MyZA
News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
Statement by Werner Horn and Bridget Masango – Presiding Officers of Federal Congress: The Democratic Alliance (DA) has today announced the candidates nominated to stand for election to key leadership positions at the Party’s elective Federal Congress, taking place on 11 and 12 April 2026. In just 19 days, Federal Congress delegates will participate in …
The South African Reserve Bank is expected to keep interest rates unchanged when its Monetary Policy Committee meets later this week. The conflict in the Middle East has increased uncertainty around the inflation trajectory. According to Thys van Zyl, CEO of Everest Advisory Services, the country’s biggest economic risk is not inflation, but the slow …
This Mother’s Day, Sunday, 10 May 2026, hopeful contenders will be chasing their share of an unprecedented prize purse in the Mother City at the iconic Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K. The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series combined prize purse stands at R1 686 000 in 2026, further enhanced by innovative incentives for …
As cities expand and inequality deepens, a growing share of the world’s population is being priced out of safe, stable […]
The post Global Housing Is In A Crisis. Habitat For Humanity Thinks It Has A Solution appeared first on Impact Newswire.
As part of a joint initiative with AFRIPOL, Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) provided cybersecurity training courses for law enforcement representatives from 23 African countries, unfolding the fundamentals of Security Operations Center (SOC) activities and advanced threat hunting techniques.
As cyberthreats continue to grow in scale and complexity, strengthening the technical capabilities of law enforcement agencies has become an important priority worldwide. Through knowledge-sharing programmes, technology companies can contribute practical expertise gained from real-world cyber investigations and threat analysis. Such collaboration helps equip law enforcement professionals with the skills and tools needed to investigate digital crimes more effectively and strengthen cybersecurity capabilities.
From November 2025 to March 2026, around 40 African officers from 23 countries* received “Security Operations and Threat Hunting” training, provided as part of the cooperation agreement between Kaspersky and AFRIPOL signed in 2024. During the training, African officers gained practical knowledge of Security Operations Center (SOC) activities and modern cyber-defence practices. The programme covered key aspects of threat detection and incident investigation, including how to identify malicious activity in Windows and Linux environments, analyse attacker tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) and use threat intelligence to uncover advanced threats.
As part of the training, a series of online Q&A sessions were organised, providing participants with the opportunity to engage directly with experts and course authors from Kaspersky's Security Services team. These sessions allowed attendees to clarify complex topics, discuss practical cases and receive additional insights, reinforcing the learning experience and ensuring a deeper understanding of key cybersecurity concepts.
“Cybercrime today is highly sophisticated, borderless and constantly evolving, which means no single organisation can tackle it alone. This is why cooperation and knowledge sharing between the private cybersecurity sector and law enforcement agencies are so critical. Our long-standing collaboration with AFRIPOL demonstrates the value of this approach. Over the years, Kaspersky and AFRIPOL have worked together to better understand the cyberthreat landscape across Africa and to support international efforts aimed at disrupting cybercrime. By continuing to invest in training and capacity building, we aim to support law enforcement professionals with the expertise they need to investigate digital crimes effectively and contribute to building a safer and more trusted digital environment for everyone,” says Yuliya Shlychkova, Vice President, Public Affairs, at Kaspersky.
“Strengthening the capabilities of law enforcement agencies is essential to effectively address the growing complexity of cybercrime across the African continent. Initiatives such as this training programme play an important role in equipping officers with the practical skills needed to investigate cyber incidents, analyse digital evidence and respond to emerging threats. Cooperation with partners from the private cybersecurity sector, such as Kaspersky, helps law enforcement agencies stay informed about the latest threat trends and investigative approaches. We highly value this collaboration and the opportunity it creates to further develop the cybercrime response capabilities of AFRIPOL member countries,” says Dr Mohammed Benaired, Head, Training and Capacity Building Division at AFRIPOL.
In 2024, to further enhance global efforts to combat cyber offenses, Kaspersky and AFRIPOL signed (http://apo-opa.co/4taXNTz) a cooperation agreement in preventing and fighting cybercrime. Covering a period of five years, the document formalises and facilitates cooperation between the company and the law enforcement agency in sharing threat intelligence data on the latest cybercriminal activities and entails the provision of assistance and know-how in information security analysis.
Kaspersky Expert Training is used by numerous organisations and academic institutions to advance their skills in battling against cybercrime. Since the inception of this online training programme, Kaspersky experts have trained more than 3,000 specialists from 50 countries around the world. Providing their expertise with 12 educational courses, they share their insights on advanced tactics and strategies in Reverse Engineering, Threat Hunting, Incident Response and more – each divided by the level of students' experience. Learn more here https://apo-opa.co/4bugdIL.
*Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Comoros, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kaspersky.
For further information please contact:
Nicole Allman
nicole@inkandco.co.za
Social Media:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4rOS1FS
X: https://apo-opa.co/4t6RfoN
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4d7bf6a
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4rRDBoy
Blog: https://apo-opa.co/4uT9KPq
About AFRIPOL:
AFRIPOL, the African Union's dedicated police cooperation body, plays a crucial role in strengthening collaboration among the police forces of AU Member States to prevent and combat transnational organized crime, terrorism, cybercrime and emerging threats. Established through statutes endorsed by the Conference of AU Heads of State and Government in January 2017, AFRIPOL empowers the police services of its 55-member states by enhancing their operational capabilities, promoting the exchange of critical resources and expertise, and coordinating joint efforts to dismantle organized criminal networks across the continent. With a strategic focus on building resilience and fostering a unified approach to security, AFRIPOL supports member states in responding effectively to interconnected cyber and criminal threats. Learn more at https://apo-opa.co/4bwLYRu.
About Kaspersky:
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. With over a billion devices protected to date from emerging cyberthreats and targeted attacks, Kaspersky's deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect individuals, businesses, critical infrastructure and governments around the globe. The company's comprehensive security portfolio includes leading digital life protection for personal devices, specialized security products and services for companies, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. We help millions of individuals and nearly 200,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.Kaspersky.co.za.
As a new academic year approaches, leading fire engineering consultancy ASP Fire is emphasising the importance of robust and compliant fire safety measures in student accommodation across South Africa. With large numbers of young people living in shared residences, the proper design, installation, and ongoing maintenance of fire detection systems, evacuation planning, and regular system …
Council seeking to liquidate company says it has failed to disprove allegations it relies on sham co-operatives that pay below minimum wages
With three gold medals already to her name, Busisiwe Chamane will be determined to add to her impressive tally when she lines up at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD on Sunday, 12 April 2026. Having earned three consecutive top ten finishes from three starts between 2023 and 2025, the Hollywood Athletics …
For many of us, a coffee machine is more than just an appliance – it’s a daily savior, brewing that perfect cup of coffee every time. However, to keep this kitchen hero in top form, regular maintenance and timely repairs are essential. At Coffee Machine Repair, we specialize in providing top-notch Siemens Coffee Machine Repair …
One in three South African employees is reportedly experiencing burnout. The cost to company is estimated at R96,500 per employee each year. Presenteeism (being physically present at the workplace but mentally absent) is linked to burnout that results in almost seven times less productivity than absenteeism due to depression. These are not soft metrics. They …
There is clearly no hope left for the Emfuleni Local Municipality (Evaton, Sebokeng, Vaal Oewer, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging). Rand Water’s latest attachment of the Municipality’s bank account is the final nail in the coffin for this administration. Rand Water took this drastic step last week after Emfuleni failed to fully settle a debt of R300 million […]
The post Emfuleni op sy knieë: Rand Water heg bankrekening aan te midde van onwettige aansuiweringsbegroting appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Businesses rely on smooth payment systems to operate every day. Customers expect fast and simple ways to pay for goods and services. Shops, service companies, and utility providers all need systems that allow payments to be processed safely and quickly. Many businesses work with a payment solutions provider to manage transactions between customers and merchants. …
TransUnion’s Q4 2025 South Africa Industry Insights Report shows the consumer credit market shifting from a tentative recovery to broader stabilisation driven by steady inflation and interest rates, as well as improvements in consumers’ repayment behaviour. During the quarter there was again notable growth in vehicle asset finance and the personal loans market, while retail credit saw a change in product preference with consumers making smaller purchases.
South Africa's vehicle finance market continued its expansion in Q4 2025, with a fifth consecutive quarter of sustained growth. The growth in total loan balances continued to outpace new account volumes, indicating a firmer continued recovery in demand supported by a more accommodative interest rate environment following a 25 basis point (bps) repo rate cut in November, which further improved household affordability. Origination volumes rose 9.9% year-over-year (YoY), supported by strong consumer interest in affordable new car models and sustained lender confidence. The average new loan amount also climbed, by 3.3% YoY.
Much of this growth was driven by younger consumers, with Gen Z and Millennials[1] accounting for 66% of all originations. Lenders demonstrated an increased risk appetite, with originations to riskier below-prime borrowers growing by 20.2% YoY. This expansion coincided with positive repayment performance, as account-level delinquencies (the percentage of accounts three or more months in arrears) declining by 59 bps YoY to 6.8%.
The market dynamics were further shaped by a significant shift in the used-to-new vehicle financing ratio, which declined to 0.96 used vehicles for every new one financed, down from 1.56 in Q4 2024. This shift towards more new vehicle financing reflects the availability of budget-friendly new models and favourable inflation trends.
More consumers chose longer loan terms to improve monthly affordability too: in Q4 2025, 56.4% of consumers chose a loan term of 72 months or more, compared to 51.9% who made the same choice one year prior. This marked the first quarter this decade that more than half of consumers chose the longest vehicle finance term available.
“The change in the used‑to‑new finance ratio indicates stronger momentum in new‑vehicle financing and can also be attributed to shifting consumer preferences,” said Ayesha Hatea, director of research and consulting at TransUnion South Africa. “With advancements in technology, new vehicles often offer more features, safety upgrades, and improved fuel efficiency compared to older models, along with longer and more comprehensive warranties.”
“The data on longer loan terms highlights how consumers are adjusting their spending patterns and making strategic financial decisions. By opting for longer loan terms, many are able to manage their monthly payments more effectively and potentially afford a newer or higher-priced vehicle,” she added.
Diverging Strategies Shaped Personal Loan Market
The personal loan market showed a distinct divergence in Q4 2025 as bank and non-bank lenders pursued contrasting growth strategies. Bank personal loan originations grew by 10.2% YoY with average new account amounts up by 10.7% YoY, extending larger loan amounts to lower-risk consumer cohorts. This disciplined approach yielded better repayment performance as account-level delinquencies for bank loans dropped by 271 bps YoY to 27.0%.
Conversely, non‑bank lenders grew their portfolios quickly by shifting toward smaller loans, with average new account amounts down 2.8% YoY and the total volume of originations up 14.7% YoY. Younger borrowers drove a significant portion of this growth, with the volume of new loans issued to Gen Z borrowers climbing 39.6%. However, in contrast to bank lenders, which target relatively better risk borrowers, non-bank lenders’ customer bases are heavily skewed toward the riskiest subprime[2] consumers. As a result of this exposure, account-level delinquencies for non-bank loans remained elevated at 48.0%.
“These trends highlight a clear market split. Banks successfully managed risk while expanding their active books through larger loans to lower-risk borrowers. Meanwhile, non-bank lenders extended credit access to higher-risk borrowers through smaller loans, but faced notable repayment strain,” said Hatea.
Retail Credit Adapted as Buy Now Pay Later Gained Traction
The retail credit sector showed signs of a strategic shift in Q4 2025, influenced by changing consumer behaviours and the growing adoption of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions. While the clothing account sector showed resilience account originations growing by 7.2% YoY, other areas of retail credit saw a decline in new account openings. Retail instalment origination volumes decreased 19.4% YoY, and revolving credit originations fell 16.6% YoY.
This downturn in traditional retail credit originations could be influenced by increasing popularity of BNPL solutions in the market. TransUnion’s Q4 2025 Consumer Pulse Study shows 57% of South African respondents hold a BNPL product, and 36% have used a BNPL product multiple times in the last 12 months to pay for goods and services.
“Consumers appear to be choosing these flexible payment options for smaller credit purchases, drawn to their fixed or interest-free instalment plans,” said Hatea. “However, this trend has not yet significantly affected clothing accounts, which benefit from strong consumer loyalty and accessibility.”
Despite fewer new accounts in some retail segments, possibly also influenced by tighter lending policies, portfolio health shows positive signs. Account-level delinquencies for clothing accounts fell 213 bps YoY to 24.5% and retail revolving delinquencies dropped 238 bps YoY to 17.6%. Lenders also adapted their strategies: the average clothing account limits went up 6.8% YoY, while the average limit for revolving accounts also grew, by 3.9% YoY. This suggests a focus on providing more credit to existing, credit-healthy customers while managing the influx of new, potentially riskier borrowers.
Table 1: Key South African Consumer Credit Market Metrics (Q4 2025 vs Q4 2024)
|
Product |
YoY origination growth |
Serious account-level delinquency rate* |
YoY basis points (bps) change in delinquency rate |
| Credit card |
8.0% |
12.9% |
+33 bps |
| Bank personal loan |
10.2% |
27.0% |
-271 bps |
| Non-bank personal loan |
14.7% |
48.0% |
+50 bps |
| Clothing accounts |
7.2% |
24.5% |
-213 bps |
| Retail instalment |
-19.4% |
26.8% |
-110 bps |
| Retail revolving |
-16.6% |
17.6% |
-238 bps |
| Home loans |
8.5% |
7.5% |
+11 bps |
| Vehicle finance |
9.9% |
6.8% |
-59 bps |
*Account-level serious delinquency rate, measured as a percentage of accounts three or more months in arrears
“In Q4 2025, lenders widened access to credit where consumers showed stronger repayment discipline, tightening where risk accumulated and reshaping their portfolios towards lower risk borrowers,” Hatea said. “The data suggests that lenders’ priorities are shifting from stabilisation towards sustainable momentum as they pair cautious growth with sharper exposure discipline, deeper affordability insights and refined product strategies.”
[1] TransUnion age distribution: Gen Z (Born 1995 – 2010); Millennials (Born 1980-1994); Gen X (Born 1965-1979); Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964)
[2] Scores are based on TransUnion’s CreditVision® generic scoring methodology. Risk distribution key: subprime (0-625), near prime (626-655), prime (656-695), prime plus (696-720), super prime (721-999).
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, will brief members of the media on Government’s state of readiness for the Sixth South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC 2026). The briefing will outline key priorities of the Conference and provide an update on preparations as the country convenes investors, business leaders and development partners …
The ground underneath Shurugwi is riddled with tunnels
Speech by Brett Herron, Unite for Change Leadership Council Member & GOOD member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. Note to editors, this speech was delivered during the Infrastructure Department budget vote in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature
The post THE HOUSING MIRAGE: PROVINCIAL BUDGET LEAVES SOCIAL HOUSING PIPELINE STALLED appeared first on For Good.
The organisers of the DRC Mining Week expo and conference have warmly welcomed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the South African Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Democratic Republic of Congo's Fonds De Promotion De L'Industrie (FIP) that was recently signed in Cape Town.
VUKA Group, the organisers of the annual flagship mining gathering in Lubumbashi in June, have lauded what it terms “the commitment to building a larger mining community across the SADC region and towards greater cooperation, economic prosperity, and sustainable development for the continent."
According to the IDC, the MOU is the first of its kind and is aimed at fostering collaboration in areas of mutual economic interest between South Africa and the DRC for the benefit of the region.
Countries well-placed to cooperate
“Exploring even closer cooperation between South Africa and the DRC is a logical, strategic development, as the countries are well‑placed to cooperate, especially in mining,” states Samukelo Madlabane, Events Director – Mining for the VUKA Group. “The DRC holds vast mineral reserves, while South Africa brings decades of mining expertise, advanced technology, and established financial institutions that can support cross‑border ventures.”
Moreover, Madlabane explains: “South Africa and the DRS share a long and storied history in mining. Both nations have been blessed with generous resources and have a tradition of being close to the soil, from agri to mining—working this soil is in their DNA.”
DRC Mining Week success story
He continues: “The DRC Mining Week success story of the last two decades is proof that the two countries are already working closely across the value chain in the sector. For the last 20 years, we have had the privilege of building an incredible, dynamic community of mining pioneers and entrepreneurs in the heart of the Copperbelt, gathering in Lubumbashi for DRC Mining Week. Many South African technology and service providers as well as developers have been with us since the start and have greatly benefited from being able to build close ties and successful businesses and partnerships in-country.”
The DRC Mining Week organisers hope to provide a platform for the IDC and FIP at the event in order to report back on the progress of the MOU and the establishment of a broad framework for these institutions to collaborate, co-develop, and co-invest in projects and exchange investment.
DRC Mining Week dates and venue 2026:
- Expo and conference: 17–19 June 2026
- Location: The Pullman Grand Karavia Hotel, Lubumbashi, DRC
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.
Social Media:
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/4bE3Rww
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/47gv9b8
LinkedIN: https://apo-opa.co/4uNrFqp
About DRC Mining Week:
In another record-breaking year in 2025, DRC Mining Week's numbers increased by 42% for a total of 13,078 visitors as part of 16,500 attendees from 80+ countries.
Website: http://www.DRCMiningWeek.com
About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group (www.WeAreVUKA.com) (formerly Clarion Events Africa), is a leading Cape Town-based and multi-award-winning organiser of exhibitions, conferences and digital events across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, mobility, green economy and retail sectors. Other well-known events by VUKA Group include DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum (http://apo-opa.co/4bKcm9k), Nigeria Mining Week (http://apo-opa.co/3Nmc00H), Enlit Africa (http://apo-opa.co/4bKuEaI), Africa's Green Economy Summit (http://apo-opa.co/4v6gmdp), Carbon Markets Africa Summit (http://apo-opa.co/4uO7Ijo), Smarter Mobility Africa (http://apo-opa.co/47nS3xg), ECOM Africa (http://apo-opa.co/4svIG7e) and CEM Africa (http://apo-opa.co/3NniRqJ).
24 March 2026 – Sasol Banyana Banyana will face Japan in June 2026 in two international friendly matches that will be used by coach Dr Desiree Ellis as part of her preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) later this year. The South African senior women’s national team will face their Japanese counterparts
The post Banyana to face Japan in away international friendly clashes appeared first on South African Football Association.
Africa holds key green energy minerals but exports them raw. If the continent had its own Green Bank, it could finance local manufacturing and green industry.
Malcolm Libera ·23 Mar 2026 The rand weakened in early trade on Friday, pressured by a firmer US dollar, while oil market developments played an increasingly important role in shaping the currency’s direction. The rand traded at 16.85 against the dollar, about 0.5% down from its previous close. The dollar has emerged as one of …
The government and petroleum industry stakeholders have assured citizens that South Africa is not at risk of petrol and diesel shortages, but motorists are already reporting low supplies and price hikes at forecourts across the country. Last week, both the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) formally announced that South Africa’s fuel supply was …
Statement by Desiree van der Walt – Presiding Officer of the Federal Council Election: The Democratic Alliance (DA) today announces the candidates nominated to stand for election to leadership positions within the Federal Council. These candidates are standing to be elected by Federal Council delegates, with the outcomes to be announced at the Party’s Federal …
GWM has deservedly earned some goodwill in South Africa with its standard H6 selling in respectable numbers, and an after-sales network that’s consistently improving and expanding its footprint. And now its sub-brand, Haval, has finally launched its standard H6 with hybrid and plug-in capability at a price considered generally competitive. Does it look different? …
Three products are now planned for the plant, but sharing with another manufacture will take place. Stellantis has reportedly halted production of its long-delayed local vehicle assembly plant in the Eastern Cape over alleged revisions to the final business case. No assembly thus far Last year, the conglomerate announced that the facility in the Coega …