IN CONVERSATION WITH Ester Ochse, (Product Head at FNB Integrated Advice.)

South Africa is currently at a critical policy crossroads with the proposed Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, which aims to significantly tighten regulations on tobacco and nicotine-related products. The Bill—first introduced in 2022 and now advancing after extensive public hearings—seeks to align South Africa with global public…

South Africa’s latest inflation data shows a slight increase to 3.1% year-on-year in March, suggesting that price pressures are still relatively contained—for now. On paper, this looks like stability. But beneath the surface, there are growing warning signs that this calm may not last. The increase has been driven largely…

As the world prepares to commemorate International Girls in ICT Day on Thursday, 23 April 2026, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) joins the global community in recognising the importance of empowering young women in technology and innovation. With a strong emphasis on Sciences and STEM education, OWLAG…

South Africa marks 32 years since the first democratic elections of 1994, a moment widely celebrated as the birth of freedom and equality after decades of apartheid. For many, Freedom Day remains a symbol of dignity, political rights, and the power of collective struggle. However, alternative perspectives continue to challenge…

As African Vaccination Week is observed across the continent, renewed attention is being placed on the importance of childhood immunisation. In Gauteng, however, recent data has raised concern, showing a noticeable decline in vaccination coverage among children under the age of one. According to the Department of Health, immunisation coverage…