The Latest news on Business, Tech and AI
What R350 Grant Recipients Teach Us About Micro-Economies and Informal Trade in South Africa In a country grappling with record-high unemployment and deep inequality, South Africa’s R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant — a lifeline for over 8 million recipients — has become more than just a survival mechanism. It’s quietly fuelling a network…
The Black Middle Class Is Shrinking — What That Means for SA’s Future Economy South Africa’s economic future is intrinsically linked to the stability and growth of its middle class. However, the nation’s black middle class — households earning between approximately R200,000 and R350,000 annually — is facing increasing strain. This demographic, which once symbolised…
The Cost of Starting a Business in South Africa vs. Other African Markets South Africa has long been considered the gateway to African business, but rising costs and bureaucratic hurdles are pushing entrepreneurs to look elsewhere. While the country still offers sophisticated financial markets and infrastructure, the cost of starting a business here has become…
Eskom Price Increases: 67% Rise Since 2020 Hits SA Businesses Hard South African businesses are buckling under the weight of Eskom’s price increases. Since 2020, electricity tariffs have jumped by 67% – a figure that dwarfs the country’s inflation rate and is forcing companies to make tough choices about their future. What started as manageable…
Start Smart: Logo Before Laptop for SA Side Hustles In South Africa’s booming side hustle economy, everyone dreams of being the next big thing—from vibrant Instagram thrift stores to authentic kasi cooking brands. But while most aspiring entrepreneurs rush to buy the best laptop or secure initial stock, the crucial truth is often overlooked: your…
Temu Launches SA Warehouse – Faster Delivery Chinese e-commerce giant Temu has officially launched its first warehouse in South Africa, and frankly, it’s about time. After months of South African consumers enduring weeks-long delivery times from China, this strategic move promises to shake up our local e-commerce scene in ways that Takealot probably isn’t too…
Trump’s 30% Tariff Bombshell: Why SA Businesses Are Scrambling Within hours, SA exporters across the country were staring at the same nightmare: a blanket 30% tariff on all South African goods entering the US, effective August 1st. No exceptions, no grace period, no room for negotiation. Your premium wine heading to Manhattan? Add 30%. That…
Aveng’s Recovery Road: Can SA Construction Giant Rebuild? Once a true cornerstone of South Africa’s construction industry, Aveng construction company South Africa is now navigating its toughest period in years. While the wider South African construction sector shows some green shoots of recovery, Aveng Limited has stumbled back into significant losses. This raises big questions…
South Africa’s export landscape has never looked more promising. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) now operational and recent trade agreements worth R90 billion signed with the European Union, SA businesses have unprecedented access to global markets. The numbers tell an impressive story. South African exports represent 11.1% of the country’s GDP, maintaining…
Off-Grid Power: What It Really Costs to Go Solar in South Africa Load shedding strikes again. Your neighbor’s solar lights are glowing while you’re fumbling for candles. Sound familiar? Thousands of South Africans are asking the same question: “What would it actually cost me to go solar?” Most online solar cost estimates are misleading. Those…
