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Get Your IT Working for You

The entrepreneurs who pull ahead won’t be the ones with the biggest teams or the deepest pockets. They’ll be the ones who got their technology working for them instead of the other way around doing more with less, staying responsive as they grow, and spending their limited hours on the work that only they can do. Good IT won’t run your business for you. But done well, it clears the clutter so you can get back to the reason you started this in the first place and every now and then, close the laptop a little earlier.

By TheLife Team 1 month ago

Political Freedom Was Won. Economic Freedom Is Still a Fight.

According to Stats SA, in the first quarter of 2026, 60.9% of South Africans aged 15 to 24 were unemployed. When considering the number of people that are not in employment, education or training (NEET), Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey revealed that 37.6% of people aged 15-24 were in the NEET category. This is the description of a generation that has been locked out of the economy before it has had a fair chance to enter it.

By TheLife Team 1 month ago

MEET OUR HBC MEMBERS 2026

Networking is about more than exchanging business cards it is about building meaningful relationships and creating a strong, supportive community. When local business owners connect, share ideas, support one another and collaborate, everyone has the opportunity to grow. Together, we build a community where businesses thrive, referrals flourish and lasting partnerships are formed.

By TheLife Team 1 month ago

What Your Independent Trustee Should Be Doing — and Why It Matters

It is in this context that the role of the independent trustee becomes essential. South African courts have long emphasised the need for independent judgment in the administration of family trusts, most notably in the 2003 Land Bank of South Africa vParker decision. This principle was reinforced in 2017 when the Master of the High Court issued a directive requiring many family trusts — particularly those where trustees and beneficiaries are related — to appoint an independent trustee.

By TheLife Team 5 months ago

Press release 

“Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Hostex made this year’s show particularly meaningful,” said Lerato Nako, Events Manager of Hostex. “The theme ‘Opening doors’ truly came to life, creating new opportunities, strong connections and renewed energy across the hospitality industry.”

By TheLife Team 5 months ago

The Economic Influence of a US–East Conflict on South African Property Prices

At a global level, tensions between these major powers disrupt trade, weaken investor confidence, and create volatility in commodity and financial markets. South Africa, as an emerging economy with strong ties to both Western and Eastern partners, often finds itself indirectly exposed. When uncertainty rises, global investors tend to retreat from riskier markets, which can reduce foreign capital inflows into South Africa, including property investment.

By Marinda Sauerman 5 months ago

Cape Town startup Happy Pay raises $5M seed round to scale the first ad-subsidised payments network, to deliver cost-free Buy Now Pay Later payments for SA consumers

“Our mission is simple, to make cash-flow management free for consumers,” said Wesley Billett, Co-Founder and CEO of Happy Pay. “If we can connect the right product to the right person at the right moment and remove payment friction, commerce itself can fund the flexibility. That allows us to deliver installment payments without charging consumers interest.”

By TheLife Team 5 months ago

Harvesting the Ocean Abalone Part 1

South Africa’s coastline tells many stories, but few are as complex and valuable as that of Abalone farming. Known locally as “perlemoen”,this marine delicacy has grown into one of the country’s most lucrative aquaculture products. Yet, behind its glossy export success lies a fragile industry shaped by risk, resilience, and ongoing challenges.

By Marinda Sauerman 5 months ago

Inside South Africa’s most overlooked franchise opportunity

“South Africa’s franchise sector has proven its resilience and economic value, contributing close to R1 trillion to the economy and supporting around 500,000 jobs nationwide,” says Ryan Gaines, CEO at Fastway Couriers South Africa. “Despite this, many franchise opportunities remain under-recognised. We’ve seen strong growth since 2019, reflecting how structured business ownership models are becoming a more attractive and stable pathway for entrepreneurs, particularly amid rising living costs and economic uncertainty.”

By TheLife Team 5 months ago