Taking Care of Business on RISE fm

The MTN Women in Digital Business Challenge is back for its fifth edition, aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs operating in the digital and technology space. But beyond the competition itself, there is a bigger conversation here about access to funding, mentorship, technology and markets and whether we are doing enough to help women-owned businesses move from simply surviving to growing and cr...

As South Africa celebrates Women's Month, we're shining the spotlight on women who are helping shape industries and create opportunities beyond our borders. The travel and tourism sector is evolving rapidly, driven by technology, regional collaboration and changing traveller expectations. But what will it take to build a truly connected African travel network that benefits businesses, creates jobs...

Mining remains one of the biggest contributors to South Africa's economy and a major employer here in Mpumalanga. But the industry is under growing pressure to improve safety, increase productivity, reduce costs and remain globally competitive. Increasingly, mining companies are turning to artificial intelligence and other Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to help them make faster, smarter...

One of the biggest concerns facing South Africa is the gap between education and employment. While thousands of young people graduate every year, many still struggle to find opportunities because employers say graduates often lack the practical skills needed in the workplace. Gert Sibande TVET College is hoping to help bridge that gap through stronger partnerships with government, municipalities a...

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how we work, learn and even make financial decisions. More South Africans are turning to AI tools for answers about saving, investing and budgeting. But can AI really replace the expertise of a qualified financial adviser, or should it simply be another tool in your financial toolkit? Joining us to unpack this is Andile Jonas, Head of Marketing at Moment...

Small businesses are often described as the backbone of South Africa's economy, yet many continue to battle rising costs, red tape, unreliable infrastructure and limited access to finance. But what if we've been looking at the problem the wrong way? Our guest believes the biggest challenge facing South African SMEs isn't funding at all, it's sales. She argues that many businesses don't fail becaus...

South Africa's new-energy vehicle market is gaining momentum, with the latest figures from Naamsa revealing some surprising shifts in consumer preferences. While fully electric vehicle sales nearly doubled during the first quarter of 2026, it was plug-in hybrid vehicles that stole the spotlight, recording an astonishing 430 percent increase compared to the same period last year. What is driving th...

Standard Bank has officially launched the 2026 Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, with an incredible R1 million grand prize up for grabs for qualifying township businesses across all nine provinces. Now in its second national edition, the competition aims to connect small businesses with funding, mentorship, market access and growth opportunities, while giving entrepreneurs a national platform to...

Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency has opened applications for its 2026/2027 Wildlife Economy Programme donation window, aimed at supporting previously disadvantaged individuals, local communities and emerging black game farmers through wildlife donations and skills development initiatives. Joining us now to unpack the programme, its impact and how communities can benefit, is Nomcebo Kunene, Exec...

South Africa is on the brink of its biggest shift in how money moves in and out of the country in over 60 years, but what does that actually mean for you? From increased offshore allowances to the rise of crypto assets and new regulations that could completely replace exchange control as we know it. Some are calling it progress. Others say it’s simply the system trying to catch up with reality. We...

Today we continue our two-part conversation to unpack something that often intimidates many aspiring investors, the world of share trading jargon. With more people turning to online platforms in search of alternative income streams, investing in the stock market has never been more accessible. But while the tools are getting simpler, the language? Not so much. Last week we looked at terms like “bi...

Today we’re unpacking something that often intimidates many aspiring investors, the world of share trading jargon. With more people turning to online platforms in search of alternative income streams, investing in the stock market has never been more accessible. But while the tools are getting simpler, the language? Not so much. From terms like “bid-ask spread” to “long and short positions”, the c...

We’re shining the spotlight on a homegrown innovator who’s putting Mpumalanga and the City of Mbombela firmly on the map in South Africa’s tech and sustainability space. A1 ICT Trading, a fast-growing AI-driven company, is gaining national recognition as a finalist in the prestigious Attacq Greenseeds Competition, an initiative by Attacq Limited aimed at unlocking innovative solutions for the buil...

Mpumalanga took its tourism offering to the global stage at the World Travel Market Africa from 13 - 15 April 2026 in Cape Town. The event brought together thousands of industry players from across the world, but more importantly, it opens the door for provinces like Mpumalanga to showcase what they have to offer, not just to tourists, but to potential investors and partners as well. To unpack wha...

South Africa’s sugar industry is sounding the alarm after the potential liquidation of Tongaat Hulett, warning that the collapse of the 134-year-old producer could destabilise the entire sector. Growers say the move threatens thousands of jobs, rural economies, and the livelihoods of more than a million people who depend on the sugar value chain. SA Canegrowers is urging government to intervene ur...

Kusini Water is calling on unemployed and entrepreneurial community members, particularly women, youth, and people with disabilities, to apply for the 2026 Water Champions Programme. The Kusini Water Champions Programme gives technical training to 30 young people, primarily unemployed women to gain water technical skills and NQF accreditation in the basics of water technology and treatment. Candid...

In the wake of the recent floods that have devastated parts of Mpumalanga, Old Mutual Insure has stepped in with immediate disaster relief, providing food parcels and blankets to vulnerable households. Today, we look beyond the disaster itself to explore why rapid private-sector response is so critical, how corporate and humanitarian partnerships can strengthen recovery, and what more is needed to...

The Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA), in partnership with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and other stakeholders, is rolling out a series of District Enterprise Development Engagements focused on unlocking economic opportunities in the green economy across the province. The initiative aims to promote innovation, business growth and sustainability, with sessions planned in...

Cars.co.za has announced the appointment of Nicole Capper Austin as its new Chief Marketing Officer, at a time when South Africa’s automotive retail market is undergoing major structural change. New research from the Cars.co.za Industry Report shows shifting buyer behaviour, growing pressure on affordability, rising Chinese brands, and the emergence of distinct automotive “subcultures”. Nicole joi...

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept in banking, it’s already helping financial institutions detect fraud, assess credit, and make decisions using massive volumes of data. But as AI becomes more embedded in the financial system, regulators are stepping in, raising questions about governance, accountability, and consumer protection. We’re joined by Tayyibah Suliman, Head of the Tec...

South Africa is facing a growing textile waste problem, with most discarded clothing ending up in landfills and less than 13% of textiles being recycled. But one local workwear company is trying to change that narrative, not just by talking about sustainability, but by taking action. Jonsson Workwear has launched Jonsson Rethread, a nationwide initiative that repairs worn garments for free and rep...

South African low-carbon businesses now have a major funding opportunity on the table. The UK-funded Climate Finance Accelerator, or CFA South Africa, has opened its fourth call for proposals, targeting investment-ready climate projects in energy, transport, water, waste management and sustainable agriculture. Since launching in South Africa, the CFA has already helped unlock around $100 million i...

Civil society group The Green Connection is urging the National Energy Regulator, NERSA, to reject Eskom’s proposed price hikes As electricity tariff increases loom. The organisation argues that rising tariffs are deepening poverty, worsening inequality, and placing an unfair burden on already struggling households. They’re also calling on the Electricity Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to urgentl...

The crypto market has started 2026 with a bang, we have seen major price rallies, growing institutional interest, and big regulatory shifts both globally and here in South Africa. But is this a turning point, or just another cycle? We’re joined by Tarris Arnold, he is the Business Development manager at Luno to unpack what these developments mean and what to realistically expect from crypto in 202...

The South African Reserve Bank has taken a major step by lowering its inflation target to 3%, a move expected to reshape monetary policy, economic growth prospects and investment markets over the long term. To help us unpack what this means for the economy and for investors, we’re joined by Eugene Botha, Head of the Research Hive at Momentum Investments. RISE fm