10 South African Entrepreneurs That Changed The Media Landscape
10 South African Entrepreneurs That Changed The Media Landscape. The media landscape of South Africa is dynamic and diverse, reflecting the country’s complex social, cultural, and political fabric. It encompasses a range of platforms including traditional print, television, radio, and rapidly growing digital media. Here are ten South African entrepreneurs who have significantly impacted the media landscape.
Koos Bekker
Jacobus Petrus “Koos” Bekker is a South African billionaire businessman, and the chairman of media group Naspers. The company operates in 130 countries and is listed on the London Stock Exchange and Johannesburg Stock Exchange. It has the largest market capitalization of any media company outside the US, China and India.
Connie Ferguson
She is a South African based actress, filmmaker, producer and businesswoman. Connie and her husband, Shona, launched the television company Ferguson Films in 2010. Their first production, Rockville, was commissioned by M-Net three years later. Other productions include iGazi, The Gift, The Throne, The Queen and The Imposter.
Khanyi Dhlomo
Founder of Ndalo Media, which published successful magazines like Destiny and Destiny Man, blending media with empowerment and entrepreneurship. In 2007 she founded Ndalo Media in partnership with Naspers and successfully published the magazine, Destiny. In 2018, in keeping with the closure of print-based media businesses worldwide, Dhlomo took the decision to close her media company.
Alan Knott-Craig Jr.
Founder of Project Isizwe, which aims to provide free WiFi to South African communities, significantly impacting digital media access. In 2013 he founded ‘Project Isizwe, a non-profit company managing the deployment of the largest public free Wi-Fi network in South Africa. In 2014 he founded Herotel, a wireless broadband provider in South Africa.
Andile Khumalo
Founder and CEO of KhumaloCo, with investments and ventures in media and Broadcasting. Andile started his career at Deloitte and in 2002 he joined Investec as an investment banker after which, he started a few businesses and joined as partner at MSG Afrika in 2007. After spending 11 years as a shareholder and COO of the media & communications group, he exited MSG Afrika to start KhumaloCo in 2018.
Lebo Gunguluza
Media mogul and founder of Gunguluza Enterprises & Media (GEM) Group, impacting various media sectors including broadcasting and digital media. The Gem Group is a focused, integrated media and communications empowerment group. The group has been refocused over the past years as an event management specialist of choice to a diversified media group with added activities.
Macgyver Mukwevho (MacG)
Founder of The Podcast and Chill Network, which is a company that produces YouTube podcasts. The company has more productions besides Podcast and Chill with MacG. The network also produces Popcorn and Cheese hosted by Mpho Popps Modikoane and Robot Boii. The network also produces Spreading Humours with Seemah, Yanda Woods and Zille.
Basetsana Kumalo
Basetsana Julia “Bassie” Kumalo is a South African television personality, beauty pageant titleholder, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She is the co-founder of Tswelopele Productions, which produces long-running TV shows like Top Billing, thus influencing South African lifestyle programming.
Mandla N
He is an award winning, recognised Film Maker, Music Composer and Creative Director with over 17 years experience in Film. He is the founder of Black Brain, a full service, 360° production house, specializing in innovative and award-winning creative communication. Everything the company does is driven by a passion for telling expertly crafted stories, that live on TV, radio, online or in public spaces.
DJ Sbu
Founder of Massiv Metro, an urban radio station delivering authentic content and music to the commuter market in Johannesburg. The station which was launched by DJ Sbu in 2017 and it has now been shut down. He is also the founder of The Hustlers Corner SA, a personal and business development podcast that hosts “Hustlers” from different industries.
