Student Teachers in South Africa Choose Comfort Over Challenge in Practical Placements: But There’s a Hidden Cost
Teachers should be able to work well in different contexts.
News
AI in the Workplace Training Helps South African Organisations Move From AI Hype to Governed, Practical Use
AI in the Workplace Training Helps South African Organisations Move from AI Hype to Governed, Practical Use Johannesburg, South Africa – Many South African organisations are already using tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot in day-to-day work. However, without clear governance, policies, and accountability, this informal AI adoption is increasingly exposing businesses to operational, …
Roche on Early Breast Cancer Detection:
Understanding the Myths That Delay Life-Saving Action According to experts at Roche, early detection remains one of the most effective tools in the fight against breast cancer. Still, across Africa, many women delay or avoid screening because of misconceptions that have become all too common. These beliefs often stem from fear, cultural expectations, financial pressure …
A Study in Change: South Africa’s Next Chapter in Cervical Cancer Elimination
By Merilynn Steenkamp, Managing Director, Southern Africa, Multi-Country Network, Roche Diagnostics As a nation, South Africans have proved consistently that we are willing to enable meaningful change. This is a significant point of pride for many of us, and unique to the national mindset. Cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer affecting women in South …
Hollywoodbets Welcomes Global Sports Icon Michael Owen as New Brand Ambassador
England and Liverpool football legend, Michael Owen, has strengthened his ties with South African sport after being appointed as the newest Brand Ambassador for leading sports betting and entertainment brand, Hollywoodbets. Hollywoodbets, deeply rooted in horse racing and major sports, boasts the “Purple Family” — a team driving its promotional and community initiatives. International star …
South African Founder Launches CoStacked, a Platform Connecting Founders and Developers for Structured Startup Collaboration hmm
Cape Town, South Africa: South African based entrepreneur Moise Kobokiba has launched CoStacked, a new online platform designed to help founders and developers collaborate on startup projects in a more structured and secure way. Many early-stage startups fail due to misalignment between business and technical partners, unclear expectations, and lack of trust. CoStacked addresses this by …
Internet Shutdown in Uganda Paralyzes Economy and Restricts Electoral Transparency
At 81, President Yoweri Museveni is seeking yet another term after nearly four decades in power. By plunging the nation […]
SA U19 Women Make It Four From Four With Win Over Zimbabwe in Youth T20 Tri-Series
The South Africa under-19 Women maintained their perfect record in the Youth T20 Tri-Series, securing their fourth consecutive victory with a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe under-19 Women in the fifth match at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban on Thursday.
The post SA U19 WOMEN MAKE IT FOUR FROM FOUR WITH WIN OVER ZIMBABWE IN YOUTH T20 TRI-SERIES first appeared on Cricket South Africa.
HEINEKEN Beverages Recognised as a Top Employer for 2026 in South Africa and Africa
Johannesburg, 15 January 2026 – HEINEKEN Beverages has once again been recognised as a Top Employer for 2026 in South Africa by Top Employers Institute and, for the first time, has achieved Top Employer certification for Africa. The company has remained in the national Top 10 ranking. The certification reflects HEINEKEN Beverages’ continued focus on …
Overberg Fires: Saving the Tortoises and Snakes
Kogelberg centre says thousands of animals may have died
5 Emerging Trends Set to Reshape South Africa’s Property Market in 2026
Things are looking up for South Africa’s property market with the latest interest rate cut placing homeowners on a firmer financial footing. The Monetary Policy Committee’s unanimous decision to reduce rates by 25 basis points brings the repo rate down to 6.75% and the prime lending rate to 10.25%. This means more property investments are …
Space Ranger Fred Expands Story-Driven Learning Program
Cape Town, South Africa – 15 January 2026 – Space Ranger Fred, the children’s book series known for its humour-driven adventure stories, has announced an expanded vision aimed at helping children aged six to twelve build confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills through storytelling and real-world experience. The expansion positions Space Ranger Fred as a literacy-led …
Witbank and Doornpoort’s Electricity Network on the Brink of Collapse
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is justifiably concerned about the extremely vulnerable state of the Witbank and Doornpoort electricity network. Even though it is a critical situation and the Municipal Manager of the Emalahleni Local Municipality, Sizwe Mayisela, has repeatedly been contacted for clarity and urgent action, no satisfactory feedback or plan of action […]
The post Witbank and Doornpoort’s electricity network on the brink of collapse appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
SA U19 Women’s Class of 2027: Meet 13-Year-Old Nobubelebesisa Zwane
The South Africa Under-19 Women have enjoyed a perfect start to the ongoing Youth T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe Under-19 Women and the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Youth XI, currently taking place in Durban.
The post SA U19 WOMEN’S CLASS OF 2027: MEET 13-YEAR-OLD NOBUBELEBESISA ZWANE first appeared on Cricket South Africa.
Maketa Confident SA U19 Men Are Ready for the Challenge
South Africa Under-19 Men’s head coach, Malibongwe Maketa, has expressed unwavering belief in his squad as they prepare to take on the world at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, hosted in Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The post BELIEF BEYOND AGE: MAKETA CONFIDENT SA U19 MEN ARE READY FOR THE CHALLENGE first appeared on Cricket South Africa.
Call to Amend the National Road Traffic Act to Prohibit Driving After Drinking
GOOD supports the call from the National Minister of Transport, the Honourable Barbara Creecy, to amend Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act so that driving after any drinking of alcohol is totally prohibited.
The post GOOD SUPPORTS THE CALL TO AMEND THE NATIONAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACT TO PROHIBIT DRIVING AFTER DRINKING appeared first on For Good.
Vodacom Named Africa’s Top Employer for Third Year Running, Setting Global Benchmark in Innovation and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Vodacom Group (www.Vodacom.com) has once again been certified and recognised as Africa's number one employer by the Top Employers Institute, marking its third consecutive win and reinforcing the company's commitment to delivering an exceptional employee experience.
This prestigious certification and first place ranking have been awarded to Vodacom Group, alongside separate certifications for Vodacom Mozambique, Vodacom South Africa, Vodacom Tanzania, and Safaricom Ethiopia and Kenya.
Vodacom Group Chief Executive, Shameel Joosub says, “Being certificated as Africa's Top Employer for a third consecutive year marks an important milestone in our Vision 2030 journey. Not only is this testament to our consistency in leading with purpose but it also shows that our people centric approach and focus on talent development and workplace culture is impactful”.
The Top Employer certification is a critical benchmark for assessing Human Resources (HR) practices, evaluating how effectively companies align HR frameworks, culture, and employee experience with international standards of excellence. The certification spans 20 HR domains, including People Strategy, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, Leadership Development, Performance Management, Employee Wellbeing, and Diversity and Inclusion.
"We are incredibly proud to maintain our position as Africa's Top Employer for the third consecutive year. This achievement demonstrates that creating an exceptional employee experience is a sustained commitment to our people. We believe that the well-being and empowerment of our employees contributes directly to our ability to fulfil our purpose of connecting for a better future," says Matimba Mbungela, Chief Human Resources Officer at Vodacom Group.
Vodacom Group achieved an exceptional overall Top Employer score of 99.56%, with Vodacom Mozambique recording the highest Group score at 99.96%, Vodacom South Africa achieving 99.88%, and Vodacom Tanzania achieving 99.76%, maintaining its standing among the highest-rated employers globally. Safaricom Ethiopia and Safaricom Kenya each secured first place rankings in their respective countries. These results reaffirm Vodacom Group's consistent delivery of world-class HR practices.
Driving Innovation and Ethical AI Integration
This year, the Top Employers Institute expanded its evaluation criteria to reflect evolving global priorities in people management and organisational ethics, with new questions focusing on three critical themes: empowering workforce innovation and creativity, evaluating the human impact of AI in organisational processes, and embedding ethics and integrity across HR and technology integration.
A major highlight of this year's certification is the recognition of two Vodacom South Africa best practices for global benchmarking:
- Human-AI Collaboration Impact Evaluation: Vodacom proactively and continuously evaluates AI implementations to ensure that human-AI collaboration initiatives balance organisational needs with their impact on employees.
- Innovation and Creativity Empowerment: Vodacom fosters a culture of creativity and innovation by empowering employees to experiment, take risks, and share ideas without fear through various programmes including hackathons.
"The Top Employers Institute's increasing focus on fostering innovation, ethical leadership, and prioritising the human impact of technology, reflects where the world of work is heading. We're proud that Vodacom Group continues to set the standard in these areas by championing forward-thinking, employee-centric approaches and being recognised globally for these best practices," adds Mbungela.
Employee-Centric Approach
Vodacom Group's success is underpinned by continued investment in digital HR enablement, digital learning, future-fit skills, leadership capability, and holistic wellbeing. The organisation's Employee Value Proposition, built on principles of Compassion, Acceptance, Respect and Empathy (C.A.R.E.), includes enhanced wellness initiatives supporting all stages of life and a comprehensive family responsibility leave policy.
The company's commitment to talent development extends beyond its workforce to the broader African tech ecosystem. Through initiatives like the Vodacom Digital Skills Hub, CodeLikeAGirl, Discover Graduate, and Spirit of Vodacom, the company continues to drive empowerment and create opportunities across the continent, preparing the next generation for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Looking Ahead
"As we look ahead, Vodacom Group remains dedicated to creating a workplace that inspires excellence, supports growth, and connects every employee to our shared purpose. Our third consecutive year as Africa's Top Employer is testament to our people-first approach and our commitment to fostering innovation and ethical technology adoption that puts people at the center of the organisation," concludes Mbungela.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vodacom Group.
BENAVIDES GRABS DAKAR BIKE LEAD | SA News
What Dakar 2026 Stage 10 Bike ReportWhere Bisha, Saudi ArabiaWhen Wednesday 14 JanuaryCommunity International Sanders crashes, Branch, Cox fight to the finish Argentinian Luciano Benavides benefited KTM teammate Daniel Sanders crashing to jump into a slender Dakar 2025 Bike lead over Honda rider Ricky Brabec on Stage 10 Wednesday. French Honda rider Adrien van Beveren …
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa recognised as a Top Employer in Africa for 2026
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) (www.CCBAGroup.com) is proud to announce its recognition as a Top Employer in Africa for 2026 by the Top Employers Institute (https://apo-opa.co/45b21Rr). In addition to this regional accolade, seven countries in the CCBA footprint – Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda – have been certified as Top Employers at a country level.
This marks the second consecutive year that CCBA has achieved regional-level certification, with its operations in Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda also certified at a country level. Notably, all these countries have improved their performance compared to last year. Furthermore, this year represents the first certification for CCBA's operations in Botswana, Kenya, and Mozambique.
The Top Employers Institute, active in 125 countries/regions, is considered to be the global authority in HR certification, benchmarking and advisory. Its programme (https://apo-opa.co/4sI5vF7) certifies organisations based on the results of its HR Best Practices Survey which covers six domains including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Wellbeing.
“This certification demonstrates our commitment to unparalleled professional growth for our people, providing an exciting journey of learning and development within a passionate, caring team,” said Natasa Prodanovic, CCBA Chief People and Culture Officer.
“We thrive on delivering beloved Coke brands, making a positive impact on communities, and achieving market success together. We invest in our people to foster an inclusive and thriving workplace that accelerates our growth.”
Prodanovic added: “At CCBA, we don't hand you a role, we create an opportunity, give you the tools and we challenge you to build a career, to make it yours.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.
Issued By:
Keli Fernie
Head: Reputation and Communication
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa
Tel: +27 82 419 8766
Email: kfernie@ccbagroup.com
Email: kfernie@ccbagroup.com
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4pJtlhd
About CCBA:
CCBA is the eighth largest Coca-Cola authorised bottler in the world by revenue, and the largest on the continent. It accounts for over 40% of all Coca-Cola ready-to-drink beverages sold in Africa by volume. With over 14,000 employees in Africa, CCBA group services more than 800,000 customers with a host of international and local brands. CCBA group operates in 14 countries: South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi and the islands of Comoros and Mayotte.
Learn more at www.CCBAGroup.com
We Should Not Be Playing War Games With Iran, Russia and China
Repressive regimes should have no place in our military strategy
Europe gives South Africa the green light | SA News
Luke Fraser ·14 Jan 2026 South Africa has been removed from the European Union’s list of High-Risk third-country jurisdictions after it was taken off the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF’s) grey list. South Africa was added to the EU list in August 2023 as an automatic consequence of its greylisting earlier that year. The country …
From Bricks to Books: Mellon Educate’s 2025 Building Blitz Tackles South Africa’s Literacy Crisis Head-On – The Home Of Great South African News | SA News
COPYRIGHT South Africa – The Good News. All rights strictly reserved.The views expressed on this website are those of www.sagoodnews.co.za and do not necessarily reflect the views of our sponsors. No part of this website may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, or recording or stored in …
Tax return warning for over 500,000 taxpayers in South Africa | SA News
Malcolm Libera ·14 Jan 2026 Provisional taxpayers are warned that the 2026 provisional tax deadline is fast approaching, with the risk of penalties and interest if they fail to meet their obligations. This warning comes from Tax Consulting SA, which noted that their IRP6 returns and payments are accurate and submitted on time ahead of …
9th AFRIMA: Africa under One Roof as Delegates, Artistes from 48 Countries Participate
The 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) (https://AFRIMA.org) once again proved why it is regarded as Africa's biggest music awards platform, as artistes, delegates and industry stakeholders from at least 48 African countries came together in Lagos, Nigeria, to celebrate the continent's rich and diverse musical excellence.
The 9th AFRIMA held from January 7 to 11, 2026, in an atmosphere of unity, colour and creativity with winners emerging from West, East, North, Central, Southern Africa and in the diaspora.
This widespread success further showed that the platform is a true platform for the whole continent, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mr Mike Dada, said.
“AFRIMA is not just about giving awards. It is about bringing Africa together under one roof to celebrate our stories, culture and future through music," he said. "I am happy that we had delegates from at least 48 countries, including 1,216 artistes, delegates and production team members. Looking at the winners, all regions of Africa are represented, showing the growth of our music industry. Artistes from South Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria and Ethiopia were among those who led in the major categories.”
Cote d'Ivoire recorded multiple wins, with Milo and Morijah taking the male and female African Inspirational categories, Didi B emerging as Best African Lyricist or Rapper, and Team Paiya winning Best African Duo, Group or Band.
From Ethiopia, Haddinqo won Best African Jazz, Weeha claimed Best African Dance/Choreography, while Veronica Adane won Best African Traditional. Guinea celebrated Manamba Kanté as Best African Pop and Takana Zion as Best African Reggae, Ragga & Dancehall.
Benin's Axel Merryl won Best African Contemporary, while Senegal's Bakhaw Dioum was named Songwriter of the Year. Algeria produced winners in DJ Moh Green (Best African DJ) and Izlan (Best African Rock), while Rwanda's Element Eleéh and Mugisha Fred Robinson won Producer of the Year.
In East Africa, Jux (Tanzania) won Best Male Artiste, while Fole X claimed Best African Video of the Year for “Ololufe”. Denise from Madagascar won Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa.
Northern Africa winners included Adviser (Mauritania) and Sherine (Tunisia), while Southern Africa celebrated Yo Maps (Zambia), Nontokozo Mkhize and Ciza (South Africa). Central Africa honours went to Singuila (Republic of Congo) and Cindy Le Cœur (DRC), while Ghana's Wendy Shay won Best Female Artiste in Western Africa.
The week-long celebration began with a Welcome Soiree to formally receive Nominees and Guests held at the residence of the Deputy British High Commissioner on Wednesday, January 7. Activities continued with the Africa Music Business Summit at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, and on Friday, January 9, attention shifted to the AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall, Lagos, where over 25 A-list artistes treated more than 20,000 people to the best of music at the high-octane concert.
The Eko Convention Centre at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, was filled beyond capacity as thousands poured in to witness the grand finale of the 9th AFRIMA Awards. In a dazzling ceremony, artistes, producers, video and sound directors, among other creatives, were honoured with the prestigious 23.9-carat gold-plated AFRIMA trophy.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).