Taking Care of Business on RISE fm

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

Oupa Pilane, Special Attaché for Tourism Development and Transformation at the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) and co-founder of the Graskop Gorge Lift Company urges government, private sector partners, and tourism stakeholders to collaborate on rapid response measures following the devastating impact of persistent heavy rainfall across Mpumalanga Province. RISE fm

If you’re a South African who loves to travel but finds it difficult to save for that dream trip, especially during the January financial squeeze, there may be a new way to make travel planning a little easier and a lot more exciting. Harvey World Travel has launched what they call "The Travel Wallet Experience", and joining us to tell us more is Kele Lekalake, Executive Manager at Harvey World Tr...

We are speaking with the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER), Mr Gcina Mashaba to unpack the recent Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that has caused quite a bit of confusion in the gambling industry. The case involved Supabets and the Casino Association of South Africa and dealt with whether bookmakers are allowed to offer bets on casino games like roulette. RIS...

It’s been a year characterised by a dynamic mix of challenges and progress for South Africa’s mining sector. Despite infrastructure constraints, policy uncertainty and rising operational costs, the industry maintained its contribution to GDP at approximately 6%, reaffirming its critical role in the national economy. Insights from the newly released SA Mine 2025 reveal that the sector recorded a 20...

In an uncertain world with a wide variety of exogenous factors impacting businesses due to the prevailing volatilities, the question could be asked as to whether there are actions that businesses could take to mitigate such factors or even grow as a result. We speak to Dr Requier Wait, Chief Researcher at the Bureau of Market Research on what businesses can do to survive and thrive in a volatile e...

The global economy is showing encouraging signs of recovery with persistent challenges. Growth forecasts are inching higher, markets are showing renewed stability, and new trade deals are helping to cushion the impact of US tariff pressures. We are joined by Tshiamo Masike, an Economist with Momentum, to unpack both the positive drivers and emerging headwinds shaping the global and local economic...