The Ask Group

22/04/2026

Today, millions of people and businesses around the world are pausing to think about the planet.

We believe sustainability is a business responsibility which shapes the choices we make internally and the work we do with clients. From helping brands move past good intentions to building strategies and scenarios that measures their environmental impact.

Every business has a footprint. Today's a good day to start understanding yours.

Happy Earth Day. 🌍

16/04/2026

Proud to have our very own Candy Tothill Kruger speaking on this esteemed leadership panel, sharing insights from her 30-year journey in tourism & transformation, offering practical opportunities like HCI Enterprise Club for today's founders & entrepreneurs ⭐ Thank you to WTM Africa & Women In Tourism WC for the invitation!

10/04/2026

Did you know that while women make up nearly 70% of South Africa’s tourism workforce, the leadership gap tells a completely different story?

At ASK Group, we are dedicated to helping organisations turn ESG compliance into a competitive advantage, with a dedicated focus on developing female entrepreneurs through programmes like the HCI Enterprise Club.

That’s why we are incredibly proud that our Co-Founder and Executive Director, Candy Tothill Kruger, will be speaking on the Empowerment and Inclusivity in Tourism Leadership panel at WTM Africa next week!

Alongside a stellar line-up of industry leaders, Candy will unpack practical strategies for building empowered and inclusive organisations across the tourism value chain.

Join the session to learn how we can collectively drive meaningful change in our industry:

🗓️15 April | 10:30 | Brain Box | CTICC

Read more about the panel in the shared post below, hosted by WTM Africa and . See you there!

Empowerment and Inclusivity in Tourism Leadership

15 April | 10:30 | Brain Box | WTM Africa | CTICC

Women make up nearly 70% of South Africa’s tourism workforce, yet leadership and entrepreneurship opportunities remain unequally distributed.

This Women in Tourism workshop unites leaders, entrepreneurs, and change makers to share the proven strategies and real-world insights needed to build more inclusive, empowered organisations across the tourism value chain.

Moderated by Michelle Page, Co-founder and Director, ServiceGurus, with perspectives from:

• Gallo Shanker, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Cape Town: A hospitality leader with over two decades of experience across South Africa’s most renowned properties, and a committed mentor to the next generation of industry professionals.

• Candy Tothill Kruger, Co-Founder and Executive Director, The Ask Group: A seasoned executive with 30 years of leadership in South African tourism and hospitality, now helping organisations turn ESG compliance into competitive advantage – with a particular focus on developing female entrepreneurs.

• Akash Singh, CEO, Sigma International: A Chartered Accountant and enterprise development leader whose ESD programmes have deliberately prioritised women-owned businesses across the tourism value chain, integrating green impact principles and AI as practical tools for inclusivity.

• Benita Cyster, Co-owner, Lumley's Place Guesthouse & Tours: A first-generation business owner in the Cape Winelands whose journey from founding her guesthouse in 2008 to building a thriving, community-rooted hospitality business is a masterclass in resilience and service excellence.

• Euna Ngumbela, CEO, HeeeSanaa Projects: A hospitality professional with over 18 years of industry experience who built her business on a simple but powerful belief: that a well-maintained environment is an act of care, and that service excellence starts with the spaces we create.

Full programme available here: www.wtm.com/africa/en-gb/whats-on/programme.html #/sessions

17/03/2026

What an incredible afternoon at the Proudly South African Buy Local Summit! 🇿🇦

​Our Exec Director, Candy Tothill Kruger, had the absolute privilege of representing Southern Sun and sharing the stage with a dynamic panel - Andile Africa, CEO of the Automotive Industry Development Centre and Tshepiso Kadiaka, Director: Tertiary Sector at the Gauteng Department of Economic Development - to unpack a critical topic:

"Driving Economic Sustainability through Localisation"

​Candy shared some powerful insights from the stage:

​➡️ Intentionality is key: Localisation is the ENGINE of job creation, and procurement is the DRIVER. We must be intentional about local procurement - because that's the KEY to get it going.

​➡️ Supply chain resilience: Now, more than ever, shortening the supply chain makes sense given the geopolitical complexities around imports. This also significantly reduces associated emissions - a major Climate objective within ESG.

​➡️ Mentorship matters: In simple terms, buying local is a core commercial strategy. However, for it to translate, our local goods and services must meet world-class standards, be readily available, and sit at the right price points. This is where genuine enterprise and supplier development is required—mentorship and advocacy to help SMME business owners scale.

​A huge thank you to Eustace Mashimbye, Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi and Proudly South African for hosting such a vital conversation and well done to Shaun Bird and the team at Sandton Convention Centre on hosting another fantastic summit.

​Over to you: How is your organisation making local procurement more intentional this year? ⬇️

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12/12/2025

And that's a wrap! We hosted our last client event for the year and got to catch up with some wonderful partners we haven't seen in person for a while 🤩

11/12/2025

It's nearly time... 🎅🏻 so we're offering you the gift of social with soul.

✨ Get 25% off the ASK Social Media Success Kit - tailor-made for you and expertly managed by our professional team - now from only R11,000 per month for 6 or 12 month subscriptions!

Sign up today ➡️ WhatsApp +27 61 233 4183.

Don't miss out: Offer valid until 5 Jan only. Ts & Cs apply.

06/12/2025

Our last formal event of the year 💙 And what a great year it's been!

03/12/2025

What an inspiring day at our Sustainability Forum!

Held at Southern Sun Gardens, we hosted the HCI Group of companies with updates on our B-BBEE progress, HCI Foundation impact, HCI Club successes, and environmental half-year results.

A highlight of the day was our Club Member Showcase, plus two Legacy Series Winners who presented their incredible business journeys.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online. Together, we look forward to continuing to help drive positive impact. 💚♻️

26/11/2025

It's what happens when data meets imagination.

25/11/2025

Your 2026 growth strategy just got 50% more affordable!

Today, everything changes. Until the end of November only, ASK Group is unlocking our premium Business & Brand Combo Packages at 50% OFF!

We’re talking full-scale Digital Growth, Brand Revival, and Signature Experience Combo packages for half the investment.

The catch? ⏳
• Offers valid until 30 Nov only.
• Contracts start Jan 2026 (Secure the price now, start fresh next year).
• A 50% deposit required to lock-in your savings.

Whether you need a Brand Revival or a Digital Growth Accelerator, you do not want to miss this.

Don't miss out 👇

Sign up via WhatsApp Now!

+27 (0)61 233 4183

Ts & Cs apply

20/11/2025

Your brand deserves ideas that feel as effortless as joy.