FOR South African global speaker, three-time best-selling author and multi-award-winning entrepreneur Vusi Thembekwayo, 2026 is not a year for recovery or hesitation. It is, unequivocally, “the year of advance”.

Speaking ahead of his keynote speech at Sagicor’s Blast Off! 2026, Thembekwayo framed 2026 as a turning point after years of global disruption, economic uncertainty and cautious decision-making.

“We’ve spent much of the past four years after the lockdown periods of COVID, trying to re-enthuse the marketplace again. But I think the year 2026 really puts an end to the question of how do we re-imagine the value propositions that we bring to the markets where we serve clients every single day,” he said.

According to Thembekwayo, the era of waiting for stability to return is over. The organisations and individuals who will succeed are those prepared to move decisively, rethink their value, and engage markets with confidence.

From recovery to relevance

One of the most critical shifts Thembekwayo believes is required for 2026 is a renewed focus on value creation. Success will no longer come from simply offering products or services, he cautioned, but from clearly articulating relevance in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

For him, this means organisations must be intentional about how they show up for clients, understanding changing needs, communicating clearly, and delivering solutions with precision.

“The economies we’re working in today, the markets we’re working in today, the clients we’re engaging with today, all of them require that we are very forthright in business, helping clients understand what the value proposition is.”

A mindset shift

Beyond strategy, Thembekwayo emphasised that success in 2026 would also require a fundamental mindset change, from static thinking to dynamic engagement. “I think that the mindset has to be the mindset of dynamic engagement,” he said.

In practical terms, this means letting go of rigid approaches and legacy thinking. He pinpointed that markets are changing faster than organisational structures, and professionals must adapt accordingly, learn continuously, respond faster and embrace change as a constant rather than an interruption.

Another defining theme in Thembekwayo’s message was the importance of belief, not blind optimism, but grounded confidence rooted in capability, performance, and purpose. “It really is about having belief,” he said.

He challenged companies to move beyond relying solely on their legacy or company size, and instead, focus on excellence in delivery today.

“It’s not [for companies to say] that we are a large company or that we have a strong heritage,” he noted. “We must also be the best today; the best at delivering uniquely for your needs.”

For Thembekwayo, belief fuels execution, and execution is what separates high-performing organisations from those that merely survive.

Leadership with responsibility

Underlying all his insights was a call for more intentional responsibility, particularly from leaders. In uncertain environments, he argued that leadership is not about position or title, but about accountability for outcomes that affect people’s lives. As the rest of 2026 approaches, Thembekwayo’s message is both challenging and empowering. The future will not reward comfort, complacency, or caution. It will reward those willing to advance strategically, mentally, and courageously. For organisations ready to make the shift, his outlook is that 2026 is not a year to prepare; it is a year to perform.