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 ignore it. What that means is that no single entity or theory or individual is the solution to climate change or the eradication of poverty or any pressing challenge – even an insurance product. All things we pursue belong to an ecosystem or pathway which we need to identify and respect as we strive to solve the challenge.
Take for example this statement from Martine Botha, Global Executive for ESG in Financial Services at KPMG: “An insurer cannot say it is going to be net-zero unless it really understands the decarbonisation pathway of the sectors that it underwrites.”
It is exam time for our university readers and often we do not give ourselves credit for our hard work, preparation and understanding but choose self-doubt over self-confidence. Be inspired by Shirley Machaba, selected by FORBES AFRICA as one of 25 top CEOs in South Africa when she says:
“One of my greatest learnings is that the sky is not the limit, the universe is. You have to have confidence in yourself before others do.”
Don’t forget to read the About YOU section which includes access to a handout called Anxiety and the Breath.
Enjoy!
MM Editorial Team
Economic Matters
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 its lowest point in over a decade.
2min read or view the full report here.
Woolworths’ R816m donation paves way to end hunger in SA
In South Africa, 16.3 million people face hunger, yet 10 million tonnes of food is wasted annually, a stark reminder of the food security issues that continue to affect almost 20% of the population.
2min read
Social grant beneficiaries powerless against informal lenders
Social grant beneficiaries, especially the elderly or single mothers, continue to be targeted by unregistered or informal lenders (commonly called loan sharks, mashonisas or skoppers) who use state social grants as security for high-interest loans. And, to add insult to injury, there is no legal regulation of these unscrupulous lenders.
4min read
Climate change: care for humans, other species and the natural environment is the key to a just transition
Communities across the world are facing two worsening crises: a climate crisis and a care crisis. Less discussed is the care crisis. This refers to a society’s capacity to maintain livelihoods in households, raise children and sustain communities. In short, the care crisis is a result of not investing enough in caring for each other.
This is an appeal which shows we cannot isolate these components for the sake of convenience or perpetuating the status quo and still think we will solve the issue. 4min read
Financial Services Industry
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 category recognises the most cutting-edge insurance products created by insurers who are pushing boundaries and transforming the industry worldwide.
3min read
Steering South Africa Inc.: The 2024 List Of Top CEOs In Africa’s Biggest Economy
FORBES AFRICA’s 2024 Top CEOs is an unranked list of 25 influential and impactful CEOs in South Africa. These leaders are at the forefront of driving innovation, achieving financial success, and contributing significantly to their industries and communities. To qualify for the list, the business leaders must have served a minimum of four years as a CEO. Corporates must have demonstrated positive impact within their industries, including financial performance, market expansion, and development. Businesses must be based in South Africa (may or may not have a presence in different markets in the continent) and showcase the best of executive leadership.
Gain insight and perspective on leadership values across SA industries all in one go! 20min read
Diversity and Inclusion
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 its economy by 2030, boosting GDP by 5%, a new report commissioned by the Mastercard Foundation reveals.
3min read with access to the full report.
SA AI start-up in push to meet diverse linguistic needs
With the accelerated advancement in generative artificial intelligence, the need for inclusive AI has never been greater. This was one of the takeaways during a panel discussion at the recent demo day of Lelapa AI’s Vulavula natural language model solution. Despite AI language technology making significant strides, it was agreed this technology revolution still marginalises African languages.
3min read
SAB Foundation awards R18m to tech start-ups
A total of 23 outstanding South African tech start-ups received millions in funding from the SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards and Disability Empowerment Awards. The awards ceremony was held in Johannesburg recently.
Uplifting 2min read.
Life Insurance
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, but the latest findings, published in Nature Ageing, show that the best typical lifespan for most women will be around 90 years old and just under 85 for men.
3min read providing access to the paper upon which the article is based.
ARNO JANSEN VAN VUUREN: When need swallows legacy — life insurance and the SA education reality
One of the most pressing challenges affecting education is that too many of our children are not in school. According to the second quarter 2024 data from Stats SA, more than a third (35.2%) of those aged 15—24 are not in employment, education or training. Research also shows that for every 100 pupils who begin grade 1, only about 40 will write their matric exams, and of that 40, only 12 will go on to university or college.
Is this a call for Life Insurers to invest in education to secure future clients? 3min read
General Insurance
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 all fronts, including the insurance sector.
Read more on how the insured and the insurer can work together to reduce costs and still provide cover. 3min read
Short-term insurers go plus 50% on aggregate profits
The domestic non-life insurance industry is back on the front foot after an impressive 50% rise in aggregate net profits for the 2023 year.
Worth reading to gather an overall picture of the short-term industry and what it faces in the future. 5min read
Joburg to Cape drive exposes EV charging shortcomings
A recent electric vehicle (EV) road trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town, through five provinces, shows it’s possible to drive fully electric cars throughout South Africa. However, the four-day trip proved that there are still stumbling blocks associated with multiple vehicles needing to use a charging station simultaneously.
3min read
In a country where it rarely snows, what are some key insurance lessons from South Africa’s recent snowstorm.
While snow is a rare occurrence in South Africa, the recent snowfall highlights several important insurance lessons, we chat to Data and Actuarial Science Manager at Blink by MiWay, John Wessels on what these lessons are.
10.43min interview with Gugulethu Mfuphi of Kaya Biz.
Land Bank kicks off SA’s first index insurance
Over the next two years, Land Bank Insurance Company (LBIC) will pilot index insurance in South Africa targeting smallholder producers to provide affordable drought-risk insurance for both crop and livestock farmers.
2min read. Find out how index insurance works and what it could mean for farmers. El Niño is mentioned in the article and you may find El Niño fingered as likely culprit in record 2023 temperatures a good accompaniment.
AfriGIS wins prestigious global hackathon on sustainable finance
AfriGis’ Team AgriEco was crowned the winner at the global SustainableFinance.Live2024 hackathon held from 27 September to 10 October 2024.
2min read
Post-flood recovery: lessons from Germany and Nigeria on how to help people cope with loss and build resilience
Recovery isn’t a separate process that occurs after disasters only. It should be seen as an essential part of managing risks. It’s important to understand what recovery involves and what resources are needed.
Become more aware of the elements in the cycle of disaster and recovery as a principle in managing risk. 4min read
‘Alarming’ decline of seed-dispersing animals threatens Europe’s plants
We cannot dismiss the role of every creature in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Food security is a risk that immediately comes to mind. Incredible research went into the paper from which this article was inspired.
3min read
Health Insurance
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 break NHI stalemate
The stalemate that appears to have been reached between government and business on the question of National Health Insurance (NHI) can be broken.
Another appeal for mandatory medical aid for all employed people. 2min read
Health Funders Association Board welcomes new CEO
Thoneshan Naidoo, an experienced leader in the South African private healthcare industry, has commenced his new role as Chief Executive Officer of the HFA.
The HFA represents 21 medical schemes and four administrators, collectively covering 4.1 million lives, effective 1 October 2024. 2.5min read
Imagine signing up for medical aid today and being covered tomorrow!
CompCare Medical Scheme has taken a bold step into the future with the unveiling of its 2025 benefit options.
3min read
Concourt clarifies when medical schemes can cancel membership for non-disclosure
Medical schemes cannot cancel a person’s membership if he or she failed to disclose a diagnostic procedure that did not result in the diagnosis of a serious medical condition, the Constitutional Court has found.
Read this case as it shows how important it is for a member and insurer to understand the rules of membership and of the law in the same way. 8min read
Banking
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 at the 14th annual Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA). In addition, the business was also awarded the GIFA Special Award for Sukuk Arranging, for being one of the lead arrangers of a South Africa Rand-denominated Sukuk.
2min read. See more about Sukuk in the Investments section below.
South African Banks Show Resilience Amidst Economic Turbulence
According to the Banking Association of South Africa, overall profit growth across the banking sector for the first half of 2024 was approximately 17%, presenting the sector’s strength amid economic uncertainties.
Read more on how the sector can and does contribute to the economy. 3min read
How banks are fuelling the resilience of the insurance sector amid economic pressures
For some time now, an increasing number of consumers have turned to banks for funeral insurance, contributing to the surprising resilience of the insurance industry, despite shrinking households’ disposable incomes in the past year.
2min read
Investments
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 projects, although potential risks exist and regulatory standardization is needed for the market’s continued expansion. Sukuk is the Arabic name for a bond-like instrument that complies with Shariah or Islamic law, which forbids speculation and the payment or receipt of interest on loans. While sukuk operate similarly to conventional bonds, they stand apart in their structure and method of generating returns.
Good article illustrating Sukuk’s increase in popularity and comparison of characteristics with other financial instruments. 6min read
Invest Offshore with your eyes wide open
South Africans looking to diversify their assets or hedge against currency volatility by investing offshore need to be cognisant of the complexity they may inadvertently be creating for themselves and their families when holding assets cross-border.
Interesting factors illuminated in this article are well worth knowing. 4min read
Retirement / Pensions
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 annuities been so limited?
Regulation 39 mandates that the boards of pension, pension preservation, and retirement annuity (RA) funds establish an annuity strategy. Where the rules of a provident or provident preservation fund enable a member to elect an annuity, the board must establish an annuity strategy.
The article is thorough in garnering opinion and the first comment is also worth considering as a potential answer to the question posed. 8min read
ESG and South African Pension Funds: A Trustee’s Guide
As a pension fund trustee in South Africa, you’re navigating a complex landscape where Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are no longer just buzzwords but critical components of your fiduciary duty.
This article offers guidance based on an explanation of the challenges and opportunities the SA context presents. 3min read
Is it two pots or three? Navigating the complex two-pot retirement makeover
As the dust settles on the implementation of new retirement legislation, Linda Kleynscheldt, Head of Actuarial and Product, PSG Wealth unpacks why having a quality financial adviser will help retirement savers make the most of what is a complex set of new rules.
3min read including how much was withdrawn in the first week of September.
About YOU
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 has a stabilising effect.
October is a celebration of mental wellness and creating awareness of how important our mental health is to our overall wellbeing, whether we are studying or in the workplace or doing both!
The ASSA Personal Development WHO Mental Health Day panel discussion drew guest speakers from industry, NPOs and the HPCSA. They related their experiences and noted the strength of community in arousing self-awareness and building resilience. They told us how communities can provide a safe space for us to find ourselves, nurture one another and heal from trauma. This quote from Thato Pule founder of Tsogang Bathong sums it up.
“Every story told is a step towards personal development and collective change”
Below is a link to the recording (1hour 24min) which I encourage you to watch at your leisure:
Click here to access the recording. Passcode: #Ge2rL2N
The Invisible Advantage
Shane Parish shares Tiny Thoughts and Insights from his recent blog which put a different spin on mental and physical wellbeing and finding the right path. This quote below is most thought provoking:
Your body reflects what you eat. Your mind reflects what you consume.
For a healthy body, choose whole foods. For a sharp mind, choose lasting knowledge.
The blog is a 3min read but a 30minute ponder