Author: Staff Writer

As the number of COVID-19 infection cases in the country continues to rise, with the national death toll now at 1080, President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the families of COVID-19 victims, who have succumbed to the virus. “Each one of these deaths is a tragedy. Each one represents a unique life: a parent, a child, a sibling or a friend. Each one leaves behind a family and a community in mourning. “I would like to offer my condolences to all South Africans who have lost someone they love, and wish them strength, courage and hope in the…

With the coronavirus pandemic lockdown easing, South Africans are being warned to expect a spike in crime. “Since the lockdown has eased, petty crime like theft of garden tools, plants and fruit from trees began to increase. This, however, has escalated to more serious crimes such as house break-ins, house robberies, and theft of motor vehicles.” Says Shaun Rademeyer, CEO of Multinet Home Loans. Protecting your humble abode from unwanted guests is easier than you might think. To help, we’ve put together the following list of protection tips for your new home. Use this list to ensure that your home protection…

Cape-based Flyt Property Investment has recently announced an inventive means for South Africans to take advantage of Government’s Section 12J tax incentive when the chips are down. Flyt Partnership Fund, which is restricted to R300 million, allows investors to take part in the fund on a 100% loan basis. The R300 million has been made available as loan capital to investors to participate as partners in the fund. A minimum investment of R1million is required; however, an investor need only contribute 35% (i.e. R350 000 per R1 million), with Flyt Property Investment contributing the remaining 65% on the investor’s behalf. To…

Naked, the artificial intelligence-driven insurance provider, has announced that its customers will continue to pay just 10% or so of their usual premium on the days that they ‘pause’ their accident insurance cover until 30 September this year. This follows Naked’s decision when the lockdown was announced to offer this higher premium saving until 30 June for customers who use its CoverPause feature. The average customer would usually pay roughly 50% of their comprehensive cover rate when CoverPause is active. Customers simply activate the CoverPause feature on the Naked app to freeze their accident cover on the days that they…

Over the past few months, South Africans have been inspired by the unrelenting and fearless work of those facing the worst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, from the healthcare and essential workers doing dangerous but crucial work every day, to the journalists bringing us the news from frontlines of this issue. But there are also unsung heroes, closer to home, who have reached out to those in need to make a difference, no matter how small, during this challenging time. It is these stories that MTN wants to hear as it calls on all South Africans to “shout-out” their COVID-19…

COVID-19 has accelerated the inevitable. Before the pandemic, the world had been moving on an unavoidable path toward a new digital age, despite many businesses failing to invest in the requisite technologies. However, as the COVID-19 meteor hit global markets, companies in sectors like retail that failed to recognise the encroaching new virtual age were brutally impacted in the market sell-off. What is undeniably clear in the post-COVID-19 age is that companies that do not leverage on new technologies might not remain competitive relative to new entrants. The sheer pervasive reach of tech across industries is challenging traditional valuation frameworks.…

Global beauty and personal care brand company Avon Justine has joined nationwide relief efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus by pledging 1.5 tons of hand sanitisers to the South African Police Services (SAPS). The hand sanitizers will be handed over to senior officials of the SAPS and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation for distribution among law enforcement officials. “We are delighted for this kind gesture which will go a long way to help in bolstering our defences against this pandemic. Our members are exposed to this pandemic daily, risking life and limb in the exercise of their duties.…

In an effort to weed out corruption in its ranks, the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Wednesday nabbed eight of its own in a pre-dawn operation across the country. Eight were among the 14 arrested by the Anti-Corruption Task Team during the operation. Among those arrested were senior police officers and six company owners and directors. In a statement, police spokesperson Vish Naidoo said among the arrested senior officers was a former SAPS Lieutenant General. “[They were arrested] on warrants of arrest issued on multiple charges, including fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering,” he said. The Special Anti-Corruption Task…

Almost 5 000 Wits students have received laptops, delivered by the South African Post Office (SAPO), to enable online learning during the nationwide lockdown. Through its Speed Services Courier Unit, SAPO delivered the laptops to the homes of disadvantaged Wits students across South Africa, including in rural areas. Due to the national COVID-19 lockdown, Wits University suspended contact teaching and commenced with emergency remote teaching and learning on 20 April 2020. In its transition to online learning, Wits established a mobile computing bank, which granted qualifying students access to a mobile device for online learning purposes. A partnership with the SAPO ensured…

FNB is distributing 100 000 cloth masks to SASSA beneficiaries who collect their social grants across the Bank’s branches. The masks are distributed through 200 FNB branches in provinces which include Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Free State. The allocation in each branch is dependent on the volume of beneficiaries per branch, however, each branch has been allocated between 400 to 1000 masks to distribute during the days that grants are paid-out. “Our measures are designed to support the country’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and we are playing our part by prioritising…