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Original Feeds Original: Ruberto Scholtz, Sindiso Nyoni, Rowan Sakarombe and Botswana Metalheads from Southern Africa join KFC Streetwise

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The campaign, which launches on 06 March 2025 across SADC regions, also features a packaging collaboration between KFC Streetwise

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 6, 2025/APO Group/ –Cultural Creators from three of South Africa’s neighbouring countries feature in KFC (https://Global.KFC.com) Streetwise’s new Original Feeds Original campaign, which celebrates the inspiration that feeds creativity.

Windhoek fashion designer Ruberto Scholtz, Harare visual director Rowan Sakarombe and the Botswana Metalheads feature in the campaign’s epic TV commercial (https://apo-opa.co/41przaO), which stars Khuli Chana, Blxckie and 25K. The commercial’s soundtrack https://apo-opa.co/4ks07ll is a new song, the Originals Anthem, written and recorded by the rappers.

“Just as KFC’s Streetwise brand takes its inspiration from the iconic taste of KFC’s Original Recipe – while adding bucketloads of value for a new generation – the film depicts Khuli, Blxckie and 25K inspiring each other and those who will follow them,” says KFC Africa Chief Marketing Officer Grant Macpherson. “The Cultural Creators are part of the same powerful narrative.”

Scholtz, who made the suits Blxckie and 25K wear in the photoshoot scene in the TV commercial, is inspired by collaborations. “If you see someone who can do something well, why not work with them?” he says.

Sakarombe appears in the film shooting the Originals Anthem music video in the street with Khuli Chana, Blxckie and 25K. He says he’s inspired by the “raw experiences of life around me” and the vibrant energy, constant motion and diverse cultures of cities.

The Originals Anthem inspires the Botswana Metalheads – whose music often contains local influences and whose style reflects cowboy culture – to infuse their originality and give it a heavy metal angle.

The campaign, which launches on 06 March 2025 across SADC regions, also features a packaging collaboration between KFC Streetwise and Cultural Creator Sindiso Nyoni, a Bulawayo-born illustrator who has built a stellar career after being inspired by an “original” – his high school art teacher, a retired graphic designer.

Making a mark

Macpherson says it’s a time when young people are hungry to share their unique signature with the world. “Who better to feed their hunger than the originals who came before them?” he says.

“We want the Originals Anthem and all the activity around it to inspire all the young Africans trying to make their mark through their creativity and individuality.”

Khuli Chana says that as one of the legends of South African hip-hop, he’s passionate about inspiring new artists. “The reason I started Maftown Heights in 2009 was to help rappers from Mahikeng find their footing in Joburg with a sound and language that wasn’t mainstream at the time,” he says. “It led to great things and it’s still giving new artists a platform. I love inspiring musicians to find their original sound.”

We want the Originals Anthem and all the activity around it to inspire all the young Africans trying to make their mark through their creativity and individuality

Blxckie says his career and development has been built on collaborations, and every one of them keeps him original. “Musicians lift each other up,” he says. “They support each other and make each other better at what they do.”

25K was introduced to rap by artists such as DJ Mojava, Ghetto Squad, and old school hip-hop groups Dead Prez and Outcast, and became an original by rapping in S’Pitori, a mixed language spoken in Pretoria.

“I want to be remembered for that and I want to inspire kids,” he says. “When I’m no longer here, I want to feel like I left something that will make it easier for another kid to come out of Pretoria.”

Other Cultural Creators who appear in the Original Feeds Original TV commercial include Kind Kid toymaker Sanele Qwabe, “Nail Pimp” Nailed Ntswembu, the Island Gals skateboarders and custom car pimper Ofentse Mphatsoe.

Passing the torch

The commercial begins with Khuli starting to write the Originals Anthem and ends with him as the OG, welcoming Blxckie and 25K on stage and handing the mic to them.

“It’s the story of my life and it’s the story of KFC Streetwise,” says Khuli. “Passing the mic is like passing the torch, and that’s how Original Feeds Original.”

Director Sam Coleman says the 90-second video portrays the endless cycle of inspiration, in which each creator is galvanised by the ones before and motivates those who follow. “It’s an explosive mix of visual eye candy, entertainment, musical reward, style, and unique brand integration that instantly hijacks your attention and eyeballs,” he says. “Everything about it is engaging, surprising and fresh.”

And there’s an extra twist to the campaign, says Macpherson. “Every time someone streams the Originals Anthem, the money it earns will go to KFC Add Hope. It will be used to feed malnourished children throughout South Africa.

“Among the kids who benefit from Add Hope are the next generation of Khulis, Blxckies and 25Ks and the Cultural Creators of the future. So, anyone who listens to the anthem will be helping them on their way.”

The Originals Anthem is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify (https://apo-opa.co/4ks07ll)YouTube Music (https://apo-opa.co/3Dr7OaIand Apple Music (https://apo-opa.co/4kj20kt).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KFC Africa.

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Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and Joint-Stock Commercial Bank “Asia Alliance Bank” Strengthen Partnership 

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Asia Alliance Bank has been a trusted partner of ICD since 2013 and has previously received three line-of-financing facilities totaling USD 30 million

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, March 6, 2025/APO Group/ —
  • The Fourth Line: ICD and Asia Alliance Bank announce a USD 25 million Islamic line of financing facility to bolster Uzbekistan’s private sector development.
  • Empowering Entrepreneurs: The new facility is designed to accelerate SME growth and foster economic development in Uzbekistan.
  • Strengthened Collaboration: This initiative reaffirms the long-standing partnership between ICD and Asia Alliance Bank, aligning with ICD’s mission to support private sector growth.

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (https://ICD-PS.org) and Joint-Stock Commercial Bank “Asia Alliance Bank” have taken a significant step to enhance Uzbekistan’s private sector development. A USD 25 million Islamic line of financing facility has been signed, marking a milestone in their collaborative efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the broader economic landscape.

This new financing facility, channeled through Asia Alliance Bank, is dedicated to empowering private sector projects in Uzbekistan. It aims to provide entrepreneurs with vital financial resources to launch and expand their ventures, thereby driving sustainable economic growth and contributing to the nation’s economic resilience.

Asia Alliance Bank has been a trusted partner of ICD since 2013 and has previously received three line-of-financing facilities totaling USD 30 million. The newly proposed facility highlights the strength of their enduring partnership and underscores a shared commitment to fostering private sector development in Uzbekistan.

This initiative is closely aligned with ICD’s Private Sector Development Strategy, which focuses on enabling economic dynamism and resilience by empowering SMEs and advancing financial inclusion.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

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Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech Announces Three Finalists Competing for US $1 Million Grand Prize

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The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech, supports the use of cutting-edge technologies to increase access to capital and financial services for underserved entrepreneurs worldwide

By supporting these pioneering teams, we aim to empower entrepreneurs who drive economic growth and opportunities in their communities

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 6, 2025/APO Group/ –The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation are pleased to announce the three teams advancing to the final round of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech (https://MilkenMotsepePrize.org/). These innovators are competing for the prestigious US$1 million Grand Prize. The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech aims to recognise groundbreaking solutions for expanding financial inclusion for small businesses in emerging and frontier markets.

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech, supports the use of cutting-edge technologies to increase access to capital and financial services for underserved entrepreneurs worldwide. The three finalist teams were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants and will now have the opportunity to attend the Milken Institute’s 2025 Global Conference in Los Angeles, California, in May, where the Grand Prize winner will be announced.

Finalist Teams: 

  • Chumz, Kenya (https://apo-opa.co/3DmBdD4)
    Chumz is a gamified savings product that leverages behavioural psychology to help individuals save money in an engaging and cost-effective manner.
  • Oze, Ghana (https://apo-opa.co/3XvWFMF)
    Oze is a digital lending platform bridging Africa’s credit gap by providing banks with an SME-focused app that digitises financial data, enabling better risk assessment and improved lending opportunities for small businesses.
  • Verto, United Kingdom (https://apo-opa.co/4ilCutv)
    Verto is a business-to-business cross-border payments platform designed for businesses in emerging markets. Its unified network eliminates intermediary fees, supports 49 currencies, and facilitates faster transaction settlements.

Emily Musil, Managing Director at the Milken Institute, emphasised the significance of the competition in fostering financial inclusion, saying: “By supporting these pioneering teams, we aim to empower entrepreneurs who drive economic growth and opportunities in their communities. The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech highlights the power of innovation to address financial challenges in emerging markets, and we are excited to see these finalists bring their groundbreaking solutions to life.”

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech launched in May 2024 at the Milken Institute Global Conference to award innovative companies that best demonstrate the use of cutting-edge technologies to expand access to capital and financial services for small businesses in emerging and frontier markets. The Grand Prize winner will be selected based on the impact, scalability, and sustainability of their solutions.

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech offers $2 million in total prizes, including the $1 million Grand Prize. Beyond the financial award, finalist teams benefit from invaluable networking and pitching opportunities, helping them accelerate the implementation of their solutions in high-impact markets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program.

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iSON Xperiences and Aistra Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Customer Experience (CX) Transformation

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The global collaboration aims to revolutionize customer experience through AI-led automation, predictive analytics, and next-generation digital solutions

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 6, 2025/APO Group/ —iSON Xperiences (www.iSONXperiences.com), a global leader in AI- driven customer experience (CX) solutions with a presence in 22 countries, has announced a strategic partnership with Aistra, an AI Adoption company, focusing on automation and transformation solutions built around its proprietary AI Agents, MicroApps, and Process Acceleration technologies.

This collaboration will enable iSON Xperiences to leverage Aistra’s advanced AI capabilities to accelerate digital transformation initiatives for their clients worldwide. The partnership spans multiple industries, including Telecom, BFSI, Fintech, Retail, E-commerce, Travel, Consumer Services, and Energy, among others.

Key Focus Areas of the Partnership: 

Partnering with Aistra allows us to accelerate AI adoption and unlock new value for businesses by enhancing customer interactions and operational efficiency

  • AI-driven automation to enhance customer interactions and engagement
  • Advanced predictive analytics for data-driven decision-making
  • Seamless AI integration across industry-specific solutions

“At iSON Xperiences, we are committed to redefining customer experience through innovation,” said Vitul Kwatra, CEO, iSON Xperiences. “Partnering with Aistra allows us to accelerate AI adoption and unlock new value for businesses by enhancing customer interactions and operational efficiency.” 

With its deep expertise in AI, automation, and digital intelligence, Aistra will collaborate with iSON Xperiences to develop AI-driven solutions that elevate customer engagement, reduce service friction, drive business growth, and enhance digital maturity to ensure long-term competitiveness.

“This partnership represents a significant step forward in AI-led CX transformation,” said Eric Selvadurai, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Aistra. “By combining our AI capabilities with iSON’s extensive client base and industry expertise, we are setting new benchmarks for AI-led and data-driven customer experiences.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of iSON Xperiences.

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