Secrets to building a sustainable brand shared

Rita Zwane, original founding pioneer of the Shisanyama sector, Itumeleng Mpatlanyana, creator of the popular Kasi brand, Nkukhu Box and experienced South African brand engineer, Kyle Rolfe were the industry keynote speakers at the Brand Builders workshop which took place at the acclaimed African cuisine restaurant, BUSY CORNER Imbizo Shisanyama this past Saturday of July 28.

Hosted in strategic partnership with creative agency, Idea Power, the workshop’s primary objective was to address the issue of sustainable economic legacy creation through the empowerment of brands with a particular emphasis on township-grown businesses.

Multi-award winning serial entrepreneur Rita Zwane was warmly received by delegates participating in an interactive Q&A session in which she shared key insights gleaned from decades of hard work and much perseverance and patience in creating the multi-million rand BUSY CORNER Imbizo Shisanyama legacy brand.

“The workshop was profound and Sis Rita’s journey is very inspiring. Her hard work and patience has created an amazing brand with Busy Corner. I also learnt that building a legacy takes your community’s needs into consideration, a valuable lesson. I look forward to the next session,” said workshop delegate Elliot Sebatjane, managing director of Midrand-based Taumpe Traders.

Itumeleng Mpatlanyana, creator of the popular Nkukhu Box brand was candid when talking about his first experience of achieving quick financial success early on in his career and the subsequent challenges that followed. Sharing his early ups and down in business, Mpatlanyana’s valuable insights highlighted his determination to achieving success and reinforced that ‘successful entrepreneurs should remain dynamic, always evolving to meet the demands of an ever-changing competitive business environment.”

Kyle Rolfe, founder of Idea Power and the strategic brand engineer working with the BUSY CORNER Imbizo Shisanyama and Nkukhu Box brands, concludes: “I was amazed by the eagerness and hunger of the workshop delegates who clearly wanted to gain valuable insights into building a sustainable legacy brand. I also genuinely appreciated the openness and candour with which my fellow panelists freely shared their brand building ups and downs. It is a realistic message that really needed to be shared. It was a privilege and an amazing learning experience for all.”