Ibhuma Business Dinner – Sandton Edition Creates Inter – Country Business Roundtable

United by a shared vision of creating business partnerships and unlocking investments across Africa, last week’s Ibhuma Business Dinner – Sandton Edition, brought together entrepreneurs, corporates, investors, and startup ecosystem developers to an inter-country business routable.

Held at the Aurum Restaurant, located in Africa’s richest square mile, this was the second business networking event, under Ibhuma Events – a platform pioneered by Bracefield Investment Group and Pinaco & Co.

“This evening is not just a dinner, it is a working platform – an intentional space where policy meets investment, where vision meets collaboration, and where youth-led enterprises meet opportunity.” – Sifiso Nxumalo.

Living true to Poter Gale’s words, “Your network is your net worth,” Linda Shiba, Director of Bracefield Investment Group, welcomed attendees to what he termed “a landmark occasion dedicated to cultivating meaningful partnerships and celebrating entrepreneurial excellence.”

Shiba explained that the dinner’s core purpose is to foster an environment where strategic collaborations can flourish, directly impacting the continent’s economic future.

Thembela Msibi, Business Development and Partnerships Consultant at Pinaco & Co, delivered a compelling presentation on venture capital, underscoring its role in fuelling startup growth and scaling innovative ideas.

“Whilst Africa attracted substantial venture capital funding (US$2.7 billion in 2024, up from US$2.2 billion in 2023), with significant flows to South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt, Eswatini has seen limited investment,” she said. This is despite Eswatini’s impressive GDP projections. Eswatini’s economy is projected to grow 7.9% in 2025, from 2.6% in 2024. This economic growth is much higher than South Africa (forecasted to grow by 1.7% in 2025 from 0.6% in 2024) and the global growth estimated at 3.3% for 2024 (IMF’s World Economic Outlook published in April 2025).

Msibi acknowledged challenges in attracting VCs to Eswatini, such as its small market, lack of early-stage funding, and few visible exit pathways. As solutions, she proposed cross-border scaling via SADC integration, establishing an E100 million Seed and Series Venture Capital Fund and advocated for a National Innovation Policy.

“VC catalyzes scalable innovation, fuels youth entrepreneurship and unlocks regional economic competitiveness.”

Msibi presented success stories from other African companies like Bathu Group (Pty) Ltd and MAXHOSA AFRICA (present during the dinner). These brands have created hundreds of jobs and positively transformed the mindsets of entrepreneurs, investors and even governments.

The evening featured insightful contributions from key figures in the investment, legal and business landscape. Charlton C. Tsodzo, PhD, ACIArb. presented on Intellectual Property (IP) protection, and how entrepreneurs can safeguard their innovations as they scale globally.

Neo Molefakgotla shared actionable strategies on the power of branding, and how brands can build trust and connections with their customers.

“Branding is defined by association and crucially what you don’t associate with. This clear understanding helps build trust and creates lasting impact. We are intentional about it.”

Jock Wei, the Country Manager for South Africa at SANY Group, delivered a presentation highlighting Sany’s humble beginnings three decades ago conveying the perseverance required to achieve such significant success

Afzal Aziz, a Commercial Insurance Specialist with MiWay Insurance Limited, provided attendees with information on insurance solutions tailored to their needs and the broader market.

Mbali Ubisi, CEO of Trending Topix Agency , appreciated the space created by the Ibhuma Business Dinner where creativity and business partnerships can flourish. Her mission is clear: to empower individuals to creatively express themselves while simultaneously building collaborations with brands.

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About Ibhuma Business Dinner

Ibhuma Business Dinner is an exclusive, high-impact gathering designed to foster strategic dialogue, cross-sector collaboration, and ecosystem alignment around the shared mission of advancing entrepreneurship and SMME development in Eswatini and South Africa.

It brings together C-suite executives, policymakers, development partners, and leading entrepreneurs from the two countries in a refined, solution-oriented setting. It also connects startups with potential investors, corporates and their South African counterparts – creating a pipeline of deals and partnerships that support Eswatini’s aspiration for an export-driven economy.

Read more about us www.pinacoandco.com / www.bracefield.com