As we approach year-end, the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) is raising awareness to empower people this International Fraud Awareness Week (16–22 November). SAFPS CEO, Manie van Schalkwyk, warns that technology has become a significant battleground in the fight against fraud, and scammers are employing various tactics to turn consumers into victims. Just Say Goodbye The SAFPS has launched the ‘Just Say Goodbye’ awareness campaign aimed at helping South Africans recognise and respond to increasingly sophisticated phone-based scams. These scams, known as vishing, involve fraudsters phoning victims impersonating representatives from banks, financial institutions, cellular companies, insurers, law enforcement or government agencies to manipulate victims into revealing sensitive information or transferring funds. Van Schalkwyk warns that these scams are highly deceptive, often targeting both individuals and corporate employees with access to financial systems. Scammers are master impersonators "Scammers use psychological tactics and impersonation, often creating a sense of urgency and fear, convincing victims that their accounts or devices have been compromised, that they are in trouble, or that there is an exciting opportunity for them. Victims are then pressured to provide one-time pins, banking credentials, grant access to their device, or even instructed to transfer money. Common scenarios include receiving a call from your “bank’s fraud department” saying there is a problem with your account, or receiving a call from your “cellular company’s fraud department” claiming that a SIM swap has been requested on your number and they want to assist you to ‘stop it’. Other scenarios include: Phone call from “law-enforcement” about being linked to criminal activity In April this year, the SAFPS drew attention to an ongoing scam involving the impersonation of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), where scammers used social …
18 Wins Celebrate Creativity, Excellence, and the Power of Education for Impact®
Honoris South Africa Students Shine at the 2025 Loeries Awards 18 Wins Celebrate Creativity, Excellence, and the Power of Education for Impact® 16 October 2025, Cape Town, South Africa – Honoris United Universities proudly celebrates the outstanding achievements of its creative institutions, The Animation School (TAS) and Red & Yellow Creative School of Business (R&Y), whose talented students collectively brought home 18 awards at the prestigious Loerie Awards 2025. Demonstrating world-class creativity and technical mastery, students from The Animation School earned five out of seven Loeries, including Gold and Silver awards, in the Online Film, Short Film & Music Videos category. Ranked as the 11th best animation school in the world by The Animation Career Review, these wins reaffirm TAS’s reputation as Africa’s leading animation education provider and a launchpad for creative careers. Nuno Martins, Co-Founder, Principal & Chief Executive Officer, The Animation School, commented, “Once again, The Animation School students and staff have achieved top honours at the prestigious Loerie Awards 2025. This recognition is a powerful reflection of their creativity, dedication, and world-class storytelling. Each award reaffirms our commitment to nurturing African talent that can stand proudly on the global stage.” Meanwhile, students from Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, ranked the best creative business school in Africa & the Middle East by The One Club for Creativity, secured an impressive 13 Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards across multiple categories, showcasing the depth of talent nurtured at one of South Africa’s most innovative creative institutions. This recognition stands as a testament to Red & Yellow’s continued impact in shaping the future leaders of the marketing, design, digital and communications industries. Verusha Maharaj, Managing Director, Red & Yellow, added, “Creative excellence isn’t luck, it’s …
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Just Say Goodbye to Fraud
Johannesburg, October, 7, 2025: You are going about your day when you receive an unexpected call from your “bank” claiming there is fraud on your account. The caller tries to pressure you into taking action, but something does not feel right. So, what do you do? Just say goodbye. The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) has launched an awareness campaign to help consumers recognise these scams and take appropriate action to protect themselves. Modus operandi The scam involves phone calls from fraudsters (vishing), who cleverly manipulate the public into revealing sensitive banking information or to convince consumers to use a link that will ultimately transfer their hard-earned money into a fraudster’s bank account. It relies on psychological strategies and impersonation, with them often posing as representatives from legitimate organisations like banks, mobile service providers, insurers or retailers, government agents, or IT support companies. In South Africa, this scam tactic has become a preferred method for syndicates targeting both individuals and corporate employees, especially those with access to financial systems or customer data," says Manie van Schalkwyk, CEO of the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS). He adds that the consequences range from drained bank accounts to compromised internal networks. Understanding how this scam works is the first step in building resilience, as awareness is the frontline defence in fraud prevention. Popular scenarios While one may think, 'This will never happen to me; I won't fall for these scams,' Van Schalkwyk warns against complacency. “The method of deception used to scam targets involves a sophisticated blend of impersonation, social engineering and technology.” These are some of the tactics used by scammers when phoning potential victims: Claiming they are from the fraud department at your bank and that they have detected fraud on your account or that they are …
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Teaching the Teachers: Upskilling Teachers for a Digital-First Future
Johannesburg, September 30, 2025: As the world celebrates World Teachers' Day on October 5th, it's time to shift the spotlight from appreciation to action. In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, teachers face unprecedented challenges and opportunities in preparing students for a future shaped by technology. To meet this moment, we must invest in the people at the heart of education, the teachers. Empowering teachers with cutting-edge digital literacy, ongoing professional development, and strategic support is no longer optional, it's essential. This means rethinking curriculum design, aligning policy with innovation, and building systems that nurture continuous growth. “On this global day when teachers are recognised, we reaffirm our commitment, to equip every teacher not just to adapt, but to lead in the digital-first classroom. Empowering teachers to thrive, ensures that students are able to soar,” says Dr Michael Naidoo, School Manager of the MANCOSA School of Education (SOE). He emphasises the importance of the education sector embracing technology and ensuring that teachers are equipped for a digitally dominant future. Digital Competencies Given the growing trend towards technology-based education and teaching models, must possess the digital skills necessary to educate learners effectively. Dr Naidoo points out that, in today's classrooms, digital competencies are no longer optional, they are foundational and critical to effective teaching and learning. "Teachers need to master, not just the technical use of digital platforms, but also digital pedagogy. This includes the ability to design, deliver, and assess learning effectively using technology. Competencies such as navigating Learning Management Systems (LMS), integrating multimedia resources, applying data analytics to track learner progress, and maintaining cybersecurity awareness are critical," says Dr Naidoo. He adds that teachers must be equipped to foster digital citizenship …
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A Pivotal Moment for South Africa’s Tech Future
Johannesburg, September 17, 2025: South Africa is emerging as a vibrant hub of innovation, with a dynamic tech ecosystem and a growing community of skilled professionals driving progress across industries. Yet, as the digital landscape expands, so too does the need to strengthen our cybersecurity infrastructure and retain the talent that powers it. As South Africa gears up for Cyber Security Awareness Month (celebrated globally in October), our position as an emerging digital economy is scruitinised. Recent data breaches have underscored the urgency of this challenge, but it also presents an opportunity: to invest more deeply in our local expertise, foster a culture of resilience, and position South Africa as a global leader in secure digital transformation. The question is not whether we have the talent, it's whether we're creating the conditions for it to thrive. Dr Aradhana Mansingh, School Manager at the MANCOSA School of Business Excellence, points out that this is very concerning when one considers South Africa's ambitions to become one of the biggest digital economies in Africa. "There needs to be a reformation in the South African tech industry, and it needs to take place very soon," says Dr Mansingh. Building a Resilient Tech Talent Pipeline South Africa's tech sector is brimming with potential, but unlocking its full potential requires strategic investment in talent development. With an estimated shortage of 20,000 to 70,000 skilled professionals in fields such as cybersecurity, AI, and software development, the demand for expertise far exceeds the supply. This gap presents a powerful opportunity: to reimagine how we educate, train, and retain our brightest minds. Long-term implications of the talent shortage Like the rest of the world, South Africa is eager to enhance its technological infrastructure to become a global competitor in a robust digital economy. However, it faces a uniquely African challenge: our top talent being …
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From Traditional to Entrepreneurial: SA Women Take Charge
Johannesburg, August 6, 2025: As South Africa celebrates Women's Month (observed throughout August), a significant spotlight needs to be placed on one of the country's most powerful yet often understated economic engines: female entrepreneurship. Long before boardrooms were digitised and balance sheets globalised, women in South Africa have played a pivotal role in shaping local economies, from informal trading and township enterprise to founding some of the country's most resilient SMEs. Today, their impact is not only measurable but also essential, as women hold some of the most significant and prominent positions in South Africa, ranging from boardroom leaders within the mining sector to policy leaders within South Africa's key industry watchdogs and Ombudsmen. MANCOSA points out that the national narrative honouring the strength, innovation, and legacy of women leaders in business is a key discussion to have as it recognises the vital contribution female entrepreneurs continue to make in job creation, community upliftment, and long-term economic sustainability. "As we reflect on our past and look toward an inclusive future, celebrating and supporting women-led enterprise is not simply a social imperative, it is a strategic one," says Dr Omolola Arise: Academic Programme Leader at the MANCOSA School of Accounting, Finance and Tax. Taking charge To enable economic growth, it is becoming clear that South Africans must create their own employment opportunities as the country tries to overcome the challenge presented by the Unemployment Crisis. South African women have embraced entrepreneurship at unprecedented rates, with 57% identifying as business owners in 2025, surpassing the regional average of 51% across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This represents substantial growth from a base of only 34% women-led SMEs reported several years prior. Younger generations are leading this shift, with 89% of Gen Z women showing …
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Vigilance Is Key This Tax Season Warns the SAFPS
Johannesburg, August, 6, 2025: While the tax filing season is a time of economic alignment and fiscal responsibility, it is also a prime opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting taxpayers. With SARS introducing pre-assessments to simplify submissions for taxpayers, fraudsters and scammers are capitalising on this convenience to craft sophisticated scams that mimic official communications. The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) warns that this heightened activity demands equal vigilance from the public. "Fraudsters are exceptionally active during this period, and taxpayers must stay alert to the latest tactics being used to steal personal data and funds," cautions SAFPS CEO Manie van Schalkwyk. Modus operandi Scammers impersonate SARS officials and persuade and manipulate victims into voluntarily surrendering sensitive data under false pretences or into paying them money," says Van Schalkwyk. “There are a few scam tactics that the public should be aware of to protect themselves.” Phishing emails and SMSs: Van Schalkwyk warns that criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and phishing emails and SMSs look very realistic. "Our brains are conditioned to gloss over subtle differences unless we're actively scanning for them. This is exactly what makes these tactics so dangerous," adds Van Schalkwyk. Scammers will send messages from a fake SARS email address containing a link to a fraudulent website, often changing a single character in the hyperlink, like replacing South Africa with South Afrìca, using a special character that looks similar to the original (in this example, the normal i has been replaced with an ì). They could ask you to verify your banking details or personal information, claim that there is a refund due to you, or even that they are auditing your refund and then redirect you to a malicious website potentially compromising your device and phishing your personal information. “The email may say …
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South Africa’s Economy Reignites Urgent Mental Health Focus
Johannesburg, July 9, 2025: Despite early optimism for South Africa's economic growth, mounting challenges, including political tensions within the Government of National Unity, evolving (and sometimes devolving) diplomatic relations with the US, and service delivery concerns in key metropolitan areas, have led economists to adjust their growth forecasts downward. This shift is placing considerable strain on vulnerable sectors, which now face the dual pressures of an uncertain economic climate and the accelerating transition toward a tech-driven future that could fundamentally reshape industries and employment patterns. "As South Africa grapples with deepening social and economic challenges, mental health must remain a priority," says Mehnaaz Olla, Manager of the MANCOSA School of Healthcare (SOH). Addressing these concerns through targeted support and awareness initiatives will be crucial in enabling individuals and businesses to navigate this evolving landscape with resilience. Navigating a challenging economic climate Since mid-2022, South Africa has faced a deeply disruptive economic climate, leaving many businesses financially distressed and forced into liquidation. While overall liquidations declined by 3.7% in the first quarter of the year compared to 2023, compulsory liquidations surged by 32% in January and February, an alarming indicator of sustained financial strain across key industries. "The mounting economic pressures have had a profound impact on mental health, with business owners, executives, and employees grappling with the stress of financial instability, job insecurity, and the emotional toll of navigating volatile market conditions. As South Africa faces continued economic uncertainty, it is imperative to prioritise mental health support, equipping individuals and businesses with the tools to manage stress, maintain resilience, and adapt to evolving challenges," says Olla. Executives Despite the harsh reality of the …
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South Africa’s Digital Revolution: Vision or Missed Opportunity?
Johannesburg, June 17, 2025: South Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its technological evolution, poised to redefine itself as Africa’s leading digital powerhouse. Over the past two years, political leaders and media narratives have painted a picture of rapid digital transformation, underscoring the government’s ambition to position South Africa at the forefront of innovation. President Cyril Ramaphosa reinforced this vision during the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) by announcing significant policy commitments aimed at accelerating economic growth through technology-driven initiatives. However, the MANCOSA School of Information and Digital Technology (SIDT) highlights that critical structural and regulatory challenges must be addressed to translate this ambition into tangible results. The vision: A digital South Africa Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) unveiled an ambitious strategy to modernize South Africa’s digital ecosystem, with sweeping investments in infrastructure, AI-driven governance, and tech-enabled economic reforms. The government’s plan includes: Revamping public services through advanced digital platforms, a new national digital ID system, and AI-powered citizen engagement tools; Enhancing crime prevention with AI-driven fraud detection, predictive policing, and a forensic tech lab for financial crime investigations; Stimulating the digital economy through AI startup funding, R12 billion allocated to digital skills training, and expanding South Africa’s role in business process outsourcing (BPO); Upgrading digital infrastructure with an investment of R940 billion, bridging connectivity gaps in underserved regions; and Implementing ethical AI governance with robust data protection laws and independent oversight to ensure transparency. While these measures set the stage for a digital leap, strategic execution, stakeholder collaboration, and policy cohesion are essential to overcoming systemic hurdles …
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A Culture of Ethics Is Needed to Address the AI Challenge
Johannesburg, May 21, 2025: South African tertiary education providers are taking heavy fire as students use generative artificial intelligence (AI) platforms to allegedly cheat their way through their degrees. By all accounts, those in positions of authority within these institutions are at a loss, as there is no clear strategy to address the situation definitively. The South African tertiary education sector has consistently produced some of the most sought-after candidates in the world. South Africans take pride in their hard work and tenacity, placing them among the world's top students. However, an article by the Daily Maverick recently uncovered that tertiary institutions face increased levels of cheating as students take advantage of the unchecked growth of technology. MANCOSA points out that, while technology is becoming a significant issue within key institutions, academic leaders need to know their enemy and encourage students to use technology responsibly. Little recourse Duncan Park, MANCOSA Registrar, sympathises with tertiary education providers, pointing out they are in a challenging position with extraordinarily little recourse. They will face an uphill battle if they continue approaching the generative AI challenge with the same strategy. "As an exercise, I used Turnitin, an online tool used by most tertiary education providers to detect the use of generative AI in a piece of work. Turnitin determined that there was a 70% probability that a paragraph I wrote myself was generated by an AI tool. I then ran a different paragraph that AI generated through Turnitin, and it said that the writing was original. The inherent flaws in online systems to accurately predict what has been generated by AI and what has not mean that academic leaders cannot give students a zero for assignments that they suspect have been produced with the assistance of generative AI tools," says Park. With technology expanding rather than abating, Park …