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By Eugene Beck non executive chairman and the original founder of RoadCover The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has recently joined a host of other state-owned entities receiving negative press. It’s understandable, then, that South Africans would lose their faith in the organisation. However, the reality is that the RAF has helped hundreds of thousands of …
South Africa’s mining industry has shifted from preparation to enforcement. With the updated Road and Rail Safety Code of Practice (COP) fully in effect from 1st October 2025, mining houses are now required to adhere to the new standards on a daily basis rather than merely striving for compliance. Many operations are realising that meeting …
A landmark celebration of media excellence The North West Media Awards (NWMA) has released an official Founder’s Thank You Message following the successful hosting of the 2025 edition — an event widely regarded as one of the most impactful celebrations of journalism, broadcasting, communication and community media in South Africa. Founder Ananias Ndlovu expressed deep appreciation to …
The Republic of Guinea has reached a decisive turning point as a regional digital power. By hosting the Transform Africa Summit 2025, becoming the first francophone nation to receive this major continental event since its creation in 2013, Guinea confirmed the emergence of Conakry as a new digital innovation hub in West Africa. The numbers …
Statement by Nicholas Gotsell MP – DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice: As the country marks the final hours of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, it is utterly disgraceful that the Western Cape, and possibly the rest of the country, has been left without Sexual Assault Evidence …
The sudden detention of 11 Nigerian military personnel in Burkina Faso has raised many questions back home, especially coming just […]
The vigil also marks International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide
Somerset West, Cape Town – Sealtek Cape, a regional supplier of Sealtek waterproofing solutions, has published comprehensive guidance on project planning for large-scale commercial waterproofing applications, addressing the technical, operational, and logistical considerations essential for successful project delivery. The resource, titled “Project Planning for Large-Scale Commercial Waterproofing Applications,” provides systematic methodologies for contractors, property developers, …
WaterCAN is deeply concerned about yet another disruption of water supply to informal settlements in Johannesburg following the withdrawal of services by a contractor due to alleged nonpayment. This is not an isolated incident. For several months Johannesburg Water has struggled to pay contractors consistently, resulting in delays to infrastructure work and interruptions to essential …
MDNtv has achieved a significant milestone after being named Online Media House of the Year at the North West Media Awards. The ceremony, held in partnership with North West University, brought together leading media organisations, journalists, academics, and industry experts to celebrate excellence in storytelling and public interest reporting. MDNtv makes history winning Online Media …
TransUnion today announced a minority investment and broader strategic partnership with Omnisient, a South Africa-founded FinTech operating internationally that offers a privacy-preserving data collaboration and advanced analytics platform. The Omnisient platform empowers businesses to safely access high-value consumer data ecosystems and rapidly integrate alternative data sets to drive intelligent decision-making. As part of the investment, a TransUnion representative will join Omnisient’s board of directors.
“The Omnisient platform allows multiple clients to use built-in advanced analytical tools to simultaneously evaluate the utility of diverse data sets, identifying those that deliver measurable value. Through this collaboration, TransUnion expects to gain access to a broader range of alternative data sources and privacy preservation capabilities. By accelerating the integration of high-impact data into our ecosystem, we intend to enhance existing solutions and develop new, market-relevant products that better meet the evolving needs of our customers,” said Lee Naik, Regional President/ CEO of TransUnion Africa.
“Traditional data models often fail to reflect the lived realities of African consumers, leaving millions without access to credit and the opportunities it enables,” said Naik. “Financial inclusion is central to unlocking economic growth across the continent. That’s why we’re committed to leading with bold, African-born solutions designed to see the unseen and serve the credit invisible by integrating alternative data sets alongside traditional credit data in ways that reflect uniquely African contexts and realities. By incorporating non-traditional indicators of financial behaviour, this approach broadens access to credit and helps us reach more underserved communities. We believe accelerating the adoption of alternative data is critical to closing the credit gap at scale, enabling faster, fairer and more inclusive access to financial services for millions across the continent."
“Our privacy-preserving data collaboration platform brings financial services and consumer brands together, allowing them to discover, validate and commercialise new alternative sources of consumer behavioural and transactional data without having to exchange sensitive personal information,” said Jon Jacobson, co-founder and group CEO of Omnisient. “This data allows financial institutions to make better risk decisions with more confidence and security, unlocking the potential to grow financial inclusion for hundreds of millions of people around the world.”
This collaboration marks a natural progression in TransUnion’s strategy to expand financial inclusion across Africa. By leveraging privacy-enabled alternative data sets through Omnisient’s platform, TransUnion intends to strengthen its ability to help address the challenge of bringing an estimated 500 million* financially excluded Africans into the formal financial ecosystem. By responsibly harnessing alternative data at scale, TransUnion sees the opportunity to bring millions of new-to-credit and credit-underserved consumers across Africa into the financial mainstream. This enables individuals to begin building a credit profile, many for the first time, laying the foundation for long-term economic empowerment. It’s a powerful demonstration of TransUnion’s commitment to using Information for Good® to drive measurable impact at scale: expanding access to credit, unlocking economic potential and reshaping the future of finance across Africa.
Global demand is rising for alternative data solutions that protect privacy, build trust and unlock value. Omnisient’s platform meets this need with technology that enables secure, privacy-preserving data collaboration. Instead of transferring raw data, Omnisient uses tokenised keys to represent personal information in the data set, ensuring privacy is maintained throughout the process. As a leading provider in Africa of secure, many-to-many data connectivity between banks, financial institutions and third-party sources, Omnisient is driving innovation in data collaboration.
*Source: The Global Findex Database 2021
Johannesburg — 08 December 2025, The West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) has achieved a noteworthy governance milestone, receiving its second consecutive unqualified audit opinion with no material findings from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) for the 2024/25 financial year. This outcome, commonly referred to as a clean audit, demonstrates that the municipality’s financial statements …
The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities met on Friday and agreed to shortlist 18 candidates to be interviewed to serve on the National Council on Gender Based Violence and Femicide.
The shortlisted candidates reflect a diverse background, representing South Africa's demographics.
The committee received 403 applications submitted through various channels – online (322), email (80) and in person (1). Furthermore, the Committee noted that eight applications were submitted late, and 48 were identified as duplications.
The names of the shortlisted candidates along with CVs (in compliance with POPI Act) will be published on Parliament's website. This will give civil society and the public at large an opportunity to comment on and engage with the shortlist, ensuring transparency and inclusivity throughout the selection process.
The closing date for comments from members of the public and civil society is 23 January 2026.
These names of the shortlisted candidates are as follows:
1. Baynes-Daintree, Robyn-Lee
2. Dangor, Zubeda
3. Digashoa, Mpho Frans
4. Hlongwa, Hlongwa
5. Hoosen, Shaakira Radia
6. Limema, TWM Limema
7. Marais, Marnè
8. Matabane, Matshidiso Emily
9. Mbobo, Nolizwi
10. Molehe, Perceverance Percival
11. Moremane, Tirisano
12. Moutloatse, Keitemetse Fatimata
13. Ndlovu, Anele
14. Nxumalo, Vuyisiwe
15. Peters, Caroline
16. Ramalepe, Lebogang-Mathibe
17. Siswana, Anele
18. Suliman, Ravikantha
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Samsung made history at Loftus Versfeld on 29 November, delivering the world’s first stadium crowd cam captured entirely on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The live demonstration formed part of Samsung’s partnership with SA Rugby and the Vodacom URC, and highlighted the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s powerful camera capabilities, reinforcing Samsung’s drive to push mobile innovation …
Statement by Ian Cameron MP – DA Deputy Spokesperson on Police: The Democratic Alliance reiterates our call for urgent accountability as the continued loss and theft of state-owned firearms fuels violent crime across the country. More concerning is the scale of these failures. A DA parliamentary question revealed that a total of 170 SAPS-owned firearms …
The Western Cape Mobility Department is deeply concerned about the alarming number of road incidents recorded in the first week of the festive season, 1-7 December. A total of 21 fatal crashes were reported across the during this period, resulting in 28 fatalities on provincial roads. Pedestrian deaths remain a significant and persistent challenge on …
Chery Fest returned for its second consecutive year, firmly establishing itself as a flagship annual celebration for the vibrant and ever-expanding Chery community in South Africa. This year, the festival carried special significance, coinciding with the Chinese automaker’s fourth anniversary in the local market. This is an important milestone and underscores the brand’s growth and …
Statement by Chris Hattingh MP – DA Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans: Recent reports have revealed a shocking reality: only 27% of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is healthy enough to deploy, while the health status of 36% of soldiers remains unknown. Commanders have failed to enforce mandatory health assessments, young recruits …
As the holiday season approaches and many families prepare for long journeys, OMODA & JAECOO South Africa is offering a complimentary 15-minute Holiday Vehicle Health Check to help ensure every trip is a safe one. This quick, professional inspection is designed to give drivers peace of mind before heading out on the road, whether they’re …
(Debate in the Gauteng Legislature on the Department of Agriculture’s annual report) Gauteng’s future could be bleak if the province does not take urgent and decisive action to address the growing agricultural and environmental crisis. The latest annual reports of the Departments of Environmental Affairs and Agriculture and Rural Development confirm the scale of the […]
The post Gauteng’s future hangs in the balance: Agriculture and environmental crisis warrants immediate intervention appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
The Sapphire Coast is gearing up for another unforgettable festive season, with an exciting line-up of beach activities, family events, charity drives, and markets throughout December. Sapphire Coast Tourism is inviting locals and visitors to join in the holiday magic, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the region’s spectacular coastline. Romy Wenzel of Sapphire Coast …
For international medical graduates, the journey to practicing medicine in the United Kingdom (UK) begins with a critical step, the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) examination. This two-part assessment determines that doctors trained abroad have the knowledge, skills, and communication abilities required to practice safely and effectively at the National Healthcare System (NHS), one …
APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading, multi-award-winning, pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is proud to announce that its Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), has been appointed as Council Member of the Africa No Filter Foundation (www.AfricaNoFilter.org), incorporated in Mauritius.
Africa No Filter is a non-profit advocacy organisation that is shifting stereotypical narratives about Africa through storytelling that reflects a dynamic continent of progress, innovation, and opportunity. Under the leadership of executive director Moky Makura, the organisation has become a thought leader in narrative change, delivering grants, research, and advocacy that challenge outdated portrayals of Africa in global discourse.
With a vision of a world where the prevailing narrative within and about Africa is reflective of a progressive and dynamic continent, Africa No Filter works to ensure that Africa is seen and heard in all its complexity, potential, and diversity.
The Africa No Filter Council is responsible for governance, asset management, and ensuring the foundation's objectives are met. Council Members operate in a capacity similar to a board of directors, guiding strategic direction and safeguarding the organisation's mission.
A Franco-Gabonese entrepreneur named among the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2023 and 2024, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard serves on multiple high-profile advisory boards and international committees. These include the Senior Advisory Board of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and the Leadership Council of the Africa Tech Festival, as well as the Advisory Boards of the African Energy Chamber, World Football Summit, Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), Critical Minerals Africa Group, Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa, Sports Africa Investment Summit, EurAfrican Forum, and All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). He is also a strategic advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal African Society of the United Kingdom, a strategic advisor to the EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce, and a special advisor to the President of Rugby Africa, the governing body of rugby in Africa.
Nicolas' wholly-owned company, APO Group, is the premier award-winning Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. It serves more than 300 clients, including global giants such as Canon, Emirates, Nestlé, Western Union, UNDP, TikTok, Coca-Cola, NBA, NFL, and Marriott.
“Africa No Filter's mission resonates deeply with my own purpose and the work we have done at APO Group for nearly two decades. My appointment as Council Member of the Africa No Filter Foundation reflects a natural alignment of values and a shared vision to reframe Africa's narrative through authentic, impactful storytelling. I believe that changing how the world sees Africa starts with empowering Africans to tell their own stories of ambition, ingenuity, and possibility. I am honoured to join the Council of the Africa No Filter Foundation, and to deepen my commitment to reshaping perceptions of Africa, driving meaningful change, and amplifying the continent's influence on the global stage,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and Chairman of APO Group.
The Council's diverse expertise enables the foundation to address the multifaceted challenges of perception, funding initiatives that highlight African creativity, leadership, and lived realities.
Nicolas's appointment underscores the shared commitment between APO Group and Africa No Filter to foster inclusive growth, inspire confidence, and place African stories at the centre of global conversations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.
Media contact:
marie@apo-opa.com
About APO Group:
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) is the leading award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact both on the continent and globally.
Our commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award and multiple PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards. In 2023, we were named the Leading Public Relations Firm Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa in the World Business Outlook Awards, and the Best Public Relations and Media Consultancy Agency of the Year South Africa in 2024 and again in 2025 in the same awards. In 2025, Brands Review Magazine acknowledged us as the Leading Communications Consultancy in Africa for the second consecutive year. They also named us the Best PR Agency and the Leading Press Release Distribution Platform in Africa in 2024. Additionally, in 2025, we were honoured with the Gold distinction for Best PR Campaign and Bronze in the Special Event category at the Davos Communications Awards.
APO Group's esteemed clientele, which includes global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, the UNDP, Network International, African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa's Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape. With a multicultural team across Africa, we offer unmatched, truly pan-African insights, expertise, and reach across the continent. APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.
Members of Parliament have intensified scrutiny of the Public Investment Corporation’s handling of its investment in MetroFibre Networx, focusing on a R1.4 billion legal indemnity issued to the company and the proposed buyback of shares held by black-owned investment vehicle Levoca 805. During a sitting of the Standing Committee on Finance, ATM president and committee member Vuyo Zungula questioned …