Kaya 959 Kaya Biz

In conversation with Zibusiso Mkhwanazi, author of Business by Grace and Executive Chairman of M&N

Loading player...
We sit down with Zibusiso Mkhwanazi, author of Business by Grace, co-founder of Avatar Advertising Agency and Executive Chairman of M&N, South Africa’s largest independent black-owned agency network. From starting his entrepreneurial journey with just R2 000 in high school to building an advertising powerhouse with approximately 200 employees across Johannesburg and Durban, Zibu’s story is one of grit, resilience and purpose-driven leadership.

We explore his journey from IT to media, the lessons he has learned about partnerships, leadership, and culture, and how he managed to steer Avatar through the pandemic without a single job cut. Zibu also shares candid insights on failure, letting go, and the role of faith as his guiding thread through turbulent times.
15 Sep 2025 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Tech & Innovation: The Youth-led Ai Startup Transforming Consumer Insight

South Africa’s youth economy is bursting with innovation — and few stories capture that energy better than that of Kamogelo Selepe. At just 22, she built an AI platform that predicts consumer behaviour. Kamogelo is the CEO and Founder of ArcaneEdge, an AI‑powered marketing technology company operating at the intersection…
16 Jun 12PM 15 min

Careers Corner: Fixing Youth Unemployment by Starting at Age Four

With youth unemployment at 61%, Afrika Tikkun argues that South Africa is intervening far too late. Afrika Tikkun’s Marc Lubner explains why the Cradle‑to‑Career 360° model—from early childhood to job placement—is the missing link in solving the jobs crisis. A powerful conversation on early intervention, soft skills, agripreneurship, and rethinking…
15 Jun 4PM 14 min

Construction Confidence Slumps as Costs Surge

The FNB/BER Building Confidence Index drops to 38 as rising internal costs, Middle East conflict pressures, and project postponements hit the sector hard. FNB Senior Economist Siphamandla Mkhwanazi unpacks the collapse in subcontractor confidence, the reversal in non‑residential activity, and whether early‑pipeline indicators offer any hope for recovery.
15 Jun 4PM 9 min

SA Manufacturing Confidence Climbs Despite Cost Shock

The Q2 Absa Manufacturing Survey shows confidence rising even as business conditions deteriorate sharply. Sachin Chanderdhev, Sector Specialist for Manufacturing at Absa Business Banking. breaks down the paradox: record raw material spikes, shipping disruptions, fuel costs, and the 8.76% electricity tariff increase—and how manufacturers are still managing to adapt, negotiate…
15 Jun 3PM 14 min

Wealth Creation: What SA Women Get Right About Money

The inaugural Franc Wealth Index reveals a surprising truth: South African women outperform men financially — not because they earn more, but because they behave differently. Franc Co-Founder Sebastian Patel unpacks the behavioural edge, the confidence gap, and why consistency beats cleverness every time.
15 Jun 3PM 13 min
All episodes