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East Coast Breakfast, in collaboration with business growth specialist Pavlo Phitidis, returns with Season 3 of Future 50, proudly powered by FNB Business and East Coast Radio.
Tune in every Tuesday at 8:10am to hear Future 50 on air, or catch the podcast, as Pavlo shines a light on ambitious businesses shaping South Africa’s economic future.
Entrepreneurs remain the backbone of progress. Their resilience, innovation and drive build stronger communities, create jobs and unlock opportunity across provinces and industries. Future 50 recognises those who are building with purpose and scaling with intent.
In Season 3, East Coast Breakfast and Pavlo Phitidis continue to spotlight businesses that demonstrate forward thinking growth. Each week, one business takes centre stage, sharing its journey, its challenges and the practical steps it is taking to move forward.
Whether the next milestone involves attracting new customers, securing funding, strengthening supply chains, hiring specialist talent or accessing critical business insight, Pavlo connects founders with the right networks, tools and expertise to accelerate growth.
Future 50 is powered by FNB Business, the help behind over 1 million unstoppable businesses.
FNB supports entrepreneurs across South Africa and has been recognised as the Best SME Bank in South Africa by the Global Finance Awards for three consecutive years, including 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Tune in every Tuesday at 8:10am to hear Future 50 on air, or catch the podcast, as Pavlo shines a light on ambitious businesses shaping South Africa’s economic future.
Entrepreneurs remain the backbone of progress. Their resilience, innovation and drive build stronger communities, create jobs and unlock opportunity across provinces and industries. Future 50 recognises those who are building with purpose and scaling with intent.
In Season 3, East Coast Breakfast and Pavlo Phitidis continue to spotlight businesses that demonstrate forward thinking growth. Each week, one business takes centre stage, sharing its journey, its challenges and the practical steps it is taking to move forward.
Whether the next milestone involves attracting new customers, securing funding, strengthening supply chains, hiring specialist talent or accessing critical business insight, Pavlo connects founders with the right networks, tools and expertise to accelerate growth.
Future 50 is powered by FNB Business, the help behind over 1 million unstoppable businesses.
FNB supports entrepreneurs across South Africa and has been recognised as the Best SME Bank in South Africa by the Global Finance Awards for three consecutive years, including 2022, 2023 and 2024.
118 Episodes
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The tools. The PPE. The systems behind the scenes.
When everything works, you don’t notice but when it doesn’t, everything feels it.
Elcarbo Industrial Supplies, led by CEO Wendy Turton, started as a family business and grew from a car boot operation to a multi-branch supplier powering industries across South Africa.
Now, the focus shifts from supply to experience transforming PPE into something that builds pride and belonging in the workplace.
Because real growth isn’t just about what you deliver, but how it’s experienced.
Think about the last space you walked into.
The lighting. The switches. The fittings.
If everything worked seamlessly, you didn’t think twice.
If it didn’t, the entire experience felt off.
That moment isn’t by accident, it’s the result of infrastructure done right.
Zebbies Electrical, with 15 retail locations across South Africa, sits at the centre of that system. Supplying the components that power homes, businesses and everyday environments, the business has built a strong national footprint in a highly competitive market.
Now, under the leadership of VVanessa Marshall, the focus shifts from expansion to optimisation leveraging what’s already been built and introducing a second growth engine to drive stability and scale over the next 3 to 5 years.
Because in business, real growth isn’t always about adding more, it’s about unlocking more from what you already have.
Think about the last box you opened.
If it closed cleanly, folded perfectly, and looked sharp, you trusted the product inside.
If it didn’t, the brand felt weaker immediately.
That moment is not chance. It’s the result of systems working properly.
Packtech Tooling, based in Cape Town and led by Kim Naran, sits at the start of that system.
Packtech Tooling, a specialised manufacturing business based in Cape Town, has built a strong reputation within South Africa’s printing and packaging sector. Founded by Werner Weber, the company supplies precision tooling to the printing, packaging and narrow web label industries across South Africa and parts of the African continent. Today, the business is headed up by Managing Director Kim Naran, whose leadership reflects decades of hands-on industry experience.
From the unmistakable sound of childhood ride-on toys to industrial-scale packaging solutions, this is a proudly South African manufacturing story built on grit, engineering and adaptability.
In this episode, we unpack how Blomo Plastics was founded by Fritz Strydom Snr, who quite literally built his own machinery to start the business. What followed was decades of evolution from producing nearly two million ride-on toys to becoming a trusted name in rigid plastic packaging.
We explore the company’s shift into industrial manufacturing, the risks of relying on a single customer, and how a second-generation leadership team is now driving growth through expanded production, new packaging capabilities and export ambitions.
What does it take to turn a single food stall into a recognised dining brand?
In this Future50 conversation, Dino Vlachos shares how Soul Souvlaki grew from a small stall at Market on Main into a modern fast-casual Greek dining concept.
We explore the early risks, the decision to focus on fresh, made-to-order food in every store, and how thoughtful design, strong franchise partners and disciplined expansion helped the brand grow across South Africa. Dino also shares his advice to entrepreneurs about managing debt, protecting cash flow and building a business that can stand the test of time.
In this Future50 conversation presented by Pavlo Phitidis from Aurik and powered by FNB Business, we unpack how Olympic Paints has produced over 450 million litres of paint while evolving into a modern, innovation-driven manufacturer.
We explore the realities of second-generation leadership, why experience outside the family business matters, and how traditional manufacturing can embrace AI — from patented packaging like the Flip ‘n Roll lid to digital tools like the VibrAInt colour platform.
Plus, Pavlo shares this week’s growth tip: Build a business you can leave for six months — because if you can’t step away, you don’t own it… it owns you.
From building computers in his bedroom at 18 to leading a national outsourced IT company, Wickus Aucamp’s journey with Flawless IT Solutions is a masterclass in long-term thinking and smart growth.
In this Future50 conversation presented by Pavlo Phitidis from Aurik and powered by FNB Business, we unpack how Flawless IT Solutions evolved from once-off hardware installs to structured, proactive IT support for businesses operating in high-pressure and remote environments — including renewable energy sites, farms and construction projects.
Wickus shares lessons on building the right team, shifting from reactive tech support to a service-led model, and why founders need to “leave the engine room” to focus on strategy and growth.
Pinnacle Stone has carved out a name in South Africa’s stone and porcelain surface industry by focusing on one powerful promise: certainty. With operations in Johannesburg and Polokwane, the business supplies imported porcelain and sintered stone surfaces for luxury homes, commercial developments, kitchen studios, architects, and developers across the country.
In conversation with Pavlo Phitidis from Aurik, the founders unpack how they shifted from simply supplying products to protecting project timelines. By securing specifications early, managing cash flow through a controlled stock range, and engineering reliable delivery systems, Pinnacle Stone is building sustainable, repeatable growth.
Powered by FNB Business, this Future50 feature dives into entrepreneurship, systems thinking, and the reality of building a business that creates jobs and shapes South Africa’s future.
Based in Durban’s Umgeni Business Park, Supafoods has grown from a bakery ingredient supplier into a full-service solution for South Africa’s retail and independent bakeries.
In this Future50 conversation, Marco Kotze shares how the business built long-term partnerships with retailers like SPAR and Pick n Pay, supported in-store bakers through hands-on training, and expanded into community feeding initiatives.
A powerful lesson on turning products into solutions that drive loyalty, impact and sustainable growth.
What happens when a professional sports career ends unexpectedly? For Corne Krige, it marked the beginning of a new arena - business. In this episode, we explore the journey behind CK Advertising, a Cape Town–based branding and event solutions company built on resilience, reinvention, and practical execution.
From an informal handshake deal in outdoor media to establishing a structured branding business serving organisations across South Africa, CK Advertising focuses on more than just promotional items - it delivers consistent, usable brand activation systems that help businesses show up professionally across multiple locations.
Corne shares the lessons he learned transitioning from sport to entrepreneurship, including the importance of formal agreements, clear expectations, and knowing when to step away. It’s a conversation about second acts, smart systems, and building a business designed for long-term sustainability.
In Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal, a major clothing manufacturer is showing how South African industry can evolve — creating jobs, adopting new technologies, and building skills along the way.
Celrose Clothing is one of South Africa’s leading apparel manufacturers, supplying quality denim garments and other clothing to well-known local retailers. Headed up by John Comley, the business employs over 1,500 people and plays a valuable role in the local economy.
Ocean Plastic Technologies, based in KwaZulu-Natal, was founded by Oliver Nudds with a clear purpose: to create practical, small-scale recycling solutions that make it possible to process plastic waste where it’s collected. What started as an idea during Oliver’s travels has grown into a business that is reshaping how recycling is done in both local and international settings.
Saddler Belts & Leathercraft, headed up by Andrew Fenwick, was featured in the KZN Future 50 earlier this year for its longstanding presence in the leather goods industry. Known for handcrafted leather belts and accessories, the Durban-based business has continued to grow steadily. While no major new retail contracts have materialised, both online and walk-in sales have shown positive movement—an encouraging sign in the current economic environment.
LIVClean, founded by Matt Simpkins and Murray Gilson, continues to focus on delivering high standards in the industrial cleaning sector. Since their feature in the KZN Future 50, the business has worked on building long-term, sustainable contracts—particularly in sectors such as hospitality, where consistent service and operational certainty are key. The exposure from the feature has helped increase awareness of their offering among larger organisations and decision-makers.
Elangeni Buildings, a family-run business in New Germany, KwaZulu-Natal, has been constructing homes and community spaces across South Africa since 1979. Founded by Rob Gibb, the business was established to provide a faster, more cost-effective alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar construction—without compromising on quality or compliance.
Firefly Fabrics, based in KwaZulu-Natal, was founded in 2021 to provide South African designers with access to small-batch, high-quality digital printing. Headed up by Reshma Harilall and operating as a division of the Startex Group, Firefly Fabrics combines textile expertise, sustainability, and technology to support fashion entrepreneurs in a competitive market.
The business was established to fill a clear gap in the local industry: small designers needed access to fabric printing without the limitations of high overseas minimums. Firefly’s model—printing from just 50 metres—allows designers to test, prototype, and develop collections quickly and affordably. This approach has supported independent labels looking to grow on their own terms.
Pinetown Diff and Gearbox, based in New Germany, KwaZulu-Natal, has been specialising in differential and gearbox repairs for cars and trucks since 2008. The business was founded by Nadeera Ramharakh, who currently heads up the company, bringing her technical experience and leadership to every aspect of the workshop.
Before establishing the business, Nadeera had built a strong career in workshop leadership and operations, while her co-founder Nash had over two decades of experience as an artisan in the automotive sector. Together, they created a workshop where hands-on service, reliable workmanship, and a respectful team environment could be prioritised
Luminex Technologies is a KwaZulu-Natal-based LED screen solutions company Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic by Ashveer Ramdheen and Simeon Kistensamy. Their journey began when both founders faced challenges sourcing reliable LED displays, encountering poor service and limited after-sales support from existing suppliers. Recognising an opportunity to address this gap, they set out to establish a company focused on quality products and dependable customer care.
What began as a modest garden supply business in Durban in 1980 has developed into a trusted name in horticulture across KwaZulu-Natal. Grovida was established by Vincent Lourenco Snr out of a passion for gardening and a desire to provide reliable, quality products to both home gardeners and the wider agricultural sector. In its early days, the business offered just three items—compost, potting soil and kraal manure.
BTL Engineering & Project Management, a KwaZulu-Natal-based business founded and headed up by Andrew Cunningham, has grown from modest beginnings into a specialist in structural steel fabrication and installations. The company’s work underpins essential infrastructure, from bridges and industrial facilities to commercial buildings across the province.
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