COFI’s proposed activity-based licensing framework will reshape how financial institutions are regulated. Joleen John explains what the changes could mean for existing licences and why firms should start assessing their activities and governance now.
Allianz Commercial’s latest Safety and Shipping Review warns that geopolitical tensions and shipping route disruptions are reshaping global maritime trade, while traditional risks such as machinery failures and vessel fires continue to challenge industry resilience and safety.
Luke Morawitz, Country Manager of Allianz Trade South Africa, says rising geopolitical tensions and higher global cost pressures are increasing insolvency risks for businesses, making cash-flow resilience and stronger credit risk management more important than ever.
Mpumi Tyikwe, CEO of Sasria, says the insurer’s strong financial recovery and capital growth position it to expand its mandate, strengthen resilience, and better address emerging risks such as climate-related events and socio-economic shocks.
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.
SAVCA CEO Anusha Naidu argues that capital is not the main obstacle to South Africa’s infrastructure ambitions; instead, accelerating bankable projects, regulatory certainty and public-private collaboration will be key to unlocking long-term investment and economic growth.
Political strategist Gareth van Onselen examines Johannesburg’s 2026 municipal election landscape, arguing that stable governance, institutional reform and stronger voter participation will be critical to restoring service delivery and unlocking the city’s long-term economic potential.
Momentum’s Sonja Steyn explains why retirement planning should begin early, highlighting the power of compound growth, consistent saving and professional financial advice in building long-term financial security, flexibility and independence despite today’s economic pressures.
EasyRetire’s latest two-pot retirement analysis shows members are preserving their retirement savings at higher-than-industry rates, suggesting that transparency, education and informed decision-making may be more effective than administrative barriers in encouraging long-term retirement preservation.
Old Mutual Wealth’s Izak Odendaal explores how rising geopolitical uncertainty and populism are reshaping global markets, arguing that disciplined diversification, attractive valuations and managing investor behaviour remain essential for long-term investment success.
Morningstar’s Sean Neethling argues that successful investing depends on disciplined asset allocation, deliberate diversification and filtering out market noise, with robust portfolio construction and investor behaviour proving more important than reacting to every headline.
The Sanlam Umbrella Fund has appointed development economist Dr Nthabiseng Moleko as Sponsor-Appointed Trustee, strengthening the board’s governance, retirement fund expertise and commitment to delivering improved member outcomes.
Matthew Spencer, Director of UK Retail at Orbis, says investors should embrace uncertainty rather than fear it, focusing on opportunities where market expectations are low and ensuring portfolios are genuinely diversified to navigate an increasingly complex global investment landscape.
PSG Insure CEO Cedric Masondo says climate-related disasters, rising motor repair costs and growing cyber risks are reshaping South Africa’s insurance landscape, making regular policy reviews, accurate valuations and proactive risk management more important than ever.
More than 2,300 delegates attended the 2026 Elite Wealth Conference, where industry leaders explored how resilience, intelligence and adaptability are reshaping wealth creation, investment, risk management and financial advice in an increasingly complex world.
Miway’s Nomvula Nxumalo highlights a significant short-term insurance knowledge gap among young South Africans, encouraging first-time earners to protect everyday assets like cars and smartphones as part of building long-term financial resilience.
iTOO Special Risks has appointed Melissa Brink as Branch Manager for the Western Cape, reinforcing its commitment to developing internal talent and strengthening regional leadership, broker relationships and specialist insurance expertise.
Rishai Neerachand, Executive Head of Business Insurance at Miway, says many SMEs underestimate liability risks, warning that incidents involving third-party injury, property damage, defective products or professional advice can result in costly legal claims, making tailored liability cover an essential part of long-term business sustainability and growth.
Marius Kemp, Head of Personal Underwriting at Santam, says the rise of smart home technology is increasing the value of household assets rather than creating new insurance risks, making accurate disclosure, regular policy reviews and adequate sums insured essential to avoid underinsurance and claim shortfalls.
The African Insurance Awards (AIA) 2026 will take place on 7 June 2026 in Cairo, celebrating excellence and innovation across the industry. Nominations are open until 13 April 2026 across categories including CEO, Insurance Company, Innovation, and InsurTech of the Year.
Alex Thomson, co-founder of Naked Insurance, says Naked’s launch of a native ChatGPT app capable of generating binding car insurance quotes signals a future where AI assistants will increasingly help consumers compare, manage and personalise financial services on their behalf.
Andrew Russell, Group CEO & Managing Director of Iress, says the partnership with Thoughtworks will accelerate platform modernisation and AI integration, helping wealth management clients improve efficiency, innovation and data-driven advice capabilities in increasingly complex markets.
Webber Wentzel partners, say South Africa’s Draft National AI Policy marks a major shift toward formal AI regulation, urging organisations to strengthen governance, engage in public consultation, and prepare for a multi-regulatory, sector-specific compliance environment.
Lumetrade by Lumepay introduces institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure in Africa, enabling faster, transparent, and compliant cross-border transactions, addressing costly inefficiencies in traditional banking systems and positioning digital assets as a viable rail for value transfer across the continent.
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.
