Preserving Legacy While Building The Future
In South Africa, people often see family businesses as passed down through generations full of tradition, resilience and pride. While that may be true, running a family business is not just about keeping a surname alive. It’s about carrying responsibility.
As the CEO of Aranda, a company deeply rooted in local manufacturing and South African craftsmanship, I am constantly reminded that a legacy is not something you inherit. It is something you build, protect, and continually improve. Legacy is a doing word, and it requires action.
Family businesses play a unique and vital role in the economy. We are guardians of history, we employ staff whose families have been with us for generations, and we support industries that depend on long-term stability. However, the world is changing rapidly, and a legacy cannot survive on sentiment alone. It survives through planning and strategy.
For Aranda, this means blending the lessons of the past with the needs of today’s fast-changing consumer market. We cannot only depend on the emotional connection people have with our brand. We must innovate with confidence, while staying true to the values that built us. It’s a careful balance that requires intention.
The next generation doesn’t automatically inherit leadership; they inherit opportunity. What they choose to do with that opportunity determines whether the business stays relevant. Preparing them means creating space where they can question, challenge, and modernise without feeling like they are “breaking tradition.” True legacy becomes stronger when it adapts.
For us, embracing new technology, improving product design and professionalising our systems have been important. These shifts do not move us away from our heritage; they extend it. The strongest family businesses in the world are those that respect their past but refuse to be held back by it.
But beyond business decisions, there is something even more important: people. A family business is never only about the family. Our employees, many of whom have been with Aranda for decades, carry our legacy just as much as we do. Their skill, their stories, and their dedication are part of the fibre of our brand. Preserving legacy means making sure they have a future too, through upskilling, job stability, and a culture that values people above hierarchy.
In a country like ours, where economic uncertainty affects even long-standing industries, family businesses have a meaningful role to play. We bring continuity in a time of constant change. But continuity should never become complacency.
Aranda currently employs more than 500 South Africans, contributing meaningfully to local livelihoods and economic growth.
My responsibility and the responsibility of any family business leader is to ensure we pass on not just a company, but a vision. That the next generation inherits not just operations, but purpose. And that the legacy we talk about is not something frozen in time, but a living commitment to growth.
If we continue to innovate, empower our people, and protect the values that shaped us, then the next generation will inherit more than just a family business. They will inherit a strong foundation from which they can lead confidently into a future they create for themselves.
Trust the label! If it says Aranda, it is Aranda. #ItIsAranda
About Aranda
Established in 1953, Aranda Textile Mills is the oldest blanket manufacturer in South Africa and the sole manufacturer of all Authentic Basotho Heritage Blankets worldwide. We offer the finest quality blankets, throws, shawls, and more, with an extensive selection that blends timeless elegance with modern flair. Our collections beautifully celebrate the rich tapestry of African culture and heritage.
Our products are produced using the highest quality yarns, which is why Aranda is the producer of some of the finest textile products in the world. The superior finish of these products is unique to Aranda, and it is what makes us stand out among the world’s best. Our exquisite craftsmanship, combined with our diverse background, has enabled us to secure a place within the competitive global market.