Category Archives: GIBS Knowledge and Information Services

All things relating to the workings and service offerings of the Information Centre

New GIBS article: Cannabis industry plans for South Africa have stalled By Motshedisi Mathibe (Moneyweb)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently reiterated plans to accelerate the commercialisation of hemp as well as cannabis plants. His speech setting out government’s priorities for 2023 was a reminder of a pledge in 2022 – also in his state of the nation address – that the government would mobilise investment in the hemp and cannabis sectors. In his speech, […]
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Importance of agri tech in farming today (IOL)

South Africa’s agriculture is currently faced with an array of challenges ranging from the high cost of production as inputs costs are high, lower output prices for many horticultural commodities, failing local infrastructure, high shipping and freight costs and recently continued accelerated load shedding. Land Bank, the agricultural industry and key stakeholders are particularly concerned […]
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2023 retail industry outlook (Deloitte)

Embrace the changing consumer to bolster growth in inflationary times Amid market volatility, labor pressures, and supply chain constraints, how can retailers sustain the resiliency of the last few years to better navigate the current headwinds? Our 2023 industry outlook explores retail trends to help your company elevate its business strategy beyond traditional cost-cutting. Learn […]
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New GIBS article: Future-fit leadership By Abdullah Verachia

When the entire planet comes to a standstill because of a virus, and a war on the other side of the globe deepens the economic slump in Africa, leaders must adjust rapidly. What used to work previously is no longer fit for purpose. Companies need ‘future-fit’ leaders to help unlock new value and future-proof their […]
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IMF Warns South Africa economy risks stagnation(EN)

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s growth is set to decelerate sharply this year due to power cuts and the economy risks stagnation, the International Monetary Fund warned Wednesday. The near-term growth outlook for Africa’s most industrialised economy has deteriorated, an IMF team said after a visit to the country. “South Africa’s economic and social challenges are […]
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3 Ways ambitious entrepreneurs are using AI (Forbes)

If you’re not incorporating artificial intelligence into your work in some way, you’re behind the curve. Even the most suspicious and non-technical entrepreneurs could save time and money making use of the tools available, let alone those thinking bigger with AI and creating their own. I asked entrepreneurs across all industries about how they were […]
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Power cuts are hurting small businesses in South Africa – but sharing resources and equipment might be a solution (Polity)

Worldwide, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are seen as the backbone of a thriving economy. They make up a substantial portion of the total number of companies and are estimated to contribute over 87% of all jobs globally. A recent World Economic Forum report showed that major disruptions affect the value chain of SMEs significantly more than they affect larger enterprises. […]
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Africa Agri Tech: Where SA has missed the boat (FoodforMzansi)

The general consensus in the room on the final day of Africa Agri Tech is that the future of South African agriculture is bright. But the country’s farmers can do better in taking advantage of all the opportunities out there to anticipate future events. There was no shortage of inspiration and innovation at the 2023 […]
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SA economy: Battered and bruised, but not broken (Moneyweb)

South Africa needs to crowd in private sector expertise, capital, and risk appetite. According to Stats SA gross domestic product (GDP), the broadest measure of economic activity, declined by 1.3% from the third to the fourth quarter, adjusted for inflation and seasonality. This was much worse than expected and is a big number in absolute terms. It […]
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How to incorporate neuroscience into your workplace wellness program (Forbes)

Business leaders talk a lot about mental health in the workplace: why it’s important, how to foster it, how to improve it, what it looks like and what it doesn’t look like. In the past year alone, there have been thousands of articles written on the topic. As a CEO myself, seeing the business community […]
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