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.
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.
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.
Coface forecasts modest global growth of 2.6% in 2026 amid geopolitical risks, with upgrades in risk ratings and strong commodity-driven prospects for Africa and South Africa, while global trade and corporate resilience support cautious expansion, reflecting a still uneven recovery.
Credit is often feared, but when tied to a clear purpose it can unlock opportunity. Wiehahn Koch argues that purpose-led lending can expand fair access to finance, support entrepreneurs and help South Africans build long-term financial resilience.
Thato Kola, ESG Analyst at Matrix Fund Managers, highlights key policy and institutional reforms shaping South Africa’s investment landscape, including the strengthening of carbon tax policy, proposed municipal coalition governance reforms, leadership succession at SARS, and evolving plans around Eskom’s unbundling and energy market structure.
Sim Tshabalala, CEO of Standard Bank Group, highlighted the bank’s strong 2025 performance, with headline earnings of R49.2 billion and ROE of 19.3%. Growth was driven by solid balance sheet expansion, strong fee and trading income, improved credit quality, and continued momentum across Africa.
David Rees, Global Head of Economics at Schroders, says rising geopolitical tensions and sustained energy price increases could reignite global inflation, potentially delaying interest rate cuts. A prolonged oil shock may squeeze real incomes, slow growth and increase the risk of a stagflationary environment.
Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have pushed oil prices sharply higher, fuelling market volatility and raising concerns about global growth and inflation. This analysis explores the economic implications of the conflict and what the unfolding crisis could mean for investors.
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.
Edite Teixeira-Mckinon of the National Financial Ombud Scheme warns that outdated home contents valuations can lead to underinsurance, reduced payouts and claim disputes, urging consumers to regularly review sums insured to avoid costly surprises.
Musiwalo Moses Khangale from Santam shares practical guidance for farmers on reducing wildfire risk, understanding insurance implications, and taking proactive steps to protect farms, livelihoods and surrounding communities in a changing climate.
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.
