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No Free Lunch – Building Smart Businesses on WhatsApp
AskMandla – Revolutionising Domestic Worker Services Through WhatsApp Innovation You may not be aware of the massive, yet largely informal, sector of domestic workers in South Africa. Official statistics put this at around 800 000 however many believe this market to be double that size. Despite the critical role these workers play, most operate outside
Breaking News Today – Tuesday 2 June 2026
African Start-up News Headlines: Business News Today IPO Season – Anthropic Files for US Listing With several major public listings such as SpaceX on the horizon, Anthropic, the AI lab behind Claude, has also filed confidentially for an initial public offering, the company said in a blog post yesterday. The company, which is valued at close to
The Bottled Water Illusion: Opportunity, Risk and the Dangerous Knowledge Gap in South Africa
In townships, rural areas, and even many urban suburbs across South Africa, the belief persists that starting a bottled water business is one of the easiest ways to enter entrepreneurship. “It’s just water in a bottle,” the logic goes. Low barriers, constant demand, and the perception of a simple product have drawn thousands of small
Manufacturing Momentum Fades as Absa PMI Drops to 50.8 in May 2026
South Africa’s manufacturing sector lost steam in May, with the Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) declining by 1.8 points to 50.8, according to data released on 1 June 2026. While the headline index remained above the crucial 50-point expansionary threshold for a second consecutive month, the sharp deterioration in underlying activity signals that the brief
Kruger Gate Hotel: Where World-Class Business Meets the Heart of the African Bush
Located just outside the Gate of the iconic Kruger National Park, Kruger Gate Hotel has quietly established itself as one of South Africa’s most compelling venues for high-end business conferences, executive off-site private functions, and incentive travel. Offering a rare blend of sophisticated facilities and direct access to one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations,
Breaking News Today – Monday 1 June 2026
African Start-up News Headlines: Business News Today Mauritius Commercial Bank Launches $1 Billion Trade Finance Initiative Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB), one of the largest and most respected banks in Africa, announced on 1 June 2026 the launch of a $1 billion trade finance facility to be deployed over the next four years. The ambitious programme
South Africa’s 30-Year Spending Report Card: Trillions Deployed – Disappointing Returns
Over the past three decades, post-apartheid South Africa has spent vast sums of public tax money on infrastructure, education, healthcare, small business development, and policing. Successive governments have justified high levels of taxation and borrowing with promises of inclusive growth, job creation, and service delivery. Yet the outcomes tell a sobering story of capital misallocation,
Breaking News Today – Friday 29 May 2026
African Start-up News Headlines: Business News Today Global Consultancy Alvarez & Marsal Opens Cape Town Office Consultancy firm Alvarez & Marsal founded in 1983 in New York by Tony Alvarez II and Bryan Marsal, and with 80 offices in 40+ countries, has launched its first African office in Cape Town. The firm is best known
South Africa’s Rate Hike Deepens Cost-of-Living Crisis as Continent’s Growth Stars Pull Ahead
The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) delivered a widely expected but painful 25-basis-point increase in the repo rate yesterday (28 May), lifting it to 7.0% (prime lending rate now at 10.5%). In a country already grappling with record fuel prices, re-accelerating food inflation, and strained household budgets, the decision risks tipping more
South Africa’s Automotive Sector: Strong Domestic Rebound Masks Deeper Structural Challenges – NAAMSA Q1 2026 Analysis
The South African automotive industry delivered its strongest first-quarter performance in over a decade, yet the latest NAAMSA Quarterly Review of Business Conditions reveals a tale of two sectors: robust domestic demand colliding with weakening production and export volumes. Released on 27 May 2026, the report highlights both encouraging momentum and persistent vulnerabilities in one
MINI Paul Smith Edition – British Charm Meets Iconic Fun
MINI has a long tradition of producing special editions — dating back to the classic Mini era in the 1970s. These models typically combine unique styling, limited production numbers, and heritage touches to create collector appeal and stronger emotional connection. Iconic Past Special Editions (Classic & Early BMW Era) Recent & Current Special Editions (2025–2026)
Breaking News Today – Thursday 28 May 2026
African Start-up News Headlines: Business News Today Major Zimbabwean Gas Production Agreement Signed Australia's Invictus Energy, has signed a petroleum production sharing agreement (PPSA) with the Zimbabwean authorities yesterday. This is a key step in moving towards production at its Cabora Bassa gas project, company executives said. In 2023, Invictus declared large gas condensate discoveries at
No Free Lunch Podcast – Getting Your Business Over the Line
The ability to adapt, innovate, and stay human-centric has become a central business priority on an African continent filled with opportunities but also headwinds. South African entrepreneurs are proving that success isn’t just about numbers but about the human touch, strategic collaboration, and embracing change. In this latest edition of No Free Lunch I chatted
Breaking News Today – Wednesday 27 May 2026
African Start-up News Headlines: Business News Today AELC to Host Invest in Africa Trade Expo & Business Summit 2026 in Namibia The Africa Economic Leadership Council (AELC) will host the Invest in Africa Trade Expo & Business Summit from 28–30 May 2026 in Swakopmund, Namibia. The event aims to attract investors and showcase trade opportunities
Too Good to Be True: How ‘AI Trading Bots’ Like Invora AI Could Fleece Investors
Daily returns of up to 1.3% with zero risk? Experts warn these flashy crypto schemes are classic Ponzi red flags. A sleek new “AI-powered” crypto investment platform called Invora AI, popped it's presence into my LinkedIn inbox and is making bold promises across social media: market-neutral profits, up to 1.3% daily returns, and passive income
Business Tech Africa – Launches the Pan-African Business Sentiment Index
Today is a new milestone for our African focussed business news site, as we launch a new business index that we believe will add a fresh dimension to the African Business Landscape. The Pan African Business Sentiment Index or PABSI, uses a rich data set, combining 15 critical indicators, which includes GDP growth, inflation, currency
Business School – Cross Border Expansion Lessons
Cross-Border Expansion: Lessons from Successful Regional Players A Business Founders’ Guide to Optimal Approaches in Africa Africa’s intra-continental trade is expanding, driven by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and improving infrastructure. For ambitious founders, cross-border expansion represents a pathway to scale, market diversification, and resilience against regional domestic market volatility. However, success demands
Breaking News Today – Tuesday 26 May 2026
African Start-up News Headlines: Business News Today Fuel Levy Cuts In South Africa to End The South African government has indicated there will be no further fuel levy relief on the rapidly scaling fuel prices, as national Treasury looks to rebalance the country’s finances. The cuts were introduced to cushion consumers from soaring fuel prices
Getting To Grips With The Context of AI in Africa
As Global AI adoption accelerates, there is often a sense of “what on earth do we do now”, that seems to be creeping into more and more conversations. The obvious reflections of a world that is perhaps simply moving too fast. Where are the guardrails? What are the real value propositions? When will our company
Breaking News Today – Monday 25 May 2026
African Start-up News Headlines: Business News Today Africa Day – Challenges in Funding and Opportunities For Growth Today (25 May) is officially Africa Day, As originally appointed by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) – now the African Union, as a day aimed at promoting African Unity and to celebrate African heritage. Today is significant