KwaZulu-Natal businessman Manzini Zungu collaborates with UJ on creative storytelling projects
Image: Supplied
A prominent KwaZulu-Natal businessman Manzini Zungu has partnered with University of Johannesburg (UJ) for creative work, particularly storytelling projects.
Zungu, a relative of Amazulu Football Club owner, Sandile Zungu, owns several Spar retail shops under his company Spar Pacina Retail in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, however, he has spread his wings and ventured into the creative industry. He has partnered with UJ, producing storytelling projects for university students.
Zungu described his research and collaboration with the university as a landmark in his efforts to nurture African storytelling. He said his collaboration with UJ's Faculty of Humanities aims to unearth and develop young storytellers through creative activism and Afrocentric narratives. Led by Professor Suzy Graham, the project includes literature initiatives based on the uShaka Inkosi Yamakhosi film which Zungu produced in 2021, fostering new creative perspectives among the university students. The film is on Netflix.
'The partnership emphasises creativity as a 21st-century workforce skill, with UJ students engaging in projects that blend storytelling with educational activism,' said Zungu.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
He has published his first book Shaka Inkosi yamaKhosi (Shaka, the king of kings) which is based on extracts of his film. He has also devised several marketing strategies for McDonald's restaurants. Zungu is also a UJ Research Associate and has partnered with the Salvation Army church in Soweto where he serves as musical director of the Soweto Central Chorus.
Through his Manzini Zungu Foundation, the businessman also supports cultural preservation through projects like uShaka Inkosi Yamakhosi, ensuring African stories reach global audiences. The foundation was established in 2018. The foundation also supports rural communities especially in remote areas of Mthatha and Ngqeleni in the Eastern Cape.
Zungu shot into prominence when he scored a lucrative schools nutrition tender in KwaZulu-Natal in 2023 but later pulled out after a protracted battle with the provincial education department.
willem.phungula@inl.co.za
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
Can SMEs survive Trump tariffs? Here is what small businesses can expect from July
There is still hope that the government trade negotiation teams will be able to strike a deal before the 30% tariffs come into effect. It is about to be a bumpy road for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa from July due to the 30% United States (US) import tariffs, hikes in electricity and petrol prices and the uncertainty surrounding the interest rate announcement coming on 30 July 2025. Miguel da Silva, group executive for Business Banking at TymeBank, says it is essential for SMEs to prepare for the impact of a 30% US import tariff, which is set to take effect on 1 August 2025. The impact of tariffs on SMEs Da Silva adds that the tariff hike is bad news for businesses that currently export to the US, especially those involved in the agricultural, automotive, and mining sectors. 'The tariff increases will also have repercussions for the broader economy, with commentators saying the move could lead to thousands of job losses across the affected sectors.' He says there is still hope that the government trade negotiation teams will be able to strike a deal before the 30% tariffs come into effect. In the meantime, President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South African companies to accelerate their search for alternative markets in order to promote better resilience in both global supply chains and the South African economy. ALSO READ: SMEs need to brace for reduced orders due to a 30% US tariff New export markets for SMEs Da Silva says exporters have been seeking out new markets, taking advantage of trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to strengthen intra-African commerce and lessen reliance on the US. 'The Brics+ bloc also presents an opportunity for local exporters to tap into major markets like China, Southeast Asia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. 'Already, China has announced a decision to eliminate all tariffs on imports from the 53 African countries, including South Africa, which is welcome news for SMEs looking for new markets.' Electricity and petrol price increases He highlighted that electricity and petrol price increases add to SMEs' woes, but on the bright side, inflation appears to be under control. 'The US tariff blow comes at a time when South African SMEs are already facing margin squeeze because of additional cost pressures from energy price hikes and fuel price increases, all of which threaten not only their short-term profitability but also their long-term sustainability and competitiveness.' According to the Bureau of Economic Research's (BER) latest survey, inflation expectations have fallen to their lowest in four years. 'Respondents expect inflation to be below 4% this year, echoing the view of Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago.' ALSO READ: Mid-year financial check for SMEs: Tips to prepare for the next six months Unemployment remains a concern He has noted that there is modest growth and mixed expectations around interest rates, while unemployment remains a concern. 'GDP data for Q2 2025typically arrives on 25 July. The recent modest growth of 0.4% quarter-on-quarter suggests continued economic challenges, making this release vital for demand forecasting and timing market expansion. 'Expectations about the outcome of the 31 July South African Reserve Bank's (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, scheduled for 31 July 2025, are mixed.' Interest rates to hold Da Silva highlighted that most analysts believe interest rates will remain unchanged, while a few still see a possibility of a 25-basis-point cut. 'We hope the SARB decides to put growth above inflation control this time. In principle, lower interest rates mean more disposable income for consumers, which should ultimately result in increased spending and demand for goods and services from SMEs.' He emphasised that there is an increased collaboration between the private sector, government, and financial institutions to foster funding and investment opportunities for SMEs. 'This may include government initiatives, revamped credit guarantee schemes, and partnerships with fintech companies.' NOW READ: Here is how SMEs can take advantage of the G20 and B20 summits
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Spotlight on the judges: Behind the scenes of the Tshwane Tourism Awards
Staff Reporter | Published 3 hours ago With the highly anticipated Tshwane Tourism Awards set to take place on 16 August 2025 at Batter Boys Village, excitement is building across the capital. This prestigious event will honour excellence in local tourism, shining a spotlight on the people and places that make Tshwane a world-class destination. But behind every award handed out on the night is a process that is as rigorous as it is fair. The Tshwane Tourism Awards are not a popularity contest. They are rooted in credibility and guided by a structured, evidence-based approach. Each participating business was asked to complete a detailed self-assessment aligned to four core categories: Community Contribution & Sustainability; Internal Environment & Team Culture; Industry Collaboration & Engagement; and Business Growth & Improvement. Finalists were then invited to submit supporting documentation, including policies and performance records, project photos and testimonials to provide tangible evidence of their achievements. This is the material currently under review by an independent panel of judges, all highly respected professionals in tourism, academia and industry operations. Our finalists include some of the absolute best in our city (and even the country!) so judging is done independently, professionally and confidentially. We are proud to introduce the four judges who have been selected and were so kind to offer their time, expertise and discernment to this year's awards: Dr Swart is a certified meeting professional with a degree in leadership performance and change. She chairs the Executive Development Programme for Women in Tourism and has co-authored five books and over 70 peer-reviewed publications. A sought-after speaker and leader in hospitality education, she was named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in African Hospitality and a Top 5 Woman in Leadership in Africa. In 2024, she received AAXO's award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry. Sibulele brings over two decades of experience in tourism and destination marketing. Formerly with KZN Tourism Authority and now a senior leader within the City of Tshwane, he has championed destination branding, partnership engagement, and the inclusion of youth and SMMEs in the tourism space. His passion lies in building platforms that empower emerging tourism talent and grow the domestic travel economy. Dr Sifolo is a leading researcher and academic, holding a Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on tourism supply chains and stakeholder engagement. She is an NRF Y2-rated researcher, a judge for national entrepreneurship awards, and an expert advisor on regional innovation initiatives. Her work advocates for inclusive tourism models, value chain integration and sustainable development across Africa. With over 20 years in senior tourism roles, Sean is a seasoned strategist with experience in hospitality standards, destination management, and operations. Currently with TGCSA, he helps maintain and promote service excellence in graded establishments across South Africa. He has worked with leading brands like Legacy Hotels and Tourvest, and is well respected for his mentorship and commitment to quality and growth in the industry. These four judges bring a balance of academic rigour, practical insight, and industry leadership to the process, ensuring that every finalist is assessed fairly and every winner has earned their moment in the spotlight. As Tshwane prepares to celebrate its tourism champions, we extend our sincere thanks to this panel for their professional contribution, and to all our finalists for their courage, effort and excellence. We look forward to welcoming you on 16 August — it's time to shine.
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
South African SMEs brace for impact as Trump tariffs loom
With the looming threat of US tariffs on South African exports, SMEs face an uncertain future. Explore the ripple effects of these economic changes and how businesses are adapting to survive in the July 2025 TymeBank SME Outlook. Image: Supplied South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) stand at a critical crossroads, grappling with the looming spectre of a 30% import tariff on most goods entering the United States. This decision, signed into effect by President Donald Trump, will come into play on 1 August 2025, raising alarm bells for several sectors, particularly agriculture, automotive, and mining, industries heavily reliant on exports to the US market. The consequences of these tariffs threaten to reverberate throughout the broader economy, with experts warning of potential job losses in the thousands. Miguel da Silva, Group Executive of Business Banking at TymeBank, pointed to the tariff implications as not just an isolated issue but rather a reflection of the shifting geopolitical landscape that South Africa must navigate. 'As a nation, we have to rethink our trade strategies in light of these developments,' da Silva said. In response to these challenges, President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South African companies to expedite their search for alternative export markets, highlighting the urgent need to bolster resilience in global supply chains and support the local economy. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Some exporters have already begun seeking new opportunities, turning towards the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African commerce. This strategic pivot could lessen dependence on the US market amid increasingly unfriendly trade conditions. The BRICS+ bloc also provides fertile ground for growth, granting access to substantial markets such as China, Southeast Asia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Encouragingly, China recently announced it would eliminate all tariffs on imports from 53 African nations, including South Africa, presenting a timely opportunity for local SMEs to expand their footprint. However, as exporters look towards new horizons, they must also confront domestic obstacles. Energy and petrol price hikes have compounded the financial challenges for SMEs already facing margin pressures. These increases put further strain on already thin profit margins, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of many businesses. Yet, on a positive note, inflation expectations are reportedly at their lowest in four years, with predictions of rates falling below 4% this year, a significant consideration for businesses with an eye on cost control. The economic landscape remains complex, with mixed expectations surrounding interest rates ahead of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee meeting scheduled for 31 July 2025. While the prevailing sentiment points towards maintaining the current interest rate, some analysts speculate on a modest cut. A reduction could inject disposable income into consumers' pockets, providing a much-needed boost for SMEs struggling with stagnant demand. Despite the headwinds, the outlook for funding appears more optimistic. There is an emerging expectation of stronger collaboration between the private sector, government, and financial institutions aimed at creating more avenues for SME financing. Initiatives such as revamped credit guarantee schemes and partnerships with fintech companies are anticipated to ease access to funds for smaller enterprises. However, challenges remain, particularly for those with limited operational histories or lower turnover rates. As South Africa prepares to face a transformed export landscape shaped by new tariffs and economic pressures, SMEs find themselves in a precarious position. With strategic pivots and adaptive measures, these businesses may yet navigate through turbulent times, emerging more resilient in the face of uncertainty. BUSINESS REPORT
