As interest rates remain stable against the backdrop of a challenging economic climate, banks are being pushed to innovate and offer more competitive home loan terms to attract customers. This environment has given rise to a practice widely adopted in the UK but is yet to reach a tipping point in South Africa: bond switching. […]
Category Archives: South Africa News
South Africa News
The first Earth Day on 22 April 1970 mobilised millions of Americans from all walks of life to birth the modern environmental movement.
We are witnessing a clash between businesses pushing for in-office work and Gen Z workers who prioritise flexibility, environmental consciousness, and inclusivity. Even remote-working advocate, Zoom, has demanded that those within 80km of the office need to work in-person twice a week. As Gen Z becomes the dominant demographic in the future workforce, project-based independent contracting and remote collaboration are gaining popularity as preferred modes of work. Gary Silbermann, Co-Founder & Innovation Director at One Degree shares that there doesn’t have to be an ongoing battle between C-suites and younger workers.
In an era where change is the only constant, businesses must adapt and evolve to stay ahead. Penquin, the brand and communication agency based in Johannesburg, is leading by example, embracing transformation with open arms. The agency recently made headlines with the unveiling of its brand-new logo and refreshed corporate identity (CI), marking a significant milestone in its journey.
According to NIQ, 44% of South African consumers feel they are in a worse financial position this year compared to a year ago. Of those respondents, 82% say that increased costs of living are to blame for their recent financial struggles, up from 76% a year ago. Nearly two-thirds (62%) state they are worse off due to the economic slowdown, up from 57% a year ago. These findings appeared in “Consumer Outlook 2024″, the latest NIQ Thought Leadership report capturing the mindset and sentiment of consumers around the world.
In this essential guide for homeowners, we explore in depth the strategies and preventive measures crucial to effectively protecting your home from termites.
The Ararkis Sandstorm, a rare edition electric Hypercar with South African roots, blew through an online cloud of controversy last week when the internet erupted over the ‘tailpipes’ found on the car’s rear end.
South Africa News, Tech
Disrupting the Adtech landscape: South African scale-up leads the revolution
Transitioning from a disruptor in the real estate sector to a global pioneer in data-powered Adtech across industries, Flow’s solutions aim to solve the fragmentation of industries including financial services, retail, e-commerce, MLMs, and more and have evolved into three distinct pillars: Flow Connect, Flow Enterprise, and Flow Data. These pillars showcase Flow’s evolution as a leading “data-powered” Adtech provider that boosts reach and revenue for businesses. With over 5000 successful campaigns and reaching over one billion impressions on retargeted adverts to date, Flow is making waves in the industry. Their new website, launched this February, reflects their commitment to seamless navigation, crystal clear communication, and faster loading times to enhance campaign delivery.
Pieter Twine, GM at MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet, will be retiring on 29 February. On his parting, he has put together an opinion piece about the impact of the MySchool program since its inception in 1997 (including having raised over R1 billion for more than 8,500 schools and NGO beneficiaries in South Africa).
Africa Travel, South Africa News
France number one destination for SA travellers wanting snow holidays
Club Med Southern Africa have just released their South African Ski Report for the 2023/2024 season. The report was compiled following a comprehensive survey capturing insights to discern key trends in South Africa’s snow holiday preferences, expectations, and booking profiles.
In this piece, Ludi discusses the balance between technology and human interaction in the retail industry. The article explores how technology and people can work together to create a positive retail experience for customers.
South Africa News, Startups
Durban to Dublin — Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2023 Winners to Showcase SDG Innovations in Ireland
The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa is excited to announce that the 2023 winning cohort is set to travel to Ireland for a 10-day curated immersion and networking programme with access to top industry leaders and potential for further funding.
Technology has disrupted many aspects of traditional life. When you are sitting at dinner and seeing a couple going out on a “first date”, consider that this may be their first in-person date and that they have been interacting (dating) online for months. According to global data and business intelligence platform, Statista, the number of online dating users in South Africa is expected to reach 6.7 million users by 2028. The report adds that the current user penetration rate of dating websites is believed to be 8.0% and may increase to 10.4% by 2028.
According to the latest data sets from the Outlier, South Africans were forced to endure the highest degree of loadshedding on record last year. In 2022, citizens experienced 205/365 days of loadshedding – mostly between stages 1 and 4. While glaring, this pales in comparison to 2023, with daily blackouts across 335 days, comprising mostly stage 3 to 6 levels of loadshedding.
In the realm of South African higher education and corporate governance, few situations have garnered as much attention as the legal standoff between Babalwa Ngonyama, the former Chair of the University of Cape Town (UCT) Council, and UCT.
The piece focuses on the key takeaways from NRF 24: Retail’s Big Show, which took place earlier this month in New York, USA. In the article, Peter examines the main themes covered at the event and how they could impact the South African retail sector. Some of the key points he covers include:
Expected improvements in the South African retail environment
The increasing importance of AI and automation for retailers
The need for South African retailers to adopt omnichannel strategies
The role of technology in reducing the risk of product returns
Events, South Africa News
International ocean economy stakeholders to meet in SA for innovation summit
There are big opportunities for Africa in the Blue Economy. At the Ocean Innovation Africa Summit, you’ll discover what they are, and hear great ideas from innovative startups preparing to catch the next wave of business.
It is without a doubt that smart cities extend beyond infrastructure and urban planning. For a smart city to work, it requires smart citizens and technology plays a pivotal role in enabling civic engagement. If a city wants to empower those who live in it, it requires initiatives that improve service delivery and technology is the solution to making e-government platforms a reality.
Business, South Africa News
The year of possibility: trends that will shift the accountancy landscape in 2024
Leana Van Der Merwe, Technical and Standards Executive at the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), provides her expert insight on the trends that will shift the accountancy landscape in 2024 and the opportunities that await the profession.
Armata, a leading cybersecurity specialist company, recently hosted a webinar to explain the advantages of outsourcing security operations for businesses. The webinar was led by the industry heavyweight, Caesar Tonkin. Armata provides a variety of services in the industry, including cybersecurity consulting, managed services, and advanced cyber defence services.
With a USD 1.60 trillion market cap, the imminent intensification of Amazon’s operations in South Africa will come to shape the practices and standards that characterise and grow the domestic e-commerce landscape.
In an era marked by an urgent need for sustainability, the aviation industry stands at the forefront of change. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines understands the gravity of this responsibility and is actively working towards making air travel more eco-friendly.