| FINAL COUNTDOWN STUDENTS TAP INDUSTRY EXPERTISE |
(ltr) Career Specialist Yolokazi Magaqa with guest speakers Mary Gedamu, Kate Watts, Saneliswe Dlamini and Shari Cade.
Final-year students at the Pietermaritzburg campus of Emeris, formerly Varsity College, benefitted from valuable industry experience during the Ready to Launch workshop, designed to help them define career goals and transition into the professional world. Facilitated by Career Specialist Yolokazi Magaqa, the session featured guest speakers Mary Gedamu (founder of Kaldis Digital), alumna Saneliswe Dlamini, IOCO Business Developer Manager Kate Watts and Shari Cade of Shan Cade Training and Consulting.
Speakers shared insights on adapting to work life, what employers seek, and leveraging social media for opportunities. Speakers commented on the enthusiastic engagement from students seeking mentorship and networking opportunities.
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| KZN GROWTH FUND EVOLVES INTO NEW AGENCY |
The KwaZulu-Natal Growth Fund Trust has officially transitioned into the KZN Growth Fund Agency (KZNGFA), established under the 2024 provincial act to enhance governance and investment delivery. Effective 1 October, all assets, staff, and operations were transferred to the new entity. Chair Dr Cassius Lubisi said the move strengthens institutional capacity, ensuring continuity and empowering the agency to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development across the province. (SOURCE: KZNB&I)
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| WEATHER THE AI TSUNAMI, FUTURE PROOF YOUR JOB |
Want careers that won’t wash away in the rising tech tide? A recent Pnet survey spots 15 roles with real staying power — jobs that combine digital smarts, technical skill, and business savvy. Think cybersecurity consultants, automation managers, supply chain specialists, and mechatronic engineers. Demand for STEM-fluent, log-data-driven professionals has surged, with many traditional roles now needing digital fluency. Curious which careers make the list and how to get in? Click through to find out.
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1953: The Reservation of Separate Amenities Act No 49, a cornerstone of the segregationist policy of the former apartheid regime, came into effect.
Elsewhere, the 1970 Khmer Republic was established in Cambodia. The administration was overthrown by the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in 1975.
Better you post a letter on World Post Day before it fades from our memories.
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60 TELEMARKETING COMPANIES NAILED FOR SPAM CALLING
Since April, 60 companies have been reported to the Information Regulator for violating new direct marketing policies aimed at curbing spam calls and unsolicited adverts. Under the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia), firms may not use customer data without written consent, nor may they approach consumers again once an opt-out has been registered.
Offenders face fines, with FT Rams already penalised R100 000. The new rules also require telemarketers to clearly identify themselves, record declined requests, and ensure consent forms are properly obtained, strengthening privacy rights and ending loopholes that allowed aggressive phone marketing to persist. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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CALLS MOUNT TO SCRAP ‘INEFFECTIVE’ SETA SYSTEM
Government faces renewed calls to disband the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) after 17 years of poor results and worsening unemployment. Business leaders, labour unions, and education experts say SETAs have failed to deliver market-relevant skills despite collecting billions annually from employers through training levies. With nearly 1 000 jobs lost daily and youth unemployment at crisis levels, critics argue that SETAs have become bureaucratic and plagued by corruption, mismanagement, and political interference. Industry bodies propose replacing the current model with a streamlined national skills agency directly aligned with private sector needs and emerging economic sectors. (SOURCE: News24)
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STANDARD BANK DIGITAL DRIVE REUNITES R100M BENEFITS
Standard Bank has reunited clients with R100 million in unclaimed pension and benefit funds through its digital tracing initiative, launched in October 2024 with Reunyte. Using the Standard Bank app, the system securely matches unpaid claims with eligible beneficiaries, allowing users to view and claim funds seamlessly - often without paperwork. Head of digital Belinda Rathogwa said the initiative has already helped thousands recover long-lost money, with payouts ranging from R100 to over R1 million. While R100 million is a fraction of South Africa’s R89 billion in unclaimed benefits, the impact has been “life-changing,” she added. (SOURCE: Moneyweb)
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... AS 60% TOWNSHIP BUSINESSES TO MISS OUT ON FESTIVE CHEER
Experts warn that township retailers could miss out on record festive spending due to poor digital visibility. A FinMark Trust study shows nearly 60% of informal small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) operate at only a “basic” digital level - lacking websites, social media presence, or mobile payment systems. The township economy, worth over R900 billion and supporting 7.5 million livelihoods, risks major losses as mobile-first shopping dominates consumer behaviour. Flood, a digital marketing firm, says improving online discoverability is essential for small traders to remain competitive and capture festive-season sales driven by e-commerce and social platforms. (SOURCE: News24)
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RAF REFORM PLAN TARGETS CLAIM-CRISIS SOLUTIONS
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is embarking on sweeping reforms to tackle its crippling claims backlog and restore financial stability. Key remedial measures include digitising the claims process to speed up payouts, tightening legal cost controls, and introducing stricter verification systems to curb fraud. Treasury is also exploring a revised funding model to manage liabilities exceeding R400 billion. The overhaul will prioritise transparency and faster settlements for long-delayed victims. Officials say the plan aims to transform the RAF from a litigation-heavy, paper-based system into an efficient, service-driven fund capable of sustainable operations and improved accountability within two years. (SOURCE: News24)
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SARS THREATENS TO EXPOSE EX-PRASA CEO'S TAX DETAILS
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has warned former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana to retract his public claims about the agency or face having his confidential tax information made public. Montana has accused SARS of political targeting and abuse of power, which the agency has strongly denied. In an unusually firm statement, SARS said it would defend its integrity and hold individuals accountable for spreading misinformation. The standoff escalates long-running tensions between Montana and state institutions following corruption allegations during his tenure at Prasa, with SARS insisting it will not be intimidated or drawn into political disputes. (SOURCE: BDLive)
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FINTECH START-UP TARGETS R6.3 BILLION IPO ON AI WAVE
AI fintech firm Optasia plans South Africa’s largest IPO in a year, seeking to raise R6.3 billion. as it rides a boom in AI-driven financial services. Founded by Nigerian-born entrepreneur Bassim Haidar, the Dubai-based company will raise R1.3 billion via a JSE listing and another R5 billion through private placement. Operating in 38 countries, Optasia uses AI to assess creditworthiness, enabling microloans for underbanked users through mobile partners such as MTN and Vodacom. With over 121 million active users and $20 billion (about R343 billion) in credit extended, Optasia’s rapid growth underscores Africa’s accelerating fintech and digital inclusion momentum. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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... AS JSE REMAINS AFRICA’S BEACON FOR GLOBAL INVESTORS
Euronext’s head of international listings, Gilles Ohana, says the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) continues to attract strong global investor interest, remaining the “lodestar” for African capital markets. During a visit to South Africa, Ohana highlighted that as European IPO activity increases, the JSE is well positioned to capture growth through secondary listings. The visit by Euronext representatives aimed to strengthen ties and explore cross-listing opportunities between the two exchanges. Ohana praised the JSE’s regulatory robustness, market depth, and investor confidence, noting that collaboration could boost capital flows, enhance liquidity, and reaffirm Johannesburg’s status as Africa’s financial gateway. (SOURCE: News24)
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AFRICA FACES 21% DROP IN US EXPORT ON AGOA EXPIRY
The expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on September 30 is threatening a severe financial impact on African economies, particularly the textile and apparel sector. AGOA granted 32 countries duty-free access to the US for 25 years, boosting trade, jobs, and growth. Without renewal, countries like Lesotho face tariffs up to 15%, leading to cancelled orders, job losses, and reduced competitiveness. South Africa’s citrus and vehicle exports are also affected. Analysts warn that exports to the US could drop 21% by 2029, underscoring the need for African nations to diversify markets, strengthen regional trade, and invest in value-added production. (SOURCE: FreightNews)
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... AS EU IMPOSES 50% STEEL LEVY TO REVIVE INDUSTRY
The European Union plans to introduce a 50% levy on imported steel in a bold move to protect and revitalise its struggling domestic industry. The tariff aims to counteract cheap imports from Asia, particularly China, which have driven down prices and forced several European mills to close. Brussels says the levy will support fair competition, safeguard jobs, and encourage investment in greener steel production. However, critics warn the measure could increase construction costs and spark trade tensions. The EU’s steel industry employs over 300 000 workers and faces mounting pressure from global overcapacity and carbon regulations. (SOURCE: Reuters)
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J&J TO PAY R16.6 BILLION IN BABY POWDER DAMAGES
A California jury has awarded $966 million (about R16.6 billion) to the family of Mae Moore, who blamed her mesothelioma on decades of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder use. The award includes $16 million in compensatory and $950 million in punitive damages, marking the largest verdict for a single user in the 15-year litigation. Moore’s family alleged J&J concealed asbestos risks. The company plans to appeal, maintaining talc is safe and asbestos-free. J&J has already spent over $3 billion settling related lawsuits and faces more than 70 000 ongoing claims, underscoring the continuing legal and reputational challenges for the pharmaceutical giant. (SOURCE: Bloomberg)
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Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.
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