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.

Essential Episodes

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

South Africa needs more young people in STEM to drive innovation and economic growth

As South Africans continue to navigate economic uncertainty, technological change and growing demand for specialised skills, the conversation around Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has never been more important. While interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers is growing globally, more needs to be done locally to encourage young South Africans to pursue these fields and recognise the wide range of opportunities they

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

[Radio 702] A Growing Concern Around Online Gambling in South Africa

Aubrey Masango speaks Lebogang Seoheng, Advocacy, Communications and Prevention Manager at the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) to break down what the study tells us about how gambling habits are shifting, and why experts are warning that the line between entertainment and financial harm is getting thinner.

Jun 221 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

[ENCA] CONDITIONS UNCHANGED, 50 YEARS LATER

A regional coordinator of the South African Alcohol Policy Alliance discusses alcohol policies and their impact on communities alongside youth leaders and activists planning to present a manifesto to the president.

Jun 151 min read

[EWN] ‘Looksmaxxing’ trend raises concerns over self-image and mental health.

The pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards can have devastating effects on mental health. Social media has given rise to another subculture that places increasing pressure and emphasis on appearance, particularly among teenage boys and young men.

Jun 121 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

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

Inclusive leadership: Building dynamic workplaces where teams can grow and succeed

Leadership plays a decisive role in shaping that environment. The tone set at the top influences how decisions are approached, whose perspectives are taken seriously and whether professional opportunities are distributed fairly. When leaders encourage participation and recognise different viewpoints, teams tend to operate with greater trust and cohesion

Jun 11 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

Soweto 1976 Youth March retraced to focus on unchanged conditions 50 years later

To finish what was started by the Class of ’76 fifty years ago in Soweto. This is the objective of a march taking place on Tuesday (16 June 2026) to Orlando Stadium, where veterans of the 1976 Uprising together with present-day youths plan to hand over a Manifesto to President Cyril Ramaphosa. “It is an affront to us and the youth of today that the main commemoration of the 1976 Uprising should not take place at Orlando Stadium,” says Seth Mazibuko, who helped organise the

Jun 14 min read

[702] Tech Feature: The rise of AI in skincare advice and the concerns of growing risks.

Relebogile Mabotja speaks to Dr Judey Pretorius who is a Biomedical Scientist about how artificial intelligence is changing skincare, from AI skin analysis apps to virtual beauty consultants that offer instant, personalised skin advice.

May 261 min read

From tools to triumph: ‘Artisans of Mzansi’ entries open

May 250 min read

[Construction World] Search on for South Africa's best artisan business owner

Applications for the prestigious Artisans of Mzansi are open, affording artisanal entrepreneurs throughout South Africa the opportunity to compete for prize money of up to R200 000. Hopefuls have until 30 June 2026 to submit their applications to this initiative, powered by Allan Gray Makers, at https://allangraymakers.co.za/artisans-of-mzansi/. They must be 50 years or under, a qualified artisan, who part or wholly owns a business in any trade.

May 251 min read

[POWER ZONE] TECH ZONE: THE RISE OF AI IN HEALTH AND SKIN SKIN CARE - CONCERNS OF GROWING RISKS

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how people approach health and skincare, offering instant advice, product recommendations, and even self-diagnosis tools at the touch of a button. While this technology promises convenience and accessibility, experts are raising concerns about the growing risks of overreliance on AI when it comes to personal health.

May 211 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

[ITWeb] Offshore online gambling drains over R50b from SA

Two-thirds of South Africa’s R74.5 billion annual gross gambling revenue is being siphoned by illegal offshore online operators based in jurisdictions such as Curaçao, Malta, Gibraltar and the Philippines. This is according to the South African Bookmakers Association (SABA), which says more than R50 billion in gross gambling revenue is diverted offshore each year, with an estimated 16 million South Africans having engaged with illegal platforms in the past year.

Apr 11 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

[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

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