There’s a fundamental difference between earning an income and building a business. A salaried mindset protects income. A founder’s mindset risks everything to create it.

“A successful business owner will constantly identify business opportunities with great clarity and then have the drive to deliver on them,” says Jaco Gouws, Head of Proposition at Private Clients by Old Mutual. “They’re decisive. They adapt. Whether it’s shifting markets, rising costs or global disruption, they keep going.”

Yet those same qualities can make it difficult to step back and take the time to plan for a lasting legacy.

“Business owners are capital allocators. They’re always asking, ‘Where should this money go? Should I expand, invest or buy something new?’ It’s a mindset built on action and control, where decisions are immediate and outcomes feel tangible.”

Over time, however, this journey evolves through four stages: building, scaling, unlocking and stewardship, Jaco says.

THE RISKY SCALING PHASE

The early phases are familiar territory. “At the start, it’s exciting and uncertain. You’re passionately building something from nothing. Then, as it starts working, you move into scaling – growing revenue, expanding, gaining momentum.”

But it’s during the scaling phase that most of a founder’s wealth becomes tied up in the business. That concentration may have created the wealth, but it’s also where the greatest risk lies.

“Many entrepreneurs are aggressive in their business, but conservative with their savings. They’re often sitting on significant cash, but it’s not being used efficiently, from a tax perspective or an investment one. And personal and business wealth often become blurred.”

Founders tend to measure everything against what they can achieve inside the business. “They’ll say, ‘I can double this money if I reinvest it, why would I put it elsewhere?’ Or they make decisions to reduce tax in the short term, but those choices can be destructive over the long term,” Jaco says.

LOOKING BEYOND THE BUSINESS

As success grows, so does the need to think beyond the business itself. “External investments are not there to compete with the business; they are there to protect it. They give you liquidity, reduce concentration risk and provide options if something changes.”

Without that diversification, everything remains tied to a single outcome.

But business owners are often wary of stock markets, viewing them as too volatile and preferring to keep capital accessible.

“They want control and flexibility, but while holding cash feels safe, it’s often inefficient,” Jaco says.

“Through asset-backed lending, we can help clients stay invested in a diversified portfolio while unlocking liquidity against it – often at rates below prime – so business owners do not have to compromise between growth and access.”

FROM BUILDING TO STEWARDING

Scaling is followed by what Jaco describes as the unlocking phase, an important inflection point where value is realised. “Founders may sell, partially exit or hand over to a successor. And then you move into stewardship – where you’re no longer building the business but managing what it has created.”

It is in this phase that many founders find themselves on unfamiliar ground.

“For 20 or 30 years, you’ve been solving problems and driving growth. Suddenly, you have liquidity and options, but you don’t necessarily have the same clarity about what to do next. People think wealth creates freedom, and it does. But it also creates pressure.”

There are many successful businesses, but far fewer cases of wealth that lasts.

“Returns are important, but continuity, access and efficiency matter just as much – making sure wealth can transition across generations, that it can be used and that it doesn’t erode over time.

But without structure and deliberate planning, even significant fortunes can dissipate,” Jaco says.

Still, many founders delay confronting these issues. “They’re busy. They’re focused on the business. That’s what they know,” Jaco says.

The mindset that builds wealth is not the same one that sustains it. “The focus and conviction are still important, but they need to be balanced with perspective – thinking about the long term, your family and what this looks like decades from now.”

Shifting from building wealth to managing it is not a single decision; it requires new habits. “You need to consciously set aside time regularly to step back and ask, ‘Where am I in this journey? What would happen if I exited today? Am I financially set up for that? Will I have access to enough money if a big opportunity arises?’”

This requires the right support. “Having someone outside the business – with the experience, expertise and perspective to guide these decisions – is critical. We work with business owners and families at every stage of this journey, so we know what works and what doesn’t.”

There is no perfect time to start, Jaco says. “It’s never too early, and it’s rarely too late. But there are missed opportunities if you don’t start thinking about it.”

Because, in the end, the real question isn’t whether you can build wealth. It’s whether it survives you.

The post Enduring Enterprises: But will it last? appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

It has been six months since Prof. Ramjugernath was appointed as Vice-Chancellor and Rector of Stellenbosch University (SU) and he has wasted no time in reaching out to the university’s partners. Fresh off a visit to Australia, one of several destinations in an outreach strategy that has seen him engage over 3,500 stakeholders in multiple countries, he addressed private sector partners in Cape Town. Stellenbosch Visio was there to hear first-hand what the university’s leadership envisions for the future.

Prof. Ramjugernath revealed that the vision for 2040 is to make SU the number 1 tertiary institution in Africa for impact, not purely from an academic point of view, but in service to society. The university is already well on its way to reaching this goal. The recently published Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2026 placed SU second in Africa for the fifth consecutive year and among the top 350 universities in the world overall.

The rankings evaluate universities across five areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry, with SU particularly excelling in the last mentioned. In the past 10 years, the university has spun off 40 companies, playing a significant role in shaping the economy and the country’s future.

Appropriate then that Prof. Ramjugernath invited the private sector to collaborate. “This is a moment for co-creation,” he said, as he explained the opportunities for shared laboratories, data partnerships and research questions that tackle real-world challenges.

With the objective for the university to be strategic, sustainable and impactful, the 2040 vision addresses three key areas. First and foremost is academics and Prof. Ramjugernath reassured the audience that academic excellence remains front and centre.

In terms of teaching and learning, this equates to greater student success i.e. the percentage of students graduating and finding employment. SU is concentrating its efforts on holistic support to empower students and ensure graduates are engaged citizens. In the fields of research and innovation, the university is pursuing transdisciplinary initiatives, where academics co-create solutions with external partners.

The second focus area is partnerships and sustainability. Here, SU seeks to design partnerships that support its strategic direction and enable long-term sustainability across the financial, social and environmental spheres.

In the third area – people, culture and processes – the university seeks to create an enabling environment, so students and staff can focus on excellence. Ultimately, it is not about publishing the most research papers or having the most highly ranked professors, but about translating outputs into outcomes that serve society. Prof. Ramjugernath issued an invitation to industry to “turn ideas into initiatives and initiatives into impact”.

The Rector’s address was followed by a Q&A session where business leaders and invested parties could directly question him. Judging by the active participation of those present, his message struck a chord, which bodes well for Stellenbosch University’s objective of forming partnerships for impact. As the university’s alumni association puts it, “The future is built together.”

The post Stellenbosch University Rector shares his vision appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT Stellenbosch that sparks entrepreneurship. Maybe it’s the culture of curiosity or the way people here are constantly creating and building. Students turn hobbies into startup ventures; academics commercialise ground- breaking research that has the power to impact thousands of lives.

This is exactly how EasiShop began: two curious students from Stellenbosch University (SU), a programming project and a simple goal to save money on groceries.

Officially launched in May 2025, EasiShop is a fast-growing digital platform that helps find the best prices for groceries by comparing prices across various retailers, making it easier than ever to shop smart in an economy where every rand counts.
Tinashe Madanire, a BCom student from the Economic and Management Science Faculty at SU with a background in programming, started building a tool to compare grocery prices in the vicinity. It was a personal project and a practical tool that aimed to solve an everyday problem.

“It was really just a challenge for myself at first,” says Tinashe. “But the more I worked on it, the more I realised that this could actually help other people. I shared it with a few friends and family and the response was immediate.”

That spark of encouragement was enough to get the wheels turning. Soon Tinashe was joined by co-founder Tendai Katiyo, also a BCom student at SU, who saw the bigger picture – that this wasn’t just a useful tool; it could become a business with real impact.

“Tendai brought a fresh perspective and believed in the vision,” says Tinashe. “We both saw that EasiShop could be more than a price comparison tool; it could help people feel empowered about their everyday purchases.”

Tinashe’s natural aptitude for entrepreneurship runs deep. Originally from Zimbabwe, he moved to South Africa in Grade 5 and grew up watching his parents build small businesses alongside their full-time jobs.

“My parents always had something going on the side,” he explains. “From them, I learnt to be resourceful, to work hard and to always look for ways to stretch every rand.” That firm foundation, paired with the energy and ecosystem of Stellenbosch, has created the perfect space for a side project to evolve into something greater.

“There’s something about Stellenbosch that makes you want to build,” says Tinashe. “The student community, the innovation spaces, the other entrepreneurs. It’s honestly like being surrounded by people who believe in creating something out of nothing.”

Getting users wasn’t easy at first. The duo spent a significant amount of time convincing people to try yet another new app and then getting them to share feedback. It took time, persistence and a lot of listening.

“We had to figure out how to communicate our offering very clearly,” says Tinashe. “Tendai played a big role in helping to shape our brand, marketing and overall user experience.”

The team leaned into social media to build momentum at the beginning of 2025. They launched their Instagram account in April 2025 and began creating relatable, informative content. The results were staggering. In less than a month of launching, they hit 2 100 registered users. After launching on socials, EasiShop easily reached 4 000+ followers on Instagram, with TikTok proving to be another major growth channel.

“The feedback we get from users has been incredibly motivating. People are telling us how much they are saving and how useful the app is to their lives. That lets us know we are solving a real problem.”

EasiShop has a simple mission, but the duo’s vision is bold. “Eventually, we want users to be able to shop across all the listed retailers and get one delivery package at their door,” says Tinashe. “That’s the long-term goal: to create a one-stop, affordable grocery shopping solution.”

In the short term, the team is focusing on three things:

• Building partnerships with retailers to unlock greater value for both users and stores.
• Launching a WhatsApp integration tool to make EasiShop more accessible for all users.
• Refining the app constantly, based on real-time feedback.
• When asked what advice he’d give to other young entrepreneurs, Tinashe is quick to respond.

“Just start. That’s the best advice I can give. You don’t need the perfect plan or full funding. If you have an idea, work on it. Speak to people, test it out and let it grow from there. Even something small can turn into something meaningful.”

EasiShop is proof that a successful business idea can start anywhere, even on a laptop in a student residence. With grit, purpose and a clear sense of their target audience, Tinashe and Tendai are showing just how far one simple idea can go. V

The post Shopping Smart with EasiShop appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Fidders is soveel meer as net ’n winkel wat ligte verkoop; dis ’n lewende deel van Stellenbosch se geskiedenis en kultuur. Dit voel asof Fidders nog maar altyd op die dorp was – ’n hoeksteen en baken, waar jy letterlik enigiets kan koop, van kristalkandelare tot ’n battery vir jou motor se afstandbeheerder en dan nog geskenke vir jou skoonma en tannie ook. In 1945 was dit so en in 2025 is dit steeds so.

André-Louise Stroebel besoek die winkel al sedert 1980 amper daagliks. “Die eerste keer dat ek in Fidders gekom het, was soos om weg te raak in ’n paradys van kleur en die wonderlikste verskeidenheid andersoortige produkte,” sê sy. “Die beste produk is ongetwyfeld die mense wat jou met sóveel liefde, geduld en diensbaarheid help. Daar is ’n ligte atmosfeer, iets byna tasbaars.”

Toe Fidders destyds deur Herman en Lena Fidder geopen is, het die winkel bekend gestaan as Fidders National Electric en het die eienaars hulle op elektriese hersteldienste toegelê. Dit was eers toe Herman en Lena se seun Johan en sy vrou, Martie, oorgeneem het, dat die winkel ook geskenke begin verkoop het. Dit het alles verander.

Helena Strauss het Fidders in 1985 gekoop en die geskenke- en kombuisafdelings uitgebrei; die hersteldiens is as ’n afsonderlike winkel bestuur. Helena se dogter Melinda het later ook deel van die span geword – iets wat vir haar as ma ’n groot voorreg was.

“Fidders was ’n hoogtepunt in my lewe,” sê Helena. “Die lieflike personeel het nie geskroom om hul kant te bring nie. Ons wagwoord was: ‘As ons dit nie het nie, sal ons dit kry!’ Ons het dit absoluut gehandhaaf!” Dit het later ’n segswyse in die dorp geword: “As jy iets wil weet of iets nodig het, gaan na Fidders.”

DIE FAKKEL OORHANDIG

Die winkel het onder Helena se leiding gegroei en daar het ’n behoefte ontstaan aan ’n man wat die beligtingafdeling kon hanteer. In 2000 het die alombekende Danie Mostert en sy vrou, Sarie, Helena se mede- eienaars en vennote geword. “Onder sy leiding en fyn aanvoeling het ons beligtingafdeling soos ’n vuurpyl opgeskiet,” sê sy.

Dit was nie lank nie, toe staan die winkel bekend as die “lighuis”. “Ook tot eer van ons Hemelse Vader,” sê Helena.

Helena oorhandig die fakkel in 2023 aan Danie – en dit brand steeds helder. Fidders se waardes – diens, eerlikheid en opregtheid – word hoog geag en in stand gehou.

Deur die loop van Fidders se ontwikkeling het die span, volgens Danie, nooit van die winkel se verlede vergeet nie.

Wat Danie betref, behoort Fidders aan die mense van Stellenbosch. “As dit nie vir elkeen se rand en sent was nie, sou die winkel nooit kon wees waar dit vandag is nie, in die eerste plek deur die Vader se genade, en in die tweede plek danksy elke klant wat oor ons drumpel gestap het.”

DORPSSKAT

^{Felishia Theunissen en Angelique Siebritz is al onderskeidelik 33 en 9 jaar deel van die Fidders-span. Neil Layman is al 13 jaar lank ’n verkoopsman by Fidders.}

Om te sorg dat Fidders sy eiesoortigheid behou, verg baie harde werk agter die skerms, benadruk Danie. Die winkel se bestuurder, Madeleine Germishuis, glo dié harde werk is altyd die moeite werd.

“Toe ek as bestuurder oorgeneem het, het tannie Helena en Danie aan my ’n dorpsskat oorhandig – ’n groot verantwoordelikheid en baie groot skoene om vol te staan,” sê Madeleine.

“Jy weet wie jy hier sal kry en dat jy op jou naam gegroet sal word. Everybody and anybody belongs here,” sê sy. Die personeel ken geslag op geslag klante, van oral in die land.

Madeleine sê haar gunstelingoomblikke in Fidders is wanneer jong mense instap, sê hul oumas het altyd daar gekoop, foto’s van hulself in die winkel neem en dit aan hul oumas stuur. Die verrassing en blydskap op die gesiggies van eerstejaarstudente wat vir die eerste keer hier instap, en die uitdrukkings op hul ma’s en oumas se gesigte as hulle ná ’n baie lang tyd hier kom, is kosbaar, sê Madeleine. “Die geselsies wat hieruit voortspruit bring soveel vreugde.”

Fidders ondersteun graag klein ondernemings, verkieslik in die Wes-Kaap. Die balans tussen ou en nuwe produkte is belangrik vir Fidders om te ontwikkel en te groei, sê Madeleine. Om dié balans te handhaaf, kyk Madeleine veral na produkte en verskaffers wat stories vertel.

LEKKER STORIES

“Ons verskaffers het almal lekker plaaslike stories met ’n groot trefkrag,” sê sy. “Dit is deur stories te vertel dat ons verhoudinge aanknoop met mense wat hier instap. Dit maak Fidders enig in sy soort. Ons verkoop nie net mooi goed nie, maar deel stories wat die volgende 80 jaar se lojale klante byeenbring.”

Hulle hou ook omgewingsimpak in gedagte. “Mense wil weet waar ons aankoop, hoe ver die produkte reis, of dit in Suid-Afrika gemaak is, ensovoorts,” sê Madeleine. “Maar dit beteken geensins dat ons nie vir die oumas en tannies wat al jare lank hier by ons inloer, die bekertjies met blommetjies of voëltjies op beskikbaar sal hou nie.”

Fidders se toekoms is iets wat die span beplan om tree vir tree binne te gaan. Die afgelope agt dekades bestaan uit sulke treë, sê Danie. “Ons onthou hoe ons sonder enige tegnologiese hulpmiddels ontwikkel het tot vandag waar ons al hierdie hulpmiddels tot ons beskikking gebruik om dinge makliker te maak. Dit is belangrik om moderne tegnologie te gebruik, maar om steeds die sjarme en styl te behou.” Die oorgang tot moderne handelspraktyke het stap vir stap geskied; ’n groot aanpassing was nooit nodig nie.

Fidders se missie, sê Danie, is om bestaande middele op ’n manier te gebruik wat hul dekades lange, getroue klante net nóg beter dien. “Mense sal altyd vir ons belangriker wees as die besigheid. Ons het jare gelede ’n plakkaat in die winkel gehad wat gelui het: ‘Make a customer, not a sale’.” Dit geld steeds.

“Ons het al baie foute gemaak, maar daar was ook al baie suksesse,” sê hy. “Ek is dankbaar vir my vrou, Sarie, wat ’n sterk anker is. As span is ons gevestig in die genade van God. Ons is die Here dankbaar vir elke personeellid wat treë en ure in Fidders daaraan bestee om Fidders die winkel te maak wat dit vandag is.”

Fidders se storie is nog lank nie klaar geskryf nie en vir Danie is vanjaar se vieringe deel van ’n bundel met talle verhale wat nog geskryf gáán word. Môre en oormôre. 

The post Stellenbosch se eie ‘lighuis’ appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Tumelo Mokoena

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH – November/December 2024: A near-tragic incident involving a friend inspired Tumelo Mokoena, a first-year student at Stellenbosch University, to start his entrepreneurial journey.

Hailing from Johannesburg, Tumelo moved to Stellenbosch at the beginning of the 2024 academic year to pursue a B.Eng in electrical and electronic engineering. A passionate tech enthusiast with a keen interest in innovations like SpaceX launches, he did not set out to become an entrepreneur. But then a close friend was injured in a mugging, and Tumelo realised that crime was as prevalent in Stellenbosch as anywhere else and that slow responses were endangering the lives of victims. As a natural leader – he was head boy of his high school and president of the Tshwane South District Representative Council of Learners (RCL) – Tumelo knew he wanted to make a difference and began thinking about solutions. The result is SafeGuard Stellies, a comprehensive, three-part safety solution that comprises:

• A mobile app featuring a panic button, location tracker and safety tips.
• A panic bracelet that enables users to send alerts discreetly without having to reach for their phones.
• Drones that are equipped with live cameras, sirens and lights.

Although the business is still in the planning phase, it has immense potential to improve safety in the town and beyond.

“Winning the #Ideasforchange Challenge was a major milestone,” says Tumelo. “It gave the project momentum, and the support from Stellenbosch Network has been incredibly encouraging.” The business is now on track to launch key components like the mobile app and panic bracelets, with plans to develop drone technology in the next phase.

Looking ahead, Tumelo has big plans for SafeGuard Stellies. “Next we’ll focus on building a strong team, expanding our online presence and launching our products,” he says. The goal is to generate revenue from the app and bracelets to fund drone development and secure the necessary operational licences.

Partnerships with Stellenbosch University, the local municipality and security networks will be key to scaling up the business. “Our vision is to build an ‘Uber for Safety’, not just for students, but for the broader Stellenbosch community.”

Tumelo’s journey to this point has been shaped by invaluable lessons. One piece of advice that stands out came from a course he recently took, ‘University Practice in Natural Science’. It taught him that the most successful students are not always those with the highest marks, but those with the resilience to push through obstacles. “That mindset has been my guiding principle.”

Prof. Ranel Venter

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH – January 2025: Prof. Ranel Venter is a leading researcher at Stellenbosch University and the CEO of Banzifeet, a pioneering South African company dedicated to improving the foot development of school-going children. Her entrepreneurial story is a testament to how research and innovation can converge to create solutions that could have a lasting impact on local communities.

The idea for Banzifeet began in 2016 when Ranel co-led a joint study with the University of Hamburg. After examining the foot morphology of children growing up barefoot in South Africa and wearing shoes in Germany, the research revealed significant differences between barefoot children and those with shoes. South African children tend to have wider and larger feet, yet standard school shoes are too narrow, causing discomfort and potential long-term developmental issues.

Ranel saw an opportunity to make a lasting impact. “The data were clear,” she says. “Ill-fitting shoes don’t just cause discomfort; they can affect foot function, gait and overall development. I knew something had to be done.”

Recognising that systemic change was needed, she took the leap into entrepreneurship. Partnering with Innovus Technology Transfer Office at Stellenbosch University, she founded Banzifeet alongside fellow researchers Elbe de Villiers and Marise Breet.

The company aims to provide school shoe manufacturers with accurate data on South African children’s foot shapes, enabling them to design better-fitting footwear. “It’s about empowering existing manufacturers with the tools they need to create shoes that support healthy development.”

Transitioning from research to business was not without its hurdles. There was a steep learning curve involved in navigating legal requirements, developing a business model and marketing a product, recalls Ranel. “Entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted,” she admits. “You need to be prepared for setbacks and willing to learn as you go.”

Nevertheless, Banzifeet has made significant strides, developing a certification model that helps manufacturers to assess and improve their shoe designs. Its prototypes have been tested in local schools and it recently partnered with Bolton Footwear to manufacture the first Banzifeet Gold certificate school shoe.

Already Banzifeet is creating ripples of change. In Kylemore, Stellenbosch, it partnered with a local shoe company to establish a ‘shoe library’ that provides children with access to better-fitting shoes as they grow. “This is just the beginning,” says Ranel. “We’re working to influence policy-makers and raise awareness about the importance of proper footwear.”

She is also passionate about challenging stigmas. “Being barefoot is often associated with poverty, but it’s actually incredibly beneficial for children’s foot and ankle development, especially for those who take part in sports.”

For those inspired by her story, Ranel offers this advice:

• Be passionate about your cause: “Starting a business is not just about making money. It’s about solving a problem and making a difference.”
• Stay resilient: “Success doesn’t happen overnight. Be prepared to face challenges and keep going.”
• Look for support: “Partnering with the right people can make all the difference. Innovus was instrumental in helping us navigate the business side of things.”

Ranel’s journey with Banzifeet is a powerful reminder that great businesses often start with a simple idea: identifying a problem and working tirelessly to solve it. For aspiring entrepreneurs, her story is proof that passion, collaboration and resilience can turn challenges into opportunities and research into real-world impact.

Dr Daniel Page

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH – February 2025: Dr Daniel Page, founder and CEO of Psyche Innovations, is on a mission to transform mental health care through technology and human-centred services. His journey into entrepreneurship is deeply personal. After losing his brother to suicide, he was determined to make mental health support more accessible, proactive and free from stigma. Psyche Innovations is tackling one of the biggest challenges in mental health: accessibility. Traditional mental health care is often expensive and only sought out in crisis. Daniel saw an opportunity to overcome this challenge by developing evidence-based digital tools that allow individuals, businesses and institutions to integrate mental well-being into daily life.

His flagship app, Psyche: Mental Health, is now used in more than 75 countries and has been adopted by organisations such as the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Education Department and Stellenbosch University.

Daniel has had to navigate the complexities of scaling up a digital health platform while ensuring that the human element remains at its core. He attributes much of his success to partnerships and collaboration, working closely with experts and organisations to refine and expand Psyche Innovations’ offerings. The company is also exploring AI-driven solutions to make mental health support even more personalised and effective.

Like any entrepreneur Daniel has faced obstacles, from funding challenges to changing perceptions of mental health.

He believes resilience and adaptability are key traits for any founder. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to adopt a growth mindset, embrace learning and build a strong support network. He credits his partner, Kelsey Andrews, and his family for being a crucial part of his journey. Looking ahead, Daniel wants to expand Psyche Innovations’ impact, ensuring that mental wellness becomes an integral part of workplaces, schools and communities. For him, this isn’t just about business; it’s about making a difference. With the right mix of innovation, collaboration and determination, he is proving that entrepreneurship can truly drive meaningful change.

iWashCars

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH – March 2025: Some of the best business ideas come from solving everyday problems. For Desmond Mogodi, co-founder of iWashCars, that problem was the traditional car wash – tedious, inconvenient and wasteful. The iWashCars solution is a smart, on-demand car wash service that brings eco-friendly cleaning directly to customers.

Desmond and his co-founders, Brighton Maharela and Lesedi Dikhoba (pictured), launched iWashCars in 2023 after recognising the need for a more flexible and sustainable car wash experience. “People want convenience,” says Desmond. “We bring the car wash to them, use less water and deliver a fast, high-quality service. We’re like the ‘Uber’ of car washes.”

The idea took shape in Stellenbosch, where the trio held many brainstorming sessions over coffee and doughnuts. Since its launch, iWashCars has evolved from a purely mobile service to a hybrid model, offering both mobile and fixed-location services. Their expansion into Fish Hoek marked a major milestone, culminating in the launch of a permanent location at a Shell Garage in early 2025.

Initially bootstrapped, the founders started by finding customers and washing cars on foot. Then they moved to bicycles and later relied on Uber. Now, with a physical space, they can offer hybrid services and save on storage space for their equipment.

Through perseverance and smart partnerships, they’ve washed more than 500 cars within a few months of starting their business.

iWashCars has earned industry recognition through several entrepreneurship competitions and incubator programmes, including:

• EDHE National Competition 2024: regional winners.
• YouthX Nedbank Competition 2024: top 10 finalist, securing R25 000 in funding.
• SU LaunchLab Incubation Programme: five weeks of intensive business training.
• TrioPlus Development Business Coaching 2025: ongoing mentorship.
• Mashauri College’s USSAVI 25 Mini Incubator: business training and development.

Reflecting on his journey, Desmond shares an inspiring message for aspiring student entrepreneurs: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” He urges them to embrace their potential, stay true to their vision and persist through challenges.

With its rapid growth and innovative approach, iWashCars is redefining car care in Stellenbosch and beyond. If you’re in the area, why not experience the future of car washing yourself?

For bookings, contact iWashCars on 061 531 5766 or via email at FanosiMaharela@gmail.com.

The post Stellenbosch Innovators appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Crafting an exceptional wine requires the expertise of multiple specialists – from the vigneron who understands the soil and microclimate to the winemaker blending grape varieties for the perfect outcome. Managing the wealth of high-net-worth individuals is no different. A single recipe or formula won’t do; it’s the synergy of diverse professionals working together that creates a vintage of enduring financial success.

“Similar to the art of creating a great wine blend, constructing an outstanding investment portfolio involves carefully selecting components with the expertise of various specialists. These experts have to work together, seamlessly aligning with a shared goal. Just as the failure of one can lead to overall failure, their harmonious interaction creates a balanced outcome,” says Jéan Minnaar, CEO of Private Clients by Old Mutual Wealth.

Although Private Clients has all the skills and experience necessary to provide a flawless service to high-net-worth clients, it also collaborates with financial advisers and consultants to best serve clients’ needs.

“We  believe in a round-table concept, where the client is surrounded by a team of people with different skills who share a common vision: to build a great wealth management plan or investment portfolio for the client,” says Jéan. “It’s not about whether all the experts are from one company – what matters is that they trust one another and stay focused on the client’s goals while filtering out the noise. A healthy partnership challenges and drives everyone to do better for the client.”

Building meaningful partnerships is not just about convenience, but about managing enduring wealth for the client. “At Private Clients, we take the time to understand not only the assets held with us, but also our clients’ lifestyle needs, business journeys and future ambitions By gaining this complete picture, we craft bespoke solutions tailored to fit each client’s personal journey – a perspective that complements the specialised focus of other experts,” he explains.

The complexity of modern wealth management makes collaboration essential. “Sometimes advisers find it difficult to keep up with the latest trends and developments in the investment and wealth management world. One adviser cannot be an expert in local and global markets, tax issues, legal questions, fiduciary services, trusts, property and much more,” Jéan says. “That’s where we add value – by partnering with advisers and bringing a range of expertise to help them better serve their clients and to build portfolios that stand the test of time, even beyond the client’s death.”

Importantly, Private Clients doesn’t seek to replace trusted relationships clients may already have with advisers or consultants. “We deeply value the insight that comes from someone who knows a client’s personal circumstances, business operations and particular ambitions,” Jéan says. “Rather than displacing these trusted connections, this collaborative approach strengthens the client’s overall strategy. We add complementary expertise, broadening the advisers’ offering and delivering richer, more well-rounded solutions. It’s about providing optionality and fresh perspectives,” he adds.

Choosing the Right Wealth Partner

Wealth planning often extends beyond a single lifetime, making it one of the longest and most important relationships clients will ever embark on. “Many times, you’re planning for outcomes that go beyond your lifetime,” explains Jéan. “When setting up a trust meant to last for 150 years, wouldn’t you prefer a partner who has already proven their longevity? You need a trusted companion who will stand the test of time. It’s essential to trust not just the adviser you work with, but also the institution they represent. Look at its history and ask whether its legacy is likely to endure. Private Clients combines specialist expertise with the stability of Old Mutual – a brand that’s been growing South Africans’ wealth for almost two centuries.”

Jéan believes a wealth partner’s true value lies in navigating complexity across generations. “You need someone who understands both local and global needs. We think like global citizens and help clients manage challenges such as tax emigration, international beneficiaries, and assets across multiple jurisdictions. It’s about building resilience into your financial plan, much like curating an exceptional vintage – it takes expertise, insight and care.”

Clients’ needs have evolved in a world that has become more complex and connected. Private Clients has the expertise and experience to meet the challenges of South African high-net-worth individuals who may have children, property, investments, trusts and businesses in multiple countries. “Our solutions are designed to help them navigate these complexities smoothly, while remaining true to their African roots.”

This approach, Jéan explains, benefits not only clients, but also the advisers who collaborate with Private Clients. “We believe in partnerships that strengthen the adviser’s proposition. There’s tremendous value in bringing complementary expertise to the table. We can’t be everyone’s adviser, but we can play a significant role in empowering others to offer their clients more. So if you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, let’s go together!” Jéan concludes.

About

Private Clients by Old Mutual Wealth offers holistic, bespoke solutions for high‑net‑worth clients. We partner with you and various specialists, tapping into the required resources to provide an integrated plan for your holistic financial affairs, including investments, wealth structuring and transfer strategies, proactive tax planning, and portfolio lifestyle and administration. Our level of individual attention and interaction is a defining standard in the personal service we provide. We boast a strong track record in wealth and investment management. As part of a brand that has been growing wealth for South Africans for nearly two centuries, we believe that there is no substitute for experience that comes with managing wealth through various economic and market cycles. Our team, therefore, has several decades of success and experience in successfully working with individuals, families, trusts and entrepreneurs in managing their wealth.

Contact

Contact Private Clients by Old Mutual Wealth at:

• +27 (0) 524 4678
• privateclients@omweatlh.co.za
• www.wealthprivateclients.co.za

The post Stronger Together appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Launched in 2016, Lilly Loompa Upcycled Hip Homeware creates beautiful homeware products made by upcycling waste material. These materials are carefully sourced from waste and sustainably reimagined as beautiful, yet purposeful products by founder Lizl Naudé and her team.

Finding Potential in Waste

Lizl, who has more than 20 years of combined experience in entrepreneurship and design, is a social entrepreneur from Cape Town whose past challenges led to her subsequent successes. “Between 2006 and 2016, my family and I navigated rough financial terrain when we lost all our material possessions a few times through bad investments, burglaries and other losses,” Lizl shares. “This was the start of my upcycling journey – when I unknowingly started seeing the potential in waste.”

For Lizl, the challenges she faced were crucial in shaping her new mindset and approach to design, as she learned the importance of being resourceful while experiencing loss. “The foundation of our business is one of being resourceful. Our motto is to use what you have. So when we design, and even through the production phase, we sometimes do not have the proper tools, equipment or expertise. But I believe our superpower is being resourceful and my team is always committed to finding a way.”

The Value of Hipcycling

As a natural creative, Lizl thrives on designing products that are practical and add value to people’s lives. This is why she refers to Lilly Loompa’s upcycling process as ‘hipcycling’. This involves creating homeware from discarded waste and transforming it into desirable products that would complement any home. “Eco-friendly, handcrafted and 100% South African, each Lilly Loompa piece that was once trash is now a meaningful piece of treasure,” she says.

Lilly Loompa’s products include glass platters made from repurposed wine bottles, stud earrings made from milk bottles and lamps made from used jam tins.

All the brand’s creations and initiatives have cemented Lilly Loompa as a leader in the upcycling industry, earning it various awards over the years. These include the 2020 Indalo Inclusive South African Women Entrepreneurs Award, the 2021 Mail & Guardian Greening the Future Sustainable Design Award and the 2022 Stellenbosch Network Ideas for Change Challenge Award.

“The awards we’ve won over the years have validated the idea behind our business, but nothing tops the feeling of giving people meaningful income opportunities. This year, we have started building a small, but dynamic team and I am super proud of us!”

Changing Mindsets

Over time, Lilly Loompa has encouraged people to recognise the need to think and become more sustainable. As the business increases in size and impact, Lizl becomes more and more proud of how far the team has come: from building the business from scratch to becoming a change-maker in the industry.

“When I started the business, no one was interested in junk, but I remained committed and continued even on the tough days,” smiles Lizl. “Now, slowly but surely, we’re changing people’s mindsets about the possibilities of waste.”

The post Lilly Loompa: Turning Trash into Treasure appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Freedom of Movement (FOM) is a lifestyle and clothing brand founded by Roal and Léan Boezaart, two brothers from Pretoria whose dream to become entrepreneurs was born in Stellenbosch.

Having completed their studies at Stellenbosch University, Roal is a qualified civil engineer and Léan a qualified chartered accountant. Today, however, they are the creative director and CEO of FOM.

Small Beginnings

“The Stellenbosch community definitely shaped the founding and development of Freedom of Movement. I was lucky enough to be in a community surrounded by plenty of people,” says Roal. “That was the perfect launch pad for me to start a new business.”

Having a passion for design and entrepreneurship, Roal started to make clothes in his residence room. Soon afterwards, he experimented with the prototype of a leather satchel that aroused interest on campus. In 2013, this gave him the opportunity to host his first workshop in a small room in the basement of the university’s Admin A building, hire his first employee and launch the FOM brand.

“We hired Benjamin Gapara and convinced him and his family to move down to Stellenbosch from Gqeberha,” says Roal. “His skill was actually hand stitching, so it took him about a week and a half to make one bag, and we realised we needed to make a plan. So we moved to a new space in The Woodmill, which was our first factory and retail space.”

The Benjamin

Benjamin played a big role in developing the brand and its first leather bags, making it fitting to name one of these bags after him.

“Developing the first bags, the Benjamin and the Bobby, definitely shaped the direction of Freedom of Movement,” says Roal. “We really want customers to connect with the products. That’s why we wanted to create a personality for our products so that customers can refer to their purchase as a companion they take with them to see the world. Rather than referring to it as a laptop bag, they refer to it as Benjamin.”

With this connection to customers in mind, Roal and Léan aimed to establish a proudly South African brand that focuses heavily on quality. “That’s why I decided on leather,” explains Roal.

The Longevity of Leather

As leather is a durable material that stands the test of time, the FOM team uses it to make the brand’s products while focusing on its core values: quality, longevity and worth. The launch of its leather Vellie shoe may have kickstarted the brand’s momentum – and remains one of its bestsellers – but FOM has developed into a lifestyle brand that specialises in all kinds of products, from clothing and sunglasses to wallets and tekkies.

“Although we’ve grown beyond leather products, we have never ever moved away from our core philosophy of creating quality, sustainable and functional products that people can be proud of,” says Roal.

Being a perfectionist at heart, he focuses on the quality of FOM products while also paying attention to the smaller details. This includes growing the brand through community and not just sales.

The FOM X Kolisi Campaign

One core member of the FOM community is Siya Kolisi, captain of the Springbok rugby team, and an old friend of the brothers.

Siya partnered with the brand after being drawn to Roal and Léan’s fresh take on traditional South African design, especially in their Vellie footwear.

In 2019, FOM’s partnership with Siya led to the launch of the Field Green Vellie. However, this launch was aimed at much more than footwear, as all the revenue from the Field Green Vellie was allocated to the construction of a community rugby field in Zwide, a disadvantaged community in the Eastern Cape where Siya was raised.

“We find it super inspirational the way Siya connects and gives back to the community. And for us as a brand it was very important to also get onto corporate social investment projects. I think the Siya Kolisi partnership was the perfect vehicle for us, the first step in the right direction,” says Roal.

Growing and Uniting

To this day, FOM continues to grow its loyal customer base and the size of its team, having opened 28 retail stores in South Africa and a warehouse in London.

While distributing all over Europe and hoping to expand to other parts of the globe as well, FOM’s focus remains being recognised as a proudly South African brand.
“We believe there is still plenty of opportunity in South Africa to grow comfortably to 50 stores in the coming years and to get different South Africans on board and buying into the brand,” says Roal. “Our ultimate goal is to connect South Africans from completely different walks of life.”

The post Durable Like Leather appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

How did the Institute for Technology Strategy and Innovation come about?

I’m an electronic engineer by training. When I did my MBA I focused on technology strategy, and since then on how organisations can unlock technological opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

The institute was born from the fact that many business schools didn’t have off-the- shelf subjects that allowed organisations to embrace this change effectively.

But we’re not the kind of institute that opens courses to just anyone. We tailor our services to specific organisations and we act as an innovation consultancy, but in disguise. We help organisations recognise the innovative opportunities that their own staff can unlock. Our goal is to empower organisations by helping their employees drive the innovation process from within.

Why is internal motivation so important?

When people believe the ideas are theirs, they become passionate about making them happen. We provide organisations with sufficient insight into what their opportunities are, but we never complete the picture.

We draw about 80% of the circle and leave the last part for them to finish. This approach gives them a sense of ownership over the ideas. We help them to become more entrepreneurial and innovative, and most of the subjects we do you wouldn’t find in a traditional business school.

And that includes a focus on the future?

In both my academic work and my keynote presentations I focus on identifying the mega- trends shaping our world. As a futurist, this is the journey. How do you build the capacity to see the implications of change and understand the deeper patterns beneath the surface of daily news? Most headlines we see are just surface ripples of deeper ocean currents. Part of my work is identifying these currents, finding out when they shift direction and when they collide. Once we understand that, we can project some very interesting future scenarios.

What sort of timelines are we talking about here?

Research has been done on the fundamental failure of innovative ideas, and the number one reason is timing … There’s a complex dance between new technologies and markets. Take the metaverse, for example. For years, people have been talking about it, but the concept didn’t take off as expected because the key application to unlocking market uptake has not yet been tested.

Human systems are complex systems, which means that when an agent affects a change during the launch of a new technology, the market landscape reacts and changes as well. This, in turn, forces the agent to change, which means the technology landscape becomes quite dynamic once a new technology emerges. The landscape only becomes static once dominant attractors emerge, as we have seen in the smartphone and smart speaker markets.

AI IS AN UNBELIEVABLY POWERFUL TOOL FOR ENHANCING BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY, BUT IT WILL TAKE LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED TO AFFECT ALL FUNCTIONS WITHIN A COMPANY.

Does the same apply to the current clamour around AI?

Yes and no. AI is an unbelievably powerful tool for enhancing business productivity, but it will take longer than anticipated to affect all functions within a company. When we talk about AI, it is important to view it through the perspective of the AI value chain. As each new AI model moves through the value chain, new opportunities will emerge in each stage of market development.

We will also become more realistic about the capabilities of the current foundation models, as we realise that AI can’t extrapolate; it can only interpolate. It is for this reason that in the current LLM (large language model) debate, data are driving increased functionality, not new models.

What are some of the more ‘out there’ technologies you are keeping an eye on? 

Well, why do you think five countries went to the moon in the same year? Helium-3. Nuclear fusion is the key to unlocking unbelievable economic growth throughout the world and Helium-3 is key to unlocking nuclear fusion.

There’s a huge amount of Helium-3 on the moon. The Chinese mapped these deposits back in 2014 and even brought back material from the moon recently. As space exploration progresses, with advances like Elon Musk’s Starship, space mining will be a very important part of this picture.

What about down here on earth?

We will see really interesting manifestations of current technology that will shape our future as well. Did you know that the first AI-assisted assassination happened about two and a half years ago, in Iran? It shows how existing tech- nologies can be taken in unexpected directions.

But let me give you one more interesting prediction. In the future, we believe that retailers will start using 5G ‘chicken sniffers’. It relates to how RFID technology works today. Now, imagine this applied to food packaging: a chip embedded in a package of meat that could tell you whether the meat is still fresh or not. This would reduce food waste, as sell-by dates could become more flexible.

This kind of technology is under develop- ment right now, and will only appear by around 2030. We have dozens of these examples, where we track the latest technologies and give organisations the capabilities to implement them.

How do you work with organisations to leverage these insights into future technologies?

My argument is that we can’t control the major megatrends, like geopolitics and demographic changes. As individuals or companies, our impact on these areas is limited. But we can have a huge impact by embracing technology to improve the world.

So my focus is on how organisations can harness technology in a changing world. I also work on projects that enhance the livelihoods of people in Africa, particularly in the financial and telecommunications sectors. We’re exploring which technologies we can embrace to make Africa a better, more affluent place. 

The post A Brave New World appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Pierre and Andriana Cronje in 2018, Burnt Studios is a brand that blurs the line between the founders’ two passions: fitness and fashion. From workout wear and athleisure to active jewellery and running programmes, Pierre and Andriana have not just blurred the line; they’ve created a new line altogether.

Fitness and Fashion

“Andriana and I share a huge passion for health, fitness and sport, but also fashion. We want to create products that are at the forefront of high performance, but stylish and fashionable at the same time,” says Pierre. “A brand that you can wear to run a sub three-hour marathon on Saturday, and to work on Monday.” With this in mind, Pierre and Andriana produce a blend of high-performance gear and more lifestyle-orientated pieces.

“Health and fitness is not just a 45-minute workout each day any more; it’s a lifestyle. And we aim to provide the gear to enhance that lifestyle,” he adds.

Step by Step

For the first couple of years, Pierre and Andriana worked on the business alone. As with any start-up, the first years were exciting and tough – in the best of ways.

“I had a second job so we wouldn’t have to take any funds out of the business. Andriana was in our small apartment shipping out orders, doing customer service, designing new ranges. When I got back in the afternoon, I took over,” Pierre reminisces. “She and I make a great team and I’m forever grateful to have the opportunity to build this dream with her.”

Although cash flow was small to begin with, Pierre and Andriana’s vision for the brand was clear and they were in no rush to become an overnight success. However, that quickly changed after they hosted their first pop-up store in Stellenbosch in 2019. The intense response from customers led to an even more intense journey for the brand.

“After our first pop-up, the demand for a physical presence could not be ignored. That pop-up led to the opening of our first Burnt store in Plein Street in 2022. One of the best decisions ever,” says Pierre.

The Support of Stellenbosch

Through meeting during their student years at the university, hosting Burnt Studios’ first pop-up shop and launching their first retail store in Plein Street, Stellenbosch has been part of Pierre and Andriana’s life in more ways than one.

“Stellenbosch has always had a special place in our hearts, and the support from everyone in town, including the students, the tourists and, of course, the locals, has really been incredible,” says Pierre.

“Stellenbosch is also one of the few towns in South Africa where street-front shopping is still really thriving. We were new to brick and mortar back in the day, so it was a great place to launch our retail offering.”

Since its launch, Burnt Studios has grown into a team of 120 people, opened nine more retail stores across the country, established eight Burnt Running Clubs and launched a warehouse in the United Kingdom.

“At Burnt Studios we’re one big family and we all share in the vision of where we want to take this brand. This vision is on our wall and it’s simple: We will be the greatest global brand to ever come out of South Africa,” says Pierre.

The Winning Formula

As the Burnt Studios family has grown, so too has the Cronje family, with Pierre and Andriana having welcomed their first baby in June this year. There’s no doubt that their daughter, Sofia Maria, will one day be a core member of the Burnt community, strutting the brand in Stellenbosch’s streets just as her parents did.

Alongside their team and these accomplished milestones, Pierre and Andriana are locked in on the brand’s vision and mission. “We all believe in the brand, we all live for the brand, and we’ve got the best community in the country,” Pierre says. “That for us is a winning formula.”

The post Burnt Studios: A Burning Passion appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.