OPINION – Diffculty in accessing influencer credibity in SA

Loading player...
GUEST – Dashni Vilakazi, MD of The MediaShop JHB



Influencers have emerged as pivotal players, bridging the gap between brands and the country's diverse consumer base. With the digital terrain more fragmented than ever, the pressing question for marketers is: How do you measure the true impact of influencer partnerships, and what strategies ensure success?



A recent Influencer Marketing Hub report sheds light on this, revealing that 63% of South African marketers now prioritize performance-driven models like cost per engagement (CPE) or cost per click (CPC). This shift underscores a growing emphasis on tangible results, aiming for a clear-cut return on investment in the influencer realm.



The influencer ecosystem is far from homogenous. Data from marketing platform Humanz, highlights the vast landscape of South African influencers, categorizing them from nano to superstar based on their follower counts.



The findings reveal a predominance of nano-influencers, individuals with 1,000 to 4,999 followers, known for their high engagement levels within niche communities. This contrasts sharply with the rarefied air of superstar influencers, boasting over a million followers but facing challenges in trust and engagement metrics.



However, the influencer marketing landscape is not without its pitfalls. Over 48% of Instagram influencers in South Africa reportedly inflate their follower and engagement stats, a concerning trend highlighted by HypeAuditor.
8 Apr 2024 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

ETFSA Navigator: Your Guide to Smarter Retirement Investing

Nerina Visser, Director and ETF Strategist at ETFSA, helps South Africans cut through the noise and make confident long‑term investment decisions. She explains how investor behaviour has changed over 30 years, why choice overload is paralysing many savers, and what questions every investor should ask before choosing a retirement product…
16 Sep 2PM 13 min

PayInc Economic Index: August Recovery, Fragile Outlook

After a difficult second quarter, South Africa’s economic activity improved in August — rising 0.8% month‑on‑month, with July revised upward to 0.6%. But the outlook remains fragile. Independent Economist Elize Kruger joins Kaya Biz to unpack the latest PayInc Economic Index and explain what the data reveals about consumer behaviour,…
16 Sep 1PM 12 min

Retail at a Turning Point: SA Online Shopping Hits 10%

South Africa’s retail landscape is undergoing one of its biggest shifts in decades. Online shopping has officially crossed the 10% share of national retail turnover, with South Africans expected to spend R159‑billion online in 2026 — growing more than five times faster than traditional retail. In this episode, Arthur Goldstuck,…
16 Sep 12PM 18 min

DNI’s R2 Billion Connectivity Push in South Africa

DNI is deploying over R2 billion to expand connectivity, acquire telecoms assets, and deepen digital and financial inclusion across South Africa. CEO Dr Ryan Noach explains the investment thesis, the acquisition pipeline, and how connectivity drives jobs, SME growth and economic participation. A strategic look at one of SA’s biggest…
15 Sep 1PM 16 min

Attacq FY’2026 DIPS up 15.5% as R2.2bl Development Pipeline Takes Off

Attacq delivered a 15.5% jump in normalised DIPS and a 17.2% rise in dividends, anchored by Waterfall City’s development engine. CFO Peter de Villiers unpacks occupancy strength, capital discipline, renewable‑energy investment, and the R2.2 billion development pipeline reshaping the precinct. A deep dive into how Attacq continues to deliver resilience…
15 Sep 1PM 13 min