Gugu Mjadu, Executive General Manager at Business Partners Limited, says the SME Toolkit competition showcases the strength of South Africa’s entrepreneurial talent, highlighting innovative, impact-driven businesses and reinforcing the role of mentorship and support in building sustainable enterprises.
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.
Gugu Mjadu, Executive General Manager at Business Partners Limited, says the SME Toolkit competition showcases the strength of South Africa’s entrepreneurial talent, highlighting innovative, impact-driven businesses and reinforcing the role of mentorship and support in building sustainable enterprises.
Walter Combrink, Life, Risk and Fiduciary Manager at Momentum Financial Planning, says succession planning is a vital part of financial wellness, ensuring wealth is preserved and transferred smoothly. He emphasises proactive planning, professional guidance, and regular updates to protect families and secure long-term financial stability.
Hannes Van Den Berg, CEO of Momentum Advice, warns that rising fuel prices from global conflict will increase household costs and inflation. He advises consumers to protect essential cover like insurance and medical aid, and manage budgets carefully to maintain long-term financial resilience.
Abdul Vally, CEO of Coface South Africa, says despite a slight decline in liquidations, businesses remain under pressure from weak demand and high costs. He emphasises that proactive credit risk management is critical to protecting cash flow and improving resilience in uncertain economic conditions.
Marius Kemp, Head of Personal Lines Underwriting at Santam, advises motorists to adopt fuel-saving habits like reduced speeds and carpooling amid rising petrol prices, while ensuring they understand insurance implications, as changes in vehicle use or payment arrangements could affect cover and claims.
Thandi Skade, Communications Manager at Allan Gray, says achieving long-term financial goals depends on building momentum through small, consistent actions. She highlights that “micro wins” help form sustainable habits, enabling investors to stay disciplined and benefit from compounding over time.
James Luke, Senior Portfolio Manager at Schroders, says gold’s recent sharp decline reflects short-term market dynamics, including rising rate expectations and liquidity pressures, rather than a structural shift. He maintains that gold remains a valuable long-term hedge amid ongoing geopolitical and fiscal uncertainty.
Yusuf Wadee, Head of Exchange-Traded Products at Satrix, says the firm’s strong showing at the 2026 SALTA awards reflects growing investor reliance on ETFs as transparent, cost-effective building blocks for long-term portfolios, supporting Satrix’s mission to make investing more accessible to South Africans.
Schalk Malan, Head of Insurance at Liberty and Standard Bank Group, warns that South Africa’s growing insurance gap leaves many households financially vulnerable, with insufficient cover for death, disability, and illness. He emphasises the urgent need for better education, accessible products, and proactive financial planning.
Leruo Malumo, Head of Product Strategy and Development at Santam, urges motorists to remain vigilant over the Easter long weekend, emphasising vehicle checks, careful planning and responsible driving to reduce accident risk and ensure safer journeys despite increased road traffic.
Continental Reinsurance has announced the 30 finalists for the 11th Pan-African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards, selected from 184 entries. Winners will be revealed in April 2026 in Kigali, recognising excellence in reporting and offering engagement with leading industry stakeholders.
The South African Insurance Association (SAIA) highlights that unsafe driving behaviours, such as speeding, driving under the influence, poor vehicle maintenance, and non-compliance with policy terms, are key reasons motor insurance claims are rejected, reinforcing that responsible driving is essential for both safety and financial protection.
South Africa’s widening life insurance protection gap highlights the importance of acting early. Securing cover while healthy, understanding policy terms, and disclosing all information can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure meaningful financial protection when it’s needed most.
While Easter road safety has improved, risks remain during busy travel periods. Santam urges homeowners to secure their properties by testing alarms, arranging check-ins, and reviewing insurance, ensuring peace of mind and protection against common threats like housebreaking over long weekends.
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.
Senzo Mbhele, Managing Director at Cloud On Demand, says businesses should move beyond AI hype and focus on practical, value-driven use cases. He emphasises that AI works best when augmenting people, starting small, and aligning with clear business outcomes rather than replacing human roles.
Allan Juma, Lead Cyber Security Engineer at ESET, says multicloud strategies should be viewed as essential enablers of resilience, compliance and innovation, rather than just cost centres, helping businesses remain competitive, secure and operational in an increasingly complex and risk-prone environment.
The insurance industry is rapidly evolving as AI, rising risks and globalisation reshape operations. Insurers are leveraging technology and international partnerships to improve efficiency, enhance risk assessment, and deliver more proactive, client-focused solutions in an increasingly complex environment.
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.
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.
