Sunday Tribune 2025-06-15

IN THE heart of South Africa’s vibrant business ecosystem, Hombisa Mbokotho stands as a beacon of inspiration and success. Hailing from the sleepy Enkozo village in Flagstaff, Eastern Cape, Mbokotho has carved an impressive path through multiple sectors, establishing herself as a powerful force in consulting, IT, and food manufacturing. Before setting forth on her entrepreneurial journey, Mbokotho built a strong foundation during a high- powered career that spanned over a decade. Mbokotho told Business Report that the desire to create generational wealth and help others from disadvantaged backgrounds to build sustainable businesses by helping them turn business concepts into bankable business cases and sustainable businesses was one of the reasons she stepped into the SME sector. She believes in a holistic approach that entails not just structuring solid business…

If you ask any South African tech leader what keeps them up at night, chances are the answer will not just be the country’s unreliable energy grid or regulation. You can add skills to that list as well. Or more precisely, the lack thereof. As businesses push ahead with digital transformation, the demand for specialised IT skills has never been higher. Yet at the same time, thousands of qualified young South Africans remain locked out of the formal economy. We are seeing this contradiction up close. On one hand, we are building intelligent edge solutions, deploying software-defined networks, and enabling real-time business intelligence across sectors. On the other, we are hiring and finding it increasingly difficult to source candidates with the right blend of technical expertise and applied experience.…

The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) and agriculture associations have welcomed the department of Agriculture’s decision to roll out the first-ever mass vaccination of poultry in the country in order to protect the local flock from avian influenza. SAPA also confirmed that despite concerns about a salmonella outbreak in the United States, eggs in South Africa remain safe to consume. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen last week said that their vaccination team, comprised of poultry specialist vets from the University of Pretoria, along with the Agricultural Research Council, has received a list of farms to be vaccinated from the poultry industry and is prioritising high-risk areas and commercial flocks to contain the virus and prevent further culling. “We have secured vaccine supply, ensured cold chain capacity, and are building in…

After working on some of Hollywood’s biggest animation productions, Mary Alice Drumm hopes that her producing debut in Elio brings about connection. With the highly anticipated Pixar Animation Studios’ movie, which is set to be released on Friday, the American film-maker hopes that this movie brings people from all walks of life together. “I hope that people go and see the movie and just fall in love with these characters,” she said during a recent interview with Independent Media Lifestyle. “I joke that I hope that I will be on an aeroplane in two years time and I will see a little kid with a Glordon doll, these are just characters we love who are telling us a story about connection.” “It is a great movie to go and see…

Lisa Vanderpump, one of the hospitality industry’s most prominent figures, once again captivates audiences with her reality show, Vanderpump Villa, currently streaming on Disney+. Located at her exquisite pop-up luxury retreat, Château Rosabelle, the show goes beyond standard reality television rules, immersing viewers in a world where elegance meets passion and drama unfolds amidst the breathtaking scenery of France’s countryside. Known for her successful ventures in hospitality and entertainment, Vanderpump meticulously curates an unparalleled experience for each of her guests at the château. To be honest, some of the guests experiences were completely out of the box, for example, one guest celebrated her 30s and said goodbye to her tumultuous 20s by having a funeral service; the other celebrated being newly divorced by burning her wedding dress and other old…

The Television Academy is set to honour a group of television legends at the 27th Hall of Fame ceremony later this year. This year’s class marks the first inductee ceremony since 2022. Inductees include an impressive list who represent the arts and have left an undeniable imprint on the industry. The ceremony will take place during the Televerse Festival on August 16 at the JW Marriott at LA LIVE. Among the honorees are talk show host and comedian Conan O’Brien, legendary music composer Mike Post, prolific producer Ryan Murphy, and the late Don Mischer, alongside distinguished actors Viola Davis and Henry Winkler. These icons join the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Jane Fonda, Colin Farrell and Lucy Liu, among others. “These trailblazing performers, creators and producers have left an indelible mark…