Taylor Swift’s UK tour has been hit by ticket fraud, with at least 3,000 fans being duped into buying fake tickets, resulting in over £1m being stolen from them, according to Lloyds Bank. The fraudulent schemes have shown a 158% increase from the previous year, with an average victim loss of £332. These scams mostly originate from Facebook, with unofficial groups offering tickets at bargain prices or claiming to sell entry to soldout events at exorbitant rates. Fans are advised to use official ticketing sites and to pay by credit or debit card for added security.
Groundbreaking Research Reports Unveiled by South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education and Training
South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Blade Nzimande, has released groundbreaking research reports as part of the Labour Market Intelligence Programme (LMI). The reports reveal skills necessary for economic growth and highlight high demand occupations, occupational shortages, and skills deficits. The LMI program is inclusive and encourages stakeholder participation, and its extensive scope reaches beyond the Department of Higher Education and Training or the PostSchool Education and Training System. The program’s research initiatives bridge the skills gap and nurture a skilled workforce, contributing to the future growth of South Africa’s economy.
The President Hotel in Cape Town is a hub of inclusivity, catering to guests with diverse needs. The hotel has adopted Deafgard devices in every room to help deaf and hardofhearing guests. It also has accessible parking and wheelchairfriendly access, petfriendly policies, familyfriendly amenities, and halal menus for Muslim guests. The hotel continually improves its services, making it an ideal retreat for everyone.
PepsiCo has launched a bold new marketing campaign in South Africa, including a revamped logo and visual identity. The updated branding features a new colour palette of blue and black, a tailored typeface, and a reimagined Pepsi can silhouette. PepsiCo also introduced a grand procession of events and enlisted the star power of noted rappers to oversee activities in Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as CGI billboards and drones. The brand makeover heralds a new epoch for Pepsi, embodying the spirit of being unapologetically Pepsi.
Avi Lasarow’s journey to becoming South Africa’s Youngest Honorary Consul in the UK is characterized by unique challenges, profound responsibilities, and a commitment to international diplomacy. His involvement in the Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 disaster highlighted the fusion of science, diplomacy, and humanitarian aid, emphasizing the impact one can have on the global community. Lasarow’s role symbolizes a deeprooted commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world, honoring the trust and responsibility vested upon him. His story serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating how making a difference in one’s field can result in making a difference in the world.
My Cape Town Market Atlantis is a local gathering of artisans and entrepreneurs showcasing their talents and offering a hub of creativity for visitors. The event is a symbol of Cape Town’s thriving artisanal culture and entrepreneurial spirit, and the market offers an opportunity for vendors to earn and a catalyst for employment, community engagement, and local entrepreneurship. The buzz ahead of the market is filled with a rising wave of excitement and expectancy, with the event promising to deliver a true Cape Town experience for both traders and attendees.
South Africa and China have a thriving partnership that has developed over the past 25 years, resulting in significant economic growth and the creation of over 400,000 jobs in South Africa. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is part of a wider 10year Strategic Programme of Cooperation that emphasizes socioeconomic enhancement and shared growth. These vibrant trade relations address poverty, inequality, and unemployment, promoting engaged citizenship and social contracts aimed at achieving development objectives. South Africa celebrates three decades of democracy and freedom, promoting a shared vision for quality growth.
Cape Town is transforming the 26hectare Strandfontein coastal node into a multipurpose urban precinct with residential, commercial, and leisure facilities. The project aims to promote economic opportunities, job creation, and urban inclusivity while preserving the natural environment. An open house meeting is scheduled for April 17th, 2024, to involve residents in the development process and gather their opinions on the environmental impact assessment. The goal is to establish Strandfontein as a superior coastal urban node, contributing to economic development and promoting roundtheyear usage by locals and tourists.
Cruise tourism has a significant impact on the Western Cape’s economy in South Africa, contributing around R1.2 billion in the last fiscal year and expected to bring more economic benefits with an influx of around 90,000 passengers and 38,000 crew members in the current year. The industry also creates job opportunities, with every 30 cruise passengers creating approximately one fulltime job. The geopolitical climate and return tourism are some of the factors driving traffic towards South African ports, such as Durban’s Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal.
Loowatt, a private toilet service in South Africa, charges R350 per month for its offering that includes maintenance. The service is spearheaded by Loowatt and Khanyisa Projects, and it promotes the production of locallymade toilets that bolster business growth and sustainability. Despite the positive progress, South Africa’s informal settlements still face a need for accessible, secure, and private home sanitation services that reflects an inhabitant’s aspiration for dignity and respect.
Cape Town has launched Jobs Connect, a recruitment platform that aims to connect job seekers with potential employers in the city. The service offers work readiness training and a digital evaluation of numeracy and literacy skills, and has already attracted over 100,000 users. The initiative has been earmarked for a significant R5.5m budget, and is aimed at reducing the financial burden of job hunting and creating new opportunities in sectors such as call centres, hospitality, manufacturing and retail.
In South Africa, Amazon and local ecommerce giant Takealot are engaged in a battle for supremacy in the rapidly growing ecommerce market, which is projected to reach $72bn within two years. Amazon’s business model, which provides a highly personalized shopping experience, has won over many South African consumers, while Takealot’s existing foothold in the local market has made it a formidable competitor. However, with the launch of Amazon’s South African website imminent, industry experts predict a challenging time for Takealot. The competition between these two ecommerce titans signals a new phase in the South African ecommerce sector marked by intense rivalry and innovation.
South Africa’s artisanal and smallscale mining (ASM) sector shows promise in fueling economic growth, especially for women and youth. The government is implementing progressive initiatives, including the 2022 ASM Policy, funding opportunities for artisanal miners, and a R400 million exploration fund. Collaboration, capacity building, and empowerment are crucial for reshaping the South African mining sector and achieving economic development. The recent Artisanal, SmallScale, and Emerging Miners Symposium showcased the untapped potential of ASM and the rich mineral resources of Africa, highlighting the critical role that smallscale miners play in the metamorphosis of the South African mining industry.
The Launch of Cape Town’s Exciting New Place Marketing Strategy: The Six Pillar Content Partnership Programme
Cape Town has launched a new marketing strategy, the Six Pillar Content Partnership Programme, to showcase the city as the ultimate destination for living, working, studying, playing, and investing. The initiative collaborates with content creators, photographers, bloggers, and writers, encouraging innovation and authentic storytelling to amplify Cape Town’s unique narrative worldwide. Participants contribute content on a monthly basis, which gets promoted across the city’s various digital platforms, including social media networks and the city’s marketing website. The programme has partnerships with renowned Cape Town entities and attractions, including the Cape Town Big 6 and the City of Cape Town’s Environmental Management.
The Hydrant Initiative is a project that provides job opportunities to job seekers while maintaining the functionality of the city’s fire hydrants. 26 job hopefuls receive extensive training from skilled artisans, and five job hopefuls with a valid code B license are employed as drivers and supervisors. This initiative ensures the safety of the city’s fire hydrants and provides practical training, fortifying job prospects. The project is a dualfaceted strategy that acknowledges the twofold objective of preserving the city’s fire hydrants and creating job opportunities for jobseekers.
Cape Town is investing R118.5 million to enhance its informal economy by transforming trading sites, providing trader training, and exploring new markets. The plan is to create a dignified and accessible business environment that fosters entrepreneurship and economic activity. Alderman James Vos is leading the initiatives towards a more dynamic, inclusive, and resilient economy. The city has already executed infrastructure enhancements and introduced designated trading bays, with plans to construct more in the future.