Sunday Tribune 2025-01-12

Consumers will hope for some much-needed reprieve from their monthly budgets at the end of this month when the South African Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, announces the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) decision on interest rates for the country. The governor is expected to announce if there will be any change to interest rates in the country on 30 January. The start of the year saw consumers finances impacted by fuel price increases for the first month of the year, which came into effect on 1 January. The fuel price increases saw a litre of petrol costing between 12 and 13 cents more. The increases in fuel for January is listed below: • Petrol 93 ULP & LRP: 19.00 cents per litre increase • Petrol 95 ULP & LRP: 12.00…

As Bench Accounting’s dramatic December 2024 shutdown and swift acquisition by Employer.com continues to reverberate through global tech circles, the venture capital model’s sustainability is once again under intense scrutiny. The Canadian fintech’s collapse, despite raising over $100 million and serving 12 000 customers, adds fresh urgency to ongoing debates about founder-funder alignment and sustainable growth models in tech. Meet Sona Mahendra. From founder to venture builder and back again – Johannesburg-based Sona Mahendra’s journey through Africa’s tech ecosystem reads like a masterclass in pattern recognition. Fresh from helping to transform promising founders’ visions into venture-backable businesses at 54 Collective, she’s now fleshing out her own alternative healthcare financing venture concept with newly minted venture support expertise and a souped-up connectivity profile to match. For the LinkedIn-savvy crowd tracking African…

THIS year follows hot on the heels of a deadly 2024 characterised by natural disasters and severe weather events with significant impacts on lives and livelihoods. Without claim to any other wisdom, 2025 looks destined for the same amidst a peculiar domestic and geopolitical environment. Many South Africans believe that in 2025, they will still be unemployed and with limited access to basic services like sanitation, clean water, and electricity, and increasing vulnerability compounded the risks and impacts of climate change. Driving global ambition and enabling local action As a signatory of the Paris Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), South Africa is required to submit an update to its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) this year, outlining how our plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions…

Many people are rebranding as the new year usually means a fresh start. Last year, we saw a lot of celebrities, including Cassper Nyovest, Thobeka Majozi and Gugu Khathi, to name a few, turn their lives around and join Christianity. This year, we are anticipating more celebrities embarking on a path to “get closer to God” as they usually say and content creator Mihlali Ndamase has already started. Ndamase, who also revealed she is vegan until further notice, shared her new morning routine, which includes communicating with God. As you would expect, that post made it to X, and people had a lot to say about her transformation. “The positive shift will be temporary because messing around with married men has been Mihlali’s bread and butter for so long. I’ll…

The start of a new year often brings a wave of optimism and the promise of fresh starts. For many, this means setting goals for healthier habits, including the ever-popular New Year’s resolution to improve eating habits. After all, as the saying goes, “We are what we eat,” and it shows not just in how we look but also in how we feel. Food is more than fuel — it’s deeply connected to our culture, celebrations and even relationships. WHO’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explains it best: “Food is a central part of life and culture.” But while food brings people together, it can also be a silent killer. Unhealthy diets are one of the world’s leading causes of death, contributing to over 8 million deaths annually and playing a…

The new school year is fast approaching, with our schools set to reopen next week. For parents of children entering Grade 1, this marks an exciting milestone. It’s a time filled with anticipation, but it can also bring about some anxiety for both you and your child. Starting school for the first time is a big step, and ensuring a smooth transition can make all the difference in your child’s confidence and success. To help you prepare, here are practical tips to get your little one ready for their Grade 1 journey. Establish a morning routine Consistency is key in creating a smooth and stress-free start to the school day. By following the same sequence of activities every morning, your child can develop a sense of independence and responsibility. A…