Author Archives: GIBS Blog

MTN’s partnership with Microsoft to transform South African SME sector (BT)

MTN Group’s new strategic alliance with Microsoft is set to have a major impact on the South African SME sector. This sector continues to experience strong growth and has increasingly relied on technology to achieve this – particularly given how the pandemic changed the business landscape. Research by Xero has found that two-thirds of small business […]
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Vodacom completes R42bn acquisition of Vodafone Egypt business (BL)

The takeover of the market leader with more than 40% market share in the country will push its operating profit growth potential into double digits. Vodacom has completed the R42bn acquisition of Vodafone’s Egypt operation. This is yet another move by Vodacom’s parent in reorganising its assets under SA’s largest mobile operator. For Vodacom, the […]
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iKhokha celebrates small businesses, the real holiday makers of Mzansi (BT)

For many, the festive season is a chance to unwind. It’s a luxury not afforded to small businesses, as many keep their doors open despite 79% admitting they are stressed. The festive period can be one of the most profitable times for SMEs. But with 42% of small business owners saying they’ve experienced burnout, it’s […]
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Standard Bank at the forefront of financing SA’s energy transition (BT)

Prioritising the improvement of South Africa’s sustainable energy supply is key to unlocking further growth, reaching long-term climate change mitigation goals, and providing stable power to millions of the country’s households The World Bank estimates that South Africa will need $500billion to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, highlighting the need for innovative financial instrumentals and policies to […]
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South Africa’s health sector is desperate for these 10 skills – not related to healthcare (BT)

Digital transformation at all levels of the country’s healthcare sector has opened the door for more people skilled in tech, says Raymond Plotz, CIO at Mediclinic Southern Africa. Developing digitally in the sector aims to improve access and enhance patient care, support healthcare practitioners and save costs, said Plotz. There has been a burst of […]
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US raises red flags over South African trade agreements (BT)

South Africa could lose part of its preferential access to the US if its trade policies disadvantage American exporters relative to their developed-nation counterparts, according to people familiar with the matter. Thousands of South African products enter the world’s biggest market duty-free under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, and the so-called Generalized […]
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SMEs and credit scores: What to know about maintaining your business’s creditworthiness (IOL)

While you might be well aware of the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with creditors in your personal capacity, it’s important to know that a small business’s credit score can be just as much of a ‘make or break’ factor when it comes to maintaining its financial viability in the long run. What is […]
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Agribusinesses slightly downbeat about SA business conditions (IOL)

The survey was conducted in the final two weeks of November, covering businesses operating in all agricultural subsectors across South Africa. The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) fell by 4 points in the fourth quarter of this year to 49 points after remaining in optimistic territory for nearly three years. Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) chief […]
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SA stocks wipe out 2022 losses after China boost (News24)

Better news from China on Tuesday gave South African stocks the boost they needed to erase their losses for 2022. The main index climbed as much as 1.1% as Chinese markets rebounded, briefly wiping out this year’s declines, with sentiment soothed by an easing in the protests over Covid restrictions that had unnerved global investors. The gains […]
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New GIBS article: The influence of self-awareness on effective leadership outcomes in South Africa By Sharon Fonseca, Hugh Myres and Karl Hofmeyr

Abstract Purpose: Leadership research demands an understanding of what constitutes effective leadership. Self-awareness is described as critical for effective leadership, yet there is little research dealing with the link between a lack of self-awareness in leaders and destructive leadership. The prevalence of destructive leadership is surprisingly common and bears a high cost to organisations in […]
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