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News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
With the Budget Speech postponed to early March, uncertainty lingers around fiscal policy, but industry experts remain optimistic about the market’s potential in 2025. David Jacobs, Gauteng Regional Manager for the Rawson Property Group, sees major opportunities in the government’s talked-about plan to convert hijacked government buildings into affordable housing. “This is a big win …
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in collaboration with the North-West University Business School’s Unit for Corruption and Integrity Studies (NWU) hosted the 4th annual South African Financial Crime Symposium, which took place on the 4th & 5th of March 2025. The annual event is aimed at strengthening the fight against financial crime and brings …
Friday, 07 March 2025: Eskom has announced that Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented from today at 14:00 until Monday, 10 March 2025 at 05:00. This decision comes after a loss of 2700MW in the past 14 hours. This includes Koeberg Unit 2, which was taken offline after being brought back on Wednesday, and two...
Excitement buzzed through the halls of Riverlea Secondary School this week as WesBank unveiled its FirstJob programme to eager Grade 12 learners from the classes of 2024 and 2025, building on the momentum of its Movers and Mentors initiative that was piloted with the school last year. Both initiatives demonstrate WesBank’s commitment to empowering South …
Empowering women through tailored financial services is not just a goal but a proven strategy for unlocking economic potential. Recognising the impact of women-focused programmes in underserved communities, Standard Bank is now expanding its female-centric propositions to two more countries. Through initiatives like the Dare to Aspire and Dare to Achieve (DADA) programme in Stanbic …
With Africa’s industrial sector facing unprecedented challenges from ageing infrastructure and growing demand, the inaugural One Eighty Root Cause Analysis Africa Conference arrives at a critical moment. Set to take place from 11 to 14 March at The Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town, this landmark event brings together leading experts to address the significant economic …
Qatar and Angola are two key markets where the SUV brand Jetour has secured a leading position, with similar success anticipated in many other territories soon. Since its debut in the Angolan market in 2019, Jetour has introduced a range of models and consistently achieved record-breaking sales. This success is driven by its unique advantages, …
The Africa Green Economy Summit (AGES), which took place in Cape Town recently, reinforced a crucial message, that sustainability is not just a responsibility; it is an opportunity. By working together, businesses, financial institutions, and policymakers can turn the transition to a green economy into a driver of long-term growth. The summit highlighted how innovation, …
“Customer- and people-centric” is how Operational Director Luca Smargiasso describes industry stalwart, automotive component manufacturer Malben Engineering, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The company, which operates two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Nigel, Gauteng, is very well-known and respected for its strong tool design and manufacturing capabilities; as well as the supply of high-level welded …
Standard Bank, the biggest bank in Africa by assets, is gearing up to host its first African Markets Conference (AMC). The Conference, which will be held in Cape Town later this month, is a key element of Standard Bank’s drive to improve integration and ease of doing business across the continent. “This game-changing conference will …
Accounting and auditing are some of the most crucial processes for business operations as they deal with financial activities and records of a company. These two functions deal with the overall finance activities and ensure that good financial management practices and risk mitigations strategies are employed to ensure business continuity and avoid business interruption. Roy …
During the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2025, JETA Holding (www.JETAHolding.com) reinforced its commitment to FinTech and trade expansion in Africa, leveraging its expertise in other industries, including healthcare and technology-driven solutions to position itself as a key player in the region's digital transformation.
At the event, JETA engaged with leading industry stakeholders, established connections with potential partners, and explored investment opportunities to accelerate FinTech adoption and financial inclusion across Africa.
Haim Taib, Founder & President of Mitrelli Group and JETA Holding, emphasized on stage:
"FinTech is not just about technology—it's about unlocking opportunity, fostering inclusion, and driving economic transformation. Across Africa, a new generation of creative entrepreneurs is emerging, bringing bold ideas and innovations that have the potential to redefine industries. However, true progress requires more than innovation; it demands the collective commitment of governments, private capital, and human talent working together to turn potential into impact. This is why JETA is making strategic investments in FinTech—not just to connect people, businesses, and communities with financial tools, but to lay the foundation for long-term, sustainable growth."
With a strong foundation in healthcare, cybersecurity, and ICT, JETA is expanding into FinTech and trade, leveraging its experience in complex regulatory environments and established relationships with governments, banks, and regulators.
JETA operates through three core subsidiaries:
As JETA enters FinTech and trade, the company is looking to bridge financial technology with real-sector applications, including digital payments, lending, trade finance, and financial inclusion solutions.
JETA is actively seeking partnerships with investors, FinTech startups, and financial institutions to drive innovation and scale financial solutions across key African markets.
Doron Ben Sira, CEO of JETA Holding, added:
"FinTech is one of the most dynamic and transformative sectors in Africa, with enormous potential to accelerate financial inclusion and unlock new trade opportunities. At JETA, we don't just invest in technology—we invest in building strong ecosystems. We connect capital, expertise, and markets to ensure that financial innovation doesn't just grow but establishes itself as a sustainable engine for development. We are actively seeking the best companies and partnerships to build a more integrated and accessible digital future in Africa."
Expanding Across Africa
JETA is more than an investor—it is a business accelerator and growth enabler. Through its subsidiaries and strategic investments, JETA is building an ecosystem that connects technology, capital, and local expertise.
As part of its FinTech and trade expansion, JETA is focusing on high-growth markets, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Senegal, Mauritius, and Uganda.
With a proven track record in market expansion, JETA is committed to leveraging its regional presence and deep industry networks to build scalable and impactful financial solutions across the continent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of JETA Africa Holding.
For more information or to schedule interviews with JETA Holding's spokespersons, please contact:
Doron Ben Sira
+357 9974 3916
info@jetaholding.com
Following the local debut of the segment-leading Range Rover Sport SV EDITION ONE, the much-anticipated Range Rover Sport SV EDITION TWO is now available in South Africa. Only 23 examples of Range Rover’s flagship high-performance luxury SUV are available to order through select JLR retailers in South Africa. Range Rover Sport SV is the most …
South Africa faces economic uncertainty with inflation pressures, a weakened rand, and a delayed budget, adding to concerns over the rising cost of living, Sebastien Alexanderson unpacks. 05 March 2025: South Africa’s economic challenges are deepening, with the rand dropping by 0.3% early on Tuesday, trading at 18.64 against the U.S. dollar. At the same …
Tuesday, 04 March 2025: Eskom, in collaboration with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee, continues to combat corruption and theft within its operations. The ongoing efforts have resulted in a series of arrests, with the financial impact of these crimes totalling R1.09 million. To date, R873,000 has...
Standard Bank will be one of the sponsors of the 13th annual Buy Local Summit and Expo, hosted by Proudly South African, to be held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 17 and 18 March 2025. As one of the most significant platforms for championing locally manufactured goods, the event also serves as a crucial …
Progress in closing the gender gap in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa has almost halted, leaving millions of women at a disadvantage to men. But female role models across the continent are refusing to admit defeat, dedicating themselves to accelerating progress towards gender equality.
To mark International Women's Day on 8 March and honour its theme of “Accelerate Action”, KFC Africa has collected the stories of dozens of women who are taking bold steps to advance equality on the continent by educating, empowering and supporting women to achieve more, together, faster.
KFC Africa's list contains the names of 54 women – one for each year the company has been in Africa – and follows its successful International Women's Day campaign in 2024 which introduced an inaugural list (https://apo-opa.co/4h5xiID) of 53 “female firsts”. Each of those women had overcome educational, social and financial obstacles to achieve something no woman in their country had done before.
The 2025 list (https://apo-opa.co/4h5xiID), drawn from each of the 22 Sub-Saharan Africa countries where KFC has restaurants, also has its share of female firsts – people such as Dior Fall Sow, Senegal's first female prosecutor; Nelly Mutti, the Zambian parliament's first female speaker; and Adelaide Retselisitsoe Matlanyane, the first woman to lead Lesotho's central bank.
The list is dominated, however, by younger women who are breaking the mould – particularly in the technology sector – and showing they can do anything they set their mind to, regardless of age or gender.
They include the likes of Christine Ogo, a Cote d'Ivoire physicist who has encouraged thousands of schoolgirls to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics; Rachel Sibande, who set up Malawi's first technology incubator for emerging entrepreneurs and has gone on to teach coding to 92,000 women and children; and Regina Honu, whose Tech Needs Girls movement in Ghana has trained more than 20,000 women and girls to code.
Gender gap
“It's a powerful list that gives us hope after the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report (https://apo-opa.co/4i2QKXB) in 2024 showed that progress seems to have ground to a halt,” says Akhona Qengqe, General Manager of KFC Africa.
The report showed that 68.4% of Sub-Saharan Africa's gender gap had been closed, only marginally higher than 68.2% in 2023 (https://apo-opa.co/3QEYGm5). South Africa, while being Africa's highest scorer and ranking 18th out of 146 nations, went backwards, from 78.7% in 2023 to 78.5% a year later.
“The report says that at the current rate of progress, it will be 2158 until the world reaches full gender parity,” says Qengqe. “That's why we need to accelerate action, particularly in Africa, and why the efforts of the women on the KFC list are worthy of recognition and support.”
In her seven years at KFC – she was as director of Africa franchise development, director of transformation and diversity and chief people officer before taking over as general manager in April 2023 – Qengqe has prioritised female empowerment.
Her initiatives include spearheading KFC Add Hope, a women-led programme that serves free meals to tens of thousands of children at more than 3,000 feeding centres across South Africa.
In 2021, she launched the Women on the Move leadership development programme, which prepares 22 women at KFC for future leadership positions every year, cultivating a pipeline of talent. Within two years, the number of female leaders in the business grew by 14%.
Transforming franchising
Last November she turned her attention to the wider quick service restaurant sector, launching Women in Franchising Africa (Wifa), the first network for current and aspiring female franchisees and franchisors across the continent.
“To say I am passionate about the inclusion of women in growing our economies is an understatement. It is in fact one of my life's purposes,” she says. “My partners in Wifa intend to transform the participation of women in the franchising sector across African economies.
“We want to educate women on how to run successful franchise businesses, provide networking opportunities for like-minded women, transform the sector by making funding accessible to women, and create mentorship opportunities for all the women in the network.”
KFC Africa Chief People Officer Nolo Thobejane says “Accelerate Action” is a call to look at what has a positive impact on women's advancement and replicate it.
“This is a journey we need to embark on together as we learn from each other. I cannot stress enough the importance of forming alliances and partnerships to amplify impact. By working together, organisations and individuals can share resources, knowledge, and support to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women.”
“At KFC, we have implemented some programmes which have yielded great results – such as the Women on the Move Leadership programme to ensure the pipeline of leaders, developing them with quality education and training through initiatives like our Streetwise Academy and then providing career support into positions of leadership.”
“Other successful initiatives organisations can implement include designing and building infrastructure that meets the needs of women and girls, involving them in sustainable agriculture, and elevating their participation and achievement in sport, as we do with KFC Mini Cricket.”
“There's a lot we can do as individuals, too – we can call out stereotypes, challenge discrimination, question bias and celebrate women's success. Everyone everywhere can Accelerate Action.”
Qengqe says the new list of 54 names brings to 107 the number of inspirational African women KFC has honoured and recognised in the past two years. “We know this is the tip of a wonderful iceberg, and we welcome nominations of other women who are Accelerating Action in Africa.”
Explore the list of 54 women Accelerating Action across Africa: https://apo-opa.co/4heEjqM
To nominate a woman Accelerating Action: Email: za-kfcafricamedia@yum.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KFC Africa.
For media inquiries and to arrange interviews with Akhona Qengqe and Nolo Thobejane:
Elmarie Swart
Phone number:
WhatsApp: +44 7464739649
South Africa: +27 79 831 2429
Email: elmarie@kamuses.co.za
KFC Socials:
Instagram – @kfcsouthafrica - https://apo-opa.co/3FdDUap
Facebook – @KFCSA - https://apo-opa.co/4hYOsJl
TikTok – @kfcsa - https://apo-opa.co/4h83tHx
X – @KFCSA - https://apo-opa.co/4h9pMMX
YouTube – @KFCSouthAfrica - youtube.com/@KFCSouthAfrica
About KFC Africa:
KFC has been in South Africa for over 53 years and has more than 1,300 stores across the country. The first KFC restaurant in South Africa opened in 1971 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg. KFC is the leading quick-service restaurant brand in South Africa with just under a third of market share, according to Brand Image Tracker. KFC serves more than 20 million customers a month and we work hard to ensure that no matter which of our restaurants they walk into, they will get that distinctive KFC flavour and have a great experience. KFC's Original Recipe® Chicken was first made by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1940 when he perfected his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices at his restaurant in Kentucky. Today, KFC is the world's most popular chicken restaurant, still preparing our chicken with the Colonel's secret recipe to his exact standards. Every KFC restaurant follows the same global processes and procedures to ensure that our customers get great-tasting food, every time.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber is set to host its Annual General Meeting on 28 May 2025, featuring a dynamic panel discussion with some of South Africa’s leading business experts who will provide invaluable insights into the future of the South African economy. The discussion will be facilitated by Rochelle de Kock, the Editor […]
While new vehicle sales started the year in hopeful spirit, February sales gave even more reassurance that positive growth may be possible for the automotive industry this year. Cautious optimism in January became more cemented confidence in February, with sales up 7,3% in the first normal trading month. In addition, February sales capitalised on January …
The changes that have taken place in executive search over the past decade, reveals Jeremy Bossenger of BossJansen Executive Search, have in the most part been driven by a competitive business landscape, and the need for superior board-level charisma. Diversity, equity, and inclusion for the win! A term called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which …
PaySpace by Deel is now Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace (www.PaySpace.com)! One year after being acquired by Deel, PaySpace by Deel has officially transitioned into Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace. This milestone isn't just about a name change—it's about why Deel acquired PaySpace in the first place.
PaySpace customers can expect the same powerful payroll platform, now under Deel's global brand. Deel customers can utilise real-time payroll, which means real-time G2N (Gross-to-Net) calculations, shorter cut-off times, and less overall pressure and stress when running payroll across multiple countries.
Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace, formerly known as PaySpace by Deel, is a market leader in payroll technology, with more than 20 years of payroll and HR experience. Its flexible solutions cater to a wide range of clients, including small businesses, enterprises, and payroll service providers. The company has built the most technologically advanced native payroll engine, serving clients in 44 countries across Africa and the Middle East. It has over 15,000 customers, including big brands like Heineken, Coca-Cola, and Puma Sports.
Deel is a trailblazer in global employee and payroll management, enabling its customers to operate in different territories and simplify the complexities of managing employees according to regional financial and legal requirements. With global operations in over 150 countries, Deel simplifies the complexities of international payroll and HR, enabling companies to manage their global workforce efficiently and compliantly. Founded in 2018, Deel is the fastest-growing unicorn in history (a unicorn is a privately owned startup valued at over US$1 billion—Deel is currently valued at over $12 billion), helping businesses hire anyone, anywhere.
PaySpace is now Deel Local Payroll: New Brand, Same Team and Innovation
The acquisition, concluded in 2024, aligns the award-winning Deel Local Payroll team and cloud-native PaySpace platform with Deel's global operations. Deel Local Payroll is an independent subsidiary and a payroll product sold as a self-service option alongside Deel's global payroll product. Deel customers benefit through enhanced, innovative, and more flexible payroll tools for their teams.
The PaySpace calculation engine is now Deel's calculation engine, onto which Deel has localised its Employer Of Record (EOR) and Global Payroll (GP) products across numerous countries, including the UK, South Africa, Canada, and the UAE. Deel will keep localising countries onto this single engine—a unique competitive offering in the payroll market.
Under the Deel brand, Deel Local Payroll will continue to provide the same excellent payroll software and dedicated team that its customers have come to rely on, with the same management team, employees, support, channels, and logistics—only the name has changed. This seamless transition ensures no disruption to existing customer contracts, systems, or processes.
Deel Local Payroll's core cloud-native platform is now the PaySpace platform, an intrinsic part of how Deel delivers payroll services at grassroots levels to customers across the globe.
The PaySpace platform includes groundbreaking features:
"When we founded PaySpace, we set out to create world-class payroll management that served all markets. Taking inspiration and lessons from our customers in Africa and leveraging cutting-edge cloud technologies, we built a true 21st-century payroll service that evolves with the needs of modern companies and their workforces. The rebranding from PaySpace to Deel Local Payroll allows for deeper integration with Deel, positioning us for continued success and growth. It's a positive move, building on the strong foundation we've already established," says Bruce van Wyk, CEO at Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace.
Deel's acquisition of Payspace, now Deel Local Payroll, and the PaySpace platform is a significant win for customers. It also serves as a testament to the resilience and flexibility of African tech. Deel, Deel Local Payroll, and the PaySpace platform are building bright futures for their customers as they continue to innovate and provide world-class payroll solutions built to simplify and enhance payroll at every level.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PaySpace.
Media contact:
Victoria Lindsay
victoria@innocomm.co.za
About Deel Local Payroll:
Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace, revolutionises payroll management. It offers online, multi-country payroll and HR management for businesses from start-ups through to enterprise in over 40 African countries, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Brazil.
Cloud-native, Deel Local Payroll, is scalable, configurable, highly secure, and easy-to-use—delivering anytime, anywhere access. It features payroll automation, self-service features, automatic legislation and feature updates, customised reporting, and more.
Since 2024, Deel Local Payroll has been part of Deel, operating as an independent subsidiary, serving its customers through the PaySpace platform.
First Cut subsidiary, gas safety expert Gas Safety International (GSI), is revolutionising traditional industrial brazing with cutting-edge technology which enhances safety, quality and efficiency. This innovative solution is game-changing for industries reliant on high-performance brazing, including the automotive, white goods, storage (racking and shelving), fabrication and engineering sectors. Brazing is a crucial process in various …
While many consumers still faced financial strain in 2024, their confidence levels appear to be improving, with more people looking to buy cars last year. Thanks in part to the slight decline in interest rates in 2024, Standard Bank Vehicle and Asset Finance (VAF) recorded an increase of over 5% in vehicle loan applications. This …
South Africa's newly established South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) will host an investor roadshow at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris this May, highlighting its strategic vision and the more than R95 billion in untapped market and investment opportunities in South Africa's oil and gas sector. Under the theme "South Africa's Energy Future: A New Age State Entity," the presentation will be led by SANPC CEO Godfrey Moagi, following the company's official launch, scheduled for April 2025.
With a clear mandate to promote energy independence and diversification, SANPC is set to drive large-scale investments in the oil, gas and clean energy sectors. SANPC's strategy includes ring-fencing all non-functioning assets, identifying assets that can be moved to the NOC and ensuring these assets can be traded and utilized effectively. At the IAE 2025, delegates will gain an exclusive look into SANPC's far-reaching goals, including the creation of a state-backed energy company that will enhance the country's energy security, facilitate the transition to cleaner energy sources and create employment opportunities for the nation's youth.
IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/4h81CCe) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.
SANPC's strategic vision aligns with South Africa's National Development Plan, which outlines the country's goals to expand access to affordable, reliable energy while navigating the energy transition. The creation of SANPC marks a bold step toward achieving these objectives, acting as a catalyst for new ventures, partnerships and large-scale infrastructure projects. As South Africa's energy landscape undergoes reform, SANPC aims to drive the rapid deployment of new projects while adhering to the highest sustainability standards and fostering regional integration in oil and gas.
SANPC's participation at IAE 2025 is part of the company's series of investor roadshows, first launched at the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2024 conference in Cape Town. These roadshows support the company's commitment to attracting foreign investment and offer stakeholders the opportunity to engage with SANPC leadership, while gaining insight into the company's vision for an energy future that fosters both economic and environmental sustainability.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
