Dr Jennifer Molwantwa, CEO, Water Research Commission | Trailblazer
As Chief Executive Officer of the Water Research Commission (WRC), Dr Jennifer Molwantwa stands at the intersection of science, public policy and innovation, helping shape solutions to some of South Africa’s most pressing water challenges.
AU Summit 2026
The AU Summit, held from 11 to 15 February, marked a pivotal milestone as, for the first time, water and sanitation were prioritised as the main theme of the AU’s annual gathering of Heads of State and Government.
The Connectivity Gap Is An Economic Gap
In recent years, we’ve heard considerable discussion about what economic transformation looks like in South Africa. Yet amid the focus on policy shifts and institutional reforms, we risk overlooking a fundamental truth. Sustainable, inclusive economic growth cannot be achieved without the invisible infrastructure that powers reliable, secure, and equitable connectivity.
Lending Rate Reform Proposal
For decades, the prime lending rate has served as the reference rate for mortgages, vehicle finance, business loans and overdrafts. But the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has now published a consultation paper proposing a significant reform: abolishing the long-standing prime lending rate (PLR) and replacing it with the South African Policy Rate (SPR) as the benchmark for pricing loans.
China-Africa Economic Partnership Agreement
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and his counterpart, China’s Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao signed the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Prosperity (CAEPA) in February. This is a major step towards securing South African exports duty-free access to the Chinese market.
Digital and AI Skills
For leaders, particularly those entrusted with innovation, strategy, and people development, the question is no longer whether to invest in digital and AI skills, but how to do so in a way that empowers employees, strengthens institutions, and responds meaningfully to the country’s unique structural challenges.
Justice and Accountability in South Africa Enters A New Era
By Jessie Taylor Andy Mothibi: A New Chapter for Justice and Accountability In South Africa Advocate Jan Lekgoa “Andy” Mothibi’s appointment as National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) marks a pivotal moment for South Africa’s criminal justice system. Effective 1 February 2026, Mothibi takes the helm of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the constitutional institution […]
President’s State of the Nation: A Stronger SA In A Changing World
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) was both reflective and forward-looking. Framed by the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March, the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprising and 30 years since the adoption of the Constitution, the address positioned South Africa at a pivotal moment: stronger than a year ago, yet facing urgent structural challenges that demand decisive action.
Trade Finance
Trade is the lifeblood of economies, enabling goods to flow from producer to consumer, creating jobs, and connecting businesses to global and regional value chains. However, trade does not occur spontaneously; it relies on a complex web of financing, guarantees, and working capital support that enables companies to import inputs, produce goods, and export – often before payment is received. That’s where trade finance comes in.
Women Headline SA Sports This Women’s Month
It’s been a year of breakthroughs, valiant victories and bold statements in South African women’s sport. Gerda Steyn has proven she’s the true queen of the road. The Proteas left the West Indies with an ODI series win, Banyanya Banyanya lit up WAFCON with song and swagger, despite a disappointing exit. Dakota Ditcheva extended her perfect mixed-martial arts record under the lights in Cape Town.