EXPLAINER: How are adverts regulated in South Africa?

Loading player...
GUEST - Gail Schimmel, CEO of the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB)



In this conversation we unpack how advertising is regulated in South Africa and why truth in branding matters.



Gail Schimmel, CEO of the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB), explains the role of the ARB in safeguarding consumer interests, setting industry standards, and ensuring advertisers strike a balance between creative expression and factual accuracy.



We dive into the recent Liqui Fruit case, where the ARB ordered the company to drop its long-standing slogan, “Nothing But Fruit”, after finding it misled consumers about the actual contents of its juices. Gail takes us through how the ARB evaluates consumer complaints, investigates claims, and makes rulings that impact both brands and the public.



From the complexities of regulating creativity to the next steps for Liqui Fruit, this conversation highlights how advertising watchdogs are shaping accountability and why every word in an advert matters.
15 Sep 2025 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

The State of SA Insurance: Climate, Claims & Consumer Strain

South Africa’s insurers are navigating a perfect storm: higher catastrophe losses, rising claims inflation, affordability strain, and a shifting risk landscape shaped by climate volatility and crime. Santam’s Partner Solutions CEO, Gugu Mtetwa, unpacks the sector’s resilience, the worsening underinsurance problem, consumer behaviour shifts, and how insurers are adapting to…
22 Sep 1PM 24 min

Measured Momentum in SA Banking: Earnings Up, Risks Rising

South Africa’s major banks delivered headline earnings growth of 9.3% to R82.3 billion, stronger ROE at 20.5%, and improved cost‑to‑income ratios — but beneath the numbers lies a fragile domestic recovery and renewed inflation pressure. PwC’s Rivaan Roopnarain breaks down the competitive dynamics across retail, business, corporate and payments ecosystems,…
22 Sep 1PM 14 min

Crypto’s Turning Point: Sound Money Capital says Bear Market Dead

After eight months of grinding weakness, crypto snapped sharply higher in August — and Sound Money Capital was fully allocated ahead of the turn. CIO Rob Price explains why seller exhaustion, ETF capitulation, and policy intervention signal the end of the bear market. With Bitcoin reclaiming key resistance and market…
22 Sep 1PM 15 min

Bank Zero achieves Break-Even: 100,000 Customers, Zero Fees, Big Milestone

Bank Zero has achieved its first break‑even month — less than five years after launch and with only 100,000 customers. With cumulative capital investment under R300 million, a founder‑built core banking platform, zero card fraud, and a rapidly expanding deposit base, the bank is redefining digital banking efficiency. Michael Jordaan…
22 Sep 12PM 18 min

Portfolio Overhaul Pays Off: Remgro’s 42% Earnings Surge

Remgro delivered one of its strongest performances in years, with headline earnings up 42.3% and free cash flow at the centre more than doubling. CEO Neville Williams unpacks the strategic reshaping of the portfolio, the Mediclinic restructuring, the CIVH/Vodacom fibre deal, and the Group’s next phase of value unlock. A…
21 Sep 1PM 13 min