Johannesburg, 11 September 2026:Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are changing the way industries operate, businesses compete, and economies evolve. For organisations, the challenge now is working out where the genuine opportunities are and when to act.

These questions will be at the heart of Singularity Summit South Africa 2026, which has unveiled its full programme ahead of the Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October. Presented in collaboration with Old Mutual, event sponsors Google Cloud and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and metaverse partner UBU, this year’s Summit will bring together over 40 speakers from around the world to examine the technologies, ideas and shifts influencing the future of business and society.

The final programme adds Felix Cheung, Founder and CEO of the Bairong Group in China; Kim Hulett, biotech entrepreneur and founder of Next Biosciences; Shayne Mann, co-CEO of Singularity South Africa and CEO of Mann Made; Ran Neuner, founder of Crypto Banter; Hywel George, global investor and former chief investment officer; Marko Stavrou, creator economy specialist; and Rajesh Pasungili, founder and CEO of Resolute Education, to an already extensive line-up of global and African innovators, entrepreneurs, business leaders and technology specialists.

They join previously announced speakers including AI specialists Amanda Manna and Dario Fanucchi, robotics pioneer Tilly Lockey, enterprise AI leader Barak Kaufman, digital transformation expert Valter Adão, Hamed Kazim and South African inventor Fana Shabane. Acclaimed poet, author and broadcaster Lebo Mashile will return as the Summit’s Poet and MC.

From AI to the Future of Business

Artificial intelligence will be one of the major themes of the two-day programme, with speakers examining its rapid evolution, the challenge of moving enterprise AI from experimentation to implementation, and what the next generation of AI could mean for organisations and their people.

The conversation will extend into digital transformation, leadership, entrepreneurship, investment, robotics, the future of cities, and the changing skills required to navigate an increasingly technology-driven economy.

“The conversation around technology has shifted significantly. Business leaders are no longer asking whether AI and other exponential technologies will affect their organisations, but where to invest, how to implement them effectively and how to prepare their people for the changes ahead,” says Mic Mann, co-CEO of Singularity South Africa.

“The Summit creates an opportunity to step outside the day-to-day demands of running an organisation and engage with the bigger shifts taking place. The aim is for delegates to leave better informed, better connected and with a clearer sense of where the opportunities lie,” added Shayne Mann, co-CEO of Singularity South Africa.

Celiwe Ross, Group Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer at Old Mutual, says the future will not be defined by technology alone, but by how people choose to use it. “I would encourage business leaders, investors and professionals from across industries to be part of this conversation, because the future is not only about the technologies we adopt, but about how we equip our people to grow, respond and lead in an environment that is constantly changing. As AI and other exponential technologies accelerate the pace of disruption, leaders have an opportunity to think differently about how technology can unlock human potential, create new opportunities, and shape more inclusive growth. The organisations that thrive will be those that prepare their people and their cultures for change, rather than simply preparing for the next technology. The Summit brings together some of the world’s leading thinkers, innovators and entrepreneurs to explore these shifts and, importantly, what they mean for people, business and Africa’s future,” Ross says.

Global Perspectives With an African Lens

While the programme brings international expertise to Johannesburg, the Summit will also examine these developments through an African lens, including how businesses on the continent can harness new technologies, where new opportunities for innovation and investment are emerging, and how African entrepreneurs and innovators can play a greater role in shaping the global technology landscape.

Alongside keynote presentations, the programme will feature panel discussions bringing together different perspectives on some of the most pressing questions facing business leaders. Delegates will also have access to various AI workshops and masterclasses to upskill and empower our community. An interactive expo showcasing emerging technologies and innovations, as well as networking opportunities with speakers, executives, entrepreneurs, and fellow delegates.

The announcement of the full programme marks the final stage in the build-up to Singularity Summit South Africa 2026, with more than 40 speakers contributing to two days of keynote presentations, discussions, panels, interactive experiences and networking.

For more information, programme updates, and bookings, visit the Singularity Summit South Africa website.

The post Singularity Summit South Africa 2026 Unveils Full Programme appeared first on Alt News Network.

Six months into its first funding round of R 10.5 million, the Digital News Transformation Fund is helping community publishers launch online platforms, grow audiences, and explore new sources of revenue

JOHANNESBURG, 9 September 2026: Independent South African newsrooms are gaining significant digital momentum through the Digital News Transformation Fund (DNTF), with a 144-year-old local newspaper going online for the first time and community publishers reaching audiences exceeding one million people.

The Fund’s half-year progress report, covering January to June 2026, shows how 21 independent newsrooms are using R10.5 million in funding to strengthen their digital operations. Ten have launched their first-ever websites, more than 300 stories have been published by newsrooms starting their digital journeys, and more than 65 journalists and media staff have received training.

The DNTF supports independent and community news publishers serving areas often overlooked by mainstream media, including township and rural communities. Support is structured according to three levels of digital maturity: Build, for newsrooms establishing their first digital foundations; Grow, for publishers expanding an existing digital presence; and Engage, for more digitally mature publishers developing new revenue models.

The leap from no digital presence to a first platform

Some of the most significant changes have come from publishers that began the year with little or no digital presence. Ten of the 11 newsrooms in the Build tier have now launched a website or digital platform.

Among them is the Kokstad Advertiser in KwaZulu-Natal. The 144-year-old newspaper had no digital presence in January but recorded monthly online reach of up to 354,000 people by March. Its digital coverage of a missing seven-year-old girl helped mobilise a community search and formal police search-and-rescue operation, demonstrating the potential for established local journalism to find new relevance and reach online.

“We’ve gone from being accessible only to local print subscribers to reaching over 32,000 followers and up to 354,000 people a month across South Africa,” said Muhammad Luqman Jamal, DNTF Project Manager at The Kokstad Advertiser. “In small towns like Kokstad, local news is at real risk of disappearing as print audiences shrink. This project has given us a viable digital future and made sure trusted, hyperlocal journalism keeps reaching the Greater Kokstad community.”

Other Build publishers are also gaining traction. Stokvel Media Hub, for example, grew its TikTok following from 344 to 5,945 in three months.

Existing publishers extend their reach

Newsrooms that entered the programme with an existing digital presence have focused on expanding their audiences and finding new ways to reach their communities. Highveld Chronicle in Mpumalanga increased its Facebook reach by 233%, from approximately 300,000 to more than one million people a month. It also extended its isiNdebele content onto regional radio, reaching more than one million listeners a week.

Xenor Projects, which operates three community mastheads south of Johannesburg, reached a combined 1.7 million people digitally. Among its innovations were QR-code stickers placed in taxis, allowing commuters to download editions directly to their phones.

For the Fund’s most digitally mature publishers, attention is also turning to revenue.

Digital news platform explain.co.za grew its website audience from approximately 3,800 users in January to more than 60,000 by May and now generates more than half its income from non-grant sources. These include reader memberships, digital marketing services and video monetisation partnerships.

Local journalism driving action

The progress recorded during the first six months extends beyond audience growth.

In the Eastern Cape, Eagle Eye News investigated complaints around hiring and maladministration at Burgersdorp Correctional Services. A community petition followed and, within three months, Correctional Services began a renovation and infrastructure project that prioritised local youth employment.

In Lenasia South, Zini Advertising’s reporting during severe flooding reinforced official safety warnings and prompted discussion around neglected drainage infrastructure. In KwaZulu-Natal, Inkundla Yezindaba’s “One Community, One Voice” campaign gave residents of Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu a platform to raise development concerns with local decision-makers.

A voluntary survey of 87 readers provided a further indication of the role local news plays in communities. Of those surveyed, 72% said local news coverage had directly prompted them to take some form of action, while 71% said they mostly or completely trusted their main news source.

“These are early results, not the finish line. Community media is about being close to the people we serve, understanding their languages, challenges and the issues that matter to them,” said Anetta Mangxaba, DNTF Co-Chair.

“The first cohort is showing what becomes possible when community publishers have the resources to strengthen this work digitally, reach wider audiences and create stronger platforms for their communities to be heard.”

Building for long-term sustainability

While the early audience growth is encouraging, the Fund acknowledges that turning digital reach into sustainable revenue takes time. Staff capacity, connectivity, financial systems and governance remain challenges for smaller community publishers and will be priorities during the second half of the year.

AIP and Google, the Fund’s partners, shared the following reflections on Cohort 1’s progress to date:

“It is still early days but there are signs of green shoots. There is energy and innovation in this sector. I’m excited. The Fund is providing the spark to get projects going,” – Kate Skinner, AIP Executive Director.

“The digital milestones and audience growth achieved by these 21 newsrooms in just six months are highly encouraging. Seeing township, rural, and hyperlocal newsrooms successfully launch digital platforms and diversify their revenue is a powerful testament to the strength of this program. We look forward to seeing how their platforms and coverage will continue to grow in the months ahead,” – Marianne Erasmus, Google News Partnerships Lead: Middle East & Africa.

A second cohort of 22 publishers, backed by R15.8 million, has now been onboarded, bringing the total number of independent newsrooms supported through the Fund’s first two rounds to 43. Of these, 39 serve rural, township, peri-urban or informal settlement communities and 28 publish in at least one African language.

A full end-of-year report will follow in the first quarter of 2027.

The Digital News Transformation Fund is a partnership between Google and the Association of Independent Publishers, administered by Tshikululu Social Investments.

For more information, please visit dntfund.org.za.

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South Africa’s proposed public procurement regulations have placed race, ownership and preferential procurement firmly back in the spotlight, with critics questioning whether the government’s latest approach could exclude some businesses from competing for state contracts.

The controversy follows the publication by National Treasury of the Draft General Public Procurement Regulations, 2026, on April 16. The regulations are intended to give effect to the Public Procurement Act, 2024, and establish mechanisms, thresholds and conditions for preferential procurement. They include provisions dealing with set-asides, pre-qualification and mandatory subcontracting.

The draft has now attracted criticism from business organisations and commentators who argue that some of its requirements go beyond preferential treatment and could amount to direct exclusion based on ownership and race.

Among those raising the issue is National Employers’ Association of South Africa CEO Gerhard Papenfus, whose concerns were reported by Newsday. YouTube commentator Renaldo has subsequently highlighted the issue, asking whether the proposed regulations amount to discrimination against white-owned businesses.

The question is not simply whether South Africa should pursue economic redress. It is whether the method being proposed creates a new form of exclusion — and whether that exclusion can be justified within South Africa’s constitutional procurement framework.

What Do The Draft Regulations Propose?

The proposed regulations introduce different procurement requirements depending on the value and nature of a government contract.

For contracts below R20 million, the regulations provide for set-asides involving specified categories of suppliers. These include black people, black women, women, people with disabilities, military veterans and certain qualifying enterprises and geographic categories.

Under the proposed framework, businesses seeking to qualify for particular set-asides may have to meet a 100% ownership requirement relating to the category concerned.

This is the provision that has generated much of the controversy.

Papenfus argues that the requirement would effectively exclude businesses with any white male ownership from certain procurement opportunities. He has pointed to the example of a company that is 90% black-owned but would nevertheless fail to qualify for a category requiring 100% ownership. He has also questioned what happens to companies that have complied with BEE requirements for many years but do not meet the new ownership threshold.

The draft regulations do not, however, mean that every government contract below R20 million is automatically unavailable to every business that does not meet a particular racial ownership category. The set-aside provisions contain conditions concerning the availability of qualifying suppliers and the applicable procurement category.

That distinction is important, but it does not remove the central question surrounding the ownership requirement.

Why Is The 100% Ownership Requirement Significant?

South Africa has used preferential procurement and BEE policies for years as mechanisms intended to address the economic consequences of apartheid and historical exclusion.

The proposed regulations take that principle into a more specific procurement environment.

For certain set-aside categories, ownership is not simply a factor that can improve a company’s position against competing bidders. It can become a condition for eligibility.

That creates a fundamental question for business owners:

If two companies are capable of supplying the same product or service, can one be prevented from competing for a particular state contract because of the racial composition of its ownership?

Renaldo’s argument is that this is precisely what the regulations risk doing.

In his YouTube commentary on the Newsday report, he questioned how such a policy could be regarded differently from other forms of race-based discrimination simply because it is being introduced as part of a redress or transformation programme.

He also raised the position of younger business owners who were born after apartheid and had no involvement in the policies of the past.

The argument is straightforward: if an individual starts a business decades after apartheid and is subsequently excluded from a government procurement opportunity because he or she does not belong to the prescribed racial ownership category, what principle determines whether that is legitimate redress or discrimination?

The Government’s Transformation Objective

The government’s position needs to be considered alongside those concerns.

Preferential procurement is not a new concept in South Africa. The country’s constitutional framework specifically provides for procurement policies that may advance people disadvantaged by unfair discrimination.

The Public Procurement Act, signed into law in July 2024, provides the legislative framework for the new procurement system. The draft regulations are intended to bring that framework into operation.

National Treasury has said the regulations are designed to establish the mechanisms and thresholds necessary for preferential procurement while also supporting categories of suppliers that have historically been disadvantaged.

The policy objective is therefore not hidden.

The question is whether the specific mechanism chosen to achieve that objective is proportionate, effective and capable of meeting the constitutional requirements governing public procurement.

When Does Preference Become Exclusion?

This may be the central issue emerging from the debate.

There is a significant difference between giving a qualifying business an advantage during a procurement process and preventing another business from entering that particular procurement process altogether.

South Africa’s procurement system is required to operate according to principles including fairness, transparency, competitiveness and cost-effectiveness, while the Constitution also permits measures designed to advance people disadvantaged by unfair discrimination.

That creates a balancing exercise.

How far can government go in using race and ownership as procurement criteria before preferential procurement becomes exclusionary?

And how should that balance be applied where the excluded business may have a lower price, greater technical expertise or a stronger record of delivering the required service?

Those questions are likely to become increasingly important as the new procurement framework progresses.

The Economic Question

There is also an economic dimension that extends beyond the race debate.

Papenfus has warned that restricting the supplier pool could increase costs and ultimately affect taxpayers and service delivery. He argues that fewer eligible suppliers could mean less competition, potentially resulting in higher prices.

That concern is not limited to Papenfus.

Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso has separately questioned the economic impact of the proposed regulations, arguing that National Treasury has not produced an economic impact assessment demonstrating what the new system will cost or how effective it will be.

Mavuso has raised particular concerns about specialised sectors, where the pool of companies capable of delivering technically complex projects may already be limited.

Her argument is that transformation remains an important objective, but that procurement policy must also consider whether sufficient qualifying suppliers exist to maintain competition and deliver projects efficiently.

That introduces another question:

What happens when the policy objective and the practical realities of a particular market collide?

Is This About Race Or Redress?

This is where the political debate becomes particularly difficult.

Critics describe the proposed provisions as racial discrimination because eligibility can depend on the racial composition of a company’s ownership.

Supporters of preferential procurement are likely to argue that the provisions form part of a broader programme of economic redress intended to address structural inequalities that remain decades after apartheid.

Both positions can be stated without ignoring the underlying evidence.

South Africa’s history is relevant to the policy.

But so is the present-day position of business owners who had no involvement in apartheid and are nevertheless required to operate within a procurement system that continues to use racial classifications.

The difficult question is whether historical disadvantage can justify contemporary exclusion indefinitely, and if so, what criteria should determine when such measures are no longer necessary.

What Happens To Businesses That Do Not Qualify?

For a small business owner, the debate is not theoretical.

A company may have invested years in building its capabilities, employing staff, paying taxes and supplying private-sector clients. It may have previously participated in government procurement under the existing BEE framework.

Under the proposed system, however, some procurement opportunities could depend on whether the business satisfies a particular ownership category.

That raises questions about the long-term consequences for companies that fall outside those categories.

Could they simply redirect their businesses toward private-sector markets?

Would they be encouraged to restructure ownership?

Could the system encourage genuine partnerships between established businesses and qualifying enterprises?

Or could it create incentives for ownership arrangements designed primarily to satisfy procurement requirements?

The answers will matter not only to companies affected by the rules but also to the state institutions responsible for implementing them.

A Wider Debate About South Africa’s Procurement Future

The draft regulations form part of a much broader transformation of South Africa’s public procurement system.

They are not yet simply another set of rules already operating across government. They were published for public comment as part of the process of bringing the Public Procurement Act into effect.

That consultation process provides an opportunity for government, business organisations and members of the public to challenge, support or propose changes to the regulations.

The controversy surrounding the 100% ownership requirements may therefore be only the beginning of a much larger debate.

There are legitimate questions about historical economic exclusion.

There are also legitimate questions about whether modern procurement rules should exclude individuals from opportunities because of their racial classification or ownership structure.

There are questions about competition.

There are questions about cost.

There are questions about transformation.

And there are questions about whether the state can achieve all of these objectives simultaneously without compromising one in pursuit of another.

The Questions South Africa Now Has To Answer

The debate sparked by the draft regulations ultimately goes beyond whether someone agrees with Renaldo, Papenfus, National Treasury or the broader transformation agenda.

The evidence shows that the proposed framework contains ownership requirements linked to specific preferential procurement categories.

The argument over what those provisions mean is now moving into the public domain.

The important questions are therefore perhaps more complicated than simply asking whether the regulations are “racist” or “transformative.”

Does a 100% ownership requirement constitute legitimate economic redress, or does it cross the line into exclusion based on race?

Should a business that is 90% black-owned really be excluded from a category requiring 100% ownership?

Should a business with decades of BEE compliance nevertheless be excluded from a particular tender because its ownership does not meet the prescribed category?

How should government balance transformation against competition, price, and service delivery?

And perhaps most importantly, how long can race-based economic measures remain necessary before South Africa begins asking whether they are creating new forms of exclusion rather than dismantling old ones?

Those are questions that National Treasury, political parties, business organisations and the public will ultimately have to confront as South Africa’s new procurement framework takes shape.

The post Draft Procurement Rules Raise Questions Over Race-Based State Contracts appeared first on Alt News Network.

Johannesburg, 17 August 2026: With its energetic atmosphere, stylish character and varied selection of shopping, dining and leisure experiences, Rosebank continues to attract visitors from across Johannesburg. The Zone @ Rosebank sits at the heart of this appeal, and a new store that opened there a little over two years ago has played an important role in helping one promising floral business enter its next phase of growth.

Grant Donson grew up surrounded by flowers, learning the business of floristry and developing his craft from the age of 14 in his hometown of Plettenberg Bay. After a few years spent learning from floral masters in Cape Town, he moved to Johannesburg, where he was employed by another florist and informally started running a part-time business in his spare time. Having started selling flower arrangements to time-starved executives at a pop-up shop outside a local gym, Donson was fueled by passion, and his can-do approach soon won the support of passers-by. In 2017, he took the giant leap of faith into full entrepreneurship and formally registered his business.

Shortly thereafter, he completed the WITS Business School Management Essentials course, and this is when the game changed. Donson sharpened his skill set, refining his business development strategy, business analysis, financial management, marketing and social media strategy, and more, and was able to take his business to the next level.

A little over two years ago, after being spotted by the centre management team, Donson seized the opportunity to open a fully-fledged florist in The Zone @ Rosebank. This move enabled the growing business to benefit from the area’s upmarket clientele and to enter its next growth stage. With a focus on staying at the forefront of floral trends, Donson set about establishing a spectacle of modern chic, exuding elegance and sophistication, in the popular centre.

Stepping through the entrance, visitors to Flowers by Grant Donson are enveloped in a sanctuary of floral splendor. The interior is adorned with sleek, contemporary décor. Soft, ambient lighting casts a warm glow on the array of vibrant blooms displayed throughout the space. Every corner of the floral boutique is meticulously curated, with each arrangement crafted to perfection. From luxurious bouquets of premium roses to exotic orchid arrangements, seasonal blooms, and couture creations, the selection exudes variety and artistry. The flower arrangements are breathtaking, and shoppers often stop in their tracks to marvel at the arrangements.

Flowers by Grant Donson’s client list has expanded tenfold and now includes big-corporate companies, regular event-planning partnerships, and impressive repeat business from influential individual clients. The florist has become a must-visit stop for regulars in the area, who love seeing the constantly evolving freshness and creativity and can’t resist the distinct offerings.

When asked about his journey, Grant Donson shares, “I have never looked back because I am doing what I love and on my own terms. It is food for my soul and my flamboyant floral creations! Constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity within the realm of my client needs, I would like to thank Old Mutual Property, which made the next step in my business journey of growth possible,” he added.

For more information about Flowers by Grant Donson, go to bygrantdonson.co.za or to follow the business on Instagram: @flowers_bygrantdonson

For more information regarding The Zone @ Rosebank, its tenants, and trading hours, visit the centre’s website at thezoneatrosebank.co.za

The post From Teenage Florist To Rosebank Business Entrepreneur appeared first on Alt News Network.

Corporate events are undergoing a major shift as businesses move away from rigid, programme-driven gatherings in favour of experiences designed to create genuine human connection. In the wake of COVID-19, attendees are increasingly seeking events that feel more personal, immersive and emotionally engaging rather than purely informational.

The Role of Modern Technology in Live Events

Technology has become a key part of this evolution, with hybrid formats, AI-driven insights and immersive production helping to enhance audience interaction rather than replace it. Behind these experiences are event professionals who balance creativity with problem-solving to ensure every detail works seamlessly.

“For me, the most rewarding part is seeing strangers walk into a room and leave as friends. That’s when you know an event has done more than just deliver content, it has touched people,” says Pierre Mornet, Marketing and Events Director at Event Wizards.

Shifting Expectations and Sustainable Gatherings

After the stillness of COVID-19, expectations have shifted. Attendees crave warmth, authenticity and environments that feel alive. They want conversations that flow naturally, experiences that feel personal and stories that touch the heart.

Even sustainability has become part of the narrative. Greener practices, mindful choices and respect for the planet show that unforgettable moments can also leave behind a legacy of care. Behind the scenes, there is a quiet choreography, teams extinguishing fires before anyone notices, ensuring that what guests see is effortless, even when reality is anything but.

The Future of the Experiential Events Industry

The future of events is smaller, more intentional and deeply meaningful. Digital platforms will continue to evolve, but the irreplaceable energy of being together, the laughter, the shared silences, the collective heartbeat, remains at the core.

“At the core, people are emotionally driven creatures and will always need an environment that feeds and taps into that emotional need,” adds Mornet. “The digital world cannot provide this to a point where it feels truly real.”

Event Wizards continues to evolve alongside the changing needs of the events industry, with a focus on creating meaningful experiences that connect people.

About Event Wizards

Founded in 2004, Event Wizards has grown from a small team with big dreams into one of South Africa’s trusted event partners. With a blend of creativity, resilience and heart, they have reimagined what events can be, transforming them from formal gatherings into meaningful experiences that connect people.

Their work spans everything from décor and catering to technical execution, but at the core lies a simple promise: to craft moments that move us and memories that last.

The post Human Connection Is Reshaping the Future of Corporate Events appeared first on Alt News Network.

Johannesburg, 1 July 2026: Sandton City has introduced a new pick-up and drop-off facility on Sandton Drive, designed to make every visit safer and more efficient and to improve the experience for the growing number of shoppers using e-hailing services, such as Uber and Bolt, to access the centre.

The newly launched ‘My Sandton City Stop‘ on Sandton Drive addresses growing demand to streamline pick-ups and drop-offs while easing congestion around the centre’s busiest entrances. Operating alongside the existing 5th Street facility, this new addition significantly expands the transport and mobility options available to visitors.

Conveniently located on Level 3 below Clicks with direct access from Sandton Drive, the purpose-built space has introduced dedicated bays for e-hailing vehicles, helping to improve overall traffic flow during busy shopping periods.

Designed Around How Shoppers Move

The My Sandton City Stop on Sandton Drive facility provides a considered waiting experience for shoppers, including seating, charging stations and Wi-Fi connectivity in a structured and monitored environment, separate from the general parking areas.

To simplify collections, a digital wayfinding support screen displaying vehicle number plates and bay allocations has been introduced, allowing shoppers to easily find their vehicles.

Designed to accommodate high volumes during peak shopping periods and major events, the new facility forms part of Sandton City’s broader focus on improving accessibility and responding to the practical ways shoppers increasingly move through urban environments.

With an unmatched mix of retail with over 300 stores, entertainment and world-class lifestyle attractions, Sandton City continues to set the pace as Africa’s most iconic shopping centre. For regular updates, go to sandtoncity.com or follow Sandton City on social media @sandtoncitymall.

The post Sandton City Opens New Pick-Up and Drop-Off Zone on Sandton Drive appeared first on Alt News Network.

From Paper Promises to Poured Foundations: How Two Higher Education Projects Tell South Africa’s Ultimate Story

A tale of two universities is unfolding in South Africa, perfectly capturing the stark contrast between nimble private initiatives and sluggish state-driven projects. While one is rapidly taking shape in Pretoria, the other remains little more than an unfulfilled promise in Ekurhuleni.

Here is a closer look at how these two major higher education developments stack up against each other.

The Public Promise: Ekurhuleni’s Ghost Campus

Back during his February 2020 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa laid out an ambitious vision: building a brand-new University of Science and Innovation in Ekurhuleni. On paper, it was a brilliant move. Ekurhuleni stands as the country’s only major metropolitan area without its own university, and South Africa desperately needs to plug its massive tech and scientific skills gap.

The goal was to equip the next generation with cutting-edge tech skills for the industries of tomorrow. Yet, six years later, the reality on the ground tells a completely different story.

• The Timeline: A feasibility study was wrapped up in 2021. By late 2024, local government officials were still meeting to discuss “phase two” planning, aiming for a 2025 kickoff on the old Cinderella Prison grounds.

• The Current Reality: A recent look at the site reveals zero signs of life. No bulldozers, no construction crews, and no cleared land—just wild bushes and a crumbling, dilapidated building.

The Private Reality: Akademia’s Rapid Rise

Meanwhile, just up the road in Pretoria, a massive private university project is proving how quickly things can move when bureaucratic red tape is stripped away. First announced in August 2024, the new Akademia Campus is already transforming the landscape along Boschkop Road.

Funded entirely through a partnership between the Solidarity movement and property developer Kanton—without a single cent of government aid—this R3 billion mega-project is designed to be a world-class academic hub for 6,500 students.

The sprawling campus plans are incredibly thorough, featuring:

• Academic & Research Hubs: Modern lecture halls, laboratories, dedicated research spaces, and a full experimental farm for agricultural students.

• Student Life: Eight on-campus residences housing 1,500 students, a student center, a massive library, sports facilities, a chapel, and an auditorium.

• Leisure & Community: Cafeterias, local restaurants, and coffee shops designed to foster a vibrant community feel.

Moving at Breaking Speed

Unlike its public counterpart, Akademia went from an announcement to breaking ground in exactly one year. Crews hit the site, and the progress is already impossible to miss. Foundations are actively being poured, walls are going up, and the structural skeleton of the university is rapidly emerging from the dust. Project leaders note that the build is tracking perfectly for its Phase 1 opening on January 1, 2028.

The Takeaway: While the state continues to shuffle paperwork and hold steering committee meetings for a critical tech hub, the private sector is actively pouring concrete. It serves as a textbook example of the efficiency gap plaguing South African infrastructure development today.

The post Private vs Public Universities South Africa: The Infrastructure Execution Gap Exposed appeared first on Alt News Network.

Within a span of 24 hours, two separate improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated inside Woolworths stores. The first tore through a food aisle at the flagship Menlyn Park branch in Pretoria at 01:00 on Thursday, shredding metal display racks and showering the floor with debris. The second struck the Preller Square branch in Bloemfontein at roughly the same time on Friday morning.

While five night-shift packers inside the Menlyn branch miraculously escaped physical injury, the emotional trauma to the staff has been severe. The Hawks have assumed control of the investigation under the Explosives Act, deploying specialised forensic teams nationwide.

A Convergence of Crises: The “Warning Shot” Theory

The timing of these blasts has turned the retail landscape into a pressure cooker. Today, Saturday, May 30, the All Truck Drivers Forum (ATDF) is executing a highly volatile national shutdown and rolling protest march, heavily concentrated across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng, targeting the employment of foreign nationals in the freight sector.

In intelligence circles, timing is rarely a coincidence. The detonations occurred precisely 48 hours before the major logistics shutdown. Security analysts suggest these low-casualty, high-disruption blasts may have been designed as an economic “warning shot”—a terrifying mechanism to induce public panic, stretch police resources thin across multiple provinces, and force corporate South Africa onto the defensive.

Yet, as the smoke clears, a far more intimate and bitter public narrative is drowning out the geopolitical noise. For millions of South Africans, the attacks are being viewed through the lens of a long, painful history of corporate dominance, leading many to ask a deeply uncomfortable question: Have the people finally had enough?

The Ghost in the Machine: A History of Mimicry and Corporate Might

The panic over the bombings has collided directly with the highly publicised, recent financial collapse of two of Woolworths’ oldest, multi-generational local suppliers: Beyers Chocolates and Grey’s Marine.

The termination of their decades-long exclusivity contracts left both legacy South African family businesses in ruins, obliterating nearly 1,000 local jobs. While Woolworths defends its decisions as strict protection of its intellectual property, the catastrophic fallout has reopened deep, historical wounds regarding how the retail giant treats smaller local entities.

For many South Africans, this is a familiar cycle. The public memory runs deep, and Woolworths’ corporate history is peppered with multi-million-rand legal and public relations battles over allegations of “bullying” and copying the intellectual property of small entrepreneurs.

1. The Frankies Soft Drinks Scandal (2011/2012)

The most infamous chapter of this history belongs to Mike Schmidt, the founder of Frankies Old Fashioned Soft Drinks in KZN. After pitching his unique, nostalgia-driven beverage line to Woolworths, the corporate giant declined the contract. Shortly after, Woolworths launched its own “vintage” soda line that mirrored Frankies’ distinct bottle shapes, flavors (such as Cinnamon Cola and Fiery Ginger Beer), and even replicated their exact marketing slogan: “Good Old Fashioned Soft Drinks.”

The resulting David-vs-Goliath battle ended in a humiliating defeat for the corporate giant. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled against Woolworths for blatant imitation, forcing their then-CEO to issue a public apology and pull the entire line from the shelves following massive consumer boycotts.

2. The Ubuntu Baba Baby Carrier Battle (2019)

The pattern repeated years later when Shannon McLaughlin, founder of the small local brand Ubuntu Baba, discovered that Woolworths was selling baby carriers that were nearly identical to her organic, homegrown designs. Not only had the retail giant copied the ergonomic structure and colourways, but they had also used the actual word “Ubuntu” in their product description and targeted McLaughlin’s specific search terms online.

Following a massive outcry from the South African public, who rallied behind the independent mother-owned business, Woolworths was forced to publicly concede, withdraw the carriers from their shelves, and audit their design processes.

3. Artisanal Dairy and Packaging Disputes

Beyond these landmark cases, boutique artisanal brands—ranging from specialised packaging design formats to distinct yoghurt formulations—have frequently accused the retailer of leveraging its massive capital to squeeze out original creators, allegedly utilising local product pitches to develop cheaper, in-house private-label alternatives. (Scribd) (More details here: COD)

Humanising the Fallout: Have People Had Enough?

The true tragedy of the current crisis does not lie in the boardroom or on the JSE stock ticker; it lies on the factory floors and in the households of ordinary citizens. The sudden structural collapse of Beyers and Grey’s Marine means nearly a thousand South African families are facing immediate financial ruin in an already suffocating economic climate.

On social media platforms like X and via neighbourhood WhatsApp networks, the public sentiment is shifting from fear of the explosions to a profound, visceral anger. The intersection of a terrifying security threat with stories of corporate ruthlessness has struck a nerve. Consumers are openly questioning whether the premium prices paid at the till justify a corporate ecosystem that consistently leaves smaller, homegrown suppliers vulnerable to total collapse.

As incoming Group CEO Sam Ngumeni floods stores with private forensic experts and heightened security guards to protect the aisles, the brand faces an entirely different kind of threat—an existential crisis of faith from the very public that built it. Whether the IEDs were a calculated play by striking labour movements, a radicalised response to massive job retrenchments, or acts of pure economic sabotage, one truth is undeniable: the untouchable aura of South Africa’s retail giant has been fundamentally disrupted.

This SABC News broadcast on the Woolworths Preller Square scene provides live video coverage and footage from the ground in Bloemfontein as the Hawks and SAPS explosives units processed the second blast site.

The post SPECIAL REPORT: Shadows Over the Aisle—Woolworths Blasts Spark Deeper Reckoning on Corporate Dominance appeared first on Alt News Network.

Pietermaritzburg, 27 May 2026: Liberty Midlands Mall is giving shoppers even more reason to enjoy their time at the centre with the launch of “Passport to Paradise,” a new promotion that will see lucky shoppers heading off on a dream getaway simply by shopping at the mall.

Now running until 31 May, the first phase of the campaign offers shoppers the chance to win a holiday for two to the Drakensberg, with additional holiday experiences still to come later this year.

A Shopping Trip With a Travel Twist

To take part, shoppers must collect a Passport to Paradise entry card from the information desk and earn stamps as they shop. One stamp is awarded for every R350 spent at participating stores. Once 10 stamps have been collected, completed entry cards can be placed into the competition entry box in the mall for a chance to win.

The campaign has been designed to reward loyal shoppers while adding an element of excitement and discovery to the shopping experience. Passport to Paradise will return again in August with a Midlands Meander getaway up for grabs, followed by a Durban holiday in November. Shoppers who participate across the campaign phases will also stand a chance to win a grand prize international holiday for two later in the year.

Lawrence Joubert, General Manager of Liberty Midlands Mall, says the campaign is about rewarding shoppers in a way that feels aspirational and fun. “Passport to Paradise brings together shopping, travel and reward in a way that is easy to take part in and genuinely exciting. Whether shoppers are visiting for fashion, groceries, dining or entertainment, every visit becomes another opportunity to work towards something special.”

For more information on Liberty Midlands Mall and its events, go to midlandsmall.co.za or follow Liberty Midlands Mall on social media @libertymidlandsmall.

The post Liberty Midlands Mall Launches Passport To Paradise Campaign appeared first on Alt News Network.

Johannesburg, 26 May 2026: In the heart of Johannesburg’s northern suburbs, Melrose Arch continues to show strong commercial momentum, with renewed tenant confidence, strategic retail evolution and consistent hospitality demand reinforcing its position as one of the city’s most sought-after mixed-use precincts.

Perfectly located between Sandton and Rosebank with direct access to the M1 highway, Melrose Arch has long combined business, leisure and residential living within a carefully managed urban environment. Today, that integrated model is delivering measurable commercial success.

The precinct’s vacancy rate currently sits at 2.9 %, well below the broader Johannesburg market and the lowest level recorded since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The figure reflects sustained demand from businesses seeking a reliable and connected environment in which to thrive.

With uninterrupted power, dependable water systems and sustainability-driven infrastructure operating behind the scenes, Melrose Arch continues to provide operational certainty in a metropolitan city where utility disruptions are frequent. This stability and focus on sustainability are a powerful drawcard for both commercial tenants and investors.

Flexible Workspaces Respond to Modern Business Needs

The introduction of Arch Collab, Melrose Arch’s “hotel suite” office offering, has quickly gained traction among businesses seeking adaptable workspace solutions. This upmarket concept responds directly to evolving workplace patterns, allowing companies to operate within fully serviced office suites without the administrative burden traditionally associated with office management.

The precinct’s commercial buildings remain some of the most sought-after business addresses in Johannesburg. Properties such as 37 High Street and 39 Melrose Boulevard provide modern office environments supported by high-speed fibre connectivity, advanced building management systems and secure access control.

Across the precinct, renewed commercial leases, increased daily traffic and steady growth in annual turnovers point to strengthening tenant confidence across multiple sectors.

Retail Strategy and Hospitality Demand Drive Precinct Activity

Retail evolution also continues to shape the precinct’s commercial strength. Through the strategic repositioning of tenants and the introduction of new brands aligned to beauty, health, wellness and lifestyle, Melrose Arch has refined a retail mix that resonates with modern urban consumers while strengthening trading performance.

Recent upgrades to the Piazza and Square digital screens have further enhanced the precinct’s public spaces, with two new large-format LED installations. These 3D screens not only drive out-of-home advertising revenue but have also increased market appetite for lifestyle activations and large-scale sports screenings. With the upcoming FIFA Soccer World Cup on the horizon, Melrose Arch is already emerging as a popular destination for major fan match viewings in Johannesburg.

Retail strategy at Melrose Arch continues to evolve in response to changing shopper behaviour, with a deliberate move away from large-format spaces designed for single tenants towards a more curated mix of smaller, boutique stores. This shift is reflected in the current redevelopment of the Retail Galleria, which is being reimagined to accommodate a broader range of niche and specialised offerings. With direct access from Melrose Boulevard, the updated space will introduce a more accessible, street-facing retail experience that aligns with the precinct’s focus on convenience, variety and contemporary urban living. This approach also provides new opportunities for brands to engage with Melrose Arch.

The strong performance of the precinct’s hospitality cluster also plays an important role in sustaining footfall and commercial activity. With four hotels housing over 700 rooms, including the Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Melrose Arch and the Marriott Executive Apartments, the precinct continues to attract both international business travelers and leisure guests. Consistently high occupancy levels contribute to retail spend and reinforce the energy that defines daily life within the precinct.

“Melrose Arch has always been built on the principle that strong infrastructure and thoughtful urban planning create the right conditions for businesses and communities to flourish,” says Natalie Stewart, Managing Director of Melrose Arch. “What we are seeing now is the result of that long-term vision, combined with operational excellency, delivered with consistency and care. The precinct continues to evolve in response to changing business needs while maintaining the reliability and quality that tenants value.”

As Johannesburg’s commercial landscape continues to shift, Melrose Arch remains a place where businesses can operate with confidence in an environment designed for stability, connectivity and sustained growth.

For further details on Melrose Arch, visit melrosearch.co.za.

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