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Prof. Godfrey has actively engaged in waste and circular economy initiatives at various levels, collaborating with esteemed organisations such as the United Nations, European Union, and South African Government Departments. Currently leading the Waste RDI Roadmap Implementation Unit for the Department of Science and Technology, her research focuses on the waste sector’s role in South Africa’s green economy transition, waste innovation, economics, governance, and social and behavioural aspects of integrated waste management.

There won’t be any relief for personal income-taxpayers In the upcoming 2024/25 tax year. The Personal Income Tax (PIT) table and tax rebates remain unchanged, ignoring inflation. This lack of adjustment means that salary increases will be a push up into a higher tax bracket with increased tax rates. Medical tax credits will also remain unchanged, with no mention of phasing them out or introducing new taxes for National Health Insurance (NHI).

March is important in South Africa as it honours Human Rights. For Reshni Singh, a fervent supporter of women’s opportunities in the Global Business Services Incentive (GBS) sector, it is also her one-year anniversary as BPESA’s CEO. With 21 years of experience in roles supporting South Africa’s economic growth, especially at the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (dtic), she managed the highly praised GBS incentives programme. In an interview, Reshni reflected on the industry’s significant progress.

During her tenure at The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA), Ncedisa Mpande has ensured that the organisation formed strong partnerships with various provincial offices across the country, one of which has resulted in the training of 6000 young people as solar technicians. It is also through her leadership that the merSETA forged partnerships with various higher education institutions in the country, resulting in the clearing of historical debt for 30 000 students, allowing them to graduate and gain access to the job market. She also ensured that the merSETA partnered with NSFAS, resulting in the funding of 300 students from the “missing middle” to study at various public universities across South Africa.

In his Letter to the Nation from the Presidency, penned on March 18, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa focused on Human Rights – recalling that on 21 March, South Africa celebrates Human Rights Day. The purpose of this public holiday is to remind all South Africans of the Sharpeville Massacre that took place in 1960, when police shot dead 69 unarmed protesters who were taking a stand against unjust and inhumane pass laws; this led to the United Nations (UN) Security Council adopting its first resolution condemning violence perpetrated by the apartheid regime. In 1966 the UN General Assembly declared apartheid a crime against humanity and 21 March as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

South Africa’s greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2022 sparked a wave of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing policies and mechanisms. One of these is an amendment of the Companies Act 71 of 2008, which came into effect in April last year with far-reaching implications. In effort to bring more transparency and accountability, organisations whether they be profit-making, NPOs or even non-exempt SOEs – are now obliged to file beneficial ownership information with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) as part of their annual returns to avoid de-registration.

South Africa’s agricultural sector has proven to be a robust industry, contributing significantly to the country’s economic performance and employment for a large number of South Africans. But the sector’s value is more than just employment and GDP figures, as it supports a number of other sectors, such as manufacturing. This means that the success of the agricultural sector is far-reaching: it can increase productivity and employment in several neighbouring industries.

What the OQSF Policy Transition Means for Businesses By Koketso Mamabolo In education circles it’s often said that “qualifications are not jobs” but, as the CEO of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), Vijayen Naidoo explained in the Mail &...

At the start of each year, a new cohort embarks on a journey to obtain the skills necessary to secure their place in the workforce. Yet despite these young minds entering higher learning opportunities, many South African companies still face a shortage of skills in the workplace.

Dr Luthando Dziba, Regional Director for East Africa, Madagascar and the West Indian Ocean, Wildlife Conservation Society. By Jessie Taylor A leading voice in South African conservation has taken on a role on the global stage, working to preserve the world’s wild...

World Wetlands Day is commemorated annually on 2 February on the anniversary of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) in 1971. South Africa is a water-scarce country, where both droughts and floods are common. Wetlands are able to reduce the severity of droughts and floods by regulating stream flow – they also help to purify water which allows for ecosystems, plants, and animals to flourish. Wetlands play an important part in river catchments both directly and indirectly by contributing to flooding control, drought relief, water storage, sediment and nutrient retention, and water purification, among others.

Known for its stunning natural landscapes with waterfalls, wetlands, forests, and Savannahs teeming with wildlife, Mpumalanga is considered one of South Africa’s most geographically diverse regions. Renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery characterised by the convergence of cascading waterfalls, wetlands, dense forests and Savannahs filled with roaming wildlife, this province is considered as one of the most geographically diverse places in South Africa.

Since 2009, February 20th has been designated as the “World Day of Social Justice” by the UN, focusing on observing and highlighting global social injustices, addressing issues such as poverty, exclusion, employment, gender equity, and access to social well-being and justice for everyone.

In his letter to the nation, written on 12 February, President Ramaphosa focused on attracting skills that will enable growth and reflected that, to succeed in the fast-paced, ever-changing global economy, South Africa needs people with the appropriate skills. His Excellency went on to refer to the draft amendments, published last week for public comment by the Department of Home Affairs, on existing immigration regulations that will significantly boost efforts to attract workers with critical skills to South Africa. The draft amendments deal with two visa categories: a remote working visa and the critical skills visa.

Lebogang Mulaisi, COO at the Presidential Climate Commission, is a trailblazer in the fight for environmental justice. As a labour commissioner at COSATU, she championed policy initiatives for a just transition to a low-carbon economy and her blueprint guides workers through this transition via collective bargaining.

Minister Lamola Turns His Focus to Land Reform By Raine St.Claire Honourable Ronald Ozzy Lamola is the current Minister of Justice and an ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member. He holds a Masters of Law in corporate law and extractive law, both obtained at the...

We have come a long way, but still have a long way to go. This was the message which came out of His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, the last of the 6th administration. This year’s speech comes as the country celebrates 30 years of democracy, reflecting on the successes and failures, examining the weaknesses and acknowledging the strengths.

The year 2024 will mark thirty years since South Africa became a democracy. To put this into perspective, we take a look at some of the highlights, globally and locally, over the last 30 years.

The WHO World Cancer 2024 theme, ‘Close the Care Gap,’ urges collective action. By underscoring that “together, we challenge those in power,” serves as a call for global leaders to prioritise and invest in cancer awareness and initiatives. Without urgent measures, cancer mortality in the region is projected to reach about 1-million deaths per year by 2030, surpassing the global average of 30% in 20 years.

South Africa shines with 17 entities in the top 50 of Africa’s 100 fastest growing companies for 2023, as revealed by The Financial Times and Statista’s annual ranking. In its second year, the ranking underscores the remarkable expansion of companies in fintech, renewable energy, healthcare, commodities, and agriculture.

The participation of South Africa at COP28 is part of its national commitment, as outlined in the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, to drastically reduce emissions in accordance with the 2015 Paris Agreement. The South African government states that the Conference presents an opportunity to fast-track the energy transition by building the energy system of the future “while rapidly decarbonising the current energy system to keep 1.5°C within reach.”

The South African delegation is led by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel. “Together with Brand SA and various private sector representatives from Old Mutual, SAB and Naspers, amongst others, the delegation includes ministers of key departments, with the Minister of Electricity and his drive to gauge the appetite for investment in the energy space being an important part of Team South Africa’s agenda.”

Our Woman in Leadership for this edition is Carmen Joy-Abrahams. With over 23 years of dedicated service in the public sector, Carmen-Joy Abrahams has been appointed as Deputy Director-General (DDG): Professional Services. Effective from November 2023, she brings a wealth of 19 years of senior management experience within the public service and diverse expertise gained across various portfolios.

This is a story of innovative thinking, strategic resourcing, partnerships, achieving development goals, technological innovations and a rural village that was put on the map for the first time. Gwakwani, a village in Limpopo, has become South Africa’s 1st smart and sustainable rural settlement.

Our Trailblazer for this edition is Advocate Nompilo Kholeka Gcaleka, who has been appointed as Public Protector of the Republic of South Africa (PPSA) for a non-renewable term of seven years with effect from 1 November 2023.