in Rimini, Italy, and are now enjoying a few days’ holiday. It struck me why our UK-based client of 11 years keeps asking a company on the other side of the world to work for them. We are often asked this question by delegates when they say, “You came all the way from South Africa?” Here are a few reasons why international and local clients keep coming back, and how businesses can build long-lasting relationships through service and consistency. Going the Extra Mile South Africans have a reputation for being hard workers who are not afraid to get stuck in. These conferences, for example, last four days and the days often run from 7am until 10pm or even midnight. We are paid to be there, so we work whatever hours are needed to get the job done. Part of this comes from my own passion to always get the best photo I have ever taken. At these events you will often see me running to some far-off corner, climbing to the top of a building or heading across the water just to get a different perspective and a unique image that will wow the client. They may never even use the image in their marketing because they have very specific briefs, but it creates the impression that you are willing to go the extra mile for them. That effort is remembered. Clients notice when service providers genuinely care about the result and not just about clocking hours. Consistency Builds Trust Our clients know exactly what they are going to get from us because we show up every time and deliver the same professional service year after year. Over time, clients begin to see you as part of their team rather than simply another supplier. In fact, one or two clients even mentioned on this trip that we feel like family to them. When clients trust you, there is very little reason for them to look elsewhere. Relationships are critical. It is important not only to know the marketing manager or the person who hired you originally, but also to build relationships with the wider team. If your only contact leaves the company and nobody else knows who you are, there is a good chance the next event will go to someone else. Consistency also means showing up regularly. At many of these events, we see the same tourism representatives attending year after year. They become familiar faces, and it becomes easier for potential clients to do business with them because they recognise them and know they are committed. They are not afraid of back-to-back meetings and long days because they understand that visibility and relationship-building are essential to growing business opportunities. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Sometimes businesses get too caught up in the small things. We can become consumed by the fact that we quoted for four hours and now the event is running for four-and-a-half hours. Instead of immediately worrying about charging for every extra minute, sometimes it is worth asking whether staying a little longer and helping the client out will create more value in the long run. Clients appreciate flexibility. They appreciate not having to go back to procurement for another purchase order or explain why an event ran over budget. If you are already there and the event is still going, often the best thing you can do is simply get the job done professionally. Often, that goodwill is rewarded with repeat business. Understand the Client’s Needs We have been covering airline and airport conferences since 2015. The events are all similar, just in different venues, so it would be easy to keep doing the same thing every year. But businesses that continue to grow are the ones that keep asking clients what they need and where they can improve. Take the time to meet with clients regularly. Find out what you are doing right and where you can offer more value. We introduced a new service to our overseas client that happened to meet a need they already had, and it almost doubled our revenue at each event. The key is understanding how the client uses your work and how it helps them sell their products or services. If your work contributes to their success, they will continue to hire you. A good example for us has been testimonial interviews. We now do as many of these interviews at events as time allows. Although it has increased our workload, it offers massive value to the client. They post these testimonials online, and prospective delegates get to hear directly from people explaining how beneficial the event has been for them. There is no better marketing tool than hearing someone else say, “This event was worth attending.” Keeping the Client Happy Clients also like to feel valued personally. Our UK client works as hard as anyone else at these conferences and they enjoy having professional photographs taken of their team during the event. We encourage regular team photos, even though gathering everyone together in a busy venue can be challenging. The effort is worth it because people love seeing themselves and their teams recognised professionally. Something as simple as updating someone’s LinkedIn profile photo during an event can make a big impression. Small touches like these add value beyond the original brief and show clients that you genuinely care about them and their business. Make It Easy One of the simplest ways to lose clients is to make working with you difficult. Keep all your important documents and accreditations up to date and easily accessible. If a client asks for a tax clearance certificate, BBBEE certificate or COIDA compliance document, send it immediately. Delays create frustration and slow down the client’s processes. Professionalism is not only about the service you provide at an event; it is also about how efficiently you operate behind the scenes. Show Gratitude Finally, always show appreciation for your clients. Many businesses believe that because they are providing a service and getting paid, no further effort is required. But successful long-term relationships are built on gratitude and mutual respect. Clients want to know that you appreciate their support, enjoy working with them and are invested in helping them grow their business. When clients feel valued and supported, they are far more likely to keep coming back year after year. M: +27 (0)83 331 6796 E: wade@odmedia.co.za W: www.odmedia.co.za ODM Media in Rimini, Italy ODM Media in Rimini, Italy

By Peter Barnard, Partner and Chantal Mitchell, Partner, Cox Yeats Recent court decisions in the construction and engineering sector have reinforced the importance of properly identifying individuals responsible for unlawful conduct before seeking an interdict. Broad allegations against undefined groups may weaken urgent court applications and prevent relief from being granted. Threats, intimidation, and violent disruptions by community groups, business forums or disgruntled employees are a common occurrence on South African construction and engineering sites and have led to many applications seeking a court interdict to stop the unlawful conduct. Recent court decisions have highlighted the importance of ensuring you are able to clearly identify who is responsible for the conduct before rushing to court against broad, undefined groups. In Commercial Stevedoring Agricultural and Allied Workers’ Union v Oak Valley Estates, the Constitutional Court considered a situation where a protected strike had escalated into violence and intimidation. The employer sought to interdict a broad group of workers. While the Court accepted that serious misconduct had taken place, it found that the employer had not established a sufficient link between the alleged conduct and the specific individuals it wanted to restrain. The Court made it clear that being part of a group, such as a group of striking workers, is not enough. An interdict can only be granted where there is evidence connecting the individuals cited to the unlawful acts, or at least a proper basis to infer their involvement. A similar and more recent example arises from Witbank Taxi Association v Local Taxi Association and Another (Mpumalanga High Court, 2026). In that matter, an urgent interdict was sought following allegations of threats, intimidation and aggressive conduct between two taxi associations over a dispute regarding access to facilities at a newly opened mall. The applicant’s case was framed in broad, general terms and alleged that “members” of the respondent association made threats and acted aggressively, but failed to identify which individuals were involved, what exactly was said or done, or where and how the incidents occurred. This created a fundamental difficulty for the court. Interdicts are granted against specific parties, and the court must be satisfied that those parties have engaged in, or are likely to engage in, the conduct complained of. If there is any doubt about who did what, the interdict cannot be granted. Accordingly, even though the matter was urgent and the concerns serious, the application ultimately failed. These cases highlight that courts are cautious about granting wide-ranging interdicts against groups where only some members may be responsible for wrongdoing. Without clear identification, even serious and ongoing misconduct may not result in the court order being granted. If you are affected by threats or unlawful conduct and need urgent court protection, you need to ensure you gather clear evidence that identifies the individuals involved, or at least clearly links them to the complained-of conduct. W: www.coxyeats.co.za Peter Barnard & Chantal Mitchelle

THE SIX MARKETING METRICS THAT DEFINE WHETHER YOU WIN OR WONDER Terry Flack, Business Success Leader at Cannect Digital, Performance Marketer & Business, Growth Specialist Peter Drucker said it best, and he said it decades before a single dashboard was ever opened on a laptop in Umhlanga: “What gets measured, gets managed.” In 2026, I would add a Cannect Digital amendment to that, “What gets measured, gets monetised.” Because here is the uncomfortable truth most KwaZulu-Natal business owners are still ducking, you cannot improve what you do not measure, you cannot defend what you cannot prove, and you certainly cannot scale what you cannot see. And right now, most KZN businesses are flying blind. Globally, only 36% of marketers say they can accurately measure marketing return on investment (ROI), and only 30% of chief marketing officers are confident in their ability to do so at all (Improvado, Genesys Growth, 2026). Nearly half (47%) cannot pull a multi-channel attribution view together. Yet the same body of research shows that businesses that do measure properly enjoy 15% to 30% higher marketing ROI (HBR Analytic Services, 2025). The gap between the businesses that win and the businesses that wonder is no longer creativity. It is clarity. For mid-size, owner-managed businesses in KZN, this is not an abstract debate. It is monthly cash flow. KwaZulu-Natal contributes around 16% of South Africa’s gross domestic product, anchored by manufacturing, logistics through Durban and Richards Bay, tourism and a sprawling professional services corridor from Umhlanga to Ballito. We compete on speed, service and trust. None of those can be optimised on gut feel. “You cannot improve what you do not measure, you cannot defend what you cannot prove, and you cannot scale what you cannot see.” Six Marketing Metrics every KZN Business Owner Must Watch These are the metrics that connect a Google click to a customer in your Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and ultimately to revenue in your bank account. Get these six right, and the rest of the noise quietens. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC). Total sales and marketing spend, divided by new customers won. If your CAC is R4,000 and your average customer pays you R3,000 in year one, you have a business model problem, not a marketing problem. Neil Patel rightly argues that CAC alone is meaningless, it must be read alongside customer lifetime value. Customer Lifetime Value (LTV). Average order value multiplied by purchase frequency, multiplied by how long the customer stays. A healthy business runs an LTV:CAC ratio of at least 3:1 (Neil Patel, SaaS Hero, 2026). Below that, you are subsidising growth. Conversion Rate (CR) - by channel and stage. Visitors who become leads. Leads who become quotes. Quotes who become sales. Measured per channel, per campaign and per funnel stage. The average conversion rate from organic search hovers near 1.76%, but visitors who arrive from ChatGPT are converting at 15.9% (Omnibound, 2026). Knowing where conversion lifts or leaks is profit intelligence. Cost Per Lead (CPL) and Cost Per Qualified Lead (CPQL). Total spend on a channel, divided by the leads it produced. CPQL takes it further by only counting leads who match your ideal customer profile. A Durban logistics firm I worked with discovered that LinkedIn was producing leads at twice the cost of Google, but at three times the qualification rate. The expensive channel was the profitable one. Response Time and Speed-to-Lead. Harvard Business Review’s Lead Response Management study found that businesses contacting a lead within five minutes are up to 100 times more likely to qualify it than those who wait 30 minutes. In KZN, where 96% of internet users are on WhatsApp (DataReportal, 2025), every minute of silence is a minute your competitor is talking. Return on Marketing Investment (ROMI). The big one. (Revenue attributable to marketing minus marketing cost) divided by marketing cost. McKinsey’s data shows that rigorous ROMI tracking can improve marketing returns by 15% to 20%. Yet 83% of marketing leaders cite “demonstrating ROI” as their top 2025 priority, the same priority they cited in 2015 and 2005 (Improvado, 2026). The problem is not the metric. It is the discipline. ROMI: The Uncomfortable Truth Most businesses are not short of marketing activity. They are short of marketing accountability. The CMO Survey shows that companies are trying to improve performance tracking and prove financial impact, but the marketing-finance partnership remains only moderate, with CMO-CFO (chief financing officer) collaboration around the business case for marketing still scoring just 4.5 out of 7. That is the problem in one number. Marketing is still too often defended as a cost instead of proven as an investment. For KZN’s owner-managed businesses, the economic life blood of our province, this is critical. These businesses cannot afford bloated marketing teams, disconnected agencies, slow sales follow-up or dashboards that arrive three weeks after the opportunity is dead. They need live visibility! What generated the lead, how fast the team responded, whether the quote went out, whether the deal closed, and what it cost to win. Terry Flack, Cannect Digital: The Modern Customer Journey The Dashboard is the Deal. Each of these six metrics needs a home. That home is a live marketing dashboard. Not a monthly PowerPoint. Not a quarterly report. A real-time view that the owner, the CFO and the sales lead can interrogate before their first cup of coffee. Modern dashboards pull data from Google Analytics 4, Meta Ads, LinkedIn, your CRM, WhatsApp Business and your accounting platform. They surface the six numbers above in plain language and traffic-light colours. Half of top-performing companies ensure that analytics teams and execution teams use the same metrics in the same dashboard (HBR Analytic Services, 2025). This is the single biggest accelerant of decision speed. For an Umhlanga professional services firm, a dashboard means deciding on Tuesday morning to double LinkedIn spend because last week’s CPQL halved. For a Midlands hospitality brand, it means killing a Meta campaign that drove bookings at a loss and reallocating the budget to a Google campaign delivering 4:1 ROAS (Return On Ad Spend – another key metric.) For a Westmead manufacturer, it means seeing that 30% of qualified RFQs are coming through ChatGPT citations of their technical content and investing accordingly. An agentic environment is a connected system of AI agents that can observe, analyse and act within clear guardrails. It is not one chatbot sitting on a website. It is a practical commercial operating layer. For example, a lead intake agent watches website forms, email and WhatsApp. It timestamps the enquiry, checks whether the lead fits the ideal customer profile, asks qualifying questions and updates the CRM. A response agent drafts a first reply in the company’s tone, sends a brochure or booking link, and alerts the right salesperson when the lead is hot. A dashboard agent reviews GA4, Google Search Console, paid media, CRM and sales data every morning. It flags falling conversion rates, slow response times, high cost per lead or quote bottlenecks. An AI visibility agent runs monthly prompts such as “best logistics company in Durban”, “top accounting firm in Umhlanga” or “family accommodation in the Midlands” across LLM tools and records whether the business appears, which competitors appear, and what trust signals are cited. The KZN Business Bottom Line Marketing Metrics and measurement are not a cost. It is the only path to compounding profit. Analytic Partners’ ROI Genome shows roughly 40% of annual business growth is attributable to marketing, yet only 35% of CMOs track revenue as their top metric versus 70% of CEOs. That misalignment is exactly why marketing budgets get cut first when times tighten. Build the dashboard. Watch the six numbers. Speak the language of cash, not clicks. The businesses that win the next decade in KZN will not be the loudest or the largest. They will be the most measured. Marketing metrics do not just inform decisions. They make money. Use them, or fund someone who does. M: +27 (0)84 555 0005 T: 086 111 2939 (SA Sharecall Only) E: Terry@cannectdigital.com W: www.cannectdigital.com

Mike Myers, Security & Emergency Services Advisor, CEO Mobi Ventures There was a time when scams were relatively easy to spot. Poor spelling, suspicious emails from foreign princes and impossible lottery winnings tended to raise enough red flags for most people to walk away. Today, fraud has evolved into something far more sophisticated, personal and sinister. Recently, a close friend and colleague experienced this firsthand. Her mother received WhatsApp messages from somebody pretending to be her son-in-law. The messages sounded convincing. The details were accurate. Then came the phone calls. It sounded exactly like him. Except it was not him. Using voice cloning technology and personal information gathered online, criminals were able to convincingly impersonate a family member and manipulate somebody into “lending” a substantial amount of money to a scammer. Unfortunately, this type of fraud is becoming increasingly common. Artificial intelligence has opened huge opportunities for business, communication and innovation, but it has also handed criminals a completely new toolkit. Today, with only a short sample of somebody’s voice taken from social media videos, WhatsApp voice notes or online content, software can replicate tone, cadence and speech patterns extremely well. The result is a dangerous new era where hearing a familiar voice is no longer enough to establish trust. While these scams often target families and elderly relatives, businesses should be paying very close attention. Corporate environments are ideal hunting grounds for this type of fraud. Imagine this: A finance department receiving a voice note that sounds exactly like the CEO requesting an urgent payment release. A procurement manager receiving a WhatsApp message from what appears to be a trusted supplier requesting updated banking details. A staff member receiving a convincing call from “IT support” asking for login credentials during a supposed system emergency. Large corporations are not immune simply because they have sophisticated systems. In many cases, the bigger the organisation, the easier it becomes for criminals to exploit layers of communication, urgency and assumed authority. Cybersecurity today is no longer only about firewalls and antivirus software. Human verification processes are becoming just as important. One of the more subtle tactics now being used by scammers starts with something as simple as a “wrong number” phone call. The caller may appear polite or confused, but the real objective is often to get you talking. Many people instinctively answer with phrases like “yes”, “no” or “thank you” without thinking twice. Mobi Ventures - The New Face of Fraud Has Your Voice Those short responses seem harmless, but recorded voice samples can potentially be used in voice cloning systems, fraudulent verification and social engineering attacks. Even a brief conversation provides criminals with speech patterns, tone and pronunciation that can be manipulated. The safest approach with unknown callers is to keep responses minimal or even just cut the call. If you do answer, rather say: “Wrong number.” “You have dialled incorrectly.” Their next question will often be: “Do you know this person?”, they are trying to get you to say the word “No”. At this point, do not answer and make sure you cut the call. Avoid answering unnecessary questions, confirming personal information or allowing conversations with unknown callers to continue longer than necessary. It sounds paranoid, but unfortunately, this is the reality of modern fraud. Criminals are no longer simply trying to steal passwords or bank cards. They are assembling digital versions of people using fragments collected online: voice samples, profile photos, names, relationships, company structures and behavioural information. In many ways, trust itself has become the target. Businesses should be actively educating staff about AI-assisted fraud, implementing strict payment verification procedures and encouraging a culture where employees are comfortable verifying unusual requests, even when they appear to come from senior management. Because in the age of artificial intelligence, your next scam may not some with broken English and other obvious warning signs. It may just come from a voice sounding exactly like someone you know. Be careful, it could cost you or your company a fortune. T: +27 (0)31 109 1888 E: care@mobiventures.co.za W: www.mobiventures.co.za

THE UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM OF A CONTINENT ON THE RISE By David White CEO of DRG, South Africa Leader for the South African Chamber of Commerce UK, and Head of TAMI (The Africa Marketing Initiative). Before diving into the immense economic potential of our African continent, may we first please acknowledge and give thanks to Aletta Rochat. As the phenomenal ‘Africa Leads the Way’ value creation symposium, held online on the 25 May 2026, was her superb passion project and brainchild. As the first African International President in Toastmasters’ 100-year history, Aletta conceptualised this grand vision from her roots and experience right here on the continent. Aletta’s profound desire has been to showcase that Africa is ripe and ready for colossal transformation, and for Africa to not only have a voice in global conversations, but to lead cross-border trade integration and aligned decision making. With the backing of Toastmasters International, Aletta’s vision was supported and encouraged by the past International Director Frank Tsuro, alongside Kerri-Lea Adlam, Maud Nale, and a dedicated dream team. The rest of us, representing Rotary International, Dube TradePort, and the South African Chamber of Commerce UK (SACC UK), were deeply honoured to be brought in as guest speakers and contributors, to support Aletta and Toastmasters International’s voice and ambitions. To say the Toastmasters’ team struck a vein would be an understatement. The global response to the event was so overwhelming that the organisers literally had to upgrade their Zoom facilities on the fly to accommodate the many delegates attempting to log in. The enthusiasm from people on that live call was electric, with hearts and thumbs-up pulsating through each speaker’s contribution. Watching the phenomenal response to the YouTube replay afterwards simply cemented the wonderful reality that people in Africa, and people looking in from outside Africa, are longing to do business together. Sitting here in South Africa, building the bridges that allow international capital to land safely and compliantly in African markets, I can tell you that Africa’s borderless business ecosystem is no longer a futuristic vision. It is happening right now. The Economic Reality: Hard Facts for a Bright Future It is easy to be swept up in the motivational energy of a beautifully organised Africa Day celebration but let me give this enthusiasm some commercial perspective. The positive outlook for Africa is securely anchored in hard, irrefutable macroeconomic facts and geographic realities. If you look at the global economic trajectory, Africa is the ultimate growth scenario. Here is exactly why smart money is moving south: The Demographic Dividend The global north is ageing rapidly, facing shrinking workforces and soaring pension burdens. In stark contrast, Africa is the youngest continent, with roughly 60% of its population under the age of 25. By 2050, one in four people on Earth will be African. We are cultivating the global talent pool and workforce of the future. The AfCFTA Advantage The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is rewriting the rules of global trade. With 54 participating nations, it unites a market of over 1.3 billion people with a combined GDP exceeding $3.4 trillion. Stripping away legacy tariffs is creating a massive, unified commercial opportunity that simply cannot be ignored. The Engine of the Green Transition The developed world’s transition to sustainable energy is physically impossible without Africa. The African continent holds roughly 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, including the vast majority of the globe’s platinum group metals, and huge reserves of cobalt, copper, and lithium. Global Food Security As global supply chains face unprecedented pressure, Africa holds 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land. The future of global agriculture rests squarely on this continent’s potential. Digital Leapfrogging Unburdened by centuries of legacy infrastructure, African businesses operate with an incredible ‘mobile-first’ agility. From mobile money to fintech and agritech hubs, we build capital-efficient, highly adaptable solutions that the developed world is now actively attempting to replicate. Building the Ecosystem The true brilliance of the ‘Africa Leads the Way’ webinar was how each panellist perfectly articulated the synergy required to turn these raw economic facts into commercial reality. A light was shone on leaders shaping Africa’s future, proving that success requires a combination of voice, heart, connection, and physical infrastructure. Shaping the Global Conversation Aletta Rochat highlighted Africa’s inherent resilience, making a powerful observation: African leaders are no longer politely asking for a seat at the global table; they are actively shaping the conversation. By equipping young African professionals with the confidence to communicate, Toastmasters is producing world-class leadership that thrives even when operating in less-than-optimal environments. Ethical and Practical Leadership Olayinka ‘Yinka’ Hakeem Babalola, the incoming President of Rotary International, noted the powerful combination of Rotary and Toastmasters. As he beautifully stated: “Africa is not just a place of growth. Africa is a place of leadership. The world increasingly looks to Africa for ideas, for innovation, and for vision.” He reminded us that the governance required to propel Africa forward must come from everyday professionals putting essential skills into action. The Power of Connection and TAMI Svend Littauer, CEO of the SACC UK, spoke directly to the core of what chambers do as connectors. In an era flooded with endless data, human trust and vetted connections are the ultimate scarce resources. He highlighted the creation of TAMI, a vital platform linking African chambers globally. As Svend noted, “‘Africa Leads the Way’ is not just about the conversation ... we are building something meaningful together.” Building the Physical Framework Human capital must be matched with physical capability. Hamish Erskine of Dube TradePort grounded these grand visions in physical infrastructure, while Jorge Munguambe of FNB Mozambique highlighted the localised resilience required to succeed. We as Africans must bring manufacturing and logistics closer to the domestic market through Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and robust intra-African corridors. The Way Forward As a connector sitting in South Africa, looking out at the rest of the world, I see a continent that has truly arrived. The structural rails are being laid – both physically through world-class infrastructure projects, and digitally through networking, compliance and marketing initiatives like TAMI. This symposium was, at its heart and soul, far more than just an event. It was a clarion call to be part of Africa’s rising story of leadership, resilience, innovation, and practical economic collaboration. The overwhelming response to this gathering proves that the global appetite is voracious. As Aletta Rochat so warmly expressed to the many in attendance: “Thank you for believing in this vision of Toastmasters International, and for adding your voices and presence. Because of you, ‘Africa Leads the Way’ is becoming a living reality.” Africa is open for business. Let us keep building authentic connections, because without a shadow of a doubt, Africa’s long-awaited opportunity to shine has arrived. For more information E: info@tami.co.za W: www.tami.co.za

By Dylan Naidoo Cold weather just hit Durban recently, quite the departure from the days before. It feels like the Durban weather is having mood swings. One day it is bright and hot, the sun beating down with extreme humidity. And the next day? Cold like when it snowed on Drakensberg. As such, it is important to get to work in a car that manages every adolescent phase of the Durban weather, with strong air-conditioning to handle those humid days, and cozy heating to handle those cold rainy days too. And the Suzuki DZire? Well, let’s just say climate control is only scratching the surface of the positives about this car. Technology and Engineering The Suzuki DZire is a small, budget friendly sedan similar to its rivals the Honda Amaze and the South African built Corolla Quest. The model for review is the base manual model, featuring a 1.2L engine paired with a 5-speed manual. Power is great, even with the aircon on, the car managed to hold its own at higher speeds. As standard, the DZire is equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system, electric windows and a bright personality. It features six airbags and scored an impressive 5 - star safety rating at the Global NCap. This took me by surprise as it is quite rare to see small cars in this segment with a full 5-star safety rating. So why did I talk about the weather? Honestly it’s due to how great the climate control is, which instantly cools or warms the car. Along with this feature, the climate control is simple to use, with easy to adjust switches and buttons. The ride was also great. It is quite common for cars in this price range to be pretty rough, but I did not have this issue with the DZire, which drove smoothly with very little bumps being felt on the road. The turbulence was not too bad, and the car handled pretty well at high speed. Funky Design The first thing that stood out to me when I first heard what we were testing was the name of the car. Do you remember watching old Top Gear and one of the reasonably priced cars was called the Kia Cee’d, with the apostrophe there just to ‘look cool?’ I got the same vibe from the Suzuki Dzire. Whilst no apostrophe, I’m guessing the choice to misspell ‘Desire’ was to again ‘look cool’. Suzuki is thriving in the South African market (Look at my Grand Vitara article on that), catering to many demographics of people including the Gen Z, so Dzire is a snazzy name for the younger demographic. I like that the name as it gives a funky nature for the car. The design of the car is a massive upgrade over the previous model, the choice to make something original is a great change. It looks attractive and vibrant. The grill is tastefully designed, and the proportions make the car look a bit sporty. So yes, on top of the snazzy name, the Suzuki DZire has a design that pairs well with it. Interior For the price point, the interior of this test vehicle is great. The mix of a cream and black covered interior gives the look of something more upper class. Compared to its rivals, the DZire’s interior looks more expensive than it really is. Suzuki is really ramping up what budget cars should look like at this price point. And one look at the interior of the Dzire clearly showcases this point. Pricing and Overall Thoughts Pricing of the Suzuki DZire starts at R229,900, with the CVT models starting at 272,900. However, I would suggest the manual. For the price, you are getting a very capable sedan that redefines what a budget car should be. It’s priced well below its competitors, and ticks all the boxes for a car in its class. Suzuki Dezire BUSINESS SENSE Published by: KZN Top Business, 71 Underwood Road, Hatton Estates Features & Advertising: Grant Adlam: +27 (0)83 262 9529 Editorial: Gayle Adlam: +27 (0)83 653 0465 | +27 (0)31 267 1977 | gayle@mweb.co.za Accounts: Maryke Dickinson: +27 (0)82 877 7906 | maryke@kzntopbusiness.com Design & Layout: Kerri-Lea Adlam | Kezlea Graphics | kezlea@mweb.co.za Website: www.kznbs.com

Trevor Clark, Business coach, executive coach, professional speaker and global trainer Here’s a conversation I have more often than I’d like. A business owner calls me, frustrated. A solid team member has just handed in their resignation. Someone they trained, invested in, relied on. “I don’t understand it, Trevor. We pay well. We’re a good company. Why do good people keep leaving?” It’s a fair question. And the honest answer is usually not what they want to hear. It’s rarely about the money. Why People Actually Leave Research consistently shows that people don’t leave companies. They leave managers. They leave environments where no one has clearly defined what good performance looks like, where they never receive meaningful feedback until something goes wrong, where meetings are chaotic or don’t happen at all, and where they feel invisible. In short, they leave because of poor management. Not bad intentions. Just an absence of structure, clarity, and consistent communication. Most business owners genuinely care about their team. The problem isn’t caring. It’s the systems, or the lack of them. Don’t Wait for the Mack Truck Here is a pattern I see constantly in owner-managed businesses. Things start small. Two team members who aren’t quite clicking. Someone who seems a little flat. A shift in attitude you notice but can’t quite put your finger on. We call these taps on the shoulder. Little signals that something needs attention. Most business owners respond in one of two ways. The first is optimism. “It’ll sort itself out.” “They’re just having a bad week.” And sometimes it is. But often, it isn’t. The second is ‘busyness’. You see it. You make a mental note. Then the day swallows you whole, and the conversation never happens. Some owners fall into a third trap: being Mr or Mrs Nice Guy. There’s an acronym for NICE that’s worth sharing: Nothing Inside me Cares Enough. Avoiding uncomfortable conversations is not kindness. It’s avoidance. And avoidance has a cost. Those taps on the shoulder don’t disappear. They build. What started as friction becomes resentment. Resentment becomes a blow-up. And here is the painful part: it is almost always the high performer who walks. You are then left holding the problem you were trying to avoid, minus your best person, wondering where it went wrong. The answer is almost always back when it was still just a tap on the shoulder. Act early. Have the conversation when it is still small. A five-minute check-in today is worth infinitely more than a crisis three months from now. The Two Things Good People Need High-performing people need two things above almost everything else. First: Clarity. They need to know what success in their role looks like, how it is measured, and how it connects to where the business is going. Second: Growth. Good people are not looking for a comfortable rut. They want to learn, develop, and be challenged. A Structured Approach Makes the Difference Lions Meeting At ActionCOACH, we work with business owners on a practical management framework that covers daily priorities, weekly team meetings, and a simple reporting tool we call the LION Report. LION stands for: Last Week (what did I accomplish?) Issues (what problems or blockers do I have?) Opportunities (what ideas or leads should you know about?) Next Week (what are my priorities for the week ahead?) Every team member completes this brief report weekly. It takes minutes. But the impact is significant. You get a real-time pulse on your team. Problems surface before they become crises. And you are far more likely to catch that tap on the shoulder early. Alongside regular one-on-one LION Meetings, add behavioural profiling, weekly team meetings and 90-day planning/review sessions, and you have the foundations of a team that performs, communicates, and stays. It is not magic. It is management. Done well, consistently, week after week. One Last Thought If you have lost a good person recently and you are not sure why, it is worth asking yourself some honest questions. Were there taps on the shoulder along the way that you wish you had acted on sooner? If the answer is yes, the opportunity now is not regret. It is to build an environment where great people want to stay. This week, we close registrations for our 12-Week Management Masterclass, a practical online programme designed to give business owners and managers the tools, systems, and confidence to lead high-performing teams. Limited seats remain. If you have been thinking about it, now is the time. To your success. T: +27 (0) 31 266 2258 E: mastery@actioncoach.com W: www.mastery.co.za

By Chelsea Brand For over a decade, Lupa Osteria Westville has been a firm favourite within the Westville community – a place where friends gather, families celebrate, and exceptional food is shared around the table. Now, owners Leon and Colleen Roux are bringing something new, warm, and wonderfully inviting to the neighbourhood with the official opening of Vovo telo Bakery and Café. Conveniently located right next door to Lupa Westville – the new bakery and café, part of the renowned Famous Brands group, officially opened its doors on Tuesday 12 May. From the moment you step inside, Vovo telo Bakery and Café feels like more than just a bakery. It is a thoughtfully curated space that combines warmth, comfort, craftsmanship, and community. The café offers both sit-down and takeaway options, making it the ideal stop whether patrons are looking for a leisurely breakfast, a quick morning coffee, or a fresh pastry on the go. During a recent visit, we had the privilege of sitting down with Leon over a cup of coffee crafted by the café’s barista. It quickly became evident that coffee is not simply served at Vovo telo Bakery and Café – it is taken seriously. Leon and Colleen are meticulous about every detail, and the result? A flawless cup of coffee. That same commitment to quality extends throughout the bakery. Equipped with an industrial-sized mixer and a stunning three-tier oven, Vovo telo Bakery and Café will produce its breads, pastries, cakes, and baked goods in-house daily. Guests can expect a menu filled with artisanal breads, pastries, indulgent cakes, freshly prepared sandwiches, breakfasts, pizzas, coffees, and even ice cream – all crafted with care and designed to elevate the everyday café experience. For Leon and Colleen, the vision behind Vovo telo Bakery and Café goes beyond simply opening another eatery. Much like Lupa Osteria, they want the bakery and café to become part of the fabric of the community – a familiar and welcoming space where quality, atmosphere, and experience come together effortlessly. Walking through the doors sparks all the senses. From the ovens producing fresh pastries to the careful crafting of each coffee, Vovo telo brings the art of baking and café culture to life in a way that feels personal and authentic. Vovo telo Bakery and Café is set to become more than just a neighbouring establishment to Lupa – it is poised to become Westville’s newest gathering place, where mornings begin with the aroma of fresh bread and coffee, and where the community can continue creating memories together for years to come. Vovo telo Bakery & Café, Westville