In a fiercely competitive market with tight financial constraints, launching a new SUV brand is a bold move. However, Nic Campbell, the newly appointed Vice President of Jetour South Africa, is confident that the brand is set to redefine excellence in the local automotive industry. With over 14 years in the automotive sector, Campbell brings extensive experience from working with international car brands and original equipment manufacturers in South Africa. His deep understanding of stakeholder needs and expectations, combined with insights from the South African market, has positioned him well for this new challenge. Campbell emphasizes the importance of finding…
Author: Staff Writer
In the dynamic world of business, South African women are not only breaking barriers but are also setting new standards for success. As we near the end of Women’s Month, we look at seven fierce females who broke the glass ceiling and the valuable advice they share with us. With their relentless determination, innovative thinking, and resilience, these trailblazing businesswomen have carved out spaces of influence and leadership. Their insights, drawn from years of experience, offer a roadmap for navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in the ever-evolving landscape of business. Innovate like a woman! Women are known to be empathetic,…
Achieving gender diversity remains a significant challenge in the Financial Services sector, despite notable improvements in female representation. While progress has been made, Board, CEO, and C-suite positions continue to be predominantly occupied by men. The industry’s commitment to gender diversity may stem from goals like meeting BEE targets, ethical considerations, or recognizing the positive impact of diversity on business performance. Nevertheless, the path to placing women in leadership roles is fraught with difficulties. Understanding the Challenges The obstacles to advancing women into leadership roles can be attributed to a complex interplay of factors. “Those Financial Services companies trying hard…
The BrandMapp survey, a survey of households that earn more than R10,000 per month, asks what concerns keep people awake at night, with 3 of the top 10 impacting STI directly, particularly in terms of claims. The number one concern for South Africans is crime, with Eskom / grid failure ranked sixth, and climate change ranked ninth. Housebreaking is the number one crime in SA, with StatsSA estimating 1.6 million incidences of housebreaking in 2023, representing 5.7% of all households in the country, increasing in the 2023 period by 10%. The rise in housebreaking, which was exacerbated by power cuts,…
Chris Badenhorst, Head of Azure Core Services at Braintree, discusses the importance of identifying a cloud strategy that will ensure artificial intelligence integration is more than just a nod to hype The artificial intelligence (AI) rise to fame tracks as spectacularly as that of a freshly discovered celebrity. Appearing on every talk show and in every headline, the technology has, as McKinsey puts it, seen surging interesting since it burst into mainstream media early 2023. The technology remains in the media because it is relentlessly proving its value across multiple use cases and industries. As a study commissioned by Microsoftand undertaken by IDC found,…
It might surprise you to learn that even the top financial officers in the country indulge in their own guilty pleasures and have downtime activities just like anyone else. From playing with LEGO bricks to sneaking in some reality TV when no one is watching, CFOs have their own ways of relaxing and unwinding. “It might also surprise people to learn that CFOs have ways of working, destressing, and even goal setting that are not a lot unlike the ordinary person on the street. Behind every number is a person, as they say, and even the most successful CFOs have…
Cloudy Deliveries has been named the 2024 IWISA No 1 Community Champion for the Western Cape. Colin Mkosi, the social entrepreneur behind this Khayelitsha-based bicycle food delivery service, will return to his community with R30 000 in prize money. The funds will be used to further his mission of making a significant impact on the lives of those his social enterprise serves. At the IWISA No 1 Community Champions event in Cape Town on Friday, Colin Mkosi of Cloudy Deliveries, Ncumisa Mkabile of Mamcube Fresh Produce, and Thobinceba (Thobey) Qambela of Fierce Creative Academy were announced as the top three…
We had a conversation with Lisa Sebogodi, the founder and director of Batsumi Travel. Established in 2010, Batsumi Travel specialises in corporate travel, shuttle services, and MICE. With over 24 years of experience in the travel industry, Lisa’s leadership has earned Batsumi multiple awards, including Best Full-Service Corporate & Leisure Travel Company in 2024. Lisa is dedicated to continuous learning and uplifting South African youth through initiatives like the Batsumi Travel Township Tourism Development, which empowers high school students with practical tourism skills. What inspired you to start Batsumi Travel, and what drives your passion for the industry? My love…
Africa leads the world in the proportion of female entrepreneurs, with South Africa exemplifying this trend. The continent’s female entrepreneurship rate has climbed to 25.9%, meaning one in four women is running a business. This rise in female entrepreneurship is driven by economic necessity, cultural roles, and women’s significant involvement in the informal economy. Many women turn to entrepreneurship out of necessity, seeking to support their families and achieve financial independence. In South Africa, where 40% of children are raised in single-parent households, women often become primary breadwinners, driven by resilience, innovation, and determination. Faced with limited formal employment opportunities…
Africa is currently facing critical challenges due to climate change, with rising vulnerability to extreme weather conditions. In South Africa, key environmental issues include water scarcity, severe weather events, and the transition to sustainable energy sources. Coastal erosion from rising sea levels and storms is impacting the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal regions, posing threats to properties, ecosystems, and infrastructure. This situation highlights the urgent need for better coastal management and climate adaptation strategies. “The need for innovative climate solutions is urgent, and climate tech offers a path towards resilience and sustainability. The South African government has recognised this need, and…