Leadership is a very precise balancing act. American statesman Teddy Roosevelt is said to have once argued, “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” 



This is one aspect of the balancing act I refer to. The other aspect is the very art of navigating the various moving parts leadership entails. Maneuvering these parts requires leaders to demonstrate skill, intuition, discernment, and perseverance. 



There thus needs to be a framework to guide leadership practices. In the South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, Lämsä and Keränen refer to responsible leadership. 



As they argue, “The principles of responsible leadership are organized in a hierarchical order, based on the level of cooperation between manager and employee.” In an analysis of leadership styles, their study found that responsible leadership was dependent on the presence of various principles, including care, trust, openness, fairness, and empowerment. 



This, they argue, is based on ethical frameworks from both parties. As I went through this study, I contemplated the implications of managing employment relations. This could be considered a ubuntu style of leadership that has its roots in various African societies and cultures. 



In Understanding Organizational Leadership Through Ubuntu, Chiku Malunga argues that ubuntu calls for leaders to determine the way for others based on African values such as honesty, sincerity, dignity, and respect for others. 



This goes beyond the traditional hierarchical notions of leadership and focuses on building strong relationships, fostering social cohesion, creating a purpose, and encouraging environments that promote collective wellbeing. In Ubuntu Leadership – An Explication of an Afrocentric Leadership Style, Eugene Laloo argues that there now needs to be a view to encompass traditionally African leadership theories such as ubuntu. 



As he asserts, “Now is the time to refocus on its further development and refi nement to bring this leadership theory into the fold of general leadership discourse.” It could be argued that mutual respect, a central tenet of ubuntu, is the lens through which discipline, confl ict and harmony in the workplace should be analyzed.



Discipline within the context of employment relations can be viewed in two ways. Firstly, it entails a framework of expectations for employees to follow. Strong leaders are made acutely aware of their roles and responsibilities but also the consequences of not meeting these expectations. What is required is a framework for accountability, which outlines how leaders respond to issues such as performance or conduct. Secondly, it denotes one’s own sense of control – or controlled motivation as some camps refer to it as. 



This is based on values such as respect and humility. Leaders who encourage this sense of discipline are likely to have more engaged and empowered employees.Confl ict resolution is a crucial component of leadership, and leaders must be skilled at addressing confl ict not only promptly but also in a constructive manner. 



Conflict resolution relies on open communication. It is thus imperative for employees to create channels for employees to effectively communicate their grievances and for employees to act as mediators where necessary to fi nd mutually beneficial solutions. 



Leaders must have soft skills such as active listening, clear and effective communication, and empathy in their arsenal. This enables a more conducive and positive environment. Disagreements should thus not be viewed negatively but rather through the lens of opportunity for growth.These ideas strive towards achieving harmony in the workplace. 



Harmony is predicated on the very culture of respect. Here, leaders must demonstrate respect through their actions by emphasizing traits such as fairness or empathy. This fosters a sense of belonging. This inspires cooperation and teamwork and instils a sense of belonging and respect for one another. Additionally, the very idea of harmony acknowledges and celebrates differences. The mutual respect that emerges is ubuntu in practice – as the idea insists, ‘I am because you are’. 



In ubuntu-style leadership, these principles are encouraged and deeply ingrained in cultural norms and traditions. According to writer Sammi Caramela, this approach to employee engagement is integral for productivity, creativity, and innovation. 



Strong manager-employee relations have the potential to decrease employee absenteeism and turnover rates, while poor management can have devastating effects. In fact, this is backed up by a GoodHire survey of 3,000 workers, which indicated that 82% of respondents would leave if they had a bad manager. Indeed, leadership is a very precise balancing act – one enriched by the very idea of ubuntu.

Three creative colleagues exchanging ideas

Expert-Speak: Leadership As A Balancing Act Between Ubuntu Principles And Effective Management

AFRICA’S MEDAL HOPEFULS AT THE 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES.



Africa will be striving to come back from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with precious metals in their pocket in the form of gold, silver and bronze. The Games will be staged from July 26 to August 11 and among the 10,500 athletes taking part, there are many from the African continent who will be genuine medal contenders. We select 10 who could be on the podium in Paris.



JOSHUA CHEPTEGEI • UGANDA


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The 27-year-old took gold in the 5,000 meters and silver in the 10,000 meters at the Tokyo Games three years ago and has maintained that form since, espe- cially at the longer distance where he remains ranked at number one in the world. He won the gold at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year, always a strong indicator for Olympic form. He holds the world record over both distances.



PIETER COETZE • SOUTH AFRICA


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Coetze recently turned 20 and is the rising star of South African swimming after claiming fivegold medals at the national swimming championships in April. He has qualified for the 100-meters and 200-meters back- stroke in Paris having claimed gold (100 meters), silver (50 meters) and bronze (200 meters) at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and secured another bronzein the 200 meters at this year’s World Aquatic Championships in Doha. He will hope for a podium place at the Olympics.



SOUFIANE EL BAKKALI • MOROCCO


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The Moroccan is the 3,000-meter steeplechase Olympic champion, having claimed gold in Tokyo and with wins in the World Championships in 2022 and 2023, will be the overwhelming favourite to repeat that feat. He also competed in the 1,500 meters in Tokyo but did not finish the race and is unlikely to attempt that experiment again, concentrating only on his pre- ferred event. His biggest rival is the Ethiopian Lamecha Girma, who set a new world record time of 7:52.11 in 2023.



VICTOR KIPLANGAT • UGANDA


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The 24-year-old won gold in the marathon at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and at the World Championships in Budapest last year, so is the form runner in the men’s event. His win at the Common- wealth Games came despite him taking a wrong turn near the end of the race. The tragic death of world record holder Kelvin Kiptum in a car accident in February this year makes his training partner Kiplan- gat a favorite in Paris, though there is no shortage of competition in this event.



FAITH KIPYEGON • KENYA


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Kipyegon is a double Olympic 1,500-me- ters champion having won gold in 2016 and 2020, and showed she is as fast as ever ater seting a new world re- cord of 3:49.11 in 2023. She also claimed 5,000-meters gold at the World Champi- onships last year and at the age of 30, is in the form of her life. There is no word on whether she will tackle the 5,000 meters in Paris, but broke the world record over that distance in the French capital last year, though her mark has since been lowered by Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay.



TATJANA SMITH • SOUTH AFRICA


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The South African 100-meters and 200-meters breaststroke queen has a new surname these days following her marriage to Joel Smith, the brother of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi’s wife Rachel. The 26-year-old has had a tough 2024 with injury but has booked her place in Paris and will look to add to her Olympic medals tally ater gold in the 200 meters and silver in the 100 meters in Tokyo. She remains one of South Africa’s best medal hopes in Paris.



LETSILE TEBOGO • BOTSWANA


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The 20-year-old sprinter claimed the silver medal in the 100 meters at the World Championships last year in a rapid time of 9.88 seconds, and also took bronze in the 200 meters. He is in a hugely competi- tive ield, but is seen as one of the best up-and-coming sprinters in the world. Could these Games come too soon for him? Perhaps, but he will certainly be one to watch in the glamor event at the Olympics.



GUDAF TSEGAY • ETHIOPIA


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Tsegay took bronze in the 5,000 meters in Tokyo, but will be looking for much more than that this time round having set a new world record just last year. She also claimed the gold medal in the 10,000 meters at the World Champion- ships in Budapest and was 2023 Diamond League champion for over 5,000. Just to show her all-round capabilities, she is also record holder indoors for the 1,500 meters. She will likely race over 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters in Paris.



EMMANUEL WANYONYI• KENYA


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At just 19 years of age, Wanyonyi is a relatively new name on the circuit, but he has been making waves and claimed a silver medal at last year’s World Championships to go with gold as 2023 Diamond League champion. Canadian Marco Arop is his big rival and it is likely they will take the top two places on the podium, though in what order we don’t know.



HUGUES FABRICE ZANGO• BURKINA FASO


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Zango won bronze in Tokyo, but his form in the triple jump has improved immea- surably since then and he is perhaps a favorite for gold in Paris. He won irst prize at the World Championships and was rated number one in 2023, having also taken gold at the World Indoor Championships, seting himself up as the man to beat.

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The List: African Sports Stars Likely To Take The Top Places On The Olympics Podium

Africa too can proudly claim to be a source of caviar, one of the world’s greatest indulgences. Being farmed in the favorable climate and terroir of Madagascar are some very expensive fish eggs – a first for the continent.



Madagascar is known rich biodiversity, and in culinary terms, it is mostly celebrated for its unbeatable vanilla, pink peppercorns and cinnamon. Yet, the small African island is also the unexpected source of an- other exclusive luxury food item – caviar. Acipenser is the inspiring, first-ever producer of African caviar, founded by a French trio, Christophe and Delphyne Dabezies, and Alexandre Guerrier, operating out of Ambatolaona, approximately a 90-minute drive from the capital Antananarivo.



Usually served as a garnish, atop blinis and sour cream and often accompanied with champagne or sparkling wine, caviar is one of the world’s biggest indul- gences. Historically, Russia was known as the world’s top producer of caviar, up until 2007, when overfishing led to a ban on the sale and harvesting of black caviar.



Since then, China has overtaken as the largest global caviar producer with Italy and the United States not far behind them.



It wasn’t until Acipenser’s launch in 2017, that Africa could proudly claim to be a source of caviar too. The ambitious idea was first launched in 2009 by Del- phyne Dabezies and her husband Christophe, who have been in Madagascar since the end of the 1990s, and their business partner Guerrier. “This somewhat crazy idea of African caviar was born af- ter my husband Christophe saw a documentary about caviar. An obsession then emerged for Al- exandre, Christophe, and myself,” says Delphyne. “We wanted to successfully transport fertilized sturgeon eggs from Russia to Madagascar to produce the first caviar in Africa and the Indian Ocean.”



Despite skepticism from several experts, the trio embarked on their new plan, leveraging the island’s natural resources that make it an ideal environment for sturgeon. “Lake Mantasoa… has the ideal terroir and climate for the development of such an opera- tion and is perfectly suited to sturgeon farming,” explains Delphyne.


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<figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="827" height="899" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-62517" style="width:471px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-2.png 827w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-2-276x300.png 276w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-2-768x835.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 827px) 100vw, 827px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lake site at Acipenser Madagascar</figcaption></figure></div>


Delphyne and Christophe are no strangers to Madagascar, their love affair with the region having started over two decades ago. “Christophe and I were sup- posed to go on a world tour,” says Delphyne. “Our first destination was Madagascar over 25 years ago, and we never left.” Acipenser is also not their first venture in Madagascar – in 1998, they founded Akanjo, a luxury textile brand.



Despite their knowledge of the country, neither Delphyne, Christophe nor Guerrier had any prior ex- perience in caviar production, but this didn’t stop them. “Christophe and Alexandre spent a lot of time on Google to figure out how to set up a fish farm,” explains Delphyne. “They came across the name of François René, a retired INRA (French National Institute for Agricul- tural Research) researcher, who was interested in our project.” René visited the team in Madagascar and began advising them on the farm’s architecture, and studied the physicochemical parameters, ultimately confirm- ing that their idea would work. “From there, we were able to build the land site in 2009 and the lake site in 2013, where we gradually received training and sup- port from numerous experts in the field.” 



The Acipenser fish farm now comprises 19 large ponds, a hatchery, an area dedicated to pre-growout, a feed mill, and a processing workshop spread over more than eight hectares on the banks of a river fed by Lake Mantasoa upstream.



In addition to achieving what many thought was an impossible feat, Delphyne proudly reflects on Acipenser’s role in repopulating the elusive Iranian sturgeon species.



Initially, the Iranian sturgeon wasn’t recognized as a distinct species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). How- ever, after its eventual discovery, the Iranian sturgeon rapidly declined and became extinct in Iran, effectively going from obscurity to disappearance almost immediately. Some years later, Acipenser’s sturgeon expert wanted to reward the team for their hard work, gifting them a seemingly innocuous black bag, with only the instruction to take the utmost care of it. Upon arrival in Madagascar, the farm’s collaborators quickly realized that this gift was the elusive Iranian sturgeon. 


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="422" height="208" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-62518" style="width:377px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-3.png 422w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-3-300x148.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Christophe and Delphyne Dabezies, with Alexandre Guerrier</figcaption></figure></div>


“This achievement was officially acknowl- edged in December 2017 with a visit from the Iranian Minister of Agriculture to the Acipenser farm,” adds Delphyne. “Since 2018, this species has been gradually reintroduced into the farms, but will remain very rare for many years to come,” she continues. This regeneration story is key to under- standing Acipenser’s commitment to their product because the sturgeon – and their welfare – is of utmost priority. 



According to Delphyne, the sturgeon’s comfort and pre-serving the ecosystem is ultimately linked to the sustainability of the business as a whole. The lake’s water quality undergoes rigorous monitoring, ensuring the oxygen levels and temperature remain optimal, allowing the team to prepare for and respond to any challenging episodes throughout the year. “For example, in case of oxygen deficiency, it is important to reduce feeding so that the fish do not waste their energy, as they consume more energy during digestion,” she says. 



To provide more growing space, sturgeons can be moved to a new farming structure, which is also critical for their wellbeing and ensuring there is sufficient surface area for each fish to feed. The sturgeon’s growth is an essential performance in- dicator and is constantly monitored. “It is important to feed them sufficiently without overfeeding to prevent them from developing more fat than caviar,” says Delphyne.



In addition to this meticulous care, Acipenser’s vertical inte- gration ensures full control over production, resulting in top-tier caviar. The sturgeon feed is created within the farm itself, composed of natural ingredients sourced from mainly local agriculture, purchased as close to the farm as possible to minimize carbon footprint. “The food’s quality has an undeniable impact on the fish flesh and, of course, on its caviar. No antibiotics or hormones are ad- ministered in the farming process,” adds Delphyne. She also credits the surrounding environment for contributing to a stellar finished product, saying that the Malagasy climate and terroir contribute greatly to the sturgeon’s growth and maturation.



“It creates a rare and varied array of colors across all caviars and these unique characteristics are also linked to the adherence to high- quality farming practices,” she explains. Currently, Acipenser produces six different caviar varieties, including Siberian sturgeon (Baeri caviar), Russian sturgeon (Ossetra caviar) Beluga (Beluga caviar) and Iranian sturgeon (Caviar Iranien). The company distributes the caviar via three channels, namely Rova Caviar, Krasnodar Caviar and a white-label brand called ADC.



All of these factors contribute to an exemplary product, but the biggest testament to quality is the flavor. Delphyne suggests enjoying their caviar with as few additions as possible, so the flavor and characteristics of each variation shine through, but the caviars clearly lend them- selves well to other culinary applications.



In nearby Antananarivo, chef Lalaina Rav- elomanana, the Madagascan caviar ambas- sador, has a dedicated caviar section on the menu at his restaurant Marais. Further afield in Cape Town, South Africa, FYN restaurant tops a tamagoyaki (Japanese-style omelette) with Acipenser’s caviar. Ashley Moss, FYN’s culinary director, says the caviar adds a salty, briny element to the dish, but he also favors using African caviar because of a sense of locality.



When creating dishes, we like them to be representative of a place and time. Using African ingredients in Africa gives you provenance,” says Moss.



At Salsify Restaurant, head chef Ryan Cole uses the caviar in a lightly poached abalone dish, which he says brings acidity and balance to an overall rich dish. “It’s a beautiful product and up there with some of the best available in South Africa right now,” says Cole. “Naturally, our sustainable ethos means we’re constantly looking to source as close to home as possible and Madagascar is the closest place we can currently source caviar from.”



Acipenser’s story reminds us that with the right intentions, research and determination, there is nothing that Africa can’t do. The by-product of this caviar also adds more meaning to a luxury item – food donations to schools and orphanages, and job and business creation are just some of the ways Acipenser has bene- fitted economic growth for the region. This isn’t just about producing a highly sought-after food, it’s about the impact it can have on a small African country. “In addition to marketing a luxury product, we are marketing the know-how of Madagascar and the African continent, which should be appreciated internationally for its natural and hu- man wealth,” adds Delphyne.

Midsection of man putting caviar on roast duck slices in plate on table

Pricey Pride: What It Took For These Entrepreneurs To Produce African Caviar In Madagascar

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Big Ideas And Small Giants: Purpose-Driven And Proudly African

From fintech to foodtech solutions; from beauty brands to biotech infusions, FORBES AFRICA’s inaugural list of Small Giants across Africa showcases the tenacity of homegrown businesses and their impact on the communities they serve. Their pan-African CEO-founders and leaders are making giant strides in progressing Africa’s growth narrative, prioritizing ideas and innovation.



By&nbsp;Chanel Retief, Nicole Pillay and Oluwatomisin Amokeoja Art Direction:&nbsp;Manelisi Dabata Videography: Thabo Mathebula Photography: Katlego Mokubyane ;&nbsp;Assistant: Sbusiso Sigidi |&nbsp;Studio: NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg&nbsp; Styling: Deneal Van Wyk Hair &amp; Makeup:&nbsp;SnehhOnline Beauty



Theo Baloyi literally walks the talk. At the NewKatz.Studio in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he strides in for an interview, the founder of Bathu tells us more about one of the country’s much-loved sneaker brands. It started when Baloyi was still an accountant and concerned about his community, more so, every time he would go home to Alexandra, a sprawling township in Johannesburg.



“I would realize that a lot of people in my community are unemployed, and pre-dominantly, the youth… they’ve lost hope as well. When I went back to the people — those who have given me opportunities and have paved the way for me — to ex-press my gratitude, it was met by one big ask [from them]; ‘we don’t want anything from you, just pave the way for others’.’”



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At the time, Baloyi, the self-proclaimed “sneakerhead”, had bought himself sev-eral pairs of sneakers, which led him to a particular philosophy. “They say when you buy too much of something, why not own it or become part of the value chain?” 



Baloyi says.When he launched Bathu in 2015, he only sold about 100 pairs. Today, the company sells 250,000 pairs of sneakers a year with 32 stores nationwide and a staff complement of over 300 employ-ees, many of whom are today’s youth.



“We are a footwear brand and a shoe business with a soul,” Baloyi says. “And why I say that is because I feel as though we go back into investing in our future consumers, so not necessarily someone who can buy Bathu today… someone who doesn’t know their journey yet. They don’t know their dreams or purpose yet. And we believe in walking the journey not only with our current consumers but with our future consumers as well.&#8221;

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Small Giants: Walking Ahead And The Theories Of Theo

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
“For the first and second legs I was the second engineer and on the third and last leg, I was chief engineer.”
</blockquote>



South African sailor Vuyisile Jaca recently completed the most extraordinary journey around the world and created history that was notable enough to earn an audience with the Queen of England.



Jaca, who was raised in the Durban township of&nbsp;KwaMashu, was part of the first all-female crew to win the grueling round-the-world Ocean Globe Race on a yacht aptly named Maiden.



Following the start in Southampton, England, she completed six months of toil on the open ocean with stops in Cape Town, Auckland, New Zealand and Punta del Este in Uruguay before returning to the English south coast.



Maiden completed an at times treacherous voyage in a time of 153 days 2 hours 16 minutes and 53 seconds to take the race honors. There is limited technology on board the yachts, meaning Jaca and her crewmates had to employ old school sailing techniques.



“I love the ocean and have a passion for it,” Jaca tells FORBES AFRICA. “In this race, you have to study the clouds, you cannot check the weather on your cellphone. There are no personal electronics.



“You bond with nature and get to learn a lot about yourself and the sea itself. There is a lot to see out there.”



When in a race, every minute counts and Jaca admits there were challenging times.  



“The high-pressure systems were following us around the world, and that means no wind. We could go two days with virtually no wind and that is frustrating when you are in a race!”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Vuyisile-Jaca-left-aboard-Maiden-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-62367" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Vuyisile-Jaca-left-aboard-Maiden-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Vuyisile-Jaca-left-aboard-Maiden-300x225.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Vuyisile-Jaca-left-aboard-Maiden-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Vuyisile-Jaca-left-aboard-Maiden-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Vuyisile-Jaca-left-aboard-Maiden.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vuyi and Rachel getting the generator and inverter back up and running on Maiden Credit: OGR2023/Maiden</figcaption></figure></div>


She played her part after earning the trust of her skipper Heather Thomas.



“For the first and second legs I was the second engineer and on the third and last leg, I was chief engineer,” Jaca says. “Basically checking the engine and generators, making sure we had clean water and everything is working as it should.”



There were 12 crew members on board made up of seven nationalities with ladies from Great Britain, United States, India, Antigua, Afghanistan and Italy.



“You would think with an all-girl crew there would be fighting and arguments, but it was not at all like that. It was fascinating to hear the stories about other cultures and we found in many ways we were similar. We learned a lot from each other,” Jaca says.



Meeting Queen Camilla was the icing on the cake with the historic feat marked by a visit to Buckingham Palace in London.



“That was wow! Being at Buckingham Palace, talking to the Queen, it was unbelievable and magical,” Jaca says.



The 25-year-old’s love for sailing started at school and as her passion has grown, so have her achievements.



“I started sailing in high school in KwaMashu. In Grade 10, they introduced a new subject called nautical science. There were only a few of us doing it, and my teacher was ex-Navy,” Jaca says.



“After a period of time we had still only seen the subject in our books, and never been on the water, so our teacher organized a trip to an organization called Sail Africa in the Durban harbor. We had never been on a boat or could even swim. That is where it started.”



After she finished school and without the funds to study further, she turned to sailing again and returned to Sail Africa.



“I wanted something to keep me going. They told me, ‘we have lots of girls come here who are happy to sail around the harbor, but once they go off-shore, they never come back (to train).



“Out on the ocean you get seasick and with the weather it can be daunting.”



But her passion only grew and as she proved her skill on the sea, she was part of the first all-black crew to race from Durban to East London in South Africa.



It was through Sail Africa that the chance to be crew on Maiden came about, one she jumped at. Back on dry land, her next aim is to finally start her tertiary studies.



“After eight months, I just want to rest, physically and mentally, it was exhausting,” Jaca says. “I have been given a full scholarship, so now I must decide what to study that will benefit me both on land and at sea.”

The first all-female crew to win the round-the-world Ocean Globe Race (1)

‘You Get To Learn A Lot About Yourself And The Sea’: 25-Year-Old South African Sailor On Historic Ocean Race Win With All-Female Crew And Meeting Queen Camilla

From fintech to foodtech solutions; from beauty brands to biotech infusions, FORBES AFRICA’s inaugural list of Small Giants across Africa showcases the tenacity of homegrown businesses and their impact on the communities they serve. Their pan-African CEO-founders and leaders are making giant strides in progressing Africa’s growth narrative, prioritizing ideas and innovation.



By&nbsp;Chanel Retief, Nicole Pillay and Oluwatomisin Amokeoja Art Direction:&nbsp;Manelisi Dabata Videography: Thabo Mathebula Photography: Katlego Mokubyane ;&nbsp;Assistant: Sbusiso Sigidi |&nbsp;Studio: NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg&nbsp; Styling: Deneal Van Wyk Hair &amp; Makeup:&nbsp;SnehhOnline Beauty



The inspiration [for the brand] started with me [being] a woman in South Africa, and Africa, who uses beauty products,” says Portia Mngomezulu when we meet in Johannesburg for a photoshoot and interview. 



“I wanted to create a product that not only is a cosmetic product, but that gives our skin results and with ingredients that will resonate with Africans.&#8221;



When Mngomezulu gave birth to her son, she developed stretch marks that she couldn’t get rid of. Despite attempting various store remedies, she ultimately followed her grandmother’s advice and turned to Marula oil. 



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Small Giants: Finding Local Beauty Solutions For African Women" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CXe02DD7vpI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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“I thought, as a woman, let me go and try something that is traditionally African… this African herb. I went ahead and tried the oil [and] it worked miraculously on my stretch marks. I started ‘inboxing’ my friends about the secret that I found, bottling it and selling it for ZAR100 [$5.42].”



For Mngomezulu, it was about finding local solutions for African women.



“I honestly believe that we are homegrown,” Mngomezulu says. “Our skin is different, our climate is different. So, we need tailor-made products for our skin that are tested here with our climate, with our skin conditions. I believe that the products that are imported are not made for our skin.”



She never expected her brand to become a nationwide success, but with products that are available in over 4,000 stores in South Africa and across over 14 African countries, Mngomezulu truly believes that hers is a proudly African brand.



Her company’s revenue is ZAR250 million ($13.7 million) a year.

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Small Giants: Finding Local Beauty Solutions For African Women

The numbers are in.The sales of electric vehicles (EV) declined globally in the fi rst quarter of 2024, according to auto majors Volkswagen (VW), Mercedes-Benz (MB), and Tesla. However, the BMW Group has reported growth in the same period.VW reported a 3% drop, while MB reported an 8% decline in EV sales yet a 6% increase for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and Tesla reported its fi rst-ever year-on-year sales decline since 2020. 


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BYD-Dolphin-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-62336" style="width:536px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BYD-Dolphin-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BYD-Dolphin-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BYD-Dolphin-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BYD-Dolphin-1536x860.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BYD-Dolphin-2048x1146.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">BYD Dolphin (Image Supplied)</figcaption></figure></div>


The BMW Group are up 28% compared to the same period in 2023.Hiten Parmar, Executive Director of The Electric Mission, tells FORBES AFRICA that the EV slowdown quotes are overstated, mainly regional, and brand-specifi c but notes the impact of seasonal statistics for the calendar period. Parmar cites the International Energy Agency’s latest Global EV Outlook 2024 report that says EV sales grew by 25% in the fi rst quarter of 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023. 



“The number of EVs sold globally in the fi rst three months of this year is roughly equivalent to the number sold in all of 2020,” says Parmar.Certain regions are revising their policies and support mechanisms for EVs to which the market sales have reacted within these segments, he adds. 



“Geopolitics are also at play within the automotive trade, which is evident on the Chinese EV brands within Europe and the US.”



“In South Africa, the reports are still showing progressive growth on the EV market,” says Parmar, and EV sales for new vehicles have continued to increase year-on-year.



The Global EV Outlook 2024 report also notes that South Africa has the second-highest proportion of fast EV chargers to slow chargers at Akabor53%, behind New Zealand at 75%.According to Naamsa, the Automotive Business Council, 330 Battery EVs (BEV) have been sold in South Africa in Q1 2024, compared to the 232 sold in the same period last year. 



The figure reflects 35% of the 931 total BEVs sold in 2023.



“Global OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) have also announced new EV model introductions into South Africa, which is also an indication that the EV market will still remain progressive,” he says.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="763" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Spiro-bike-1024x763.png" alt="" class="wp-image-62331" style="width:562px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Spiro-bike-1024x763.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Spiro-bike-300x224.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Spiro-bike-768x572.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Spiro-bike-1536x1145.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Spiro-bike.png 1860w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Spiro bike (Image Supplied)</figcaption></figure></div>


South Africa is expected to receive competitively-priced EVs in 2024 from Chinese manufacturers like Omoda and Jaecoo – both sub-brands of the Chery Group; Build Your Dreams in the form of the Dolphin, which is expected to be the cheapest – or least expensive EV in South Africa; and JAC’s introduction of the first double cab electric bakkie.



Other EVs headed our way include models from Audi, Fiat, Lotus, Maserati, Mini, Volvo and VW.



One model in particular stands out as the best-seller for Q1 2024– the Volvo EX30, with 82 units sold. A total of 500 units have been allocated to the local market. 



With a starting price of R775 900 ($), the EX30 features a minimalist cabin similar to a Tesla Model 3 with a 12.3-inch large display for all controls in the vehicle.



Aimed at a tech-savvy crowd, there are no buttons, switches or physical controls, except for what’s on the steering wheel. The giant touch screen is used for everything else, including the speedometer as there is no instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.



The EX30 is Volvo’s cheapest EV and fastest car, which can go from 0-100km/h in a mere 3.7 seconds on the 315kW Twin Motor Performance model.



Despite the EX30’s somewhat positive outlook for South Africa, the country has yet to see a convincing policy framework to get EVs out of its less than 1% market share since EVs were first introduced in 2013, says Parmar.



With reference to South Africa’s 2024 budget speech, Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa says a notable component was Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s introduction of an investment allowance for new EV investments, set to commence in March 2026. 



But Parmar says: “African countries could soon begin to surpass South Africa’s EV market share, whilst also establishing local EV production in their regions as they aim to participate within the global value chain of the automotive sector.”

Volvo EX30

Revving Up: Electric Vehicles Gain Momentum In Africa

Chasing the world that might have been, Africa’s progress and race to the 2030 goals.



In 1980, 35 years after the formation of the United Nations (UN), the Ghanaian philosopher Kwasi Wiredu warned that “unrestricted industrial urbanization is contrary to any humane culture; it is certainly contrary to our own”. Personhood, he believed, could only be attained if an individual mar- ried economic success with a responsibility to community: humanity could only flourish through the enrichment gained from shared social capital.



The UN was established for the purpose of constructive coopera- tion in the aftermath of the trauma of World War II; an invitation to the people of every nation to heal and rebuild this personhood, in themselves and in others, after years of brutal, dehumanizing con- flict. “You, members of this Conference, are to be the architects of a better world,” counselled President Harry Truman to the General Assembly, weeks before witnessing the signing of the UN Charter in June 1945. “In your hands, rests our future.”



Eight decades later, ‘development’, defined by the UN as “a multidimensional undertaking to achieve a higher quality of life for all people”, has become synonymous with this vision of a more equitable planet.



In 2015, the 193 UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: 17 goals, or ‘SDGs’, extolled as “an urgent call for ac- tion by all countries – developed and developing – in a global part- nership”. Six years out from the agenda’s scheduled completion, the journey towards the fulfilment of these goals in Africa has been turbulent, buffeted by the vagaries of conflict, climate change and economic turmoil.



In 2023, the UN released its latest Africa Sustainable Development Report: a candid evaluation of the progress achieved so far in the context of its overlap with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a “development blueprint to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development over a 50-year period”. The Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and extreme weather events have all savagely undermined this headway; the report laments that “these interconnecting crises slowed global growth, increased debt vulner- abilities, and fuelled inflationary pressures, with negative long-term consequences for the achievement of both agendas”.



The economic implications of these upheavals for the SDGs are so alarming that the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has cautioned that “unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been”. In April of this year, the African Development Bank President, Dr Akinwumi A Adesina, revealed that the annual financing gap towards realizing these goals has now risen to $4 trillion, and called on developed countries to “devote at least 0.70% of their gross national income to official devel- opment assistance”.



Many African nations find themselves trapped in a vice of tight- ening economic pressures: insufficient capital squeezing resources from one direction, debt burden suffocating prosperity from the other. At this year’s 10th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed reiterated the Secretary-General’s entreaty for an SDG stimulus of $500 billion per year to make debt-servicing less perniciously crip- pling for African countries desperate for the liquidity they need to fulfil their SDG aspirations.



“For Africa as a whole, public debt now amounts to 66 percent of GDP,” announced Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, in the same month. “High repayment costs are crowding out essential expenditures on health, education, and climate action… Naturally, all this takes its toll on the most vulnerable. Based on the latest data, 476 million people in Africa are projected to live in poverty in 2024, about 50 million more than before Covid.”



Notwithstanding the grim economics casting an ominous shadow over its findings, the 2023 Africa Sustainable Development Report cites “steady progress” on key SDG targets such as 4G mobile network coverage, access to safe drinking water, and electrification rates, and is cautiously optimistic about the continent’s capacity for the kind of economic reform that might invigorate domestic markets. Professor Karim Sorour, co-editor of Corporate Governance in Africa: Assess- ing Implementation and Ethical Perspectives, and a special- ist on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the region, argues that ‘off-the-shelf’ Western solutions run the risk of ignoring the complexity of local realities; instead, healthy financial governance must, and can, begin at home.



“When we talk about corporate governance in Africa, we have to make sure there is transparency at the micro level,” he says. “We’re talking about SMEs (small and medium- sized enterprises), as they have the lion’s share of the econ- omy. There is a huge tax deficit in many African countries; these SMEs are below the radar, they are cash economies. So it’s very difficult to get resources from the tax system.



What’s needed is accountability by way of legislation; build- ing normative frameworks by engaging with society at the grassroots level to come up with policy formulations on a country-by-country basis.”



While the impending 2030 SDG targets loom large on the horizon for African nations, Sorour feels that incremental gains in CSR awareness can still make significant aggregate contributions to developmental attainment in the region, particularly in the context of responsible consumption.



“In Egypt, it’s very common to find people who are really struggling who have at least two mobile phones,” he says. “Why do we need two phones? The impact of social media, the normalization of certain standards, puts peer pressure on people to act in an irresponsible way. So, at the business level, we should really focus on SDG 12 (ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns), because the goals create a domino effect through three concepts: economic cost, social development, and environmental sustainability. Linking this level of engagement to the daily lives of people and their businesses is where a little more work is needed.”



The SDGs’ central pledge to understand and empathize with the realities of these daily lives, and “leave no one be- hind”, is at the heart of the UN’s #WeBelongAfrica program, a project “designed to support state entities in sub-Saharan Africa to become increasingly accountable and responsive to, and inclusive of, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) people and young key populations”.



Monica Tabengwa, a UNDP programme Specialist in LGBTI+ inclusion, believes sexual and gender minorities in Africa are at most risk of being forgotten in the sustainable development conversation. “Africa has a rich tapestry of cultures and traditions,” she says. “Many traditional African cultures recognized or even celebrated sexual and gender diversity, but colonialism and conservative religious forces from the West often undermined that acceptance of diver- sity. The biggest challenge is to build on African traditions that celebrate diversity.”



Encouraging but inconsistent advancement has been made towards SDG 10 (reduce inequality within and among countries), alongside growing public awareness of the cor- relation between the respective statuses of girls and women and those of the LGBTI+ population.



“There has been tremendous progress in access to essen- tial health services, driven by the response to HIV, although there is still a dramatic lack of gender-affirming medical care,” says Tabengwa. “Access to services in other sectors is more uneven, including economic opportunities, housing, and justice systems. To sustain progress beyond 2030, we need a broad movement that reinforces democracy, inclu- sion and human rights for all. It is important to emphasize that inequalities are widening more generally – not just for LGBTI+ people.&#8221;



The changemakers of 2030 and beyond are the teenagers of 2024; aware, proactive personhood is now being forged in leadership programs nurturing the aspirant decision- makers who will inherit the SDGs successes and failures. Mark Mike Mutumba is Founder and Executive Director of the Omuto Foundation, a “youth-led grassroots movement dedicated to empowering young individuals in underserved communities across Uganda”.



The foundation’s Youth Ambassa- dors Programme fosters enduring leadership skills by enabling participants to design projects which make measurable SDG impressions on their local communities. 



“Our approach demonstrates that young people, when giv- en the right tools, are the key to achieving the 2030 goals,” says Mutumba. “With modest support, youth-led initiatives can achieve immense impact. Our model has seen a 25% increase in youth participation, and a ripple effect of positive change.” Mutumba’s buoyant perspective is predicated upon the evolution of personhood via its roots in a community; on the growth of social capital through innovation and cooperation at its most fundamental local level. “We bridge the gap by translating SDGs into action: our Youth Action 2030 project, for instance, empowers young people to tackle local issues like food insecurity or lack of clean water through social en- trepreneurship,” he says. “This shift in mindset is vital. With Africa’s booming youth population, empowering them isn’t just about the future – it’s about unlocking the continent’s potential today.”



&nbsp;

diversity team discussion focused on ESG (environment,social,governance)  for net zero goals in a sustainable green office

6 Years To The SDGs: The Journey Towards These Goals In Africa

By Chanel Retief, Nicole Pillay and Oluwatomisin Amokeoja Art Direction: Manelisi Dabata Videography: Thabo Mathebula Photography: Katlego Mokubyane ; Assistant: Sbusiso Sigidi | Studio: NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg  Styling: Deneal Van Wyk Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty



Africa’s biggest economies often churn out startups on a regular basis and some of these businesses go on to become key players in the growth of the continent. But what of Africa’s smaller, emerging economies? 



According to a 2023 report by Africa: The Big Deal, 29% of the startups that raised $100,000 or more in 2023 were located outside the big four regions, namely Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt. Donaldson Sackey, a former international footballer-turned-entrepreneur from Togo (a narrow strip of land in Africa’s West coast), who has helmed a fashion business and now has interests in fintech and energy, says that being a serial entrepreneur in one of Africa’s smaller economies has its pros and cons.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="682" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Forbes_Cover3527-682x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-62281" style="width:399px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Forbes_Cover3527-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Forbes_Cover3527-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Forbes_Cover3527-768x1153.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Forbes_Cover3527-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Forbes_Cover3527-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Forbes_Cover3527.jpg 1478w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Donaldson Sackey</figcaption></figure></div>


“On the one hand, there is often a sense of possibility and economic potential, as smaller economies might provide niches that have yet to be completely explored or tapped into. However, in some smaller economies, regulations may be unclear or inconsistently enforced, making it Sackeychallenging to understand what is required to operate legally and comply with regulations. 



Despite the hurdles, becoming a serial entrepreneur in a tiny economy may be quite rewarding.” Therein exists massive opportunities to create significant impact on the local economy. 



“I believe that as a growing entrepreneur, you have a lot of ideas in your daily life, but the most important thing is to actually understand them and put them into action. You must understand that you are in it for the long-term and that it will not become the largest company overnight.



”Sackey says he is now involved in coaching aspiring business owners, and is committed to education, particularly in the field of technology. 



“I think that young people in Africa, and particularly in Togo, are intelligent and creative, but there are often gaps in their educational opportunities, so I provide them with the knowledge I have gained from my courses, many of which are offered online to learn more about various business sectors.”

Sustainable data pie chart

Footballer-Turned-Entrepreneur From Togo On Making It Work In Africa’s Smaller Economies

Andrew Robinson has an impressive track-record of building big businesses in Africa and around the world.



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“The biggest thing Covid taught me is that when something is failing, another thing is succeeding.”
</blockquote>



With ventures that span multiple industries and countries, at 46, Andrew Robinson is someone who already holds many titles – CEO of Siand, founder of SiSebenza, Executive Director of WeWork South Africa, Co-founder of AM Vineyards and Co-founder of TradingHouse Global. From farming to commodities trading to making the WeWork model successful in South Africa, Robinson’s incredibly diverse business portfolio is not only a testament to his strategic insight but also his pragmatism. As an entrepreneur, Robinson has managed to remain grounded, prioritizing his physical and mental wellbeing while maintaining a minimalist lifestyle. Everything works because of this inherent practicality. &nbsp;



“Business is simple,” he says. “Anybody who I sit down with that complicates business is genuinely less successful. At the end of the day, you’ve got to make sure that you sell it for more than it costs you to service and that you’ve got enough fat in to make profit.”



For Robinson, a business cannot simply be a passion project, investment requires numbers – the basic fundamentals of revenue, costs and profitability. Although he has a proactive, excited attitude, Robinson understands the importance of never romanticizing his business ventures. “The numbers will tell you if it’s an investable thing because at the end of the day, numbers are the language of business,” he adds.



Making WeWork work



In 2017, Robinson approached WeWork to become its African partner. “At the time, WeWork was going through massive growth but didn’t really know much about the South African market,” he elaborates. “We weren’t able to do the deal at the time – they weren’t ready for us.” Stepping out of the picture but staying close to the global WeWork team, it took seven years to get the co-working space into the country.



“Today, we have the most innovative, exciting startups as well as some of the biggest companies in the world taking space at WeWork South Africa. It&#8217;s a hive of activity, the lighthouse of the city,” he smiles, adding that through SiSebenza, his holding company, there are plans to open WeWork offices in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Mauritius. “SiSebenza was born to catch this mythological unicorn… but we weren’t able to,” laughs Robinson. “Instead, SiSebenza became a private equity investment vehicle for disruptive technologies and businesses.”



Making an impact



From TradingHouse Global, a commodity trading operation that sources, warehouses and delivers physical products across the globe (and includes supplying humanitarian aid to some of the world’s most distressed areas) to AM Vineyards, a premium yet sustainable wine production business that has become a massive player in the Chinese market, Robinson knows what it means to diversify as well as why it’s an important part of mitigating risk. “The biggest thing Covid taught me is that when something is failing, another thing is succeeding,” he adds.



Born in Africa, TradingHouse is one of Robinson’s most interesting ventures to date. With long-term contracts in place, he describes it as a simple logistics business – they’re moving containers; trading commodities. “But because we’ve learned how to operate in different environments, there’s now a new division in the business that focuses on humanitarian aid,” he says. “We operate in some of the most complicated places on the planet as well as in countries that are in difficult spaces. In <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/opinion/2024/06/03/limbo-luxury-and-the-long-road-to-a-new-home/">Albania</a>, for example, there was a call for help from our partners. We’re not making money out of it but we’re doing good work.”



The end game



Even though everything Robinson is involved with differs, as a businessman, his approach remains consistent – he’s solution-oriented but also someone who understands the value of discernment. “The older I&#8217;ve got, the more I&#8217;ve learned to say no. I used to say yes to everything and you kind of find yourself on this hamster wheel of not being efficient. It zaps your energy,” he explains. Being active in so many organizations requires good partnerships and smart people, something Robinson has found with Stefano Migliore, the CEO of WeWork South Africa and Executive Director of SiSebenza.



Forever focused on the outcome – the end game – is what Robinson believes is his ‘secret power’. “When I get involved in a business, I see what the end is. It’s a very strange thing. When somebody brings an opportunity to me or we&#8217;re trying to figure something out, I always see what the outcome is,” says Robinson. “When an artist starts painting, he knows the painting before he begins. For a business, I see the painting, what the business looks like… it’s just my thing.”



For Robinson, this unconventional approach is a gift. He believes that success comes from understanding what the problem is before you can solve it. “First seek to understand before you are understood,” he adds. This is why jumping into something headfirst without planning is not an option, especially within the distressed environments he operates in. “It’s not only a lot of thought, it’s contingency. This and that happens. You cannot go in and expect to figure things out after. It’s a chess game that you play and you have to be ten moves ahead on the board.”

Andrew Robinson; Photo by Manelisi Dabata

The South African Serial Entrepreneur On Co-Working Spaces And Staying Grounded

Finally, since their first semifinal in 1992 and after 32 years of disappointment, South Africa have got over the line.  



Seven semifinal heartbreaks later and South Africa have finally made it to the decider of a World Cup as they demolished Afghanistan by nine wickets on Thursday to set up a meeting with either India or England in the final of the T20 global showpiece event.



Asked to bowl first at the Brian Lara Stadium in Barbados, the Proteas skittled their opponents for a paltry 56, an innings where Extras was the top-scorer with 13 and only Azmatullah Omarzai (10) made it to double figures among the batters.



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="679" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2159436001.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-62265 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2159436001.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2159436001-300x199.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2159436001-768x509.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Marco Jansen of South Africa celebrates with teammates after dismissing Nangyal Kharoti of Afghanistan (not pictured) during the ICC Men&#8217;s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies &amp; USA 2024 Semi-Final match between South Africa and Afghanistan at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on June 26, 2024 in Tarouba, Trinidad And Tobago. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
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Wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3-6) cleaned up the tail, but the damage was done up front by fast bowlers Marco Jansen (3-16), Kagiso Rabada (2-14) and Anrich Nortje (2-7).



It was never a total that was going to worry the South Africans and they reached their target for the loss of one wicket in 8.5 overs.&nbsp;&nbsp;



One more victory in Saturday’s final and South Africa will become the first ever side to go through a T20 World Cup unbeaten and lift a trophy that has proven frustratingly elusive in the past.



“It feels good, it was a massive squad effort,” Proteas captain Aiden Markram said at the post-match presentation. “I’m really chuffed for us to have one more crack at lifting the trophy.



“We were fortunate to have lost that toss, we also would&#8217;ve batted. The bowlers got it in the right areas and kept it really simple in these conditions. It&#8217;s quite tough for batters but we knew it was a matter of building a partnership (in the chase).”



South Africa had been to five semifinals in the 50-over World Cup, the most recent last year in India, and to two in the T20 version, and fallen short on each occasion through a mixture of weather woes, poor decisions, bad luck and being outplayed.



Finally, since their first semifinal in 1992 and after 32 years of disappointment, they have got over the line.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“There are a lot of people waking up (in South Africa) with a little bit more grey hair, but this win will be comforting for them. We&#8217;ve never been to the final before, but there&#8217;s a lot of belief,” Markram said.

South Africa v Afghanistan: Semi-Final – ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024

‘A Massive Squad Effort’: South Africa’s Historic Path To Elusive T20 World Cup Final

Kenya&#8217;s President William Ruto has withdrawn the controversial Finance Bill 2024 in response to public outrage and mass demonstrations in the East African nation. In a statement this afternoon, President Ruto acknowledged the people&#8217;s concerns and emphasized the importance of addressing them to inform policy in the nation.



He stated, &#8220;I concede, I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill.&#8221;



His speech began with gratitude to the MPs who voted in favor of the bill and an explanation of how the proposed taxes were designed to prevent debt distress.


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2158704269.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-62259" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2158704269.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2158704269-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2158704269-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by Gerald Anderson/Anadolu via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


&#8220;For every Sh100 we collect as taxes, we spend Sh61 servicing debt,&#8221; said President Ruto.



The decision follows a crisis that engulfed the nation on June 25, when protests against the new tax bill turned violent and demonstrators stormed Parliament and set it on fire, prompting the president to declare a state of emergency.



In a press statement on Tuesday, the President said: “Today’s events mark a critical turning point in how we respond to grave threats to our national security. I assure the nation that the Government has mobilized all resources to ensure that a situation of this nature will not recur at whatever cost.&#8221;



Facts on the bill



In June last year, Kenya’s government had proposed a Finance Bill aimed at increasing Value Added Tax (VAT) and income tax, as well as introducing new taxes on previously exempt goods and services.



The bill seeks to raise an additional KSh346.7 billion ($2.7 billion) in revenue for the 2024/25 financial year, a 13% increase from the initial projection of KSh2.54 trillion ($19.6 billion) to KSh2.88 trillion ($22.3 billion) by broadening the tax base. This sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing that the tax hikes would harm several citizens and hurt the economy.



A year later, with the second review meeting a week away, the criticism escalated into mass demonstrations with thousands taking to the streets of Nairobi, disrupting traffic, vandalizing public property, and being tear-gassed by law enforcement.



In response, the government removed several contentious tax proposals from the bill, such as the VAT on bread, excise duty on vegetable oil, and taxes on sugar transportation and small businesses.



Additionally, VAT on financial services and foreign exchange transactions was removed, and the threshold for VAT registration was increased to exempt many small businesses, providing some relief to protesters.



However, to compensate for the lost revenue, new taxes were introduced. Excise duty was imposed on imported table eggs, onions, and potatoes to protect local farmers, while the cap on mobile money transfers remained unchanged. The fuel levy was significantly increased, along with the Import Declaration Levy and the Railway Development Levy on imports.



These changes were planned to generate substantial tax revenue, aiming to meet the targets set by Ruto&#8217;s administration to address sovereign debt and expenditure needs in line with the latest budget.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2158704197.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-62260" style="width:579px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2158704197.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2158704197-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2158704197-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by Gerald Anderson/Anadolu via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Harriet Afandi, a certified human rights consultant at USIDHR, criticizes the bill, stating, &#8220;The Finance Bill fails to support affordable maternal healthcare and ignores sexual and reproductive health rights, which will harm women and girls, particularly adolescent mothers; and lead to maternal deaths and complications.&#8221;



Synthia Asienwa, a Kenyan change leader, added, &#8220;The Finance Bill&#8217;s taxation of sanitary towels and potential scrapping of school feeding programs will harm Kenyan learners, especially girls and those with special needs, and is unacceptable.&#8221;



Amid ongoing protests, Kenya&#8217;s controversial Finance Bill 2024/25 had been passed by the National Assembly yesterday, garnering 195 votes in favor and 106 against, with three abstentions.



The announcement of lawmakers clearing the controversial bill further enraged protesters, leading to an attack on the Parliament with protesters trespassing the premises and setting part of it on fire. MPs and staff were evacuated under heavy security, allegedly through underground tunnels. The police opened fire; reports and videos of injuries and deaths have surfaced online and were acknowledged by the president in his statement, calling it a regrettable attack on the constitution.



Following the violence, the president was airlifted out of the statehouse to a more secure location due to rising security threats. The Kenya Defence Forces was deployed at the Parliament Avenue, and the nationwide emergency was declared.



Amidst this tension, various leaders continued to voice their opinions on the bill.



Billow Kerrow, the former chair of Kenya&#8217;s Finance &amp; Budget Committee at the Senate, remarked, &#8220;So far, today&#8217;s demonstrations against the bill do not seem to bother the Government. However, it is likely they will adopt some changes and introduce new ones.&#8221;



Deborah Monari, a Kenyan change leader at the forefront of the protests, asserted, &#8220;The Finance Bill&#8217;s harsh taxes on essential goods will harm families and communities, and the government should prioritize the people&#8217;s needs.&#8221;



In less than 24 hours, a presidential address was organized and the news was circulated.



In the afternoon of June 26, in an unprecedented development, the Kenyan government bowed to public demands, with President Ruto withdrawing the Finance Bill 2024. Additionally, he has vowed to engage the public on their views and concerns to inform public policy as well as introduce cuts in government expenditure to re-align with the country’s tax policy.



“Going forward, how do we manage the affairs of the country together how do we manage our debt situation together work on the budget and deficits that now exists together, and as I committed last Sunday – I will be proposing an engagement with the young people of our nation, for us to listen to them, their ideas and concerns and what they think we should better as we go further. I also propose that equally president’s office and presidency, the parliament, judiciary and county governments working national treasury also undertake budget cuts and austerity to ensure that we do live within our means, reflecting the very loud message coming from the people of Kenya”

Protest against tax hike in Kenya

Kenya’s President Sends Back Controversial Tax Hike Bill That Sparked Widespread Deadly Protests

From fintech to foodtech solutions; from beauty brands to biotech infusions, FORBES AFRICA’s inaugural list of Small Giants across Africa showcases the tenacity of homegrown businesses and their impact on the communities they serve. Their pan-African CEO-founders and leaders are making giant strides in progressing Africa’s growth narrative, prioritizing ideas and innovation.



By&nbsp;Chanel Retief, Nicole Pillay and Oluwatomisin Amokeoja Art Direction:&nbsp;Manelisi Dabata Videography: Thabo Mathebula Photography: Katlego Mokubyane ;&nbsp;Assistant: Sbusiso Sigidi |&nbsp;Studio: NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg&nbsp; Styling: Deneal Van Wyk Hair &amp; Makeup:&nbsp;SnehhOnline Beauty



Tonye Irims founded WiSolar, an on-demand prepaid solar utility, in 2016. It focuses primarily on a power purchase agreement (PPA) business model. WiSolar installs and maintains the solar infrastructure in customer homes, and then sells that power to the customer via the app as re-quired per kWh – this could be for a 10- or 15-year term. According to the company, this business model allows property own-ers to install solar at no upfront cost.



When he first came upon the idea, Ir-ims set out to understand and learn more about solar technology. He also took a few trips overseas to find suppliers and de-termine how the company could connect mobile payments to solar electricity.



“When we started, it was kind of a dif-ficult time to sell solar to people because, first of all, people didn’t believe that solar electricity was the same as grid electric-ity – they felt that there was a difference in the electricity, so we had to explain to them [that] it’s the same thing, it’s just a different source,” he says.



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Irims created packages to make it easier for the customers to understand. The on-demand solar electricity platform is currently available in South Africa and Nigeria, however, the com-pany has plans to enter Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the DRC in the future.



Irims advises future entrepreneurs: “It’s really a very difficult path. It’s not a sprint, it’s a long run. If you want quick wins, I don’t think entrepreneurship is for you… unless you’re ready to make a sacrifice, you’re ready to put in the discipline, and the consistency. And you also need to stay innova-tive as an entrepreneur – you need to actually look ahead. So, if you’re ready to sacrifice, ready to play the long game, it’s for you.”



<a href="https://shop.forbesafrica.com/product/single-digital-issue-june-july-2024/">GET YOUR DIGITAL COPY NOW</a>


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Small Giants: Nigerian Entrepreneur On The Power Of Solar And Staying Innovative

Ronwen Williams was recently crowned the best goalkeeper in the southern African region by COSAFA, but in truth he is among the leading glovemen across all the continent following a superb 12 months for both club and country.



The 32-year-old was rewarded for his form with a new contract at Mamelodi Sundowns, perhaps suggesting that a move to Europe is now unlikely, and as national team captain has reset his focus on taking Bafana Bafana to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.



Having made his professional debut in South Africa’s topflight as a 19-year-old at SuperSport United, a rarity to have a teenage keeper play in the elite level, in the subsequent 13 years he has reached legend status in the local game and is arguably at the peak of his powers.



But what is also true is that he is expected to meet incredibly high standards at Sundowns, who again will vie for six trophies in the coming 2024/25 season where they will be expected to do well in all, and lift more than the two pieces of silverware they managed in the last campaign.



“It&#8217;s tough, really tough, because you have the board supported by the chairman (Tlhopie Motsepe) that do so much for us,” Williams tells FORBES AFRICA. “They go out of their way to make sure things are smooth, are good, we are well prepared and therefore they are very demanding.



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile" style="grid-template-columns:56% auto"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ronwen-Williams-Image-credit-COSAFA-2-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-62230 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ronwen-Williams-Image-credit-COSAFA-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ronwen-Williams-Image-credit-COSAFA-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ronwen-Williams-Image-credit-COSAFA-2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ronwen-Williams-Image-credit-COSAFA-2-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ronwen-Williams-Image-credit-COSAFA-2-2048x1363.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Ronwen Williams receives COSAFA Men&#8217;s Goalkeeper of the Year award during the 2024 COSAFA Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on the 9th of May 2024 (©Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix)
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“The nice thing about pressure is you can feel it. You just need to show up to your job, win games, win as many trophies as possible. And enjoy it. I would rather be in this situation than any other situation, because there&#8217;s lots to play for, there&#8217;s lots of success, there&#8217;s a lot of trophies, there&#8217;s a lot of (financial) incentives as well.



“The coach (Rulani Mokwena) protects us from it, he shields us away from the pressure. So, we enjoy it and we want to be successful and we want to rewrite history.”



What that success has brought is a place at the top table in global club football when Sundowns take part in next year’s inaugural FIFA Club World Cup along with the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid.



“That we are going to be part of this tournament, with so many (top) teams, speaks volumes for the club and the direction we want to go,” Williams says. “We were part of the first African Football League too. So, it just shows you know the level that we are at and what we want to achieve as a club.”



Williams has been a key figure in the recent upturn in fortunes for Bafana, not just as a shot-stopper, but also the captain of the side. Many have been surprised by the rapid improvement in the national team, but he always felt it was around the corner.



It culminated in a third place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast, where Williams won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.



“In many interviews I&#8217;ve done over the last year I told journalists that I can see Bafana Bafana doing well at Afcon and no one believed me,” he said. “But we knew what we were building, we knew the brotherhood we had and the talent that I&#8217;ve seen.



“Now, if you have the brotherhood and the team spirit is tops, there&#8217;s nothing that can stand in your way. The unity can carry you when you don&#8217;t maybe have the best players and when things are not going well.



“That&#8217;s when you count on each other and that showed at Afcon when things were tough, and guys were injured. When guys were tired, when you start missing your family, that&#8217;s when the brother comes through for you.”

Author: Forbes Africa

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA