Hlengani Associates

23/07/2025

Fintech innovation is booming in Africa. Can regulation keep up?

In his latest piece, Keith Sabilika, Senior Fintech Specialist at the FSCA South Africaouth Africa, unpacks Africa’s shift from over 1.1 billion mobile money accounts to the rise of crypto-based transfers. It’s a powerful call to action to policymakers, innovators and regulators to develop agile, inclusive frameworks that keep up with the continent’s rapidly advancing fintech sector.

Its publication on platforms like Moneyweb, Business Report, and Currency News
is no coincidence. These trusted outlets are where Africa’s financial decision-makers, innovators and policy architects turn for insight and direction. Featuring the piece here ensures it reaches those best positioned to shape the next phase of Africa’s digital financial evolution.

▪️Moneyweb: https://www.moneyweb.co.za/moneyweb-opinion/soapbox/digital-payments-in-africa-can-regulation-keep-up-with-the-rapid-innovation/
▪️Currency News: https://currencynews.co.za/digital-payments-can-regulation-keep-up-with-innovation/
▪️Business Report: https://businessreport.co.za/opinion/2025-07-16-digital-payments-in-africa-can-regulation-keep-up-with-the-rapid-innovation/

☎️Learn how we connect powerful ideas to the right platforms: https://www.hlengani.co.za/services/

21/07/2025

Reputation is like a bank balance. Build it daily or risk having nothing to draw from when trouble hits.

Every kept promise is like a deposit.
Every slip-up? A withdrawal.
When crisis strikes, the strength of your brand depends on the balance you've built and how you communicate with stakeholders.

In our latest blog, we explore why silence can be risky during a crisis by examining how two major events were handled in the public eye:
▪️ The 2025 Budget Speech postponement
▪️ Airport Company South Africa (ACSA)’s response to their leadership scandal.

Read more: https://www.hlengani.co.za/2025/07/why-silence-can-be-risky-for-reputation/

18/07/2025

We believe that communication is not simply about messaging, it is also a tool for nation-building, progress and accountability.

As Madiba once said, “It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.” At Hlengani Associates, we honour Madiba’s legacy by helping organisations communicate with integrity, engage with empathy and lead with purpose.

Let's continue building the South Africa Mandela dreamed for all of us, one thoughtful message at a time.

Happy International Mandela Day !

16/07/2025

We are happy to have been a part of this event.

15/07/2025

On Friday, 11 July 2025, we had the privilege of attending the graduation ceremony hosted by Go GOGO Go and Vumatel. We witnessed 49 gogo's and mkhulu's receive certificates and tablets for completing VumaTel’s digital skills training, an uplifting moment that celebrated resilience, transformation and the unbreakable spirit of lifelong learning.

As media relations professionals dedicated to telling stories that matter, we believe moments like these deserve greater visibility. The multigenerational impact and human richness of this event can inspire communities across South Africa. At Hlengani Associates, we’re proud to provide strategic media coverage and content that brings powerful stories like this to light.

Here is some of the media coverage for the event:

▪️Timeslive: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/sci-tech/2025-07-13-now-i-can-do-it-myself-gogos-learn-to-use-smartphones-in-gogos-with-vuma-digital-skills-training-programme/

▪️The Star: https://thestar.co.za/saturday-star/news/2025-07-14-49-gogos-and-mkhulus-graduate-from-vumatels-gogos-with-vuma-digital-skills-training-program/

▪️Saturday Star: https://iol.co.za/saturday-star/news/2025-07-14-49-gogos-and-mkhulus-graduate-from-vumatels-gogos-with-vuma-digital-skills-training-program/

▪️Daily Sun: https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/news/ekurhuleni-senior-citizens-graduate-after-learning-digital-skills-from-gogogogo-20250712

▪️The Herald: https://www.theherald.co.za/news/2025-07-13-now-i-can-do-it-myself-gogos-learn-to-use-smartphones-in-gogos-with-vuma-digital-skills-training-programme/

11/07/2025

89% of South African consumers say a brand’s good reputation is important when choosing what to buy (Statista, 2024)

Yet many businesses still treat PR as a last-minute sprint for headlines.

Here’s the disconnect:

Some brands only talk during a crisis, but miss the chance to shape perception, build trust and steer public sentiment from the beginning.

📍Read our first blog, "Positioning Yourself: Why PR Is More Than Just Publicity”, where we show how strategic PR builds credibility from day one before your reputation is on the line.
https://www.hlengani.co.za/blog/

09/07/2025

We’re back with the second edition of Reputation Bits, our quarterly newsletter packed with thought leadership, tools and developments in reputation management 🎉

Reputation doesn’t build itself and it certainly doesn’t maintain itself.
It takes consistent monitoring, timely insight and tailored strategy.
That’s why our clients treat reputation as a business imperative, because they know that perception shapes performance.

See what Hlengani Associates has curated for clients in the latest edition:

08/07/2025

Our website has officially relaunched !
Fresh look. More functionality. Simple design.

Take a peak here: https://www.hlengani.co.za/
Let us know what you think.

20/06/2025

Thank you to everyone who submitted their applications for the Account Executive – Public Relations & Communications position.

Please note that the application period officially closed today at 16h00.

16/06/2025

At Hlengani Associates, we don’t just believe in the power of youth, we live it. The majority of our team is young, driven, and building the future of media, communications, and reputation strategy with creativity, and intention.

From boardrooms to brainstorms, we bring fresh thinking to every solution.

This Youth Day, we celebrate the ideas, the energy, and the excellence of our generation. The future isn't waiting. We're already in it.

12/06/2025

VACANT POSITION

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE-PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS.

The full-service agency is looking for an experienced Account Executive to join its dynamic and vibrant team that is composed of professional and enthusiastic members on the 1 August 2025.

The agency wants to augment its public relations and communications team through the appointment of an Account Executive. The candidate should possess a degree or diploma in Communications or Public Relations. It is crucial that the incumbent has 5+ years’ working experience within the Communications/PR consulting firms. We are looking for a self-driven candidate who is a self-starter with agency experience.

The candidate must be able to:

o Write and pitch press releases, news stories, articles, thought leadership articles the across print, online and broadcast media.

o Arrange interviews and editorial meetings with key journalists for the company clients ‘spokespeople, telephonically or physically.

o Run social media campaigns.

o Monitor media coverage and report results to the company team and clients.

o Respond to phone calls.

o Attend clients’ events and industry conferences.

o Brainstorm fresh ideas for PR Campaigns.
o Deliver analytics reports on social media, reporting on traffic engagement and follower figures.

Required skills

o Proficiency in English, both spoken and written

o Copywriting skills

o Presentation skills

o Strong interpersonal skills

o Excellent telephone etiquette

o Excellent time-management

o Resilience

o Ability to pay attention to detail

Added advantages:

· Experience in corporate communication, media relations, stakeholder management and public relations. · Skills in drafting communication and media strategy plans.

A valid driver’s license is a compulsory requirement.

Kindly note that if you have not heard from us in three weeks, it means you have not been

successful.

Email your Curriculum Vitae only to [email protected]. The closing date for

submission is 20 June 2025, at 16h00.

11/06/2025

How do you translate complexity into clarity? Strategy.

When Webull SA wanted to connect with serious investors in a volatile market, we helped shape the message, tone, and narrative behind their latest thought leadership piece.

From macroeconomic shocks to investor psychology, this article is one part expert voice, one part Hlengani Associates precision.

Your audience isn’t just listening, they’re learning.

READ:

It’s not the boldest investor who wins - it’s the one who pays attention, adjusts early and stays in the game