The Business to Brand Summit 2025 will feature some of the best minds in branding
Premier branding event brings together South Africa’s top business minds to explore transformation in the modern marketplace.
By Simon Manda
Johannesburg, South Africa – The Business to Brand Summit 2025 is poised to become South Africa’s most significant branding and marketing gathering of the year. Taking place on 1st August at Sandton Mandela Square, this transformative event will unite the country’s marketing elite, entrepreneurs, and brand custodians under the compelling theme “From Transaction to Transformation.”
Presented by Pat on Brands in association with Primedia Outdoor and Lerato Agency, the Business to Brand Summit addresses the critical evolution from short-term business transactions to lasting brand transformation that drives sustainable economic growth across Africa.
The full-day program promises powerful conversations, cutting-edge insights, and high-impact networking opportunities through five thought-provoking panel discussions, two inspiring keynotes, and interactive breakout sessions designed to reshape how African businesses approach brand building.
Spotlight on Industry Leaders
The Business to Brand Summit has attracted an exceptional lineup of South Africa’s most influential marketing and business leaders, each bringing unique expertise to the conversation. Some of the speakers who will be sharing their expertise include
Sbusiso Kumalo—Group Chief Marketing Officer, African Bank—brings over 15 years of financial services marketing expertise. As Group CMO, Kumalo has spearheaded transformative marketing strategies that repositioned African Bank as a leader in inclusive banking, developing customer-centric brand narratives that resonate across South Africa’s diverse market segments.
Thembisile Sehloho—Chief Marketing Officer, South African Tourism—offers unparalleled expertise in destination marketing and nation branding. Her innovative approach to experiential marketing and digital storytelling has been instrumental in repositioning South Africa as a premier global tourist destination whilst driving significant economic impact.
Nosipho Manitshana—Vice President: Marketing & Communications, Renault SA—leads marketing strategy for one of the world’s most recognisable automotive brands in the South African market. Her experience in navigating complex consumer landscapes and building automotive brand loyalty provides valuable insights into modern marketing challenges.
Anele Maphanga—PR & Influencer Lead, Unilever—represents one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies. Her expertise in influencer marketing and public relations strategy offers crucial insights into contemporary brand communication and digital engagement strategies.
Gordon Muller, Media Strategist, will present “Media: The Backbone of Branding,” sharing his extensive knowledge on how strategic media planning forms the foundation of successful brand building in today’s fragmented media landscape.
Award-winning social entrepreneur Sbusiso Leope (DJ Sbu) brings decades of brand-building experience across multiple industries. Speaking about his participation, he shared on Instagram, “I’ll see you guys on Friday. This coming Friday, the 1st of August. We are welcoming Women’s Month with our Business to Brand Summit. We’re talking about building brands. I’ve been building brands for many years, from musicians to actual products and right now companies. I’ve failed, I’ve succeeded. God has been good and I’m coming to share my experiences.”
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Programme Deep Dive
The comprehensive program addresses the most pressing challenges facing modern African brands:
- From SME to Iconic Brand—Real transformation stories from entrepreneurs who’ve built lasting legacies
- The Role of Digital in Brand Storytelling—Navigating the digital-first consumer landscape
- Collaboration as the New Competition—Why strategic brand partnerships drive growth
- The Modern CMO: Balancing Creativity, Data, and Commerce—Leading marketing in the analytics age
- Authenticity, Purpose and Profit Achieving- the triple bottom line in brand building
- The Future of African Brands—Positioning continental businesses for global success
The Visionary Behind the Business to Brand Summit
The Business to Brand Summit is the brainchild of Pat Mahlangu, the award-winning founder of Pat on Brands and architect of the acclaimed Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards. Mahlangu has emerged as one of South Africa’s most influential voices in brand building and youth entrepreneurship, championing African excellence in business while creating meaningful connections between commerce and community impact.
Through his platform, Pat on Brands, Mahlangu has dedicated her career to transforming small and medium enterprises into legacy brands that compete globally while maintaining an authentic African identity. His groundbreaking Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards has become a cornerstone recognition program, celebrating the next generation of young African business leaders and their innovative contributions to the continental economy.
Mahlangu’s work extends beyond event curation—he’s a passionate advocate for brand transformation that drives long-term economic growth and elevates Africa’s business presence on the world stage.
Attendance and Registration
The Business to Brand Summit targets brand and marketing executives, entrepreneurs, startup founders, communications professionals, content creators, media strategists, and business decision-makers seeking to elevate their brand strategies.
Limited seating is available with registration at www.patonbrands.com.
Media Enquiries: Email: hello@patonbrands.com | Social: @PatOnBrands | Website: www.patonbrands.com
Additional information: https://patonbrands.com/eventer/business-to-brand-summit/
