Sajeel Maharaj, incoming CEO of Citadel, says the firm will continue to focus on being a trusted partner in building and protecting client wealth, maintaining its long-term vision while investing in people, capabilities and innovation to support future growth.
Allianz Trade has appointed Luke Morawitz as Country Manager for South Africa, effective 1 February 2026, while he retains his role as Head of Credit. A 14-year veteran of the business, Morawitz succeeds into the leadership role reporting to Luca Burrafato, Head of MMEA.
The Allianz Risk Barometer 2026 highlights cyber incidents as the top global risk for a fifth year, with AI surging to second place amid rapid adoption, while geopolitical tensions, regulation, and business interruption continue reshaping the global risk landscape.
As festive foot traffic surges, slip-and-fall risks rise, highlighting recent case law on liability in malls. A key judgment confirms that cleaning contractors aren’t liable for hazards they aren’t contracted to monitor, placing primary responsibility on mall owners and managing agents.
AI’s explosive growth is reshaping the physical world, sparking a massive global data center construction wave. Discover the forces driving this expansion, the risks and rising costs involved, and whether the boom can be sustained in the years ahead.
Lerato Bacela, Financial Director at Old Mutual Insure, says SMMEs should take a proactive and informed approach to regulatory changes, highlighting that new VAT thresholds and infrastructure opportunities can support growth, but require careful planning and professional guidance.
Theo Mabaso, Group Chief AI Officer at Sanlam, says AI will be a key driver of competitiveness and growth, enabling better products, advice and customer outcomes, while emphasising responsible, well-governed adoption to enhance efficiency without replacing the human role in financial services.
Paul Vos, Regional Managing Director of CIPS Southern Africa, says South Africa’s exit from the FATF grey list marks the start of stricter scrutiny, requiring businesses to prioritise transparent, continuous supplier due diligence as a core governance and risk management function.
Therése Havenga, Head of Business Transformation at Momentum Savings, says open and honest conversations about money are essential for financial wellbeing, helping reduce stress, build shared responsibility, and enable practical, goal-driven decisions that strengthen long-term financial resilience.
Sajeel Maharaj, incoming CEO of Citadel, says the firm will continue to focus on being a trusted partner in building and protecting client wealth, maintaining its long-term vision while investing in people, capabilities and innovation to support future growth.
Wendy Myers, Head of Securities at PSG Wealth, simplifies stock market jargon for new investors, explaining that understanding basics like bid-ask spreads, order types, and trading positions can make share trading more accessible and less intimidating.
Vuyo Mvulane, Head of Institutional Distribution at Ashburton Investments, says the Targeted Return Fund’s strong performance reflects its diversified, multi-asset approach, delivering consistent real returns with low volatility and effective downside protection in uncertain market conditions.
Daniel Malan, Founder and CIO of Perspective Investment Management, emphasises that true investing is long-term ownership of quality businesses, while many market participants mistakenly focus on short-term trading, prioritising transactions over sustainable value creation.
Jason Veitch, Head of Travel, Accident and Health at Santam Travel Insurance, says choosing the right travel insurance depends on understanding your trip risks, with comprehensive cover, especially medical insurance, being essential to protect against costly emergencies and disruptions.
Ryno de Kock, Head of Distribution at PSG Insure, says insurance claims are often rejected due to common oversights such as misunderstanding cover, poor maintenance, or delayed reporting, stressing the importance of proactively understanding policies to avoid costly surprises.
Schalk Malan, Head of Insurance at Liberty and Standard Bank Group, warns that South Africa’s growing insurance gap leaves many households financially vulnerable, with insufficient cover for death, disability, and illness. He emphasises the urgent need for better education, accessible products, and proactive financial planning.
Leruo Malumo, Head of Product Strategy and Development at Santam, urges motorists to remain vigilant over the Easter long weekend, emphasising vehicle checks, careful planning and responsible driving to reduce accident risk and ensure safer journeys despite increased road traffic.
Continental Reinsurance has announced the 30 finalists for the 11th Pan-African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards, selected from 184 entries. Winners will be revealed in April 2026 in Kigali, recognising excellence in reporting and offering engagement with leading industry stakeholders.
The South African Insurance Association (SAIA) highlights that unsafe driving behaviours, such as speeding, driving under the influence, poor vehicle maintenance, and non-compliance with policy terms, are key reasons motor insurance claims are rejected, reinforcing that responsible driving is essential for both safety and financial protection.
S&P Global Ratings upgraded Africa Re’s long-term issuer and financial strength ratings to Full “A” with Stable Outlook, recognising its strong performance, robust underwriting, risk management, and pan-African footprint, marking a historic milestone for the African-led reinsurance company.
Marriott Investment Managers says integrating AI into its investment process enhances analytical depth and efficiency, allowing analysts to focus on judgement and decision-making, while maintaining a disciplined, long-term dividend-focused philosophy supported by strong governance.
Andre Symes, CEO of Genasys, says the appointment of Hugh Hessing and Gavin Routledge strengthens the company’s leadership, bringing deep industry and strategic expertise to support its growth as a mid-market challenger in insurance technology.
Senzo Mbhele, Managing Director at Cloud On Demand, says businesses should move beyond AI hype and focus on practical, value-driven use cases. He emphasises that AI works best when augmenting people, starting small, and aligning with clear business outcomes rather than replacing human roles.
Allan Juma, Lead Cyber Security Engineer at ESET, says multicloud strategies should be viewed as essential enablers of resilience, compliance and innovation, rather than just cost centres, helping businesses remain competitive, secure and operational in an increasingly complex and risk-prone environment.
Personalisation is evolving but remains underutilised. Andrew Solomon, Client Strategy Director at Achievement Awards Group, explores its challenges—data complexity, AI integration, and resource constraints. Despite these hurdles, businesses can start small, refine strategies, and gradually enhance customer engagement through tailored experiences.
Complaints are an inevitable aspect of running a business. Handling these customer grievances effectively is crucial, not only for maintaining a good relationship with the complaining customer but also for safeguarding your business’s reputation - especially in an era where social media can amplify an individual’s voice
Janeesha Ragubeer, Area Manager at Business Partners Limited, foresees a promising season ahead for South African small businesses, offering her insights on three actionable strategies to help them flourish this spring.
