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Demographic change is a pressing issue facing organisations today. Early retirements, coupled with what Harvard Business Review describes as a caustic blend of ageism and cost-cutting measures, led to many businesses prematurely parting ways with older workers during the pandemic. When these seasoned employees left, they took with them a wealth of institutional knowledge, expertise, and loyalty. Those who remained are now grappling with an influx of Generation Z employees who have entirely different skills and work expectations. This dynamic is further complicated by new work models, including hybrid structures and boundaryless assignments. So, how do we navigate these generational differences in the workplace? In an interview with Biznews, Anne Rutledge, the Executive Director of Talent Solutions at Resourgenix, emphasises the importance of companies understanding the generational composition of their workforce, what motivates these different groups, and how to retain them. Rutledge advocates for mentorship programmes that foster collaboration, enhance problem-solving skills, and help younger generations develop soft skills. Rutledge also offers insights on how workplaces can be redesigned where people can connect or take a break, how companies can deal with boundaryless assignments, data privacy and developments in AI in the recruitment process.

Nikki Munitz admits she did expect her autobiography ‘Fraud’ to be a hit, if only because of its sheer shock appeal. But the recovering addict who grew up in a dysfunctional Jewish home, stole millions and served time in an overcrowded South African prison says its tell-all approach has had a deeper impact. Her experiences are relatable to everyone facing similar self-esteem and addiction challenges that are so widespread in today’s world. Munitz spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Often referenced when sporting buffs debate the greatest to never play Test Cricket, now 75, gentle giant Vince van der Bijl’s life of service continues apace. The ‘white stokvel’ he helped start during Apartheid South Africa’s darkest days has grown into powerful catalyst for social change. Its flagship is in the 2 000 pupil Ukhanyo Primary School in the Masiphumelele township near Kommetjie. This is a story with a message of hope. Van der Bijl spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In the Vhembe district of Limpopo, one of South Africa's poorest provinces, a non-profit organisation named Sumbandila Scholarship Trust was established with a mission to identify children who are exceptionally bright, particularly in maths and English, from poor rural homes. Many of them were slipping through the cracks of South Africa's struggling educational system. The trust provides three programs, including Saturday and holiday school programs, full bursaries for independent or Model C schools, and comprehensive support for university education and beyond. Sumbandila, which means "Show the Way," serves as a model of what can be achieved when bright students receive the right support and encouragement. In an interview, Leigh Bristow, the Founder and Executive Director of Sumbandila, shared the success stories of some of her intelligent and determined pupils. One of her former pupils is now a teacher at St Stithians College in Johannesburg, and an orphan now works in Risk Management at Investec. Bristow says what makes the program so successful is that it operates like a family, there is wrap-around support at university level and beyond. Sumbandila is currently developing a prototype of a hub that would enable children to self-learn. “Children have a remarkable ability to teach themselves given the right set of tools,” she said. Bristow says she also has a vision for an alumni program to guide former students in financial literacy, home ownership, wellness and voting.

To curb the flow of gold and oil-funded resources to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war chest, the UK government has targeted individuals, companies, and organisations that are aiding in funding Putin’s operations. They have added 29 new names to their sanction list, including Howard ‘Howie’ Baker, a key player in what Al Jazeera has termed the Southern African Gold Mafia. Baker owns the Rappa gold refinery near Johannesburg, which is licensed by the South African authorities and is currently under investigation by the South African Revenue Service.

In an interview with Biznews, Yusuf Abramjee from Tax Justice South Africa said that the UK government’s move is another indication of the weight of evidence amassing against the ‘Gold Leaf Mafia.’ Abramjee questioned why seven months after Al Jazeera’s revealing documentary, none of the identified players had been prosecuted in South Africa. He urged the government to take action against organised criminal gangs in South Africa and suggested that as an initial step, the South African assets of those implicated in the Gold Mafia should be frozen immediately.

Airline entrepreneur Miles van der Molen shares an insider’s perspective of the local aviation sector where SAA continues to fly despite losing a bundle (so who’s funding it?) and how, despite having less than 10 aircraft, the State-owned airline wants to open a route to Brazil. Cemair’s founder and CEO explains the implications of a growing shortage of skills locally after SA pilots and engineers are being sucked into a global industry desperate for staff as volumes return to pre-Covid pandemic levels. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

Small modular nuclear reactors have long been utilised by the US Defence Department in aircraft carriers and submarines. Now, a consortium led by South African venture capitalist André Pienaar aims to introduce mini nuclear reactors to South Africa. In an interview with Biznews, Pienaar, the Founder and CEO of C5 Capital, elaborated on plans to bring this technology to the Western Cape. His initial focus is on supplying energy to data centres in the province. Using analogies from television and film, Pienaar envisions transforming the nuclear energy sector in South Africa from the large and hazardous depictions in The Simpsons to the compact, modular reactors used by Tony Stark in Iron Man for clean energy provision. South Africa, he said, possesses a robust nuclear ecosystem and a well-established regulatory framework for nuclear energy. Pienaar revealed that numerous South African nuclear engineers, some with prior experience at Eskom, have relocated to the United States under the same visa that facilitated Einstein’s immigration. These engineers now contribute to X-Energy, a company in which C5 holds a significant stake. The plan to introduce mini reactors to South Africa is still in its early stages, he said. The first milestone, a feasibility study, has been completed. The next step for the consortium will be to finalise the financing model and seek regulatory and permitting approvals. Pienaar believes that bringing mini nuclear reactors for power generation to South Africa is a compelling proposition. “This is South Africa’s opportunity to lose because several other countries are moving forward with similar projects,” he said.

Mystery surrounds the identity of the “secret” funder of the Smart Meter programme of Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa. The Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Electricty Samantha Graham-Maré has been struggling for months to get answers. Graham-Maré points out that Smart Meters were touted quite early on in Ramokgopa’s term, and she recalls “a deeply concerning issue” around Smart Meters when the Minister was the Mayor of Tshwane. “…there was a whole sort of fraudulent tender process that happened there around Smart Meters. Then he came in as Minister of Electricity and suddenly the Smart Meters were back on the table…but I can't get information because I'm being blocked.” After receiving no answers to a Promotion of Access to Information request to the Minister On 21 July 2023, she has now submitted Parliamentary questions to Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan.

Fears are growing that some of the missing billions from South Africa’s latest Ponzi scheme could have been sent out of the country. BizNews has been receiving information on off-shore companies linked to the BHI Trust of Craig Warriner. There also appears to be network of at least 11 special purpose vehicles and entities, made up of companies local and offshore - that enabled and benefitted massively from the BHI Fund. The network of entities uncovered so far numbers 16. In this interview with independent financial advisor Magnus Heystek, he says: “…the suspicion is very strong that most of this money is either dissipated on Ferraris and aircraft and has left the country.” Heystek details the huge obstacles that could create for investors who hope to get their money back. He also warns that Ponzi-like schemes land on his desk almost “on a monthly basis”, and urges investors to review their investments without delay and to walk away from unregulated schemes. - Chris Steyn

Powerful officials are abusing State funds to silence those who try to expose corruption. That has emerged from an interview with a member of a group of whistleblowers who have suffered five years of hell after they were targeted, had charges preferred against them - and ultimately lost their jobs. Speaking to BizNews, a former Senior Manager at the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA), Lehloma Ramajoe, details the corruption and irregularities they blew the whistle on; paints a grim picture on the current state of this SETA; and blames the inaction by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande on his “questionable relationship” with the SETA and a particular official. While he is still fighting the government in the Labour Court, Ramajoe warns prospective whistleblowers to be ready for a “long battle with powerful people that are using State money to fight whistleblowers”. Still, he vows to keep exposing wrongdoing “because I don't believe that any evil can ever prevail over good”.