The Motion Picture Association (MPA) and Nelson Mandela University today (7 September 2026) announced a landmark collaboration to advance independent research and deepen understanding of the impact of digital piracy across Africa.

The collaboration, established through a Memorandum of Understanding between the MPA and the University, will bring together the former’s global expertise in content protection with the research capabilities of the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO), hosted by Nelson Mandela University.

The agreement marks the first collaboration of its kind for the MPA in Africa and establishes a framework through which the organisations can pursue research and consulting projects on piracy, the creative economy, and other areas of shared interest.

The first project under the new collaboration will examine the cybersecurity risks consumers face when accessing pirated content in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. The research is intended to provide new, locally relevant evidence about the relationship between digital piracy and cybersecurity threats, including the potential risks faced by consumers who access illegal websites and services.

“At the MPA, we strongly believe that effective policymaking starts with evidence. South Africa is at an important crossroads, with a booming creative sector, extraordinary local storytelling and enormous potential for continued investment and growth.

Safeguarding that success means protecting creators, consumers and legitimate businesses from the substantial harm caused by online piracy,” said Karyn Temple, Senior Executive Vice President, and Global General Counsel of the MPA.

“As discussions continue in South Africa around effective enforcement tools, including site blocking, this first-of-its-kind research will provide important, locally grounded evidence about the risks and real-world consequences of piracy.

“Our goal is not simply to better understand the problem, but to help turn evidence into action – supporting concrete, effective and proportionate enforcement measures that protect audiences, strengthen the legitimate creative economy, and allow South African stories and storytellers to thrive.”

Nelson Mandela University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa said the collaboration reflected the University’s commitment to research that engages directly with the challenges shaping society and the digital economy.

“This partnership brings together complementary expertise to deepen our understanding of an increasingly complex challenge at the intersection of technology, culture, consumer safety and the

creative economy. It is exactly the kind of impactful research and innovation that this university wants to be known for – research that is relevant to our continent and that can contribute meaningfully to society,” she said.

SACO, which will lead the research initiative within the university, said the pace of change in frontier technology makes this research both urgent and necessary, while also providing new tools to address the challenge.

“Understanding the risks facing our creative economy is the first step to protecting it,” said Unathi Lutshaba, SACO Executive Director. “This partnership gives South African and regional researchers direct access to global expertise on these questions, at a time when they matter more than ever.”

Lutshaba described the agreement as a significant step towards strengthening research capacity and cooperation in the areas where culture, technology, digital safety, and the creative economy increasingly intersect.

The collaboration comes as film, television and streaming continue to make an important contribution to Africa’s rapidly growing creative economies

At the same time, illegal piracy services undermine legitimate businesses, put creative-sector jobs and investment at risk, and can expose consumers to fraud, malware, and other online threats. Developing a stronger evidence base is an important part of addressing those challenges.

The MPA works with governments, law enforcement, technology companies and creative-sector partners around the world to advance effective and proportionate approaches to tackling piracy, including proven tools such as site blocking, while protecting legitimate online activity.

©Higher Education Media Services

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The Higher Education Minister calls on young South Africans to explore career pathways, use their 2025 results, and apply before the September deadline to secure opportunities in the country’s growing Skills Revolution.

South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has urged young people to take charge of their futures by applying early to TVET Colleges during the September 2026 application window for the 2027 academic year.

Speaking as the national application period officially opened, Manamela warned that waiting until January often means missing out on opportunities that have already been filled. He encouraged prospective students to use their previous year’s results, research occupational programmes, and make informed decisions about the skills they want to acquire.

Manamela emphasised that TVET Colleges must be seen as institutions of choice, not a fallback option.

“We must change the way we think about TVET Colleges. They are not a second choice. They are central to the Skills Revolution and a key pathway in the PSET system connecting learning to the skills our economy needs,” he said.

The Minister also appealed to parents, guardians, teachers and Life Orientation educators to support young people during the application period by discussing career options and helping them understand the diverse opportunities available within the TVET sector.

Government’s Skills Revolution aims to ensure that education leads to skills, skills lead to opportunities, and opportunities lead to meaningful participation in the economy. The message to young people is clear: EXPLORE. CHOOSE. APPLY.

Applications close 30 September 2026, and information is available from TVET Colleges or the Department of Higher Education and Training website: www.dhet.gov.za.

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On World Literacy Day, South Africa wakes up to a story worth celebrating, a story of persistence, imagination and community power. Nal’ibali, the organisation that has spent more than a decade placing stories into the hands and hearts of children, has received LITASA’s highest honour, the Significant Contribution to Literacy Award. It is a moment that feels both historic and deeply deserved.

A Milestone Rooted in Everyday Magic

The award, presented yesterday at the 21st Annual LITASA Conference in Johannesburg, was more than a formal recognition. Delegates rose to their feet, singing along to the Nal’ibali jingle, a reminder that literacy is not only about books and classrooms, but about joy, belonging and shared cultural memory.

For an organisation built on the simple but transformative idea that stories change lives, this was a moment of affirmation.

Etienne Bramley, Nal’ibali’s Head of Impact, Partnerships and Programmes, captured the spirit of the occasion:

“Literacy is not the responsibility of one organisation or sector. It requires all of us.”

His words echo a truth South Africa confronts daily — that literacy is a collective project, and that progress depends on partnerships, persistence and imagination.

Why This Award Matters Now

Nal’ibali’s recognition arrives at a critical time. South Africa continues to face deep literacy challenges:

• too many children reach Grade 4 unable to read for meaning

• too few homes have access to books

• too many languages remain underserved in early reading resources

Nal’ibali has responded not with grand speeches, but with consistent, community‑rooted action:

• story clubs in townships and rural villages

• multilingual reading supplements

• training for caregivers, teachers and volunteers

• partnerships with schools, libraries, civil society and government

• a national movement that treats reading for enjoyment as a right, not a luxury

This award recognises not only what Nal’ibali has done, but how it has done it, through collaboration, cultural relevance and a belief that children thrive when stories reflect their languages, identities and worlds.

A Forward Look: The Work Ahead

World Literacy Day is not only a celebration; it is a reminder of the road still to travel.

Nal’ibali’s next chapter will demand:

• Scaling access to books and stories in all South African languages

• Strengthening community reading ecosystems — from homes to libraries to digital platforms

• Deepening partnerships with government, educators and civil society

• Innovating for a digital generation, ensuring that technology expands access rather than deepens inequality

• Championing reading for enjoyment as a national priority, not an optional enrichment activity

The award underscores that Nal’ibali is not simply an organisation — it is a movement. And movements grow, adapt and push forward.

A Literacy Day Message for South Africa

As the country marks Literacy Month and Heritage Month, Nal’ibali’s achievement reminds us that reading is more than a skill. It is a cultural inheritance, a bridge between languages, a foundation for identity and imagination.

On this World Literacy Day, Nal’ibali stands as proof that when communities rally around stories, children gain more than literacy — they gain confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

Today, we celebrate Nal’ibali’s impact. Tomorrow, we continue the work.

Honouring the Past. Empowering the Present

In a message, Shuter & Shooter Publishers (Pty) Ltd, said literacy is more than the ability to read and write. It is the ability to learn, to understand, to express, to imagine and to participate in the world around us.

For Shuters, this journey is deeply rooted in our history.

From humble beginnings as a bookstore in Pietermaritzburg, the story evolved into a publishing legacy that, from the 1930s, saw us producing IsiZulu novels, poetry and textbooks. Over the decades, that commitment grew into producing quality literature and educational materials across South Africa’s official languages.

Today, that legacy continues.

From textbooks and Workbooks to Core Readers, Graded Readers, Phonics Reading Schemes, eBooks and digital learning resources, we continue to support our learners, educators, parents and communities on their journey towards knowledge.

And tomorrow?

We envision a future where every child has the opportunity to discover the joy of reading and literacy continues to empower individuals to shape a better South Africa.

“Because when we invest in literacy, we invest in people. When we nurture readers, we nurture thinkers. And when we empower learners, we empower a nation,” the statement said.

In a message, Macmillan Education South Africa, said

“Literacy empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and creates opportunities for a brighter future. This International Literacy Day, we celebrate the power of reading to shape minds, spark curiosity, and help communities thrive.”

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South Africa does not need a false choice between schools and homeschooling. It needs an education ecosystem broad enough to recognise that children and family circumstances differ. Schools matter, but home education has become an option for parents seeking safety, flexibility, affordability or a learning environment better matched to a child. Treating it as marginal ignores what families are telling us: one model cannot serve every learner equally well.

The reasons families homeschool vary. A child may be anxious in a crowded classroom, need more time to master skills or move faster when understanding is easy. A family may be managing disability, illness, bullying, travel, elite sport, cultural priorities or school fees that have become unsustainable. Some live far from an appropriate school. In each case, homeschooling creates room to shape education around the learner instead of forcing the learner around a timetable.

That flexibility, however, should not be romanticised. Moving learning home, transfers responsibility to parents; they must select a programme, understand curriculum expectations, organise the week, explain concepts, assess progress and keep records. As children enter the Intermediate and Senior Phases, the work becomes specialised and assessment expectations become demanding. Commitment alone does not provide subject knowledge or teaching technique. Without dependable support, a family can replace the pressures of school with uncertainty at home.

This is why we need a stronger home-education infrastructure, not merely more content. Families do not need a folder of worksheets or a library of videos. They need a coherent journey: what to teach, in what order, at what depth and how to know whether understanding has developed. Good structure protects flexibility. It gives learners a rhythm while allowing parents to adjust pace, revisit ideas and make space for curiosity.

Quality depends on making expectations visible. A learner benefits from seeing examples, worked solutions and assessment criteria. A parent benefits from explanations that reveal why a concept matters, what an age-appropriate response looks like and where misconceptions occur. This transparency turns assessment from a judgement at the end of a task into feedback during learning. It builds confidence because progress becomes observable rather than assumed.

In addition, access must be considered seriously. A solution designed only for fibre connections, laptops and printing will reproduce the inequalities it claims to solve. South African education must work on shared devices, mobile data and uneven connectivity. Resources should be easy to navigate, economical to download and practical offline when necessary. Affordability must include the whole cost of learning, not only the advertised subscription.

Accountability is important. The Department of Basic Education’s application process directs parents to apply for home education through their province. The legal framework emphasises suitable resources, progress monitoring and assessment against a standard comparable to the national curriculum. These are not obstacles to home education; they are reminders that flexibility and responsibility belong together. Families deserve tools that help them meet those responsibilities without drowning in administration.

The relevant question is not whether a learner sits in a classroom. It is whether that learner has opportunities to collaborate, resolve conflict, form friendships and engage with people beyond the household. The opportunity is to stop treating homeschooling as competition for schooling. It can serve as a pressure-release valve, a laboratory for learner-centred practice and a pathway for families whose needs are not being met. It can challenge education providers to improve clarity, feedback, digital access and parent communication across every setting.

For homeschooling to fulfil that promise, the sector must earn trust. Providers should be honest about alignment, explicit about scope and rigorous. Parents should be supported as learning partners rather than left to improvise as subject specialists. Learners should experience independence and connection.

Government should provide workable processes that protect children without making responsible families feel unwelcome. South Africa’s education future will not be built by one institution or method. It will be built by widening access to credible choices and ensuring that every choice gives a child an opportunity to learn, progress and thrive.

Steve Welman is Director of the Gentle Genius (South African home-schooling platform).

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The Toyota Starlet has recorded a dramatic improvement in Global NCAP’s latest #SaferCarsForAfrica crash tests, with the updated model achieving four stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection.

The result follows a production update that made six airbags standard, including side curtain airbags.

The improvement is notable because the previous two-airbag version of the Starlet received a zero-star adult occupant protection rating from Global NCAP in May this year. It also received three stars for child occupant protection.

The Starlet is manufactured in India and is one of South Africa’s most popular vehicles, with more than 20 000 units sold.

The previous version was fitted with driver and passenger frontal airbags and Electronic Stability Control as standard, but did not have side head-protection airbags.

Toyota subsequently introduced the six-airbag specification as part of a production update at its Indian manufacturing plant.

Global NCAP allowed Toyota to volunteer the updated six-airbag Starlet for testing. This would have allowed the manufacturer to demonstrate the safety benefits of the additional equipment.

Toyota declined. Global NCAP instead decided to fund the crash test independently. The resulting four-star adult occupant protection rating represents a significant improvement over the previous zero-star result.

Richard Woods, Chief Executive Officer of Global NCAP, welcomed Toyota’s decision to upgrade the Starlet in South Africa.

He said the result demonstrated what could be achieved when manufacturers prioritised safety and encouraged other manufacturers to make life-saving safety equipment standard across the markets they serve.

Safety improvements, but weaknesses remain.

While the four-star result is a substantial improvement, Global NCAP’s assessment identified several areas where the Starlet still has room for improvement.

The footwell was rated as stable in the frontal crash, but the bodyshell was classified as unstable and unable to withstand further loadings.

In the side-impact test, head protection was rated as good, while chest protection was adequate. Abdomen and pelvis protection were also rated as good.

During the side-pole impact test, head protection remained good, although chest protection was rated as marginal. Abdomen and pelvis protection were again rated as good.

Child occupant protection also highlighted some concerns.

In the frontal impact, the head of the three-year-old dummy made contact with the vehicle interior, while chest protection was rated as low.

In the side-impact test, the head of the three-year-old dummy was exposed to impact.

AA welcomes Starlet safety turnaround

The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has also welcomed the Starlet’s improved safety rating.

Bobby Ramagwede, Chief Executive Officer of the AA, described the move from zero to four stars as a considerable improvement and said it demonstrated that entry-level vehicles could be made safer through improvements to their safety specifications.

The AA also called on manufacturers whose entry-level vehicles have recently performed poorly in #SaferCarsForAfrica testing to work towards improving their safety equipment and occupant protection.

For South African motorists, the message is simple: safety equipment should not be treated as a luxury reserved for more expensive models.

What is #SaferCarsForAfrica?

The #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign forms part of Global NCAP’s wider efforts to promote safer vehicles in markets where mandatory vehicle crash-testing programmes are not in place.

Global NCAP has argued that motorists in countries without mandatory crash-testing requirements can sometimes be offered vehicles with lower levels of safety equipment or structural protection than comparable models sold in markets with stricter safety standards.

Global NCAP is a UK-registered charity working internationally to promote vehicle safety in support of the UN Global Goals. Its work includes independent crash testing, research and advocacy across Africa, India, Latin America, the Middle East and ASEAN.

For the Starlet, the latest result marks a remarkable turnaround—from zero stars to four — simply by making critical safety equipment standard.

A new conservation initiative is seeking to redefine the relationship between Africa’s national parks and neighbouring communities, with plans to establish a continent-wide network of community-led conservancies by 2036.

Rewilding Africa CIC, a UK-based Community Interest Company, has unveiled its National Park Conservancy model, which aims to create sustainable development zones around protected areas while strengthening conservation outcomes and unlocking investment opportunities for local communities.

The initiative is built on the premise that the long-term success of Africa’s national parks depends not only on safeguarding wildlife and habitats but also on improving the livelihoods of people living alongside them.

Rather than treating park boundaries as the end of conservation efforts, the model seeks to transform surrounding landscapes into managed conservancies where conservation, tourism, enterprise development and community participation work together.

“The National Park Conservancy model is about changing the relationship between national parks and the communities around them,” said James Arnott, founding director of Rewilding Africa CIC.

“We believe that by putting communities at the centre of the planning and development process, and by creating investable opportunities around conservation, we can build a model that delivers lasting benefits for people, wildlife and landscapes.”

The programme will be rolled out in two phases.

The first phase, a 24-month Destination Branding and Market Activation Programme, is designed to establish conservancy destinations, align stakeholders, attract partners and create the foundation for future investment. Rewilding Africa says this stage is intended to catalyse interest and prepare conservancies for long-term sustainability rather than support their ongoing operations.

The second phase focuses on the planning, development and management of conservancies. It includes natural resource assessments, community consultations, land-use planning, governance frameworks, investment strategies, enterprise development, landscape restoration and long-term management.

A key feature of the model is that communities are expected to play a central role in shaping each conservancy. Rewilding Africa says no master plan is imposed from the outset, with extensive communal planning intended to ensure local participation and consent before development decisions are made.

The organisation argues that conservation and economic development can reinforce each other when communities are directly involved and benefit from activities such as tourism, conservation-related enterprises and social-impact investments.

Two flagship pilot opportunities are already being explored around South Africa’s iconic Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and Zambia’s Kafue National Park. These projects are expected to test the model in different ecological, social and economic environments and demonstrate how it could be replicated elsewhere on the continent.

If successful, the initiative could create a network of connected conservation and development landscapes around national parks, opening new opportunities for responsible tourism, habitat restoration, community-owned businesses and nature-positive investment.

Rewilding Africa is now engaging national park authorities, governments, conservation organisations, investors, development partners and community leaders as it seeks suitable pilot destinations and strategic partnerships.

The organisation’s long-term vision is to establish National Park Conservancies across Africa by 2036, creating what it describes as a new conservation economy where protected areas and neighbouring communities thrive together.

©Higher Education Media Services.

Attendees at the All-Africa Rankings Initiative hosted by the University of Cape Town (UCT) left day two on a proverbial cliffhanger. The question that remained was: How do we define excellence in higher education in Africa? Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela took it a step further by asking: What should excellence in African fourth-generation universities look like in the 21st century?

The two-day event, hosted in partnership with Applied Higher Education (AppliedHE), was aimed at caucusing around university ranking systems and how they do not always fully reflect the diversity of missions, priorities and contributions that characterise higher education in Africa.

At the close of day two on 1 September, Professor Moshabela, in acknowledging the contributions of the co-creation workshops, firstly spoke about South Africa’s Higher Education Act.

“While listening to discussions, I had to go back and remind myself what the act says about the mandate of universities because in some ways, we are reimagining what a university ought to be doing, and it may not be consistent with the original mandate as established. So, it’s important to go back to your institutions and reflect on what it is you are mandated to do because we may need to collectively revisit that.”

He said the thinking behind a fourth-generation university found expression in the formulation of UCT’s fourth mission in Strategy 2030: innovation and entrepreneurship. “A fourth-generation university is one that contributes directly to socio-economic development.” He explained that it’s a simple beeline to follow: universities produce graduates who then become employed and thus contribute to the country’s economy.

“The other argument I use on this point is the number of people employed by a university – from permanent staff to contractors to suppliers. The other way, I’ve argued, is through grants that staffers secure for research.”

“We are building both excellence and credibility.”

Moshabela continued: “When we talk about contributions to the economy, it’s a conversation about how your graduates are no longer just jobseekers – they are also job creators, creating a pathway for youth development and building entrepreneurial mindsets.”

Over two days, delegates sought to capture what excellence means, university by university and region by region; establish what can be measured now, what needs data development, and what cannot yet be measured; as well as producing a written record that goes directly into methodology design.

‘The central tension’

“We are building both excellence and credibility with the conversations we are having, and the two are important, particularly if you want to institutionalise excellence, such that it is embedded in our institutions,” Moshabela added.

In sharing their feedback from the co-creation workshop, attendees spoke about excellence in terms of, among other things, student success, governance, financial sustainability, access, equity and policy agility. The next step will include a report for commentary among delegates to clearly set out the definition of excellence before proceeding to measurement considerations.

At the end of day one, delegates attended a gala dinner at the Southern Sun Cape Hotel, where the two-day event took place. They were entertained by the Jabulani Ensemble, and heard from Professor Lise Korsten, president of the African Academy of Sciences.

There exists, as she called it, ‘the central tension’: “While global ranking systems were designed to create comparability across institutions, in doing so, they created a single axis of value – one that systematically advantages institutions in the Global North, and disadvantages those in Africa and the developing world.”

The several metrics used for rankings include global reputation, research income, English publications and international citations. “What they miss is teaching in local languages, service to communities, knowledge preservation, community-based research, policy influence in Africa, humanities and social sciences, as well as oral knowledge traditions,” Professor Korsten said.

“In rethinking excellence for Africa, excellence should be measured by community impact, student success, African knowledge, continental collaboration, as well as ethical research.”

At the end of day two, a name change was announced where AppliedHE now becomes AppliedEdu.

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Injini, Africa’s leading EdTech incubator, accelerator, and think tank, has unveiled its AI for Education Venture Builder and Incubation Program, an eight‑month initiative designed to support African‑led teams in building AI‑powered solutions for the continent’s toughest classroom challenges. The program is backed by philanthropic funder Coefficient Giving.

The initiative takes pre‑formed teams from ideation to market‑ready startups, combining hands‑on expert support with funding opportunities. Its central aim: test AI tools that work in African classrooms, then back the most promising ventures with resources to scale.

“If we don’t build our own solutions now, we risk EdTech that simply doesn’t work for African classrooms,” said Krista Davidson, Executive Director at Injini. “This venture builder is aimed at closing these gaps.”

Tackling Africa’s Education Barriers

Sub‑Saharan Africa continues to face persistent barriers:

• Teacher shortages

• Foundational literacy and numeracy gaps

• Linguistic diversity

• Connectivity and affordability constraints

Injini’s program addresses these challenges from the ground up, ensuring solutions are practical, affordable, and designed for learners, teachers, and founders themselves.

Program Structure

• Phase 1: Venture Build (five months) All 12 teams progress through problem validation, customer research, solution design, MVP development, and live pilots. Support includes user testing, business canvas development, branding, and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL).

• Phase 2: Incubation (three months, April–June 2027) The top five teams advance to incubation, focusing on market readiness, go‑to‑market strategies, and sustainability. Each receives equity‑free seed capital of $25,000.

Eligibility and Applications

Applications are open to teams based in South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. Teams should ideally have three or more co‑founders covering:

• A builder (technical/product lead)

• A context lead (deep understanding of the education problem)

• A commercial/operations lead (business and execution)

Applicants must have at least two years of relevant experience and be at the ideation stage. Selected teams will attend in‑person engagements in Johannesburg, with costs covered by the program.

Applications open 7 September 2026 and close 27 September 2026, evaluated on a rolling basis. More details and application forms are available at injini.africa/ai-for-education.

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Africa could face a season of punishing heat, drought, flooding and disrupted rainfall as an unusually powerful El Niño gathers strength in the Pacific Ocean.

The latest outlook from the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that El Niño is strengthening and has a greater than 90% chance of becoming a very strong event during the Northern Hemisphere autumn and winter of 2026/27. It places the probability of an event exceeding the strength of any El Niño recorded since 1950 at 69% between October and December.

For Africa, however, the threat will not take a single form. Southern Africa is likely to face a heightened risk of drought and extreme heat, while parts of East Africa could experience excessive rainfall and flooding.

Dr Henno Havenga, senior lecturer in climatology at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Geo- and Spatial Sciences, says the term “super El Niño” is widely used but is not a formal scientific classification.

“It describes an exceptionally strong El Niño event,” he says. “El Niño develops when the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean becomes unusually warm and the atmospheric circulation above it changes. These changes can influence weather patterns far beyond the Pacific through what we call teleconnections.”

The strength of the developing event does not mean that every country or region will experience disaster. El Niño shifts the odds, but it does not dictate the weather from one district to the next.

“A very strong El Niño does not guarantee extreme conditions everywhere,” says Havenga. “Weather variability still plays a major role. It can, however, increase the likelihood or severity of some of the conditions normally associated with El Niño.”

For much of Southern Africa, those conditions include reduced rainfall, drought and unusually high temperatures. Heat compounds the damage because it increases evaporation and the amount of water required by crops, livestock and people at precisely the time when supplies may be declining.

The picture is different in parts of East Africa, where El Niño can bring above-normal rainfall. There, the danger may come from flooded settlements, damaged roads and bridges, contaminated water supplies and the displacement of communities.

Even within the same country, rainfall may arrive too late, fall in the wrong places or come in short, destructive bursts rather than the well-timed and evenly distributed rain needed by crops.

“The timing, distribution and intensity of rainfall can either amplify or offset the typical El Niño signal at a local level,” Havenga says.

A threat to fields, taps and household budgets

Agriculture is among the most exposed sectors, but the consequences will extend far beyond the farm gate. Poor harvests can reduce food availability, weaken rural incomes and push prices higher.

International trade may help countries compensate for local crop failures, but imports do not provide complete protection. Countries remain vulnerable to global commodity prices, exchange-rate movements, transport costs and disruptions to supply chains.

The effects are especially severe for small-scale and subsistence farmers.

“A commercial producer may have access to insurance, financing, irrigation or alternative markets,” says Havenga. “A small-scale or subsistence farmer may lose both the food needed by the household and the produce normally sold to generate an income.”

The same drought can therefore become both a food crisis and an income crisis. Communities that depend heavily on local harvests and village markets may be hit long before the full economic impact becomes visible in national statistics.

Water security is an equally urgent concern. Hot, dry weather increases demand while reducing the water available in rivers, dams and boreholes. Havenga says local governments cannot afford to lose treated water through leaking and poorly maintained infrastructure during such a period.

“Reducing leaks and unnecessary losses from existing water infrastructure is one of the most practical interventions available to us. At the same time, all users should be encouraged to use water sparingly as a general rule.”

Consequences far beyond agriculture

An intense El Niño could place health services, energy systems and ecosystems under strain.

Extreme heat poses a particular danger to outdoor workers, older people, children and those living with chronic illnesses. Drought may affect drinking-water quality, sanitation and nutrition, while floods can contaminate water sources and increase the risk of disease.

Hydropower-dependent countries could face reduced electricity generation if rainfall declines and reservoir levels fall. At the same time, higher temperatures may drive up demand for cooling.

Natural systems will not escape the pressure. Drought can reduce vegetation growth, shrink wetlands and rivers, increase the likelihood of wildfires and leave wildlife competing for dwindling supplies of water and food.

“We cannot assume that every ecosystem will simply return to its previous state after a severe drought,” Havenga says. “However, reducing human pressures, including excessive water abstraction, land degradation and unnecessary habitat disturbance, can improve the ability of ecosystems to withstand and recover from the event.”

As is often the case during climate-related disasters, poorer communities are likely to be affected first and take the longest to recover. They generally have fewer savings, less secure access to food and water, and fewer options when crops fail, livestock die or prices rise.

The warning has arrived

Africa is not powerless in the face of El Niño. Forecasting has improved substantially, and governments can draw on their experience of previous droughts and floods. The danger lies in failing to act before the consequences become unavoidable.

Havenga says farmers should review their planting plans, cultivar choices, water use, production targets and input expenditure in light of the increased risk. Expanding production on the assumption that good rains will arrive could leave already vulnerable producers dangerously exposed.

Governments and municipalities should repair water infrastructure, prepare food-security programmes and ensure that disaster-response systems can be activated quickly. Financial assistance, agricultural support and drought-relief mechanisms should be designed before farmers and communities are already in distress.

“Drought is a slow-onset hazard,” Havenga says. “At first, we might not feel its effects, but it develops gradually, and that slow progression can catch us off guard.”

“The advantage we have is that advance warning systems have allowed us to talk about this event since May,” says Havenga. “We should use that warning to reduce our exposure and prepare for the possibility of a difficult season, rather than waiting until the drought is already established.”

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• Prof Elizabeth Streicher of the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics delivered her inaugural lecture on Tuesday 1 September 2026.

• Her research focuses on the transmission and spread of Tuberculosis (TB).

• Knowing where TB transmission is happening can help to stop it from spreading.

Prof Elizabeth Streicher of the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences delivered her inaugural lecture on Tuesday 1 September 2026. The title of her lecture was Decoding tuberculosis: the evolution of technology, epidemiology and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome.

Streicher explained to Corporate Communication and Marketing how molecular epidemiology (using genetic information to track how and why diseases spread through populations) has improved our understanding of where drug-resistant TB comes from, how it spreads and how drug resistance evolves within and between populations.

Tell us more about your research and why you became interested in this specific field.

Overall, our research group studies the genome (complete set of DNA instructions found in a cell) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB) disease. Various regions of the genome are interrogated to study different aspects of the disease. My main focus has been on the epidemiology of tuberculosis – how the bacteria’s genome changes over time and what this tells us about the transmission and spread of the disease.

How would you describe the relevance of your work?

If we understand how the bacteria that cause TB change and spread, it can assist in combating TB globally.

How has molecular epidemiology helped improve our understanding of drug-resistant TB?

Molecular epidemiology was very important in drug-resistant TB as it was originally believed that bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics would be less fit and not be able to transmit. But it was shown that they can transmit, and therefore have to be monitored to identify hotspots of transmission and outbreaks, etc.

Can you tell us briefly about the spoligotyping technique and its advantages for studying drug-resistant TB?

Spoligotyping (a molecular technique used to identify and track specific strains of TB bacteria) does not detect drug resistance, but since the technique is relatively quick to do, it can be very useful in real-time situations, e.g. to monitor outbreaks of drug resistance.

Why are interrupting transmission chains and identifying genomic hotspots important for controlling the spread of TB?

Knowing where TB transmission is happening can assist in allocating resources to those areas to stop future transmission and spread of TB.

Higher education can be challenging. What keeps you motivated when things get tough?

Students – how they are so passionate and dedicated to learning and contributing to research and society as a whole.

What aspects of your work do you enjoy the most?

Again, the students and colleagues! But also the fact that it is continuously changing and thereby we are learning and expanding our knowledge. In the end, I know that we contribute to a better society in our small way.

Tell us something exciting about yourself that people would not expect.

Even though I love hiking (day and multi-day hikes) and being outside, I really do not like camping!

How do you spend your free time?

I love hiking (wellbeing in nature) and like to watch most sports.

©Higher Education Media Services.

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Prof Alvaro Viljoen, a distinguished B-rated researcher at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), has been honored by the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the Champion of Research Capacity Development and Transformation at a South African Higher Education Institution.

Prof Viljoen, who serves within the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and holds the DSTI-NRF Research Chair in Phytomedicine, received the prestigious accolade for his exceptional contributions to cultivating scientific talent, fostering academic inclusivity, and transforming South Africa’s research landscape.

Over his illustrious career, he has mentored more than 120 postgraduate students and hosted 26 postdoctoral fellows, heavily prioritizing the advancement of women and researchers from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. Reflecting on his dedication to mentoring the next generation, Prof. Viljoen noted, “In academic collaboration, synergy emerges, empowering researchers to achieve more collectively than individually.”

As a global authority in botanical sciences, Prof Viljoen also directs the SAMRC Herbal Drugs Research Unit and has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers. His groundbreaking work, which includes compiling the first South African Herbal Pharmacopoeia, continues to position TUT at the forefront of global scientific innovation. This milestone achievement not only cements Prof Viljoen’s legacy as a visionary leader but also elevates TUT’s standing as a premier destination for progressive, high-impact research.

Celebrating this national triumph, Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement, proudly noted, “Your efforts have strengthened collaboration and innovation, both within South Africa and beyond. Congratulations to Prof Viljoen.

©Higher Education Media Services.

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In our ongoing Role Model series, ednews.africa continues to celebrate women whose journeys show young girls that success is not defined by a straight line, but by courage, curiosity and the willingness to keep learning.

Mushfiqoh Samodien’s story begins in Athlone, Cape Town, where traditional expectations often shaped young women’s futures. Yet even as she navigated those norms, she learned early that there is no single definition of a meaningful life, and no limit to what a girl from Surrey Estate can become.

Today, Mushfiqoh is the Business Director and co‑owner of Aspire Solutions, a leading custom software development company. Her path from graphic design apprentice to corporate professional, project manager, business analyst, technologist, and entrepreneur shows young women that every skill, every pivot, and every challenge can become part of a powerful toolkit. She leads with empathy, listens deeply, and builds technology that solves real problems for real people.

Beyond business, Mushfiqoh is driven by impact. Through Aspire’s youth academy and her newest venture, MiniBoss, she is helping young people build confidence, resilience and entrepreneurial thinking. Her message is simple but transformative: try, fail fast, learn, and try again. In a world where girls are often taught to fear mistakes, she teaches them to see experimentation as strength.

Mushfiqoh’s journey reminds us why representation matters. She shows girls that they belong in technology, leadership, entrepreneurship and every space where decisions are made. Her story is a beacon for young women across South Africa, proof that with curiosity, courage and continuous learning, they can build careers that change industries, uplift communities and shape the future.

Q&A

Early Days

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Cape Town and grew up in Athlone, specifically Surrey Estate.

Growing up in Athlone, the career choices you were exposed to could sometimes feel quite limited. Education was strongly advocated in my family and community, but at the same time, traditional ideas about women’s roles meant that being a stay-at-home mother was also considered a perfectly respectable path.

As a young woman of my generation, there was therefore this interesting balance: you were encouraged to have a profession and make something of yourself, while family and motherhood remained very important.

I think those different expectations influenced me more than I realised at the time. They ultimately taught me that there doesn’t have to be one definition of what a successful life or career looks like.

Which primary and high schools did you attend?

I started primary school in Gauteng, where I attended school until Grade 3. When we returned to Cape Town, I attended Surrey Primary School and later Plumstead High School.

What was life like growing up?

I grew up at a time when there was quite a lot of emphasis on choosing a recognised profession. The thinking was often: become a lawyer, doctor, accountant or choose another established profession.

Because your exposure was limited, you naturally made decisions based on what you could see around you.

I initially studied law. At the time, it made sense because it represented having a profession. However, I was already working and eventually made the practical decision not to finish because completing articles would have meant earning considerably less than I was already earning.

My career therefore started teaching me very early that life does not always follow the plan you had at 18.

One irony is that at school I always felt I should have taken History instead of Accounting. Years later, Accounting is probably one of the subjects that has served me best. As an entrepreneur and business leader, being comfortable with numbers and understanding the financial side of a business has been incredibly valuable.

Where did you study after school and what did you study?

My education has been a journey of continuous learning rather than one traditional academic path.

I initially studied law but did not complete it. I started my working career through an apprenticeship in graphic design and continued developing myself through accredited short courses and qualifications, including Project Management, Business Analysis and various technology accreditations.

Later in my career, I completed a Postgraduate qualification in Business Practice through the UCT Graduate School of Business.

That combination of formal education, practical experience and continuous professional development has probably been one of the greatest strengths of my career.

Are you married? Do you have children?

Yes. I have been married twice previously and am now married. I am also incredibly fortunate to be a mother of four—three beautiful daughters and a son.

Motherhood has been an important part of my journey and has certainly influenced how I think about leadership, opportunity, balance and the future we are creating for the next generation.

What are your hobbies and how do you relax?

My favourite thing is spending time with my family. I also enjoy keeping fit.

Business and entrepreneurship can be demanding, so both family time and fitness help me reset and create some balance.

How do you keep up with trends in your field?

I stay curious.

Technology and business move incredibly quickly, and today, with developments such as AI, that pace is only accelerating.

I read, engage with people across different industries, learn from clients, participate in business and technology networks and continuously expose myself to new thinking.

I also listen.

Listening has become one of my strongest capabilities because trends aren’t only found in reports or online. Sometimes the earliest indication that something is changing comes from listening to your customers, employees, young people and the problems organisations are trying to solve.

When did you first “start” in this career and what was that moment like?

My first real career opportunity was actually an apprenticeship in graphic design.

That surprises some people because today I am known primarily for business and technology.

But my career has never been a straight line.

I moved from graphic design into different business environments and continued adding skills and experience. I worked across corporate environments, including finance, FMCG, and oil and gas, and developed expertise in project management, business analysis, implementation, and technology.

Eventually, I started my own consulting agency as an implementation partner.

That journey taught me something I still believe strongly today: you don’t have to have your entire career figured out when you start.

Every experience can add something to your toolkit.

Career

What is your current job title?

I am the Business Director and co-owner of Aspire Solutions, a specialist custom software development company based in Cape Town.

I also serve as a Board Member of the Virtual Advisory Board (VAB) and am expanding my entrepreneurial focus into youth entrepreneurship through MiniBoss.

How long have you been in this role?

I have been part of Aspire Solutions for more than a decade.

Aspire itself has been operating for over 20 years, and it has been incredibly rewarding to be part of its growth and evolution.

Briefly describe what your job involves day-to-day.

My role is very diverse, which suits me because my career has always been diverse.

I focus on business strategy, growth, partnerships, client relationships and identifying opportunities where technology can solve meaningful business problems.

A large part of my role is also understanding people.

Technology is only useful when it solves the right problem and works for the people who need to use it. So my day might involve a strategic client conversation, developing a new partnership, reviewing a solution, supporting our team, looking at commercial opportunities or thinking about how we develop the next generation of talent.

Where are you based?

I am based in Cape Town, South Africa, although our work, partnerships and networks extend beyond Cape Town.

What do you love most about your job?

The diversity.

I love solving problems, meeting people and seeing an idea become something tangible.

But increasingly, what gives me the most satisfaction is impact.

It is seeing a business improve because of something we’ve implemented, watching someone on our team grow, or seeing a young person gain confidence because somebody gave them an opportunity.

How did you get into this line of work?

After my corporate career, I opened my own consulting agency and worked as an implementation partner.

Through that work, Mike and I joined forces on a project.

The rest, as they say, is history.

That initial collaboration eventually developed into the partnership we have at Aspire Solutions today.

We’ve built something that we are incredibly proud of—not only because of the technology and solutions we’ve delivered, but because of the people and opportunities that have developed around the business.

Was this always your dream career?

No, and I think that’s important for young people to hear.

I initially studied law. I started my working career in graphic design. I then moved through corporate environments, consulting, project management, business analysis and technology before becoming an entrepreneur and business owner.

My career has been about diversification.

Graphic design taught me creativity. Business analysis taught me to understand problems. Project management taught me execution. Corporate life taught me structure and discipline. Technology gave me another way to solve problems. Entrepreneurship taught me resilience.

Today, I use all of those skills.

So your first career choice does not have to define the rest of your life.

What have been some highlights so far?

Becoming a co-owner and Business Director of Aspire Solutions and helping build the company into what it is today is something I am very proud of.

Aspire has also evolved beyond software delivery into talent development and social impact, including a self-funded academy supporting young people from high school into professional technology careers.

I’ve also been fortunate to receive recognition, including Standard Bank Top Woman in Tech, Inspiring 50, Panache Woman of Wonder Trailblazer, the FAB Woman Award for Resilience, 50 Under 50 Global Future Female Founder and the CEO Achievement Alley Business Leadership Award.

But some of my greatest highlights are not awards.

They are the people we’ve developed, the young people we’ve helped create opportunities for and the relationships that have remained with me throughout my career.

Challenges

What are the best parts of the job?

The ability to create, solve problems and make an impact.

Entrepreneurship also gives you an opportunity to build something that reflects your values.

For me, that increasingly means building successful businesses while also asking how we develop people, create opportunities and contribute positively to society.

What are some of the challenges?

Entrepreneurship comes with enormous responsibility.

You are responsible for employees, clients, cash flow, decisions and ultimately the sustainability of the business.

Technology also changes rapidly, so you have to keep learning and adapting.

There will be failures and difficult periods. What matters is learning quickly, adjusting and trying again.

What type of personality suits this career?

Someone who is curious, adaptable, resilient and willing to listen.

You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room.

One of the most valuable capabilities I have developed is listening. When you genuinely listen to people, you understand problems differently.

You also need to be comfortable not knowing everything. Entrepreneurship and technology require constant learning.

Is it well-paying? Are there good benefits?

Technology can be a financially rewarding industry, but I wouldn’t encourage a young person to choose it purely because they believe they will earn a lot of money.

Develop valuable skills. Learn how to solve problems. Understand business. Become someone who can create value.

The financial opportunities tend to follow.

Can you work in other countries with this qualification?

Yes. Many technology, business analysis, project management and digital skills are transferable internationally.

Technology has also made it possible to work with organisations and teams across borders without necessarily relocating.

What education or training is needed?

There isn’t one pathway.

My own journey demonstrates that.

I’ve learned through an apprenticeship, accredited short courses, Project Management, Business Analysis, technology accreditations, practical experience and eventually postgraduate business studies.

Depending on the career you choose, you could enter through university, a university of technology, a coding academy, professional certification, internships or other practical programmes.

Which matric subjects help?

Mathematics and technology-related subjects can certainly help, but I would also include Accounting.

Ironically, Accounting was the subject I thought I didn’t need. I would have preferred History!

Today, as a business owner, Accounting has worked enormously in my favour. Understanding numbers, costs, margins, budgets and the financial health of a business is incredibly important.

Communication subjects are also valuable because no matter how technical your role becomes, you still need to communicate with people.

How long does training take, and is it expensive?

It depends on the route you choose.

A degree may take several years, while accredited programmes, certifications and practical training can be considerably shorter.

Today there are also many more accessible ways to learn.

What is important is not to think that your education ends once you receive a qualification. My career has involved learning continuously.

Do you need ongoing training throughout your career?

Absolutely.

I have continued studying and developing new skills throughout my career.

Technology changes, industries change and business changes.

Continuous learning has allowed me to move from graphic design to corporate business, project management, business analysis, consulting, technology and entrepreneurship.

Are bursaries, loans or scholarships available?

Yes. Various bursaries, scholarships, and funding programmes are available through educational institutions, corporates, government initiatives, and industry programmes.

My advice is to research widely and apply. Don’t automatically assume an opportunity isn’t available to you.

Where can one study for this career?

There are many routes through South African universities, universities of technology, private institutions, coding academies and professional accreditation bodies.

The important question isn’t only “Where should I study?”

Also ask:

“What skills will I leave with, and can I practically apply them?”

What should a young person do first if they want to follow this path?

Start.

Don’t wait until everything is perfect.

Learn something. Build something. Try something. Find a problem and think about how you could solve it.

And don’t be frightened of getting it wrong.

That philosophy is also central to what we’re developing through MiniBoss: fail fast, learn and never be afraid to try again.

Advice for the Young at Heart

What advice would you give someone thinking about this career?

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have your entire life mapped out at 18.

I certainly didn’t.

Your career may change several times, and that isn’t necessarily failure—it can be growth.

Keep developing your skills, remain curious, listen to people and don’t be afraid to diversify.

Most importantly, don’t let fear of failure stop you from starting.

Is there a shortage of people in this field in SA or globally?

There's still a need for skilled people in technology and related fields.

But I believe we also need people who can combine technical ability with business understanding, communication, creativity and emotional intelligence.

Technology can build a solution. Understanding people helps ensure you’re building the right solution.

What other similar jobs exist in your industry?

The industry is incredibly broad.

There are careers in software development, business analysis, project management, data, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, product management, UX/UI design, digital transformation, consulting, sales, strategy and entrepreneurship.

And new careers are emerging continuously, particularly around AI.

Don’t only look at the job titles that exist today. Some of the careers young people entering school now will eventually have probably don’t exist yet.

Looking back, what would you have done differently?

I would probably have trusted the journey more and worried less about having everything figured out.

There were times when changing direction could feel like starting again.

Today I understand that I wasn’t starting again, I was adding another layer.

Every experience eventually contributed something to the business leader and entrepreneur I became.

Tell us about a teacher or mentor who inspired your journey.

One person who profoundly influenced me was Derek Smith, my Project Management lecturer, who recently passed away.

Derek taught me something that has stayed with me throughout my career:

Focus on the people, not just the product.

That philosophy has grounded me through project management, implementation, consulting, technology and leadership.

It also helped me develop listening as a genuine capability.

You can have the best technology or product in the world, but if you haven’t listened to the people affected by it, you may still have the wrong solution.

Derek and I remained in contact for many years after he lectured me. That relationship and his lessons stayed with me long after I left the classroom.

My Latest Endeavour: MiniBoss

MiniBoss represents the next chapter of something I have been passionate about for years: developing young people.

The purpose is to introduce young people to entrepreneurship while simultaneously developing confidence.

But I don’t want entrepreneurship education to become simply about making money.

Business needs a commercial outcome, but entrepreneurship should also teach young people to ask:

What problem am I solving? Who am I helping? What value am I creating? How can this business contribute towards a stronger society?

I want young people to understand that they are allowed to experiment.

Try the idea.

Test it.

If it doesn’t work, understand why.

Learn.

Change it.

Try again.

That is the principle of failing fast without becoming afraid to try.

If we can teach young people entrepreneurship alongside confidence, resilience, problem-solving and social responsibility, I believe we can develop stronger individuals—and ultimately a stronger society.

For me, MiniBoss isn’t separate from my career journey. In many ways, it brings together everything I’ve learned: creativity, business, technology, entrepreneurship, people and purpose.

Where to Study?

Young people should investigate opportunities through:

• South African universities – UNISA/UCT/UWC

• UCT Graduate School of Business

• Accredited technology academies

• Professional Project Management and Business Analysis programmes

Find me on

LinkedIn: Mushfiqoh Samodien
MiniBoss: www.miniboss.co.za
Aspire Solutions: www.aspiresolutions.co.za

Instagram: aspire_solutions_connect / miniboss_sa
TikTok: NA
Facebook: NA

Key takeaway?

If there is one thing I would want a young person reading my story to take away, it is this:

Your career does not have to be a straight line.

I started in graphic design. I studied law and didn’t finish it. I moved through corporate environments, project management, business analysis, consulting and technology. I became an entrepreneur and business owner, and today I am taking everything I have learned and using it to help develop another generation of entrepreneurs.

Don’t be afraid to change direction.

Keep learning. Keep listening. Stay curious. Build your confidence.

And most importantly, never be so afraid of failing that you become afraid to try.

©Higher Education Media Services.

Biene, who became the first woman to lead Volkswagen Group Africa when she was appointed in November 2022, will be succeeded by Christiane Zorn, currently Vice President Region Overseas at Porsche AG. Zorn’s appointment is subject to the completion of the necessary regulatory and statutory processes.

The leadership change marks the end of a successful tenure for Biene, during which VWGA achieved several important milestones in manufacturing, investment and market development.

Under her leadership, Volkswagen’s production plant in Kariega recorded its highest-ever output, producing 167,084 vehicles in 2024. The company also announced a R4 billion investment to add a third model, the Volkswagen Tengo, to its local production portfolio.

The Tengo, unveiled this week during celebrations marking 75 years of Volkswagen in South Africa, is expected to play a key role in the company’s future manufacturing strategy and growing SUV offensive both locally and across Africa.

Biene’s influence extended beyond Volkswagen. Between October 2023 and July 2026, she also served as President of the Association of African Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), helping to promote the growth and development of the automotive sector across the continent.

Reflecting on her time at VWGA, Biene said it had been an honour to work alongside a resilient team during a period marked by both challenges and achievements.

“Despite the challenges facing both the automotive industry and our company, we have achieved many milestones worth celebrating,” she said.

Biene highlighted the early launch of the Tengo as one of the achievements she is most proud of, citing its importance for future production volumes at the Kariega plant and Volkswagen’s SUV growth plans in African markets.

Taking over from her is Zorn, an experienced automotive executive with more than two decades of industry experience. She currently serves as Vice President Region Overseas at Porsche AG and has previously held senior leadership roles at BMW and Audi.

After joining BMW in 2013, Zorn worked in several positions in Munich and Beijing before moving to Audi in 2020, where she held key roles including Head of Sales for China, Head of Product Marketing and Head of Product Strategy.

“I am excited to join Volkswagen Group Africa and play my part in driving the future of Volkswagen in Africa with the team,” said Zorn.

The transition comes at a significant time for VWGA as the company continues to expand its manufacturing footprint and strengthen its position in African markets.

With major investments underway and the newly unveiled Tengo preparing to enter production, the leadership change signals continuity in Volkswagen’s long-term ambitions on the continent. For Biene, meanwhile, the move to Škoda Auto represents a significant career step within the wider Volkswagen Group, where she will take responsibility for one of the brand’s most important global functions: sales and marketing.

For more than 15 years, the Audi Q5 has been a key player in the luxury midsize SUV segment. The Q5 is built on Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. Audi says the latest model is designed to deliver a more sophisticated driving experience through improved dynamics, greater connectivity, and enhanced comfort.

The new Q5 stands out with its athletic stance. A larger Singleframe grille dominates the front end, flanked by slim headlights and sculpted bodywork that creates a stronger road presence.

At the rear, a full-width light strip and redesigned diffuser add to the vehicle’s modern look, while the Sportback variants introduce a sleek coupé-inspired roofline without compromising practicality.

All South African models are offered in S line specification as standard, giving the Q5 a sportier appearance from the outset with distinctive styling elements and standard 20-inch alloy wheels.

The cabin is dominated by the brand’s new Digital Stage, which harbours an 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus display with a 14.5-inch curved MMI touchscreen. An optional 10.9-inch passenger display allows front-seat occupants to access navigation and entertainment functions independently.

Ambient lighting is present, and standard equipment across the range includes electrically adjustable sport seats, three-zone climate control, wireless smartphone charging, and Audi Connect services.

The Q5 comes with a substantial amount of driver-assistance technology. Standard features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Emergency Brake Assist, Park Assist Plus, Surround View Cameras, Side Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Assist and Audi Pre Sense.

South African buyers can choose between petrol, diesel and high-performance V6 powertrains. The Q5 2.0 TFSI produces 200kW and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds, while the diesel-powered 2.0 TDI delivers 150kW and 400Nm of torque for those prioritising long-distance efficiency.

At the top of the range sits the SQ5, powered by a 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine producing 270kW and 550Nm. Audi claims the performance SUV can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds while still offering the comfort and practicality expected from the Q5 badge.

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The new Q5 remains practical despite its luxury positioning. Audi says the SUV offers up to 520 litres of luggage space, while the Sportback provides 515 litres. Combined with a 2,820mm wheelbase and flexible rear seating, the vehicle is designed to cater for family life, business travel and weekend adventures alike.

Key Features:

• 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus

• 14.5-inch curved MMI touchscreen

• Wireless smartphone charging

• Adaptive Cruise Control

• Park Assist Plus

• Surround View Cameras

• Three-zone automatic climate control

• Audi Connect services

• Standard 20-inch alloy wheels

• Optional Matrix LED headlights

• Optional Digital OLED rear lights

• Optional adaptive air suspension

The all-new Audi Q5 range is now available at Audi dealerships nationwide.

South African Pricing:

Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI

• Q5 S line SUV – R1,295,000

• Q5 S line Sportback – R1,365,000

• Q5 S line Black SUV – R1,350,000

• Q5 S line Black Sportback – R1,420,000

Audi Q5 2.0 TDI

• Q5 S line SUV – R1,275,000

• Q5 S line Black SUV – R1,330,000

Audi SQ5 V6 TFSI

• SQ5 SUV – R1,510,000

• SQ5 Sportback – R1,580,000

• SQ5 Black SUV – R1,565,000

• SQ5 Black Sportback – R1,635,000

All models are sold with Audi South Africa’s five-year/100,000km Audi Freeway Plan. In a nutshell, the new Audi Q5 enters the South African market as a serious contender in the luxury midsize SUV segment. Still, we feel options from the Chinese manufacturers may overshadow it.

Leading investment executive Sonja De Bruyn believes South Africa already has the ingredients for success. What it lacks is strong ethical leadership.

The challenge, she says, is finding people with the courage and conviction to unlock the country’s potential.

Drawing on almost three decades in investment banking, private equity and corporate governance, De Bruyn says the qualities of effective leadership become even more important during times of uncertainty.

De Bruyn, co-founder and principal partner of the Johannesburg-based, women-led investment firm Identity Capital Partners, delivered Nelson Mandela University’s annual Raymond Mhlaba Institutional Public Lecture in Gqeberha on 12 August.

In her address, Ubuntu, Governance and Shared Prosperity: Building an Economy that Works for All, she argued that South Africa’s greatest challenge is not a shortage of opportunity, but the leadership needed to nurture it.

“Good and strong leadership has a vision and a plan for getting from point A to point B, even if it’s not in a straight line,” says De Bruyn.

“It has resilience, it has courage and it has adaptability.”

Leadership, she argues, is not about having all the answers, but about having the confidence to make difficult decisions and stay focused on the bigger picture.

“You don’t always have perfect information, and you don’t always know what the outcome is going to be. But you’ve got to make decisions, as best you can with the information at hand … and keep moving.”

Opening doors for others

The good news, she says, is that South Africa’s people are one of its greatest strengths – together with sound financial infrastructure, abundant natural resources and a resilient economy.

The nation’s diversity, generosity of spirit and deep-rooted sense of Ubuntu set it apart – even in the face of significant challenges, such as weak leadership and unemployment.

“South Africa is such an interesting country, full of opportunities, and I believe we have the most amazing people.

“People think maybe Ubuntu is a cliché. It’s not. We even talk to strangers! If we’re abroad, some people (even) think we’re too friendly – (but) that’s how we are.”

For De Bruyn, those qualities are far more than feel-good attributes. They are the foundation on which stronger businesses, communities and institutions are built.

Equally, potential is not enough, she argues. Turning that potential into progress requires brave leaders who make difficult decisions, inspire confidence and create opportunities for others.

Growing future leaders

For De Bruyn, leadership is measured not only by the decisions leaders make, but by the people they inspire, encourage and help to succeed.

Those who reach positions of influence have a responsibility to develop the next generation of leaders, rather than protecting their own success.

Women, in particular, have an important role to play in supporting one another – and meaningful progress depends on closing opportunity gaps for those who follow.

“When you get into the room, hold the door open for the next woman. Don’t close it behind you,” she says.

De Bruyn believes that investing in people is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen organisations and, ultimately, the country itself. Creating opportunities, sharing experience and mentoring others are all part of building the confident, capable leadership South Africa needs.

During her lecture, De Bruyn confronted some hard realities behind South Africa’s stalled potential, particularly unemployment, weak growth and failures in energy, freight and municipal services.

She argued that the unemployment crisis was structural rather than temporary, driven by low growth and investment, infrastructure failures, weak state capacity, corruption and shortcomings in education and the transition from school to work.

Governance remained critical to turning this around. De Bruyn linked stronger institutions and trustworthy custodianship of public resources to investment, growth and jobs, arguing that fighting corruption went beyond recovering stolen money, and weakened institutions and investor sentiment.

South Africa needed more ambitious standards, while good governance demanded the courage to lead well.

Although based in Johannesburg, De Bruyn has never lost her connection with the Eastern Cape. Both her parents were born and raised in the province and she continues to visit family there regularly, making her return to Gqeberha for the Raymond Mhlaba Annual lecture particularly meaningful.

The corporate finance executive was also in the city for a Mandela University student masterclass, hosted by the Raymond Mhlaba Centre for Governance and Leadership, where she discussed the country’s transformation policies, examining the obstacles and opportunities facing young South Africans.

Support for South Africa

Responding to the address, Ambassador Nozipho January-Bardill, former Chairperson of Nelson Mandela University Council, said Ubuntu also had to translate into institutions that worked for people. Failures in basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity and waste management increased the country’s vulnerability and prevented communities from reaching their potential.

Nelson Mandela University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa said the annual lecture had built a reputation for attracting distinguished thought leaders who challenged conventional thinking and inspired dialogue, making it an honour to have De Bruyn headline this year’s event.

Faculty of Humanities Executive Dean Professor Pamela Maseko highlighted De Bruyn’s contribution as a Black woman in South Africa’s economy and the importance of African women occupying influential spaces in business and leadership.

©Higher Education Media Services.

At the 2nd Annual South African National Artisan Awards (SANAA), Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela delivered a powerful message: South Africa’s future depends on the artisans who keep its infrastructure functioning, its industries productive and its communities moving.

Speaking at the Radisson Blu Hotel near OR Tambo International Airport, the Minister honoured 34 finalists across 13 priority trades and issued a national call to rebuild the country’s artisanal skills pipeline.

Manamela opened by reminding the audience that artisans are central to the functioning of any modern economy. They maintain factories, repair transport networks, safeguard water systems, build homes and public infrastructure, and solve the practical problems that underpin industrialisation.

For too long, he said, South Africans have been taught that success is synonymous with a university degree. “That is wrong,” he argued. “A qualified artisan carries advanced applied knowledge, judgement, discipline and the ability to make things work.”

He reiterated a line that has become a signature of his public messaging: a country that cannot produce its own plumbers, welders or cobblers “does not have the luxury of dreaming about sending people to Mars.” Ambition, he said, must stand on capability — and capability requires a skilled workforce.

From Recognition to a Functional Skills Pipeline

The awards follow immediately after TVET Month, during which the department encouraged young people to physically visit colleges, see workshops, meet lecturers and understand the pathways into trades. Manamela stressed that recognition alone is not enough. South Africa must build a complete and coherent skills pipeline: career guidance, enrolment in credible programmes, modern workshops, lecturers with current industry knowledge, structured workplace learning, fair trade testing, certification, and finally employment or enterprise.

He noted that recent campus visits revealed a consistent message: South Africans have talent and determination, but the system often forces them to carry the cost of fragmented planning, outdated equipment, slow certification processes and limited workplace opportunities. “The classroom, the workshop and the workplace must operate as one learning system,” he said. “When they are disconnected, the student pays. When they are aligned, the country gains a capable artisan.”

Driving Reform: Quality, Workplace Learning and Accountability

The National Development Plan sets a target of producing 30,000 qualified artisans annually by 2030. Manamela warned that this target will not be met by counting registrations or signing memoranda of understanding. Instead, the country must count completions, qualifications, workplace absorption and sustainable enterprises.

He outlined several reforms: completing the transition to credible occupational qualifications, ensuring programmes respond to real economic needs, modernising college workshops and simulators, strengthening lecturer development and industry exposure, and protecting the integrity and turnaround times of assessment and certification.

But the central bottleneck, he said, remains workplace learning. Government can fund training and colleges can teach theory, but apprentices cannot become competent artisans without real-world exposure under qualified mentors. Employers must stop “standing at the edge of the skills system” and instead help design programmes, open workplaces, provide mentors, verify competence and absorb graduates.

SETAs and the National Skills Fund must support this through coherent funding, common standards and transparent tracking. Funding must follow the learner through the entire pathway, not create disconnected projects. The measure of success, Manamela said, is simple: “week by week, the system must move more apprentices into workplaces, more candidates through trade tests and more qualified artisans into productive work.”

He also emphasised inclusion. Women, persons with disabilities and young people from rural and township communities must be able to enter, qualify and lead in every trade. Inclusion requires safe training environments, fair assessment, competent mentorship and visible routes into employment and ownership.

Building One National Platform for Artisan Excellence

Manamela called for SANAA to become the single national platform for recognising artisan excellence — not one of several parallel ceremonies competing for attention. Recognition must be coordinated, credible and governed with integrity. Adjudication must be transparent, data verified, and finalists supported beyond the awards evening.

The inaugural SANAA focused on Centres of Specialisation. This year, the awards expanded to all 50 public TVET colleges. From 2027, the platform should include public and private artisan-training institutions while maintaining a unified national standard.

The partnership with Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies South Africa and Allan Gray Makers adds an entrepreneurial dimension. A qualified artisan should not be limited to searching for vacancies. With technical mastery, commercial support and access to markets, artisans can establish enterprises, train apprentices, employ others and strengthen local economies.

©Higher Education Media Services.

South Africa cannot hope to industrialise, modernise or compete globally without a strong corps of qualified artisans, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela warned on Saturday evening.

Speaking at the 2nd Annual South African National Artisan Awards (SANAA) in Gauteng, the Minister delivered one of his strongest messages yet on the country’s skills crisis, arguing that artisan training must become a national development priority rather than a symbolic gesture.

Addressing 34 finalists across 13 priority trades, Manamela said the awards were not simply a celebration of excellence but a reminder of the country’s urgent need for plumbers, welders, electricians, millwrights, cobblers and other trades that keep the economy functioning.

The Minister’s keynote came days after TVET Month, during which the department pushed for young people to physically visit colleges, see workshops, meet lecturers and understand the pathways into trades.

He argued that South Africa’s skills pipeline must be judged not by speeches or enrolment numbers, but by how many apprentices complete training, qualify, enter workplaces and build sustainable careers. “We must count learners who complete, artisans who qualify, graduates who enter work, and enterprises that survive and grow,” he said.

Manamela was frank about the system’s weaknesses. He noted that students often bear the cost of fragmented planning, outdated equipment, slow certification processes and limited workplace opportunities.

A major focus of the speech was workplace learning, the single biggest bottleneck in artisan development. While government can fund training and colleges can teach theory, Manamela stressed that apprentices cannot become competent artisans without real-world exposure under qualified mentors.

South Africa’s National Development Plan sets the objective of producing 30,000 qualified artisans a year by 2030. “We will not reach that objective by counting registrations, launches or memoranda of understanding. We must count learners who complete, artisans who qualify, graduates who enter work, and enterprises that survive and grow.”

This requires practical reform, said Manamela.

He called on employers to stop “standing at the edge of the skills system” and instead help design programmes, open workplaces, provide mentors and absorb graduates. SETAs and the National Skills Fund, he added, must support this through coherent funding and transparent tracking.

The Minister also highlighted the need for inclusion, saying women, persons with disabilities and young people from rural and township communities must be able to enter and progress in every trade.

“Inclusion is not achieved by enrolment alone,” he said.

Manamela used the SANAA platform to call for a single, credible national system for recognising artisan excellence. The awards, launched last year with a focus on Centres of Specialisation, now include finalists from all 50 public TVET colleges. From 2027, he said, the platform should extend to private training institutions while maintaining a unified national standard.

The partnership with Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies South Africa and Allan Gray Makers adds an entrepreneurial dimension, positioning artisans not only as job seekers but as potential business owners who can employ others and strengthen local economies.

To the finalists, Manamela delivered a message of pride and responsibility. Being named a National Artisan Ambassador, he said, must mean more than receiving a blazer and a photograph. “An ambassador mentors an apprentice, speaks to young people about vocational careers, supports quality and safety, keeps learning as technology changes, and helps to leave the workshop, enterprise and community stronger than they found it.”

As he prepared to sign the SANAA Book of Legacy, Manamela said the true legacy would be measured in workshops, workplaces and communities where standards rise, opportunities expand, and artisans build the infrastructure that sustains the nation. “Skills build nations. And artisans are nation-builders,” he said.

South Africa, he concluded, “sees you, values you, needs you—and now asks you to lead.”

©Higher Education Media Services.

Faith Dowelani has graduated with a doctorate specialising in Quantity Surveying from the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT), combining her expertise in quantity surveying with machine learning to address one of the construction industry’s persistent challenges: inaccurate cost estimates at the early stages of building projects.

Dowelani’s PhD, completed in UP’s Department of Construction Economics, placed her among the University’s latest cohort of doctoral graduates who received their qualifications during the spring graduations, held from 31 August to 4 September 2026 on Hatfield Campus. Her research investigated whether supervised machine learning could improve the accuracy of cost estimates when limited project information was available.

Her study, titled ‘Supervised machine learning prediction models for early-stage cost estimation of building projects’, used historical data from 68 retail and office projects completed in Gauteng between 2013 and 2024. She developed and tested three prediction models to determine which could most accurately forecast the total capital investment required for a building project.

“At the conceptual stage of a project, detailed building drawings and specifications do not exist yet,” Dowelani explained. “Quantity surveyors have to produce cost estimates based on limited information, which is incredibly difficult and often leads to inaccurate estimates.”

Her models examined five key variables: the cost of the land, estimated construction or improvement costs, general development costs, financing costs and the type of building being constructed. She compared these supervised machine learning techniques: multiple linear regression, decision trees and artificial neural networks.

Dowelani found that machine learning could produce highly accurate early-stage cost estimates, even using a relatively small historical dataset. Multiple linear regression performed best, achieving a mean absolute percentage error of 3.52%, followed by the artificial neural network at 4.74%. The decision tree recorded an error of 22.64%.

One finding that surprised Dowelani was that the simpler multiple linear regression model outperformed the more complex artificial neural network.

“There is often an assumption that more advanced or complicated artificial intelligence models would automatically provide the best results,” she said. “My research showed that for this type of limited, context-specific data, a simpler model can be more accurate, practical and easier for professionals to interpret and trust.”

Dowelani said the findings showed that quantity surveying firms could begin using historical project data more systematically to improve future estimates. The models could be used as decision-support tools during the conceptual stage of a project, allowing quantity surveyors to generate an initial prediction of total capital costs before applying their professional judgement to project-specific factors.

The research journey was not without challenges. Dowelani said collecting building cost data was particularly difficult because such information is commercially sensitive. She also had to develop machine-learning skills despite coming to the PhD with a background in quantity surveying rather than computer science.

“Learning [computer programming software] Python, understanding the algorithms and modelling, and figuring out how to apply them to construction cost data required a steep learning curve,” she said.

Managing her PhD alongside other responsibilities was another challenge. Dowelani said the support of her family helped her persevere, particularly after the death of her father in 2023.

“My mother and sisters believed in me even when I doubted myself,” she said. “Their love and encouragement gave me the strength to keep pushing forward, even during the difficult moments.”

She describes the achievement as the realisation of a dream she had held since childhood, adding that her parents instilled in her the belief that education was the key to a better future.

“This achievement is not just mine as the first black South African to earn a PhD in quantity surveying at UP,” Dowelani said. “It also belongs to my mother, Alufheli, who sacrificed so much to support my education. She was the first woman to obtain a diploma in Architecture from the former Technikon Northern Transvaal, now Tshwane University of Technology; her pioneering spirit has been my greatest inspiration.”

Professionally, the PhD has positioned Dowelani to contribute to the future of quantity surveying through research, teaching, mentorship and the practical application of digital technologies in construction. Her ambition is to become the first female professor in quantity surveying at UP. She plans to continue her research, develop new models and approaches, train the next generation of quantity surveyors, work with industry partners to implement the models in practice, and contribute to discussions about technology in construction cost management.

“I hope that my journey inspires other young black women to know that they belong in academic spaces, research, leadership and professions where they may not always see themselves represented,” she said.

©Higher Education Media Services.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, in consultation with National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi, has appointed Advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara as Acting Head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).

Vanara replaces Advocate Andrea Johnson, who resigned amid controversy and allegations that have cast a shadow over her tenure.

A seasoned legal, governance and regulatory leader with more than 25 years’ experience across Parliament, state institutions and state‑owned enterprises, Vanara previously served as Group Executive: Legal, Governance & Regulatory at the SABC and held senior roles in Parliament and various oversight structures. He holds B.Proc, LLB and LLM qualifications from the University of the Free State.

Currently Chief Legal Counsel at the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Vanara provides strategic leadership in civil litigation, asset recovery, corporate legal services and compliance. He joins IDAC on secondment and assumes his new responsibilities immediately.

Minister Kubayi expressed confidence in Vanara’s integrity and ability to stabilise and reposition IDAC, wishing him well in his new role.

(c)Higher Education Media Services.

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As the world prepares to commemorate International Day of Charity on Saturday, 5 September, Inyathelo, the South African Institute for Advancement, is calling for a fundamental shift in how the non-profit organisation (NPO) sector is perceived and supported.

While individual generosity and corporate social investment are vital, Inyathelo emphasises that long-term social impact cannot depend on ad-hoc giving alone. Ensuring the sustainability of civil society requires viewing the NPO sector not as an informal collection of volunteers, but as an essential, highly professionalised driver of national development.

Feryal Domingo, Acting Executive Director of Inyathelo, highlights that confusing benevolence with institutional strategy undermines the sector’s operational reality.

“Acts of charity provide crucial immediate relief during moments of crisis. However, tackling systemic challenges, such as poverty, inequality, gender-based violence, and climate resilience requires long-term, sustainable solutions.

The NPO sector is not an array of casual non-profits run solely by volunteers. It is an economic engine and social anchor managed by highly skilled professionals who drive strategic interventions, oversee complex projects, and adhere to rigorous governance standards,” said Domingo.

To achieve financial resilience and long-term viability, NPOs must embed professional Advancement practices into their core operations. Advancement is an integrated, intentional strategic approach to positioning an institution to build strong relationships, secure resources, and ensure financial independence.

Key elements of professionalising the sector include:

• Attracting top-tier talent: The non-profit sector actively recruits highly skilled professionals in key leadership, legal, analytical, financial, and strategic roles, matching the operational demands of the private and public sectors.

• Bridging the skills gap through volunteerism: Far from being a substitute for professional staff, structured volunteer programmes in NPOs serve as critical conduits for skills transfer, knowledge sharing, and workforce development. Unemployed individuals and young graduates gain practical experience, essential soft skills, and industry networks that build practical pathways to formal employment.

• Shifting from paternalism to strategic partnerships: Viewing civil society work merely as ‘charity’ risks perpetuating a dynamic of dependence. Professionalised NPOs co-create solutions with communities, treating beneficiaries with dignity and agency while positioning NPOs as equal partners alongside government and corporate donors.

“When we invest in the professional capacity and Advancement capabilities of NPOs, we ensure their long-term sustainability,” concluded Domingo. “This International Day of Charity, we call on corporate donors, philanthropic institutions, and government to move beyond transactional, short-term funding.

“We must invest in institutional resilience, professional skills, and systemic impact so that civil society can continue to safeguard the social fabric that holds our communities and our country together.”

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