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

Sasfin Wealth’s rebrand to Otto1890

Erol Zeki, CEO of Otto1890 (formerly known as Sasfin Wealth), joins us to talk about the group’s strategic shift beyond the branding. The group is looking to tap into private market opportunities, amongst other things.
30 Mar 5PM 17 min

SA’s producer price outlook deteriorates sharply

Producer price inflation showed signs of easing in January, according to data from Stats SA. Economists from Nedbank say the outlook has deteriorated sharply, and Johannes Khosa explains why…
30 Mar 5PM 11 min

Careers Corner – Are degrees still relevant in SA’s job market

South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis has raised concerns about the validity of chasing a degree to secure employability. Professor Linda du Plessis, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, North-West University, argues that there is still value with the right approach by educators.
30 Mar 5PM 12 min

Middle East-driven energy shock for Africa

We explore how the Middle East-driven global energy shock is reshaping Africa’s fuel security, what it means for businesses and consumers, and whether the crisis could accelerate a shift toward more resilient, local energy solutions. For more on this, we caught up with NJ Ayuk, CEO of the African Energy…
30 Mar 5PM 12 min