The 2025 Africa Liberty Award finalists have been announced by Atlas Network, honoring exceptional policy achievements that advance economic freedom and individual rights across Africa. The three finalists are the Africa Centre for Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment (ACEYE) from Ghana, Liberty Sparks from Tanzania, and the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR). Each organization has made significant contributions toward economic reform, entrepreneurial freedom, land rights for women, and promoting free-market solutions. The winner will be revealed at the Africa Liberty Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, and the award is part of the Templeton Freedom Award program, which recognizes impactful work in advancing liberty and economic prosperity worldwide.
Category: South Africa News
South Africa News
Why Impact Investing Must Reshape M&A Strategy in Africa’s Energy Landscape
As Africa experiences a transformative energy transition, traditional M&A strategies focused solely on financial returns fall short in addressing social and environmental challenges. This article argues that impact investing must reshape merger and acquisition approaches in Africa’s energy sector by integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into valuation and deal-making. Through case studies from Angola and Namibia, it demonstrates how embedding impact metrics into financial models can enhance value creation, support sustainable development, and align investments with local sovereignty and community needs.
From Terminal to Touchdown: Virgin Atlantic – A Premium Experience
Virgin Atlantic, since its inception in 1984, has evolved into a premium long-haul airline, focusing on enhancing the travel experience with state-of-the-art aircraft, luxury amenities, and innovative technologies. From its next-generation fuel-efficient fleet and expanded premium cabins to free, streaming-quality Wi-Fi and concierge services, Virgin Atlantic aims to redefine modern air travel. With strategic partnerships and major investments in hospitality and technology, Virgin Atlantic continues its mission to be the most loved airline worldwide.
Trapped by tech? Avoid the CRM that costs more than money
Many South African companies find themselves trapped in a digital quicksand due to poorly executed CRM implementations that lead to costly, underperforming systems. Eldon Bothma and Hayley Blane from Braintree discuss the risks of choosing complex, feature-heavy CRM solutions without aligning them with business needs, leading to frustration and lost growth opportunities. Instead of focusing solely on technology, businesses should consider a strategic approach that prioritizes long-term scalability, clear objectives, and a phased implementation. By doing so, companies can unlock the true value of CRM systems, drive growth, and better position themselves for future advancements like AI and automation.
French and South African creative industries in the spotlight at ICC Forum 2025
The ICC Forum 2025, hosted in Pretoria, brought together French and South African leaders in the creative economy for a high-level platform designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and cultural exchange. The event, part of the France 2030 initiative, saw discussions on a wide range of topics including green design, digital innovation, and the role of creative industries in urban development. The Forum also featured dynamic panel discussions on sustainable fashion, digital arts, and heritage, showcasing the potential for long-term partnerships between French and South African creative industries.
Cerebrium Raises $8.5M Led by Gradient to Scale the Leading High-Performance Serverless AI Platform
Cerebrium, a serverless AI infrastructure platform founded in Cape Town, has raised $8.5 million in a seed funding round led by Gradient, Google’s AI venture fund. The platform enables teams to build and scale multimodal AI applications without traditional complexity or cost. This funding will support Cerebrium’s growth and expansion, with the aim of meeting increasing demand in enterprise AI. Backed by Y Combinator and other investors, Cerebrium is already powering companies like Tavus and Deepgram, providing high-performance solutions for real-time voice, video, and data analytics applications.
Healing Earth Transformative Wellness Spa at Brahman Hills Earns Global Award Nomination
Brahman Hills’ Healing Earth Transformative Wellness Spa has been shortlisted for the Spa of the Year category at the prestigious 2025 Destination Deluxe Awards. The spa’s immersive wellness experience, set in the tranquil KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, combines world-class treatments with authentic South African hospitality. The nomination highlights the spa’s commitment to sustainability and wellness excellence, offering a sanctuary that blends nature with luxury. Voting for the awards is open until 31 July 2025, with the chance to showcase African wellness on the global stage.
The Intersection of IT & Business: Making Tech Decisions That Drive Growth
Digital transformation has moved IT from a back-office function to the core of business strategy. However, many organisations struggle to translate technology investments into measurable outcomes. This article explores why aligning IT decisions with business goals is essential for growth, outlining how CIOs, CTOs, and business leaders can collaborate to ensure technology acts as a strategic enabler rather than just infrastructure. From shifting IT’s role to value creation, to balancing innovation with governance, and embedding modern frameworks for agility and control, the piece highlights actionable insights for making tech decisions that drive profitability, efficiency, and competitive advantage.
French cultural and creative industry leaders embark on ICC Immersion 2025 in South Africa
The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Business France South Africa proudly launch ICC Immersion South Africa 2025, a flagship initiative connecting France’s leading cultural and creative industry (CCI) companies with South African counterparts. Running from 23 June to 2 July 2025 across Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town, the programme aims to foster cultural diplomacy, innovation, and economic collaboration in sectors like fashion, heritage, architecture, and digital media. Featuring French firms such as Culturespaces, Jakob + MacFarlane, and France Muséums Développement, ICC Immersion showcases bilateral creativity, dialogue, and long-term partnership potential.
Tsheto and GreatWell to Host Leadership Workshop – A Call for Action: Agitating for Stewardship and a Better Tomorrow
In celebration of Mandela Month, Tsheto Leadership and Coaching Academy, in partnership with GreatWell, will host a high-impact Leadership Workshop on 17 July 2025 at The Maslow, Sandton. Centered on the theme “Agitating for Stewardship and a Better Tomorrow,” the workshop aims to equip C-suite executives, transformation leaders, and decision-makers with the tools to lead with intention, accountability, and social consciousness. Featuring keynote speaker Prof. Saths Cooper and expert facilitators Tantaswa Fubu and Rehema Isa, the event is a call to action for values-based leadership that leaves a lasting, positive legacy.