Johannesburg: Tax season is an important period for South Africans to meet their tax obligations, but it is also one of the busiest times of the year for fraudsters seeking to exploit unsuspecting taxpayers. As SARS continues to simplify filing through digital services and pre-assessments, cybercriminals are using increasingly convincing scams that closely resemble legitimate SARS communication. The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) is urging taxpayers to remain vigilant and verify every request before sharing personal information or making payments. "Tax season consistently attracts fraudsters looking to exploit taxpayers," says SAFPS CEO, Manie van Schalkwyk. "Scammers are constantly adapting their methods, making it essential for consumers to understand the latest tactics and remain alert throughout the filing process." Phishing emails and SMSs Remain Common Scam Tactics Fraudsters commonly impersonate SARS officials to manipulate taxpayers into disclosing sensitive information or making payments under false pretences. They rely on urgency, fear and the appearance of legitimacy to pressure victims into acting without verifying the request. One of the most common scams involves fraudulent emails or SMSs that appear to come from SARS. These messages often contain links directing taxpayers to fake websites designed to steal login credentials, banking details and other personal information. Van Schalkwyk says criminals have become increasingly sophisticated, often making only subtle changes to email addresses or website links that are difficult to detect at first glance. These messages may ask taxpayers to verify banking details, confirm personal information or update their eFiling profile. Clicking the embedded links can expose confidential information or compromise devices with malicious software. "Always inspect the sender's email address carefully," says Van Schalkwyk. "Official SARS correspondence comes from an …
South Africa’s Stem Crisis: Inequality Weakens Education
Johannesburg: South Africa’s declining performance in STEM education has become a pressing concern. Global benchmarks consistently rank the nation poorly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, highlighting systemic challenges that demand urgent attention. This shortfall threatens the country’s ability to compete in a knowledge-driven economy. Without strong foundations in STEM, learners are left underprepared for careers in innovation, technology, and research, fields that are critical to driving sustainable growth and global competitiveness. "Addressing these gaps is not only an educational imperative but also a national priority. Strengthening STEM education will empower future generations, foster resilience, and ensure South Africa can fully participate in the rapidly evolving digital and technological landscape," says Prof Aradhana Mansingh, Senior Manager: Research Directorate at MANCOSA. Framing the Challenge Current gaps in secondary education weaken South Africa’s STEM pipeline long before learners reach university. The challenge is not simply academic performance but unequal opportunity. Learners in under-resourced schools face overcrowded classrooms, shortages of qualified teachers, limited access to laboratories, limited digital access, and limited exposure to STEM careers. These inequalities, rooted in South Africa’s historical education landscape, continue to shape learner outcomes despite progress since democracy. “From a tertiary perspective, this creates a narrowing effect across the pipeline. Fewer learners achieve the subject combinations and performance levels required for admission into engineering, IT, health sciences, and other STEM programmes. Universities therefore draw from a smaller pool of STEM-ready applicants. At the same time, those admitted often require bridging programmes and additional support to overcome knowledge gaps, placing pressure on institutions and affecting retention,” say Prof Mansingh. The …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Municipal Elections Put South Africa’s Service Crisis in Focus
Johannesburg: Thirty-two years into democracy, South Africa continues to grapple with a significant service delivery crisis, with residents across the country facing persistent challenges related to water, sanitation, electricity, and infrastructure. As the country approaches key municipal elections in November, Johannesburg's ongoing water crisis, alongside similar challenges in other major metros, is emerging as a critical political battleground. Dr Uduak Johnson, Academic Programme Leader at the MANCOSA School of Public Administration believes that political parties should prioritize practical, achievable interventions and focus on the low-hanging fruits outlined below in the lead-up to the elections. Access Improved, Challenges Remain Stats SA’s 2025 General Household Survey shows that access to improved sanitation increased from 61.7% in 2002 to 84.0% in 2025, while household connection to mains electricity increased from 76.7% in 2002 to 90.6% in 2025. But, the central issue ahead of the 2026 municipal elections is no longer only whether services exist, but whether municipalities can provide services that are reliable, sustainable and responsive to communities. Elections should therefore become a moment of accountability where political parties, councillors and municipal administrations explain how they will improve everyday experiences of governance. “For instance, water access remains a serious concern. Access to tap water improved only marginally between 2002 and 2025, and declined in provinces such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Free State and Gauteng. Limpopo’s access to tap water declined by 10.6 percentage points over the period. Refuse removal also reflects deep spatial inequality. Stats SA reports that 84.9% of urban households received regular refuse removal services in 2025, compared with only 13.0% of rural households,” says Dr Johnson. The most pressured areas are water reliability, sanitation, waste management, electricity …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
How Tertiary Education Providers Can Build Stronger Future Brands
Johannesburg: As higher education enters an era defined by rapid technological change, shifting workforce demands, and evolving student expectations, tertiary education providers face growing pressure to rethink how they build and sustain their brands. Over the next 20 years, reputation will extend far beyond academic rankings, encompassing innovation, employability outcomes, digital experiences, industry partnerships, and social impact. Institutions will need to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive and global marketplace while maintaining trust and relevance among diverse stakeholder groups. "Understanding how tertiary education providers are positioning their brands for the future provides valuable insight into the strategies that will shape the sector in the future," says Duncan Park, MANCOSA Registrar. Tackling the AI Challenge One of the biggest shifts in education has been the growth towards technology enabled education, assisted learning models that are increasingly driven by technology and new methods of delivering education. Artificial intelligence has been at the centre of this debate since the COVID-19 Pandemic and has not showed any signs of deceleration. On the contrary, there has been significant interest in AI which tertiary education providers need to come to terms with. "Realistically, it is impossible to know or predict the full impact that AI will have on teaching. The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, said in 2019 that due to AI, Entire classes of jobs will go away and not come back and that AI would probably replace most of the jobs people do today. Now, in 2026, he has admitted that he was entirely wrong about this, and the current research, including research published by the Harvard Business Review highlights that AI has created more work rather than less, and has made workers busier, rather than freeing up their time. Given this, we can conclude that AI has changed the way we work, but not in the ways that even those …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Bullion PR & Communication Marks 30 Years of Excellence
Johannesburg: On 1 May 2026, Bullion PR & Communication marked its 30-year anniversary, reflecting three decades of sustained growth, client partnership and delivery across the communication sector. Founded in 1996 by Lola Lazaras, Bullion was established without an existing client base or formal business infrastructure. The business was launched with limited resources and a clear focus on delivering results-driven public relations services. Navigating a Challenging Environment The operating environment at the time was markedly different. Media engagement relied on faxed releases, printed documentation and manual record-keeping. Broadcast interviews required in-studio attendance, often at early or late hours, with no remote access capabilities. The agency’s first client, DairyBelle, was secured shortly after inception and became a long-term account, providing a foundation for future growth. Over the past 30 years, Bullion PR & Communication has expanded its service offering to include media relations, reputation management, crisis communication, listed-company communication, regulatory engagement, annual reporting and financial public relations. The agency has built a stable and experienced team, enabling consistent delivery across a range of complex and high-pressure assignments. Key Projects Key projects have included coordinating the inaugural Decorex Gala Dinner at Gallagher Estate for 1,000 guests, raising funds for CHOC. Bullion has also played a role in the development of financial PR in South Africa, working with listed companies, regulators and financial institutions. This includes managing communications during the transition from the Micro Finance Regulatory Council to the National Credit Regulator, including media liaison during the parliamentary process. The agency has supported clients in complex crisis communication environments, requiring rapid response, accuracy and strategic messaging. Client relationships have …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Break the Silence on Fraud
Johannesburg: We are entering a new era of fraud, one defined by highly sophisticated, well-organised criminal syndicates that exploit technology and human psychology with alarming precision. These groups operate across borders, using advanced digital tools and impersonation tactics to deceive victims and wear down communities' trust and financial security. South Africa faces daily battles against increasingly difficult-to-detect scams. "The statistics are sobering, but the greatest danger lies in silence. The only way to fight back is through unity: by talking openly about fraud, sharing experiences, and building collective awareness, society can take the fight directly to these criminals," says Manie van Schalkwyk, CEO of SAFPS. The Scams Behind the Numbers Fraud syndicates exploit technology and human trust through increasingly sophisticated scams. The scammers trick individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data that they will use for their benefit. They also trick them into transferring funds for services or “safekeeping”. They do this by identifying themselves as representatives working for organisations like your bank or cellular company, usually in the fraud department and with the intention to assist you urgently. “That is why we launched our Just Say Goodbye campaign last year, to encourage consumers to not engage in unexpected phone calls. Just say goodbye, end the call and then verify this with your bank or the organisation using the contact details that you have for them,” adds Van Schalkwyk. Fraud Thrives in Secrecy – Break the Silence Communities must break the silence by openly discussing fraud incidents and warning others. By sharing experiences, South Africans can collectively build awareness and empower one another to fight scams. Fraud affects everyone and when it happens to you or a loved one it can have severe consequences. That is why every conversation about fraud …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Digital Skills Will Drive South Africa’s Entrepreneurial Future
Johannesburg: South Africa’s deepening unemployment crisis continues to place immense pressure on communities, particularly young people entering an increasingly competitive job market. As traditional employment opportunities decline, entrepreneurship is emerging as a critical pathway to economic participation and long-term sustainability. However, success in today’s global digital economy demands more than business ambition alone. Digital skills such as coding, data analytics, and artificial intelligence literacy are becoming essential tools for innovation, competitiveness, and growth. By expanding access to digital education and entrepreneurial training, South Africa has an opportunity to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs, drive economic inclusion, and unlock sustainable development both locally and across the continent. “Through the development of key digital skills, entrepreneurs can make a significant impact on South Africa’s economic growth,” says Raeesa Kader, Academic Programme Leader at the MANCOSA School of Accounting, Finance and Tax. Essential Skills Entrepreneurs today operate in an environment driven by digital platforms, data, automation and artificial intelligence. Digital skills are no longer optional for these entrepreneurs; they are foundational to business survival and competitiveness in the modern economy. We can go so far as to say that digital skills have become the new currency of entrepreneurship because they directly determine whether a business can compete, scale and remain relevant in a technology-dominated economy. "Skills such as coding, data analytics, cybersecurity awareness, digital marketing and AI literacy enable entrepreneurs to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs through automation and make faster, evidence-based decisions. According to the OECD Going Digital Toolkit, the right mix of digital competencies accelerates technology diffusion, improves productivity and reduces the skills mismatches that …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Why Boards Must Govern Algorithms, Not Just People
Johannesburg: South Africa’s transition to King V marks more than the release of another corporate governance code, it signals a shift in how organisations must think about leadership, accountability and risk in a digital world. But there is one emerging governance risk that boards cannot afford to underestimate: artificial intelligence (AI). For years, corporate governance focused on people, executives, directors and employees, and the systems they controlled. Today, decisions are increasingly influenced by algorithms, automation tools and machine-learning systems. These technologies are powerful and efficient, yet they introduce risks that traditional governance structures were never designed to address directly. King V arrives at precisely the right time to confront this new reality. Strengthening Expectations At its core, King V strengthens expectations around ethical leadership, accountability and responsible oversight. It moves governance beyond compliance and towards value creation, stakeholder trust and long-term sustainability. Boards are expected to take responsibility not only for financial performance, but also for how organisations use technology, manage risk and safeguard stakeholder interests. This expectation is made explicit in Recommended Practice 109 of the King V Code, which calls on governing bodies to ensure the ethical and compliant acquisition, development and use of technology and information. This provision signals a clear shift: technology governance is no longer optional, it is a board-level responsibility. Artificial intelligence sits squarely within this responsibility. AI systems are already embedded in many business processes, from financial forecasting and customer engagement to fraud detection and operational decision-making. In accounting and finance, for example, AI tools are being used to analyse transactions, generate reports and identify anomalies. In many cases, these tools produce results faster and more …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Unpacking the Challenges Facing South Africa’s Healthcare Reform
Johannesburg: South Africa's healthcare system has undergone significant transformation since the end of apartheid, shifting from a deeply unequal structure to one increasingly focused on inclusivity and reform. While progress has been made in expanding access to public healthcare services, disparities between the private and public sectors remain a pressing concern. In response, the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) has emerged as one of the most debated policy initiatives in recent years. Advocates view it as a necessary step toward universal healthcare, while critics raise concerns about implementation, funding, and system readiness. At its core, the conversation reflects a broader national priority: ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all South Africans. As the country navigates this critical juncture, the balance among reform, sustainability, and improved service delivery will shape healthcare outcomes for generations to come. "Despite some of the speedbumps that South Africa has faced since 1994, and bearing in mind future challenges, significant headway has been made to improve access to quality healthcare for all South Africans," says Mehnaaz Olla, School Manager at the MANCOSA School of Healthcare. Another NHI Legal Challenge The NHI has hit a legal wall, with the Constitutional Court expected to rule on key challenges by May 2026. Owing to this, President Cyril Ramaphosa has agreed to delay the implementation of critical provisions pending that outcome. “The temporary halt in NHI implementation has underscored a critical reality: large-scale health reform cannot succeed without a system that is operationally sound at its core. Persistent challenges such as siloed data systems, inadequate coordination across levels of care, and fragmented governance continue to limit the system’s effectiveness and could reinforce disparities rather than reducing them.” However, the demand is here and now; patients are presenting at …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
South Africa’s Digital Economy Ambitions Face Key Test
Johannesburg: South Africa stands at a critical juncture: our economy must diversify beyond traditional sectors if we are to remain competitive in a rapidly digitising world. The global race toward digital transformation is accelerating, and we cannot afford to watch from the sidelines while others adapt faster than we do. Becoming a significant African digital economy is not simply an ambition; it is an imperative for resilience, growth, and relevance. Yet, we must confront uncomfortable truths: entrenched inequality, infrastructure gaps, and policy inertia continue to hinder progress. These challenges cannot be ignored, but neither can they define our future. By embracing innovation, investing in digital skills, and fostering inclusive access, South Africa can leapfrog constraints and become a continental leader. "The choice is stark: adapt boldly now, or risk being left behind in a world that will not wait," says Farad Chohan: School Manager MANCOSA School of Information and Digital Technology (SIDT) SAs Digital Competitiveness South Africa boasts one of Africa's most advanced digital infrastructures, with high?speed fibre in urban centres, expanding broadband, mobile connectivity reaching rural areas, and a growing base of data centres and cloud platforms. Yet this strength has not translated into global competitiveness. "The 2025 IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking placed South Africa 58th of 69 economies, unchanged from 2024. Declines were recorded in Knowledge (54th to 58th) and Technology (54th to 57th), while Future Readiness improved only marginally (50th to 49th). Weaknesses in talent, education outcomes, and scientific concentration persist, despite strong education expenditure (2nd globally) and female researcher representation (14th). Higher education achievement (62nd) and digital skills development (67th) remain poor," says Chohan. She adds that technology performance also faltered, with regulatory effectiveness at 62nd and …