Features

South Africa entered 2025 with hopes of economic recovery, but political tensions within the Government of National Unity, shifting diplomatic dynamics with the US, and ongoing service delivery issues have weighed heavily on growth forecasts. Economists are now revising expectations downward, and vulnerable sectors are beginning to feel the squeeze.

AI is moving fast, and it’s changing how we work. In marketing, that brings a lot of questions about creativity, strategy, and where people fit in. It’s easy to feel unsure. But at the ACA, they believe people still belong right where they’ve always been, at the heart of it all.

In over 15 years of leading people, I’ve come to realise that great teams don’t just happen. They’re built. I’ve seen the difference between a team that clicks and one that quietly fractures under pressure. And I’ve learned, sometimes the hard way, that when the stakes are high, the team you build is often the difference between success and setback.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming workplaces globally, with South Africa leading in adoption according to Boston Consulting Group’s AI at Work 2025: Momentum Builds But Gaps Remain report.

It is undeniable that AI in education, even though still in relative infancy, has a multiplier effect on student outcomes. An overview of the substantial impact of individualised learning on student performance over the past few years, combined with an insight into daily advances in real life, has the potential to raise concerns about the role of human educators in classrooms.

The modern workplace is failing to keep pace with transformative shifts in how people work, reveals Gensler’s 2025 Global Workplace Survey. 
Gensler is a global architecture and design firm with 53 offices worldwide. 

As South Africa marks Youth Month, Engen proudly celebrates the power of education and digital empowerment to unlock potential - particularly through the Engen Community Computer School and the Engen Global Citizen Development Programme

One thing that separates the world's top performers from the average is their commitment to always keep learning, and growing, no matter how successful they are. 

The days of working for one company, or in one career, for your whole working life are fading fast.  Advaita Naidoo, Africa MD at Jack Hammer has some advice for professionals looking at a career change. 

A young man from Ocean View has embraced learning as a way to build a successful career. The support of the Prescient Foundation Scholarship Programme has helped him achieve his early success. 

For 13 years, Chris started every Monday morning in the same boardroom sitting next to his boss, coffee in hand and plans on the table. But this Monday is different. The table is empty. He is being retrenched.

South Africa's construction industry is being shaped by evolving challenges and opportunities. Trends such as addressing skilled labour shortages, embracing sustainable building practices, advancing renewable energy projects, and enhancing public infrastructure are defining our path forward.

How does one define leadership? Well, it’s not about a corner office, a job title, or a fancy title behind your name. Rather, leadership is influence. Period.

Fintech company Yoco have worked closely with Workshop17 to ensure that their offices are using the latest strategies to provide the workplace of the future.

Partner education is dedicated training for external stakeholders, such as independent vendors, resellers, franchise owners, consultants, agents, key opinion influencers, and distribution partners. It aims to empower them with the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively recommend, market, and sell an organisation’s offering.

Madiba has always inspired, challenged and encouraged others through his words. We reflect on some of his top quotes and look at how he used his
words to shape and unite a nation.

Afrika Tikkun emphasizes the importance of the national budget in addressing the challenges faced by South Africa's youth and marginalized communities. We reiterate that access to quality education, healthcare, and skills is a fundamental human right, not a privilege, as highlighted in President Ramaphosa's recent State of the Nation Address.

Salwa Albertyn, recently appointed as the Group Human Resources Executive of Empact Group, is a passionate advocate for creating positive workplace environments. With a wealth of experience in people management, she understands that leadership goes beyond processes and policies - it is about recognising and valuing employees at every level.

In today's dynamic work environments, the open-plan office is both celebrated for fostering collaboration and criticized for its propensity to distract. 

In today’s challenging economic environment, many South African nonprofit organisations (NPOs) face significant financial uncertainties.