Why a drama-free meeting between Presidents Ramaphosa and Trump would be the best possible outcome for SA. The Johannesburg Roads Agency says the refurbishment of Lilian Ngoyi Street is on track to be finalised by the end of August. And the General Industries Workers Union of SA calls for interest rates to fall to stimulate economic growth. Moneyweb
‘Even where people are working, they are now categorised as the working poor because the cost of living is impacting everybody,’ says Makhiba Mollo, commissioner at the National Planning Commission. Moneyweb
Today, a new reports shows stark realities in SA’s cost of living. A look at the prevalence of prostate cancer amongst South African men. How TV advertising is getting smarter, and why streaming platforms could be more beneficial for brands. Moneyweb
‘It seems like the United States wants to move away from Agoa and switch to some sort of bilateral trade deal with South Africa. That seems like something that we're looking to do as well,’ says Dr Laurence Caromba, Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection. Moneyweb
How the systematic defunding of the SA National Defence Force is bringing the armed forces to their knees. Marlene Dumas painting sets a new record for the highest price fetched for any living female artist. What to expect from President Ramaphosa’s working trip to the US. And an update on intense Israeli attacks in Gaza. Moneyweb
‘I think a fact that is not well known is that 44% of South African agri exports actually go into Africa, with only around 6% or 7% going to America,’ says Brendan Jacobs, head of AgriBusiness at Standard Bank. Moneyweb
The SABC says it doesn’t need another bailout, but must change its funding model if it is to survive. How gyms had to adapt to remain relevant in the age of artificial intelligence and scientific advancements. Why the Automobile Association says there must be a greater focus on road safety, especially for children and cyclists. And farming finances on the table, a look at some practical solutions required for sector resilience. Moneyweb
‘All indications are we've surpassed last year's numbers and a very good sign for us in terms of how people are searching for product on the continent,’ says Darryl Erasmus, COO of South African Tourism. Moneyweb
Today, banks face a deepfake headache as technological capabilities become more sophisticated. Why more South Africans are taking out loans to make ends meet. Opportunity awaits as Johannesburg’s inner-city revitalisation programmes take shape. And SA tourism declares the African continent as unlimited and open for business. Moneyweb
‘If I consider the last 24 months, we were able to actually support around 387 new black farmers into the sector and that is to the value of just over R3bn under the blended finance scheme,’ says Land Bank CEO, Themba Rikhotso. Moneyweb
As South Africa’s unemployment rates skyrocket, young people between the ages of 15 and 34 remain particularly vulnerable. Jeremy Maggs delves into what that means for the country’s recovery efforts. Why vaping could be detrimental to your teenagers’ mental health. And a look at Liberation Day market panic and the repercussions. Moneyweb
‘You can have retention strategies as much as you want to, but you have to create a positive practice environment for your nurses. No amount of money will retain somebody in a workplace if they are not happy,’ says Merle Victor, chief nurse officer at Life Healthcare. Moneyweb
Today, how caring for nurses can help strengthen economies. A look at why stokvel account deposits have surged 66%. Is the rapid rise of co-living spaces and micro-apartments a sign of innovation or a symptom of a broken economy? And a look at the latest unemployment figures. Moneyweb
‘What we are concerned about is that they're dipping into the savings pot, which is meant to be emergency money, and they're using it for spending,’ says Natasha Huggett-Henchie, member of the Actuarial Society of South Africa. Moneyweb
In a groundbreaking win for women’s rights, a union secures fully paid surrogacy leave for local government employees. Why an expert says government’s planned investment in air travel is optimistic, but shouldn’t be the finish line. And why the Transformation Fund should complement existing SME development efforts instead of crowding them out. Moneyweb
‘If you don't have proper human resource planning, you are not able to know exactly when you're going to start experiencing problems about mathematics teachers or science teachers,’ says Dr Mugwena Maluleke, general secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union. Moneyweb
Catholics globally celebrate the announcement of a new Pope. We’ll ask why maths is no longer available as a subject in 464 South African schools. Will declining sorghum production have an effect on your breakfast? And a call for South Africans to avoid driving at night, as poor road conditions and visibility cause more serious accidents on our roads. Moneyweb
‘We need to make sure that we have the right leadership, the right governance structures, and those who advise the leadership should have the requisite expertise,’ says Dr Katlego Mothudi, MD of the Board of Healthcare Funders. Moneyweb
Today, the Board of Healthcare Funders says SA’s healthcare system is being held hostage by entrenched ideologies. A new report shows that workplace flexibility is fast becoming a non-negotiable for women. An update on the conflict between India and Pakistan. And phase two of Operation Vulindlela promises to unleash more rapid economic growth. Moneyweb
‘Within a lot of businesses, marketing is a discretionary cost and if the business is feeling a little nervousness, if confidence is low, it's one of the first parts of the budget to be cut,’ says Alex Brownsell, head of content at the World Advertising Research Centre. Moneyweb
SA is at a crossroads as illicit trade remains deeply entrenched and highly damaging to economic recovery, according to a new report. How the trade wars are affecting global advertising spend. Why Johannesburg could be the next big property opportunity. And Acsa’s bid to take over baggage screening foiled by High Court for now. Moneyweb
‘I base my belief in it in our track record as Africa, in leapfrogging certain technological development stages and embracing new technologies,’ says Dion Shango, CEO, PwC Africa. Moneyweb
Today, how AI adoption could boost GDP in Africa by almost 5% and reshape the continent’s economy. A look at how SA could avoid the next fiscal crisis. Could tiny technology be the answer to cleaning up contaminated water sources? And while strides have been made in the fight against malaria, the war is far from over. Moneyweb
‘I think cash is always king. We do like cash locally and offshore more from an uncertainty perspective but also, as dry powder,’ says Mark Phillips, head of portfolio management and analytics at PPS Investments. Moneyweb
A family torn apart and a mother found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking - Joshlin Smith’s aunt opens up on life after the trial. What tariff increases and trade wars will mean for your pocket in 2025. A new scam sees fraudsters pose as members of Saps. And why a property deed is no longer considered a measure of success for young people. Moneyweb
How extreme weather is undermining South Africa’s economy ‘If we just take a look at the Durban floods that happened in April 2022, our GDP contracted by 0.7%,’ says Dr Nomhle Ngwenya, board member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation. Moneyweb
Today, what is the economic impact of extreme weather in SA? A new book by a leading academic takes a look at the faces and phases of resilience. And what brands need to do to succeed in 2025. Moneyweb
‘It's extremely dangerous. I think that there are tangible effects that we can attribute to the spread of such misinformation,’ says Kyle Cowan, investigative journalist at Media24. Moneyweb
Media24 is being accused of ‘doxxing’ after an investigative journalist exposed the person behind a right-wing, fake news peddling social media account. We’ll ask if the public has the right to know. How smarter research is helping companies create products you actually want. The Nelson Mandela Foundation refutes false investment claims around Madiba-inspired keepsakes. And as the Cape Town fires rage on, emergency services praise volunteers and communities for standing together. Moneyweb...
‘We do sympathise with those larger businesses that have had to incur further expense, and highly urgently, to re-update systems that have had to be adjusted for the new Vat rate,’ says Thomas Lobban, master tax practitioner at Latita Africa. Moneyweb
