Cholera deaths increased by 30% in 2025, despite fewer cases being reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2025, 47 countries reported 451 499 cholera cases and 7870 deaths to WHO. This is the highest number of annual cholera deaths reported to WHO since 1999. These figures reflect surveillance data reported to WHO and…
Cyber threats have evolved faster than most organisations. (Image source: 123RF) Cyber security in 2026 has moved beyond antivirus software and firewalls, and into the executive boardroom, directly influencing how organisations grow, scale and respond to disruptions. Before COVID, the traditional approach made sense: build strong defences, keep threats out and respond when something goes…
Michael Brink, CTO of CASA Software. As it stands in 2026, large-scale IT has reached an inflection point. Innovation has led to the development of many unprecedented capabilities but also introduced an equal amount of complexity and risk. Before adding more technology this year, prudent organisations will likely shift their focus to identifying and addressing…
Core technologies like cloud, business AI, and ERP built on clean data strategies will be evaluated not just on adoption, but on how efficiently they are applied across an SME’s operations. Dumisani Moyo | image supplied Foundational technologies such as cloud computing, business AI, and ERP running on clean-core data strategies will be measured not…
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…
In 2025, Africa Check investigated over 20 scams circulating online in Nigeria, from Facebook pages impersonating popular commercial banks to fake money-doubling investment opportunities. The risks of falling for these scams include losing hard-earned money or having personal information stolen, which could then be used for identity theft. In 2026, we expect scams to persist,…
Globally and locally, the customer service industry is in a state of change, driven by the proliferation of communication channels and the rise of artificial intelligence, pushing organisations to re-evaluate longstanding approaches and models to delivering exceptional service. New research shows that although nearly 90% of organisations plan to use AI to enhance the customer…
As we look toward 2026, the economic environment remains uncertain. Economists predict that South Africa could be heading into another stormy year, with geopolitical tensions and unstable global markets placing pressure on growth. Now is the time to make strategic decisions for 2026, and business trends can offer helpful insights. When approached with intention, the…
Africa’s youth population represents a significant economic opportunity and a real risk if we get this wrong. The continent’s youth population aged 15–24 is expected to increase by around 42% by 2030, with the number of young people entering the African labour force projected to exceed the rest of the world combined by 2050. Gigi…
Key findings Between Round 7 (2016/2018) and Round 10 (2024) of Afrobarometer surveys, both average interview duration and average question duration have increased significantly. The average time taken to complete an interview rose from 63.0 minutes in Round 7, to 78 minutes in Round 9 and 79.9 minutes in Round 10. The average time taken…
