As South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana prepares to deliver the national budget on February 19, PwC warns that tax revenues will fall R10 billion short of expectations. The consulting firm attributes the shortfall to weaker-than-expected VAT collections and lower corporate tax revenue, driven by declining commodity prices and ongoing logistics challenges. Revenue Collections Lag Behind Targets The National Treasury initially set a tax revenue target of R1,863 billion for the 2024/25 fiscal year. In the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) 2024, officials revised the estimate downward to R1,841 billion, but PwC now predicts an even lower figure of R1,830…
Author: Palesa Tsotetsi
Cybersecurity has become the top concern for South African businesses, according to the Allianz Barometer, outpacing all other operational risks. As businesses rely more on technology and the rise of artificial intelligence accelerates, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been more urgent. While firewalls and encryption often steal the spotlight, there is another tool quietly playing a vital role in protecting sensitive data: scanning technology. Reliable, efficient, and surprisingly underrated, it has become a game-changer in the battle against data breaches. In the fight to protect against data breaches, scanning technology continues to shine as a crucial, yet…
Volvo South Africa has issued a safety recall for three of its vehicle models, which were sold in the domestic market between January 2023 and October 2024. This recall affects a total of 109 vehicles that were distributed nationwide. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) was officially notified of the recall by Volvo South Africa, which has assured consumers that the necessary steps are being taken to address the issues identified. The recall comes after Volvo South Africa discovered potential safety concerns with specific models of their vehicles. According to Prudence Moilwa, the Head of Compliance at the NCC, consumers who…
In business, it’s often said that people are a company’s greatest asset. While this has become a familiar business cliché, it holds undeniable truth. Every organisation is completely dependent on the performance of its teams, regardless of the functions or levels within the business. The responsibility for fostering high-performing teams lies firmly with leadership. In other words, the best organisations are led by those who actively nurture a culture of excellence. Insaaf Daniels, Human Capital Director at RedPanda Software, shares valuable insights into the art of providing constructive feedback and mastering discipline to build better performers. “Effective leadership is not…
As the world continues to embrace digital transformation, with technology constantly evolving and everything moving toward ‘everything-as-a-service,’ consumers are increasingly juggling their digital presence with the desire to live authentic, human lives. The shift in digital communications is reshaping how brands connect, engage, and build loyalty with audiences in more meaningful ways. Shey Nel, Consumer Tech BUD at DUO Marketing & Communications, underscores that this digital shift is inevitable. “Brand custodians and PR agency partners now have a greater responsibility to guide brands on the opportunities, benefits, and risks of this transformation, all while ensuring they drive impactful results for…
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa responded on Monday to US President Donald Trump’s recent threat to cut off future funding to South Africa over concerns about the country’s land expropriation policy. Trump, on Sunday, claimed that South Africa was “confiscating land” and mistreating white farmers, vowing to withhold US aid until a full investigation into these allegations was conducted. In his response, Ramaphosa rejected the accusations, clarifying that South Africa operates under a constitutional democracy grounded in the rule of law, justice, and equality. He emphasised that the South African government had not engaged in “confiscating land” as Trump suggested.…
Responsive design has evolved from a buzzword into an absolute necessity. What started as a way to ensure websites looked good on both desktop and mobile has become a more nuanced, deliberate process—especially for custom and bespoke websites. “Desktop and mobile are distinct experiences that should be designed and built to best suit their respective contexts and user behaviours,” says Rogan Jansen, co-founder and creative director at Cape Town-based design studio DashDigital. “While the website as a whole remains a unified experience, the design and development considerations for each platform often require unique approaches.’ That doesn’t mean the website’s identity…
South Africa’s residential property market could be on the verge of a significant turnaround following the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) latest decision to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing the prime lending rate down to 11%. This marks the third rate cut since September 2024 and is the first time the prime lending rate has reached this level since May 2023. Toni Anderson, Head of Home Services at Standard Bank, explains that the series of rate cuts, particularly the two introduced in late 2024, seem to have already had a positive impact on the residential property…
The latest Income and Expenditure Survey by Statistics South Africa has provided valuable insights into the financial landscape of South African households, revealing stark income disparities across provinces, gender, and racial groups. Conducted from November 2022 to November 2023, the survey provides valuable insights into household spending patterns, highlighting the financial priorities that shape the country’s household economy. Provincial Income Breakdown South Africa’s Statistician-General, Risenga Maluleke highlighted that the total household income in South Africa for 2023 was R3 trillion, with an average household earning R204 359 annually. However, provincial differences were significant. The Western Cape had the highest average…
2024 marked a historic turning point for global tourism, with 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals, signalling the sector’s full recovery from the worst crisis in its history. According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, international arrivals reached 99% of pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a robust 11% increase over 2023. This surge, amounting to 140 million additional visitors, was fuelled by strong post-pandemic demand, the recovery of major tourist destinations, and sustained performance from large source markets, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. Key regional insights The recovery was uneven across regions, with the Middle East, Africa, and Europe…