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.

Press Release

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

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

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

The Embassies Business Fair & Conference will return for its 3rd Annual Edition

Embassies Business Fair & Conference returns in 2026 to strengthen trade links between business and diplomacy.

The 3rd Annual Edition will focus on market access, investor engagement, global buyer linkages and practical trade opportunities for businesses seeking regional and international growth. The Embassies Business Fair & Conference will return for its 3rd Annual Edition from 8 to 9 September 2026 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, with a renewed focus on helping businesses access buyers, investors, global distribution platforms and international market opp

Jul 13 min read

Africa Emerges as Global iGaming Fraud Hotspot as Suspicious Transactions Surge, Sumsub Report Reveals

Africa records the world's highest iGaming fraud rate, standing 66% above the global average, while operators face increasingly sophisticated identity and transaction-related threats. Africa has emerged as the global epicentre of iGaming fraud, according to Sumsub's newly released iGaming Fraud Report 2026, with the continent recording the highest fraud rate of any region analysed worldwide. The findings highlight a rapidly evolving threat landscape in which fraudsters are in

Jul 14 min read

Enyobeni commemoration invites reflection on the true cost of alcohol

The anniversary of the Enyobeni tragedy provides an opportunity for South Africans to reflect on their relationship with alcohol. Not one of the 21 youngsters who lost their lives at the Enyobeni Tavern in East London on 26 June 2022 would live to see their 21st birthdays. Twenty-one lives were cut short in the months South Africans celebrate the youth for their contribution to democracy. Seventeen of them were underage, which made those serving them the alcohol that contri

Jun 162 min read

Sports betting surge fueled by the FIFA World Cup puts spotlight on gambling harm.

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) is concerned about the expected surge in gambling-related-harm as the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off. Sports betting currently accounts for 70% of the country’s gambling market, and the heightened interest in soccer during the tournament is predicted to drive significant betting activity. The SARGF’s National Responsible Gambling Programme already reports a concerning rise in gambling-related harm, with counsell

Jun 12 min read

Tech PR specialist Tishala Communications celebrates 8 years of excellence

Award-winning PR and Digital Marketing Agency, Tishala Communications, celebrates its 8th birthday, and with its specialisation in tech PR cements its reputation as a small, yet effective agency. Tishala first dipped its toes in tech PR in 2019, when it publicised the AI EXPO. Then Covid-19 hit in 2020, which could have threatened the agency’s existence. However, through the AI Expo, Tishala gained access to an international tech ecosystem as various start-up companies neede

Jun 12 min read

The Rise of “Looksmaxxing”: Why Experts Are Warning Young Men Against Chasing Perfection Online.

As social media continues to shape beauty standards and self-image among young people, a growing online trend known as “looksmaxxing” is raising concern among health and wellness experts globally, and South Africa may not be immune. Popularised on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Reddit, looksmaxxing refers to the practice of attempting to maximise one’s physical appearance in pursuit of an idealised version of attractiveness. While some content focuses on harmless se

Jun 13 min read

Africa’s Instant Payment Boom is Outpacing its Defences

As instant payments, AI-driven fraud, and digital finance scale across Africa, institutions can no longer rely on fragmented legacy systems to build trust, security, and financial inclusion. Johannesburg - Africa’s digital finance ecosystem is scaling rapidly, but so are the risks emerging alongside it. Across Nigeria and other rapidly digitising markets on the continent, instant payments, mobile-first banking, fintech innovation, and cross-border digital transactions are tra

Jun 14 min read

Adaptive Deepfake Detection Revolutionises Digital Fraud Prevention

Sumsub launches its upgraded deepfake detection solution, setting a new standard in catching sophisticated fraud online Johannesburg – May 2026 – Sumsub, a leading full-cycle verification platform that enables scalable compliance, launched  Adaptive Deepfake Detector. The new model tackles the prevailing issue of traditional offline solutions being unable to detect the newest deepfake scams. Unlike its predecessors, Sumsub’s deepfake detector effectively spots emerging typ

May 13 min read

AI to become irreplaceable in preventing problem gambling in 2026

As Africa’s gaming industry grows, predictive technologies and ethical frameworks are becoming essential to identifying risk early and protecting players in real time. Africa’s gaming market is growing rapidly, but so is the complexity of managing risk in real time. In a recent panel discussion I participated in at the Africa Gaming Expo 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, I had the opportunity to explore how predictive tools and ethical frameworks are reshaping the way we approach pro

Apr 15 min read

Transitioning your Skincare for Autumn: Maintaining Healthy Skin in Chilly Seasons

Johannesburg, April 2026 - As the vibrant days of South African summer give way to the cooler, drier air of autumn, temperatures drop and indoor heating kicks in. The skin can start to feel tighter, drier and more reactive - giving clear signs that it’s time to rethink your routine for the chilly season. The transition from summer to autumn is one of the most overlooked when it comes to skincare, and Biomedical Scientist Dr. Judey urges South Africans to adapt their skinc

Apr 12 min read

[FINTECH FINANCE NEWS] Africa’s Crypto Market Matures: Fraud Rates Drop by 28% – New Sumsub Report

Crypto platforms across Africa are rapidly improving identity verification performance as the industry moves toward stricter regulation and stronger fraud prevention. These findings are based on Sumsub, a leading full-cycle verification platform that enables scalable compliance, which today released its fourth annual State of the Crypto Industry report*. The new research reveals how crypto companies are balancing fraud prevention, regulatory pressure, and user experience as t

Mar 201 min read

[FFNEWS] Africa's Crypto Market Matures: Fraud Rates Drops by 28% - New Sumsub Report

Mar 201 min read

[South Africa Today] The cost of cheap and fake injectables: How to avoid a botched procedure in South Africa

The beauty world was buzzing last week after News24 broke a story about a young woman who was left with terribly botched and injured lips after getting lip filler. The news outlet reports that the injector who performed the treatment is a local influencer and self-proclaimed “doctor”. The patient knew that something was wrong post-treatment when her lips started bruising and swelling badly, progressively getting worse as the day went on.

Mar 161 min read

[IOL]Opinion: We’ve been told skincare is about beauty… but that’s a lie

There is a simple truth we do not say out loud often enough: Your skin tells the story of where you live, how you live, and what you have been exposed to. In South Africa, this truth is even sharper. Your postcode can determine your risk of chronic inflammation. Your daily commute can determine the onset of eczema. Your access to clean water can decide whether your child develops recurring fungal infections. Skin is biological, but the forces that harm it are profoundly socia

Mar 91 min read

[Sowetan] SONIA MAPHOSA | Social workers key to tackling gambling addiction

March is Social Woker Month, a time to recognise the vital role social workers play in helping individuals, families and communities navigate complex social challanges. One issue where their role is often overlooked is with the harm that is inflicted by gambling behaviour that tends to break the family psyche and disrupt family bonds.

Mar 51 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