Gqeberha’s creative scene is getting a serious shake-up, with a side of sparkle.
The Big Things Brunch, hailed as “the city’s most candid, curated, and champagne-fuelled strategy session,” returns to Lemon Tree Restaurant in Walmer this July. But make no mistake—this isn’t just another networking event with hashtags and half-hearted canapés. Hosted by international business strategist and brand consultant Delon le Roux, EMBA, this gathering is fast becoming a movement that places collaboration, creativity, and community-led growth at the centre of Gqeberha’s economic evolution.
Le Roux—who is also a regular 041online contributor—has built a reputation for blending sharp strategic insight with culture-driven execution, and this event is no exception.
“This is not a panel. Not a keynote. Not a glorified Zoom replay. This is a high-impact, luxe high-tea experience for people with ideas—and ambition,” he says.
As industries across the Bay face increased pressure to innovate and remain relevant in an increasingly digital and globalised economy, the Big Things Brunch poses one bold question: What if the next big thing wasn’t a pitch deck or a funding round, but a powerful conversation over brunch?
Collaboration as the New Currency
At its core, the Big Things Brunch is about turning proximity into possibility. In a city often underestimated by major economic players, events like these are carving out a new blueprint for business acceleration built not on formality, but on community, access, and shared visibility.
“We achieve more when we collaborate. When we work together, the whole team wins,” says le Roux, whose own experience spans nearly two decades across the APAC and African markets.
The brunch’s attendee list is deliberately cross-disciplinary—entrepreneurs, stylists, consultants, creators, and corporate professionals, each bringing a unique skillset to the table. In smaller cities, where creative industries may lack the infrastructure or investment found in metropolises like Cape Town or Johannesburg, strategic collaboration becomes the great equaliser.
And at a ticket price of just R250, the barrier to entry is intentionally low.
“If you’re rebranding, relaunching, or rethinking your entire offering,” reads the official press kit, “If you know you’re talented but struggle to price, pitch, or position that magic, this is for you.”
The Rise of Nano-Influence and Hyper-Local Strategy
One of the most compelling shifts happening in cities like Gqeberha is the rise of nano-influencers and hyper-local microbrands—individuals whose influence may not stretch across continents, but resonates deeply within niche, engaged communities.
The Big Things Brunch champions these voices.
“All views aren’t good views,” le Roux warns. “Align strategically with your brand; the goal is not just to be visible but visible to the correct people.”
In a world where the Instagram algorithm reigns supreme, visibility is no longer just about numbers, it’s about precision, positioning, and purpose. And that’s exactly what this brunch aims to deliver.
Where Business Meets Culture and Community
Events like the Big Things Brunch are a timely reminder that business should never be boring. With a luxuriously styled high tea menu courtesy of The Lemon Tree Restaurant, sparkling sips from the official celebration partner Chateau Del Rei, and a full paparazzi-style photo wall experience, this isn’t just a business event. It’s a brand in itself.
“I didn’t want the event to be about me; I wanted to create a space where we could come together and share our insights, network, and foster collaboration,” says le Roux. “Because of my background in PR & EVENTS, I wanted to create a fun, engaging environment, not a typical keynote lecture.”
The result is a curated space where education meets entertainment, and where strategy is served sparkling.
How to Show Up (And Glow Up)
Attendees are encouraged to arrive not just hungry for brunch, but for breakthroughs.
“Bring your elevator pitch and your power outfit,” the invitation reads. “This isn’t just a brunch, it’s a business move.”
In true brand strategist fashion, le Roux doesn’t just teach brand visibility; he lives it. With styled photography, a shared media folder post-event, and an emphasis on learning through real conversation rather than lectures, the brunch is designed to make every moment count.
“Take your magic and monetise it,” says le Roux. “We now operate in an Attention Economy. The one who knows how to capitalise on their visibility wins.”
The Local Economy, Reimagined
More than just a one-off event, the Big Things Brunch represents a broader shift in how cities like Gqeberha are reimagining the way ideas get funded, brands get seen, and careers get launched. By centering community-led brand acceleration over top-down hierarchies, this is one of several emerging platforms giving everyday professionals access to tools, talent, and tactics that might otherwise remain behind paywalls or city borders.
“You’re not going to find your ideal client under your bed,” says le Roux. “How do you expect people to support you if you aren’t placing yourself in a target-rich environment?”
In this way, the brunch is more than a gathering—it’s a grassroots accelerator that values authenticity over aesthetics, collaboration over competition, and action over algorithm-chasing.
Attend the Big Things Brunch
📍 The Lemon Tree Restaurant, Walmer
🕛 12:00 PM
🎟 R250 per person | Limited Seating
🎫 Book via Quicket: bit.ly/bigthingsbrunch2025
📱 Follow @del0n and @thegoat.group
🟡 Hashtags: #TheBigThingsBrunchGQ #YourZestyBestie #InstantCelebration #CDR
Final Word
In a city famed for its resilience, The Big Things Brunch is proof that Gqeberha isn’t just watching from the sidelines—it’s writing a new rulebook for entrepreneurial growth. And if you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when business meets brunch with bite, this is your sign to pull up a chair, pour a glass, and get ready to pitch.
“No one is coming to bail you out of a lacklustre life of your own creation,” says le Roux. “You’ve got to be accountable and take action.”
In Gqeberha, that action starts with brunch.
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