The National Basketball Association (NBA) draft is always an exciting time of the year when teams in the greatest league on earth get to refresh their squads with the best young talent available. FORBES AFRICA takes a look at the eight players who were part of this season’s draft, some of who have gone straight to their new franchises, while others will earn experience elsewhere with the long-term goal in mind. 



By Nick Said 



Africa has a deep-rooted legacy in the NBA and provided star names in the past such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo, Manute Bol and Luol Deng. This year, we got to see a new crop of players with ties to the continent, who have set their sights on fame and glory on the court. Here they are: 



Christian Koloko  Draft: Selected 33rd overall by the Toronto Raptors 


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1246238247.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57344" width="647" height="431" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1246238247.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1246238247-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1246238247-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 647px) 100vw, 647px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Koloko became the first Cameroonian selected in the NBA draft since Toronto’s Pascal Siakam in 2016 and is the third highest drafted player from the Central African country of all time behind the latter and Joel Embiid, who was third in 2014.  Born in Douala, the 22-year-old was spotted at the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa talent scouting camp in Senegal in 2017, and was taken to the United States where he played for Birmingham High School, despite speaking no English.  The center later featured for the University of Arizona before being drafted by Toronto.  



Yannick Nzosa  Draft: Selected 54th overall by the Washington Wizards 


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1239215594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57343" width="625" height="417" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1239215594.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1239215594-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1239215594-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Flaviu Buboi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Nzosa was only 18 when he was drafted by Washington Wizards, who have sent him to Spanish side Real Betis to get experience in the 2022/23 season. Soccer was his first love and he started as a goalkeeper given his tremendous height, before being spotted by the coach of a local basketball club in Kinshasa.  He attempted to go to an academy in Spain as a 13-year-old, but was denied a visa, and instead went to Stella Azzurra Roma, though he later was controversially taken to Spain by his mentor Joe Lolonga without the Italian club’s permission.   He made his debut for his new side Unicaja at the age of 16 and was an instant hit, even if injury has slowed his progress recently. 



  Ousmane Dieng  Draft: Selected 11th overall by the New York Knicks 


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1446348654.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57347" width="556" height="371" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1446348654.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1446348654-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1446348654-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 556px) 100vw, 556px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Dieng’s family are from Senegal, though the shooting guard was born in France and has had a circular route to the NBA.  He moved to New Zealand Breakers in 2021 and competed in the National Basketball League (NBL). While there he joined the league’s Next Stars program which specifically looks to develop NBA draft prospects. It worked as he was snapped by the New York Knicks ahead of the 2022/23 season, though he was immediately traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is still only 19. 



 &nbsp;



Khalifa Diop  Draft: Selected 39th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers 


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1246319180.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57345" width="508" height="338" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1246319180.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1246319180-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1246319180-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px" /><figcaption>Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


The 20-year-old from Guereo, Senegal, is another who has been making a name in Spain, where he plays for Gran Canaria. He was drafted for the Cleveland Cavaliers but has been sent back to Gran Canaria to gain experience during the 2022/23 season. The center, who stands at an impressive 2.11 meters tall, first rose to prominence in the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) game at the NBA All-Star match in 2019.    Ochai Agbaji  Draft: Selected 14th overall by the Washington Wizards 


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1454282748.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57348" width="582" height="386" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1454282748.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1454282748-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1454282748-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 582px) 100vw, 582px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Agbaji&#8217;s father, Olofu, moved from Nigeria to the United States when he was 17 in order to play basketball for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, though initially he encouraged his son to play soccer.  But when Ochai grew nine inches in a single year it became clear he had all the attributes to be a top baller and was a star for the University of Kansas.  The shooting guard was selected in the draft by the Washington Wizards, but they traded him to Utah Jazz in September before the season started. There he plays alongside fellow Nigerian Udoka Azubuike.     Mark Williams  Draft: Selected 15th overall by the Charlotte Hornets 



Center Williams was selected by Charlotte Hornets in the draft but is spending the season with their affiliate side Greensboro Swarm. He is an alumnus of Duke University and starred for them, catching the eye of a number of teams around the country. Williams’ older sister Elizabeth is a star of the Women’s NBA and his parents are both doctors who emigrated from Nigeria. 



  Moussa Diabate  Draft: Selected 43rd overall by the Los Angeles Clippers 


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1428443282.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57346" width="641" height="427" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1428443282.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1428443282-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1428443282-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 641px) 100vw, 641px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Diabate’s parents are from Mali and Guinea, and he was snapped by Los Angeles Clippers in the draft after shining for the University of Michigan. He has been sent to affiliate club Ontario Clippers, where he will spend the 2022/23 season as he makes his way in the game. Diabate was part of the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) game at the NBA All-Star match in 2020. 



  Ismaël Kamagate  Draft: Selected 46th overall by the Detroit Pistons 



Kamagate will play the 2022/23 season with Paris Basketball having been loaned back to them by his new NBA employers Denver Nuggets.  In a snapshot of how complex things can get in the NBA, Detroit Pistons selected the 21-year-old in the draft having scouted him in the French league, where he has been a star. But they immediately traded him to Portland Trail Blazers, who then traded Kamagate again to the Denver Nuggets, who have now sent him to Paris. Born to Ivorian parents, he was named best defender in the French competition in 2022.

Basketball dribble

Tall Talent: Africa’s Basketball Stars

It’s FORBES AFRICA’s 11th birthday, and we have rounded up a team of 11 stellar African footballers who we believe have been the best from the African continent since 2011.



By Nick Said 



<h2 id="h-goalkeeper">GOALKEEPER</h2>



Édouard Mendy (Senegal) The 30-year-old gloveman was a late starter and playing Ligue 2 football in France just four years ago before a meteoric rise that has seen him become arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. He has been instrumental in Senegal’s recent success.



<h2>RIGHT-BACK</h2>



Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)


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<figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1441763055.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56879" width="277" height="415" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1441763055.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1441763055-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 277px) 100vw, 277px" /><figcaption>r. (Photo by Oliver Hardt &#8211; FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Hakimi is only 23 but has already played for Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and current club Paris St Germain, where he is a teammate of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. Not many other footballers can say that. A set-piece specialist, he brings goals from the full-back position.



<h2>CENTRE-BACK</h2>



Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal) Koulibaly has recently made the switch from Napoli to Chelsea after eight years in Naples, where he was considered among the best defenders in Italy’s Serie A. The 31-year-old has been crucial in back-to-back World Cup qualifications for Senegal, as well as their recent Africa Cup of Nations triumph.



<h2>CENTRE-BACK</h2>



Medhi Benatia (Morocco) Benatia has retired but spent a decade in the Morocco national team and played for such great clubs as Roma, Juventus and Bayern Munich, though he is perhaps best known for his stay with Udinese. He won three league titles in Italy and two in Germany. 



<h2>LEFT-BACK</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1217751780.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56880" width="470" height="636" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1217751780.jpg 757w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1217751780-222x300.jpg 222w" sizes="(max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Marco Luzzani &#8211; Inter/Inter via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Kwadwo Asamoah (Ghana) Although he can play in midfield or defence, he spent much of his career at left-back, which included over 100 appearances for Juventus and a successful spell with Inter Milan. He played more than 350 times in Serie A and won the championship on six occasions to make him one of the most decorated Ghanaian players of all time.



<h2>RIGHT-MIDFIELD</h2>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1244645926.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56881" width="570" height="380" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1244645926.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1244645926-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1244645926-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt &#8211; AMA/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast) Toure was not just one of the best in Africa during his playing days, but also a global great during his time with Barcelona and Manchester City. Tall and imposing, he also had great skill and vision and could dominate games all on his own. He was part of the Ivorian Golden Generation and helped them to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2015. He is a four-time African Footballer of the Year winner, a joint record number with Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o.



<h2>CENTRAL MIDFIELD</h2>



Thomas Partey (Ghana) Partey has been a star for Ghana since 2016 having come through the ranks at Spanish LaLiga side Atletico Madrid, who he helped win the UEFA Europa League in 2018 having lost out in the final of the Champions League two years before. He is now with Arsenal and will be a huge player for Ghana at the World Cup in Qatar.



<h2>LEFT MIDFIELD</h2>



Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) Mahrez usually occupies the right midfield position, but we have moved him to the left in our team. He shot to prominence at Leicester City, who he helped to win the Premier League in 2015/16 – still one of the greatest sporting stories of all time. He has since joined Manchester City and added three more league title wins, while he guided Algeria to Africa Cup of Nations success in 2019.



<h2>RIGHT FORWARD</h2>



Mo Salah (Egypt) Salah was viewed as something of a failure in his early career at Chelsea, but a loan move to Roma in Italy helped ignite his career, which went into over-drive when he joined Liverpool in 2017. He has been among the best forwards in the world since and helped the Anfield club to their first league title in 30 years, as well as the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. Missing from his trophy cabinet is the Africa Cup of Nations after he was runner-up with Egypt in 2017 AND 2021. He has twice won African Footballer of the Year.



<h2>CENTRE-FORWARD</h2>



Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba were coming to the end of their careers just as our eligibility period starts, so the centreforward role goes to Gabon’s Aubameyang, who has been a lethal forward in France, Germany, England and Spain for the last 11 years. Up to the start of the 2022/23 season, he had scored more than 300 goals in Europe and was named African Footballer of the Year in 2015.



<h2>LEFT FORWARD</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1439033300.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56882" width="577" height="385" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1439033300.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1439033300-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GettyImages-1439033300-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Sadio Mané (Senegal) Mane is arguably the hottest property in Africa right now and at the peak of his powers, both for club and country. He Helped Senegal to the Africa Cup of Nations title in February and followed that up with a beating Salah’s Egypt for a place at the World Cup in Qatar. He took the bold step of leaving Liverpool for Bayern Munich at the start of the 2022/23 campaign but hit the ground running and has continued to bang in the goals in the Bundesliga. He is the reigning African Footballer of the Year, having also won in 2019.

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If you thought this weekend’s cumulative box office (around $43 million) was ugly, just wait until you see next weekend’s domestic cume. Sony moved Morbius from January 28 to April 1, and nothing whatsoever as slid in to fill the gap, which will lead to Spider-Man: No Way Home, Scream and Sing 2 (which is holding firm even as it tops the various VOD charts) again making up around 75% of what gets spent in the last weekend of January. Why is the domestic box office in such grim shape now? Well, the answer is slightly more complicated than “Omicron” or “streaming.”



1. The Oscar season is a bust.&nbsp;



While January isn’t usually a robust month for regularly scheduled tentpoles, we can usually count on one or two December releases successfully expanding into wide release to mainstream commercial success. Think, offhand,&nbsp;A Beautiful Mind&nbsp;($171 million in 2001/2002),&nbsp;Chicago&nbsp;($171 million in 2002/2003),&nbsp;Slumdog Millionaire&nbsp;in 2009,&nbsp;The Silver Linings Playbook&nbsp;($132 million in 2012/2013),&nbsp;The Revenant&nbsp;($184 million in 2015/2016),&nbsp;Hidden Figures&nbsp;($169 million in 2016/2017) and&nbsp;1917&nbsp;($159 million in 2019/2020). These films earned strong reviews and solid buzz in their November/December platform launches and then broke out accordingly with eventual $130-$190 million (or, in the case of&nbsp;American Sniper, $350 million-plus) domestic success once they expanded to “theaters everywhere” early in the new year. Alas, this year has no&nbsp;La La Land&nbsp;or&nbsp;Gran Torino-sized $150 million-plus breakout, nor even the likes of&nbsp;The Fighter&nbsp;or&nbsp;Black Swan&nbsp;both coasting to over/under $100 million in 2010/2011. &nbsp;



House of Gucci, with just $51 million, is the biggest-grossing awards season release with&nbsp;West Side Story&nbsp;placing second by default with $35 million. Save for maybe&nbsp;Dune&nbsp;($107 million), none of this year’s awards season flicks have broken out, with the so-called “mainstream crowd-pleasing frontrunner”&nbsp;Belfast&nbsp;stuck at $7 million and the theoretically commercial likes of&nbsp;King Richard&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Last Duel&nbsp;all earning well below the $23 million-grossing&nbsp;American Underdog. The Christmas tentpoles and the awards season darlings once thrived concurrently. You got the&nbsp;Lord of the Rings&nbsp;trilogy and the respective Best Picture winners thriving.&nbsp;Tron: Legacy&nbsp;and&nbsp;True Grit&nbsp;could both earn around $170 million over Christmas 2010.&nbsp;The Force Awakens&nbsp;($937 million)&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Revenant&nbsp;($184 million) could both be relative successes. But with audiences ignoring the Oscar flicks (or waiting until streaming), the domestic box office is almost entirely predicated on the holdover tentpole business. &nbsp;



2. Most of the December releases flopped.&nbsp;



Speaking of which, almost everything released in December tanked over the holidays. In a skewed example of the movie industry as it now exists, Spider-Man: No Way Home is the fourth-biggest domestic ($721 million-and-counting) and sixth-biggest worldwide ($1.69 billion-and-counting) grosser of all time, while almost everything else (The Matrix Resurrections, The King’s Man, American Underdog, A Journal for Jordan, West Side Story, Nightmare Alley, etc.) sits below $40 million domestic and in most cases closer to $10 million than $25 million. Yes, Illumination’s Sing 2 is a genuine, no-Covid curve theatrical hit, with a likely $140 million domestic and possible $300 million global cume on an $85 million budget. However, compare that to 2017 when The Last Jedi ($620 million), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle ($404 million) and The Greatest Showman ($174 million) helped end 2017 and start 2018 with a bang. Even the $84 million gross of Ferdinand now feels aspirational.  



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-1359829962.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54044" width="578" height="438" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-1359829962.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-1359829962-300x228.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-1359829962-768x583.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



3. Studios don’t want to cannibalize themselves.&nbsp;



Sony didn’t delay Jared Leto’s&nbsp;Morbius&nbsp;from this weekend to April 1 due to Covid concerns. If that was the case, they could have moved it right back after&nbsp;Scream&nbsp;opened with $33.8 million over MLK weekend. First, April 1 is just a better date for a big movie and second&nbsp;No Way Home&nbsp;is legging out so well (it had a smaller sixth weekend drop than any of the recent pre-Christmas December mega-movies save for&nbsp;Aquaman, Titanic&nbsp;and&nbsp;Avatar) that it’s almost silly to interrupt its stride. As&nbsp;Wag the Dog&nbsp;taught us, you don’t change horses in midstream. Sony can coast on&nbsp;Spider-Man 3 version 2.0&nbsp;grosses regardless of whether it ends up in the Best Picture race next month. Whether or not Sony is throwing in new multiverse cameos,&nbsp;Morbius&nbsp;can wait until&nbsp;Spider-Man&nbsp;has run its race. &nbsp;



Ditto Tom Holland’s&nbsp;Uncharted&nbsp;still set for February 18. Meanwhile, even if Universal wanted to fill in a hole in the schedule, Jennifer Lopez’s&nbsp;Marry Me&nbsp;(also debuting concurrently on Peacock) is specifically a Valentine’s Day weekend attraction, while moving DreamWorks’&nbsp;The Bad Guys&nbsp;from April 15 to, well, now, would only stunt&nbsp;Sing 2’s leggy run. Likewise, while it might be tempting for Paramount to move&nbsp;Jackass Forever&nbsp;to this weekend (as opposed to February 4 against Lionsgate’s IMAX-enhanced&nbsp;Moonfall), they’ve already got&nbsp;Scream&nbsp;doing halfway decent business while banking on Johnny Knoxville’s appearance on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/01/wwe-confirms-johnny-knoxville-for-the-royal-rumble/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble</a>&nbsp;to goose interest in the comedy sequel. As such, the schedule as it exists remains as it was, with nothing arriving to fill the slot where&nbsp;Morbius&nbsp;was supposed to rule. I mean, I might have tossed Liam Neeson’s&nbsp;Blacklight&nbsp;onto this weekend, but it’s not my money.&nbsp;



4. The Super Bowl!&nbsp;



The Super Bowl will air globally on February 13, 2022. While history has shown that the films slated for that weekend (Death on the Nile&nbsp;and&nbsp;Marry Me) can do fine, it is a huge marketing opportunity for a slew of upcoming movies. No, I don’t know what films will get high-profile commercials during the big game, although Warner Bros. hasn&#8217;t plugged a big movie since&nbsp;Batman Begins&nbsp;in 2005. Regardless, even if they wanted to throw an upcoming movie into the January 21 or January 28 weekend, it would mean they’d be missing a chance to plug that film during the most-watched television event of the year. Sure, we may (speculation alert) see first looks at some big summer tentpoles, we will also likely get reminders for&nbsp;Uncharted, Operation Fortune, The Lost City, Morbius&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sonic the Hedgehog 2, all of which open prior to the summer season.&nbsp;



5. The Streaming Factor



Yes, the industry is dealing with Wall Street’s current preference for streaming, as well as the after-effects of studios selling off some potentially commercial flicks to streaming platforms as a way to get quick cash to weather the storm. I’d imagine Sony’s&nbsp;Hotel Transformania&nbsp;(a lack of Adam Sandler notwithstanding) would have given the box office a mild jolt (the previous three installments have grossed $1.3 billion worldwide) had it opened theatrically instead of debuting this past month on Amazon Prime.&nbsp;Encanto&nbsp;might have been a bit leggier (and opened bigger) had it not been essentially treated as a Disney+ flick with a courtesy 31-day theatrical engagement (as opposed to a theatrical event which would eventually debut on Disney+). I can’t say to what extent Warner’s&nbsp;King Richard&nbsp;and&nbsp;Matrix 4&nbsp;being available on HBO Max, along with the more mainstream Oscar flicks being at 20th Century as Disney was prioritizing Disney+, but it probably didn’t help.



Epilogue



The &#8220;good” news is we’ve been here before. In&nbsp;early 2018,&nbsp;Black Panther&nbsp;earned $700 million domestic and $1.346 billion worldwide while steamrolling a slew of tentpole flicks throughout February and March. This wasn’t&nbsp;Titanic&nbsp;sinking a bunch of small movies. The likes of&nbsp;Tomb Raider, Pacific Rim: Uprising&nbsp;and&nbsp;A Wrinkle in Time&nbsp;might have been franchise-friendly contenders absent the superior all-quadrant blockbuster. Studios held back in 2019 on stuffing the pre-Easter season with copious tentpoles. WB&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2018/05/24/wbs-godzilla-2-just-moved-far-away-from-disneys-captain-marvel/?sh=60618e324137">moved&nbsp;Godzilla: King of the Monsters</a>&nbsp;from March to May and everyone kept their distance from&nbsp;Captain Marvel&nbsp;(March 8). Alas, January’s&nbsp;Glass&nbsp;slightly underperformed and February’s&nbsp;The LEGO Movie 2&nbsp;tanked, leaving Hollywood waiting for Marvel. Cut to 2022, and everyone&#8217;s counting on&nbsp;The Batman&nbsp;(March 4).&nbsp;I can’t promise that&nbsp;The Batman&nbsp;will kick off a “business as usual” pre-summer season which will lead to a business-as-usual summer, but fingers crossed.

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5 Reasons Hollywood Is Suffering From A Box Office Slump

<abbr>D</abbr>espite growing fears of inflation and the onset of new variants of Covid-19, global stock markets have kept humming along in 2021. The S&amp;P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average are both up by double-digits this year, boosted by a wave of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/denizcam/2021/04/06/jackpot-ten-new-billionaires-from-ipos-in-2021/?sh=63cdb865caa1">IPOs</a>&nbsp;and reverse&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hanktucker/2021/04/06/chamath-palihapitiya-and-nine-other-new-billionaires-minted-by-spac-frenzy/?sh=6a1a9f6fed19">mergers</a>&nbsp;that minted several new billionaires. Cryptocurrencies have also been on a tear,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ninabambysheva/2021/10/05/six-new-crypto-billionaires-join-the-2021-forbes-400/?sh=28bd474f375d">generating</a>&nbsp;a handful of newcomers to the three-comma club, while record venture capital and private equity activity has given rise to more ten-figure fortunes among owners and investors in private companies. Altogether,&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;tracked more than 400 new billionaires in 2021, with an estimated collective net worth of more than $1 trillion. That’s out of a total population of more than 2,600 billionaires&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2021/12/08/the-worlds-billionaires-have-gotten-16-trillion-richer-in-2021/?sh=5999ae8b2c21">globally</a>&nbsp;worth nearly $14 trillion as of December 17. (Net worths for this article are all as of December 17, 2021.)



The richest new billionaire in 2021 is <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/miriam-adelson/?sh=211dd7c99c40">Miriam Adelson</a>, the widow of late casino magnate <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2021/01/12/casino-billionaire-republican-power-broker-and-trump-ally-sheldon-adelson-is-dead/?sh=57ae29202743">Sheldon Adelson</a>, who inherited his stake in Las Vegas Sands, which makes up most of her estimated $27.1 billion net worth. She’s one of at least 60 women who became billionaires in 2021, including <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/melinda-french-gates/?sh=36ea8672fcc9">Melinda French Gates</a>, who finalized her <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2021/08/02/bill-gates-and-melinda-french-gates-finalize-their-divorce/?sh=4fee7c83ba48">divorce</a> from Bill Gates in August and now has an estimated net worth of $6.1 billion. Among those newcomers are several self-made women billionaires, including:



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1228844716-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52021" width="576" height="384" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1228844716-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1228844716-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1228844716-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1228844716-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1228844716-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2 Presented by Amazon Prime Video)</figcaption></figure></div>



<ul><li>Popstar-turned-fashion mogul&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/rihanna/?sh=562f915b1400">Rihanna</a>, the world’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2021/08/04/fentys-fortune-rihanna-is-now-officially-a-billionaire/?sh=2fc7e17c96b8">richest</a>&nbsp;female musician, has an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion thanks to her 50% stake in cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty. She is also the first billionaire in her home country of Barbados, which recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/30/barbados-hails-rihanna-national-hero-as-it-becomes-republic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honored</a>&nbsp;her as a “national hero.”</li></ul>



<ul><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/kim-kardashian-west/?sh=4541960241d6">Kim Kardashian West</a>, who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2021/02/19/kim-kardashian-files-for-divorce-from-kanye-west/?sh=12b1293790c1">filed</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2021/02/19/inside-the-assets-of-the-kim-kardashian-kanye-west-divorce/?sh=158185ac29a3">divorce</a>&nbsp;from billionaire musician and footwear&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2020/04/24/kanye-west-is-now-officially-a-billionaireand-he-really-wants-the-world-to-know/?sh=4901cc677b9e">magnate</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/kanye-west/?sh=24608fb056f1">Kanye West</a>&nbsp;in February, also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2021/04/06/kim-kardashian-west-is-officially-a-billionaire/?sh=729c9e21bba0">joined</a>&nbsp;the three-comma-club, with an estimated $1.2 billion fortune largely made up of her stakes in cosmetics brand KKW Beauty and shapewear firm Skims. (The former reality TV star filed to drop “West” from her last name in December.)</li><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/pictures/61ae2ec4cff11e5bb2f4b16b/falguni-nayar-founder-and/?sh=71134b497f1d">Falguni Nayar</a>&nbsp;of India, a former investment banker who founded Indian fashion and cosmetics retailer Nykaa, is the world&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/anuraghunathan/2021/10/23/nykaa-founder-falguni-nayars-net-worth-to-triple-in-upcoming-ipo-at-7-billion-valuation/?sh=2a23894b2d5f">richest</a>&nbsp;self-made woman billionaire to emerge this year with an estimated net worth of $6.8 billion after Nykaa&#8217;s parent company went&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/anuraghunathan/2021/11/10/beauty-retailer-nykaa-lists-at-13-billion-making-founder-falguni-nayar-indias-richest-self-made-woman/?sh=3c3396047eb7">public</a>&nbsp;on the National Stock Exchange in Mumbai, India.</li><li>Close behind her is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/melanie-perkins/?sh=65347c861265">Melanie Perkins</a>, the Australian cofounder of design software firm Canva, with an estimated $6.5 billion fortune thanks to her estimated 18% stake in the company; her husband,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/cliff-obrecht/?sh=7d6df0f629b7">Cliff Obrecht</a>, and a third Canva cofounder, Cameron Adams are also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2021/04/06/canva-reaches-15-billion-valuation-making-cofounders-melanie-perkins-and-cliff-obrecht-billionaires/?sh=7ee55c9d63c1">billionaires</a>—worth an estimated $6.5 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively—after two funding rounds in April and September that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2021/09/14/canva-raises-at-40-billion-valuation-and-founders-pledge-away-their-wealth/?sh=19d559617ba9">valued</a>&nbsp;the firm at $40 billion. Perkins and Obrecht&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/12/14/the-giving-pledge-gains-14-new-members-here-are-the-super-rich-vowing-to-donate-most-of-their-wealth/?sh=29c8bd633774">joined</a>&nbsp;the Giving Pledge this year, promising to donate at least half their fortunes to charitable causes.</li></ul>



Most of the newcomers to the billionaire ranks this year came from China, which added some 160 new billionaires, followed by the United States, with nearly 100. India and Germany each added more than 20, while Sweden stood out among the rest by minting 12 new billionaires, all self-made. Besides Barbados, three countries also got their first billionaires in 2021:



<ul><li>Bulgaria, where the billionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2021/11/26/meet-bulgarias-first-billionaires-who-built-a-global-animal-health-firm-from-sofia-to-nebraska/?sh=2c71f5b715f4">brothers</a>&nbsp;Kiril and Georgi Domuschiev built a $4.2 billion empire across animal health, shipping, real estate and soccer by privatizing state-owned companies.</li><li>Estonia, home to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/kristo-kaarmann/?sh=1688015d43f4">Kristo Käärmann</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/taavet-hinrikus/?sh=3bd82c897471">Taavet Hinrikus</a>, founders of money exchange transfer service Wise, which went&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddawkins/2021/07/07/wise-founders-krmann-and-hinrikus-become-first-estonian-tech-billionaires-after-london-ipo/?sh=73de693f5ecb">public</a>&nbsp;on the London Stock Exchange in July.</li><li>Uruguay, which gained three&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2021/09/07/meet-uruguays-fintech-tycoons-powering-payments-for-netflix-and-amazon-dlocal-sebastian-kanovich/">billionaires</a>&nbsp;after the June IPO of cross-border payments startup dLocal; one has since fallen out of the ranks, but dLocal cofounders Andrés Bzurovski and Sergio Fogel are each worth about $2 billion.</li></ul>



More than half of the new billionaires in 2021 made their fortunes in three industries—manufacturing, technology and finance &amp; investments. Manufacturing had the largest cohort, with the vast majority of them hailing from China, including:



<ul><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/deng-weiming/?sh=62b9182a7452">Deng Weiming</a>, the chairman of lithium battery component manufacturer CNGR Advanced Material, is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/russellflannery/2021/11/14/chinese-billionaires-getting-richer-with-clean-energy-businesses/?sh=7fb9aaf51127">richest</a>&nbsp;new manufacturing billionaire in 2021, with an estimated net worth of $9.4 billion.</li><li>Also joining the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2021/07/09/scott-watterson-ifit-war-to-bring-down-peloton/?sh=35aa1cf64953">billionaire</a>&nbsp;ranks in 2021 is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/scott-watterson/?sh=446a227627c1">Scott Watterson</a>, cofounder of Logan, Utah-based gym equipment maker and Peloton rival iFIT, which produces treadmills, stationary bikes and other connected fitness machines; the firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211007005598/en/iFIT-Postpones-Initial-Public-Offering" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">postponed</a>&nbsp;its October IPO, citing “adverse market conditions.”</li></ul>



Cryptocurrencies and meme stocks made <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanponciano/2021/06/02/not-just-amc-these-are-the-meme-stocks-reddit-traders-are-pumping-again-as-experts-urge-extreme-caution/?sh=93b18a255fcf">headlines</a> this year, A new class of billionaires emerged starting in January, when video game retailer GameStop <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanponciano/2021/01/26/gamestops-massive-surge-creates-a-new-billionaire-as-wall-street-bets-against-reddit-traders/?sh=3cdbf4db35ae">propelled</a> the rise of <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/ryan-cohen/?sh=652ceafc4f2b">Ryan Cohen</a>—an activist investor and the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2017/01/10/the-man-who-found-gold-in-dog-food/?sh=1adc4d213095">founder</a> and former CEO of pet e-commerce giant Chewy—into the three-comma-club. Cryptocurrencies continued to rise throughout 2021, minting many new <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhyatt/2021/04/06/the-cryptocurrency-tycoons-on-forbes-2021-billionaires-list/?sh=3c8cb90525e2">fortunes</a> including:



<ul><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/sam-bankman-fried/?sh=7d8d3fa24449">Sam Bankman-Fried</a>, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenehrlich/2021/10/06/the-richest-under-30-in-the-world-all-thanks-to-crypto/?sh=7f8d8e033f4d">joined</a>&nbsp;The Forbes 400 list of the richest Americans this year as the richest self-made newcomer in the history of the list. He is worth an estimated $26.5 billion.</li><li>Crypto entrepreneurs and brothers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/cameron-winklevoss/">Cameron</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/tyler-winklevoss/?sh=73fdee2e2cbd">Tyler Winklevoss</a>, each have an estimated $5 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeldelcastillo/2021/04/05/revenge-of-the-winklevii-facebook-winklevoss-bitcoin-nft-billionaire-revenge/?sh=63be38e01572">fortune</a>&nbsp;thanks to their cryptocurrency investments and stakes in crypto exchange Gemini.&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;featured the twins in a cover story in April.</li><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/vitalik-buterin/?sh=2abe75dd75dd">Vitalik Buterin</a>, the Canadian-Russian&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ninabambysheva/2021/11/03/ethereum-co-founder-vitalik-buterins-net-worth-hits-146-billion-as-ether-is-trading-at-all-time-high/?sh=72beaa602250">founder</a>&nbsp;of blockchain platform Ethereum and its cryptocurrency Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion. (Buterin has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilymason/2021/06/21/ethereum-creator-loses-over-400-million-as-crypto-market-collapses/?sh=eeec91d20878">fallen</a>&nbsp;in and out of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ninabambysheva/2021/05/03/ethereums-27-year-old-co-creator-is-now-the-worlds-youngest-crypto-billionaire/?sh=60aeb7087c94">billionaire</a>&nbsp;ranks alongside Ethereum’s seesawing price.)</li></ul>



Fintech company founders also became new billionaires across the globe as a result of IPOs andnew funding rounds in 2021. They include:



<ul><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/david-velez/?sh=6230067684ac">David Vélez</a>&nbsp;of Colombia and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkauflin/2021/12/09/shares-of-digital-bank-nubank-rise-15-in-ipo-valuing-the-company-at-45-billion-and-minting-a-new-female-billionaire-cofounder/?sh=756046834317">Cristina Junqueira</a>&nbsp;of Brazil,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkauflin/2021/04/07/fintech-billionaire-david-velez-nubank-brazil-digital-bank/?sh=91071cd6b279">cofounders</a>&nbsp;of digital bank Nubank, are now worth an estimated $9.7 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, following the firm’s IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in December.</li><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/guillaume-pousaz/">Guillaume Pousaz</a>, the Swiss founder of London-based payment processing firm Checkout.com,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddawkins/2021/04/07/checkoutcoms-guillaume-pousaz-emerges-as-one-of-europes-leading-billionaire-fintech-founders/?sh=a0cc9119f5ff">emerged</a>&nbsp;as a billionaire after the company’s $450 million funding round in January, which valued it at $15 billion.</li><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/victor-jacobsson/?sh=7b118ca32459">Victor Jacobsson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/sebastian-siemiatkowski/?sh=1c814eec6e25">Sebastian Siemiatkowski</a>, cofounders of ​​Swedish buy now, pay later firm Klarna, became&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkauflin/2021/03/01/klarnas-valuation-triples-in-six-months-making-cofounders-billionaires/?sh=470187927654">billionaires</a>&nbsp;in March when the company raised $1 billion at a $31 billion valuation, giving them estimated $2.7 billion and $2.2 billion fortunes, respectively.</li></ul>



New listings reached record highs in 2021, both in the form of IPOs and in mergers with blank check companies known as SPACs (short for special purpose acquisition company). SPACs made up 64% of the 953 public listings in the United States so far this year, <a href="https://spacanalytics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a> to SPAC Analytics. That’s up more than 140% from the total number in 2020, while new listings overall have more than doubled. New billionaires from SPACs and IPOs in 2021 include:



<ul><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/mat-ishbia/?sh=7c5134b218af">Mat</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/justin-ishbia/?sh=7af17098781a">Justin Ishbia</a>&nbsp;of Michigan-based United Wholesale Mortgage, the country&#8217;s second-largest mortgage lender, which went&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoinegara/2021/01/23/how-mat-ishbia-cashed-in-on-the-biggest-spac-ever-from-benchwarmer-to-13-billion/?sh=98192c87a333">public</a>&nbsp;via SPAC merger in January; Mat’s shares are worth an estimated $7.3 billion, while Justin’s are worth an estimated $2.2 billion.</li><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/sytse-sid-sijbrandij/?sh=4db1e4d66e5b">Sytse ‘Sid’ Sijbrandij</a>, the Dutch founder of software development platform Gitlab, took the company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2021/10/14/gitlab-reaches-15-bil-market-cap-as-shares-jump-in-ipo/">public</a>&nbsp;on the Nasdaq in a blockbuster IPO in October that made him a billionaire; he now has an estimated net worth of $2 billion.</li></ul>



Private companies have also been receiving record levels of investment from <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevindowd/2021/09/19/an-unprecedented-year-for-private-equity-is-spilling-into-the-middle-market/?sh=35320712737a">private equity</a> firms and <a href="https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/2021-us-vc-fundraising-exits-deal-flow-charts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">venture capitalists</a>, elevating many founders into their billionaire ranks without having to resort to public markets. Others also became billionaires thanks to mergers and acquisitions by larger companies amid <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/global-markets-ma-2021-08-12/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">record</a> M&amp;A activity. Among those newcomers are:



<ul><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/alex-shevchenko/?sh=5cd73ce67026">Alex Shevchenko</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/max-lytvyn/?sh=6297768239cf">&nbsp;Max Lytvyn</a>, the Ukrainian-born founders of grammar checking tool Grammarly, are each worth an estimated $4 billion after Grammarly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/11/23/grammarly-founders-become-billionaires-from-fixing-your-sloppy-writing/?sh=4a0a37745852">raised</a>&nbsp;$200 million in November from investors including Baillie Gifford and BlackRock at a $13 billion valuation.</li><li>Lord of the Rings&nbsp;director&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/peter-jackson/?sh=4777cf207ab4">Peter Jackson</a>&nbsp;sold most of his New Zealand-based visual effects shop Weta Digital to video game software firm Unity Software for $1.6 billion in November, a deal that made him a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2021/11/12/bilbo-bags-a-billion-lord-of-the-rings-director-peter-jackson-is-officially-a-billionaire/?sh=5d68010c12ca">billionaire</a>, with an estimated $1.5 billion fortune.</li></ul>



By Giacomo Tognini, Forbes Staff

Screenshot 2022-01-17 at 13.40.06

Rihanna, The Winklevoss Twins, And More: Here Are The Most Notable New Billionaires Of 2021

The end of the year is approaching, and while high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) will be focused on financial and tax planning, marketing professionals should be focused on how to better reach HNWIs.



According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://worldwealthreport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/06/orld-Wealth-Report-2021.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new report</a>, HNWIs in the U.S. grew their wealth by 12.3% in 2020 (despite the pandemic). The tech industry led the way—accounting for 29% of HNWIs’ wealth earned in 2020.



What else is on the rise? New platforms, decreased attention spans and more content than any one person could consume in an average lifetime. Which means that, as a marketer who wants to connect with this cohort of consumers, you must be strategic by meeting HNWIs where they are—with what they want.&nbsp;



To help you do that, Forbes recently surveyed 250 HNWIs from North America, EMEA and APAC to gather insights into how they’re managing their money, creating wealth and engaging in philanthropy. Using findings from our survey and anecdotes from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/connect/event/2021forbeswealthsummit/">Forbes Wealth Summit</a>, we compiled five key themes that are top of mind for today’s wealthiest.&nbsp;



With millions of HNWIs and thousands of brands vying for their attention, this is how you make sure your brand—and your content—stands out.



<h3 id="h-1-environmental-social-and-governance">1. Environmental, Social and Governance&nbsp;</h3>



Investors increasingly apply non-financial factors like ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) when analyzing risk and growth opportunities. Today’s investors want to ensure their investments aren’t funding unethical actions and affirm that they are investing in fixing problems—from inequality to climate change to equitable corporate governance. Data backs this up.



Our research found that 62% of HNWIs said making an impact (ESG, social justice, equity) was their primary goal today. Sixty two percent also said ESG/impact funds are a significant part of their portfolio.



<h3 id="h-2-enduring-impact">2. Enduring Impact&nbsp;</h3>



Impact creates opportunity. So it’s no surprise that investor interest in sustainable, responsible, and impact investing (SRI) has been increasing year over year. In fact, when we asked HNWIs about the most important financial lessons they’ve learned that they’d like to pass along to the next generation, 56% said to prioritize ESG investing.



We’ve also seen the power of impact firsthand through our work&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswealthteam/2020/09/08/impact-50-investors-seeking-profit-and-pushing-for-change-diversified/?sh=3855e1ed3bce">with Nuveen</a>. The global investment manager wanted to reach financial advisors and empower them to incorporate impact strategies into their client portfolio. We worked together to activate a 2x award-winning approach to reach investors who achieved attractive returns while creating an enduring impact on the world.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-3-blockchain-and-crypto">3. Blockchain and Crypto</h3>



More and more HNWIs are paying attention to blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Our research found that while ESG was a top priority for HNWIs with themed investments, disruptive tech (e.g., blockchain, robotics, autonomous and electric vehicles, 5G) took second place.



Plus, the crypto market itself has reached an eye-popping&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/billybambrough/2021/10/06/wall-street-giants-are-suddenly-piling-into-bitcoin-and-crypto-amid-500-billion-price-pump/?sh=184465cf6ee8">$2.3 trillion</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/cathie-wood/?sh=20a1b6307360">Cathie Wood</a>, the founder, CEO and CIO of Ark Investment Management, spoke at Forbes Wealth Summit about how we’re in early-stage growth of the market. Wood also discussed how convergence among and between technologies is causing creative destruction and growth—signaling that this is only the beginning of innovation and an area many HNWIs are closely watching.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-4-highlight-a-holistic-view">4. Highlight a Holistic View&nbsp;</h3>



Skip the myopic focus, said Ben Dell, the founder &amp; managing partner of Kimmeridge, at this year’s Wealth Summit. Dell wants to see individuals activating in their community and taking a more holistic approach. While Dell’s comments were in reference to bringing us to net-zero, marketers can glean a valuable insight—to not lean on short-sighted or short-term solutions to reach consumers.



HNWIs are thinking forward too. When we asked them about their primary investment goals five years from now, 41% said preserving their wealth for future generations. And when we asked HNWIs about the main reasons they turned to or planned to turn to ESG investments, 85% said ESG represents long-term thinking. So, to truly provide value to this group, marketers must highlight a holistic view.



<h3 id="h-5-return-on-investment">5. Return on Investment&nbsp;</h3>



One way to consider this ROI is by thinking about time. As a marketer, you want to reach HNWIs where they are and give them value for the time they spend engaging with your brand. After all, these HNWIs know very well that time is money. How do you make the most of their time?



Take Forbes, for example, where more than 13.3M Forbes.com visitors will spend more on products from a brand they trust—reaching 92.5% more quality seekers than the next leading competitor. Our audience is also 60% more likely to have an HHI of $150K+ and encompasses 56% of all C-Suite leaders. So, you want to make the most of HNWIs time? Connect with them <a href="https://www.forbes.com/connect/audience-2/high-net-worth-investors-consumers/">on Forbes.com</a>. 



By S<meta charset="utf-8">onya Matejko, Forbes Staff

Marketing ideas that match the company brand

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In what seems to be an endless game of hot potato, the Harry Potter films have now, again, jumped ship from Peacock to HBO Max (ShowMax). The definitive tentpole fantasy franchise of the 2000s, which began with a record $93 million opening weekend and $974 million global gross (second only to Titanic at the time) in November 2001 and ended with a record $169 million opening weekend and $1.34 billion global cume (behind only Titanic and Avatar at the time) in July of 2011 essentially has two homes.



The films obviously belong to Warner Bros., but the theme park attractions (where much of the fandom is nurtured) belongs to Universal Studios. Anyway, to mark the occasion, and since I’ve never sat and done this before, I have used science, math and dark magic to create the official, 104% accurate ranking of all eight Harry Potter movies. I like all of these films to various degrees, but, as always, this list will not be your list, because what fun would that be?



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-51353859-1024x794.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52426" width="652" height="505" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-51353859-1024x794.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-51353859-300x233.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-51353859-768x596.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-51353859.jpg 1528w" sizes="(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px" /><figcaption>LONDON &#8211; NOVEMBER 04: Writer J K Rowling with actors, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson at the UK Film Premiere of &#8216;Harry Potter And The Philosopher&#8217;s Stone&#8217;, held at the Odeon, Leicester Square on 4th November 2001, in London. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images).</figcaption></figure></div>



Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets&nbsp;(2002)



Budget:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$100 million



Opening weekend:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$88.36 million



Domestic box office:     $262.23 million



Worldwide box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;$878.75 million



By default, this Chris Columbus-directed sequel has the challenge of being the only chapter that’s essentially an “episode of the week.” It’s not the introductory chapter and it’s arguably the only one that doesn’t really establish key relationships or plot points within the broader eight-film saga. It also has to try and tell a supernatural murder mystery where no one actually dies, but it still gets gets for some genuinely terrifying creature effects (the deluge of spiders and the final monster are absolutely trying to scare your kids senseless). However, even in this “inessential” chapter, Richard Harris’ Dumbledore offers up the key thesis of the saga, namely that a person’s value is not about their destiny or lineage but rather about the choices they make in good times and bad.



Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince&nbsp;(2009)



Budget:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$250. million



Opening weekend:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$77.84 million ($158 million Wed-Sun)



Domestic box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$302.09 million



Worldwide box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;$934.76 million



I’m a little “biased” as they say, because this sixth film is based on one of my favorite books in the series, and yet seems to omit the very things that make the book pop. We get almost no “origins of Voldemort” material and very little in terms of Snape’s backstory, instead saving that for one long montage in the final picture. Moreover, and this is not necessarily a criticism (because it works for this adaptation, but the film painfully telegraphs what in the book was a jaw-dropping plot twist. Even with an overindulgence in hormonal hijinks, this one still works as a visual differentiation while Tom Felton’s Malfoy shines as a young man tortured by the implications of actually doing evil as opposed to merely “being” evil.



Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignright size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-78345740-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52425" width="354" height="236" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-78345740-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-78345740-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-78345740-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-78345740-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-78345740-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 354px) 100vw, 354px" /><figcaption>Harry Potter Posters lined down 54th steet (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage) *** Local Caption ***</figcaption></figure></div>



Budget:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$125 million



Opening weekend:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$90.29 million



Domestic box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$317.87 million



Worldwide box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;$974.71 million



This table-setting chapter is a remarkable example of efficient character introduction (three of four main adults, Hagrid, Dumbledore and McGonagall, appear fully-formed in the prologue), and the sheer inexperience of our young actors puts the “burden” on the elder pros. Even so, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Ruper Grint nail the core characters with able support from the likes of Richard Harris, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman. The mystery is (obviously) kids stuff, but the film works as a refreshingly stand-alone story which didn’t feel the need to offer an entire saga’s worth of loose ends. That’s another example of Hollywood learning the wrong lessons from a blockbuster smash. At the very least, Chris Columbus deserved a special Oscar for casting this entire saga pitch perfect from the start.



Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban&nbsp;(2004)



Budget:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$130 million



Opening weekend:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$93.69 million



Domestic box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$249.76 million



Worldwide box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;$795.63 million



This Alfonso Cuarón-directed chapter is often considered a favorite for folks who otherwise don’t care for the franchise. The film refreshingly upends the comparatively conventional visual template, including putting Harry and his friends in civilian close and giving the adult cast a stake in the core story, but it’s also among the few that more-or-less requires you to have read the book to get the nitty-gritty details. Also, Gary Oldman’s Sirius Black has too little screen time, although Harry’s friendship with Professor Lupin (David Thewlis) is an emotional highlight and a delight for those of us who “discovered” Thewlis in Naked Lunch, The Island of Dr. Moreau and/or Dragonheart. A solid stand-alone chapter, and a “calm before the storm” entry which barely mentions “He Who Must Not Be Named.”



Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-828213258-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52428" width="398" height="249" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-828213258-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-828213258-300x188.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-828213258-768x480.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-828213258-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GettyImages-828213258.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 398px) 100vw, 398px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Jane Mingay &#8211; PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



Budget:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$150 million



Opening weekend:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$102.68 million



Domestic box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$290.20 million



Worldwide box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;$896.68 million



The best of J.K. Rowling’s books results in a merely “very good” feature film adaptation. While I get Mike Newell’s decision to omit most of the non-Harry Potter material from the infamously long source material, the film ends up having a certain episodic feel. Moreover, in a chapter that should be filled with melodrama, the “stiff upper lip” British mentality makes it feel a bit more functional than it should while the visiting schools hilariously reinforce certain gender stereotypes (Clémence Poésy’s Fleur Delacour is miserable in each TriWizard competition). Nonetheless, the action scenes are pretty great, the climax works despite itself and Ralph Fiennes (cast to type) makes a fine entrance as Voldemort in the flesh. Robert Pattinson’s entrance as the doomed Cedric Diggory made my jam-packed IMAX showing sigh with thirst/lust. They weren’t wrong.



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II&nbsp;(2011)



Budget:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$125 million



Opening weekend:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$169.19 million



Domestic box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$381.19 million



Worldwide box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;$1.342 billion



I’m not sure why director David Yates (who helmed the last four of these) decided that this series finale should the one to run barely two hours, especially when they spend much of the first act in a side quest to fetch a Horcrux from Gringotts bank. Nonetheless, if the last 2/3 feel a little rushed, with much of the “battle of Hogwarts” feeling a little truncated, at least it doesn’t wear out its welcome. This series finale nails the landing, giving big character moments (including Julie Walters’ Molly Weasley righteously killing of Helena Bonham Carter’s Bellatrix Lestrange) to everyone of consequence and prioritizing a satisfying finale over jaw-dropping twists. Rickman shines, the forest walk hits like a ton of bricks, and the Harry/Voldemort showdown cleverly adds a physicality to what was mostly a point-and-shoot duel.



Oh, and the epilogue is as effective now as it was in print form. These kids didn’t want to be kings and masters, they just (like Sam and Frodo) wanted to live another day. Especially ten years later, after so many other pop culture juggernauts came to a whimpering end, it’s beyond impressive that&nbsp;Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II&nbsp;just ended its story in a logical and satisfying fashion without trying to outsmart the fans or subvert expectations. Hell, in this pop culture, a smooth landing is the biggest surprise of all. Had it all ended here, without the thus-far botched prequel franchise (and, yeah, without the author earning the ire of her fandom), I still think&nbsp;Harry Potter&nbsp;would still stand alongside (or above)&nbsp;Star Wars&nbsp;as a definitive pop culture myth.



Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix&nbsp;(2007)



Budget:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$150 million



Opening weekend:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$77.1 million ($139.72 million Wed-Sun)



Domestic box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$292.14 million



Worldwide box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;$942.64 million



It is a little ironic that the worst, most padded book in the series makes for one of the very best movies. David Yates made his “Wizarding World” directorial debut with this fifth film. Michael Goldenberg took over (just this once) for regular screenwriter Steven Kloves and cut the source material to the bone, creating a coming-of-age adventure whereby our young heroes were left to fend for themselves as the outside world (and the adult authority figures in their midst) either turned on them or were unable to help. With nobody believing that Voldemort was actually back, it’s up to Harry to actually earn his stripes and teach his classmates to defend themselves, as this thrilling chapter culminates with a wizard battle royal that highlights all the heroes and villains kicking each other’s asses in IMAX-friendly fashion.



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part I&nbsp;(2010)



Budget:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$125 million



Opening weekend:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$125.02 million



Domestic box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$296.13 million



Worldwide box office:&nbsp;&nbsp;$960.43 million



This “part one” of the two-part adaptation of the final novel sends Harry, Hermione and Ron on the run from a now dominant Death Eater army. The heroic trio has to fend for itself as their allies perish at the hands of Voldemort’s empowered genocidal army. Concurrently, now the actors have to step up as they all deliver franchise-best performances. While the film is generally a character-driven tone poem, drenched in fear and despair, it does have several exciting and exceedingly tense action scenes. As a stand-alone picture, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part I is a pitiless plunge into hell, a sad and bitter drama where beloved childhood memories vanish in a puff of figurative (or in Hermione&#8217;s case, literal) waves of a wand. Seven films in, Harry Potter gets its Empire Strikes Back, and it’s awesome.



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TOPLINE In year two of the pandemic, as South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, we can’t but look back at the lives impacted and the businesses that have been throttled by a virulent virus. Yet, in all of this, there are rays of hope, as some have shone through, to ideate and innovate and also lend a helping hand by making sure women and girls are at the center of their pandemic-proof enterprises. These female entrepreneurs have businesses in fashion and food, and run NGOs and social reform. For some, these are side hustles, but no matter the nature of their undertaking, they aim to uplift, upskill and empower. FORBES AFRICA sat down with a few such doers to glean their thoughts on how they are making it:



<h2 id="h-1-shared-collective">1. Shared Collective</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/1-2-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-52325" width="586" height="329" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/1-2-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/1-2-300x169.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/1-2-768x432.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/1-2-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/1-2.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 586px) 100vw, 586px" /></figure></div>



“I saw this TikTok that said I couldn’t work a nine-to-five but now I am an entrepreneur who works 24/7!” laughs Kishana Naidoo, co-founder of digital clothing platform Shared Collective or Shared Co.



“But at least we have a creative outlet,” says her business partner and fellow co-founder, Simone Veitch.



Although Veitch is in London and Naidoo in Johannesburg, both cities that are big economic hubs, the pandemic presented an opportunity for them to take advantage of the rising trend in digital spaces.



Shared Co. is a platform for women to share their wardrobe and rent from others. It enables them to monetize their clothing items by renting them out and reducing their retail consumption by renting items from others.



Although this business model will raise many questions such as ‘who rents clothes out to people during a pandemic’, the duo make it clear that security and safety is of utmost importance to them.



“We have a strict dry-cleaning policy that people both renting out and those who rent have to follow,” Veitch says. “Furthermore, with the delivery process, we want people to feel safe when going through our process.”



The inspiration for the brand came when both women working in the corporate sector were forced to pause and think when Covid struck.



“I think a lot of people went through that,” Naidoo says. “We wanted to create something that both helps women get a second income as well as feel empowered.”



“The end goal for us has always been empowering women,” Veitch adds.



<h2>2. Hair For Life</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_0462-1024x992.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52323" width="347" height="336" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_0462-1024x992.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_0462-300x291.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_0462-768x744.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_0462.jpg 1170w" sizes="(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px" /></figure></div>



Getting a business to run successfully during the pandemic has been a hair-raising task for most. But 29-year-old Khanyi Cele believes the magic tool to any successful business these days is utilizing social media. Hair For Life took root when Cele was searching for good quality hair for herself and was not impressed with what salons had to offer. She tells us more:



Q. What has it been like having a business during a pandemic and what has your business trajectory looked like? 



A. I have been fortunate that my business actually started picking up as Covid restrictions eased… my business has honestly not been affected in a major way by the pandemic. My business trajectory has been rather a smooth one if I should say, but with any business, there are always bumps and curves here and there especially if you working with international suppliers.



Q. You use social media as the main tool to promote your product. Do you think the future of business lies in social media?



A. Social media is certainly a platform to be reckoned with. It’s cost-effective and effective in getting your product out to people. The fact that you can reach out to people all over the world is a major selling point as I have customers from all corners asking me if I ship internationally. It is in my opinion the future of direct marketing. The results are almost instant and noticeable.



<h2>3. Team DIMA Global </h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/team-dima_-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52331" width="578" height="434" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/team-dima_-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/team-dima_-300x225.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/team-dima_-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/team-dima_-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/team-dima_.jpg 1890w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /></figure></div>



The University of Pennsylvania said in a report that the stigma and challenges associated with menstruation destabilize over 800 million girls daily.



“One in every ten schoolgirls in sub-Saharan Africa miss school daily. Girls report being bullied and ridiculed about their period by peers and teachers with serious and sometimes fatal consequences,” the report read.



However, they also found that global advocacy for what the world knows as “period positivity” with people demanding access to menstruation products and facilities exposes social and economic inequities and the need for reform.



One of those advocates is social entrepreneur Dima-Thalia Rizk. All the way from the heart of London, Rizk founded her community organization, Team DIMA Global, with her twin-sister Mary. The company launched a long-term project to handle “menstrual hygiene management” in Kenya. The project looks at ensuring that every girl has access to period pads 365 days a year. Period poverty is one of Rizk’s main concerns and the stigmas centered around menstruation.



“Without a doubt, menstruation is one of the most challenging topics in Africa and the world today,” Rizk says to FORBES AFRICA. “It&#8217;s a shame that we&#8217;re in 2021 and still trying to make progress in normalizing menstruation and working to help women and girls access sanitary products. It is a natural process most females have to go through and there is hardly any consideration of their wellbeing; affordable access is a human right.”



<h2>4. Khanyalanga Catering </h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/phumi-682x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52327" width="284" height="426" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/phumi-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/phumi-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/phumi-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/phumi.jpg 853w" sizes="(max-width: 284px) 100vw, 284px" /></figure></div>



Motto You Live By: “I have two – &#8216;Carpe Diem&#8217; and ‘When the going gets tough, breathe, focus and move on&#8217;.”



Deloitte stated in a report in March 2020 that the majority of catering companies (particularly SMEs) “have faced sharp declines in customer numbers, ruptured asset chains, or other momentous challenges”. This was no different during the pandemic for KwaZulu-Natal-born Phumelele Masinga who saw a downward trajectory for her business which she founded in 2018.



“It&#8217;s been extremely challenging for Khanyalanga Catering,” Masinga says. “Seeing that the majority of our clients were in corporates, we took a knock as the work-from-home concept took shape. So the on and off between [lockdown alert] levels has really affected how we do business.”



Most of the challenges that Masinga has experienced has revolved around cancellations and postponements and having to adapt to making more food deliveries, as opposed to simply setting up and serving.



However, this has not demotivated Masinga in any way as she has seen through word-of-mouth that her business has grown, which she says is by “word of taste”.



“Yes, I learned some tough lessons in the beginning and I have had to adapt and be flexible (especially during this period), and I believe that we are agile enough for Khanyalanga to be a sustainable and successful business,” Masinga adds.



<h2>5. La Shadie</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lashade-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52328" width="516" height="387" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lashade-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lashade-300x225.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lashade-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lashade-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/lashade.jpg 1890w" sizes="(max-width: 516px) 100vw, 516px" /></figure></div>



Nobody loves a side hustle and a passion for fashion more than sisters Boitumelo Moshugi and Neo Moshugi who founded sunglass brand, La Shadie. Both are practising Candidate Attorneys in Johannesburg aspiring to become successful attorneys and entrepreneurs.



La Shadie was birthed in June last year when Neo was unemployed.



“Boitumelo came to me with the opportunity to start a sunglass business,” Neo says. “I considered it for some time but after she showed me the research she had done, I was convinced. I had a love for sunglasses and as we delved deeper into our research, my love for the business opportunity grew.”



“What inspired La Shadie is our passion for fashion. I was always questioned about my unique sense of style and the choice of sunglasses when pairing my outfits, which led me to want to bring a vision to people in the market place that’s so unique that they cannot be found in retail stores,” Boitumelo adds.



The main marketing tool the Moshugi sisters use is social media which has allowed them to see great demand for their products. More than that, starting a business during Covid has surprisingly helped them in their growth trajectory.



“Having a business during the pandemic has been an incredible experience because of the creativity it has brought to growing our business. Although it was daunting at first, we dove in head first and kept the momentum going.”



(The List is in No particular Order)

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FORBES AFRICA lists the top 10 contemporary South African golfers by their career earnings to date on the two major tours.



WHEN THE 103rd PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WAS played in May, South Africa boasted a record 11 entrants in the field, a sign of the competitiveness of the country’s golfers on the international stage and a nod to local courses that continue to develop outstanding players. South Africa currently has 10 golfers ranked in the top 100 in the world, behind only runaway leaders the United States, who have 46, and England’s 11.



But given the investment dollars spent on the game in the respective countries, it makes South Africa pound-for-pound arguably the second most successful golfing nation at present, a huge achievement that amplifies the success of the local Sunshine Tour.



FORBES AFRICA lists (in no particular order) the South Africans currently in the global top 10 by their career earnings to date on the two major tours*



<h2 id="h-louis-oosthuizen">LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333072873-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52288" width="599" height="399" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333072873-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333072873-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333072873-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333072873-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333072873-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



PGA Tour Earnings: $26,274,723 European Tour Earnings: $26,158,152



Oosthuizen has just recently surpassed his European Tour winnings on the United States-based PGA Tour, boosted by two second- placed finishes in consecutive Majors at the PGA Championship and the US Open.



Despite his eye-watering earnings, the Mossel Bay-born player has never actually won on the PGA Tour, losing three times in a play-off. But he did enjoy success by winning The British Open in 2010, which remains his sole triumph to date in one of the ‘big ones’ after those recent close shaves. In fact, he now has six runner-up finishes in Majors.



<h2>BRANDEN GRACE</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334335413-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52290" width="526" height="351" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334335413-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334335413-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334335413-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334335413-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334335413-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 526px) 100vw, 526px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



PGA Tour Earnings: $11,071,441 European Tour Earnings: $16,714,032



Grace has been a stalwart of both tours for some years and picked up his second victory on the PGA in April when he won the Puerto Rico Open to go with his 2016 success at the RBC Heritage.



He has nine further wins on the European Tour, including the South African Open in 2020. He finished tied for seventh at the US Open this year, but his best Major finish was at the 2015 PGA Championship when he finished third.



<h2>CHARL SCHWARTZEL</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333917542-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52289" width="543" height="362" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333917542-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333917542-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333917542-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333917542-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1333917542-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 543px) 100vw, 543px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



PGA Tour Earnings: $1,605,985 European Tour Earnings: $20,674,161



A heavy earner on the European Tour during his career, his one Major triumph actually came in the United States when he lifted the Masters trophy in 2011.



He has only one more win there in the last decade, but an impressive 10 on the European Tour, eight of which have come in South Africa and the other two in Spain.



<h2>DYLAN FRITTELLI</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335094389-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52295" width="654" height="435" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335094389-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335094389-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335094389-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335094389-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335094389-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



PGA Tour Earnings: $4,499,473 European Tour Earnings: $3,392,853



Fritelli’s one and only PGA Tour win came at the John Deere Classic in 2019, to go with two successes on he European Tour in the Lyoness Open in Austria and the Mauritius Open.



His best finish at a Major was tied fifth at the Masters in 2020.



<h2><meta charset="utf-8">ERIK VAN ROOYEN</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335986246-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52297" width="550" height="367" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335986246-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335986246-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335986246-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335986246-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335986246-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



PGA Tour Earnings: $1,596,939 European Tour Earnings: $5,325,617 



Van Rooyen has shown great consistency despite a single professional win outside of South Africa in his career – at the Scandinavian Invitation in 2019. He is often found high up the leaderboard though, with his best Major finish an eighth place at the 2019 PGA Championship.



<h2>BRANDON STONE</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335010802-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52296" width="556" height="371" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335010802-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335010802-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335010802-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335010802-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335010802-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 556px) 100vw, 556px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



PGA Tour Earnings: $295,257 European Tour Earnings: $4,980,169



Stone has three wins on the European Tour, though none since 2018. He claimed his first victory at the SA Open in 2016 and the closest he has come recently was a play-off loss in the Oman Open last year.



<h2>CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335489628-1024x669.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52293" width="592" height="386" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335489628-1024x669.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335489628-300x196.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335489628-768x502.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335489628-1536x1003.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335489628-2048x1337.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



PGA Tour Earnings: $974,608 European Tour Earnings: $4,107,928



An emerging star of South African golf, Bezuidenhout won three European Tour events between June 2019 and December 2020, but has yet to make his mark in the Majors. It feels like it is just a matter of time though. He was banned for two years in 2014 after testing positive for using ‘beta blockers’, which he claimed was to control his anxiety and a stutter. The sanction was later reduced to nine months.



<h2>DEAN BURMESTER</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335437065-1024x566.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52294" width="539" height="298" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335437065-1024x566.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335437065-300x166.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335437065-768x424.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335437065-1536x849.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335437065-2048x1131.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 539px) 100vw, 539px" /><figcaption>PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC &#8211; AUGUST 21: Dean Burmester of South Africa on the 14th hole during Day Three of The D+D Real Czech Masters at Albatross Golf Resort on August 21, 2021 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



PGA Tour Earnings: $46,826 European Tour Earnings: $3,931,356



Born in Zimbabwe but playing under the South African flag, Burmester claimed the European Tour’s Tenerife Open in May and has been a stalwart of the local Sunshine Tour.



He has yet to crack it in the United States, and has not yet played at either the British Open or the Masters.



<h2>GARRICK HIGGO</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335953221-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52292" width="541" height="360" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335953221-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335953221-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335953221-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335953221-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1335953221-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 541px) 100vw, 541px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



PGA Tour Earnings: $1,358,316 European Tour Earnings: $1,076,625



The ‘next big thing’ in South African golf, and possibly the global game, Higgo has had his breakthrough year in2021andattheageofonly22is as exciting a prospect as you will see on tour.



All four of his professional wins outside of South Africa have come since September 2020, and in June, he won the Palmetto Championship in just his second start in the United States.



Higgo has been mentored by nine- time Major winner Gary Player and turned professional in 2019.



<h2>DANIEL VAN TONDER</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334990119-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52291" width="487" height="325" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334990119-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334990119-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334990119-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334990119-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1334990119-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 487px) 100vw, 487px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



PGA Tour Earnings: $31,300 European Tour Earnings: $562,094



A player who has enjoyed great success on the Sunshine Tour, especially recently with four wins in 2020 alone.



His single success on the European Tour came at the Kenya Savannah Classic in March this year.



By Nick Said



*Earnings as of July 5, 2021

Close-up of golf bag with people in background

South Africa’s Highest-Earning Current Golfers

TOPLINE Amazon is preparing to make a $9 billion investment in the company’s film and television offerings by purchasing vaunted Hollywood studio&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2021/05/24/amazon-reportedly-close-to-buying-mgm-for-nearly-9-billion/?sh=74c23a063d4c">MGM</a>, the&nbsp;Wall Street Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-nears-deal-to-buy-hollywood-studio-mgm-11621880759?mod=hp_lead_pos1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;Monday, the latest in a string of major acquisitions the company has made to boost its standing in even more areas of people’s lives—here are the most notable:



<h3 id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



Amazon’s largest acquisition to date was when it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40306099" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">purchased</a>&nbsp;Whole Foods in 2017 for $13.7 billion.



The company has also spent more than a billion dollars on shoe ecommerce giant&nbsp;<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2009/11/02/amazon-closes-zappos-deal-ends-up-paying-1-2-billion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zappos</a>&nbsp;($1.2 billion in 2009) and autonomous vehicle company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomtaulli/2020/06/27/amazon-buys-zoox-why-self-driving-technology-is-existential/?sh=7714dde17c0f">Zoox</a>, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://zoox.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">developing</a>&nbsp;a self-driving rideshare service ($1.2 billion in 2020).



Other pricey acquisitions include smart doorbell maker&nbsp;<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/new-filing-amazon-spent-1-65b-acquisitions-2018-headlined-ring-pillpack-deals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ring</a>&nbsp;($839 million in 2018), online pharmacist PillPack ($753 million in 2018), video game streaming platform&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-buys-twitch-2014-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitch</a>&nbsp;($970 million in 2014), robotics company&nbsp;<a href="https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/03/19/amazon-com-buys-kiva-systems-for-775-million/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kiva Systems</a>&nbsp;($775 million in 2012) and&nbsp;<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2010/11/08/confirmed-amazon-spends-545-million-on-diapers-com-parent-quidsi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quidsi</a>, the parent company of Diapers.com and other ecommerce sites ($545 million in 2010).



Amazon has invested in its cloud computing arm Amazon Web Services—which now makes up the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2021/amazon-apple-facebook-google-acquisitions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">majority</a>&nbsp;of the company’s operating income—by purchasing more than a dozen companies in that sector, including $500 million for mobile video service&nbsp;<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2015/09/03/amazon-acquires-elemental-technologies-for-a-reported-500-million-in-cash/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elemental Technologies</a>&nbsp;in 2018 and $20 million for cyber security startup&nbsp;<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/09/amazon-aws-harvest-ai/?ncid=rss&amp;utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&amp;sr_share=twitter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">harvest.ai</a>&nbsp;in 2017.



In addition to its expected MGM purchase, Amazon has also invested in the film industry by acquiring&nbsp;<a href="https://venturebeat.com/2015/10/30/25-years-of-imdb-the-worlds-biggest-online-movie-database/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IMDB</a>&nbsp;(purchased in 1998 as part of a $55 million acquisition with two other companies), DVD rental service&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/9aa7315e-2482-11e0-8c0e-00144feab49a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lovefilm</a>&nbsp;(for £200 million or approximately $317 million in 2011) and film grosses website&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/2008/digital/news/imdb-links-up-with-box-office-mojo-1117997423/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Box Office Mojo</a>&nbsp;(in 2008 for an undisclosed amount).



Amazon has strengthened its foothold in the book industry where it got its start by acquiring companies like audiobook seller&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-acquires-audible-for-300-million/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audible</a>&nbsp;($300 million in 2008), social network&nbsp;<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2013/03/28/amazon-acquires-social-reading-site-goodreads/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goodreads</a>&nbsp;(in 2013 for an undisclosed amount), book publisher&nbsp;<a href="https://money.cnn.com/2012/06/04/technology/amazon-avalon-books/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Avalon Books</a>&nbsp;(in 2012 for an undisclosed amount) and used bookseller&nbsp;<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2008/08/01/amazon-to-acquire-abebooks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AbeBooks</a>&nbsp;(in 2008 for an undisclosed amount).



<h3 id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h3>



“Amazon has an inventive, customer-obsessed, long-term oriented culture where entrepreneurs thrive,” an Amazon spokesperson said in an emailed statement to&nbsp;Forbes, adding the company helps those it acquires “to accelerate their businesses and delight customers with the help of Amazon’s resources and technology.” “We operate in a diverse range of businesses, from retail and entertainment to consumer electronics and technology services, and have thriving, well-established competition in each of these areas,” the spokesperson noted.



<h3 id="h-chief-critic">CHIEF CRITIC</h3>



Amazon and other tech giants’ acquisition practices have been criticized by lawmakers, who have accused the companies of practicing anti-competitive behavior by buying up smaller rivals. “As gatekeepers to the digital economy, these platforms enjoy the power to pick winners and losers, shake down small businesses, and enrich themselves while choking off competitors,” Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), who chairs the House Antitrust Subcommittee,&nbsp;<a href="https://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-opening-statement-big-tech-antitrust-hearing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;in his opening statement for a hearing concerning Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. “Their ability to dictate terms, call the shots, upend entire sectors, and inspire fear represent the powers of a private government.” Amazon has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/policy-news-views/statement-by-jeff-bezos-to-the-u-s-house-committee-on-the-judiciary" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">denied</a>&nbsp;the antitrust allegations against it and maintains that it competes with other platforms like eBay, Etsy, Walmart and Target and brick and mortar stores worldwide, noting the platform’s sales make up less than 4% of U.S. retail.



<h3 id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



Sources cited by the&nbsp;Journal&nbsp;say a deal between Amazon and MGM could be finalized as early as this week, though nothing has yet been finalized and “there are no guarantees they will ultimately reach an agreement.” Should the deal go through, MGM’s library would substantially bolster Amazon’s streaming platform by giving it access to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/amazon-acquire-mgm-1234954655/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thousands</a>&nbsp;of additional film and television titles, helping Amazon Prime better compete with other streaming powerhouses like Netflix. MGM’s century-long history dates back to the silent era, giving Amazon access to films like the&nbsp;James Bond&nbsp;franchise and&nbsp;Rocky&nbsp;films and newer properties like&nbsp;The Handmaid’s Tale&nbsp;television series. (Golden Age classics made at the studio before 1948 like&nbsp;The Wizard of Oz&nbsp;and&nbsp;Gone with the Wind&nbsp;have already been sold to Warner Bros, however, the&nbsp;Journal&nbsp;notes.) The reported $9 billion deal comes after MGM was most recently valued at $5.5 billion in December, the&nbsp;Journal&nbsp;reports, though its stock price has soared in response to news of the expected deal.



<h3 id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2021/05/24/amazon-reportedly-close-to-buying-mgm-for-nearly-9-billion/?sh=74c23a063d4c">Amazon Reportedly Close To Buying MGM For Nearly $9 Billion</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-nears-deal-to-buy-hollywood-studio-mgm-11621880759" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Nears Deal to Buy Hollywood Studio MGM</a>&nbsp;(Wall Street Journal)



<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2021/amazon-apple-facebook-google-acquisitions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How Big Tech got so big: Hundreds of acquisitions</a>&nbsp;(Washington Post)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/dawnchmielewski/2021/01/30/mgms-back-on-the-block-and-floating-a-10-billion-price-tag-dont-count-on-it/?sh=7f1cb80eb740">MGM’s Back On The Block And Floating A $10 Billion Price Tag. Don’t Count On It.</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



By Alison Durkee, Forbes Staff

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THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS ALSO BROUGHT with its opportunities, and according to South Africa-based futurists Graeme Codrington and John Sanei, it’s time to embrace the change and rather see it as a chance to try and rebuild your business, even if it is on the brink of falling apart.



<ol><li>“STOP WAITING FOR THINGS TO GO BACK TO NORMAL, IT’S NOT GOING TO”</li></ol>



Don’t press the “huge pause button” on life. Codrington, a futurist who tracks disruptions through history, states that the era of the coronavirus could be with us longer than we think.



“The disruption that Covid is causing is going to be with us, I think for at least two more years. Even in the best-case scenarios, Africa will only get a vaccine [in 2021]. And it will take a few months, maybe the whole year to produce it, distribute around the world and convince people to take it.”



He adds that even once vaccines are made available, the level of comfort people felt previously doing ‘normal’ stuff every day will change.



“People are going to be nervous to fly, to travel, nervous to go out to restaurants to eat, nervous to go into public spaces. So you know, tourism, entertainment, hospitality is going to really struggle. In any scenario, you know, even the best scenario, you’re going to be struggling.



“So what we’ve got to realize is this deep disruption going on here.”



<ol start="2"><li>“UNDERSTAND SEAMLESSNESS AND YOU CAN BECOME VERY SUCCESSFUL”</li></ol>



Sanei, a futurist who categorizes and contextualizes the future through human instinct, believes that businesses need to find a more seamless way to give consumers what they want. It can be an average idea, but as long as it’s something that could accommodate the consumers of today, who will likely not want to leave the confines of their home, you can be successful.



“The example I will use is Domino’s Pizza,” Sanei explains.



“They may not have the most amazing pizza but they’ve understood seamlessness getting a pizza to you as quickly as possible because they have the Ten Second App.” The basis of understanding seamlessness is understanding what people want, especially during this time.



“And of course, that is going to differ depending on what industry you are in and depending on where you are, but this is where entrepreneurs can step up because the smaller your business is, the more local it is, the easier it is for you to make adjustments and shift and think ‘what can I do for my clients, my customers, what else can I do for them’?” says Codrington.



3. “REINVENT”



It has been reiterated by economists that businesses may have to close their doors and millions of people will find themselves unemployed if they haven’t already. However, futurists are certain that in situations like this, it’s best to either reinvent your business model – or reinvent yourself.



“Any advice I give to entrepreneurs is based on this principle that they must look for a gap. Ask yourself the question ‘what makes you most excited, and what can you bring to the world that’s uniquely yours, what is uniquely, and authentically me?’ And in that process, what we do is we add value to the world based on what we are here to do,” Sanei says.



“This is what every entrepreneur does and knows every single day,” Codrington adds. “If you add real value, and people see the value that you’re adding, they’ll buy from you. And so it obviously isn’t that simple for everybody. Because it’s tough. You know this is a tough economy. It’s a tough situation. But whether it’s tough or easy, that’s the right mindset. ‘What do people need, why should they buy it from me?’ If you ask those two questions and find answers, you’ll get through this.”



4. “GO BACK TO BASICS”



Codrington believes that this would be a perfect time to reeducate yourself on the basic structures of running a business. However, this can only happen after you have accepted that your business has suffered during this time but there is light at the end of the tunnel.



“Because now you basically don’t cry about what could have been any more, but you say ‘what is and what exists now’. That’s what I think distinguishes entrepreneurs from corporate people anyway. Because entrepreneurs get up every morning saying, ‘I’ve got to make something happen today’,” Codrington says. It always comes back to what the consumer needs, and that is the main focus that gives the entrepreneur drive, Codrington says. 



He further adds that during this crisis, adapting your business model to suit the time is what could preserve your business in the long haul. A practical example is how some hotels around the world have turned their businesses into ‘work from home’ offices.



“So they are saying, ‘you can’t go into the office, but you don’t want to be stuck at home, so why don’t you rent a room in our hotel, we’ll give you free bottomless coffee, we’ll give you room service’. You’re comfortable with the hotel. There’s no bed, you’re not sleeping at the hotel. You arrive in the morning. You go into a room, it’ll be your room only,” says Codrington.



5.“LEAVE THE OLD WORLD AND EMBRACE CHANGE”



Business models, such as supply and demand models, are not needed anymore. Having to expect people to walk into a shop and buy something is an old model that needs to be eradicated. Sanei further adds that because the world has “this thing called the internet”, passion for your business is all that is necessary.



“If your business is taking strain, and your business is dying, and you are nervous about it, it means that you haven’t understood a digital-first world. Which means that you haven’t understood that the world we’re going into has new rules attached. You need to understand that if your business is dying, the reason is because it’s not really for this world,” Sanai says.



As daunting as this time may be, endless opportunities await entrepreneurs. What guarantees your success during this time will be your behavior.



“And so the entrepreneurs of the future are the ones that understand that they are the machine, they are the business, and that they are the ones who are going to be making things happen. Not the ones relying on a sector, or a subject or a technology, because you have no idea and cannot guarantee and hedge your bets on anything that’s coming in the future,” Sanei says.

Asian entrepreneur closing business due to Covid-19 outbreak

How The Covid Carnage Can Help Create The Entrepreneurs Of The Future

Our tech guru rounds up the coolest tools for 2021 and beyond. 



<h4 id="h-1-lifesmart-magic-mirror">1. LIFESMART MAGIC MIRROR</h4>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LifeSmart-Magic-Mirror-1024x894.png" alt="" class="wp-image-49412" width="508" height="443" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LifeSmart-Magic-Mirror-1024x894.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LifeSmart-Magic-Mirror-300x262.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LifeSmart-Magic-Mirror-768x671.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LifeSmart-Magic-Mirror-1536x1342.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LifeSmart-Magic-Mirror-600x524.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/LifeSmart-Magic-Mirror.png 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 508px) 100vw, 508px" /></figure></div>



The Magic Mirror merges fashion with technology. It can be mounted at a central location like the entrance to the home, the bedroom or the bathroom. It has smart features that let you control supported home appliances, similar to a smart speaker. It features an auto-wake-up function, health management, voice control, entertainment functions, and has a built-in camera. The Magic Mirror is Android-powered and runs on a MediaTek chip with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of memory. You simply scan a QR code to set up and select personal preferences. 



R29,995 ($1,915) from Mikrotech.co.za



<h4 id="h-2-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-2">2. SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD 2</h4>



The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is the gadget to own for early adopters. Samsung’s newest folding screen device is an incredible piece of tech, boasting an ultra-thin glass top over last year’s plastic one. The Infinity-O display, 120Hz refresh rate and multi-tasking capabilities make it a pleasure to use. Add to it a triple lens camera, 5G support, a massive fast-charging battery and what more could you want? If this is the future of mobile, we’re excited.



R46,995 ($3,000) from Samsung stores.



<h4 id="h-3-ipad-air-64gb-cellular">3. IPAD AIR (64GB CELLULAR)</h4>



The new iPad Air takes Work From Anywhere to another level. Weighing just under 500g, it runs on Apple’s fastest A14 Bionic chip and is more powerful than most PCs. Plus, the pencil and keyboard accessories give you flexibility on what you can do or how creative you get to be. It has a 10.9-inch display, narrow bezels and 12MP camera; ideally suited for today’s environment as a result of the global pandemic. Work or play, it has an excellent battery life. This sleek tablet now comes in pastel hues like blue, green and pink, in addition to silver and grey. 



R14,999 ($958) at the iStore.



<h4 id="h-4-ring-video-doorbell-3">4. RING VIDEO DOORBELL 3</h4>



Amazon’s popular Ring Video Doorbell 3 is now available in South Africa for the first time. For added peace of mind, it has motion detection and live view, above its two-way talk system. It features a 1080p full HD camera, enhanced dual-band 2.4-5Ghz WiFi connectivity and Alexa support. It works with the user-friendly Ring app, accessible from a mobile device. The adjustable Near Zone feature detects motion within 1.5m to 4.5m from the front door. Privacy features support areas that can be excluded from the camera’s field of view and the ability to turn off video or audio recording.



R3,999 ($255) from Takealot.com



<h4 id="h-5-smeg-d-g-espresso-machine">5. SMEG D&amp;G ESPRESSO MACHINE</h4>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="alignright size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Smeg-DG-Espresso-1024x955.png" alt="" class="wp-image-49414" width="377" height="351" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Smeg-DG-Espresso-1024x955.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Smeg-DG-Espresso-300x280.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Smeg-DG-Espresso-768x716.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Smeg-DG-Espresso-1536x1432.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Smeg-DG-Espresso-600x559.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Smeg-DG-Espresso.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px" /></figure></div>



The Smeg Dolce &amp; Gabanna manual espresso machine is for serious coffee-lovers who also appreciate a touch of luxury. This retro statement piece with its Sicilian-inspired geometric pattern deserves a special spot in the kitchen. It has a removable 1L tank, adjustable coffee temperature and supports three cup sizes (Ristretto, Espresso and Lungi) with a milk froth function. Other features include an anti-drip system, descaling indicator and adjustable stand-by times between nine minutes to three hours. The 1350W espresso machine is made in Italy. 



R24,699 ($1,576) from Yuppiechef.com



<h4 id="h-6-jekyll-hide-montana-backpack">6. JEKYLL &amp; HIDE MONTANA BACKPACK</h4>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jekyll-Hyde-Backpack-784x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-49411" width="336" height="438" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jekyll-Hyde-Backpack-784x1024.png 784w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jekyll-Hyde-Backpack-230x300.png 230w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jekyll-Hyde-Backpack-768x1003.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jekyll-Hyde-Backpack-1176x1536.png 1176w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jekyll-Hyde-Backpack-300x392.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jekyll-Hyde-Backpack-600x784.png 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jekyll-Hyde-Backpack.png 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px" /></figure></div>



The Montana overnight business backpack from Jekyll &amp; Hide is stylish and durable, made from full-grain leather available in a beautiful colt shade. The layout is organized with compartments for a laptop, tablet, travel documents, business cards, cables, pens, etc. Its dimensions are 31 x 15 x 45cm and have secure fastening straps; a front zipped pocket, and a secure RFID slot to protect bank cards and passports from identity theft. The main zipped pocket has dedicated 15” laptop and tablet slots. As an overnighter, the middle compartment accommodates a change of clothes or shoes.



R6,999 ($447) at JekyllandHide.co.za



<h4 id="h-7-under-armour-hovr-machina">7. UNDER ARMOUR HOVR MACHINA</h4>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/UA-Hovr-Machina-1024x633.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49415" width="380" height="234" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/UA-Hovr-Machina-1024x633.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/UA-Hovr-Machina-300x186.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/UA-Hovr-Machina-768x475.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/UA-Hovr-Machina-1536x950.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/UA-Hovr-Machina-2048x1267.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/UA-Hovr-Machina-600x371.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px" /></figure></div>



If lockdown had you turn to fitness, check out Under Armour’s Hovr Machina running shoes. The Bluetooth-powered sneaker connects to a smartphone app to provide stats like step count, cadence, stride length, foot strike angle, etc. It also acts as a real-time running coach with personalized guidance, and how to better manage the risk of injury while improving performance. The Hovr Machina provides a ‘zero gravity feel’ through its responsive carbon-plated propulsion soles and has the right amount of cushioning. It’s comfortable to wear when not training and suitable for marathons and long distances. Available in sizes for men and women in various shades.



R2,999 ($191) at UnderArmour.co.za



<h4 id="h-8-sony-playstation-5">8. SONY PLAYSTATION 5</h4>



Sony’s much-anticipated next-generation gaming console has landed in time for the holiday season. The PlayStation 5’s futuristic design has gained a lot of attention since its reveal but given the uptake in gaming during lockdown globally, it’s a no-brainer. There will be two variants available, one with an optical drive and one without. The PS5 supports graphics up to 4K, a high-speed 825GB SSD, and 3D audio on its wireless controller. Exclusive titles at launch include Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Sackboy A Big Adventure, and Horizon Forbidden West. Digital Edition:



R9,999 ($638) and Blu-Ray: R11,999 ($766) via Raru.co.za



Dollar prices are approximates as per the exchange rate at the time of going to press.



 &#8211;BY NAFISA AKABOR

Black Friday

Luxury Gift Guide: A Mirror With Memory?

Although the world was struck by the Covid-19 Pandemic, other issues were also brought to the forefront in 2020. Here are the hashtags from Africa that caught the globe’s attention this year.



#ENDSars: Just as the country celebrated its diamond jubilee, police brutality protests started on October 7 in Nigeria calling for the disbanding of the infamous police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which had long been accused of extortion, torture, and extra-judicial killings.



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229378322-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49261" width="432" height="288" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229378322-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229378322-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229378322-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229378322-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229378322-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229378322-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 432px) 100vw, 432px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Maciek Musialek/NurPhoto via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



#CongoIsBleeding: Exploitation in the mines of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) received attention in October to highlight child slavery, deadly conflicts, and corruption spawned by the quest to feed mega-companies with minerals.



#ShutItAllDown: This was a wave of ongoing gender-based violence protests across Namibia aimed at stopping the spread of rape and the killing of women. According to CNN, the protests were in response to news of another attack, in turn, those protestors threatened to leave everything at a standstill for four days earlier in October.



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1228977823-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49263" width="388" height="259" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1228977823-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1228977823-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1228977823-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1228977823-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1228977823-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1228977823-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 388px) 100vw, 388px" /><figcaption> (Photo by HILDEGARD TITUS/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



#ZimbabweanLivesMatter: A predominantly online demonstration to address the human rights abuses in Zimbabwe in August. According to The Guardian, the hashtag was ‘fashioned’ after the Black Lives Matter global protests staged since the killing of George Floyd by a US police officer in May. Furthermore, the incarceration of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and the Booker Prize long-listed author Tsitsi Dangarembga has angered more people across Africa.



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227856557-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49265" width="433" height="289" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227856557-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227856557-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227856557-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227856557-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px" /><figcaption>Julie Barnes holds a placard during an anti-corruption protest march along Borrowdale road, on July 31, 2020 in Harare. (Photo by ZINYANGE AUNTONY/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



#RapeNationalEmergancy: On September 11, Liberian President George Weah declared rape a national emergency in the country. According to Al Jazeera, Weah introduced measures in place to address the increase in violence against women. Measures include a special prosecutor for rape in the country, as well as the set-up of a national sex offender registry and the establishment of a “national security task force” on sexual and gender-based violence.



#ChildTrafficking: This has been highlighted as a severe problem on cocoa farms in Ghana and Ivory Coast. According to a US study, the prevalence of children doing hazardous work, including using sharp tools, has also gone up in the world’s top two cocoa producers, reported Al Jazeera in October.



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227845071-1024x678.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49266" width="444" height="294" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227845071-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227845071-300x199.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227845071-768x509.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227845071-1536x1017.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227845071-2048x1356.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1227845071-600x397.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 444px) 100vw, 444px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Olukayode Jaiyeola/NurPhoto via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



#Guinea: Guinea’s president, Alpha Condé, has won a “controversial third term” with 59.49% of the vote, the National Independent Electoral Commission declared on October 24. According to the Guardian, his victory came at the same time as widespread protests “violently suppressed by security forces”.



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229107728-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49262" width="395" height="263" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229107728-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229107728-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229107728-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229107728-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229107728-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229107728-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 395px) 100vw, 395px" /><figcaption> Alpha Conde addresses his supporters at a campaign rally in Conakry on October 16, 2020. (Photo by JOHN WESSELS/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



#AnglophoneCrisis: Since October 2016, Cameroon’s Anglophone minority have been protesting due to sectoral grievances that morphed into political demands. On October 24 this year, the United Nations reported that eight children were killed and dozens wounded by a group of armed men at the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy Kumba in the southwest region of Cameroon. Although the southwest region is one of two Anglophone regions, it was not clear if the attack was linked to a continuing struggle between government forces and armed groups in the English-speaking west seeking to form a breakaway state.



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1154062693-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49268" width="418" height="278" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1154062693-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1154062693-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1154062693-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1154062693-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1154062693-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1154062693-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 418px) 100vw, 418px" /><figcaption> Anglophone village women pray in a church located in a hill village on May 12, 2019 a few miles outside Buea in SW Cameroon. (Photo by Giles Clarke/UNOCHA via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



#PrayForEthiopia: CNN reported on November 7 that a military conflict, which has raised fears of civil war, broke out due to Tigray&#8217;s Peoples Liberation Front’s (TPLF) unilateral decision to elect a regional administration against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s wishes. “Our operation aims to end the impunity that has prevailed for far too long and hold accountable individuals and groups under the laws of the land,” Abiy said on Twitter. According to the Herald Malaysia, this resulted in heavy casualties and thousands of civilians fleeing the region.



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229977140-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49259" width="431" height="287" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229977140-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229977140-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229977140-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229977140-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229977140-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1229977140-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 431px) 100vw, 431px" /><figcaption>TOPSHOT &#8211; An Ethiopian refugee who fled the Tigray conflict prays during Sunday Mass at an Ethiopian Orthodox church building built by former Ethiopian refugees, at the village next to Um Raquba refugee camp in Gedaref, eastern Sudan, on December 6, 2020. (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



#StopGBV: During the lockdown, gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa has become a second pandemic for the country. According to the Commission of Gender Equality, South Africa is ranked amongst the highest in Africa for domestic violence. At the end of July, Police Minister Bheki Cele released crime stats showing that sexual crimes in the country increased by 1.7%, with 53,293 cases reported. This is 873 cases more than in 2019.



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1222580728-1024x710.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49267" width="389" height="270" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1222580728-1024x710.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1222580728-300x208.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1222580728-768x533.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1222580728-1536x1065.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1222580728-2048x1421.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-1222580728-600x416.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 389px) 100vw, 389px" /><figcaption>Students protest against gender based violence (GBV) at parliament on June 24, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Nardus Engelbrecht/Gallo Images via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>

Untitled-1

What Was Trending In Africa In 2020?

Navigating the murky waters of financial planning in your 20s is no easy task. With the economy perennially in a state of flux and debt on the rise, maintaining a healthy financial life has proven to be even more challenging. We spoke to some finance gurus and experts to glean from them the following that could throw ideas and provide some relief:



<ol type="1"><li>Save. This money is not for immediate use, it isn’t even for foreseeable use. This money is for the long-term, and can be diversified through a number of different investments and unit trusts. These banking faculties ensure that the money you’re putting away is reaching its maximum potential and will serve you well, when the need for it arises. The amount being saved will depend on monthly income and expenses. Increasing this as you progress to each stage of life is recommended and will serve you well when the time comes to reap these rewards.</li><li>Budget. Keep track of your monthly expenses and reduce frivolous spending. A detailed review of your expenses in a month can help determine the money you need to cover it. After all essential expenses such as rent or loan repayments, the cost for essential items such as food and toiletries should be calculated next. The last to follow is optional expenses such as eating out or luxury spend. In doing this, it ensures all the important factors are covered while leaving room for the occasional splurge.</li><li>Emergency funds. Life can be unpredictable. With this come unforeseen costs. To prepare for this, experts recommend creating an emergency fund. This fund is an accumulation of money that is put away to access should the need arise. It can be used on an unexpected medical emergency or sudden job loss. The creation of this ensures that debt is not incurred and long-term savings are spared. It should be placed in a bank account that is quick and easy to access so the funds are available immediately should you need it.</li><li>Assets. Acquiring assets such as vehicles or property is an important investment into the future. Using the finance options available also has its benefits. Creating a positive credit score is important for anyone especially later on in life when business loans may be needed or when opening accounts. While vehicles depreciate quicker, these are assets that can be kept for years at a time and can be used as collateral for a better model when the opportunity arises. Property is also an investment and does not depreciate.</li><li>Retirement funds. Time waits for no man and age catches up with us all. This is why saving for retirement is something that should be started as early as possible. Everyone wants to age comfortably. To do this, it means taking the initiative while you’re young. Over and above the pension or preservation fund being accumulated through your job, setting up a retirement annuity is also highly recommended. This ensures that either a lump sum or monthly stipend is received ensuring that you age in style.</li></ol>



Being in your 20s can be exhilarating and terrifying all at once. The events of your 20s are a significant factor in how you approach the rest of your life. The one thing you want to make sure is that your finances are in order. Debt globally is the highest that it has ever been, and the economy is in recession. Preparing now makes sure that you weather the storm. With calmer seas, you’ll reap the rewards instead of being stranded with no lifeline. Let your finances be one of the things you do well in your 20s.

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A controversial movie release and weaker-than-anticipated growth projections for the third quarter have barely stunted Netflix&#8217;s <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/netflix" target="_blank">NFLX</a> <a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/netflix">0.0%</a> surge this year. Though they took a small hit amid the broader market&#8217;s September correction–after an all-time Netflix high in late August–shares of the Los Gatos, California-based firm are once again nearing peak levels. With the firm set to report earnings Tuesday after the market close, here are five numbers that show just how much the firm has dominated entertainment in the pandemic age.



<h3 class="has-text-align-center">$235 Billion</h3>



That&#8217;s Netflix&#8217;s market capitalization the day before it&#8217;s set to release third-quarter earnings. It&#8217;s up nearly $100 billion in 2020 alone, making the 23-year-old streaming giant one of the 20 largest companies on the S&amp;P 500 by market cap–ahead of even media mainstays like Walt Disney <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/walt-disney" target="_blank">DIS</a> <a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/walt-disney">-2%</a>, Comcast <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/comcast" target="_blank">CMCSA</a> <a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/comcast">-2.7%</a> and AT&amp;T.



<h3 class="has-text-align-center">60%</h3>



Netflix shares have soared more than 60% since the beginning of the year. To compare, the S&amp;P 500 is up just 6.5% in 2020. The firm&#8217;s billionaire cofounder and CEO, Reed Hastings, has gotten nearly $2 billion during the pandemic. The 60-year-old, who launched Netflix as a DVD subscription service in 1997 and owns roughly 1% of its shares, is now worth about $5.4 billion.



<h3 class="has-text-align-center">195 Million</h3>



That&#8217;s the number of paid subscribers analysts expect Netflix will report on Tuesday, up 2.5 million quarter to quarter and in line with the firm&#8217;s latest guidance. Netflix said in July that it added 26 million subscribers during the first half of the year (10 million in the first quarter and nearly 16 million in the second) as homebound consumers facing government-mandated quarantine orders turned to the streaming giant–and away from movie theaters and live shows–for entertainment. That increase could even prove conservative, noted investment research firm CFRA on Monday, reiterating its buy rating on Netflix shares and adding that the firm could be bolstered by an increase in subscribers from international markets.



<h3 class="has-text-align-center">$6.4 Billion</h3>



Analysts are expecting Netflix will pull nearly $6.4 billion in third-quarter revenues, up more than 20% from the same period last year. The company&#8217;s also expected to report earnings of about $2.13 per share, down from $1.47 per share last year on heightened costs amid the pandemic.&nbsp;



<h3 class="has-text-align-center">$670</h3>



That&#8217;s the price target Bank of America <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/bank-of-america" target="_blank">BAC</a> <a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/bank-of-america">-2.1%</a> issued on Friday for Netflix, up nearly 17% from a prior target of $575 and representing the highest Netflix price target on Wall Street. Despite near-term uncertainties around second-half subscriber growth–and a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2020/10/12/netflixs-sarandos-defends-cuties-calling-the-controversial-film-misunderstood/">highly criticized</a> movie release, Bank of America said it continues to see the acceleration in Netflix subscriber growth during the first half of the year as a &#8220;permanent benefit.&#8221; Netflix&#8217;s average price target from 39 analysts covering its stock is about $527–within 1% of current prices.



-By Jonathan Ponciano, Forbes Staff

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Many of tennis’ biggest stars are skipping this year’s U.S. Open. After all, why risk Covid when you are making millions off the court?



When the U.S. Open starts Monday, more than 300 of the world’s best tennis players will be competing for the chance to win $44 million in prize money, including $3 million each for the male and female singles champions.



For most of them, it could be the difference between a money-losing year and a profitable one. The pandemic has hit tennis especially hard. It’s a global sport that requires a lot of international travel. And financially, tennis players are essentially independent contractors, with no team to fall back on in tough times. In response, the sport has established a Player Relief Fund to distribute more than $6 million to help 800 struggling pros deal with the absence of prize money.



But the very top players have none of these concerns. Consider Roger Federer. The 39-year-oldSwiss tennis ace, who isn’t competing in the 2020 Open as he recovers from a pair of knee surgeries, once again lands at No. 1 on the&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;ranking of the highest-paid tennis players with pretax earnings of $106.3 million between June 2019 and June 2020. Not only is Federer—for the 15th&nbsp;straight year—the world’s highest-earning tennis player, but he is also the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2020/05/29/roger-federer-on-top-the-swiss-tennis-ace-scores-first-no-1-payday-with-106-million/#295aa8e718d9">top-earning athlete on the planet</a>&nbsp;– despite playing in only ten ATP tournaments during our scoring period and winning two of them.



“Top tennis players typically have enormous longevity, and longevity is helpful in establishing and growing brand value,” says Phil de Picciotto, founder and president of Stamford, Connecticut-basedsports agency Octagon. “They are also the best in the world at what they do on a very quantifiable basis, and people like the best.”



Most tennis endorsement contracts are built on low guarantees with bonuses for tournament performances and world rankings. A Grand Slam win can trigger a seven-figure bonus. In contrast, there are reductions when players don’t meet minimum play requirements, due to injury — or a pandemic. But the biggest stars lock in huge guarantees and are largely immune to the reductions.



Federer earned more than 95% of his income off the court this year. The 20-time Slam champ split from sneaker giant Nike in 2018 and&nbsp;signed a ten-year deal with Japanese apparel brand Uniqlo. The deal clincher: Uniqlo promised $300 million whether he was playing tennis or not.&nbsp;



“We feel the greatest impact of Roger Federer is yet to come,” Uniqlo’s head of global creative<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2020/05/29/roger-federer-on-top-the-swiss-tennis-ace-scores-first-no-1-payday-with-106-million/#3ea2fd5918d9">&nbsp;John Jay told&nbsp;Forbes</a>&nbsp;in May. “Of course, it will be fueled by his status as the greatest of all time, but Roger’s ability to bring positive change to the world is his future and ours.”



Novak Djokovic, No. 2 on the list, earned $44.6 million, 72% of it from endorsements and appearance fees. Djokovic, the top-ranked men’s player, contracted Covid-19 in June but plans to play in New York next week.No. 3 Rafael Nadal won’t, citing Covid concerns. Nadal earned $40 million, 65% off the court.&nbsp;In all, the top ten players pocketed a combined $340 million, up from $312 million last year.



Tennis represents an appealing demographic in general for marketers, thanks to a well-heeledaudience that is evenly split between men and women—a rarity in big-time sports. At the 2019 U.S. Open, 78% of fansheld at least a bachelor’s degree, and the average household income was $216,000.



Women represent 40% of the earners on our list,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2020/05/22/naomi-osaka-is-the-highest-paid-female-athlete-ever-topping-serena-williams/#3fbf57bd1fd3">led by Japan’s Naomi Osaka</a>&nbsp;(No. 4, $37.4 million) and Serena Williams (No. 5, $36 million). Both are competing in the U.S. Open, but the other two top-earning athletes on the women’s side—Ashleigh Barty (No. 7, $13.1 million) and Simona Halep (No. 10, $10.9 million)—are skipping the event.



Despite playing only eight tournaments in 2019, Williams remains the most famous female athlete in the U.S., with a public awareness that tops Tom Brady, LeBron James and every other athlete not named Tiger Woods, according to Q Scores, which tracks consumer sentiment toward celebrities. Cashing in on her broad appeal—from Gen-Z to Baby Boomers; blue-collar to college educated—are sponsors like Nike, Gatorade, Procter &amp; Gamble and Beats.



<h2>1. Roger Federer -Switzerland </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="619" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1199253351-1024x619.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47439" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1199253351-1024x619.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1199253351-scaled-300x181.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1199253351-scaled-600x363.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1199253351-768x464.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1199253351-1536x928.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1199253351-2048x1238.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Total Earnings: $106.3 Million </blockquote>



Sponsors will continue to line Federer’s pockets while he is sidelined, but he will miss out on lucrative exhibitions, where fans pay top dollar to see Fed in spots he doesn’t usually play. He did a five-stop swing through Latin America in November that added more than $15 million to his bank account.



<h2>2. Novak Djokovic -Serbia </h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1019640744-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47431" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1019640744-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1019640744-scaled-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1019640744-scaled-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1019640744-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1019640744-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1019640744-2048x1364.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Total Earnings: $44.6 Million</blockquote>



Djokovic is the<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/us-open/2020/us-open-2020-schedule-draw-andy-murray-serena-williams-novak-djokovic-odds-in-new-york_sto7789872/story.shtml" target="_blank"> overwhelming favorite</a> to win the U.S. Open with Nadal and Federer staying at home with their combined 39 Grand Slam trophies. He has won five of the last seven Slam titles, and his $144 million in career prize money is the most all-time. Djokovic added Peugeot as an endorsement partner in 2020.



<h2>3. Rafael Nadal -Spain </h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-451367404-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47430" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-451367404-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-451367404-scaled-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-451367404-scaled-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-451367404-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-451367404-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-451367404-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Total Earnings: $40 Million </blockquote>



The Spaniard is one of the biggest draws in tennis and can command appearance fees of more than $1 million. Nadal is the greatest clay-court player of his generation and captured a pair of Grand Slams in 2019, including his 12th French Open title and fourth U.S. Open.



<h2>4. Naomi Osaka -Japan</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1087813666-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47440" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1087813666-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1087813666-scaled-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1087813666-scaled-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1087813666-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1087813666-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1087813666-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Total Earnings: $37.4 Million</blockquote>



Osaka held dual Japanese and American citizenship growing up but wisely chose to represent Japan ahead of the Tokyo Summer Olympics, now scheduled for 2021. The decision made her an even hotter commodity for sponsors, like Procter &amp; Gamble, All Nippon Airways and Nissin, all of which signed deals with Osaka to use her around marketing for the Games. Among tennis players, only Roger Federer made more than Osaka from endorsements.



<h2>5. Serena Williams -United States of America </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-995363656-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47426" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-995363656-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-995363656-scaled-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-995363656-scaled-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-995363656-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-995363656-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-995363656-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Total Earnings: $36 Million </blockquote>



Williams has invested in more than 50 startups over the past six years through Serena Ventures. Her firm is focused on companies founded by women and minorities, accounting for 60% of the investments. She has made $93 million in career prize money, twice as much as any other female athlete.



<h2>6. Kei Nishikori -Japan</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1083442212-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47432" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1083442212-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1083442212-scaled-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1083442212-scaled-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1083442212-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1083442212-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1083442212-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Total Earnings: $32.1 Million</blockquote>



Nishikori has been sidelined since the 2019 U.S. Open, first with an elbow injury and then by the coronavirus shutdown and will miss the Open after testing positive for Covid this month. The Japanese tennis ace was set to be one of the most prominent faces of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo before they were postponed. His endorsement partners include Asahi, NTT, Japan Airlines, Lixil, Procter &amp; Gamble and Nissin, which are all official Olympics sponsors.



<h2>7. Ashleigh Barty- Australia </h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="649" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1139330242-1024x649.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47433" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1139330242-1024x649.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1139330242-300x190.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1139330242-600x380.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1139330242-768x487.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1139330242-1536x973.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1139330242-2048x1298.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Total Earnings: $13.1 Million</blockquote>



Barty had a career year in 2019 with $11.3 in prize money, second-most ever on the WTA Tour behind only Serena’s $12.4 million in 2013(Barty’s $10.1 million in our ranking represents her winnings from June 2019 to June 2020). She won her first career Slam at the 2019 French Open, triggering lucrative bonuses from sponsors Fila and Head. She is the first Australian woman ranked No. 1 since Evonne Goolagong way back in 1976.



<h2>8. Daniil Medvedev- Russia </h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1165549003-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47435" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1165549003-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1165549003-scaled-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1165549003-scaled-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1165549003-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1165549003-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1165549003-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> (Photo by DOMINICK REUTER/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Total Earnings: $11.8 Millions</blockquote>



The Russian reached six straight ATP Tour finals in 2019, something only the Big Three (Federer, Djokovic, Nadal) and Andy Murray had done since 2000. Good timing for Lacoste, which added Medvedev to its roster earlier in 2019 and got major exposure with his deep runs in events. Medvedev landed endorsement deals with BMW, Russian finance brand Tinkoff and Bovet watches after he reached the U.S. Open final last September, when he lost to Nadal in five sets.



<h2>9. Dominic Thiem- Austria</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="697" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1056446352-1024x697.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47436" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1056446352-1024x697.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1056446352-scaled-300x204.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1056446352-scaled-600x409.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1056446352-768x523.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1056446352-1536x1046.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1056446352-2048x1394.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Total Earnings: $11.1 Million</blockquote>



The 26-year-old Austrian reached the finals of the 2020 Australian Open and 2019 French Open but has yet to win his first Slam. Thiem is currently ranked No. 3 in the world and endorses Adidas, Babolat, Red Bull, Bank Austria, Rolex and Sky Sport.



<h2>10. Simona Halep- Romania</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">Total Earnings: 10.9 Million </blockquote>



Halep has won $36.5 million in career prize money, fourth all-time on the women’s side. The 28-year-old Romanian won her second career Slam title at Wimbledon last year. Her major sponsors include global brands Nike, Wilson, Hublot and Avon.



-Kurt Badenhausen, Forbes Staff

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The 2019 season-capping victory for tennis star Ashleigh Barty was one she will not likely soon forget. Her triumph at the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, China, in November gave her a fourth title for the year and paid her $4.4 million, a record for any men’s or women’s tennis event, which pushed her winnings for 2019 to $11.3 million.



The prize money lands the Australian ace at No. 3 on this year’s ranking of the highest-paid female athletes, with a total haul of $13.1 million. She ranks well below global icon Serena Williams, who landed at No. 2 with $36 million, $32 million of which was paid out from endorsement deals. Both were eclipsed by Naomi Osaka, who earned just $3.4 million in prize money but landed at No. 1 with $37.4 million thanks to her own massive sponsor roster.&nbsp;



For female athletes out to get rich from their dominance, tennis is the go-to sport. Nine of the world’s ten highest-paid female athletes make their living with a racket, with the only exception this year being Alex Morgan, co-captain of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, who lands at No. 10 with $4.6 million. The aces can thank Rosie Casals.



Casals, whose 112 doubles tournament titles are the second-highest total ever, was one of nine female tennis players, dubbed the Original 9, who broke ranks with the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association a half-century ago to protest the dollar difference between male and female prize money, which reached as high as 12-to-1 at events. The fight—which led to players including Casals and her longtime doubles partner Billie Jean King being banned from events sanctioned by the USLTA—gave birth to the Virginia Slims Tour, which later morphed into the WTA.&nbsp;



“We knew what we were doing was very important, but in some ways, we didn’t have anything to lose,” says Casals, who will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the tour’s first event next month. “I’m proud to see where women’s tennis is 50 years later and to know that we were instrumental in the success of the game today.”



The U.S. Open was the first Grand Slam tournament to offer gender pay equality, in 1973, but it would be 28 years before another Slam followed suit: the Australian Open in 2001. The biggest tennis events now pay equal prize money to men and women; Wimbledon in 2007 was the last Grand Slam to update its payouts. But it was a long road for women’s tennis players, who faced the same fight for better pay that athletes in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanaglass/2020/05/02/federal-judge-upends-us-womens-national-teams-fight-for-equal-pay/">soccer</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanaglass/2020/01/14/wnba-players-union-reach-progressive-eight-year-collective-bargaining-agreement/">basketball</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolschram/2019/08/29/this-falls-dream-gap-tour-sees-top-womens-hockey-players-working-to-advance-their-game/">hockey</a>&nbsp;have tackled in recent years.



Outside of prize money, Osaka and Williams remain tennis’ only female superstars, with Osaka setting a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2020/05/22/naomi-osaka-is-the-highest-paid-female-athlete-ever-topping-serena-williams/">record for female athletes</a>&nbsp;this year, beating the earnings record set by Maria Sharapova in 2015 when she earned&nbsp;$29.7 million and unseating Williams, who held the No. 1 position for the past four years.



Osaka scored a slew of new endorsement deals following her back-to-back Grand Slam titles at the 2018 U.S. Open and the 2019 Australian Open, including Nike&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/nike" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NKE</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/nike">+1.2%</a>, which committed roughly $10 million annually to win her away from Adidas. Osaka now has 15 endorsement partners, including global brands like Nissan Motor, Shiseido and Yonex.



Morgan is the lone non-tennis player to crack the top ten, thanks to a massive endorsement portfolio worth ten times as much as her roughly $400,000 on-field salary and bonus last year. She has more than a dozen current sponsors, including Nike, Coca-Cola&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/coca-cola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KO</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/coca-cola">+0.4%</a>, Volkswagen and AT&amp;T. Her latest is an Alex Morgan Barbie Doll, as part of the brand’s Role Model Series.



Morgan’s fellow U.S. women’s national soccer team co-captain Megan Rapinoe just missed the top ten with an estimated $4.2 million. Her profile and earnings soared after she led the U.S. to the 2019 World Cup championship as the tournament’s Golden Boot&nbsp;winner and became a cultural icon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2019/07/22/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Rapinoe.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following attacks by President Donald Trump</a>. In addition to a lucrative book deal, she cashed in with a flurry of speaker engagements, with fees approaching six figures. Rapinoe also endorses Nike, Budweiser, BodyArmor, Visa and at least a half-dozen more brands.



“We can’t be complacent,” Casals says about the ongoing pay disparity between men and women. “We must continue to improve the exposure and profile of the women’s game so the value continues to rise. We were fortunate, but we need more women in places of power in business.”



Our earnings tally looks at prize money, salaries, bonuses, endorsements and appearance fees between June 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020. The time frame means the coronavirus had only a marginal impact as tennis players missed out on prize money from just two and a half months of missed events. But earnings will be down significantly in next year’s accounting. In addition to the cancellation of Wimbledon, the WTA canceled its seven events in China scheduled for October and November, including the lucrative WTA Finals. Prize money for the events in China would have totaled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/23/sports/tennis/wta-tour-china-tournaments-canceled.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">roughly $30 million</a>. Almost all players will also have reductions in their apparel and racket contracts for not meeting minimum play requirements.



1. Naomi Osaka



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="594" height="401" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/gettyimages-1198783851-594x594-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-45396" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/gettyimages-1198783851-594x594-1.jpg 594w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/gettyimages-1198783851-594x594-1-300x203.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



Total Earnings: $37.4 million



Prize Money: $3.4 million



Endorsements: $34 million



Osaka held dual citizenship growing up but made the wise choice to represent Japan ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, now scheduled for 2021. The decision made her an even hotter commodity for Olympic sponsors, like Procter &amp; Gamble&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/procter-gamble" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PG</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/procter-gamble">+0.7%</a>, All Nippon Airways and Nissin, which signed endorsement deals with Osaka to use her around marketing for the Games. Among all tennis players, only Roger Federer made more than Osaka from endorsements.



2. Serena Williams



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="698" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RTS2LTFE-1024x698.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47139" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RTS2LTFE-1024x698.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RTS2LTFE-scaled-300x205.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RTS2LTFE-scaled-600x409.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RTS2LTFE-768x524.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RTS2LTFE-1536x1047.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RTS2LTFE-2048x1397.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> (Photo by REUTERS/Carl Recine) </figcaption></figure></div>



Total Earnings: $36 million



Prize Money: $4 million



Endorsements: $32 million



Endorsement partners like Nike, Gatorade, Procter &amp; Gamble and Beats get a boost from Serena’s massive social media following of nearly 40 million fans across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/07/21/serena-williams-natalie-portman-and-uswnt-legends-part-of-female-ownership-group-bringing-womens-professional-soccer-to-los-angeles/">part of an investment group</a>&nbsp;that was awarded the newest National Women’s Soccer League expansion team in Los Angeles this summer. Their daughter, Olympia, is also part of the group and at 2 years old became the youngest known professional sports team owner.



3. Ashleigh Barty



Total Earnings: $13.1 million



Prize Money: $10.1 million



Endorsements: $3 million



Barty won her first career Slam at the 2019 French Open, triggering lucrative bonuses from sponsors Fila and Head. She also endorses Rado, Jaguar, Vegemite, Banana Boat, and Esmi. In June 2019, she became the first Australian woman ranked No. 1 since 1976.



4. Simona Halep



Total Earnings: $10.9 million



Prize Money: $6.9 million



Endorsements: $4 million



Halep added her second career Slam title at Wimbledon last year, and her $36.5 million in career prize money ranks fourth all-time. (Williams is first at $93 million.) Halep’s sponsors include global brands Nike, Wilson, Hublot and Avon, as well as several more in her native Romania.



5. Bianca Andreescu



Total Earnings: $8.9 million



Prize Money: $4.9 million



Endorsements: $4 million



Andreescu made history as the first Canadian, male or female, to win a Grand Slam event when she captured the 2019 U.S. Open. The title and her No. 5 year-end world ranking triggered lucrative bonuses from sponsor Nike, which renegotiated her contract earlier in the year. Since the Open title, she’s added deals with Rolex, Gatorade, Canadian paper company Royale, and Sleep Country mattresses.



6. Garbiñe Muguruza



Total Earnings: $6.6 million



Prize Money: $2.1 million



Endorsements: $4.5 million



The Spanish-Venezuelan tennis star’s runner-up finish at this year’s Australian Open was only her second time advancing past the fourth round of a Grand Slam since her 2017 Wimbledon title. But she maintains a strong endorsement portfolio with Adidas, Beats, Rolex, Cesar insurance, Babolat and Maui Jim sunglasses. Her Adidas deal is one of the bigger apparel deals in the sport.



7. Elina Svitolina



Total Earnings: $6.4 million



Prize Money: $5.4 million



Endorsements: $1 million



The Ukrainian reached the semifinals of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2019, and she matched her career-high No. 3 world ranking. Svitolina counts Nike, Wilson, Hublot, Damilano Barolo wines, and EAFit nutrition products as sponsors.



8. Sofia Kenin



Total Earnings: $5.8 million



Prize Money: $4.8 million



Endorsements: $1 million



Kenin won the Australian Open in January, building on her WTA Most Improved Player Award in 2019. At 21, she was the youngest American to win a Slam since Serena Williams in 2002. Her main sponsors are Fila and Babolat.



9. Angelique Kerber



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1090048146-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47144" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1090048146-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1090048146-scaled-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1090048146-scaled-600x400.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1090048146-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1090048146-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1090048146-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



Total Earnings: $5.3 million



Prize Money: $1.3 million



Endorsements: $4 million



Kerber’s three Grand Slam wins since the start of 2016 are the most in women’s tennis. Her most lucrative sponsorship deal is with Adidas, which has partnered with the German tennis star since 2013. Other endorsements include Yonex, Generali, Porsche and Lavazza.



10. Alex Morgan



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="647" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1159663800-1024x647.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47143" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1159663800-1024x647.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1159663800-scaled-300x190.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1159663800-scaled-600x379.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1159663800-768x485.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1159663800-1536x971.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-1159663800-2048x1295.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption> (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>



Total Earnings: $4.6 million



Salary/bonus: $400,000



Endorsements: $4.2 million



Morgan extended her deal with Nike after the 2019 World Cup with a clause that guaranteed pay for 18 months even if she was not playing. Nike had previously been criticized for a lack of maternity protection in its contracts with female athletes. Morgan gave birth to her first child in May. She is launching her own media company, with more details expected by the end of the year.



-Kurt Badenhausen,Forbes Staff

Rogers Cup Toronto – Day 7

Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2020: 50 Years After Creation Of Women’s Tour, Tennis Dominates Earnings List

As Covid-19 continues to spread ruthlessly across the globe, governments have enforced lockdowns in countries to slow the infection rate. And this has meant restricted movements of people and work from home. As the globe’s population practises self-isolation and social-distancing, the lack of the familiar can lead to further stress and mental health issues. Establishing coping mechanisms to deal with anxiety and depression during these times is crucial. Healthcare practitioner and counselling psychologist, Nkateko Ndala-Magoro, through the South African Depression and Anxiety Group’s Facebook platform, lets us in on five self-help strategies to deal with depression.



Get active: “It is hard I know to stay active while you are confined. The benefits of staying active is the release of feel good hormones that are in contrast with the hormones that exacerbate depression. Being active also helps regulate your heart beat; for people suffering from anxiety, the regulation of breathing might help with the severity of the anxiety/panic attack.”



Take time to sleep: “I know people are already feeling like they do not have any more positions of sleep because of sleeping too much during lockdown. I encourage that people get as much quality sleep as possible in this time. Sleeping has benefits on our health and wellbeing in general, let alone on our mental health on many levels.”



Read: “Keep yourself busy by reading. There is a wealth of information in books. There are many online platforms including Amazon, which have made available e-books for free. Read self-help books and fiction to escape the reality; and any other books that interest you.”



Learn a new skill: “This will also keep you interested as mastering something new takes a lot in terms of focus and energy.”



Connect with loved ones: “Connect with your loved ones via video chats. Journal and work on things you have been meaning to work on to give you a sense of accomplishment.”

Man self isolating at home

5 Ways To Cope With The Self During Isolation

Some of these fads were slowly building in the previous decade, others are still nascent, but need your full attention to prepare your business for the times ahead.



1. AI and machine learning



Key takeaway: Automate repetitive tasks, but be wary of automating inefficiencies and biases.



You’re surrounded by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: from the recommendations Netflix makes based on your viewing history to those pesky adverts that track you around the internet. As Bronwyn Williams, a trend analyst at Flux Trends in South Africa, explains, “Most of what you think is AI is actually machine learning.” Williams emphasizes that fears about AI “stealing jobs” are overrated, and most businesses will see the arduous, repetitive tasks given to machines, freeing up humans for analysis and critical thinking. She warns businesses to remember it’s the human interaction that differentiates one offering from another. “Don&#8217;t automate away your value. Look under the hood and make sure you understand why you are automating something – and be careful not to automate inefficiencies.” Looking at automated HR processes, companies have discovered that even unconscious human biases are learned by machines (for example, CVs belonging to certain genders and races are discredited. Machines are not born neutral – especially if they’re learning from humans.) Embrace machine learning, but do so with a pinch of salt.



2. Driverless cars and the supply chain



Key takeaway: Autonomous cars are still about 15 years away, but it’s best to prepare your fleet and supply chain choice now.



The automotive industry is going through some major changes: electric cars, the growth of services like Uber and Lift, and lastly, the development of autonomous vehicles. Though the first two will impact everyday consumer experiences, it’s self-driving cars that will massively alter businesses and their supply chains across Africa in the next decade. “As convenience and efficiency are the cornerstones of the fleet industry, there is no doubt self-driving vehicles will start making a play for their share of the fleet industry sooner rather than later,” explains Sudesh Pillay on fleet management company EQSTRA’s online platform. The supply chain will no longer be affected by driver fatigue and human error. Driverless cars will also dramatically impact accident rates (lowering them by 90%, according to some estimates) and supply chain efficiency. As Innovation Group’s Future Now report indicates, autonomous cars face some serious challenges across Africa before they can become a practical alternative to human drivers. “There is a vision, in the not-too-distant future, in which self-driving cars hold a lot of promise…. Others are more skeptical about the practical feasibility, especially in Africa where the infrastructural limitations (roads, electricity etc.) hold back the vision, at least in the foreseeable future. Our research indicates that self-driving cars may only become a reality in South Africa in [15] or more years and that this may spur innovative advances in infrastructure, energy services and ultimately the look and feel of roads and cities.”



3. Climate crises and



natural disasters



Key takeaway: Hire a Chief Sustainability Officer to



start building climate resilience into your business.



“Now is the time to start thinking seriously about resilience,” says Hugh Tyrrell, Director at Green Edge, a corporate mentoring initiative in Cape Town that helps businesses develop sustainably. “The big brands have Chief Sustainability Officers (CSO). This role is in the C-suite and is forward-thinking,” Tyrell explains. CSOs look at how businesses can start developing their own power, lower their eco-footprint and manage their resources better. Looking to the big corporate trendsetters, there are some major shifts in corporate strategy focusing on a sustainable business model instead of growth at all costs. Unilever, for example, is holding their suppliers to the same eco-friendly standards that they themselves are working at, says Tyrrell. Natural disasters associated with the climate crisis are already affecting African businesses too. Explains Tyrrell, “In agriculture, which is a big sector in Africa, we are seeing the effect of droughts or floods. Others have to work more closely with their suppliers to ensure supplies come in good condition and on time.” Mining is another industry heavily impacted by the climate crisis – and the push by consumers for more environmental-friendly solutions.&nbsp;



4. The age of cyberattacks and data breaches



Key takeaway: Make sure your IT department includes



skilled data protection specialists.



As businesses innovate and rely less on physical hardware like servers, and start instead relying on the cloud, they can expect to see a massive uptick in cyberattacks and subsequent data breaches. This trend increased exponentially in 2019 (even the City of Johannesburg in South Africa was held by ransomware) and is set to explode in the coming decade. Added to this, businesses are collecting more data than ever before, particularly for marketing purposes and to tailor their product offerings. Because of this, businesses should prepare themselves for the onslaught by firstly, taking their online security very seriously, secondly, training their staff (employees are the weakest link in any security chain) and thirdly, putting more budget behind appropriate security measures. “The demand for narrow cybersecurity expertise is driven by a constantly changing threat landscape, as well as evolving technologies, such as cloud or IoT. As a result, we see the bigger demand in, for example, threat intelligence analysts and dedicated threat intelligence services, and experts for cloud platform protection. The call for data protection specialists is seen in both technical and regulatory and compliance aspects,” says Alexander Moiseev, Chief Business Officer at online security software Kaspersky.



5. The remote workforce



Key takeaway: Flexi-hours and working remotely are practical ways to combat challenges like loadshedding and traffic.



With intermittent power supply (particularly in South Africa), increasing traffic and less reliance on physical IT infrastructure like servers, the remote and flexible workforce is becoming a norm. Says Moiseev, “The working model is already being changed, with 40% of small and medium companies regularly allowing their employees to work at locations outside the office — from home or while traveling.” In addition, health scares like the coronavirus are amplifying these trends. “Apps that enable remote working are having a moment,” explains Williams. “You now get filters to add makeup to video conferences so you don’t have to dress up when you’re working from home.” Many employees expect the flexibility of remote working when job hunting, and businesses reap the benefits of agility.  



-Samantha Steele

Computing and malware concept

The Five Trends To Future-Proof Your Business

A pick of some of the weirdest, coolest tech that could come hurtling our way this year. 



<ol><li>A bot that delivers
toilet paper</li></ol>



Forgot to instal toilet paper in the loo? The Charmin RollBot is designed to carry a roll of toilet paper on two wheels. With the press of a button on your phone, the RollBot will help with your sanitary requirement.



Using Bluetooth, the bot will commence its mission; an infra-red sensor able to navigate its way to you. According to Business Insider, there&#8217;s no price or release date for RollBot, nor is it clear if it will ever be released as a consumer product. Charmin calls RollBot a &#8220;conceptual prototype”. The brand unveiled the bot last month at the CES 2020 expo in Las Vegas.



2. The Cyrcle phone



If for any reason you got bored of your rectangular handset, the circular phone is always an alternative offering a different view and take. According to the makers, the phone was designed with the Generation Z, female audience in mind. It’s round and features two headphone jacks. The device was designed by a US-based startup delivering a shape that it says is more “sensual”. The company reckons it will be ready to launch in a year’s time.



3. A smart bed



There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep. But it’s not always possible to have the best sleep every day. Or is it? There is a bed that’s guaranteed to give you your beauty sleep the way you want it.



Sleep Number Climate 360 has a mattress with features that warm your feet to help you sleep faster. It will also help you stay asleep by cooling your body, and balance your temperature with your natural wake and sleep cycles.



But what’s most intriguing is the fact that the bed also gives you a Sleep IQ score for personalized sleep insights. It measures your heart rate, breathing and movement, tracks your circadian rhythms and can show how your heart rate varies. The smart bed received the CES 2020 Best of Innovation award and is only expected to be available in 2021.



4. Self-changing trash can



For those who dread taking out the trash, this device is possible a no-brainer. Apart from its motion sensors to detect when you need to throw trash, when it’s full, it will automatically seal the trash bag and line the bin with a new one, all with a press of a button.



Even if the bin is overflowing, the top compartment will lift up so it can still seal the bag shut without any mess. The bin, called the Townew bin, was designed by a Canadian company, Knectek Labs.



5. Vertical TV



Just when we were getting used to wider TVs, it seems taller screens may soon be coming to your living room. Samsung’s Sero TV vertical-oriented will soon be hitting markets.



The TV can not only work in the traditional horizontal format, but is also able to turn on its side for playing vertical videos in portrait style.This might come in handy when watching videos from social media platforms such as TikTok or Instagram that deal primarily with vertical videos.



It sits on a stand that prevents it hitting the floor when turning, and can be paired with a phone so that it automatically orientates it correctly based on what’s beamed from the handset. According to TechRadar.com the pricing and availability are yet to be revealed, but the Sero will be leaving Korea and is headed to the US and “several global markets” later this year.

Category: Lists