Behind every successful business is a story, and increasingly, a strong digital presence. Kimberley entrepreneur Raees Essop has made it his mission to help local businesses build both.
As CEO and marketing lead of Prestige Media House, he is using technology to connect people, strengthen local businesses and contribute to a more digitally connected Kimberley.
Inspired by a love for solving problems, Raees has built a career around transforming ideas into practical solutions that help businesses grow.
“What drives my work is the ability to take an idea and turn it into something practical that helps a business grow. I enjoy combining creativity with structure, whether it’s designing a website, developing a system, or planning a marketing strategy.”
Raees and his team, believe their work goes far beyond creating attractive websites.
“It’s not just about design or development, it’s about creating tools that make businesses more visible, more credible, and easier to engage with.”
Although his interest in technology began in 2018, it didn’t take long for curiosity to develop into a career. As he explored the power of digital platforms, he discovered the impact they could have on businesses of all sizes.
“I realised how powerful digital platforms are in shaping how businesses operate and grow. Over time, I moved from curiosity into building real systems, websites, and marketing strategies for clients, and that’s where it really developed into a business,” he shares.
Away from the office, Raees is an avid gamer and anime enthusiast, interests that have unexpectedly shaped his creative thinking and approach to user experience.
“Games are designed to keep people engaged, while anime often focuses on detail, emotion, and world-building. I apply similar thinking in my work by focusing on how users interact with platforms, how information flows, and how a brand can create a memorable experience and feeling rather than just a presence.”
One of his proudest projects is a dedicated online business directory for Kimberley, designed to make it easier for residents to discover local businesses while giving entrepreneurs greater visibility.
“The idea came from seeing how many great local businesses exist in Kimberley but struggle with visibility. Many don’t have structured online platforms or are difficult to find when people search for services,” he explains.
Prestige Media House has since evolved into Growth City Digital, marking the next stage in Raees Essop’s journey and the growth of the business alongside his business partner, Marco Jossie.
While Prestige Media House focused broadly on digital marketing, websites, content and online visibility, Growth City Digital has moved into a more performance-driven model. Although the idea had been years in the making, Raees knew the time was finally right to bring it to life.
“Over the past few years, I’ve gained more experience in development and systems thinking, and the tools available now make it easier to build scalable platforms. At the same time, I saw a growing need for local businesses to be more digitally connected.”
He believes many local businesses already have what it takes to succeed.
“The biggest gap is structured visibility. Businesses are present, but not always organised in a way that makes them easy to find, compare, or trust online.” By bringing local businesses together on one platform, he hopes to encourage residents to support local while creating opportunities for collaboration.
“When people can clearly see what’s available around them, they’re more likely to engage locally rather than look elsewhere.”
Alongside the directory, Prestige Media House also helps businesses strengthen their brands through website development, digital marketing and online strategy, making professional digital services more accessible to entrepreneurs. Having taught himself much of what he knows through experience, Raees encourages aspiring developers and entrepreneurs to focus less on perfection and more on getting started.
“You don’t need a paid course. YouTube taught me at least 70% of my skills. The other 30% was real-world work and experience.”
As Kimberley continues to embrace the digital age, Raees hopes the businesses that form the backbone of the city will have every opportunity to grow alongside it.
“The biggest growth comes from doing the work, making mistakes, and improving over time.”
Text and photographs: GYPSEENIA LION
Originally published in the Kimberley and Surrounding Areas Magazine, proudly published by Mahareng Media & Advertising: https://www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za/epapers/kimberley-e-magazine-september-2026/
