Final Warning for Man Who Defamed Transnet on Social Media
Musa Mbundwini, a welder dismissed by Transnet for dishonesty and fraud, has spent eight years defaming the company
TikTok
South Africa’s Auto Sector Sees Strong Growth Amid Evolving Consumer and Insurance Trends
- New passenger car sales hit multi-year highs, totalling 102,268 units in Q1 2025
- Younger buyers and budget-conscious consumers reshape the financing and brand landscape
- South Africa’s younger car buyers are turning to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, reshaping the automotive marketing playbook
- New insights on insurance trends highlight growing risk of uninsured vehicles
The latest TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report (formerly the Vehicle Pricing Index) for Q1 2025 highlights a strong rebound in the country’s automotive market. This recovery has been driven by improved consumer sentiment, declining interest rates, access to retirement savings through two-pot withdrawals, and rising real wages. According to naamsa data, new passenger vehicle sales continued their upward trajectory in the first quarter, with monthly volumes averaging over 34,000 units, the highest levels seen since Q3 2015.
Affordability remains a key driver of vehicle purchasing and financing decisions. Creative financing options, longer ownership cycles, and the growing availability of value-oriented models are significantly reshaping consumer behaviour, particularly among younger and first-time buyers. The Q1 2025 TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights report highlights that several emerging brands offering competitively priced vehicles have recorded strong year-over-year growth, contributing to the overall surge in new vehicle sales.
“South African consumers are returning to the vehicle market with a clear focus on value and flexibility,” says Lee Naik, CEO TransUnion Africa. “We’re seeing a continued shift away from traditional premium segments in favour of more accessible alternatives that meet evolving needs and budgets.”
Insurance Trends Reveal Shifting Landscape and Rising Risk
The Q1 2025 report introduces new data on insurance-linked vehicle asset finance (VAF). As of early 2025, only 39% of insured vehicle owners had financed vehicles, down from 44% in 2020. This signals a rise in alternative financing or lapses in insurance post-purchase, especially concerning as TransUnion’s 2024 Insurance Survey found that 25% of vehicle users had driven uninsured in the past six months.
This trend has implications for lenders, who face greater asset risk in the event of write-offs without insurance recovery, and for insurers, whose portfolios may now carry increased exposure. To mitigate these risks, strategies such as bundled insurance, usage-based coverage and low-cost flexible insurance models are growing in relevance.
Used Vehicle Momentum Slows as New Sales Lead Recovery
While used vehicles have dominated financing trends in recent years, Q1 2025 marked a notable shift back toward new vehicle purchases, driven by easing interest rates, improved entry-level model availability, and aggressive manufacturer incentives. Notably, the influx of competitively priced Chinese models has attracted budget-conscious buyers away from the used market, fuelling fresh growth in new vehicle registrations.
“Consumers are holding onto their cars for an average of six to eight years, compared to the previous five years, a trend that reflects affordability constraints and a more cautious approach to ownership,” says Naik.
Affordability and Flexibility Drive Change
The report reveals that shifting consumer preferences are reshaping the competitive landscape, with some established manufacturers experiencing year-over-year sales declines while more affordable and value-driven entrants continue to gain market share.
“The definition of value is changing,” says Naik. “It’s no longer just about the price tag, it’s about financing flexibility, long-term ownership costs, and trust in the product. That’s what’s driving consumer decisions today.”
Social Media's Growing Influence on South African Car Buyers
Generation Z’s1 rising influence, with a 27.9% year-on-year increase in vehicle finance volumes, highlights why social media has become essential for automotive brands aiming to attract younger buyers. As South Africans spend over 3.5 hours daily on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, 76% of users now turn to social media for product research, pushing automotive brands toward digital-first strategies with influencer campaigns, short-form videos, and interactive content, yet South Africa’s low social media ad spend signals a major untapped growth opportunity for marketers.
Social platforms are reshaping how South African consumers research, engage with, and purchase vehicles, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials1 who expect personalised, digital-first experiences. To stay competitive, brands are adopting influencer collaborations, platform-specific strategies, AI-enabled targeting, and immersive tools like augmented reality and virtual reality. Social commerce is gaining ground as buyers look for seamless, in-app journeys from browsing to booking.
Economic Outlook: Growth with Caution
The broader economic outlook for South Africa in 2025 remains cautiously optimistic, with GDP expected to grow by 1.4%, driven primarily by household consumption. While industrial output remains under pressure, consumer-driven sectors, particularly retail and vehicle sales, continue to show resilience. Vehicle export activity rose modestly by 0.4% year-over-year in Q1 2025, signalling a gradual recovery following the sharp decline in the previous quarter.
“The strong recovery in new vehicle sales is a positive sign,” says Naik. “But sustaining this growth will require policy certainty, infrastructure investment, and structural reforms. Without these, the economy remains vulnerable.”
“The South African automotive sector is adapting to new consumer behaviours and market forces. The insurance gap, affordability options, credit access and rising Gen Z1 participation will shape the road ahead. Collaboration across industry players is vital for long-term growth,” concludes Naik.
Read the full TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report here.
1 Generation X (Gen X): Born 1965–1980; Millennials (Gen Y): Born 1981–1996; Gen Z (Generation Z) Born 1997–2012
ENDS
Notes to Editors: To provide you with timely market insights, we are updating our reporting structure.
Starting this quarter, the Vehicle Pricing Index will be renamed the TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report, reflecting our broader focus on mobility trends. Vehicle Finance data will now be included in the TransUnion South Africa Industry Insights Report (IIR).
Youth Workers Are Spreading Health Messages on Social Media: How to Support What They Do in South Africa
South African youth workers, despite limited resources, are finding creative ways to connect with young people through digital tools.
News Influencers Are Reshaping the Media – Insights From Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa
The most prominent news creators on social media and video networks are men and YouTube is the most important platform for them.
PP Requested to Expand Tender Investigation Into Deputy President’s Sons
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) will request the Public Protector (PP) to expand the existing tender investigation into Gauteng government contracts awarded to companies linked to Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s sons. In February 2024, the Freedom Front Plus lodged a complaint with the PP regarding tenders allegedly awarded under suspicious circumstances to two companies […]
The post Freedom Front Plus requests PP to expand tender investigation into Deputy President’s sons appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Cape Town Journalist Assaulted by Police, Has Phone Confiscated – Twice
Freelance reporter Sandiso Phaliso has been repeatedly, and illegally, harassed by police while working in Nyanga
HRC Complaint Lodged Against Open Chats Podcast Presenters for Derogatory Remarks Against the Coloured Community
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has formally lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) against the presenters of the Open Chats podcast, who, in a recent episode that rapidly proliferated across TikTok, made stereotypical and offensive remarks targeting the coloured community. One presenter insinuated that “coloured siblings allegedly ‘chow’ one another” (a […]
The post Freedom Front Plus lodges complaint at HRC against Open Chats podcast presenters for derogatory remarks against the coloured community appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Politicians Must Stop Normalising Racial Intolerance
The TikTok video, circulating on social media, making offensive and racially charged remarks about South Africa’s Coloured community is not only egregious, it is deeply offensive and should be condemned in the strongest terms.
The post HOLD HATE TO ACCOUNT: POLITICIANS MUST STOP NORMALISING RACIAL INTOLERANCE appeared first on For Good.
Radisson Hotel Group Leads Hospitality Growth in Africa With the Most Hotel Openings
Radisson Hotel Group (www.RadissonHotels.com) continues to solidify its leadership in Africa's hospitality landscape, with its top ranking in W Hospitality Group's (https://W-HospitalityGroup.com) 2024 “From Pipeline to Reality” report for achieving the most hotel openings across the continent within the year. Building on this momentum during the first quarter of 2025, Radisson Hotel Group announces its market entry into the Democratic Republic of Congo with two landmark signings, while further strengthening its presence in Central Africa with the signing of Radisson Blu Hotel & Apartments, Yaoundé in Cameroon.
With 11 hotel signings and 7 openings over the last 15 months totaling over 2,000 signed and 1,500 opened rooms, 1,000 through conversions, the Group has strengthened its position as the leading hotel company in Africa, with a diverse portfolio of 100 hotels across more than 30 countries. This growth reflects the Group's focused expansion strategy, strong local partnerships, and continued success in delivering high-impact conversions.
“In line with our global achievements, over the last 15 months, we have achieved remarkable growth across Africa. We expanded into new markets like Tanzania, Conakry, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, further cementing our position as the most diverse hotel company across the continent in terms of country presence,” said Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President, Development, Africa and Turkiye, Radisson Hotel Group. “Our pipeline remained the most active in the industry, driving sustained momentum and once again highlighting the quality of our partners and a clear strategy. Once again, we are proud to see our group leading the rankings in Africa. We celebrate these successes and look forward to unlocking continued economic value across the continent.”
Expanding the Footprint: New Market Entries and Key Openings
Radisson Hotel Group proudly announces its entry into the Democratic Republic of Congo with the signing of two landmark properties: Radisson Blu Hotel, Kinshasa and Radisson Hotel Lubumbashi, further strengthening the Group's presence in Central Africa.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Kinshasa – Opening late 2026
Strategically located on Boulevard Colonel Tshatshi in the Gombe district, Kinshasa's prime residential and business area, this upper-upscale hotel will feature 110 elegantly designed rooms, including standard rooms, suites, and a Presidential Suite. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, including a Lobby Bar, All-Day Dining Restaurant, and Pool Bar. The hotel's wellness facilities will include a gym, massage rooms, and an outdoor swimming pool with a pool terrace. Its modern meeting and event spaces will feature an event hall and pre-function area, ideal for both corporate and social gatherings. The hotel is conveniently situated 32 km from N'djili International Airport, 10 km from N'Dolo Airport, and 6 km from the Gare Centrale train station.
Radisson Hotel Lubumbashi – Opening mid-2027
Located on Revolution Road Avenue in Lubumbashi, the second-largest city in the DRC, this upscale hotel will offer 97 stylish guest rooms, including standard rooms, junior suites, and a Presidential Suite. Culinary offerings will include a Lobby Bar, All-Day Dining Restaurant, and a Rooftop Bar & Grill with panoramic city views. The hotel's meetings and events facilities will comprise three flexible meeting rooms and a dedicated pre-function area. Guests will also have access to a well-equipped gym and a swimming pool. The hotel enjoys a prime location near Kipopo Lake, surrounded by luxury residences and notable landmarks such as Lubumbashi Golf Club and La Plage, and is just 12 km from Luano International Airport.
In Guinea, the Group marked a significant milestone with the opening of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Conakry (apo-opa.co/3S5KC5S), just three months after signing. This contemporary beachfront property, located in the city's vibrant Kipé neighborhood, features 282 stylish rooms, suites, and apartments with sweeping ocean views and convenient access to the city's key business and leisure hubs.
Further strengthening its Indian Ocean portfolio, Radisson Hotel Group signed and opened Crystals Beach Resort Belle Mare, a member of Radisson Individuals (apo-opa.co/4dlCM1x). Located on the east coast of Mauritius, the resort features 234 spacious accommodations, family-friendly amenities, and breathtaking lagoon views, making it a sought-after destination for travelers of all types.
“We've had a successful track record over the past 15 months with our focus on conversions, including Crystals Beach Resort Belle Mare, Radisson Blu Hotel, Conakry, and Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Tunis (apo-opa.co/4koQYJF)—all fantastic hotels that have further elevated our portfolio in Africa,” added Rankoussi.
Strengthening Strategic Markets and Future Pipeline
In Cameroon, Radisson Hotel Group continues to strengthen its presence with the signing of Radisson Blu Hotel & Apartments, Yaoundé. Scheduled to open by the end of 2026, this 150-room property will be ideally located in the heart of the capital's central business district, just a 30-minute drive from Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport.
The hotel will feature a vibrant selection of dining venues, including a Lobby Bar, All-Day Dining Restaurant, and a Specialty Restaurant. With 1,350 m² of flexible meetings and events space, as well as premium wellness facilities, including a spa, gym, and a rooftop pool with an expansive pool deck, the hotel is set to become a landmark destination in the city. This signing also reinforces the Group's continued pursuit of growth opportunities across Cameroon, including in the key market of Douala.
Meanwhile, Radisson Hotel Group is also deepening its commitment to key markets across the continent:
- Morocco: Targeting 30 hotels by 2030, building on an already robust development pipeline.
- South Africa: Aiming for 25 hotels by 2030, doubling its current footprint.
- Nigeria: Continuing its growth momentum with multiple developments, alongside strengthening the Group's West Africa presence with its entry into DRC.
“While geographical diversification remains a priority for us, we also see a clear opportunity to consolidate our presence across key markets such as Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa, each with at least one opening scheduled in 2025. Our results reinforce our brand strength and ability to adapt and grow across diverse markets. We remain committed to expanding our footprint while delivering world-class hospitality experiences across Africa,” concluded Rankoussi.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Radisson Hotel Group.
Media Contacts:
Saadiyah Hendricks
Area Director PR & Social Media, MEA & MED
saadiyah.hendricks@radissonhotels.com
Business Development Contacts:
Ramsay Rankoussi
Vice President, Development, Africa & Turkey
ramsay.rankoussi@radissonhotels.com
Connect with Radisson Hotels on:
LinkedIn: apo-opa.co/4j9Oz4v
Instagram: apo-opa.co/44E3lwF
X: apo-opa.co/4jX8XHi
Facebook: apo-opa.co/43hBQ9M
YouTube: apo-opa.co/3Fbzql4
TikTok: apo-opa.co/3HbuMnG
Radisson Hotel Group:
Radisson Hotel Group is a rapidly expanding international hotel group, operating in EMEA and APAC with over 1,520 hotels in operation and under development in +100 countries. The Group's overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos.
The Radisson family of brands portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art'otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and Prize by Radisson brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.
Radisson Rewards (apo-opa.co/3ZemGkw) is Radisson Hotel Group's loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter, counting more than 20 million members. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Radisson Meetings (apo-opa.co/4j83NHh) provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely Carbon Compensated.
At Radisson Hotel Group we care for people, communities and planet (apo-opa.co/4iZqzRn) and aim to be Net Zero by 2050 based on the approved Science Based Targets. With unique solutions such as carbon compensated Radisson Meetings, we make sustainable hotel stays easy. To facilitate sustainable travel choices, all our hotels are becoming verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics.
The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group's portfolio are subject to health and safety requirements, ensuring we always care for our guests and team members.
For more information, visit our corporate website (apo-opa.co/3H8NyMt).
Rania El Rafie Appointed to Jury Panel of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards 2025/2026
APO Group (https://APO-opa.com) is proud to announce that Rania El Rafie, Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, has been appointed to the Jury Panel for the 2025/2026 editions of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards, an initiative recognising groundbreaking contributions and leadership by women across the African sports ecosystem.
Organised by Africa Sports Ventures Group (ASVG) and the Women Sports Africa Network (WSAN), the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards honour outstanding female leaders, athletes, executives, and changemakers who are reshaping the African sports landscape. The esteemed Jury Panel features professionals from across the continent and the diaspora, including Albert Kyei Frimpong, President of WBSC Africa and Board Member of the Confederation of African Olympic Sports Associations (CASOL), and Dr. Maha Zaoui, an experienced sports management expert currently serving as General Manager of Rugby Africa.
“I'm honoured to be considered for the Jury Panel of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards for 2025 and 2026,” said El Rafie. “This platform plays a vital role in amplifying the voices and achievements of women shaping the future of African sport, and I'm proud to contribute to that mission.”
El Rafie is a seasoned public relations executive with over 22 years of experience across Africa and the Middle East. Based in Cairo, Egypt, she currently serves as Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at APO Group, where she became the first and youngest person internally promoted to this executive role in January 2024. She has led award-winning campaigns recognised by SABRE Awards, Brands Review Magazine, and World Business Outlook, and was recently awarded a Bronze Stevie® Award in the Most Innovative Woman of the Year 2025 category, and was recognised as one of Africa's Top 50 Outstanding Women in Communications.
Her experience in sports communication spans the NFL, Basketball Africa League, International Olympic Committee (IOC), and FIFA. She has also driven pan-African communications strategy for major brands such as Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, and Afreximbank. With a degree in Business Administration from the American University in Dubai, Rania brings strategic insight, media expertise, and a passion for sports and empowerment to the jury's mission.
The announcement coincides with the official launch of the Awards' new digital platform – (https://apo-opa.co/3SxXj9A) – a hub dedicated to honouring and celebrating the achievements of African women in sports. The site will serve as the central point for information, nominations, and public engagement in the lead-up to the 2025 Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place on 31 July 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. All nominations will be reviewed by an independent Selection Committee.
This joint initiative marks a landmark moment for African women in sports, aiming to increase visibility, recognition, and opportunities across administration, business, media, technology, and athletics.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.
About APO Group:
Founded in 2007, APO Group (https://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 of the Year South Africa in 2024 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.
2nd Annual Sub-Saharan Africa Safer Internet Summit in Cape Town
TikTok (www.TikTok.com) hosted its second Annual Africa Safer Internet Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, bringing together government officials, regulators, and industry leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa. Delegates from South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, and other countries convened to discuss critical issues on online safety, content moderation, and digital policy development.
The Summit underscores TikTok's ongoing efforts to prioritise user safety in Africa while fostering an open dialogue with policymakers to shape robust frameworks that protect users' rights while encouraging innovation and creativity in the digital space.
Government and Industry Leaders Discuss Digital Safety
The Summit was officially opened by South Africa's Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, who highlighted the importance of collaboration among governments, technology platforms, and communities to foster a safer digital ecosystem.
Helena Lersch, TikTok's Vice President for Public Policy, in her remarks, reaffirmed the platform's commitment to user safety and the role of partnerships in creating a secure digital environment.
“Billions of people come to TikTok every day to create, share and connect and we're continually evolving our policies and practices to safeguard our platform so our community can discover and do what they love. This summit underscores the importance of collaboration between industry leaders and regulators in shaping a digital ecosystem that is both innovative and secure," said Lersch.
Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations for Sub-Saharan Africa, further emphasised the significance of collective efforts in digital safety, stating that the Summit serves as a valuable platform for sharing insights, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring that African users, particularly young people, are protected online.
Content Moderation in Africa
During the summit, TikTok reported a significant upward trend in its content removal rate across Sub-Saharan Africa, with data showing a 249.81% increase in content removals from the second quarter of 2023 to the fourth quarter of 2024. This improvement aligns with TikTok's global standards for content moderation and community guidelines enforcement. TikTok's Community Guidelines Enforcement Reports (https://apo-opa.co/3QMZNQH) reflect the platform's continued investment in automated moderation technology, alongside human safety experts that enables the detection and removal of harmful content before it reaches users. Globally, between July and September 2024, TikTok removed more than 147 million videos, of which 118 million were detected and removed automatically using these technologies.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, TikTok removed over 7.5 million videos in Q3 2024, rising to more than 8 million in Q4 2024—an increase of 14.06% quarter-on-quarter. Notably, 99.5% of these videos were removed before any user reports, underscoring TikTok's commitment to proactive moderation and swift action.
A similar trend was observed in North Africa, where TikTok removed over 7 million videos in both Q3 and Q4 of 2024. This represented an 8.70% increase in removals between the quarters, with 99.3% of these takedowns also occurring before user reports.
These figures highlight TikTok's ongoing efforts to provide a safe and positive online environment through robust, technology-enabled content moderation systems.
#SaferTogether - Driving Safer Digital Engagement
As part of its broader commitment to digital safety and education, TikTok is expanding its efforts across Africa through strategic partnerships and training programs that promote digital literacy, safety awareness, and responsible content creation.
At the forefront of these efforts is TikTok's flagship #SaferTogether campaign, which has achieved notable milestones since its launch in 2022.
In Kenya, the initiative, run in partnership with Eveminet (https://apo-opa.co/3Y8mHG7), a youth online protection organisation, has reached over 406,000 participants through in-person workshops across the country. These sessions provided communities with the knowledge and tools needed for responsible online engagement, particularly among students, teachers, and parents.
By working closely with civil society organisations, educators, and government agencies, TikTok continues to integrate proactive safety measures into its platform governance, creating safer digital environments for young users.
In Nigeria, TikTok launched Phase 2 of the #SaferTogether campaign in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) (https://apo-opa.co/3FFyx4d) and Data Science Nigeria (DSN) (https://apo-opa.co/3QNqzbJ). Building on the success of Phase 1, which educated parents in major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, and Kano on TikTok's safety features and mental well-being tools, the second phase aims to reach additional states and expand safety awareness among parents, teachers, and guardians.
Since September 2024, TikTok has also partnered with local creators across Sub-Saharan Africa to raise awareness about its safety features and Community Guidelines.
In Egypt, TikTok signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Journalists Syndicate to boost digital awareness, media literacy, and the detection of misinformation and online privacy risks. As part of this partnership, TikTok and the Syndicate hosted a one-day workshop equipping journalists and media professionals with the skills to navigate digital technologies safely and effectively. This collaboration underscores TikTok's ongoing commitment to empowering media professionals and supporting a more informed and digitally literate society.
Shaping the Future of Digital Safety in Africa - Global Youth Council
TikTok is also making a significant step in amplifying youth voices by expanding its Global Youth Council (https://apo-opa.co/4j2OWxZ) for 2025, further strengthening African representation. Originally launched in 2023 to empower young users and shape platform policies, the Global Youth Council has now nearly doubled in size, featuring 28 members from 15 countries. New representatives from Nigeria, Cameroon, Canada, Qatar, and Australia will join returning members from Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, the UK, and the US for a second term. The Youth Council plays an important role in shaping TikTok's safety, well-being, and inclusivity policies, ensuring that young users have a voice in the platform's continued evolution.
The Safer Internet Summit serves as an essential forum for best practice sharing between industry leaders and policymakers. By fostering collaboration, TikTok aims to ensure that digital spaces remain safe, inclusive, and conducive to creativity while balancing the need for effective governance and innovation.
"We value forums such as TikTok's Safer Internet Summit, which bring policymakers into one room for a shared purpose: keeping internet users safe. We are incredibly proud to be a partner of TikTok's #SaferTogether campaign. This collaboration not only underscores our shared commitment to fostering a safer online environment, but also opens new avenues for innovation and collaboration that will enable us to scale our efforts effectively for a safer internet for all.." — Emmanuel Edet - Acting Director, Regulation and Compliance NITDA
For more information on TikTok's safety policies and initiatives, visit our Safety Centre (https://apo-opa.co/4iYko0q), Guardian's Guide (https://apo-opa.co/3QPAKfS) and Youth Safety Center (https://apo-opa.co/4j9JWrB).
Link: https://apo-opa.co/4hZ3JZS
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TikTok.
KFC Celebrates Inspirational African Women Accelerating Action Towards Equality
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.
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