Tag Archives: business

BIMA celebrates five years in the game

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Picture: BISA Advisory Board members/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

14 June 2026 – The Basadi in Music Awards (BIMA) celebrates five years of championing, recognising and empowering women in music, the organisation is proud to announce the appointment of a distinguished Advisory Board comprising some of Africa’s most accomplished leaders across music, media, business, governance, fashion, healthcare and the creative industries.

BIMA said this appointment marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Basadi in Music Awards can as the platform continues to expand its influence beyond South Africa and strengthen its position as a leading Pan-African platform dedicated to celebrating and advancing women in music.

The founder of Basadi in Music Awards, Hloni Modise-Matau said the BIMA Advisory Board serves as a distinguished collective of industry leaders, creatives, executives and advocates who provide strategic guidance, insight, and support to advance the mission of the organisation. Modise-Matau said the Board plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity, credibility and long-term vision of the Awards by offering expertise on industry trends, governance, stakeholder engagement and opportunities for growth.

“Through their collective experience, members help ensure that the Awards continue to celebrate, elevate, and empower women across all sectors of the music industry. As ambassadors of the Basadi in Music Awards, Advisory Board members will champion the recognition of women’s achievements, promote inclusivity and excellence, strengthen industry partnerships, and support initiatives that drive meaningful change within the South African and African music landscape.

“The Advisory Board’s contribution ensures that the Basadi in Music Awards remains a respected and impactful platform dedicated to honouring the remarkable women who shape, influence, and transform the music industry,” she said.

Modise-Matau further said the Board brings together a remarkable collective of women whose expertise, leadership, and influence have shaped industries, inspired communities, and contributed meaningfully to Africa’s cultural and economic landscape. She added that their role will be to provide strategic guidance, industry insight, and leadership as BIMA enters its next chapter of growth, impact and continental expansion.

“This announcement comes on the heels of another major milestone for the organisation. Following the closure of nominations for the 2026 Basadi in Music Awards, BIMA recorded its highest number of nominations since inception, demonstrating the growing reach of the platform and the increasing recognition of women making significant contributions to the music and entertainment industries across Africa.

“Nominees for the 2026 Basadi in Music Awards will be officially announced later this month. The BIMA Advisory Board comprises Yvonne Chaka Chaka, who is affectionately known as the “Princess of Africa”. Chaka Chaka is one of the continent’s most celebrated music icons, philanthropists and humanitarians,” said Modise-Matau.

She said with a career spanning more than four decades, Chaka Chaka has used her platform to champion education, health advocacy, women and youth empowerment, becoming one of Africa’s most respected cultural ambassadors and global voices. Modise-Matau said another board member is Dr Linah Ngcobo, who is a legendary South African music icon, pastor, cultural leader and community builder with over 40 years of influence in music, ministry and mentorship, known for principled leadership and nurturing generations across the creative and social sectors.

“Other members include Dr Mpho Phalatse, Janine Starkey, Dr Kina Nhlengethwa, Lerato Matsoso, Penny Bouwer, Antos Stella, Yolanda Sangweni, Lala Tuku, Sibu Mabena and Manaileng Maphike. The establishment of the Advisory Board represents a defining moment in the organisation’s journey.

“As we celebrate five years of the Basadi in Music Awards, we are intentional about building a sustainable institution that will continue to champion women in music for generations to come. This Advisory Board brings together extraordinary leaders whose collective experience, wisdom and passion for Africa will help guide the next chapter of our growth,” she said.

Modise-Matau said they are honoured to have these remarkable women walk this journey with them as they continue creating opportunities, driving impact and elevating women across the music and creative industries.

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SA’s Investment Prospects Buoyed by Economic Recovery

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By REGINALD KANYANE

30 March 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said this week, they will be welcoming delegates from more than 50 countries to the 6th South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) in Sandton, Gauteng. Ramaphosa said since its inception in 2018, the SAIC has grown to become a premier global forum for showcasing the attractiveness of investment opportunities in our country to domestic and international investors.

He further said investment conferences play a key role in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) as high-profile platforms that connect international investors with local opportunities. Ramaphosa added that they also facilitate strong partnerships by bringing together governments, business, banks and development finance institutions.

“As investors look to destinations that have demonstrated resilience in the face of increasingly volatile global financial conditions, South Africa presents a favourable proposition. We are Africa’s largest economy with a diversified industrial base.

“Since we began our first R1.2 trillion investment mobilization drive in 2018, we have secured investment pledges in mining, healthcare, automotive, food and beverage and others, reflecting the sophistication of our economy,” he said.

Ramaphosa said South Africa is also the leading destination for renewable energy investment on the continent, with these investments making up a considerable share of the total pledges made at previous conferences. He said they have a sound policy and regulatory environment, offering certainty to investors at a time when they are just one of many emerging markets across the globe vying for capital.

“We are also a gateway for businesses looking to set up or expand their operations in Africa. Through this conference, as well as the five preceding ones, we will be seeking to build even greater confidence in our country as an investment destination, and to demonstrate our commitment to structural reform, policy certainty and policy execution.

“The green shoots of economic recovery we are experiencing further bolster our position. The macroeconomic outlook has improved. We experienced four consecutive quarters of growth by the end of 2025, national debt has stabilized and more jobs are being created,” said Ramaphosa.

He said last year, their sovereign rating was upgraded for the first time in 17 years and they were removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list. Ramaphosa said the structural reform agenda being driven through Operation Vulindlela has unlocked progress in electricity, freight logistics, water, telecommunications, and the visa system.

“We have brought load-shedding to an end and are creating a new, competitive electricity market that will ensure energy security and attract investment. The country’s logistics sector is being rapidly modernised, and we are enabling private investment in port and rail operations.

“Among the projects for which we have initiated a Private Sector Participation (PSP) process are the Ngqura Manganese Export Corridor in the Eastern Cape and the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal in KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.

Ramaphosa said last year, they also signed a 25–year concession for the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2, representing R11 billion in private investment. He said a system for third-party access to the freight rail network is in place and 41 freight rail slots have been allocated to private companies.

“We have implemented reforms to the visa regime to attract new skills and promote tourism. These include operationalising the Remote Work Visa, introducing a Trusted Employer Scheme to support major investors, and piloting an Electronic Travel Authorisation system.

“By showcasing the progress and durability of the reform agenda, our goal is to grow the pool of inward investment from businesses and countries that will ultimately be a bridge to new markets, technologies and networks for South Africa,” said Ramaphosa.

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

North West Department of Education officials nabbed for fraud

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By REGINALD KANYANE

25 September 2024- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the arrest of two departmental officials for fraud, marks a crucial step in addressing fraudulent activities within her department. Motsumi said these officials from the Bojanala District Office, were arrested by the Hawks in connection with fraudulent documents.

She further said the arrests follow a thorough investigation and they briefly appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 25 September 2024. Motsumi added that the case involves officials who were appointed in 1998 and another in 2008.

“They were both found with fraudulent matric certificates. The verification process revealed that the matric certificates purportedly issued were invalid, as confirmed by the Umalusi.

“Following these findings, the matter was referred to the Department’s Labour Unit for intervention prior to the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) investigations. The accused persons were granted R12 000 and R2000 bail respectively,” she said.

Motsumi expressed the department’s commitment to clean governance and eradicating fraudulent behaviour within the education sector. She said as a department, one of the priorities that they are pursuing is to improve education, training, and innovation, and to contribute towards building a developmental state in the country.

“When we improve education, training, and innovation, we want the department to be regarded as the apex of good governance. To achieve that, we must clean up corrupt or fraudulent tendencies within the department.

“These arrests are a result of an ongoing investigation that has appeared in various media platforms in recent months. It is time for the law to take its course, and we trust that the state will handle these matters appropriately,” said Motsumi.

She said as the department, they will not interfere with the process. Motsumi said their focus remains on preparing the learners for the upcoming exams, with a targeted 90% pass rate across the province.

“While this matter is before law enforcement, our primary responsibility remains to ensure a quality education for all learners. The department will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure transparency and accountability within the sector,” she said.

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