Go & Express

Business

Taking the wheel of her own future, entrepreneur Melissa Collins is stands proudly beside Collins tow truck in as she continues to breaking barriers in the towing industry. Picture: SUPPLIED

Driven to succeed in a man’s world

A lifelong passion for cars, lessons in independence from her father and the unwavering support of her husband have helped Melissa Collins take the wheel of her own future with the launch of Collins Towing, a women-owned business based in…

Tolokazi Beer is showcased during a recent event in the Eastern Cape, marking the brand’s return to the region.

Tolokazi Beer relaunches in Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape relaunch of Tolokazi Beer marks a significant homecoming for founder and master brewer Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela, a 42-year-old entrepreneur originally from Butterworth, who is bringing her brand back to where it all began.…

JHOOM Food & Gift Studio founder Mamta Ranchod, whose passion for authentic flavours and thoughtfully curated gifts has helped establish the business as a popular destination for food lovers and gift shoppers alike. Picture: SUPPLIED

Studio combines creativity, food with conversation

A new business in Berea is offering more than just good food, inviting visitors into a space where conversation, creativity and community come together. JHOOM Food & Gift Studio, founded by publisher and author Mamta Ranchod, recently…

Taylor Made Water, located at the OK Foods Complex in Cambridge Square, has built a reputation for quality purified water, ice and gas, serving the KuGompo City community for seven years. Picture: SUPPLIED

Water shop builds up reputation for quality

For the past seven years, Taylor Made Water has been quietly building a reputation as a trusted supplier of purified water, ice and gas in KuGompo City, driven by a simple but powerful goal: delivering quality products with exceptional…

Attendees join Stewart Mayberry and Peter Jones at a hands-on training session focused on asbestos management and eco-friendly construction practices. Picture: ZENAKHE GXASHE

Training offers safer asbetos solutions

An asbestos safety and construction training session held in Nahoon on Wednesday helped equip local contractors and businesses with practical, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solutions. Hosted by Asbestos Africa, in…

Raj Jagesar, founder of Ledile Textile and Fibre Processing, showcases clothing made from hemp fabric that was processed and printed in South Africa – a major milestone for the country’s emerging hemp textile industry. Picture: SUPPLIED

Important breakthrough for Eastern Cape hemp industry

A significant breakthrough has been achieved for the emerging Eastern Cape hemp industry after local innovators successfully produced hemp fibre using existing cotton-processing technology available in SA. The development has demonstrated…

Alfredo Naidoo, a Beacon Bay-based entrepreneur and international real estate agent, is helping local investors unlock global opportunities. Picture: SUPPLIED

Opening real estate door into UAE

After years of building a name for himself across multiple industries, from running a jazz club to owning one of KuGompo’s largest salons, seasoned entrepreneur Alfredo Naidoo is stepping into a bold new chapter, one shaped by global…

Graaff Brakes founder Dirk Graaff Snr with East London operations lead Vuyisabantu Mxego. Picture: SUPPLIED

Free brake checks boost road safety

Motorists in KuGompo City can now take advantage of a free brake check service aimed at improving road safety and vehicle performance, following the opening of Graaff Brakes East London. Founder Dirk Graaff Snr said the complimentary…

Volunteers and shoppers come together outside local Spar stores in Berea and Beacon Bay as part of the Knights of da Gama ‘Collect a Can — Feed the Hungry’ initiative, which continues to support vulnerable families across Buffalo City through monthly food and cash donations. Picture: SUPPLIED.

Knights celebrate success of ‘Collect a Can’ initiative

The Catholic Order of the Knights of da Gama has expressed heartfelt gratitude to shoppers at two East London supermarkets for their continued support of its long-running “Collect a Can — Feed the Hungry” initiative. The project, which…

Fiona Holster officially opens the doors of Hair by Fee in Berea, welcoming clients into her new space built on passion, faith, and perseverance. Picture: SUPPLIED

Dream comes true for local hairdresser

A dream built on faith, tenacity and years of hard work has come to life in Berea, where Hair by Fee, founded by Fiona Holster, officially opened its doors at the end of March. Holster, a Cambridge West resident, who is married with four…

Help for business owners to boost global trade skills

Businesses in KuGompo City looking to expand into international markets now have an opportunity to sharpen their skills through specialised training offered by the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, in partnership with Global Maritime…

BUSINESS-MINDED: Mendisa Bakaco, 52, from Southernwood, is making waves as an entrepreneur after she recently got her cleaning products listed at a prominent East London retailer. Pictures: SUPPLIED

From rural hustle to local success

Raised in the rural area of Ngcobo by a single mother, Mendisa Bakaco quickly learnt the value of hard work and entrepreneurship. And her determination and grit has seen her recently secure shelf space for her cleaning products at a…

Representatives from the Border-Kei Chamber of Business and stakeholders gather at the launch of the Africa Agricultural Indaba at the Regent Hotel on Friday. The three-day event, set for May 20-22, aims to promote growth, job creation and collaboration in the Eastern Cape’s agricultural sector. Picture: MARK ANDREWS

Indaba to unlock EC’s growth frontier

The Border-Kei Chamber of Business officially launched the first ever Africa Agricultural Indaba at the Regent Hotel on Friday. The launch marked the formal introduction of a three-day event scheduled for May 20 to 22. The event is aimed…

MARINE MAGIC: The first ever Chintsa Sardine Festival is almost here and features 10 days full of fun at the beach celebrating the beauty of the sardine run. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Taste summer this winter in Chintsa with new festival

Chintsa’s Sardine Festival kicks off from July 4-13, celebrating the spectacular sardine run, which marks the migration of shoals of silver fish along SA’s East Coast bringing in its wake dolphins, whales, birds and seals to our Wild…

WASTE WINS: Lilyfontein Schools, Greenpoint High School and Buffalo Flats Primary School seen with DNF Waste and Environmental Services, Border Kei Chamber of Business, Institute of Waste Management of SA and Polcyco at the award ceremony.

Schools and waste pickers leading the charge for a cleaner greener city

Since last year, 937 tons of waste have been diverted from the landfill thanks to the tireless efforts of local schools and waste pickers — a huge win for the environment and a step towards a cleaner Buffalo City. DNF Waste and…

SELF-STARTER: Clinical psychologist Balungile Macingwane, of newly opened practice Balungile Macingwane Psychological Services, in Southernwood, is on a mission to provide trauma and stress-related care. Picture: SUPPLIED

Jobless psychologist starts healing hub

With few job opportunities available in psychology, clinical psychologist Balungile Macingwane carved her own path by opening Balungile Macingwane Psychological Services in Southernwood, focusing on trauma and stress-related care. After…

GO People – Karen Hansen

This week we chat with Karen Hansen who specialises in novelty cakes and a variety of other baked goods through her business Ora Sugar. What type of cakes or baked goods do you specialise in? I bake cupcakes, mini cakes and novelty cakes.…

LEGACY OF GOOD: Rotary Club of East London president Angie Church attends the club’s 99th charter dinner with other dignitaries. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Rotary Club EL celebrates 99 years of service

The Rotary Club of East London (RCEL) marked a historic milestone on Wednesday April 2, as members and guests gathered at the East London Golf Club to celebrate the club’s 99th charter dinner. Founded in 1926, RCEL has played a pivotal…

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL: Luleka Madikizela runs a beauty spa called New Leaf Spa and Salon that provides hair, nail and spa treatments. Picture: SUPPLIED

This week we chat with Luleka Madikizela, who owns and runs a beauty salon called New Leaf Spa and Salon. She shares her tips and expertise on running a successful business that caters for various beauty needs. What inspired you to start…

AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT: Firstpro Engineering (Pty) Ltd in Wilsonia is celebrating 30 years in the business — a remarkable success for a family-run enterprise. Picture: SUPPLIED

Strong family dynamics to thank for Firstpro’s success

It’s impressive, in all ways, to see strong family dynamics at work and championing a most successful family business which has long served the Buffalo City and beyond. Firstpro Engineering (Pty) Ltd was established in 1994 and has…