What is keeping South African business owners and their communications teams awake this month?
This is a question we are constantly interrogating.
Bridging the gap between dense financial data and market perception takes a grounded understanding of South Africa’s corporate and media landscape. As an investor communications and design agency, our monthly trends blog is designed to unpack the subtle shifts shaping local PR and investor relations. Each month, we track the emerging trends, digital channels, and narrative strategies that enable South African companies to stand out, protect their reputations, and communicate value with maximum visual and strategic impact.
Here are some of the PR and B2B communications trends we have identified in August.
What are our digital channels telling us?
Each month we analyse our Google Search Console and website data to identify insights. This helps us to better understand which keywords and search phrases are dominating the thinking of our stakeholders.
For the month of August, the following stand out for us in terms of keywords and search phrases:
- Equity Research South Africa
- Impact Reporting
- Media Relations experts [Tech media South Africa]
- Agencies that specialise in stakeholder confidence building
Our two most popular reads in the last month are older posts but still generate industry interest. These are:
- South Africa’s most influential financial minds on social media – who’s winning?
- Leveraging Social Media in Public Relations: The Old Mutual Case Study
The changing face of the JSE
We came across an interesting piece from asset management firm, Stanlib, which looks at the changing composition of the JSE. Authors Chetan Ramlall and Anwar Wagnaar note:
“The JSE is no longer the resources market many investors remember. Nor is it as diversified as its sector weights suggest. Understanding what drives returns – rather than which sector happens to be leading – has become central to constructing resilient South African equity portfolios.”
The authors share an interesting graphic to support their research:
A tough month for Spar on the JSE
Listed retailer Spar has endured a torrid 2026 and is down by 30% in the last 3 months.
These issues were further compounded by the announcement of the immediate resignation of independent non-executive chair Mike Bosman and deputy chair Shirley Zinn, effective 17 August 2026. These resignations were attributed to a breakdown in relationships between board members and key stakeholders.
When boardroom fights make it into the public domain, reputation management becomes key.
Trustco fight goes public
Trustco is a JSE listed Namibian financial services and investment group has had a tumultuous month.
Central to the discussion is a dispute between shareholders. Most recently key shareholder Sean Riskowitz, representing Riskowitz Capital Management, publish an open letter to shareholders which was picked up by various media outlets including the Financial Mail.
Riskowitz cuts straight to the core of the issue with the following line in his letter:
“There is a basic principle at stake: Trustco belongs to its shareholders. Directors are appointed to serve the company; the company does not belong to its directors. When shareholders properly exercise their rights to elect or remove directors, those rights should be respected.”
Of particular concern are issues raised by shareholders on social media. They indicated that proxy forms were excluded because the underlying shareholder names were not on the shareholder register.
This kind of reputational damage is extremely difficult for organisations to come back from, and does not reflect well on the board and the associated governance protocols for this business.
Are you looking to upgrade your Public Relations (PR) or Investor Communications activities?
Ready to turn industry shifts into market authority?
In South Africa’s fast-moving B2B landscape, staying ahead of trends isn’t just about reading the news – it’s about defining the narrative.
At Decusatio Investor Communications, we draw on a proven track record of cutting through market noise, helping executive teams, financial institutions, and growth-focused businesses translate complex market realities into compelling thought leadership. Whether you are navigating sector disruptions, building investor trust, or aiming to secure high-value media exposure, our strategic corporate communications and B2B PR solutions ensure your brand leads the conversation with credibility.
If you would like to set up a consultation to discuss your strategy, please do not hesitate to arrange a meeting.