Yoco Discover isn't just an event, it’s a moment of alignment where people, purpose, and direction meet. Here’s how our annual kick-off set the tone for the year ahead.

“Belief, clarity, and collective ownership.” If you stepped into the room at Discover 2026, those weren’t just words on a slide, they were the very air we breathed. At Yoco, how we start the year defines how we show up for our merchants in the days, weeks, and months that follow. Discover is our primary connection day, a moment where we bring together teams across every role and location to remember our ‘why’ and to reaffirm our quiet, unshakable confidence that our strategy remains clear, sound, and firmly anchored to our North Star: helping our merchants grow beyond what they once thought possible.

More Than a Meeting: A Moment of Connection

While the world often sees the products we launch or the growth we achieve, Discover is about the engine behind it: our people.

From the first morning coffee, courtesy of Yoco merchant Plato Coffee, to the evening’s final reflections over snacks and sundowners, the energy in the room was a reminder of what it feels like to belong to a team with shared ambition. 

This year, we convened at Makers Landing in the historic Cruise Terminal at the V&A Waterfront, under the shadow of Table Mountain. The venue itself felt like a powerful metaphor: a place where journeys begin, refuel, where teams set sail together, ride out the tides of challenge, and push beyond familiar horizons.

The day kicked off with the traditional collective meditation: a grounding exercise that allowed us to truly arrive, both in the room and in ourselves. There is a quiet strength in a workplace that prioritizes this kind of presence. To see hundreds of colleagues feel safe enough to be vulnerable with one another in that stillness spoke volumes about the level of belonging we’ve cultivated at Yoco.

The Real Heroes: Our Merchants

Following a warm welcome from our Co-Founder Carl Wazen, we turned our focus to the heartbeat of Yoco: our merchants. Led by the incredible energy of our MCs, Robynn and Rati, we sat down with the dynamic duo Addi and Judy Logan from AA Paraatha Burgers and Love Matcha, and Lebohang Masasanya of EasySaturdays, for a conversation that cut straight to the core of why we do what we do. Their presence amplified the day’s authenticity, reminding everyone that what we stand for isn’t just talked about, it’s lived and embodied by our people.

It’s one thing to see growth data; it’s another to hear a merchant like Addi say, 'When someone else calls to convince me to move away from Yoco, I stop them before they even get to their pitch. I’m just not interested in using anyone else.' That kind of 'diehard' loyalty isn't built on features alone, it’s built on the trust and partnership we’ve worked so hard to cultivate, and it fuels our quiet confidence that we are serving our merchants exactly as they need to be served.

But serving them means never standing still. The panel also gave us a front-row seat to the next frontier of their growth, highlighting key opportunities for product development that will help them move even faster. These insights aren't just feedback; they are the blueprints for how we will continue to innovate in 2026, ensuring our tools evolve at the same pace as our merchants' ambitions.

The energy stayed high as we welcomed Stephan Bredell from Plato Coffee for a fireside chat with Carl Wazen. Just how did this idea of a small-town coffee destination grow to rival big-city chains? It was a masterclass in scale without compromise. Hearing Stephan explain how he protected his standards of quality through every new opening was a powerful reminder of how business values serve as a compass during rapid growth. It wasn’t just about the 'how', it was about the grit and heart required to build a brand that people truly love, and to grow beyond limits while staying true to the core.

Getting Down to Business

As the afternoon unfolded, we turned our focus inward to the road ahead. In our Brand and Product showcases, our leadership didn't just share a roadmap; they provided a window into the strategic heart of Yoco. By breaking down the 'how' and 'why' behind our 2026 vision, they gave us the clarity needed to see exactly how our individual roles contribute to our collective ambition. It was a moment of alignment that turned big ideas into a shared, actionable future, all under the deepening conviction of our enduring North Star: to grow beyond.

Next, we looked back to look forward. Co-CEO Lungi Matshoba revisited the defining chapters of the Yoco story, reminding us that the road to 2026 started with a single transaction and a lot of belief. By connecting our past wins to our current direction, Lungi reinforced that our momentum is no accident; it’s the result of a shared mission that has only grown stronger with time.

Co-CEO Bradley Wattrus then took us through the reality of our 2025 impact. By examining proofpoints from across the business, he didn't just show us that we succeeded, he showed us how. With that foundation laid, Bradley turned our gaze toward the horizon, laying out the challenge for 2026, under the clear call to grow beyond. It was a call to action that focused our attention on what matters most, encouraging every one of us to grow beyond our current limits and meet the year with shared ambition.

Clarity in Our Direction

As we look toward the rest of 2026, the theme of the day was clear: Alignment. Discover serves as our North Star, ensuring that everyone at Yoco has a shared understanding of where the business is heading. It’s about creating a collective momentum that carries us through the challenges and triumphs of the year. We left the room not just with a plan, but with a renewed sense of pride in our mission and a clear vision of our future.

The Rhythm of Connection

As the formal sessions concluded, the energy shifted but didn't dissipate. We moved upstairs to Beluga to share a meal as a collective team, a space designed for the informal magic of Discover to take root. It was here, against the backdrop of the cruise terminal and the Atlantic, that the day’s "why" became even more tangible through shared laughter and new introductions. 

The air was filled with the sounds of local band Grassy Spark (featuring our very own Yoconaut, Yanick) whose performance even drew a crowd from a docked ship across the way. The night reached its peak when Co-Founder Carl Wazen took over the drumsticks, proving that at Yoco, leadership is as much about joining the rhythm as it is about setting the pace.

The Year Ahead

The laughter and lessons from Discover don’t fade when the lights go down. They become the fuel for our innovation and the foundation of how we support our merchants, with more conviction than ever.

What happens at Discover doesn’t stay there. It’s the spark that sets 2026 in motion. We are moving forward with more than just a strategy; we are moving forward with a shared belief in what we can achieve together.

Are you ready to be part of the momentum? Explore our open roles and see what it’s like to work at a company that prioritises connection and purpose.