The Culture Foundry Co.

Noordhoek Breakaway As February comes to a close, we’re reminiscing about our little team-cation, the strategy breakaway that kicked off what already feels like a whirlwind of a year. It’s hard to believe we’re only two months in with so much keeping us busy. We’re incredibly grateful to the friends and clients of The Culture Foundry. In times like these, we don’t take busyness for granted. It’s a privilege, and a reminder of the strength of our team. Moments like these, spent together, keep us grounded and focused on what matters. Happy Friday, Foundry friends! Wishing you a restful weekend, we know we’re looking forward to it. #cfco #research ##researchagency #culture #culturefoundry #capetown #johannesburg #southafrica

The New Hustle: How Township Entrepreneurs Are Rewriting the Rules Forget Silicon Valley, some of the most innovative businesses today are being built in South Africa’s townships with as little as R500 and a sharp instinct for opportunity. This isn’t just hustle culture; it’s Hustle Culture 2.0—practical, adaptive, and deeply local. From high-quality wigs and niche perfumes to tech-driven side hustles, township entrepreneurs are scaling businesses with minimal resources, deep market awareness, and a strong consumer connection. Traditional banks may overlook them, but they’re thriving through peer-led microfinancing and reinvesting in their own ventures. For brands, ignoring this booming informal economy is a missed opportunity. Small retailers are expected to create 70% of South Africa’s new jobs by 2030- so the real question is, who’s paying attention? Read more about this economic revolution in our latest LinkedIn article below. #hustleculture #southafricaneconomy #culturefoundry #cfco #researchagency #consumerinsights

The Boom No One’s Talking About: How Township Wealth & Property Investment Are Reshaping SA’s Economy For years, South Africa’s townships have been seen as economic underdogs, but the numbers tell a different story. Property values are doubling, rental markets are thriving, and young professionals are investing in their own communities rather than moving to city centers. Standard Bank even reports that former homelands are seeing more R1.5M+ homes being built than Cape Town. This quiet shift has created a booming R20-40 billion rental market, driven by construction, backroom rentals, and a new class of township landlords who understand urban migration trends. But the impact goes beyond real estate- consumer spending is fueling premium retail, fintech, and experiential services in areas once overlooked by big brands. Township residents are not just consumers; they’re investors, entrepreneurs, and key players in South Africa’s next economic chapter. The question is, who will recognize this first and build the right partnerships? Read the full article below.

Meet the Cape Town Team To us, The Culture Foundry isn’t just a team, it’s a global community. From strategists and recruiters to influencers, advocates, agents, futurists, anthropologists, and videographers, our network spans four continents and beyond. While we’ve recently given you a glimpse into our agents and behind-the-scenes action, it’s been a minute since we reintroduced the people steering the ship at CFco. To all the newbies, here’s The Culture Foundry’s Cape Town crew: Dali Tembo and Bradley Shrimpton are our cofounders, the brains behind The Culture Foundry. Daniel is our creative director, bringing creative ideas to life. Luke is our strategic analyst, shaping narratives and unlocking insights. Leletu is our project manager, connecting the dots and building relationships. Cindy is the ‘social’ behind social media manager at CFco; she helps to get our brand out there. That’s the Cape Town team. Let us know if you recognize any familiar faces or if you’re excited to meet the Johannesburg team next! #cfco #research #culture #culturefoundryco #capetown

Meet the Cape Town Team To us, The Culture Foundry isn’t just a team, it’s a global community. From strategists and recruiters to influencers, advocates, agents, futurists, anthropologists, and videographers, our network spans four continents and beyond. While we’ve recently given you a glimpse into our agents and behind-the-scenes action, it’s been a minute since we reintroduced the people steering the ship at CFco. To all the newbies, here’s The Culture Foundry’s Cape Town crew: Dali Tembo and Bradley Shrimpton are our cofounders, the brains behind The Culture Foundry. Daniel is our creative director, bringing creative ideas to life. Luke is our strategic analyst, shaping narratives and unlocking insights. Leletu is our project manager, connecting the dots and building relationships. Cindy is the ‘social’ behind social media manager at CFco; she helps to get our brand out there. That’s the Cape Town team. Let us know if you recognize any familiar faces or if you’re excited to meet the Johannesburg team next! #cfco #research #culture #culturefoundryco #capetown

At CFco, we believe that great work starts with a great strategy. And we know that THAT strategy is even more powerful when we come together as a team. This past week, our team gathered for a rare and special occasion: our annual strategy breakaway in Noordehoek facilitated by the amazing Kim Hawke With team members from both Johannesburg and Cape Town in one place, this was more than just a strategy session; it was a chance to reconnect, align our vision for the year ahead, and strengthen the culture that makes us who we are. These moments don’t happen very often, but when they do, they remind us why collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. We were able to leave looking forward to a year of bold ideas, sharp execution, and a Culture Foundry that continues to push boundaries! #TheCultureFoundry #breakaway2025 #strategymeetsculture #cfco #noordhoek #researchagency #research

At Culture Foundry, we don’t just love solving client problems, we love the thrill of solving any challenge together! From unlocking truths in our work to adventuring together as a team, we bring curiosity, collaboration, and a little bit of fun to everything we do. Here’s a look at our recent @hinthuntafrica in Cape Town, because as we know folks, great teams don’t just work together, they play together too. #TheCultureFoundry #UnlockingTruth #AdventuringTogether #WorkAndPlay

Can you believe it’s the end of January already? We’ve been using this time to reflect on the start of the year, and we’re really excited about the response we’ve been getting to our interactive workshops. Why? Because the way we work has never been about just theory or just experience; it’s about both. We create a space where strategy meets real-world action, where ideas don’t just sit on a slide deck but turn into something tangible. Here are a few shots from a recent engagement, lots of energy, real conversations, and game-changing insights. The client walked away with something that actually moves the needle, and that’s what it’s all about. #culturefoundry #cfco #researchagency #capetown #johannesburg #strategy

As we step into 2025, we’re reflecting on some of the incredible moments that shaped our journey last year. One standout? Our co-founder, Dali Tembo, was once again selected as a judge for the Global 30 Under 30 2024 by Significant Insights! For the third consecutive year, Dali joined a global panel recognizing the next generation of thought leaders who are redefining the research industry. It’s a reminder that staying ahead means embracing fresh perspectives and new ways of thinking- a philosophy we carry into everything we do at Culture Foundry. We’re stepping into 2025 with even more ambition, excitement, and commitment to driving impactful insights. Here’s to a year of big ideas, bold moves, and continued growth! #CultureFoundry #Insights #Leadership #Research #2025?

Last month, our team joined some of the industry's top leaders in Johannesburg for an immersive brand experience focused on understanding consumers in real, tangible ways. The day included dynamic discussions where we brought actual clients into conversations with their audiences, gaining direct insights into specific consumption behaviours and needs. It’s about seeing beyond the data, bridging brands to people’s true stories and habits. We’re excited for what’s next as we deepen these connections!