THE PULSE
BY BYRON LUKAS
A beach-and-safari escape, a Paris prize for South African fashion, and entrepreneurs turning everyday needs into businesses: here’ s what’ s keeping the local scene lively.
NEW FACES, BIG DESKS There are some new names on the office doors of corporate South Africa.
JSE-listed construction and engineering group Aveng has named Farer Wyllie as its next CEO, with the appointment effective from 1 October 2026. He succeeds interim CEO David Simpson, bringing more than 30 years of experience in infrastructure, construction, and engineering.
Farer Wyllie
OUTsurance Insurance CEO Danie Matthee has also been elected chairperson of the South African Insurance Association. SCOR SE Africa Branch CEO Mohamed Motala has been named deputy chairperson at the body representing South Africa’ s non-life insurance sector.
NISSAN TEKTON
BRANDS ARE LAUNCHING Mzansi loves a launch. Give us a rooftop, a DJ, a few influencers and a very serious-looking press release, and we are there.
Nissan, for example, launched its new Tekton SUV in South Africa, part of a renewed model offensive following its shift away from local vehicle production. The India-built SUV makes South Africa its first African launch market.
The message is clear: the South African consumer still matters.
LOCAL TALENT, GLOBAL STAGE South African designers are taking local creativity to international audiences. Mzukisi Mbane, founder and creative director of Imprint South Africa, won the Best Designer Africa 2026 award at Africa Fashion Up in Paris.
The self-taught designer has made waves across Africa, taking his work to Eswatini and Kenyan festivals, while putting South African craftsmanship firmly on the global design map.
92 INBOUND SA / OCTOBER 2026