Africa's best brands unveiled
The 2025 rankings reveal a stark disconnect between rising African optimism and declining brand loyalty.
According to Brand Expert, Thebe Ikalafeng, if Africa had positive brands, which create a positive image of the continent, we'd be spending less on debt.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Answering African questions: Why local research is the continent's next frontier
The rising demand for robust African research presents anyone considering a doctoral degree with an extraordinary opportunity to be part of something truly transformative. Imagine trying to solve a puzzle with pieces from a different box. That's often the case when research from other continents is simply parachuted into Africa to address local challenges, whether in health, education or business. And this happens far too often. While Africa's youthful population accounts for close to 20% of the global population, less than 1% of global research output is from this continent. 'This is an extraordinary statistic,' comments Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean of Henley Business School Africa and Associate Pro Dean at the University of Reading. 'But more than that, it's a profound challenge to those of us working in academia to build robust, relevant research capabilities with far-reaching implications for development, policy, and economic growth.' He adds that for those contemplating doctoral studies, this landscape presents an opportunity to be part of something truly transformative. Moving from dependency to partnership Why does local research matter so profoundly in an African context? For one thing, localised research ensures that solutions are genuinely contextual, relevant, and effective, says Professor Danie Petzer, Pro Dean of Research and Doctoral at Henley Business School Africa. 'Whether it's in public health, economic development, or business strategy, understanding the nuances of local realities, priorities, and perspectives can be transformational. When Africa generates its own data and ideas, interventions are far more likely to resonate with and directly benefit its diverse communities. 'This is about building a foundation of knowledge that genuinely serves the continent's unique needs,' he says. Take the work of Phano Ramoeketsi, for example. She is embarking on a PhD at Henley Business School, having won a scholarship for her work to uplift African women and girls. Herself a social entrepreneur who has grappled with the challenges of starting and running a business in Africa, her research will focus on dismantling the barriers that African women entrepreneurs face in the international business arena. DBA student Hugo Ndudzo meanwhile is exploring the development of organisational leadership capacity based on action research in manufacturing plants in South Africa and Zambia and Carol Maluleke is exploring reputation management in the context of non-profit organisations in Africa. 'A thriving African academic base directly elevates African perspectives like these,' comments Prof Petzer. 'When African research institutions foster leadership that can advocate for continental needs, challenge stereotypes, and inform international partners from a position of expertise and credibility, it fundamentally shifts the global narrative from one of dependency to one of partnership.' Advancing indigenous knowledge and promoting ownership Prof Petzer adds that another key benefit of localised research is that it can directly support the protection, documentation, and advancement of indigenous knowledge systems. 'Africa is a tapestry of rich cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge systems, vital for innovation and sustainable development. Investment in African academic growth, by acknowledging the worth of local epistemologies, Africa resists the marginalisation of its intellectual heritage and ensures its integration into modern development solutions, fostering a uniquely African approach to progress,' he says. Locally-led research ultimately promotes a profound sense of ownership. Solutions developed within Africa have significantly higher adoption rates, are more sustainable, and can adapt to emerging challenges quickly. 'African institutions need to support evidence-based policies that measurably improve lives – transforming academic advancements into tangible social and economic benefits that can make a difference,' says Prof Petzer. Andy Innes, musician, businessman and a DBA student at the University of Stellenbosch, is aiming to do just that. His work explores the nexus of culture and the psychological contract in postcolonial and polyculture societies, a complicated-sounding topic that boils down to helping people from different cultures understand each other and communicate better. 'I think our biggest problem in this country is social sustainability. And I think the key to unlocking that problem sits in the space of how people communicate and how they relate to one another,' he says. 'Right now, there is a chasm between people that hasn't really been examined in depth yet. We've looked at race a lot, but to my mind, race doesn't really tell you anything about anyone. It doesn't tell you anything about their culture or the myriad things that make them.' 'Society is not split so much across racial lines as across sub-cultural lines and people in separated or marginalised sub-cultures simply don't have access. They're pretty much excluded from everything that involves socio-economic advancement, which is, obviously, a problem. 'We've got to find ways of addressing this issue, and this starts by defining exactly what it is and how it works.' Sustainable economic growth starts with relevant knowledge creation Ultimately, a robust research and innovation ecosystem acts as a powerful engine for economic development. It fosters entrepreneurship, builds capacity for future industries, and strengthens the crucial ties between academia, business, and government. But growing that 1% of research contribution is no easy matter. Prof Petzer says that the journey to building this vital research capacity faces significant challenges, particularly in funding, infrastructure, and human capital. Institutions like Henley Business School Africa are actively working to address these gaps, fostering an environment where local research thrives. Henley's approach to encouraging local research is unique, especially as a private higher education institution. The model looks beyond the traditional academic and provides a flexible research support system to enable a wider net of consultants and practitioners in the production of thought leadership and research. Most recently, the school h as launched its DBA programme in Africa to ensure that more local students can sign up for this prestigious international degree while pursuing distinctly local research. 'The move is in response to the growing demand from our MBA graduates who are eager to continue studying with us. By leveraging technological advancement and local expertise, we are able to provide a pathway for doctoral studies through an internationally reputable business school right here in South Africa,' says Prof Petzer. 'We are really excited to be able to offer aspiring DBA candidates in business studies the opportunity to contribute to this vital African research landscape. It's about more than just earning a degree; it's about actively shaping the future of a continent through relevant, impactful knowledge creation.' DM
The South African
8 hours ago
- The South African
Freelance writer positions available
The South African website is growing its editorial team and has several exciting opportunities for freelance journalists. As a writer and journalist for The South African , you will be expected to cover the latest news, lifestyle, sport or finance developments, and produce daily articles for the publication – all while building your writing, editing and digital media portfolio. A degree or similar qualification in journalism Two-plus years' online writing experience for a news publisher Own laptop and stable internet/WiFi connection WordPress experience is an advantage Excellent writing skills Contact list of sources and newsmakers Knowledge and understanding of search engine optimisation (SEO) Able to work independently and be an excellent communicator Knowledge of working on social media platforms Must have a clear grasp of the South African context, cultural nuances, etc. Proficiency in analytics tools is an advantage If you meet the above requirements and are excited at the chance of joining one of South Africa's fastest-growing online news publishers, share your CV with freelance@ NOTE: If contacted, you will be required to set aside 90 minutes for a timed assessment. Position: Freelance writer/journalist (part-time or full-time) Reporting to: Freelance Army Coordinator Location: Remote First established in 2003 by Blue Sky Publications Ltd, has evolved to become one of the most-read websites in South Africa. We bring you the latest breaking news, lifestyle, sport and finance updates, from South Africa, the African continent and the world at large. The South African is an independent, no agenda and no bias online news disruptor that goes beyond the news and behind the headlines. We believe what sets us apart is that we deliver news differently. While we hold ourselves to the utmost journalistic integrity of being truthful, we encourage a writing style that is acerbic and conversational, when appropriate. Having started as a print edition targeting expats in the United Kingdom, is now run entirely online with our largest readership footprint based in South Africa.
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
Digital gossip: When WhatsApp groups become cyber-risk zones
93% of African respondents use WhatsApp for work communications, surpassing email and Microsoft Teams. Despite their popularity among employees, informal messaging platforms pose significant risks to organisations' cybersecurity. This is according to Anna Collard, senior vice president of Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa. WhatsApp According to the 2025 KnowBe4 Africa Annual Cybersecurity survey, 93% of African respondents use WhatsApp for work communications, surpassing email and Microsoft Teams. 'For many organisations, platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram have become integral to workplace communication. Ease of use is what makes them so popular,' explains Collard. 'Particularly on the continent, many people prefer WhatsApp because it's fast, familiar and frictionless. These apps are already on our phones and embedded in our daily routines.' Convenience at cost Collard says while it feels natural to ping a colleague on WhatsApp, especially if you're trying to get a quick answer, convenience often comes at the cost of control and compliance. In the US, a top-secret military attack on Yemen was leaked on the messaging platform Signal earlier this year, with the plan inadvertently shared with a newspaper editor and other civilians, including the Defence Secretary's wife and brother. 'There are multiple layers of risk,' states Collard. 'It's important to remember that WhatsApp wasn't built for internal corporate use, but as a consumer tool. Because of that, it doesn't have the same business-level and privacy controls embedded in it that an enterprise communication tool, such as Microsoft Teams or Slack, would have.' ALSO READ: South Africa remains a global hotspot for data breaches Data leakage Collard explains that the biggest risk for organisations is data leakage. 'Accidental or intentional sharing of confidential information, such as client details, financial figures, internal strategies or login credentials, on informal groups can have disastrous consequences. 'Informal platforms lack the audit trails necessary for compliance with regulations, particularly in industries like finance with strict data-handling requirements,' she said. Identity theft She said phishing and identity theft are also threats. 'Attackers love platforms where identity verification is weak,' she says, adding that at least 10 people in her personal network have reported being victims of WhatsApp impersonation and takeover scams. 'Once the scammer gains access to the account, in many cases via SIM swaps, the real user is locked out, and they have access to all their previous communications, contacts and files,' she comments. 'They then impersonate the victim to deceive their contacts, often asking for money or even more personal information.' ALSO READ: SA's Treasury discovers malware as hackers exploit Microsoft flaw Mitigating risks She explained that beyond security, using these channels can also lead to inappropriate communication among employees or the blurring of work-life boundaries, resulting in burnout. ' Collard said that for organisations wanting to mitigate these risks, it's important to set up a clear communications strategy. 'First, provide secure alternatives. Don't just tell people what not to use. Make sure that tools like Teams or Slack are easy to access and clearly endorsed.' Collard said it is also vital to educate employees on why secure communication matters. 'This training should include digital mindfulness principles, such as to pause before sending, think about what you're sharing and with whom, and be alert to emotional triggers like urgency or fear, as these are common tactics in social engineering attacks.' Collard said by introducing approved communication tools, organisations can benefit from additional security features, such as audit logs, data protection, access control and integration with other business tools. 'Using approved platforms helps maintain healthy boundaries, so work doesn't creep into every corner of your personal life. It's about digital wellbeing as much as it is about cybersecurity.' Collard maintains that while informal messaging offers convenience, its unchecked use introduces significant cyber risks, saying organisations must move beyond simply acknowledging the problem and proactively implement clear policies, provide secure alternatives, and empower employees with the digital mindfulness needed to navigate these cyber-risk zones safely. ALSO READ: Data breaches cost SA organisations over R360m in 3 years
