Taking Care of Business on RISE fm

The University of Mpumalanga (UMP), in partnership with the Benjamin Raymond Oppenheimer Trust through Oppenheimer Generations Research & Conservation (OGRC), has officially launched the UMP–Oppenheimer Research Chair in Biodiversity Conservation. This multi-year, multi-million-rand initiative will advance cutting-edge research, build postgraduate capacity, and influence conservation policy at bot...

Vodacom Business in partnership with the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) held the SME Technology Day in Mbombela on Tuesday, 23 September 2025. This event was aimed at showcasing the latest technologies and tools designed to empower SMEs in today’s digital-first world. We caught up with Vodacom Regional Managing Executive, Monde Ngcukana and Head of Vodacom Business in Mpuma...

Today being a Thursday, we shift our focus to the entrepreneurship and this afternoon we chat to Olusegun Adeleke, he is the founder of PAAQ application. The PAAQ App is a platform for booking one-on-one video calls with verified experts for advice and personalized knowledge. Users can seek guidance on a variety of topics, such as business, career, and lifestyle, and experts can monetize their ski...

Xolani Gininda is a Mpumalanga born visionary innovator whose groundbreaking creation is transforming lives - smart glasses that allow deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to see spoken words in real time. By converting speech into live captions that appear on the lenses, his invention bridges the gap between sound and understanding, giving people access to conversations, education, and opportunit...

One year on - South Africa's two-pot retirement system has proven to be one of the most significant financial reforms of a generation. With approximately R60 billion withdrawn, the initial experiment offers a powerful case study, providing valuable insights into member behavior and the challenges that lie ahead. Nashalin Portrag – Head of Funds At Work & Distribution at Momentum Corporate discusse...

NAFCOC Mpumalanga has recently announced two strategic partnerships, which include the acquisition of a 20% stake of two Engen Fuel stations and the signing of an MOU which will make it easier for its members to acquire and open Barcelos franchises across the province. These partnerships are aimed at driving economic growth and job creation in the province. We’re joined by Hamzer Ngwenya, Emakhaze...

Real Estate in South Africa remains a complex industry to enter, particularly for young people and previously marginalised groups. With multiple barriers guarding entry, it’s an industry in urgent need of transformation to unlock inclusive opportunities. We are joined by Leon Breytenbach, Head of Special Projects at Property Point, to share insights on how young people can break into the real esta...

The Township Entrepreneurs Agency (TEA) is once again bringing bold ideas and real opportunities to Kanyamazane. Following the success of three Kasi Business Workshops in eMalahleni and eMbalenhle, TEA is returning to Kanyamazane for the second time, making this edition it’s fourth debut in Mpumalanga. On 13 September 2025, Kanyamazane entrepreneurs will gather for the Kasi Business Workshop aimed...

Business Confidence has slipped in the third quarter of 2025. That’s according to Momentum Investments latest Business Pulse which unpacks the economic climate and business sentiment across key industries such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and mining. We speak to Sanisha Packirisamy, Chief Economist with Momentum Investments for an in-depth look at the report. RISE fm

With over 5.8 million South Africans auto-assessed by SARS in July alone, tax experts are warning that many taxpayers may have unknowingly accepted incomplete or incorrect tax returns, potentially putting themselves at risk of penalties, refund reversals, or future audits. We speak to Daniel Swiegers, Director of TaxTim on how the system works and where he sees red flags. RISE fm

South Africa’s automotive sector is navigating a shifting global trade environment marked by rising competitive pressures, including the 30% US tariff on South African imports. These developments threaten export competitiveness and highlight the sector’s vulnerability to market concentration. Luthando Vuba, Executive Head of International Trade at Standard Bank Group says the African Continental F...

Economic performance has traditionally been measured using Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a metric that quantifies the total value of goods and services produced within a country over a specific period. While GDP has served as a cornerstone of economic growth and output analysis for decades, growing criticism suggests that it may not fully capture the complexities of modern economies or the true we...

South Africa has long recognised the principle of “equal pay for work of equal value” through the Employment Equity Act. The introduction of the Fair Pay Bill in June 2025, alongside recent amendments to the Companies Act, marks a pivotal moment in reshaping corporate culture. Focused on fairness, transparency and accountability, this new legislation goes beyond compliance—ushering in a transforma...

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille took a decision to dissolve the board of South African Tourism – the same board she appointed. A key reason given for dissolving the board was an unauthorised meeting without a duly appointed chair supposedly held on 1 August 2025. This has attracted backlash from industry players, and some of the dismissed board members. We speak to the now former board member o...

The Economic Development & Tourism MEC Jesta Sidell, convened a meeting with the Kruger Lowveld Tourism and the Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency (MTPA) on Monday, 11 August 2025 to strengthen relations and address some of the challenges facing tourism sector in the lowveld. This was following a number of concerns around the condition of some of the tourism sites under the management of MTPA, acro...

A new study into the Retail-Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather (R-CTFL) industry has found that more than 34 000 local jobs could be displaced by 2030 if offshore e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu continue to grow their market share in South Africa. The report reveals that in 2024 alone, Shein and Temu captured over R7.3 billion in South African clothing sales, accounting for more than...

Traveling is an exciting adventure, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare if you fall victim to travel scams. With the rise of online booking and numerous travel agencies, it's crucial to be vigilant and ensure you are working with a legitimate travel agent. While travel scams are a real threat, taking the necessary precautions can help you avoid falling victim to them. We speak to Mmalethabo K...

Young African Entrepreneurs Institute together with Absa, are rolling-out the revitalized Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (YEP) for 2025 – aimed at unlocking the potential of young entrepreneurs and shaping the future of entrepreneurship in South Africa. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between young entrepreneurs and the opportunities they need to enable them in their entrepreneurial...

The latest home loans data released by ooba Home Loans points to improvements across all major indicators, set against the backdrop of a lower interest rate environment. The group says that the oobarometer highlights an upturn in home loan activity, primarily driven by improved affordability and the reduced cost of borrowing. We chat to Natasha Champion, Regional Sales Manager at ooba home loans f...

With the 30% US tariff increase, South Africa’s already fragile manufacturing sector faces a potential crisis, threatening export access, thousands of jobs, and long-term industrial stability. While recent domestic demand has shown flickers of recovery, export volumes are currently at their lowest this year, and many manufacturers now risk being priced out of key international markets. We speak to...

🎧 RISE Rewind: Minister Ramokgopa on G20 Tourism Planning Episode Title: Steering the South African G20 Agenda: Insights from Minister Ramokgopa Episode Description: Join host Wandile Mazibuko for a compelling sit-down with Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, recorded after her opening remarks at the G20 Development Working Group Meeting held in K...

AI is transforming manufacturing operations and compelling local businesses to adapt or risk being left behind. The “AI in Operations” report explores how businesses are navigating challenges such as rising costs, regulatory pressure, and the skills gap—with AI playing a pivotal role in improving profitability, productivity, and operational resilience. We are joined by Nqaba Ndiweni who is the Con...

The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) has been in existence for five years now and has recently held its quarterly meeting. The session discussed amongst others, the Komati Power Station Redevelopment Initiative and the status of the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan Implementation. We had a chat with the Head of Communications and Consensus Building for the PCC, Mr Blessing Manale on how...

Pick n Pay’s strategic downscaling marks a turning point for the South African retail sector. One of the country’s largest retailers is undergoing a significant ‘back to basics’ reset, which includes the closure or conversion of more than 100 underperforming stores and the closure of more than 30 stores to date. We speak to John Jack, who is the CEO of Galetti Corporate Real Estate to unpack what...

When constructing an investment portfolio, the savvy investor knows that shares are the single asset class that provides real returns over the long term. However, Wendy Myers, Head of Securities at PSG Wealth believes those who are new to investing may be intimidated by this asset class, and short-term market fluctuations (otherwise known as ‘market risk’) can cause them to be hesitant to take tha...