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14 April 2025
Matters of Mind (MM) - Apr 2025
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) April 2025 first edition President Donald Trump appeared to reach a tariff review climax on 2 April. However, in the past few days, he…
14 April 2025
Economic Matters - Apr 2025
Trump’s tariff hikes and South Africa: hunt for new agricultural markets must begin now The reality is that new markets take time to establish, agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo suggests three areas…
14 April 2025
Financial Services Industry - Apr 2025
FSCA Fines 3 Firms For Money Laundering Compliance Failures All three FSPs are licensed under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act and are accountable institutions under Fica, which aims…
14 April 2025
Life Insurance - Apr 2025
Suicide-related life claims surge by 62% over five years During a recent online seminar exploring the company’s 2024 claims experience, Discovery shone a stark spotlight on South Africa’s worsening mental…
14 April 2025
General Insurance - Apr 2025
An insurer’s guide to off-the-grid alternatives Chief Actuary at Momentum Insure, Rudolf Britz, warns that solar panels, electricity inverters, battery chargers, battery packs, backup generators, and water storage systems provide…
14 April 2025
Health Insurance - Apr 2025
Discovery allowed to appeal RAF medical claims ruling Fin24 reports that Judge Dunstan Mlambo, Judge President of the Gauteng High Court, also awarded costs to Discovery in a judgment handed down…
14 April 2025
Investments - Apr 2025
Tariffs, turmoil and trade-offs South African investors have been hit by a double whammy of geopolitical and domestic political uncertainty. Neither is good, but before making rash decisions, perspective is…
14 April 2025
About YOU - Apr 2025
VAT Hike Forces Rethink on Employee Benefits to Support Financial Wellbeing A recent survey by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) revealed that 61% of employed South Africans…
28 March 2025
Matters of Mind (MM) - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) March 2025 second edition Heraclitus, a philosopher living over 2500 years ago, is credited with the saying that the only constant in life is…
28 March 2025
Economic Matters - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Finance minister suggests co-operation with private sector to tackle growth problem Enoch Godongwana has stressed the financial sector’s responsibility as custodian of consumers’ savings as he addressed attendees at the…
28 March 2025
Financial Services Industry - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Sanlam Umbrella Fund appoints first female Chairperson The Sanlam Umbrella Fund announced the appointment of Jolly Mokorosi as its new Chairperson, effective April 1, 2025. This transition marks a pivotal…
28 March 2025
Diversity and Inclusion - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Decoding cross-cultural communication with Erin Meyer (transcript and podcast) When talking and working with people from different cultures, sometimes meanings and intentions can get lost in translation. Erin Meyer is…
28 March 2025
Life Insurance - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Why the future of life insurance lies in prevention – not only protection While life expectancy lengthens, improving the quality of those years is imperative. This is a challenge that…
28 March 2025
General Insurance - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Old Mutual insurance warning The proposed value-added tax (VAT) increase in the Budget tabled in Parliament will significantly increase the cost of short-term insurance in South Africa, potentially leading some…
28 March 2025
Health Insurance - Mar 2025 (2nd)
SA research grants potentially on hold, says leaked NIH memo The latest NIH memo lists South Africa, along with China, as a “country of concern,” saying “it is the policy…
28 March 2025
Banking - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Discovery Bank CEO Hylton Kallner on tech, AI and the future of banking Kallner, an actuary who joined Discovery in its early days as a medical insurance company and who…
28 March 2025
Investments - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Momentum buys stakes in three IFA firms The investments strengthen the group’s advice offering and will boost collaboration among Momentum’s various units. 2.5min read FSCA: Financial services firms are going…
28 March 2025
Retirement / Pensions - Mar 2025 (2nd)
An FST case that highlights the importance of understanding pension advice A pension fund member found he could not backtrack on his one-third cash withdrawal decision after funds had been…
28 March 2025
About YOU - Mar 2025 (2nd)
How to protect your eyes in the digital age – expert in eye and vision science As our reliance on digital devices for work, education and social interaction intensifies, so too…
20 March 2025
Matters of Mind (MM) - Mar 2025
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) March 2025, First edition And yes, the budget is up for discussion, but before we dive into it think of how important it is…
20 March 2025
Economic Matters - Mar 2025
South African budget: Economic growth vs spending habits The two largest coalition parties in the government will now haggle over the trajectory of the country’s fiscal framework. As has often…
20 March 2025
Financial Services Industry - Mar 2025
Road Accident Fund Faces Financial Meltdown as Liabilities Exceed R300 Billion The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is heading for financial disaster, with liabilities exceeding R300 billion and fuel levy receipts…
20 March 2025
Diversity and Inclusion - Mar 2025
FCA (UK) scraps diversity and inclusion plans The regulator says it is seeking to reduce the regulatory burdens on firms. Does this mean that the anti DEI wave has hit…
20 March 2025
Life Insurance - Mar 2025
Life insurance claim denied: A cautionary tale of misrepresentation Not disclosing all the material details when applying for a life insurance policy can have a dire effect, as a KwaZulu…
20 March 2025
General Insurance - Mar 2025
Despite Higher Insurance Costs, Risks, EVs Are Set to Dominate Roads in 2025 More than 1,300 respondents, including charging infrastructure providers, fleet adopters and consumers across several countries participated in…
20 March 2025
Health Insurance - Mar 2025
Discovery has a massive medical scheme problem Not only has scheme membership been broadly flat for nearly a decade (in fact, the number of lives covered by DHMS has declined…
20 March 2025
Investments - Mar 2025
Investors’ costly habit: How behavioural biases are eroding returns The latest edition of Momentum Investments’ Sci-Fi Report shows that, post-Covid-19, levels of behaviour tax remain alarmingly elevated. The report notes that although…
20 March 2025
Retirement / Pensions - Mar 2025
Alexforbes pays out over R7bn in two-pot claims Alexforbes said the claims statistics show that members’ immediate financial needs often outweigh the benefits of preserving their savings for retirement. 3min…
20 March 2025
About YOU - Mar 2025
The EQ Gap: Building on Self-Awareness While Tackling the Social Awareness Challenge When professionals understand their own emotional patterns and feel confident in their abilities, they’re better equipped to recognize and interpret…
4 March 2025
Matters of Mind (MM) - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) February 2025, second edition In this edition we have a focus on the postponement of the Budget speech and the implications of a VAT…
4 March 2025
Economic Matters - Feb 2025 (2nd)
The Postponement of South Africa’s National Budget Speech Dr. Shahiem Patel, Dean of Regent Business School, unpacks the far-reaching consequences of this development, examining its impact on economic policy, political cohesion,…
4 March 2025
Financial Services Industry - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Iain Williamson to retire as CEO of Old Mutual after 32 years of service Old Mutual Group has confirmed that Iain Williamson will be stepping down as the CEO and…
4 March 2025
Diversity and Inclusion - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Bank of America Scraps Diversity Goals in Latest Wall Street DEI Retreat “We evaluate and adjust our programs in light of new laws, court decisions and, more recently, executive orders…
4 March 2025
General Insurance - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Insights from the South African Funeral Industry Summit The discussions addressed key issues such as regulatory compliance, fraud prevention, digital transformation, and the future of payment solutions. This article highlights…
4 March 2025
Health Insurance - Feb 2025 (2nd)
How the health department will deal with Pepfar’s near collapse The first and most important strategy is offering state HIV patients who qualify a six-month supply of antiretroviral (ARVs) pills…
4 March 2025
Banking - Feb 2025 (2nd)
New UK-Based Climate Group Emerges as Banks Retreat “if you’re managing money, your responsibility is to consider risks, and sustainability is undeniably one of those risks.” said James Alexander, chief executive…
4 March 2025
Investments - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Opinion: Adjust tax-free investment limits while you’re at it As the governing coalition haggles around a new budget for South Africa, maybe an inflationary adjustment to investment caps won’t be…
4 March 2025
Retirement / Pensions - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Retirement fund trustees face personal liability for cybersecurity non-compliance The article paints the picture of how important it is for financial institutions and in particular retirement fund trustees to safeguard…
4 March 2025
About YOU - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Actuarial Exams: The Ultimate (Non-conventional) Guide to Passing This is a long article but so worth reading! Read it in chunks over the week and allow the wisdom to settle…
18 February 2025
Matters of Mind (MM) - Feb 2025
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) February 2025, First Edition While the world has been adjusting to the changing dynamics in world power it is challenging to keep on track…
18 February 2025
Economic Matters - Feb 2025
2025 National Budget: An Extreme Sport Not for the Faint-hearted With South Africa desperate for economic growth to help address the critical unemployment challenge in the country and the ever…
18 February 2025
Financial Services Industry - Feb 2025
PPS takes its mutual insurance model to the broader SA market Mutuality is a business model where the insurer’s policyholders (or members) collectively own the company and share in its…
18 February 2025
Life Insurance - Feb 2025
Is your life insurance keeping up with your changing life? This article is from the perspective of you as the client, but it is of equal value if you were…
18 February 2025
General Insurance - Feb 2025
How LA’s wildfires and climate change could set South Africa’s insurance market ablaze While the direct impact of these fires is geographically limited to the United States, their broader implications…
18 February 2025
Health Insurance - Feb 2025
Trump leaves South African universities reeling While initial concerns centred on the disruption of HIV/Aids treatment and support services, it now seems the impact extends far beyond. Many of these…
18 February 2025
Banking - Feb 2025
Capitec ups its game — new board member signals bank’s big ambitions With the appointment of Raghuvir Rai Malhotra the bank is aligning itself with the next phase of financial services,…
18 February 2025
Investments - Feb 2025
Treasury proposes new framework to regulate hedge funds outside CIS One of Treasury proposals is to develop a separate regulatory framework for hedge funds that will allow them to operate…
18 February 2025
Retirement / Pensions - Feb 2025
SA’s real retirement age is 80, according to Sanlam Corporate’s recent findings Most of us think we’ll retire at 65. However, the reality is quite different. According to Sanlam Corporate’s…
18 February 2025
About YOU - Feb 2025
Keeping things simple “The meaning you give work determines its difficulty. A coder working on a passion project works 12 hours straight and calls it energizing. That same programmer, doing…
28 October 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Oct 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) October edition 2024 In this edition, most of our articles come back to the power of interconnectedness and the vulnerability we create when we…
28 October 2024
Economic Matters - Oct 2024
Shoprite publishes South African Food Security Index 2024 According to the South African Food Security Index 2024, developed by two economists from the University of Stellenbosch, food security is at…
28 October 2024
Financial Services Industry - Oct 2024
Discovery Insure recognised as global leader in insurance innovation Discovery Insure walked away with Best Automobile Insurance 2024 in the product innovation category for its Vitality Drive 3.0 programme. This…
28 October 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Oct 2024
Gender Parity Will Unlock $287 Billion For Africa’s Economy By 2030 Tackling systemic barriers towards the participation of young women in Africa’s workforce will drive an estimated $287 billion to…
28 October 2024
Life Insurance - Oct 2024
Scientists dash hopes for future longer lifespans For more than a century, steady increases in life expectancy sparked hope that humans may regularly live past the age of 100 someday,…
28 October 2024
General Insurance - Oct 2024
Alternative risk financing solutions for insurance needs We live in a volatile world where geopolitical risks, economic inflation, natural disasters and an increasingly complex regulatory environment are applying pressures on…
28 October 2024
Health Insurance - Oct 2024
Medical scheme contribution hikes for 2025: What’s driving the surge? Read the article and find out more about actual increases and sustainability in the sector. 4min read LETTER: How to…
28 October 2024
Banking - Oct 2024
FNB Islamic Banking named the Best Islamic Banking Window for the eighth year running FNB Islamic Banking has been awarded the Best Islamic Banking Window for the eighth consecutive year…
28 October 2024
Investments - Oct 2024
Global sukuk market on the rise Western Asset: Sukuk, or Islamic bonds that comply with Shariah law, are experiencing growth in their use for financing, especially for infrastructure and green…
28 October 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Oct 2024
Why fund members are hesitant to adopt trustee-endorsed annuities Despite the significant support and effort behind incorporating Regulation 39 into the Pension Funds Act, why has the adoption of trustee-endorsed…
28 October 2024
About YOU - Oct 2024
Anxiety and the breath This time of year, anxiety is at a peak. As you enter the exam period, pause for a moment and breathe. Remember that focusing your attention…
28 October 2024
Anxiety and the Breath - Oct 2024
Anxiety and the breath There are many things to consider which may be informing your anxiety and I am not going to presume I know what they are, but I…
4 October 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) September 2024 second edition "Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on…
4 October 2024
Financial Services Industry - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Investec closes accounts linked to South Africa's political elite Investec Bank closed the accounts of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s associates after questioning transactions involving millions of rands linked to their company when…
4 October 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Sep 2024 (2nd)
How fund groups rank on gender parity – and how they retain women LONDON: This year, Citywire’s Alpha Female report showed that women continue to make up a small percentage…
4 October 2024
General Insurance - Sep (2nd)
The ongoing digital transformation of insurance broking Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are driving a shift from traditional broking methods towards dynamic, data-driven strategies aimed at enhancing customer experiences…
4 October 2024
Health Insurance - Sep 2024 (2nd)
AI and what it might mean for healthcare in SA With varying degrees of success, artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to play the role of research assistant, radiologist, health educator and…
4 October 2024
Banking - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Generative AI is ‘live’ in the bank, says FNB CEO The South African banking industry’s digitisation of financial services will sustain its trajectory, as more smartphones become readily available at…
4 October 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Beating the Default Paradox: Better Support for Members nearing Retirement Benchmark research shows most retirees (61%) wish they’d had more support at retirement. The reality is that most members are…
4 October 2024
About YOU - Sep 2024 (2nd)
World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health. Communities can play a part in bringing our lives…
22 September 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Sep 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) September first edition To control the anxiety produced by moments of intense pressure, first step back and analyse the stakes. Theodore Kinne, contributing editor…
22 September 2024
Economic Matters - Sep 2024
Fed slashes interest rates by a half point, an aggressive start to its first easing campaign in four years The Federal Open Market Committee chose to lower its key overnight…
22 September 2024
Financial Services Industry - Sep 2024
ASISA appoints Kaizer Moyane as new CEO Moyane also chairs the Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) Standing Committee on Social and Transformation Policy and is the Overall Business Convenor at…
22 September 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Sep 2024
Empowering The Marginalised Featuring Karabo Motaung In this episode, titled "Empowering the Marginalized featuring Karabo Motaung," we dive deep into Karabo’s inspiring journey from her early beginnings to her influential…
22 September 2024
Life Insurance - Sep 2024
The data on extreme human ageing is rotten from the inside out’ – Ig Nobel winner Saul Justin Newman Not to be confused with the actual Nobel prizes, the Ig…
22 September 2024
General Insurance - Sep 2024
Global Non-Life Reinsurer’s Profits to Peak in 2024: Fitch Rating’s Midyear Analysis Fitch Ratings published midyear underwriting results for 19 non-life reinsurers last week, finding that the group’s average first-half…
22 September 2024
Health Insurance - Sep 2024
Hope for Africa as WHO approves first mpox vaccine The vaccine from Danish pharmaceutical-maker Bavarian Nordic has been approved in Europe as well as the US and other high-income countries since a…
22 September 2024
Banking - Sep 2024
SA banks to issue new loss-absorbing debt to prevent bailouts South Africa’s largest banks will start issuing a new class of loss-absorbing debt, known as financial loss absorbing capacity (flac)…
22 September 2024
Investments - Sep 2024
Breaking News: SA Deputy Finance Minister explains why he opposes prescribed assets David Masondo said the National Treasury might announce measures during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement that will make…
22 September 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Sep 2024
GRANT BASE: Survey aims to quantify fees charged for two-pot withdrawals Withdrawal fees paid to administrators in the coming months could range from R640m to R1.25bn. Various commentators have focused…
22 September 2024
About YOU - Sep 2024
Leading under pressure Pressure is a goad. Whether it arrives in the guise of a burning platform or a project deadline, a strategic goal or a performance target, a high…
6 September 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) August 2024 Second Edition “No one ever made a decision because of a number. They need a story.” — Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize-winning…
6 September 2024
Economic Matters – Aug 2024 (2nd)
How inaccurate Census 2022 data from Stats SA is affecting towns & cities In July this year, Stats SA dismissed the Centre for Actuarial Research’s claim that Census 2022 figures…
6 September 2024
Financial Services Industry - Aug 2024 (2nd)
VBS-linked adviser still a key individual of FSP FSCA failed to issue a warning on several wealth firms associated with VBS. According to media reports, there were at least three…
6 September 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Meet Siphesihle Ngcingwana - one of the leading ladies in SA's reinsurance industry In this time and age, many women juggle workplace and homelife responsibilities. This "ability to wear many…
6 September 2024
General Insurance - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Peril Paralysis – Building Industry under the magnifying glass In George, thirty-four people died when a partially completed five storey residential building collapsed. This event is tragic, and albeit the…
6 September 2024
Health Insurance - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Liberty Health reaches the end of the road - Moneyweb This article requires a subscription to be read and is dated 13 August, but you may find the one below…
6 September 2024
Investments - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Markets may be turbulent, but stabilisation is ahead: Mike Dolan What looks like a financial market in disarray may instead just be normalization that will ultimately help insulate investment portfolios…
6 September 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Aug 2024 (2nd)
SA’s largest umbrella retirement fund expects two-pots to drive membership growth The R157bn Old Mutual SuperFund also sees further consolidation of standalone retirement funds in the future. 3min read FSCA…
6 September 2024
About YOU - Aug 2024 (2nd)
“So many advantages come from being willing to look like an idiot in the short term. You stay silent in an important meeting, afraid to voice your critical thoughts and…
19 August 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Aug 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) August 2024 First Edition “The world needs amazing leaders, and unfortunately, there are not enough of those. It would be a major victory to…
19 August 2024
Economic Matters - Aug 2024
How the two-pot system may impact household income and inflation Retirement fund withdrawals could boost household’s disposable income this year and in 2025, but they may also contribute to higher…
19 August 2024
Financial Services Industry - Aug 2024
Podcast: SA fighting a losing battle against financial crime In this compelling episode of Money Markets and Masterminds, we delve into the complexities of white-collar crime in South Africa. Particularly,…
19 August 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Aug 2024
Sanlam Foundation empowers women entrepreneurs with funding boost Women face significant barriers in the realm of entrepreneurship, including access to finance, networking opportunities, societal norms, and mentorship. A boost to…
19 August 2024
Life Insurance - Aug 2024
This is where SA’s 63-million inhabitants live SA’s population has surpassed the 63-million mark, and life expectancy in the country has improved significantly to 66.5 years, according to figures released…
19 August 2024
General Insurance - Aug 2024
Insurer flags AI as an increasing risk Despite the innumerable opportunities and efficiencies that AI is introducing to business, it is expected to have a medium to high impact on…
19 August 2024
Health Insurance - Aug 2024
Now medical professionals say they will not sign Ramaphosa’s health compact Health professionals in their thousands will not sign the president’s health compact, adding impetus to the flurry of objections…
19 August 2024
Banking - Aug 2024
Nedbank achieves 8% earnings growth amid economic turmoil Nedbank’s strong H1 2024 performance, with headline earnings up 8% to R7.9bn, reflects tight cost control and robust digital growth amid challenging…
19 August 2024
Investments - Aug 2024
A behavioural finance lens on the question: Are women really better investors? Barber and Odean, published a paper in 2001 entitled Boys will be boys that ruffled a few feathers. Not only…
19 August 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Aug 2024
South Africa is changing its retirement rules to help boost country savings: how it will work For many the two-pot system is just about retirement, but it is also about saving.…
19 August 2024
About YOU - Aug 2024
The Turing Test and our shifting conceptions of intelligence I believe that you will value this piece of writing as it takes us into the last century when computers were…
MM Recent Newsletters
14 April 2025
Matters of Mind (MM) - Apr 2025
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) April 2025 first edition President Donald Trump appeared to reach a tariff review climax on 2 April. However, in the past few days, he…
14 April 2025
Economic Matters - Apr 2025
Trump’s tariff hikes and South Africa: hunt for new agricultural markets must begin now The reality is that new markets take time to establish, agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo suggests three areas…
14 April 2025
Financial Services Industry - Apr 2025
FSCA Fines 3 Firms For Money Laundering Compliance Failures All three FSPs are licensed under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act and are accountable institutions under Fica, which aims…
14 April 2025
Life Insurance - Apr 2025
Suicide-related life claims surge by 62% over five years During a recent online seminar exploring the company’s 2024 claims experience, Discovery shone a stark spotlight on South Africa’s worsening mental…
14 April 2025
General Insurance - Apr 2025
An insurer’s guide to off-the-grid alternatives Chief Actuary at Momentum Insure, Rudolf Britz, warns that solar panels, electricity inverters, battery chargers, battery packs, backup generators, and water storage systems provide…
14 April 2025
Health Insurance - Apr 2025
Discovery allowed to appeal RAF medical claims ruling Fin24 reports that Judge Dunstan Mlambo, Judge President of the Gauteng High Court, also awarded costs to Discovery in a judgment handed down…
14 April 2025
Investments - Apr 2025
Tariffs, turmoil and trade-offs South African investors have been hit by a double whammy of geopolitical and domestic political uncertainty. Neither is good, but before making rash decisions, perspective is…
14 April 2025
About YOU - Apr 2025
VAT Hike Forces Rethink on Employee Benefits to Support Financial Wellbeing A recent survey by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) revealed that 61% of employed South Africans…
28 March 2025
Matters of Mind (MM) - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) March 2025 second edition Heraclitus, a philosopher living over 2500 years ago, is credited with the saying that the only constant in life is…
28 March 2025
Economic Matters - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Finance minister suggests co-operation with private sector to tackle growth problem Enoch Godongwana has stressed the financial sector’s responsibility as custodian of consumers’ savings as he addressed attendees at the…
28 March 2025
Financial Services Industry - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Sanlam Umbrella Fund appoints first female Chairperson The Sanlam Umbrella Fund announced the appointment of Jolly Mokorosi as its new Chairperson, effective April 1, 2025. This transition marks a pivotal…
28 March 2025
Diversity and Inclusion - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Decoding cross-cultural communication with Erin Meyer (transcript and podcast) When talking and working with people from different cultures, sometimes meanings and intentions can get lost in translation. Erin Meyer is…
28 March 2025
Life Insurance - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Why the future of life insurance lies in prevention – not only protection While life expectancy lengthens, improving the quality of those years is imperative. This is a challenge that…
28 March 2025
General Insurance - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Old Mutual insurance warning The proposed value-added tax (VAT) increase in the Budget tabled in Parliament will significantly increase the cost of short-term insurance in South Africa, potentially leading some…
28 March 2025
Health Insurance - Mar 2025 (2nd)
SA research grants potentially on hold, says leaked NIH memo The latest NIH memo lists South Africa, along with China, as a “country of concern,” saying “it is the policy…
28 March 2025
Banking - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Discovery Bank CEO Hylton Kallner on tech, AI and the future of banking Kallner, an actuary who joined Discovery in its early days as a medical insurance company and who…
28 March 2025
Investments - Mar 2025 (2nd)
Momentum buys stakes in three IFA firms The investments strengthen the group’s advice offering and will boost collaboration among Momentum’s various units. 2.5min read FSCA: Financial services firms are going…
28 March 2025
Retirement / Pensions - Mar 2025 (2nd)
An FST case that highlights the importance of understanding pension advice A pension fund member found he could not backtrack on his one-third cash withdrawal decision after funds had been…
28 March 2025
About YOU - Mar 2025 (2nd)
How to protect your eyes in the digital age – expert in eye and vision science As our reliance on digital devices for work, education and social interaction intensifies, so too…
20 March 2025
Matters of Mind (MM) - Mar 2025
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) March 2025, First edition And yes, the budget is up for discussion, but before we dive into it think of how important it is…
20 March 2025
Economic Matters - Mar 2025
South African budget: Economic growth vs spending habits The two largest coalition parties in the government will now haggle over the trajectory of the country’s fiscal framework. As has often…
20 March 2025
Financial Services Industry - Mar 2025
Road Accident Fund Faces Financial Meltdown as Liabilities Exceed R300 Billion The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is heading for financial disaster, with liabilities exceeding R300 billion and fuel levy receipts…
20 March 2025
Diversity and Inclusion - Mar 2025
FCA (UK) scraps diversity and inclusion plans The regulator says it is seeking to reduce the regulatory burdens on firms. Does this mean that the anti DEI wave has hit…
20 March 2025
Life Insurance - Mar 2025
Life insurance claim denied: A cautionary tale of misrepresentation Not disclosing all the material details when applying for a life insurance policy can have a dire effect, as a KwaZulu…
20 March 2025
General Insurance - Mar 2025
Despite Higher Insurance Costs, Risks, EVs Are Set to Dominate Roads in 2025 More than 1,300 respondents, including charging infrastructure providers, fleet adopters and consumers across several countries participated in…
20 March 2025
Health Insurance - Mar 2025
Discovery has a massive medical scheme problem Not only has scheme membership been broadly flat for nearly a decade (in fact, the number of lives covered by DHMS has declined…
20 March 2025
Investments - Mar 2025
Investors’ costly habit: How behavioural biases are eroding returns The latest edition of Momentum Investments’ Sci-Fi Report shows that, post-Covid-19, levels of behaviour tax remain alarmingly elevated. The report notes that although…
20 March 2025
Retirement / Pensions - Mar 2025
Alexforbes pays out over R7bn in two-pot claims Alexforbes said the claims statistics show that members’ immediate financial needs often outweigh the benefits of preserving their savings for retirement. 3min…
20 March 2025
About YOU - Mar 2025
The EQ Gap: Building on Self-Awareness While Tackling the Social Awareness Challenge When professionals understand their own emotional patterns and feel confident in their abilities, they’re better equipped to recognize and interpret…
4 March 2025
Matters of Mind (MM) - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) February 2025, second edition In this edition we have a focus on the postponement of the Budget speech and the implications of a VAT…
4 March 2025
Economic Matters - Feb 2025 (2nd)
The Postponement of South Africa’s National Budget Speech Dr. Shahiem Patel, Dean of Regent Business School, unpacks the far-reaching consequences of this development, examining its impact on economic policy, political cohesion,…
4 March 2025
Financial Services Industry - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Iain Williamson to retire as CEO of Old Mutual after 32 years of service Old Mutual Group has confirmed that Iain Williamson will be stepping down as the CEO and…
4 March 2025
Diversity and Inclusion - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Bank of America Scraps Diversity Goals in Latest Wall Street DEI Retreat “We evaluate and adjust our programs in light of new laws, court decisions and, more recently, executive orders…
4 March 2025
General Insurance - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Insights from the South African Funeral Industry Summit The discussions addressed key issues such as regulatory compliance, fraud prevention, digital transformation, and the future of payment solutions. This article highlights…
4 March 2025
Health Insurance - Feb 2025 (2nd)
How the health department will deal with Pepfar’s near collapse The first and most important strategy is offering state HIV patients who qualify a six-month supply of antiretroviral (ARVs) pills…
4 March 2025
Banking - Feb 2025 (2nd)
New UK-Based Climate Group Emerges as Banks Retreat “if you’re managing money, your responsibility is to consider risks, and sustainability is undeniably one of those risks.” said James Alexander, chief executive…
4 March 2025
Investments - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Opinion: Adjust tax-free investment limits while you’re at it As the governing coalition haggles around a new budget for South Africa, maybe an inflationary adjustment to investment caps won’t be…
4 March 2025
Retirement / Pensions - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Retirement fund trustees face personal liability for cybersecurity non-compliance The article paints the picture of how important it is for financial institutions and in particular retirement fund trustees to safeguard…
4 March 2025
About YOU - Feb 2025 (2nd)
Actuarial Exams: The Ultimate (Non-conventional) Guide to Passing This is a long article but so worth reading! Read it in chunks over the week and allow the wisdom to settle…
18 February 2025
Matters of Mind (MM) - Feb 2025
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) February 2025, First Edition While the world has been adjusting to the changing dynamics in world power it is challenging to keep on track…
18 February 2025
Economic Matters - Feb 2025
2025 National Budget: An Extreme Sport Not for the Faint-hearted With South Africa desperate for economic growth to help address the critical unemployment challenge in the country and the ever…
18 February 2025
Financial Services Industry - Feb 2025
PPS takes its mutual insurance model to the broader SA market Mutuality is a business model where the insurer’s policyholders (or members) collectively own the company and share in its…
18 February 2025
Life Insurance - Feb 2025
Is your life insurance keeping up with your changing life? This article is from the perspective of you as the client, but it is of equal value if you were…
18 February 2025
General Insurance - Feb 2025
How LA’s wildfires and climate change could set South Africa’s insurance market ablaze While the direct impact of these fires is geographically limited to the United States, their broader implications…
18 February 2025
Health Insurance - Feb 2025
Trump leaves South African universities reeling While initial concerns centred on the disruption of HIV/Aids treatment and support services, it now seems the impact extends far beyond. Many of these…
18 February 2025
Banking - Feb 2025
Capitec ups its game — new board member signals bank’s big ambitions With the appointment of Raghuvir Rai Malhotra the bank is aligning itself with the next phase of financial services,…
18 February 2025
Investments - Feb 2025
Treasury proposes new framework to regulate hedge funds outside CIS One of Treasury proposals is to develop a separate regulatory framework for hedge funds that will allow them to operate…
18 February 2025
Retirement / Pensions - Feb 2025
SA’s real retirement age is 80, according to Sanlam Corporate’s recent findings Most of us think we’ll retire at 65. However, the reality is quite different. According to Sanlam Corporate’s…
18 February 2025
About YOU - Feb 2025
Keeping things simple “The meaning you give work determines its difficulty. A coder working on a passion project works 12 hours straight and calls it energizing. That same programmer, doing…
28 October 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Oct 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) October edition 2024 In this edition, most of our articles come back to the power of interconnectedness and the vulnerability we create when we…
28 October 2024
Economic Matters - Oct 2024
Shoprite publishes South African Food Security Index 2024 According to the South African Food Security Index 2024, developed by two economists from the University of Stellenbosch, food security is at…
28 October 2024
Financial Services Industry - Oct 2024
Discovery Insure recognised as global leader in insurance innovation Discovery Insure walked away with Best Automobile Insurance 2024 in the product innovation category for its Vitality Drive 3.0 programme. This…
28 October 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Oct 2024
Gender Parity Will Unlock $287 Billion For Africa’s Economy By 2030 Tackling systemic barriers towards the participation of young women in Africa’s workforce will drive an estimated $287 billion to…
28 October 2024
Life Insurance - Oct 2024
Scientists dash hopes for future longer lifespans For more than a century, steady increases in life expectancy sparked hope that humans may regularly live past the age of 100 someday,…
28 October 2024
General Insurance - Oct 2024
Alternative risk financing solutions for insurance needs We live in a volatile world where geopolitical risks, economic inflation, natural disasters and an increasingly complex regulatory environment are applying pressures on…
28 October 2024
Health Insurance - Oct 2024
Medical scheme contribution hikes for 2025: What’s driving the surge? Read the article and find out more about actual increases and sustainability in the sector. 4min read LETTER: How to…
28 October 2024
Banking - Oct 2024
FNB Islamic Banking named the Best Islamic Banking Window for the eighth year running FNB Islamic Banking has been awarded the Best Islamic Banking Window for the eighth consecutive year…
28 October 2024
Investments - Oct 2024
Global sukuk market on the rise Western Asset: Sukuk, or Islamic bonds that comply with Shariah law, are experiencing growth in their use for financing, especially for infrastructure and green…
28 October 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Oct 2024
Why fund members are hesitant to adopt trustee-endorsed annuities Despite the significant support and effort behind incorporating Regulation 39 into the Pension Funds Act, why has the adoption of trustee-endorsed…
28 October 2024
About YOU - Oct 2024
Anxiety and the breath This time of year, anxiety is at a peak. As you enter the exam period, pause for a moment and breathe. Remember that focusing your attention…
28 October 2024
Anxiety and the Breath - Oct 2024
Anxiety and the breath There are many things to consider which may be informing your anxiety and I am not going to presume I know what they are, but I…
4 October 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) September 2024 second edition "Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on…
4 October 2024
Financial Services Industry - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Investec closes accounts linked to South Africa's political elite Investec Bank closed the accounts of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s associates after questioning transactions involving millions of rands linked to their company when…
4 October 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Sep 2024 (2nd)
How fund groups rank on gender parity – and how they retain women LONDON: This year, Citywire’s Alpha Female report showed that women continue to make up a small percentage…
4 October 2024
General Insurance - Sep (2nd)
The ongoing digital transformation of insurance broking Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are driving a shift from traditional broking methods towards dynamic, data-driven strategies aimed at enhancing customer experiences…
4 October 2024
Health Insurance - Sep 2024 (2nd)
AI and what it might mean for healthcare in SA With varying degrees of success, artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to play the role of research assistant, radiologist, health educator and…
4 October 2024
Banking - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Generative AI is ‘live’ in the bank, says FNB CEO The South African banking industry’s digitisation of financial services will sustain its trajectory, as more smartphones become readily available at…
4 October 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Sep 2024 (2nd)
Beating the Default Paradox: Better Support for Members nearing Retirement Benchmark research shows most retirees (61%) wish they’d had more support at retirement. The reality is that most members are…
4 October 2024
About YOU - Sep 2024 (2nd)
World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health. Communities can play a part in bringing our lives…
22 September 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Sep 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) September first edition To control the anxiety produced by moments of intense pressure, first step back and analyse the stakes. Theodore Kinne, contributing editor…
22 September 2024
Economic Matters - Sep 2024
Fed slashes interest rates by a half point, an aggressive start to its first easing campaign in four years The Federal Open Market Committee chose to lower its key overnight…
22 September 2024
Financial Services Industry - Sep 2024
ASISA appoints Kaizer Moyane as new CEO Moyane also chairs the Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) Standing Committee on Social and Transformation Policy and is the Overall Business Convenor at…
22 September 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Sep 2024
Empowering The Marginalised Featuring Karabo Motaung In this episode, titled "Empowering the Marginalized featuring Karabo Motaung," we dive deep into Karabo’s inspiring journey from her early beginnings to her influential…
22 September 2024
Life Insurance - Sep 2024
The data on extreme human ageing is rotten from the inside out’ – Ig Nobel winner Saul Justin Newman Not to be confused with the actual Nobel prizes, the Ig…
22 September 2024
General Insurance - Sep 2024
Global Non-Life Reinsurer’s Profits to Peak in 2024: Fitch Rating’s Midyear Analysis Fitch Ratings published midyear underwriting results for 19 non-life reinsurers last week, finding that the group’s average first-half…
22 September 2024
Health Insurance - Sep 2024
Hope for Africa as WHO approves first mpox vaccine The vaccine from Danish pharmaceutical-maker Bavarian Nordic has been approved in Europe as well as the US and other high-income countries since a…
22 September 2024
Banking - Sep 2024
SA banks to issue new loss-absorbing debt to prevent bailouts South Africa’s largest banks will start issuing a new class of loss-absorbing debt, known as financial loss absorbing capacity (flac)…
22 September 2024
Investments - Sep 2024
Breaking News: SA Deputy Finance Minister explains why he opposes prescribed assets David Masondo said the National Treasury might announce measures during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement that will make…
22 September 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Sep 2024
GRANT BASE: Survey aims to quantify fees charged for two-pot withdrawals Withdrawal fees paid to administrators in the coming months could range from R640m to R1.25bn. Various commentators have focused…
22 September 2024
About YOU - Sep 2024
Leading under pressure Pressure is a goad. Whether it arrives in the guise of a burning platform or a project deadline, a strategic goal or a performance target, a high…
6 September 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) August 2024 Second Edition “No one ever made a decision because of a number. They need a story.” — Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize-winning…
6 September 2024
Economic Matters – Aug 2024 (2nd)
How inaccurate Census 2022 data from Stats SA is affecting towns & cities In July this year, Stats SA dismissed the Centre for Actuarial Research’s claim that Census 2022 figures…
6 September 2024
Financial Services Industry - Aug 2024 (2nd)
VBS-linked adviser still a key individual of FSP FSCA failed to issue a warning on several wealth firms associated with VBS. According to media reports, there were at least three…
6 September 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Meet Siphesihle Ngcingwana - one of the leading ladies in SA's reinsurance industry In this time and age, many women juggle workplace and homelife responsibilities. This "ability to wear many…
6 September 2024
General Insurance - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Peril Paralysis – Building Industry under the magnifying glass In George, thirty-four people died when a partially completed five storey residential building collapsed. This event is tragic, and albeit the…
6 September 2024
Health Insurance - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Liberty Health reaches the end of the road - Moneyweb This article requires a subscription to be read and is dated 13 August, but you may find the one below…
6 September 2024
Investments - Aug 2024 (2nd)
Markets may be turbulent, but stabilisation is ahead: Mike Dolan What looks like a financial market in disarray may instead just be normalization that will ultimately help insulate investment portfolios…
6 September 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Aug 2024 (2nd)
SA’s largest umbrella retirement fund expects two-pots to drive membership growth The R157bn Old Mutual SuperFund also sees further consolidation of standalone retirement funds in the future. 3min read FSCA…
6 September 2024
About YOU - Aug 2024 (2nd)
“So many advantages come from being willing to look like an idiot in the short term. You stay silent in an important meeting, afraid to voice your critical thoughts and…
19 August 2024
Matters of Mind (MM) - Aug 2024
Welcome to Matters of Mind (MM) August 2024 First Edition “The world needs amazing leaders, and unfortunately, there are not enough of those. It would be a major victory to…
19 August 2024
Economic Matters - Aug 2024
How the two-pot system may impact household income and inflation Retirement fund withdrawals could boost household’s disposable income this year and in 2025, but they may also contribute to higher…
19 August 2024
Financial Services Industry - Aug 2024
Podcast: SA fighting a losing battle against financial crime In this compelling episode of Money Markets and Masterminds, we delve into the complexities of white-collar crime in South Africa. Particularly,…
19 August 2024
Diversity and Inclusion - Aug 2024
Sanlam Foundation empowers women entrepreneurs with funding boost Women face significant barriers in the realm of entrepreneurship, including access to finance, networking opportunities, societal norms, and mentorship. A boost to…
19 August 2024
Life Insurance - Aug 2024
This is where SA’s 63-million inhabitants live SA’s population has surpassed the 63-million mark, and life expectancy in the country has improved significantly to 66.5 years, according to figures released…
19 August 2024
General Insurance - Aug 2024
Insurer flags AI as an increasing risk Despite the innumerable opportunities and efficiencies that AI is introducing to business, it is expected to have a medium to high impact on…
19 August 2024
Health Insurance - Aug 2024
Now medical professionals say they will not sign Ramaphosa’s health compact Health professionals in their thousands will not sign the president’s health compact, adding impetus to the flurry of objections…
19 August 2024
Banking - Aug 2024
Nedbank achieves 8% earnings growth amid economic turmoil Nedbank’s strong H1 2024 performance, with headline earnings up 8% to R7.9bn, reflects tight cost control and robust digital growth amid challenging…
19 August 2024
Investments - Aug 2024
A behavioural finance lens on the question: Are women really better investors? Barber and Odean, published a paper in 2001 entitled Boys will be boys that ruffled a few feathers. Not only…
19 August 2024
Retirement / Pensions - Aug 2024
South Africa is changing its retirement rules to help boost country savings: how it will work For many the two-pot system is just about retirement, but it is also about saving.…
19 August 2024
About YOU - Aug 2024
The Turing Test and our shifting conceptions of intelligence I believe that you will value this piece of writing as it takes us into the last century when computers were…