Author: Staff Writer
South Africa is urbanising at speed. Every day, thousands of people move into cities in search of work, education and opportunity. However, the same forces that make cities engines of growth also create silent risks for health. Sedentary lifestyles, fast food on the go, long commutes and relentless stress are reshaping the nation’s health profile. Cardiovascular disease, once seen as a disease of affluence or old age, is now rising sharply among younger South Africans. Dr David Jankelow, past president of the South African Heart Association, has described the country’s cardiovascular epidemic as a tsunami overwhelming both public and private…
Despite its history of resilience and globally recognised innovation, the eyewatering pace of cyber threat evolution, characterised by rapid mutation and increasing sophistication, is forcing South Africa’s banking sector to rethink its approach to security. In its 2024 Annual Crime Statistics report, the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) notes that digital banking fraud saw a significant escalation, with an 86% increase in incidents and a 74% rise in associated losses, totalling R1.89 billion. Digital banking fraud accounts for almost 70% of recorded financial losses in the banking industry. SABRIC has laid a good deal of the blame on…
Uber has launched Women Drivers in South Africa, a product designed to empower women through choice. The product allows female riders to select female drivers, responding to the growing demand for safer, more inclusive mobility options while reinforcing Uber’s commitment to innovation, empowerment, and trust in the local market. The product draws on extensive testing in markets such as some cities in the USA and France, where it was adapted based on rider and driver behaviour. Uber has localised these insights to meet the specific needs of South African riders and drivers, where safety perceptions remain one of the most…
In South Africa, funerals are not just family affairs – they’re collective moments that draw entire communities together. When someone passes away, it’s not unusual for neighbours, relatives and friends to contribute financially, cook for guests, or simply show up to offer support. It’s a lived expression of Ubuntu – the belief that our lives are intertwined. But as funeral costs increase, fewer people carry cash, and more families are separated by geography, this tradition is evolving. South Africans are finding new, digital-first ways to uphold it – not by replacing cultural values, but by adapting them. At the heart…
Visa, in partnership with Absa, is proud to announce the winners of the second annual She’s Next South Africa competition, a flagship initiative designed to empower women-owned small businesses with access to funding, training, and mentorship. This year’s finalists represented diverse businesses, including farming to furniture, recycling, manufacturing, and clothing. With her Avo processing factory on wheels, this year’s overall winner is Christine Masaiti from Grandstage Trading, who has been awarded the grand prize of a R450 000 monetary grant. Zimkhita Duze from Uuka Bricks secured second place, earning R270 000, while third place and R150 000 went to the…
NetApp, a data infrastructure company, has appointed Axiz as a distributor across Africa in a landmark agreement that reflects NetApp’s renewed commitment to scale its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. This strategic collaboration aims to empower a broader channel ecosystem, unlock new partner-led opportunities, and deliver world-class data and cloud solutions to enterprises across Sub-Saharan Africa. “Collaborating with Axiz represents a pivotal step in NetApp’s Africa strategy,” said Farid Najjar, Commercial Sales Manager – MEA at NetApp. “Axiz’s reach, technical expertise, and strong multi-vendor ecosystem uniquely position them to drive the next phase of our growth…
Investec has been awarded an energy trading licence by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), marking another significant milestone in the liberalisation and transformation of South Africa’s energy sector. “This licence is more than a regulatory milestone landmark – it’s about unlocking competitive advantage for our clients,” said Mpho Modise, Head of Renewable Energy Trading at Investec. “As South Africa navigates rising energy costs and ongoing supply challenges, we are focused on providing innovative, cost-effective solutions that not only future-proof businesses but also accelerate the shift to renewable energy.” The newly awarded licence enables Investec to broaden its…
Disney+ today announced that, from 02 October 2025, the ESPN Africa linear channels will be available to South African customers at no extra cost. Fans will have access to the two 24-hour linear ESPN channels that showcase the very best live and studio sports programming from the US and around the world, spanning major leagues and iconic competitions. “At Disney, we are committed to delivering world-class sports and entertainment to customers across the region. The launch of the ESPN Africa linear channels on Disney+ in South Africa reflects our strategy to reach sports fans across multiple platforms and connect with…
JSE listed Balwin Properties, a developer that cares about environmentally responsible building practices and the delivery of high-quality apartments to its valued clients, yesterday launched the first of several vocational training centres that will be rolled out nationally. The first training centre at Mooikloof Smart City, east of Pretoria, will train more than 300 candidates annually in bricklaying, tiling, plastering, plumbing, electrical, first aid, firefighting, and working from heights. Steve Brookes, CEO and founder of Balwin commented: “The construction sector has lost a considerable number of vocational skills in the aftermath of the Pandemic. This initiative is aimed at empowering…
[Shanghai, China, September 18, 2025] HUAWEI CONNECT 2025 kicks off today in Shanghai. Eric Xu, Huawei’s Deputy Chairman of the Board and Rotating Chairman, gave a keynote themed “Groundbreaking SuperPoD Interconnect: Leading a New Paradigm for AI Infrastructure”. During the event, Xu unveiled the world’s most powerful SuperPoDs and SuperClusters. Xu noted, “Computing power is – and will continue to be – key to AI. This is especially true in China.” He reiterated that Huawei’s goal is to sustainably meet long-term computing demand by building SuperPoDs and SuperClusters with the semiconductor manufacturing process nodes that are practically available to the…