Springbok legend makes impact with SA's fastest-growing company
Habana racked up a litany of records and accolades during a remarkable playing career, which saw him earn 124 Test caps for the Springboks, the former wing is now making a considerable impact away from the game.
The 42-year-old has taken on various ambassadorial, philanthropic and broadcast roles – as well as doing a variety of speaking engagements around the world – but it's also his business acumen that has added to his remarkable success.
In 2020, Habana helped start and grow fintech firm Paymenow, the first and leading 'earned wage access provider' in South Africa.
In basic terms, its a tool that facilitates employers to allow their staff to get access to a percentage of already earned wages in key circumstances (and at a fee).
Key features and benefits of the Paymenow platform include: Instant access to wages for urgent needs, providing a safety net in times of financial strain.
Encouragement of saving through our innovative app feature, allowing users to seamlessly save directly from their available wages into an interest-bearing money market account.
Free access to investment products and financial education resources, empowering users to take control of their financial futures.
Exclusive financial wellness and mental well-being helpline dedicated to Paymenow users, offering expert guidance and support.
Value-added services in the form of vouchers to buy necessities such as groceries, airtime, & electricity purchases, further addressing the day-to-day needs of our users.
Data-free app, meaning users do not require any data to access the platform during emergencies, removing the access barriers to ensure they remain in control of their financial wellness.
Free implementation for employers.
Habana initially served as the Chief Commercial Officer, before pivoting to become the Chief Client Officer in 2023.
Incredibly, the company's rapid growth was reflected in the Financial Times' recent ranking of the fastest-growing African companies for 2025, with Paymenow named as the sixth fastest-growing company in Africa, while leading the way for any South African company.
It's stated that the company's revenue increased from $0.14 million in 2020 to R4.86 million today, and saw absolute growth of 3,756.1% and a 237.8% compound annual growth rate.
Besides Habana's role in this incredibly successful company, he also serves as a director for several companies, including procurement and investment company Procura SA, UK-based BH11 Media Limited and construction supplier Quantech.
Habana previously fulfilled a role as the Chief Relationship Officer for Retroactive, a sports-focused marketing and advertising agency. He also served in a similar role for Matchkit, which helped athletes to grow their professional profile.
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Other critical issues to address – which were being tackled in South Africa's G20 – were making Africa's debt more sustainable and how to increase development finance, because that would help to finance the regional infrastructure that is needed to implement the AfCFTA. Bradlow said whatever the outcome of the SA-US trade negotiations – even if the US accepted the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's package, South Africa would be hit as the US was a big trading partner. It was just a question of how much. He noted that, for starters, a 10% increase was a given as no country had escaped that so far, except on critical minerals, though some countries had managed to lower their reciprocal and sectoral tariff rates. On the auto industry, he said one of the big questions was how the foreign auto producers would react to a tariff increase: 'Would they start shutting down factories?' 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A major report on SA-US trade relations just published by Tralac shows the impact of increased US tariffs on South African companies and industries would depend on several factors, including tariff advantage or disadvantage relative to competitors; the seasonality of demand and supply (how responsive demand is to the landed costs of products); and US domestic policies such as local tax breaks on locally produced autos. MP Toby Chance, the DA's spokesperson on trade, industry and competition, said Tau had been slow in realising the danger from Trump's tariffs and in taking action 'both to woo him and explore alternative markets'. He said South Africa had erred in not tackling Trump's 'instinctive negativity' towards the country with better diplomacy, citing the appointment of Ebrahim Rasool as ambassador and Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to the US. 'I think it is highly likely we will end up on the higher end of the 10% to 30% tariff spectrum, though there could be some sweeteners such as concessions on counter-seasonal fruit, which would help our citrus growers. 'Another glaring omission is the government's ignoring the issue of non-tariff barriers, continually raised by the Trump administration as factors in the negotiations, which are a bar to investment not just by the US but other countries and firms, e.g. BEE, the Employment Equity Act, expropriation without compensation, etc.' Naumann said it was probably unfair to criticise SA's negotiators for the perceived lack of progress. 'We're not first in line for a reasonable deal and apart from years-long neglect and being virtually absent in Washington – and still without an ambassador or interlocutor – politically we're certainly not well favoured by Washington. We shouldn't maintain high hopes of a particularly favourable outcome involving exemptions and a low country tariff rate, as this just doesn't appear to fit the current political narrative.' He thought new tariffs for South Africa would be postponed for further negotiations, but added: 'The US will be careful not to make concessions to South Africa that might undermine dozens of other trade deals being pursued right now.' DM
