Wednesday, November 27African Digital Business Magazine

South Africa News

South Africa News

African News, Events, Medicine, South Africa News

Pioneering progress amid resource constraints in African radiology and oncology

Experts are concerned about resource limits and insufficient radiology skills and services in Africa, particularly for cancer detection and treatment. As the continent grapples with the rising burden of cancer, the intersection of oncology and radiology emerges as a complex landscape where cutting-edge advancements contend with pressing issues of accessibility, affordability, and healthcare system economics. Dr. Paul Rischbieter is a medical authority specialising in healthcare, diagnostic, and interventional radiology. Rischbieter is the chairperson for Africa Health Congress’ upcoming Radiology and Imaging conference, where he and other radiology experts will engage in an in-depth exploration of the most critical topics in the field. The conference is scheduled for Cape Town in October....
South Africa News

NIQ South Africa releases FMCG and Tech Durables sales data for Q2 2024

FMCG trade grows 3% year-over-year to R303 billion for the first half of 2024 Technology and Durables market growth stable at 2% Promotions are the key to growth in a price-sensitive market  NIQ South Africa has released its latest State of the Retail Nation 1 analysis for the first six months of 2024. The data reveals that South African consumers spent R303 Billion on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) through traditional and modern trade channels during the first half of the year. This represents 3% year-over-year growth, with the gains primarily driven by price increases. Actual sales volumes decreased across most FMCG categories. Food and Personal & Health Care were the categories that showed the strongest growth at a time when consumers were under significant strain from ...
Business, South Africa News

Know the person behind the CV and the partner pitch

Businesses can’t afford bad hires or dubious business partners, so why are they still happening? A key new hire or business partner can have a significant impact on a company – for better or worse. Knowing the facts behind the polished CV or perfect partner pitch should be a non-negotiable, says Sameer Kumandan, Managing Director of SearchWorks, an innovative data platform that allows users to conduct live, accurate searches on individuals and companies and in-depth KYC checks online. It's an all too common but avoidable scenario: A company decides to recruit for a crucial management position, or an entrepreneur seeks out a business partner, hoping new skills will foster much-needed growth. The process involves advertising the role, networking, sifting through dozens of CVs, identifyin...
South Africa News

Beyond metrics: Trust is crucial to brand building

What do global brands like Google, Coco-Cola and Apple have in common? Other than being instantaneously recognisable by their corporate identity, they each own over 20% of the worldwide market share in their respective categories.[1] So, why would the likes of Coca-Cola – one of the most recognisable brands in the world with an already-captivated market – spend over $ 4 billion[2] annually on advertising? They understand the critical importance of building consumer trust in a saturated market. Seeking efficient growth in a tough economic climate, marketing leaders are scrutinising how and where to allocate their paid media budgets. While performance marketing is about driving immediate results and measurable success, brand marketing focuses on building and nurturing the brand for long-t...
South Africa News

SME confidence on the rise as GNU promises growth

As the nation approached the polls, iKhokha conducted a survey across its national base to learn more about SME confidence in our government. The survey revealed that 76% of SMEs felt government support to be ineffective in promoting small business growth and development. In May, retail spending fell by 0.7% month-on-month as uncertainty lead to more frugal consumer spending. This downturn was mirrored in the automotive sector, where new car sales saw a 14.2% drop. iKhokha also observed an 8% decrease in SME turnover in May and June as the nation held its collective breathe, watching potential coalition discussions play out in the media, further unsettling South African nerves. Last month, South Africa breathed a collective sigh of relief and entered a new era of our democracy with the f...
South Africa News, Startups

Young founders & investors flock to Joburg’s first Founder’s Den event, hosted by local digital innovation agency Specno

The “Founder’s Den” event, which took place at the Old Mutual headquarters in Sandton on Thursday 25 July, is responsible for successfully hosting over 150 business leaders, investors, and founders from a curated list of key eco-system players from South Africa’s startup community in Johannesburg last week. The gathering, which usually takes place in Cape Town, aims to shape the future of business in South Africa by bringing together a number of visionary entrepreneurs, tech industry leaders, and investors. It has been hosted on an annual and bi-annual basis by Specno since 2021, and its launch in Johannesburg this year was made possible by Old Mutual’s innovative partnerships and ventures hub, Next176. The event was organised with the aim of building a supportive ecosystem for startups ...
Business, South Africa News, Zambia News

Millennials will drive the growth of insurance in Africa

The insurance industry in Africa is undergoing significant transformation, marked by evolving consumer needs, technological advancements, and shifting demographics. Among the most influential demographic groups driving this change is the Millennials generation, born between 1982 and 1994. According to market research firm, IMARC Group, the African insurance industry is expected to grow by 6.3% between 2024 and 2032, after reaching US$ 87.4 billion by 2023. “The Millennials have a big role to play in Africa’s insurance growth, as they begin to build families and acquire property,” says Mulenga Kashiwa, technical underwriting senior manager at Hollard International. He explains, “Millennials in Africa are now in their 30s to early 40s, a phase often associated with significant life changes...
South Africa News

Ackerley Sports Group to Invest in South African Rugby

By Veselina Dzhingarova The South African Rugby Union (SARU) and Ackerley Sports Group (ASG) have announced their intention to form a partnership to enhance South African rugby across all levels. This agreement aims to bolster the professional game and expand the revenue streams for both the Springboks and SARU's commercial ventures. New Commercial Rights Corporation According to Rugby365, the agreement, currently under negotiation and awaiting approval from SARU members, will involve ASG investing in a new Commercial Rights Corporation (CRC).  This entity will manage all current and future revenue-generating assets of the Springboks and SARU. SARU will maintain majority ownership of the CRC, while ASG will hold a significant minority stake. Ted Ackerley, Co-Founder of Ackerley Spor...
South Africa News, Tech

POS versus POS: Selecting the right solution is far more complex than chasing the cheapest

By Peter Ludi, Business Development Executive at redPanda Software  A point of sale, commonly referred to as POS, is a vital cornerstone of any retail business, regardless of whether it sells products or services. However, a misunderstanding of the definition of POS sees many small and medium-sized retailers fall into the trap of buying a payment acceptance terminal as opposed to investing in a platform that will future-proof the business and open a host of growth and sales opportunities. Let’s start with a summarised definition of POS. At its simplest, it is the place where a transaction is executed. This can be in-person or online on various channels along the customer journey. A POS is a vital part of the customer journey as it is the crescendo of what has come prior to that point. No...
South Africa News

Industry-led tech solution designed to bring SA’s minibus taxis into the digital age

The Wealth On Wheels (WOW) initiative was launched at the recent Southern African National Transport Conference (SATC) in Pretoria. This initiative, led by the Eastern Cape Transport Tertiary Cooperative Limited (ECTTC) - the business arm of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), in partnership with Ecentric Payment Systems and FORUS Digital, aims to revolutionise the local minibus taxi industry. The initiative seeks to use innovative technologies such as digital cash payments and blockchain to help minibus owners enhance operations and maximise their revenue, while creating a safer and more secure environment for the travelling public. The WOW platform will introduce digital cash payments, advanced fleet and vehicle management systems with GPS, camera monitoring, fuel rebates,...