Iconic South African businesses that have closed down
· The South African
Over the years, South Africa has experienced its fair share of business closures. Some of these have been more severe than others.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to remember the iconic South African businesses that, unfortunately, no longer exist.
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8 South African Businesses that No Longer Exist
A recent string of liquidations and business rescue applications has put the spotlight on the country’s business conditions. Over the years, multiple companies, shops, and brands have shuttered. These are the ones South Africans will always remember.
CNA
A part of the Edcon Group, CNA was a staple in stationery sales. The store opened in 1896 and became a staple in many shopping centres around the country. A last-minute shop at CNA for an upcoming school project and you’d end up with glitter pens, colourful cardboard, and a Kinder Joy, which wasn’t on the list.
The company hasn’t officially closed, but there are no more outlets after entering business rescue in 2021.
Today, you can(not) at CNA.
Musica
Back when physical media was part of life’s greatest joys, you could walk into a Musica and browse artists by genre. You could listen to the music before deciding to buy. In an era before widespread digital access, the retailer attracted a fair few loitering teenagers. The brand hung on for years, pivoting to general music and game-related tech, but couldn’t be revived. It closed in May 2021.
Showmax
Showmax was to be the country’s answer to Netflix and other streaming services. There were Showmax originals, movies and shows built for the platform, but after 10 years of operation it officially closed on 30 April 2026. Now, you can find its content on DSTV Stream.
Dion Wired
Many still have appliances and tech from this iconic brand. Unfortunately for Dion Wired, it would become a casualty of Massmart’s effort to streamline, leaving an electronics-and-appliances-store-sized hole in many malls across the country.
Mr Video
Video stores in general were ubiquitous with weekend fun. Go on a Friday evening, select a title or a few titles (they usually had a promo when you got more), then return it the next day. You could hear recommendations from the cashiers or get side-eyed when returning videos late. At its peak, there were 200 locations. Now, only a handful remain.
Nashua Mobile
Despite being vague, Nashua Mobile’s ads in the early 2000s became earworms. “Nashua mobile, saving you time, saving you money, putting you first.” The company was one of a few casualties from the 2008 financial crisis. Eventually, they officially closed in 2014.
Kulula.com
When it came to cost-effective air fare, before Mango there was Kulula.com. Much like the currently embattled Mango, Kulula had a few tumultuous years. Eventually it suspended operations in 2022, hopeful about getting additional funding.
Garlicks
Garlicks is the only shop on this list to close before the new millennium. But for a generation of South Africans, it would be considered the iconic business. The business survived for more than a century before it closed its final store in Cape Town in 1993.