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.

[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

[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

[Business Report]How policy reform is starting to make water infrastructure investable

Water Pipes. Revenue models in the water sector must balance three imperatives at once: investor certainty, municipal affordability and the public’s right to reliable services.

Jul 61 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

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

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

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