What do you give the man who swears he doesn’t want anything but deserves everything?

Father’s Day is around the corner, landing on Sunday, 15 June 2025. Across South Africa, families will gather to honor the men who taught them to ride bikes, fix geysers, and braai the perfect steak. But when it comes to buying gifts, many fall back on the usual suspects: socks, soap-on-a-rope, or a last-minute mug from CNA. This year, SFI.COZA challenges readers to ditch the boring and gift with intention. Whether your dad’s a whisky sipper, sneakerhead, music junkie, or golf fanatic, we’ve got something to match his vibe and his value.

For the Stylish Dad: Leather That Lasts

If your father treats his wardrobe like a curated playlist, get him a locally made leather item that elevates his look without trying too hard. Brands like Thandana, Rowdy Bags, and Kaufmann offer stylish, hard-wearing satchels, wallets, and laptop sleeves. These aren’t just accessories; they’re daily companions.

For the Foodie Dad: Spice Up His Braai Game

Some dads are kings of the grill. For them, Father’s Day is the perfect excuse to upgrade their cooking collection. Think beyond tongs; get a custom braai board, locally crafted knives, or a set of gourmet spices from brands like Takealot, Megamaster, or Checkers.

Throw in a braai master apron stitched with his name, and you’ve just gifted pride with purpose.

For the Whiskey Dad: Something Neat

If your dad enjoys a small drink of whisky at the end of the day, don’t reach for the usual bottle. Go for something with story and character, like a Three Ships 15-Year-Old, or a Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky limited edition.

Pair it with a set of crystal tumblers or a locally made decanter, and he’ll be toasting you all year long.

For the Sentimental Dad: Memories That Matter

Gifts don’t have to cost a lot to mean a lot. Frame a photo of a special moment. Write a letter. Or commission a local artist to create a simple sketch of the family home or his childhood car.

Thuli Ndlovu, a Johannesburg-based illustrator, said these are the jobs she loves most. “One client asked me to draw their father’s vintage Toyota Hilux. He cried when he saw it.”

Real memories always beat mass-produced gifts.

For the Fit Dad: Gear That Goes the Distance

Whether he runs half-marathons or just takes long walks with the dog, there’s something for the active dad. Smartwatches, sweat-wicking shirts, compression socks, or even a voucher for sports massage therapy all show you’ve been paying attention.

Brands like Mr. Price Sport and Totalsports offer great Father’s Day bundles. Bonus points if you take a jog with him.

For the Cool Dad: Tunes, Kicks, and Culture

Your dad might still be rocking his vinyls, his Nikes, or his old-school hip-hop collection. Don’t ignore it. Feed it. Buy him a new pair of sneakers (try Bathu or Shelflife) or a limited-edition vinyl reissue of his favorite album.

Does he DJ on the side? Splurge on a set of noise-isolating headphones or a portable speaker with rich bass and clean mids.

Don’t Just Buy: Celebrate

Father’s Day isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. So, if budgets are tight, cook breakfast. Take him to his favorite fishing spot. Or surprise him with a Sunday nap while you handle the chores.

Whatever you do, make it real. The best gift is the feeling of being seen.

As Lwazi Mthembu, a father of three in Durban, puts it, “I don’t need big gifts. I just want to feel like someone remembered who I am, not just what I do.”

Final Word from SFI.COZA

Socks are safe. But this year, be bold. Whether your dad raised you with tough love, quiet support, or dad jokes that still haunt you, Father’s Day is your chance to say, “I see you, I get you, and you matter.”

Whatever kind of dad he is, gift-like, he’s one of a kind. Because he is.

Know What Type of Funding You Need

Before knocking on doors, you need to know which door is yours. Is it a grant? A loan? Equity funding?

Grants are free money (no repayment) often aimed at empowering youth, women, or township-based businesses.
Loans are borrowed money you’ll pay back, with interest.
Equity funding means giving up a share of your business in exchange for investment.

Each comes with pros and paperwork. Entrepreneurs must know what suits their business model, growth goals, and appetite for risk.

Sipho Madlala, a township entrepreneur from Soweto who runs a delivery startup, put it like this: “I went for a grant first, but it wasn’t enough. I had to combine it with a loan from a youth funding program to scale.”

Government Isn’t Just Red Tape

Yes, applying for government funding can feel like wrestling a printer. But it’s often the most accessible route for new businesses.

Agencies like the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), and the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) offer funding options for startups and small businesses, especially those creating jobs.

NYDA offers grants up to R250,000 for youth-owned businesses.
SEFA provides loans from R50,000 to R15 million, with a focus on Black-owned and women-led businesses.
DTIC provides incentives like the Black Industrialists Scheme for manufacturing businesses.

These aren’t pipe dreams. They’re real opportunities if your business is ready.

You Still Need a Killer Business Plan

No matter how friendly the funding scheme, if your business plan is weak, you won’t get the money.

A good business plan clearly explains:

What the business does.
Who the customers are.
How money will be made.
What the funding will be used for.

It doesn’t have to be fancy. It has to be clear.

Khanyi Mhlongo, a business development officer in Cape Town, says, “I“I see great ideas fail to get funding because their numbers don’t add up. Funders don’t invest in vibes; they invest in strategy.”

Free business plan templates are available from government websites and organizations like SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency). Use them.

Look Local, Then Go Big

Local governments and municipalities often have their own funding initiatives for community-based businesses. Look for these before jumping to big national schemes or banks.

Also, business incubators and accelerators offer a mix of funding, mentorship, and support. In South Africa, try:

AlphaCode for fintech startups.
mLab for mobile tech businesses.
SPARK Schools Entrepreneur Program for education-based startups.

These programs may not always write a cheque, but they connect you with funders who will.

Private Investors Want to See Traction

If you’re eyeing angel investors or venture capitalists, you’ll need more than an idea. You need traction, users, sales, or serious buzz. Investors don’t fund potential. They fund progress. Build your product or service on a small scale. Prove people want it. Use that proof to attract investment.

It’s also crucial to network. Attend pitch events, startup expos, and investor meetups. Get on LinkedIn and start talking about what you’re building.

Crowdfunding Works: But Only If You’re Loud

Platforms like Thundafund, Uprise.Africa, and BackaBuddy let entrepreneurs raise money from the public. But there’s a catch: you’ll need to campaign hard. Crowdfunding isn’t free money; it’s marketing. You’ll have to create content, tell your story, and get people emotionally invested.

If you can do that, crowdfunding can give you the capital and a customer base from day one.

The Red Tape is Real: But So is the Money

Getting funded isn’t easy. There are forms, waiting periods, rejections, and sometimes, plain silence. But don’t quit. South Africa has money for small businesses. Billions of rands are set aside each year for entrepreneurs. The ones who succeed are the ones who stay in the ring.

Final word from SFI.COZA? If you believe in your business, don’t just wait for funding. Work toward it, ask the right questions, and knock on every door. One of them will open. Because in South Africa, starting a business isn’t just a hustle; it’s a movement.

“You don’t need to be rich to start. But you do need to start to get rich.”

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