TORSUS PRAETORIAN bus newly modified to maintain social distancing for passengers Available to be retrofitted to all PRAETORIAN buses worldwide Modular interior allows for cabin to be returned to pre-COVID-19 seating configurationwithout damage to… more...

AUTHOR UNKNOWN "The time has come,' the Walrus said, "to talk of many things: Of Covid 19, Lockdown, and the clipping of our wings" This is not mere speculation, nor is it conspiracy theory. Over the past two months I have gathered information from… more...

12% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 88% of employers who received payment, only 66% were paid in full. 20% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 80% of employers who received… more...

As the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic hits South Africa’s business sector, small and medium enterprises are in a fight for their survival. With a slowing economy, low consumer confidence and now a pandemic, SMEs are increasingly in search… more...

Corporates are currently dealing with how to report company performance whilst navigating a myriad of uncertainties due to the outbreak of COVID-19. This includes ensuring that not just the financial information but the environmental, social and… more...

14% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 86% of employers who received payment, only 66% were paid in full. 23% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 77% of employers who received… more...

The UK Government recently fast-tracked a permit to allow electric scooter rentals on public roads. The move forms part of a broader investigation into greener travel and overcrowding on public transport as the COVID-19 pandemic rages, according to… more...

82% non-compliance Burt Rodrigues CEO of Biodx and dermatologist, Dr Selwyn Schwartz, gives their insight into hand sanitisers “The latest research carried out by accredited laboratory SciCorp in KwaZulu-Natal has shown that out of 11 hand… more...

Businesses that survive the COVID-19 pandemic should - now more than ever - strive to be a digital-first business, equipped with technology that can bolster collaboration, information sharing and customer engagement. The pandemic has highlighted the… more...

11% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 89% of employers who received payment, only 66% were paid in full. 21% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 79% of employers who received… more...

Bakwena’s programmes have a meaningful impact on the many aspects of the lives of people in communities around the routes that we operate in. We are committed to their road safety and well-being, but we also focus on other initiatives that will… more...

The SA citizens are struggling Distress as a result of the C19 lockdown is variable The Northwest province experiences the highest distress, whilst also showing very low trust in government and maybe subsequently having the lowest level of… more...

Transformation powered by additive manufacturing helps GM move faster, cut costs, and produce safer, lighter-weight manufacturing aids Retooling production for ventilators aided by Stratasys FDM systems As the COVID-19 pandemic has ripped through… more...

Dear employer As previously communicated, the amendments to the regulations in terms of which intra-provincial accommodation for leisure purposes are allowed, which were to become effective upon gazettal of the amendments. It has been confirmed that… more...

By Gerhard Papenfus In a previous article, ‘So it’s not all about the virus, Mr President’, I wrote about utterances made by ANC leaders, including the President, to the effect that, in a display of bizarre opportunism, Covid-19 presented the ANC… more...

12% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 88% of employers who received payment, only 65% were paid in full. 28% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 72% of employers who received… more...

The world’s light vehicle market is forecast to decline by 17% to 73 million units in 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic fallout, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. This is a… more...

To date, Cummins has provided more than 14 t of its filtration media to mask manufacturers across the globe, which has been used to produce more than eight million masks, reports Amy Davis, Vice President of Cummins Filtration. On 6 April, Cummins… more...

Dear employer The Department of Tourism, Forestry and Fisheries has announced that it will be gazetting amended regulations aimed at relaxing some of the Alert Level 3 restrictions imposed on the sector. In terms of the media statement, the current… more...

The impact of COVID-19 has been devastating for businesses of every kind, around the world. In addition to being a global health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed extensive socio-economic impacts, putting many companies at risk of being… more...

13% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 87% of employers who received payment, only 64% were paid in full. 28% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 72% of employers who received… more...

The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has issued amended directives in respect of permitted hunting activities. In terms of the new directives, hunting within a province is permitted with the proviso that the main purpose of such… more...

By Greg Mills and Ray Hartley South Africa needs to admit prior policy errors and make tough calls on how to build an economic offramp from the Covid-19 crisis. A new narrative is needed which makes freedom from poverty the joint responsibility of… more...

This is not mere speculation, nor is it conspiracy theory. Over the past two months I have gathered information from every possible online source, I have studied views and opinions from a diversity of political leanings and ideologies, I have… more...

by Ivo VegterPublished by Daily Friend on 28 July 2020 South Africa’s epidemiological models have proven to be wildly inaccurate. A new commentary by international modellers explains why Covid-19 models a poor basis for decision-making are, while… more...

Following the 2020 global Coronavirus pandemic, the ability to operate in a safe and clean working environment is one of the primary challenges in operations and maintenance. The post-COVID context is redefining what it means, exactly, to be “safe… more...

In March 2020, president Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 21-day ‘hard’ lockdown, later to be known as a level 5 lockdown. It certainly caused flutter in the financial markets, forcing almost the entire economy to cease operations and people to be… more...

Wolfgat, in the Cape West Coast fishing village of Paternoster, was named the Best Restaurant in the World at The World Restaurant Awards in Paris in February 2019. This week, chef Kobus van der Merwe addressed a heartfelt letter to President Cyril… more...

With the prevailing pandemic many businesses have taken drastic decisions which they may need to defend in the CCMA. Nor being able to do so effectively can have costly consequences with re-instatement orders and/or 12 months compensation. In this… more...

Dear Plastic Industry employer The parties to the Plastic Industry collective agreement have agreed that, in light of the current economic situation, a blanket exemption will be granted in respect of wage increases as prescribed by the collective… more...

14% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 86% of employers who received payment, only 62% were paid in full. 26% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 74% of employers who received… more...

by Roger W. Koops Published by the American Institute for Economic Research on 19 July 2020 Dr. Carl Sagan was one of the premier scientists when it came to trying to bridge the gap of hard science with general public understanding. In the process,… more...

New survey reveals the impact of COVID-19 on transport and vehicle use, and points to a very different future for personal mobility: 25% of drivers expect to use their car less after lockdown 40% of motorbike users in large cities will use their… more...

14% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 86% of employers who received payment, only 62% were paid in full. 27% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 73% of employers who received… more...

The Covid-19 pandemic has fast-tracked business and digital transformation in the material handling and industrial equipment sector. It’s a change that EIE Group CEO, Gary Neubert, says is the silver lining in an otherwise difficult period. EIE… more...

’Cyber Attack Trends: 2020 Mid-Year Report’ reveals how criminals have targeted all sectors with pandemic-themed attacks, and highlights surge in nation-state cyber activity Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a leading provider… more...

Holts South Africa has launched a specially formulated liquid hand sanitizer proven to be effective against viruses, microbes and other pathogens. It acts immediately upon contact with your skin to kill germs and keep you safe from infection. Holts… more...

Dear employer The Department of Employment and Labour has announced that the COVID-19 TERS benefit, which was due to expire at the end of June 2020, will be extended to 15 August 2020. Therefore employers will still be able to claim for the month of… more...

The COVID-19 pandemic has in this time of unprecedented demand for essential goods revealed many vulnerabilities in supply chains, logistics and fulfilment operations. And unlike natural disasters that involve the physical destruction of buildings… more...

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the insurance industry was already dealing with large scale regulatory changes, implementing IFRS 17, and repositioning insurers for changing customer needs. The added complexity of the pandemic has certainly not helped… more...

by Gerhard Papenfus South Africa needs an extraordinary plan and a huge amount of political will to dig itself out of the proverbial hole we find ourselves. The ANC’s discussion document ‘Reconstruction, growth and transformation: building a new… more...

South Africans — and the world — are now months into “shelter at home” decrees, as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to make its devastating mark on the world. For carers of people living with dementia, isolating at home means being the… more...

by Nick Wilson and Jane Steinacker Published by Business Live on 19 July 2020 Legal action on the cards as industry faces crisis and complains it was not consulted. Distell, the world's second-largest cider producer, plans to exhaust every possible… more...

Franchising has at its heart the spirit of entrepreneurship but amidst the Covid-19 pandemic that has resulted in immeasurable destruction of small businesses, the question remains whether the entrepreneurial flame can be re-ignited for future… more...

The Minister of Health has announced that the isolation period for persons who have tested positive for Covid-19 has been reduced from 14 to 10 days. This means that the sick leave burden on employers, in respect of employees who have tested… more...

Dear Road Freight employer In our previous communique, we indicated that the NBCRFLI established various temporary relief measures to mitigate the negative impact of the national lockdown regulations and COVID-19. One of these temporary relief… more...

As was the case with most companies, lockdown measures have had an effect on hansgrohe’s day-to-day operations. But National Training Manager, Tiaan Pienaar, has not let that stand in the way of helping tradespeople and architects rack up the… more...

13% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 87% of employers who received payment, only 60% were paid in full. 26% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 74% of employers who received… more...

21st Century’s HR expert, Antoinette Crafford shares insight on one of the COVID era’s most unfortunate side effects “As the effects of COVID-19 are felt across all corners of the South African economy, retrenchments are rife in industries across… more...

The past few months have seen many changes in how we live, work and interact. The corporate space in particular has been hit the hardest with regards to operations, logistics, human resources and remote work capabilities. The days ahead remain… more...

As South Africa braces itself to reach the peak in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, Government statistics have shown that the country could reach 400,000 infections by mid-July. While lockdown conditions may have been eased to level 3 for… more...

15% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 85% of employers who received payment, only 62% were paid in full. 29% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 71% of employers who received… more...

As the covid-19 economy bites and consumers scrutinise every aspect of their discretionary spending, specialised and niche insurance products are seeing a significant uptick in enquiries. Consumers as well as business owners are looking to cut the… more...

... navigating through the COVID-19 LOCKDOWN scandal ... Dear employer We previously communicated that, due to security concerns, the TERS online portal now requires employers to confirm their banking details by virtue of their CIPC registration… more...

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is deepening workplace inequalities as companies the world over are facing enormous pressure under the ‘new normal’. According to the United Nation’s policy brief on the impact of COVID-19 on women, the limited… more...

By now, many companies have felt the economic brunt of the pandemic and are actively seeking some form of light at the end of the tunnel. One such initiative that offers pro bono business rescue services is COBRA – COvid Business Rescue Assistance.… more...

Below is the Week 14 report- and it is a cracker! Some really interesting shifts this week, which should inform decisions around Communicating around Covid19 happens in a significantly changed context, where science is celebrated- The President has… more...

The Department of Employment and Labour has instituted new security measures in respect of TERS applications in order to combat the recent spate of fraudulent activities. Employers are now required to confirm their bank account details by virtue of… more...

by Gerhard Papenfus For any law or regulation to have proper effect, it needs to make sense, be balanced, rational, reasonable and, above all, be credible. From the moment the ANC decided to utilise Covid-19 as their fortuitous opportunity and tool… more...

The President, on 12 July 2020, announced amendments to the current Alert level 3 lockdown regulations. Although there are not many new amendments, some are significant. The most significant amendments for employers, relate to the provision and… more...

Following the news that Ford is facing production bottlenecks in the US due to COVID-19 production constraints at an engine plant in Mexico; David Leggett, Automotive Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view: “The… more...

Ford has produced 285 000 COVID-19 face shields to date at its Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria Almost 140 000 face shields have been directly donated to the Department of Health. Ford has also donated to various clinics, hospitals, humanitarian… more...

19% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 81% of employers who received payment, only 58% were paid in full. 39% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 61% of employers who received… more...

Dear employer The Department of Higher Education and Training has extended the deadline for applications for mandatory grants to the SETA’s. Employers who wish to apply for mandatory grants can still do so until 31 July 2020. Please click here to… more...

Following the news that Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai India reported growth in vehicle sales in June 2020, compared to the previous month; Bakar Sadik Agwan, Senior Automotive Consultant at GlobalData, a leading research and consulting company, offers… more...

By Mariette Croukamp, Bernice Joubert Despite escalating numbers of Covid-19 cases, schools arereturning grades back to the classroom based on a staggered approach. The turmoil in the South African education system in the past few weeks stirred a… more...

As lockdown measures are incrementally relaxed in South Africa to kickstart the economy, cases of COVID-19 have begun to rise significantly. The country now has over 196 750 confirmed cases as of 5 July 2020, and latest Government projections… more...

Everything globally and locally is indeed different, from our way of socialising, communicating, all the way to how we conduct business. Above these changes, what has come to the forefront of a transformed South Africa in the time of a pandemic is… more...

Dear employer We have been informed that the TERS online system for June claims have reopened after being shut down due to security issues. However, it seems that the system has crashed again this morning, presumably due to high traffic volume.… more...

South Africa’s already struggling economy has been battered further by the COVID-19 pandemic, which will see many companies plunge into financial distress. Companies with a financial year ending in June have begun to announce their earnings and, so… more...

16% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 84% of employers who received payment, only 53% were paid in full. 38% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 62% of employers who received… more...

With companies preparing to return to work, preparation is key to make sure your organisation is compliant in terms of protecting your employees from COVID-19. We are currently hosting two courses for employers and staff members to help employers… more...

The only certainty in life is that there will be uncertainty - having a clear plan on how to keep employees engaged and connected can help mitigate these times. Most businesses are no strangers to challenges. However, the current global crisis has… more...

Following the news that Tesla's market capitalisation now exceeds that of Toyota, making it the most valued carmaker in the world; David Leggett, Automotive Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view: "The automotive… more...

Employees and consumers are citizens too! The world has changed and there’s no turning back - Covid-19 has changed everything and Businesses are left with no clear view of navigating the future. Ask Afrika - a Decisioneering Company, has been… more...

The TERS online portal has been reopened but is still experiencing the same security issues as communicated previously. Employers are strongly advised to refrain from accessing the system until these issues have been resolved. We will keep members… more...

19% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 81% of employers who received payment, only 56% were paid in full. 42% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 58% of employers who received… more...

The negative effects of South Africa's hard lockdown continue to reverberate through the economy and broader society. The latest flashpoint has been in the taxi industry, specifically in Gauteng, where the South African National Taxi Council… more...

On Monday, 29 June 2020, the Department of Tourism published the regulations which, the employers falling under this sector, must adhere to in order to operate under Alert Level 3. The regulations cover the following business activities:… more...

Bigger brands seeking out smaller agencies that have the agility to keep up The COVID-19 era has brought immense change to the world. We are living in unsettling times and operating in unchartered territories. Whether it is how individuals behave or… more...

If the World Economic Forum (WEF) is to be believed, then business across the globe could be facing a reskilling emergency. According to them by 2022, 42% of core skills required to perform existing jobs are going to change. Technology skills, for… more...

Eight hospitals in three provinces to receive upgrades and equipment. Four Community Clinics upgraded. 750 beds added to support during Covid-19 peak. R76m investment Underlines BMW SA’s commitment to South Africa and its people. MOU signed between… more...

Dear employer The Minister of Tourism, on Friday, 26 June 2020, issued a media statement setting out operational guidelines, which purports to be the guidelines that will be applicable to Restaurants, Conference Facilities, Accommodation and… more...

Following news that COVID-19 cases are on the rise in a number of US States, prompting new restrictions on populations; Calum MacRae, Automotive Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view: "Rising COVID-19 cases in… more...

15% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 85% of employers who received payment, only 57% were paid in full. 44% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 56% of employers who received… more...

25 Ford Wildlife Foundation projects receive a total of 1 100 COVID-19 face shields to support their important environmental conservation, research and education programmes Projects focus on threatened animal species including the African penguin,… more...

by Gerhard Papenfus The bureaucrats involved in the detail surrounding Covid-19 regulations, really need to wake up and take responsibility. Last night, the amended lockdown regulations, pertaining to restaurants, casinos, theatres, cinema’s and… more...

Dear employer In previous communiques we indicated that the applications for TERS benefits for June had opened but that the portal was subsequently closed due to security issues. Although we were informed that the issues had been resolved, it seems… more...

Dear employer We previously indicated that there were differing messages coming from Government departments in respect of whether the SDL payment break was in fact a payment holiday or only a deferment of payment. It seems that the matter has now… more...

The African automotive sector is facing major volatility at all levels of its value chain as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 global crisis. Stakeholders across the sector, from traditional Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), new entrant… more...

20% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 80% of employers who received payment, only 56% were paid in full. 62% of employers still haven’t received their May UIF/TERS monies. Of the 38% of employers who received… more...

Businesses are encouraged to help staff best prepare for possible future employment COVID-19 lockdown measures have forced many South African companies to make major cutbacks and initiate retrenchment procedures. And as more people enter the job… more...

With the re-opening of casinos imminent and online gambling booming, the risk of cash strapped people turning to gamble for a rapid solution to their money woes is significant. Samukelisiwe Mthembu, Clinical Psychologist at Riverview Manor, a… more...

On Wednesday 17 June 2020, the President announced the opening of the Restaurant-, Accommodation-, Casino-, Personal Care- and Theatre Sectors. All of that was subject to the regulations stipulating the conditions under which these sectors were to… more...

Dear employer NEASA informed members earlier today that TERS applications for June had opened last night. It has however been brought to our attention that the system has developed a number of serious security issues whereby applicants may be able… more...

Dear employer As per our previous communique indicating that TERS claims for June will be opening this week, we can confirm that the system has indeed opened last night. Employers can access the online portal to submit claims for June. We will keep… more...

The first phase of this temporary facility could accommodate 1 485 patients VWSA will also assist National Health Laboratory Services to improve its Covid-19 testing capacity Seven weeks after the initial announcement of the company's plans to… more...

21st Century surveys talent implications after lockdown With the nation remaining in state of flux due to lockdown measures,21st Century’s ongoing survey series continues to examine South African businesses and the action they are taking to mitigate… more...

Dear employer We have been informed, by credible sources, that applications for TERS benefits for June will be opening this week. It is unclear exactly when this will happen and, if history is anything to go by, it may not even occur this week.… more...

... navigating through the COVID-19 LOCKDOWN scandal ... 18% of employers still haven’t received their April UIF/TERS monies. Of the 82% of employers who received payment, only 57% were paid in full. 62% of employers still haven’t received their May… more...