Where powerful conversations shape powerful brands.

The Comms Hub is Tishala’s podcast exploring the ideas, strategies,

and stories behind impactful communication. Featuring industry leaders, industry experts, and bold thinkers, it dives into what it truly takes to build brands that stand out, grow, and lead in their space.

Each conversation is designed to unpack real insights, practical strategies,

and the thinking behind powerful brand narratives — giving listeners a clearer understanding of how to communicate with purpose and intention. It’s a space where ambition meets strategy, and where brands learn how to be seen, heard, and remembered in a way that drives lasting impact.

All Posts

[SAfm] Africa: Highest iGaming fraud rate reported

In the first quarter of this year, Africa recorded the highest iGaming fraud rate in the world, while South Africa saw its iGaming fraud more than triple. That’s according to the latest Sumsub iGaming Fraud Report. Jarryd Jensen, Regional Director for Southern Africa at Sumsub, sat down with SAfm to discuss the report and what the findings mean for the region’s iGaming industry.

Sep 11 min read

Why Embassies Are Africa's New Business Accelerators

Ten years ago, the UAE's embassy in South Africa spent 60% of its time on politics and 40% on business. Today that's flipped to roughly 80/20. Jacob Ssali, economic advisor to the ambassador, says most entrepreneurs still treat embassies as visa offices when they should be treating them as a free way into a market: regulations, introductions, the people you'd otherwise spend months trying to find. Read why on the site, then hear the full conversation, including a cross-border

Aug 271 min read

Eight Limpopo artisans nominated for 2026 SA National Artisan Awards

Eight artisans from TVET colleges in Limpopo have been nominated for the 2026 South African National Artisan Awards [SANAA]. The nominees comprise one alumnus from Sekhukhune TVET College, five from Mopani TVET College and two from Capricorn TVET College. They were selected from across the country following a rigorous adjudication process involving industry experts and sector stakeholders.

Aug 261 min read

[IOL] Dr Judey is revolutionising paediatric burn care in South Africa

South African biomedical scientist and entrepreneur Dr Judey (Pretorius) believes the true value of science is measured by what it can do for people beyond the laboratory. Her recent visit to the Paediatric Burns Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, brought that belief into sharp focus as she listened to healthcare professionals caring for children with serious burn injuries.

Aug 251 min read

South Africa’s Top Artisans Set for 2026 National Awards

South Africa’s top artisans are stepping into the national spotlight as the South African National Artisan Awards (SANAA) 2026 announces its finalists ahead of the awards ceremony on 5 September 2026. The finalists, selected from across the country, have excelled in engineering, automotive, construction, electrical, plumbing and mechanical trades, while outstanding TVET graduates will also be recognised.

Aug 251 min read

[MoneywebTV] Beating the beauty industry and skincare gimmicks with science

When Dr Judey Pretorius launched Biomedical Emporium, she set out to develop scientifically backed skincare solutions that go beyond cosmetics, targeting skin repair at a cellular level.

Aug 231 min read

[IOL] Empowering women: The inspiring journey of Nomsa Mdhluli from journalism to entrepreneurship

Nomsa Mdhluli never planned to become an entrepreneur. “I didn’t harbour dreams of being an entrepreneur some day,” she said. Her move into business began while she was working in journalism, after someone approached her for help with a public relations project — a field she had studied at an undergraduate level. The work went well, and the client returned year after year.

Aug 211 min read

Easy access to alcohol consistently linked to higher incidences of GBV

Kimberley, August 2026 – Higher alcohol outlet density, longer trading hours and widespread unlicensed alcohol sales contribute to an increased risk of domestic conflict and violence towards women and children. This is among the key findings of a study investigating the link between alcohol availability and gender-based violence (GBV). The study – a joint project by the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) and the Wits School of Public Health – was conducted acros

Aug 212 min read

Easy access to alcohol consistently linked to higher incidences of GBV

Higher alcohol outlet density, longer trading hours and widespread unlicensed alcohol sales contribute to an increased risk of domestic conflict and violence towards women and children. This is among the key findings of a study investigating the link between alcohol availability and gender-based violence (GBV). The study – a joint project by the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) and the Wits School of Public Health – was conducted across eight communities in So

Aug 212 min read

PRESS RELEASE- Embassies Business Fair and Conference: Economic diplomacy gains importance as African businesses seek new markets

Pretoria, August 2026 – As African businesses look beyond their domestic markets for new buyers, investors and commercial opportunities, economic diplomacy is playing an increasingly important role in helping them navigate unfamiliar markets and build relationships across borders.

Aug 201 min read

[IOL]South Africans got poorer, but alcohol consumption increased, UCT analysis finds

South Africans became poorer between 2017 and 2024, but consumption of tax-paid alcohol increased – which challenges the alcohol industry's claims about the growth of the illicit market as Treasury considers higher excise taxes.

Aug 141 min read

[IOL]Sibongile Simelane-Quntana leads fight against SA's gambling addiction

For Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, the fight against gambling harm is deeply personal. At 51, she leads the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF), where she focuses on responsible gambling, treatment, and harm reduction while advocating for a stronger public health response to addiction.

Aug 141 min read

[SA News Live]NSFAS Funds Fuel Student Gambling Crisis

South African students are increasingly using money meant for food, books and daily expenses to gamble online, raising fresh concerns over the country’s R53.4 billion student funding scheme

Aug 111 min read

[SABC News] Women's Month | Women organisations leading the fight against alcohol abuse and gambling

In a country where harmful alcohol use continues to fuel violence, road crashes, poor health outcomes and family breakdown, and where gambling has become increasingly accessible through digital platforms and sports betting, the need for strong public advocates has never been greater. They have come in the form of 'Women Leading South Africa's Fight Against Alcohol Harm, Gambling Addiction and Gender-Based Violence'. SABC News spoke to Dr Lesley Ann Foster from the Masimanyane

Aug 101 min read

[Mail & Guardian]The Woman Asking South Africa To Confront What It Has Normalised

South Africans have become so accustomed to alcohol being part of everyday life that many hardly notice it anymore. It is there at children's birthday parties, family braais, weddings and funerals. It is celebrated in glossy advertisements during prime-time sport and sold on almost every corner in many townships. It has become so deeply woven into the country's social fabric that questioning it can feel almost radical.

Aug 71 min read

Economic diplomacy gains importance as African businesses seek new markets

Business tourism brings embassies, businesses, buyers and investors together to advance cross-border trade August 2026 – As African businesses look beyond their domestic markets for new buyers, investors and commercial opportunities, economic diplomacy is playing an increasingly important role in helping them navigate unfamiliar markets and build relationships across borders. Business events provide a practical platform for these connections by bringing embassies, businesses,

Aug 13 min read

[SAFM] The National Briefing with Cathy Mohlahlana

In an effort to curb gambling addiction among students at tertiary institutions, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation has launched a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the harm it causes. This nationwide initiative addresses the concerning trend of financially vulnerable students using their NSFAS allowances to fund online sports betting and digital casinos

Jul 171 min read

Taking Risks Wisely, Tertiary Edition Across South Africa

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) is deeply concerned about the rise in online betting among tertiary students, who are wagering state-funded bursary allowances on betting platforms. This trend is exposing financially vulnerable students to escalating debt, anxiety, and severe gambling harm, while directly undermining public investment in higher education. While South Africa lacks exhaustive national empirical data on this emerging crisis, the warning

Jul 163 min read

[CNBC Africa] Sumsub report: Africa records world's highest iGaming fraud rate.

Africa has emerged as the world's biggest hotspot for iGaming fraud, according to new research from Sumsub. The report shows the continent's fraud rate is now 66 per cent above the global average, driven by a surge in identity theft, AI-assisted fraud and increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. As online gaming adoption accelerates across Africa, operators are facing growing pressure to balance growth, customer experience and security. Joining CNBC Africa to unpack the

Jul 81 min read

[Radio 702] Medical Matters: How to keep your skin healthy this winter.

Aubrey Masango speaks to Dr. Judey Pretorius, a biomedical scientist, to discuss why skin needs extra barrier support in the colder months, the difference between dry skin and facial dandruff, and the ingredients that work, from hyaluronic acid to ceramides and shea butter.

Jul 61 min read

Essential Episodes

Thought Leadership Insights for Powerful Brands

My journey of leaving the newsroom for PR.

I did not foresee that my professional journey would lead me to PR. I was committed to journalism – print journalism specifically. I was so committed that I married a fellow journalist. Having said that, there were things about journalism that didn’t work for me. As a young hack working for a daily publication, I’d look at the mothers in the newsroom and the difficulty they experienced with the irregular work hours. Long hours were not the problem, it was the fact that you co

May 134 min read

World PR Day: The Work Behind the Story

PR isn’t just about headlines — it’s about the authentic, creative process that happens long before.

Jul 16, 20251 min read

The power of PR: Your business’s hidden superpower

If you've wondered what drives business growth and fuels trust and positive relationships, the answer lies in Public Relations (PR) says Nomsa Mdhluli, Founder of Tishala Communications. Mdhluli highlights the untapped potential of PR as a key driver of business growth and reputation. In today's competitive and ever-changing business landscape, companies are constantly looking for ways to build credibility, expand their reach and connect with their audiences in meaningful way

Mar 12, 20252 min read