Building Iconic South African Companies

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Format: In person

Location: The Tryst, Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, Joburg

Organiser: The Open Letter

About this event

The man who helped build Discovery and took Vitality global is coming to Joburg. What does it actually take to build a South African company that outlasts everyone who doubted it? Join us for our next Open Letter Gathering in Johannesburg, an evening for founders, operators, investors and business leaders built around two conversations you will not hear anywhere else. Barry Swartzberg is one of the key architects behind Discovery Health and the creation and international expansion of Vitality . In our fireside conversation he unpacks the thinking behind rewards-based behavioural incentives, what it took to scale the model into global markets, how you build a competitive advantage that holds for decades, and the calls that shaped an entire industry. We are also joined by Sizwe Nxumalo , Founder and CEO of 3 Capital Ventures , one of South Africa's leading early-stage venture capital firms. Drawing on McKinsey, Uber Eats South Africa and now backing high-growth startups, Sizwe shares what separates the companies that break out from the ones that stall, and where founders should be putting their attention in this market. Whether you are building your first company, scaling a startup, or driving growth inside an established business, you will leave with something you can use on Monday. Event details 馃搮 Thursday, 17 September 2026 馃晹 17:00 to 21:00 馃搷 The Tryst, Johannesburg Early Bird is limited to 50 seats and closes 20 August. The price steps up from there. Come for the conversations. Leave with ideas, connections and insight that help you build something that lasts.

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