Small businesses don’t fail because they don’t work hard. They fail, plateau, or stay “small” because they run out of repeatable growth. One of the most underestimated blockers to scale is customer experience for small businesses, yet it is also one of the least measured drivers of growth. Often in the SME world, CX is…
The 2026 National Budget did not introduce significant headline tax increases. However, it implemented structural threshold adjustments that materially affect succession planning, retirement modelling, estate liquidity analysis, and business exit calculations for SME owners. While individually incremental, the cumulative effect of these changes requires recalibration of existing planning models to ensure continued tax efficiency, continuity…
The recent escalation in the Middle East has reintroduced a geopolitical risk premium into global markets, as investors price in the chance of supply disruptions and wider regional instability. For South Africa, the transmission channel is primarily through oil prices rather than direct trade exposure, since the country is not a major direct exporter to the Gulf…
The SAB Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards, inviting South African innovators who are actively developing practical solutions to social and disability-related challenges. The awards offer funding ranging from R300 000 to R1.3 million, alongside tailored mentorship, technical support and business development assistance to help strengthen and scale…
The modern marketplace is louder than ever. Brands publish constantly, algorithms churn endlessly, and audiences are exposed to more messaging in a single day than previous generations encountered in a month. Yet despite this unprecedented volume, something essential is missing: emotional connection. The real challenge facing brands in 2026 is not visibility. It’s meaning. Consumers…
Pnet’s Job Market Trends Report for February includes an analysis of trends in international job opportunities for South African professionals. Based on actual vacancies posted across the company’s platforms, the data shows that the portion of international job ads targeting South African candidates increased from 1.6% in 2021 to 2.2% in 2025. Australia has remained…
Partner content: Africa’s Business Heroes Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH), the flagship philanthropic initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy and the Jack Ma Foundation, has opened applications for its 8th edition, calling on African entrepreneurs who are building businesses defining the continent’s future. Launched under the theme “Defining Africa’s Future Today”, the 2026 edition reinforces ABH’s role as a…
Tosin Ojo Branded foods and sustainable packaging. These are just two of the areas in West Africa’s agribusiness sector where investment firm Sahel Capital sees attractive opportunities. How we made it in Africa spoke to Tosin Ojo, a partner at Sahel, who shared her insights from successfully investing in the region’s agribusiness industry. Topics discussed…
As we navigate through 2026, the social media landscape is being defined by emotional storytelling, authentic connections and a strategic balance between human creativity and AI-powered innovation. The numbers paint a compelling picture: South Africa is home to 29.1.-million social media users aged 18 and above, representing nearly 65% of the adult population. South Africans spend an average of three hours…
With cannabis now legal for private use in South Africa, employers must navigate privacy rights, workplace safety and evolving labour law. Here’s what recent court cases mean for your business and its Cannabis Workplace Policy. Whether you are a business owner or you are looking after the HR function in a business, the subject of…
