You may remember Mika Stefano from his award-winning entertainment blog, the one that kept audiences up to date with all the latest gossip and entertainment news in South Africa.
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Fast forward a few years, and he’s back online. This time with a newly relaunched website that’s a little more personal, a space where he shares what he’s building, what he’s learning, and what he’s working on as he continues his journey as a South African entrepreneur.
Mika Stefano has spent the last 20 years working across theatre, events, marketing and content, building brands, producing experiences and telling stories that connect.
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From starting out without much, to building STRONG PR, Marketing and Events, his journey has always been rooted in showing up, figuring things out, and making things happen.
Meet Mika Stefano
Mika Stefano is a South African entrepreneur working across media, fitness, marketing and event management.
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Recognised as a Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South African, he first made his mark with an award-winning entertainment blog that became a go-to source for local entertainment news, while building his career in the marketing department at Theatre on the Square.
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Today, he is the founder of STRONG Gym in Melrose Arch and co-founder of STRONG PR, Marketing and Events, STRONG Event Décor, STRONG Coffee and STRONG Conferences, a growing group of businesses focused on creating experiences that connect people, brands and communities.
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Mika’s journey started online, from MySpace to Facebook, where he built one of South Africa’s early blogging platforms. His ability to create engaging content quickly set him apart, even leading to a playful music release, Twitter Dance. At the same time, he was developing his professional career in theatre, working at The Market Theatre and later spending nearly 20 years at Theatre on the Square alongside producer Daphne Kuhn, gaining hands-on experience in marketing, production and business operations.
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His work in media expanded into television and radio, where he hosted shows including the SABC 3 Durban July broadcast for four consecutive years, and appeared on VuzuTV, MTV and SABC. He also contributed to radio stations such as 947, Metro FM, 5FM and East Coast Radio, before becoming station manager at Trans Africa Radio, working with some of South Africa’s leading radio personalities.
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Mika has also led impactful LGBTQI+ campaigns, including the South African leg of the NOH8 campaign and his own anti-bullying initiative, #PushPurple, both supported by well-known public figures.
A personal turning point came through fitness, where he lost over 30kg and discovered a passion for health and community. This led to teaching at SWEAT1000, running a HIIT tour with Planet Fitness, and eventually launching STRONG Gym in Melrose Arch in 2021. Today, he continues to build a strong fitness community through inclusive and high-energy training.
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In 2022, he co-founded STRONG PR, Marketing and Events with Herkie du Preez. The agency has since grown into a trusted partner for corporate events, campaigns and content, known for delivering thoughtful, high-impact work.
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Mika’s journey is defined by resilience, evolution and a commitment to authenticity, constantly building, creating and finding new ways to connect.
