How Culture Helped iKhokha Land a R1.6 Billion Exit
Durban-based fintech iKhokha was just acquired by Nedbank in a deal reportedly valued at R1.6 billion. It’s a major milestone for South Africa’s startup ecosystem and a powerful reminder of what happens when companies take their culture seriously.
Yes, iKhokha had a great product. Yes, they had the market traction. But there’s another layer that often gets overlooked in stories like this:
They built a strong internal culture, and they made it visible.
From Durban to Nationwide Recognition
In a landscape where most startups chase validation in Sandton or Cape Town, iKhokha quietly built something different. A business with purpose, momentum, and a reputation for being a great place to work.
They didn’t just have a mission. They lived it.
They didn’t just hire people. They built a team.
And they didn’t just say they cared about culture, they showed it, consistently.
Employer Brand as a Strategic Asset
Take a quick scroll through iKhokha’s public-facing channels, and one thing becomes clear: they’ve invested in how they’re perceived by their own people, by the industry, and by future talent.
They publish real stories from real employees.
They showcase internal values through consistent messaging.
They hire with clarity and onboard with care.
They’ve made workplace culture part of their business strategy.
It’s no coincidence they’ve attracted top talent from banks, agencies, and tech firms across the country even while headquartered in Durban.
Culture Signals Credibility — Internally and Externally
For large-scale acquisitions like this one, culture matters. It signals alignment. It signals readiness to scale. It signals trust.
A company with a strong, cohesive culture isn’t just easier to buy, it’s easier to believe in. It gives confidence to future partners, investors, and employees alike.
That’s the power of employer brand done right: it doesn’t just help you hire. It helps you grow.
A Shoutout to the Culture Leaders Behind the Scenes
We want to give a special shoutout to Steph Snyman, Head of Talent at iKhokha, and the entire leadership team for building something so intentional, consistent, and values-driven.
This is what it looks like when you treat culture as a lever for business success.
Not as a “perk.” Not as a poster on the wall. But as a strategic, long-term investment in how your company shows up, inside and out.
What Other Companies Can Learn From iKhokha
Culture is a business multiplier.
Perception is currency.
Employer brand is not a campaign, it’s a strategy.
And if you treat it as such, it can help unlock opportunities that once felt out of reach.
