PLUS. The Lgbti+ Business Network

19/10/2026

To the voices who made the PLUS Business Summit 2026, thank you.

From Procurement with Purpose to The Business of Inclusion, from Turning Culture into Commerce to From Data to Deals, every session brought the conversation back to what matters: real opportunity for LGBTI+ businesses.

Thank you to Thembekile Mrototo for steering the day, to Yaya Mavundla and Antoine Papayya for leading the conversations, and to every speaker and panellist who shared their experience so openly.

17/10/2026

Four conversations from the PLUS Business Summit 2026:

1. The Corporate Perspective. Procurement and supplier development leaders from Discovery, ACSA, TTCSA, the State Diamond Trader, Proudly South African and the South African Supplier Diversity Council on what buyers need and how LGBTI+ businesses can compete for corporate contracts.

2. Wake Up and Listen: When the Market Shifts. Founders Taryn Gill, Kay Williams, Connie Shandu and Reuben Nyoni, with Antoine Papayya, on pivoting and staying resilient when markets change.
3. From Data to Deals. Matthews Mmopi of McKinsey & Company on the journey from data to deals.

4. Showcasing PLUS Members. Facilitated by Yaya Mavundla, with PLUS members Mpilo Singo, Daniel Sebiloane and Moshe Modise on building businesses that last.

Which conversation would you most like to hear more about? Tell us in the comments.

17/10/2026

17/10/2026

That's a wrap on the PLUS Business Summit 2026.

On Wednesday 14 October, LGBTI+ entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and procurement decision makers filled 1 Discovery Place in Sandton for a day built around three words: Connect. Create. Close.

Thank you to every delegate, speaker and facilitator who made the room what it was. Thank you to our partners The Other Foundation, MambaOnline and Standard Chartered, and to Discovery for welcoming us to 1 Discovery Place.

This was never just an event. It was the start of conversations that will carry on long after the day.

14/10/2026

WAKE UP AND LISTEN: WHEN THE MARKET SHIFTS, GREAT ENTREPRENEURS DON’T PANIC — THEY PIVOT.

Business doesn’t stand still. Neither can entrepreneurs.

Facilitated by Antoine Papayya, this conversation brought together founders who understand that adapting to changing market conditions is part of building a sustainable business.

The panel featured Taryn Gill Founder and Brand Builder at Wellthy and The Perfect Hair; Kay Williams, Founder of Kreme Beauty Lounge; Connie Shandu, Founder of Dandozest; and Reuben Nyoni of Reandrie Hotel and Conference Centre.

Their experiences highlighted the resilience, agility and strategic decisions required to navigate uncertainty, respond to shifting markets and keep businesses moving forward.

Real business journeys. Practical lessons. Fresh perspectives on growth.

14/10/2026

Session: Showcasing PLUS Members — Unlocking Potential and Creating Sustainable LGBTQI+ Business

Yaya Mavundla facilitates a conversation with PLUS members about building sustainable LGBTI+ businesses, showcasing entrepreneurial talent and broadening opportunities for inclusive economic participation.

Panellists:

Mpilo Singo — 4 Atleha Wear

Daniel Sebiloane — Blaquerose Creations

Moshe Modise — Lentsweleng Entertainment & Events

SHOWCASING PLUS MEMBERS: BUILDING BUSINESSES, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES

Entrepreneurship is about more than starting a business. It is about building sustainable enterprises, developing new markets and creating opportunities for growth.

Facilitated by Yaya Mavundla, this session showcases the journeys and ambitions of PLUS members Mpilo Singo of 4 Atleha Wear, Daniel Sebiloane of Blaquerose Creations, Moshe Modise of Lentsweleng Entertainment & Events and Zinhle Gasa of Thabela House.

Their experiences bring the conversation back to what matters: turning entrepreneurial potential into meaningful economic participation.

14/10/2026

How do businesses move from wanting access to securing real corporate opportunities?

Facilitated by Xhanti Payi, The Corporate Perspective brings together procurement and supplier development leaders to examine inclusive supply chains and practical pathways into corporate markets.

The panel features Lester Ash, Group Chief Procurement Officer at Discovery; Adv. Vhudzisani Maringa of ACSA; Kristen Landsberg of TTCSA; Kemoratile Monama, Purchasing Officer at the State Diamond Trader; Alicia Lorgan of Proudly South African; and Gary Joseph, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Supplier Diversity Council.

It's a conversation about understanding what buyers need, where opportunities exist and how businesses can position themselves to compete.

14/10/2026

'Your network is your net worth' - Gary Joseph

Pearl of wisdom shared at the

14/10/2026

We're officially underway!

Dean Ebden, Executive Director of PLUS – The LGBTI+ Business Network, welcomes delegates to the PLUS Business Summit 2026.

The opening programme features Makale Ngwenya, Chairperson of PLUS, alongside remarks from Nothando Zama, Senior Human Resources Generalist and Discovery Pride ERG representative, and Mark Hearne, Head of Cash & TB Lead and Standard Chartered Pride ERG representative.

The ambition is clear: move beyond conversations about inclusion and create meaningful pathways to business opportunity, growth and commercial success.

14/10/2026

And we're getting ready to make things happen!

The PLUS Business Summit 2026 is bringing entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and procurement decision-makers together for a day of fresh ideas, powerful connections and exciting business opportunities.

The room is filling up. The conversations are about to begin. Let's get to work!