THE PULSE
His journey reflects a growing shift: African design is no longer just inspiration for global brands, but a force creating its own international identity.
CHECK IN, PLEASE Hotels and restaurants remain among the most exciting parts of South Africa’ s lifestyle economy. In KwaZulu-Natal, the official inauguration of Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari Resort in Tinley Manor has added an international hospitality name to the local tourism offering. The offering pairs a North Coast beach holiday with a Big Five experience at Vikela Safari Lodge in northern KZN.
Meanwhile, in White River, Mpumalanga, Hotel 247 officially launched its refurbished restaurant, marking another step in owner Khosi Mthalane’ s hospitality journey.
And Johannesburg’ s luxury hospitality scene has its own additions, with properties such as Park Hyatt Johannesburg adding another layer to Rosebank’ s increasingly polished offering.
AND THEN THERE’ S TOURISM … If South Africa’ s tourism sector were a WhatsApp group, the admins would currently be celebrating. The country welcomed almost one million international tourists in July 2026 alone, with 991 696 arrivals, a 12.5 % increase compared with July 2025. From January to July, arrivals reached 6.58 million, up 12.4 %, according to the Department of Tourism.
Visitors from elsewhere in Africa helped drive that growth, with arrivals from the continent increasing by 14.3 %, while overseas arrivals rose 5.7 %. New routes, investment, hospitality developments, and partnerships are inspiring progress.
RETAIL THERAPY, ANYONE? From shopping centres to standalone stores, retail is adapting to a consumer who wants more than simply buying something. Experiences, convenience, food, entertainment, and digital integration are becoming part of the package.
Familiar retail names are also making a strong showing in the brand rankings. Checkers was named South Africa’ s strongest brand in Brand Finance’ s 2026 South Africa 100 report, while PEP recorded the fastest growth in brand value.
Across all industries, the report valued the country’ s top 100 brands at a combined R771 billion, up 12 % year-on-year.
MAKING MOVES IN MZANSI Founded by Lwazi, Lwando, and Simnikiwe Ndlangalavu, PB Gaz supplies LPG cooking gas to township households, schools, and small businesses. The founders have been named finalists in the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year awards, with winners due to be announced in October.
So, whether it is a new boss, a new set of wheels, a new hotel, or a local brand making noise overseas, there is plenty happening.
Mzansi may occasionally take the scenic route to getting things done, but when we get moving, we really do move. IB
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