South Africa’s increased offshore allowance simplifies moving capital abroad, but structuring remains critical. Offshore trusts offer estate planning, asset protection, and legacy benefits, though they require careful compliance and long-term strategy. Professional advice is essential to align global investments with financial goals.
Allianz Trade has appointed Luke Morawitz as Country Manager for South Africa, effective 1 February 2026, while he retains his role as Head of Credit. A 14-year veteran of the business, Morawitz succeeds into the leadership role reporting to Luca Burrafato, Head of MMEA.
The Allianz Risk Barometer 2026 highlights cyber incidents as the top global risk for a fifth year, with AI surging to second place amid rapid adoption, while geopolitical tensions, regulation, and business interruption continue reshaping the global risk landscape.
As festive foot traffic surges, slip-and-fall risks rise, highlighting recent case law on liability in malls. A key judgment confirms that cleaning contractors aren’t liable for hazards they aren’t contracted to monitor, placing primary responsibility on mall owners and managing agents.
AI’s explosive growth is reshaping the physical world, sparking a massive global data center construction wave. Discover the forces driving this expansion, the risks and rising costs involved, and whether the boom can be sustained in the years ahead.
Amid rising economic uncertainty and cost pressures, households are urged to seek professional financial advice rather than act alone. Strategic use of tax relief, prioritising debt reduction and savings, and regular financial reviews can help improve resilience and long-term financial stability.
Financial resilience is key to personal freedom, enabling individuals to navigate uncertainty and make empowered life choices. By building emergency savings, protecting income, setting boundaries, and planning intentionally, people can strengthen financial security and safeguard their independence over time.
Shared finances can strengthen relationships, but they can also create hidden risks. Keith Peter, Advice Manager at Old Mutual Personal Finance, explains why couples should approach joint loans, surety, property ownership and beneficiary nominations carefully to avoid costly legal and financial complications later.
In this reflective piece, Therèse Havenga explores the surprising psychology of generosity, showing how purposeful gifting not only strengthens relationships and legacy, but can also enhance happiness, resilience and meaning within a balanced long-term financial plan.
South Africa’s increased offshore allowance simplifies moving capital abroad, but structuring remains critical. Offshore trusts offer estate planning, asset protection, and legacy benefits, though they require careful compliance and long-term strategy. Professional advice is essential to align global investments with financial goals.
Despite growing concerns, current data suggests AI has not significantly displaced jobs or driven the global hiring slowdown. Instead, weaker labour markets reflect broader economic factors, with limited evidence of productivity gains or widespread automation, making expectations of AI-led disinflation and rate cuts premature.
Morningstar research shows market volatility narrows investor focus, prompting short-term thinking and reactive decisions. Financial advisers play a critical role in restoring perspective, using behavioural coaching and structured communication to keep clients aligned with long-term goals and investment discipline during uncertain periods.
Oil prices remain elevated as the Iran war disrupts global supply, threatening South Africa with sharply higher fuel costs, rising inflation and slower growth. The crisis underscores the urgency of strengthening domestic resilience, boosting investment, and accelerating structural economic reforms.
If your insurance could speak, it would ask whether your cover still matches your life. From updated assets and addresses to accurate risk details, regular reviews are essential to avoid underinsurance and ensure your policy truly protects you when it matters most.
iTOO Special Risks and Munich Re launch aiSure, Africa’s AI performance insurance, covering losses from non-malicious AI errors. The solution enables businesses and developers to adopt autonomous AI confidently by mitigating risk, guaranteeing model performance, and supporting innovation across industries.
Tavaziva Madzinga, CEO of Santam Group, highlighted the insurer’s strong 2025 performance, driven by disciplined underwriting, double-digit premium growth and progress on the FutureFit 2030 strategy. Santam strengthened its market leadership while expanding internationally and investing in capabilities and partnerships.
Ahead of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, now part of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, Marius Kemp of Santam urges cyclists to insure high-value bikes and gear, highlighting risks linked to transit, theft and accidental damage.
South African Insurance Association data shows 65% of motorists remain uninsured as extreme weather becomes the leading cause of short-term claims. Youlon Naidoo of Miway warns that flooding, hail and storms pose escalating financial risks to vehicle owners.
Auto&General has been named overall industry leader in the 2025 Customer Experience Index for Short-Term Insurance, outperforming competitors with a score of 73.7. The study, led by University of Pretoria, recognises the brand’s consistent, customer-focused service excellence.
S&P Global Ratings upgraded Africa Re’s long-term issuer and financial strength ratings to Full “A” with Stable Outlook, recognising its strong performance, robust underwriting, risk management, and pan-African footprint, marking a historic milestone for the African-led reinsurance company.
Jordaan Burger, Managing Director for Sage Africa and Middle East, says the rollout of Sage AI will help businesses reduce administrative burdens, strengthen compliance and improve productivity. The human-first AI tools aim to support SMB growth by automating accounting, payroll and finance tasks while maintaining trust, security and user control.
John Mc Loughlin, CEO of J2, warns that shadow AI is becoming a major cyber risk, explaining how unseen AI tools, bots and non-human identities expose organisations to faster, more dangerous attacks.
Sean Neethling examines whether surging AI investment signals a market bubble, concluding conditions are not extreme. Using valuation, sentiment and capital-supply signals, he urges investors to prioritise diversification and caution, avoiding overvalued AI and crypto segments while targeting resilient global opportunities.
Personalisation is evolving but remains underutilised. Andrew Solomon, Client Strategy Director at Achievement Awards Group, explores its challenges—data complexity, AI integration, and resource constraints. Despite these hurdles, businesses can start small, refine strategies, and gradually enhance customer engagement through tailored experiences.
Complaints are an inevitable aspect of running a business. Handling these customer grievances effectively is crucial, not only for maintaining a good relationship with the complaining customer but also for safeguarding your business’s reputation - especially in an era where social media can amplify an individual’s voice
Janeesha Ragubeer, Area Manager at Business Partners Limited, foresees a promising season ahead for South African small businesses, offering her insights on three actionable strategies to help them flourish this spring.
