KZN Future 50: Where are they now?
We check in on the KZN Future 50 to see where they are now and what they’ve been up.
Food Sock Grows with Practical Solutions for Local Communities
- Company Name: Food Sock
- Number of Employees: 11
- Website: www.foodsock.co.za
Since being featured on the KZN Future 50, Food Sock—run by Mike Nel—has continued to grow its footprint across KwaZulu-Natal and further afield. The business produces affordable, long shelf-life meal packs that can feed a family for around R10, making a real difference in areas where access to nutritious food is limited. Over the past year, Food Sock has grown its sales by 10%, despite tough economic conditions, and has started working more closely with church networks to reach more people in rural communities.
They have also refreshed their packaging and brought back pop-up shop sales in various locations, helping to make their products more accessible. By building local supply networks, they are not only delivering low-cost meals to those who need them most but also helping others in the supply chain to earn a living. It’s a practical example of how a small business can have both commercial success and a positive social impact.
Livecopper Builds Momentum in the Digital Retail Space
- Company Name: Livecopper
- Number of Employees: 20
- Website: www.livecopper.co.za
Since being featured on the KZN Future 50, Livecopper—founded by Alf Allingham and Andrew Davies—has continued to grow its presence as an online retailer of electrical and lighting products. Based in KwaZulu-Natal and serving customers across South Africa, the business has remained focused on making specialist products easily accessible through its e-commerce platform. The recognition from the Future 50 helped reinforce their commitment to innovation in the digital space.
More importantly, the feature gave the team a significant morale boost. Staff felt more connected to the brand and proud to be part of a business being acknowledged for its work. This improved internal culture has supported team stability and productivity. As the digital economy expands, Livecopper's continued growth contributes to better online service, stronger local teams, and a more competitive marketplace—benefitting both KZN and the wider South African economy.
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Image Credit: Supplied