Sunday Tribune 2024-09-29

This comes after the surprising 4.1% increase in retail sales in Q2, while year-on-year the category increased by 2% in the second quarter of 2024 compared with the second quarter of 2023. Add the lower fuel price, less load shedding, an interest rate cut and access to the controversial two-pot system and consumers will be somewhat flusher – right in time for the season. The 2024 South African Customer Experience Report, an annual, in-depth study among 2 000 online South Africans and 70 businesses, delves into the consumer-business relationship. The report is co-authored by Rogerwilco CEO Charlie Stewart; Julia Ahlfeldt, customer experience professional (CCXP) from Julia Ahlfeldt Consulting; and, Amanda Reekie, founding director of research tool, ovatoyou. Is your business ready to take advantage of this? Comparing what consumers want…

South African long jump legend Khotso Mokoena says the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic was a sign that it was time to hang up his spikes. During the heady days of his career, Mokoena won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. The next year, he won the same colour medal at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin. Alongside a decorated athletics career spanning almost two decades, the 39-year-old Mokoena dabbled in entrepreneurship early in his career. Before delving into what keeps him occupied, Mokoena, the chairperson of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s (Sascoc) Athletes Commission and World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) ambassador, reflected on his journey of fusing his successful career with his business acumen. During his career,…

With World Heart Day being celebrated today, attention is turning to the alarming rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that have been burdening the country’s healthcare system. NCDs, which include heart diseases, diabetes, lung diseases and cancer, have been on the rise globally, and South Africa is no exception. According to the World Health Organization, lifestyle factors such as urbanisation, sedentary living, poor diets, and a rise in obesity have contributed to this increase. Tobacco use and unhealthy eating habits, in particular, are major contributors. These diseases now make up a substantial portion of the country’s health issues, straining resources and affecting thousands of lives. In South Africa, deaths from major NCDs like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes rose dramatically over the past two decades. Between 1997 and 2018, deaths from…

After much anticipation the South African Music Awards unveiled the list of Sama30 nominees on Thursday at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. Tyla, with five nominations, and Kabza De Small and Mbuso Khoza, with three each, were the most nominated artists. Presenter Luthando “Loot Love” Shosha announced that the awards will take place on November 2 at the same venue. Internationally acclaimed superstar Tyla got nods in for Sampra Album of the Year, Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year, Santam Newcomer of the Year and Best Pop Album categories as well as Best Collaboration for Water with Travis Scott. Hot on her heels were Kabza De Small and Mbuso Khoza with three each. Kabza, the diminutive amapiano maestro, is up for Album of the Year and Motsweding FM…

Luxury designer counterfeit products are on the rise and even the most knowledgeable shoppers are finding it hard to tell the difference. According to Michael Zahariev, co-founder of luxury reseller and authenticator Luxity, the products entering South Africa are made with precision and attention to detail. “These items are dubbed ‘superfakes’ and are part of the reason we employ a dual authentication process, using an internal expert and an independent third party for every item we purchase.” Citing the Global Anti-counterfeiting Consumer Survey conducted by Michigan State University, he highlights that 68% of consumers have been duped into buying counterfeit goods, with 39% acquiring these from online retailers and another 39% from social media. “Given WhatsApp’s popularity in South Africa, it has become counterfeiters’ tool of choice.” With the rise…

September is Oral Health Month in South Africa, a time to raise awareness about the importance of good oral hygiene and access to dental care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), oral diseases are a major health issue in the country. The WHO’s recent report on the global burden of oral disease reveals some concerning statistics for South Africa. In 2019, it was estimated that 28.5% of the population over five years of age had untreated tooth decay in their permanent teeth. The situation is even more dire for children, with 38.6% of one to nine-year-olds affected by untreated decay in their baby teeth.In addition, nearly 25% of teenagers suffer from severe gum disease. In South Africa, gum disease has become a widespread issue, ranking second only to the…