In an ever more competitive industry, hospitality establishments are hard pressed to ensure increased profits, optimised operations and enhanced customer satisfaction. Hoteliers have a lot of challenges in their day-to-day jobs, and these teams face fluctuating variables that often create uncertainty in pricing decisions.

South Africans should brace themselves for more social and economic hardships following the medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS). Today, the Finance Minister quoted from the Bible where he said, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously”. As far as the poor are concerned the Minister sowed nothing. 

It’s that time of the year again when final exams are approaching and study timetables need to be set up. Staying calm and focused during this time is the best way to approach your exams, and Future Nation Schools has some great tips on how to keep your cool during these stressful times.

 

On the eve of Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s second mid-term budget speech in office the writings on the wall.

To lead with data in the digital age, today’s businesses must blaze trails daily. The key is to break away from archaic and static business reporting, favouring predictive, prescriptive analytics. The result is end-to-end data management and analytics solutions built to transform the entire organisation. In an era driven by information, the ability to explore the hidden relationships within data is a key differentiator in every market, leading to insights that ignite great ideas.

A standard feature of every failing and under-performing organisation is a lack of comprehensive policies and procedures matched with the appropriate internal controls. 

 

The luxurious 5-star safari lodge was the only Diners Club Winelist Award winner in Limpopo province this year. 205 Restaurants from around the country submitted wine lists for judging by a select panel led by the publisher of the Platter’s by Diners Club Wine Guide, Jean-Pierre Rossouw.

Rudi Jagersbacher will step down after 40 years of service for Hilton, and Jochem-Jan Sleiffer will oversee growth strategy as new area president for MEA&T 

Across the retail sector, there are three fundamental shifts that need to occur in the digital transformation journey. The first is the rise of the empowered consumer. The second is the omni-channel development of the agile supply chain. The third is the changing role of the store, which must focus more on engagement and creating an experience for customers. 

Following the recent Constitutional Court decision in Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and Others v Prince and Others 2018 (6) SA 393 (CC), the Trade Marks Office has updated its policy on the registration of cannabis-related trade marks, effective 7 August 2019. 

Birkenstock, established in 1774 in Germany, is a world-renowned brand that has taken the world by storm with its ground-breaking footwear. Much like the iconic global brand Luke Dale Roberts, founder and creative genius behind The Test Kitchen restaurant, has stood the test of time and thus completed the beauty of a partnership between two strong likeminded brands.

Since its launch in May 2019, the world’s first online digital accountant Osidon has grown in leaps and bounds.

South Africa is destined to become the Silicon Valley of Africa. 

 

In the wake of Industry 4.0 there is no doubt that technology – both its advancements and shortcomings – is dictating the speed of change across the globe. As emerging technologies innovate, so customer expectations evolve, requiring even more innovation. This is a never-ending cycle.

Choosing the right career can be tough, especially for an 18-year-old who has just completed high school and is suddenly faced with a mountain of new life decisions and career options. While the decision ultimately lies with the teen, parents play an important role in guiding them to make good career choices. Guardians should take an active role in this process when the time comes to choose the right qualifications and institutions.

 

In recognition of International Day for Universal Access to Information 2019, the Access to Information Network (ATI Network) releases its 9th shadow report. The report documents the outcomes and experiences of  ATI Network civil society and media organisations in South Africa, using the Promotion of Access to Information Act of 2000 (PAIA), between 1 June 2017 - 31 July 2018.

South Africa has seen a surge of fraud related crimes happening within white-collar business sectors of the country. Fraud constitutes a serious economic crime and should not be treated as a normal theft issue. Company leaders must become more vigilant than ever to ensure that their company does not fall victim to the ever-present threat of fraud.

Infor, a leading provider of business applications specialised by industry and built for the cloud, announced a planned leadership transition on 21 August 2019, effective immediately. Through this transition, Kevin Samuelson, who has served as Infor’s CFO, has been named Chief Executive Officer. Charles Phillips, who has served as CEO since 2010, has been named Chairman of Infor’s Board of Directors. Samuelson will also join Infor’s Board of Directors.

A unique collaboration that brings together conservationists, entrepreneurs and the community was launched at a festive evening in Cape Town on Thursday 26 September.

Hack the human. This is a growing trend understood very clearly by the well-funded and organised cybercrime landscape.  The cyber-syndicate and criminal know that it is far easier to access systems through people than it is to go through the technology. 

The June 2020 meeting will focus on connecting, innovating and transforming. The next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) has been officially launched in a video message from the President of Rwanda and the Commonwealth Secretary-General.

 

South Africa has recently seen a huge spike in criminal behaviour. This has particularly been evidenced by the recent gender-based violence incidents, xenophobic attacks, looting and rioting. This spike has led many South African citizens to decide that they will no longer stand by silently with the belief that the time has come to fight back.

The J&B Hive is both a catalyst for creative entrepreneurs wishing to accelerate their business endeavours as well as a space facilitating creative collaboration has taken up residence at 81 De Korte Street in trendy Braamfontein with a view to accommodate its growing community. 

Across the entire value chain, manufacturing organisations are under constant pressure to innovate products and services. To remain competitive, greater customer intimacy must be established, and more must be achieved with less resources. This is no easy feat. These complex trends, when harnessed correctly, are making the modern plant more efficient, productive and aware of the data required to perform better. 

The business industry is constantly changing, so it’s imperative to stay at the top if your game in order to keep profits increasing. 

Latest data suggests that Thailand is set to become an unintended beneficiary of the current turbulent trade relations between the world’s two most powerful economies.

In a two-speed world, digital transformation is a prerequisite to competing in an exponential future. While organisations strive to keep pace in an intelligent, open and connected world they must meet the demands of rampant automation, growth and innovation. The key to success lies in not choosing between building on old systems or taking the path of disruption – but rather inculcating the agility to do both.

As the world strives to keep pace with the fourth industrial revolution, as millennials enter the workforce, and as post-millennials enroll at educational facilities, a common requirement is the embracement of technology. This results in an increased demand for companies and institutions to offer innovations, such as mobile solutions, that meet the expectations and needs of these generations.

The bottom line has always been important within the corporate world. Organisations need to make decisions that make financial sense to ensure that the company remains viable, is profitable and can continue doing its work.  

Hosted by Uber, the conference, “The Future of Work”, held in Cape Town today, steered an open discussion on the main changes taking place in the world of work.

Many of our continent’s most majestic species of wildlife face a real threat of extinction. Africa is losing the very thing that makes it unique and valuable, its wildlife. To counter this, various organisations and individuals have taken it upon themselves to commit their lives to conserving these animals.  

It’s official, Spring is finally here – the days are getting longer, the air is getting warmer, and that means we’re all starting to get our mental energy, motivation and mojo back.

What started out as a discussion on African spirituality with the aim of understanding, reconciling and building bridges of spiritual understanding, turned into an intense reflection on the pain and healing that we need as a people and as a nation. 

As global headlines are dominated by the effects of changing immigration policies in the UK and the US, there is one consequence that has gone largely unnoticed: a significant decline in international student numbers. 

In today’s marketplace the crime and corruption within the business sector, and the country at large, is a real threat and concern for many South African business owners and managers. There seems to be a real surge of attempts at increasing security and protecting companies and businesses from potential criminal threats. What most don’t realise is that, often, their biggest threat comes from within.

Chef Kieran has been appointed as the Executive Chef of Punchinello’s based at the Southern Sun Montecasino hotel as well as being Group Development Chef for the group’s offshore properties.

Every organisation operating in the food industry faces a great amount of responsibility. If errors occur within the manufacturing processes, food cultivation or production, the negative effects can be far reaching and devastating. This is often evidenced by incidences such as the listeria outbreak, pests being found in food, and general poor quality of produce once it reaches store shelves. 

Great news for tablet fans. With our busy on-the-go lifestyles, these nifty little devices are becoming more useful by the day. With each new generation of tablets being released, brands are cramming all sorts of exciting new technologies into their slim profiles, paving the way for a tablet revolution of note. 

Today’s global marketplace finds itself in the ever growing, ever evolving digital era. As a result of Industry 4.0 and its emerging technologies, the constant technological advances and innovations are considered great successes among many industries. First world countries often have the resources they need to keep up with the demands of this so called fourth industrial revolution, but what of the rest of the world?

Hilton Sandton proudly welcomes new General Manager

South African National Parks (SANParks) hosts the South African National Parks Week annually. During the week all South African citizens’ are allowed to enter most national parks for free for a day visit. The free access does not include commercial elements of the business such as overnight accommodation in the national parks or any paid activities.

1Life, through their recent Honey Listen survey, set out to understand how South African women perceive themselves - and the results are powerful!

 

The South African Government has remained committed to restoring the nation’s society through the socio-economic promotion of previously marginalised sections of the population. With reference to manufacturing, this requires transforming the patterns of asset ownership in an approach that is consistent with the national objective of fostering a society and industrial economy that channels the power of diversity. 

Although women have come a long way in the workplace in terms of the roles they are now filling, they still make up an incredibly small percentage of the ICT sector.

According to a study conducted by MasterStart, 80% of South Africa’s workforce believe the current job market is tougher than it was 10 years ago. Given the competitiveness of the current market, the future workforce will not have it any easier. Being good at one thing will no longer be enough – the future graduate will need a range of transferable skills to ensure they can compete in an increasingly fast-paced world.

Although the notion of network-based computing stems right back to the 1960s, the modern term “cloud computing” arose in the 2000s. Yet, almost two decades later, South Africa still lags in both its adoption, and its use for critical functions like business intelligence (BI).

Restraints previously limiting Africa from achieving its potential are waning, finally giving the continent a chance to strive for a level similar to that of developed economies. 

The global manufacturing landscape is experiencing a momentous shift, rendering value creation more important than ever before. This subsequently places manufacturing facilities under immense pressure to reconsider their business models and strategies with regards to internal proficiencies, external changes and evolving points of influence.  

Tembisa’s Birch Acres Mall will be the next stop on the 31st of August 2019, where meticulously selected local clothing brands will be allowed to trade at Rand Outfitters’ Tembisa branch.

More and more companies are re-thinking their executive teams and outsourcing the financial aspect of their operations. In this modern age of dynamic and complex business markets replete with endless streams of new technology, automation and digitalisation, it is nearly impossible to stay abreast. Mounting operating expenses and inefficient labour in this financial climate are also not helping businesses achieve their envisaged growth.

State Capture. When this term first started making its appearance in public discourse towards the end of the previous administration, it was greeted with derision by many. 

The right to work is one of the core components to the South African constitution. It is a right that affords millions a sense of human dignity, a way to make a livelihood, and be economically self-sufficient. 

CAPE TOWN - Africa’s second largest oil producing country, the Republic of Angola, is open and ready for business! The new leadership, under the newly elected President, João Lourenço, is determined to develop a strategic and strong relationship with South Africa as a business partner and considers this goal among its top priorities, given the historic political ties between the two countries.

The word "personalisation" carries many connotations. Perhaps it's a monogram or engraving to signify ownership of an object. Or maybe it's home décor, what makes the space your own. What may not have made your list of highly personalised experiences is a hotel room - or even a hotel stay.

The African Rhino is not only an iconic animal for its strength and majestic beauty, but also as an intrinsic part of Africa’s wildlife story. These animals are integral to the heritage of Africa. This is evident in the concerted effort of various individuals and organization who have dedicated their lives and missions towards protecting these beautiful creatures from endangerment and extinction.

Bigen Group sees lives transformed and local economies boosted by its projects in more than 19 African countries, including South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya, Congo, Lesotho and Tanzania, not only through sustainable infrastructure development, but also through its value add practice of ‘doing good while doing business'.  

“Price comparison websites are essential for getting the best deals on the web—especially when you don’t have the time to hunt down best offers or wait for good deals to come around.” says Shaun Rademeyer, Chief Executive Officer of MultiNET. “The global online market provides the consumer with endless supplies of information regarding products and services, why should it be any different for clients looking for home loans? “

You would never expect it here in Parktown, in this old established suburb for the Randlords of the 1900, with leafy avenues and a serene atmosphere with large mansions. Nestled amongst these gracious old Victorian homes with immaculate architecture and stone walls, you might just be stirred by the faint sound of music and the new recording home of Satori Music South Africa.

There was a time during the tumultuous 60s and 70s that the younger generation was admonished to “never trust anyone over thirty.” You may have heard that quote – it was made a cultural touchstone by the likes of luminaries such as Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin and the Beatles. (Note: members of the younger generation who don’t understand those references should consult the Internet and the iTunes store.)

True healing, both physical and emotional, can only take place when patients are in a safe environment. Neurologically speaking, the sense of safety is a key ingredient that patients’ minds need in order to heal optimally. Any threat to that security hinders healing and growth.

Industrial cleaning is a very large industry with extensive demands. As a manager and/or operator within this industry it is of vital importance that information about upcoming trends and predictions are acknowledged and, when it is the right fit, adhered to. Understanding where the market is heading is important in any sector, however in the industrial cleaning sector it is crucial for survival.

A study recently published by the Journal of Economic and Financial Sciences confirms that as South Africa’s popularity as a tourist destination increases, the need for skilled human capital increases too. Especially during the festive season, the hospitality industry employs additional human resources (HR) to meet increased demand. This influx requires the effective management of HR and operations, ensuring only the best customer experiences are delivered.

Buxeros Capital, a public-private social impact investment fund has established a presence in South Africa with the aim of investing in emerging market SMEs in Southern Africa.

Apart from the strong prevalence of cancer, healthy uptake of new technologies by the healthcare professionals in the developed countries is another key factors that is augmenting the demand for endoscopic mucosal resection procedures.

https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/surgical-loupes-cameras-market.html

Healthcare institutions are pivotal to the survival of society. They are the institutions that are built to facilitate health and healing. If, however, these institutions are not properly cared for and maintained, they can also become the places that pose the greatest threat to society. This poses imminent health threats via people who are already vulnerable, often with weakened immune systems due to current illnesses, being exposed to germs. 

What happens when a country reeling under its high mobile data cost, is struggling to find a solution in the foreseeable future? While telecoms companies and government regulatory authorities in South Africa are caught up in the policy flip-flops and ground realities of financial viability. One person had an ingenious take on this situation.

AL Khair Honey, one of the largest producers of pure unadulterated honey in South Africa, today announced the launch of Oriental Fusion, a Limited Edition Infused Honey, for the winter season.

“We’re introducing a selection of spices blended into a CREAMED honey to give your normal cuppa coffee or tea an instant upgrade to chai latte...  1 - 2 teaspoons is all it takes.” Said Farzana Danka, founder of Al Khair Honey.

Africa’s wildlife is a vital part of the continent’s heritage. They are in many ways not a part of Africa, they are Africa. The increasing threats to Africa’s wildlife suggest that Africa could be in danger of losing a part of its identity. But there is hope. There are brave unsung heroes who devote their lives to mitigating these threats by conserving and protecting African wildlife.

New software release provides freedom and control with a modern consumer grade user interface for the connected enterprise

The transportation industry provides a vital service to the South African business industry at large. Transporting goods and supplies from one location to another is a vital, but also very risky business. Trucks and other modes of transportation are particularly vulnerable to the threat of crime and fraudulent action while the goods are on the road and/or in transit.

In South Africa, hospitality is a booming industry. The country’s ‘exotic’ wildlife and evocative nature draw thousands of international guests to South African shores annually. This, in turn, results in positive growth for the local tourism industry - and holds large benefits for the South African hospitality industry at large.

“There are a number of great job opportunities for young people in the South African property market,” says MultiNET CEO Shaun Rademeyer, “from youth with practical hands-on abilities to do things like electrical or plumbing work, to those who prefer to sell or to arrange bonds, contracts and financing.”

“in keeping with our mission, we have designed this event to be accessible to everyone and creating a tournament structure that is more inclusive. Said Gabriel Ramokotjo, Director, I-Village Foundation NPC. The Tech Fest allows us to open the doors to many who are interested in entering the gaming arena meet the needs of technology and gaming enthusiasts in Soweto and the surrounding areas which are together home to several million people, most of them under 30 years of age”.

South Africa is often seen as lagging behind the global curve. In the technology space, for example, the country has often been considered about five years behind developed countries. As Industry 4.0 revolutionises the digital workplace, however, a global shift is reducing the gap between markets across industries. The South African events industry is one which has, in many ways, exceeded global standards. 

Leveraging on almost two decades of experience in South Africa, and a presence in a further six African countries, networked key and equipment management solutions company Traka Africa announces an acceleration in their growth strategy. It plans to open new operations or expand more widely in five Southern African countries, as well as into East Africa

The Royal Show is Just Around the Corner!

 

SOUTH AFRICA, JOHANNESBURG, Wednesday, 14 May 2019:

Dr. Michael K. Obeng, Founder and CEO of R.E.S.T.O.R.E Worldwide Inc. will be honoured for his remarkable contribution to mankind at the highly anticipated Cannes Charity Gala with Elegant VIP Event Gala (EVE) on Wednesday, 22 May 2019, at the Carlton Beach Club in Cannes, France.

 

SOUTH AFRICA, JOHANNESBURG, Wednesday, 14 May 2019:

Dr. Michael K. Obeng, Founder and CEO of R.E.S.T.O.R.E Worldwide Inc. will be honoured for his remarkable contribution to mankind at the highly anticipated Cannes Charity Gala with Elegant VIP Event Gala (EVE) on Wednesday, 22 May 2019, at the Carlton Beach Club in Cannes, France.

 

SOUTH AFRICA, JOHANNESBURG, Wednesday, 14 May 2019:

Dr. Michael K. Obeng, Founder and CEO of R.E.S.T.O.R.E Worldwide Inc. will be honoured for his remarkable contribution to mankind at the highly anticipated Cannes Charity Gala with Elegant VIP Event Gala (EVE) on Wednesday, 22 May 2019, at the Carlton Beach Club in Cannes, France.

 

The world is drowning in data. As organisations across the globe attempt to manage these massive datasets, varying sources and formats emerge. This leads to disparate data, management silos and questionable reporting based on varying data.

 

Across the manufacturing and distribution sectors, improving operational efficiency is the difference between success and failure. To achieve this, organisations must employ the latest technology for effective Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). When managed correctly, ERP integrates all aspects of an organisation’s operational workflow, bringing product planning, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing together to create a streamlined and united big picture.

Volvo Car South Africa launches a paid gender-neutral parental leave policy offering mothers and fathers a total of six months leave

Thanks to modern analytics and a revolutionised approach to business intelligence (BI), today’s businesses are afforded the opportunity to make decisions based on the analysis of real-time data, making the business more proactive and transparent.

As hospitality providers across the globe embrace digital transformation, the question arises; what do intelligent hotels offer? From guestroom automation to location-based interactions, mobile engagement, hyper personalisation, APIs and integration – the goal is excellent customer service. Is this possible? Is Africa ready for the “Digital Hotel”?

Compassionate leaders are taking the workforce by storm. Supporting humanitarian organisations and actively participating in charitable events help to band the workforce together with a positive mission. This leads to increased energy and boosts moods, which in turn leads to better productivity and workplace morale. 

Businesses across South Africa face massive internal and external security threats daily. While each has its own unique risks associated to its industry, location and assets, the reality is that adequate protection is required. The key to implementing suitable protection lies in the systems, control and parameters put in place. According to experts in the field, the first step in achieving this is a physical security audit.

Data by itself is useless. For it to have any real, tangible value, one must be able to turn data into information and turn information into decision making. Innovative emerging technology is making this a reality, as associative logic transforms the business intelligence landscape. With this unique logic, insights are presented in a way that wouldn’t be clear from a spreadsheet, empowering users to make informed decisions.

The most common and often underrated cause of the spread of illness is poor hand hygiene. Despite the commonly known mantras for advice many have heard growing up, like ‘wash your hands before you eat’, ‘wash your hands after using the lavatory’, etc. the startling fact is that a large percentage of people forgo this advice all together.

Data literacy is a critical component of success in the modern world. What is the use of innovative tools if users don’t understand how they function? Can users fully utilise the abilities of these tools? Without adequate literacy, user adoption suffers. As a result, organisations are spending a large portion of their annual budgets on software, tools and infrastructure that is not being used effectively.

A statement prepared by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), reflects that its Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros showed some success in 2018. The report confirms that, from 1st January to 31st December 2018, 769 rhino were poached in South Africa (compared to 1 028 poached in 2017). Of these, 421 rhino were killed in the Kruger National Park, and 142 were poached in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation officially releases the Drakensberg Inclusive Growth Forum Report to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the people of South Africa at a handover ceremony on 27 March 2019 at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

Statistics SA recently released its findings that the South African economy grew by 1.4 percent in the last quarter of 2018. While this is encouraging and a move in the right direction, many are still faced with the question; “is this growth sustainable?”. Mirroring this question, industries across the African continent are seeking solutions that will effectively help organisations to accelerate growth while keeping cost and risk under control.

On the 7th March 2019 we saw the departure of our Special Olympics South Africa National Team as they left to participate in the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, the biggest sporting and humanitarian event in the world.

According to the latest reports by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), South Africa could soon have new harsher road rules, all of which are aimed at curbing the high incidents of road accidents in our country.

WPP today held its first WPP Stella event in South Africa, as part of the company’s continued commitment to developing its female leaders.

While there’s pessimism in the air with regards to global product sales, every day there are also groundbreaking changes being implemented by brands and activists who genuinely want to “be the change” when it comes to sustainability.

Manufacturing plays a prominent role in Africa’s economic development made evident by how industrial growth positively affects the overall GDP and productivity of the nation. 

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) hosted senior industry leaders at a breakfast event entitled, “The role of indigenous Oil and Gas resources in Developing South Africa's economy.”

Emerging scholars from different parts of Africa will meet in South Africa for the 13th annual Africa Young Graduates and Scholars (AYGS) conference to be held at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Auckland Park Kingsway Campus from 18 to 20 March 2019.

Despite its status of a developing continent, Africa’s manufacturing space stands the opportunity to reap significant benefits from Industry 4.0, also known as “Fourth Industrial Revolution”.