Bitcoin soared to a record-high of $111,944 on May 23, just days before the Bitcoin 2025 conference prepares to make history.



Set to take place in Las Vegas from May 27 to 29, Bitcoin 2025 will reportedly be the world’s largest-ever Bitcoin event with 30,000 attendees, and 500 speakers.



Several high-profile government representatives are expected to speak, including U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, White House crypto czar David Sacks, Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets Bo Hines, and U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance who will headline the event.



Experts believe Vance’s speech will touch on Bitcoin’s role in America’s future and financial jurisdiction.



With policymakers set to not only attend but speak, the level of administration involvement resembles a budding relationship between the White House and cryptocurrency. Bitcoin’s stock has piggybacked off President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance, alongside Vance’s public concern over the current regulatory framework.



“The regulation under the trump administration has put a far friendlier regulatory green light on crypto allowing for the long-awaited ‘crossing the chasm’ and bridging institutional wealth into the crypto markets,” Denham Preen, co-founder of Float Capital, a peer-to-peer crypto company providing leveraged returns without overcollateralization and liquidations, tells FORBES AFRICA.



Bitcoin reached a former record-high of $106,181 on January 22 this year, two days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, before hitting a year-low of $76,273 on April 9 (also reportedly following Trump’s tariff announcement).



The marquee event in Las Vegas hosted by BTC Inc., a platform assisting companies in Bitcoin adoption, conveniently coincides at a time when experts appear more bullish on crypto than the traditionally stable gold. JP Morgan recently forecasted the former to show stronger growth for the rest of this year.



“It’s easy to see Bitcoin outperforming gold this year… Bitcoin’s market cap is still far smaller than gold and having a similar purpose and now with accessible bitcoin investment opportunities, it’s easy to see capital moving from one market into the other,” Preen adds.



With Bitcoin reaching record highs and piquing traditional investors’ attention, Bitcoin 2025’s roster of influential speakers arrives at a moment that feels almost inevitable, another quiet blow to the old guard of traditional finance.

Bitcoin icon with blue light on microchip surrounded with icons of different world currencies on complex circuit board. International finance concept. 3D Illustration

‘Outperforming Gold This Year’: Bitcoin Hits Record High Of $111,944 Today Ahead Of Biggest Bitcoin Fest Of The Year

South African billionaire-entrepreneur Johann Rupert, present with President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House, came to his rescue during a tense Oval Office exchange on Wednesday.



As U.S. President Donald Trump coordinated proceedings, bringing forth articles and videos on alleged White genocide and land seizures in South Africa, the 74-year-old Cape Town-based businessman dismissed the narrative of targeted farm murders plaguing the country. He did, however, highlight its high murder rate.



&#8220;We have too many deaths… it&#8217;s not only White farmers; it&#8217;s across the board,&#8221; Rupert told Oval Office attendees.



Also invited and present as Ramaphosa&#8217;s guests were golfing icons and South Africans Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Four-time major champion Els, a long-time golf friend of Trump&#8217;s, was the first South African to feature after Ramaphosa. When nominated by the U.S. President to speak, he first declared his pride in being South African before mentioning: &#8220;We want to see things get better in our country.&#8221;



Business tycoon Rupert was next to speak, and instantly challenged Trump&#8217;s assumptions. He pointed out that statistics to show White farming communities are not the primary victims of South Africa’s egregious murder rate, mentioning that it cuts across all ethnicities and socioeconomic classes.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GettyImages-2215737143.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65703" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GettyImages-2215737143.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GettyImages-2215737143-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GettyImages-2215737143-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Trump speaks during a meeting with Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



As per an article in Bloomberg, figures attributed to South African Police Service and AfriForum suggest this to be true, that “killing on farms form a small portion of total murders”; that of South Africa&#8217;s 27,621 murders in 2024, 55 were farm-related, compared to 43 of 27,494 in 2023 and 50 of 25,181 in 2022.



The Chairman of luxury goods firm Richemont, who is worth $14.7 billion as per Forbes, then diverted his speech to label how Trump&#8217;s administration and Elon Musk can help tackle South Africa&#8217;s murder issue.



&#8220;We need technological help, we need Starlink at every little police station, we need drones… we need your help to stop these awful killings,&#8221; Rupert said, also alluding to unemployment in the country as a reason.



&#8220;If we don&#8217;t get our country to grow, the culture of dependency and the lawlessness will increase… We need your help Sir [Trump], and we need Elon&#8217;s [Musk] technology.”



Ramaphosa, calm and walking the diplomatic tightrope, visibly eager to discuss trade and investment, followed up in a bid to renavigate the conversation with little success.



&#8220;One of the areas of support needed is in investments to grow our economy… create more jobs, because crime thrives where there is inequality and unemployment,&#8221; said the South African President.



&#8220;Our main reason for being here is to foster trade and investment so that we&#8217;re able to grow our economy and your [U.S.] support to address all these societal problems because criminality thrives when people are unemployed… that is what we need to resolve.&#8221;



This meeting was part of a diplomatic effort to address economic and security challenges between the U.S. and South Africa.

President Trump Meets With South African President Cyril Ramaphosa At The White House

South African Billionaire Johann Rupert Backs Ramaphosa During White House Showdown, Pleads For U.S. and Elon Musk’s Help

One of the youngest coaches of a professional team, 28-year-old Frenchman Alexandre Lafitte led the Stade d’Abidjan football club in the Ivory Coast to victory on Sunday.



Stade d’Abidjan ended their 56-year wait to win the domestic league in the Ivory Coast on May 18… and their triumph was masterminded by one of the youngest coaches in world football.



Les Yeyes (The Eyes) had not lifted the Ligue 1 trophy since 1969, but a 3-0 victory over Lys Sassandra saw them finish three points ahead of city rivals ASEC Mimosas for a sixth championship win.



Coach Alexandre Lafitte was just 25 years old when he took over the team in January 2023, when the side were in a perilous position at the foot of the table.



He not only saved them from relegation that season but took the team to second place in the 2023-24 campaign and now to the Ligue 1 title. Having turned 28 last month, Lafitte remains one of the youngest coaches of a professional team.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-1177-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65677" style="width:548px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-1177-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-1177-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-1177-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-1177-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-1177.jpg 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


He explains the evolution of the team since his arrival two-and-a-half years ago.



“The first thing was to improve the mentality, because it is fair to say we did not have the best players in the league,” Frenchman Lafitte tells FORBES AFRICA. “We were up against teams like ASEC Mimosas, who are very, very strong. But what we could do was build the mentality, and with that we created a good game project.



“Although the team was bad when I arrived, we saw there is the capacity to develop and improve if we work with the players. But most important was to develop a very good mentality.



“We demanded hard work and believed in the players. If you have a good game project and you work together with the players, you will have results. The players should want to come to training and want to play. And that comes from coaching.”



Lafitte says his love for coaching comes from his father, though they do not work in the same sports.



”I began coaching when I was young. I played football where I grew up near Bordeaux, but stopped at 18 years old when I began to study at university,” he says. “I always liked the idea of coaching, because my father coached table tennis.



“I began my career with youth coaching and as an assistant in the fourth and fifth division (in France), and after that with the Paris St-Germain academy.”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-2195-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65675" style="width:576px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-2195-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-2195-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-2195-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-2195-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-03-12-2195.jpg 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


It was while he was at French giants PSG that the opportunity to work as a head coach in the Ivory Coast arose. Although considerably younger than some of his players, he says his age is not an issue.



“I don’t think the age really matters. When you come to improve the player, when you come to develop the team (age does not matter),” he says. “There are benefits. I am the same generation as many players, so I understand them and can relate to them. It means we have a good relationship.



“When the players understood they had come to training to work hard, to take pleasure in playing and to win, there was no problem. It is important to understand the personality of the player, who he is as a human being.



“I think my player-management is one of my big strengths. It is about creating the right feeling within the team. That is important to find the energy to win.”

2025-03-12-1314

‘Age Does Not Matter’: The Winning Strategies Of A Young Football Coach In The Ivory Coast

South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered a revised version of the 2025 Budget Speech in Parliament on Wednesday, the third iteration this year, following internal disputes over a controversial proposal to raise the country’s Value Added Tax (VAT).



The speech comes after weeks of political wrangling within the recently formed Government of National Unity (GNU), a coalition established after South Africa’s 2024 general elections resulted in no clear majority. The proposed 2%-point VAT increase, which would have raised the rate from 15% to 17%, became a major flashpoint among coalition partners, with many warning it would worsen the financial strain on consumers already battling high unemployment and inflation.



“It is unsurprising then that the increase to Value Added Tax (VAT) proposed on March 12 created so much debate&#8230; There is clarity now: VAT will remain at 15%… The reality, however, is that the decision to do away with the VAT increase, without a viable alternative source of revenue, significantly reduced our ability to fund additional government programmes and projects to the extent we had deemed necessary,” Godongwana told lawmakers on Wednesday.



The updated budget reflects a more conservative outlook, factoring in weaker-than-expected economic performance and a R62 billion ($3.45 billion) revenue shortfall over the next three years. In response, Treasury will implement R69.4 billion ($3.86 billion) in spending cuts across key government departments, including education, health, home affairs, and the struggling state logistics company, Transnet.



The slower growth will also result in South Africa’s debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio peaking at 77.4% in the fiscal year through March 2025.



“Without revenues from a VAT hike, some of the additional spending proposed in the first two attempted Budgets will be rolled back. Nonetheless, there is still a R180 billion [$10 billion] increase to the baseline over the medium term, compared to R233 billion [$12.98 billion] in Budget 2.0. This will support frontline delivery and infrastructure spending. Treasury plans to spend R1 trillion on infrastructure over the medium term. This a big number, but implementation will be key,” says Old Mutual Wealth Investment Strategist, Izak Odendaal, in a statement.



Other points in the speech include the allocation of R284.8 billion ($15.87 billion) for social grants in 2025/26, and inflationary increases in the general fuel levy for petrol and diesel to R4.01c/l and R3.85c/l, respectively, effective from June 4.



Eliphas Ndou, economist and author in the Department of Economics at University of South Africa (UNISA), comments to FORBES AFRICA: “The increase in the general fuel levy can be offset by lower oil prices, thereby shielding consumers from this adjustment in the fuel levy. I hope the lower oil price persists for a long time, as projected by the IMF in the April World Economic Outlook, as well as Saudi Arabia increasing volumes of oil production.”



“The budget still supports the economically vulnerable groups, such as old age grant recipients and Covid-19 social relief assistance for another year. This supports the government’s commitment to reducing inequality and improving living conditions,” he adds.



Godongwana said the focus now is on three key priorities. “Balancing the budget through spending efficiencies, strengthening revenue collection, and giving expression to the Medium-Term Development Plan. This undertaking is not insurmountable if we work together, stay focused, and persevere to chart a better course for our economy and our people.’’

Minister Enoch Godongwana Retables 2025 Budget Review

South Africa’s Third Budget Update Abandons VAT Hike, Prioritizes Austerity

In 2024, a group of Australian researchers (Boafo et al.) asked a pertinent question: “The race for critical minerals in Africa: A blessing or another resource curse?” The continent is abundant with natural resources, but this has often been to our detriment. As the African Development Bank (AfDB) referred to it, Africa is faced with the paradox of plenty. In other words, despite an abundance of natural resources, countries often contend with little to no economic growth, low GDP and worrying developmental metrics. Now, we are seeing greater demand for critical or rare minerals, particularly through the lens of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and the just transition, and this paradox emerges once again. Studies suggest that there is a clear boom.



For example, the Critical Minerals Market Review 2023 by the International Energy Agency (IEA) found that between 2017 and 2022, demand for lithium had tripled, cobalt had risen 70%, and nickel had increased 40%. <a>In 2022, the market size of critical minerals had reached $320</a> billion, with expectations that this figure would double by 2030 and quadruple by 2050. This demand has seen a sharp increase in investment, and Africa is called to respond accordingly.



This demand and investment, however, present vast economic and socio-ecological challenges for the continent. Perhaps, it is necessary to begin by understanding why these minerals are critical or rare. The very challenge of extracting these minerals is one point. Another point is that they are needed for technologies and economies to function, and there are no viable substitutes. Then, there is also the ever-present concern that these supply chains could be disrupted. For example, 47% of the world&#8217;s cobalt reserves, which are used to power lithium-ion batteries and are a component in nearly all our devices, are found in Africa.



Given the wealth of our reserves, these critical minerals could be considered a blessing for Africa. However, we are quickly seeing that the current status quo poses a distinct challenge. Anyone familiar with cobalt extraction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for instance, will know that these practices have been reportedly referred to as modern-day slavery. Much of the conflict in this region is also defined by this critical mineral. When we consider the history of Africa, we know all too well that this could be a repetition. Ongoing conflict, instability and war have categorized much of our journey with natural resources. Mining for precious jewels, for instance, has been associated with the term ‘conflict or blood diamonds’. In the movie, Blood Diamonds, the term ‘T.I.A. or This is Africa’ is used as a sign of resignation towards this reality.



With critical minerals, these worries arise once again but are compounded. There are also concerns of environmental degradation, which has emerged as a distinct worry, particularly in areas without regulation. In Ghana, for instance, informal gold miners, who practice ‘galamsey’ (small-scale illegal mining), have reportedly triggered degradation, water pollution and deforestation on an unprecedented scale. This begs the question: how do we address these challenges?



If we consider the potential for growth, development, job creation and government revenue, critical minerals could be Africa’s trump card. However, if critical minerals are going to contribute to Africa’s sustainable development, these perennial challenges require solutions. Boafo et al., for instance, advocate for a cohesive regional response. They call for the African Union (AU) to finalize the Africa Critical Minerals Strategy as a guide for negotiating mining contracts and agreements, drawing from global good mining practices. They further call for individual African countries to revisit their national policies and regulations to tip in favor of the opportunities embedded in the increased demand. Finally, they outline that an incentive scheme could enable the local private sector to emerge as a key player. These are well-thought-out solutions that should be considered, but I would add that more needs to be done.



In driving sustainability, legal and policy regulatory frameworks are required, but within these frameworks, there also needs to be a distinct focus on challenging poor governance, addressing the lack of transparency in mining practices and supply chains and including monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. In this shift, the worry of a curse might be reframed as a blessing.

Zinc mine nugget

Expert-Speak:Riches Or Curses: Africa’s Critical Minerals Dilemma

<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, May 21.</li>



<li>The meeting coincides with the postponement of South Africa&#8217;s national budget announcement.</li>



<li>Last week, the U.S. granted refugee status to 59 White South Africans, amid ongoing debates over allegations of violence against White farmers.</li>



<li>Trump has indicated that the U.S. may reconsider its participation in the G20 summit citing “land confiscation and genocide”. The G20 is being chaired by South Africa in November this year.</li>



<li>A rare display of political unity has emerged from the ongoing issue. John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance in South Africa, is accompanying African National Congress leader Ramaphosa on the visit, signaling a potential thaw in inter-party tensions within South Africa&#8217;s shaky Government of National Unity coalition government.</li>



<li>The South African presidency stated the meeting would focus on &#8220;bilateral, regional and global issues of interest&#8221;.</li>



<li>Trump&#8217;s tariffs and a freeze on critical funding, such as USAID, have rattled sub-Saharan African (SSA) economies. The region now looks to Ramaphosa to help stabilize strained U.S.–Africa relations and provide clarity.</li>



<li>With the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) set to expire on September 30, renewing the trade agreement will be a central part of the discussion.</li>
</ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quotes">Crucial Quotes</h4>



“President Ramaphosa will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of interest,” said the office of South Africa&#8217;s presidency in a statement last Wednesday.



Dr Lumkile Mondi, economist and senior lecturer at the School of Economics and Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, tells FORBES AFRICA: “South Africa&#8217;s diplomatic challenges with the U.S. relate to the Trump administration&#8217;s undemocratic approach and lack of appreciation and misinterpretation of South Africa, who is fighting for a much better world.”



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlikely-development">Unlikely Development</h4>



For Ramaphosa, a silver lining has emerged from the U.S.–South Africa impasse: unity within the newly-formed coalition government, which has faced challenges since its formation in June last year.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-africa-waits-nervously">Africa Waits Nervously</h4>



Sensitive negotiations are familiar terrain to Ramaphosa, who was one of the lead negotiators in ending Apartheid in 1994.



The meeting could have major implications for AGOA, a duty-free trade policy covering 35 SSA nations, who now depend on Ramaphosa to re-establish ties with the U.S.



While addressing controversial allegations surrounding farm violence may open the conversation, the focus is expected to be on the renewal of AGOA and greater clarity around U.S. tariffs and trade policy.



Analysts say the great unknown is how the dialogue will unfold: a measured diplomatic exchange or will it echo the confrontational tone seen in recent engagements between President Trump and other global leaders, such as Ukraine&#8217;s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Untitled design (1)

Africa Awaits Ramaphosa’s Crucial Meeting With Trump In Washington Tomorrow

The continent has great potential in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery value chain. But is its automotive industry ready to lead a future where African-made batteries power locally-assembled EVs?



For the first time in its 31-year history, the Investing in African Mining Indaba saw the automotive industry take center stage. Held early this year in Cape Town, the conference reflected a crucial shift– Africa is no longer just a supplier of minerals but a potential powerhouse for the global electric vehicle (EV) battery revolution.



The key question is: can Africa’s mining and automotive industries drive downstream battery manufacturing instead of merely exporting raw minerals to global markets like China, the United States, and Europe? Or will the continent remain locked in the historical cycle of resource extraction, watching others reap the rewards of a trillion-dollar industry?



From Extraction to Empowerment



Picture a miner in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, extracting cobalt, a critical component of lithium-ion batteries, unaware that his work fuels EVs in California and Berlin–yet not a single battery is made in Africa. Now, contrast that with a future where an African-made battery powers a locally assembled EV, marking a fundamental shift in the continent’s economic destiny.



Almost all of Africa’s cobalt, manganese, lithium and graphite are exported, leaving the continent at the bottom of the value chain while other regions capitalise on high-value battery production.



Madelein Todd, Marketing Executive at Manganese Metal Co and a key advocate for the battery raw materials market, underscores this dilemma to FORBES AFRICA. “Africa is incredibly rich in mineral resources, yet the continent faces an economic paradox–low GDP per capita results in weak domestic demand for raw materials. In a thriving economy, industrialization fuels demand, but in Africa’s case, there’s a missing economic pull, making strong government support essential.”



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-medium-font-size is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
“China’s success was no accident. It took years of patient investment and strategic government backing to build an industry that now leads the world. The key lesson for Africa is that success in advanced manufacturing doesn’t happen overnight.”
</blockquote>



The challenge lies in the vast quantities of raw minerals being exported with minimal local processing. Todd emphasizes that while domestic consumption may be low, beneficiation would create significant value. “Beneficiation is impossible without strong policy support. In industrialized economies, market demand regulates production, competition controls costs and the most efficient producers thrive. However, in Africa, weak infrastructure–especially unreliable power supply–limits our ability to scale up local processing. South Africa’s struggles with power costs have already made it uncompetitive in ferrochrome, ferromanganese and steel production,” adds Todd.



Strengthening power generation and industrial capacity must be a top priority, or Africa risks remaining a mere supplier rather than a key driver in the global battery supply chain.



The rise of EVs presents a rare window of opportunity. As the world transitions to electric mobility, Africa’s automotive industry can become a catalyst for local battery production. Countries like South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt–home to growing automotive assembly hubs–could integrate battery manufacturing into their supply chains.



Morocco has already demonstrated its ability to scale automotive production, positioning itself as a key player in vehicle assembly. Could this success extend into battery-making? Could South Africa’s automotive hubs in its provinces Gauteng (Rosslyn and Tshwane), the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal follow suit?



Todd believes South Africa’s structured export credits, which have made vehicle production competitive, offer a roadmap for industrial strategy.



“South Africa’s automotive industry thrives due to well-structured export incentives. Nearly 40-50% of locally produced vehicles are exported, thanks to negotiated tariffs and strategic government support. If the same approach were applied to battery production, Africa could position itself as a global supplier.”



Lessons from Indonesia and China



Could Africa replicate the success stories of Indonesia and China?



Indonesia made a bold move by banning raw nickel exports in 2014 and again in 2020, forcing global companies to invest in local battery manufacturing. Todd, however, warns that such policies require careful execution.



“Indonesia succeeded because it controls the largest nickel reserves, and competing producers face high costs. But in Africa, minerals like manganese are more widely distributed–South Africa may be the largest producer, but it faces competition from Gabon, Ghana, Australia and Brazil. A unilateral export ban could backfire by driving up prices and incentivising competitors to scale up.”



China’s dominance in battery production, on the other hand, was built on decades of government incentives, research funding and long-term industrial policy. What can Africa learn from this model?



“China’s success was no accident. It took years of patient investment and strategic government backing to build an industry that now leads the world. The key lesson for Africa is that success in advanced manufacturing doesn’t happen overnight. Governments must commit to sustained industrial support, including R&amp;D incentives and infrastructure development.”



Who Will Fund the Shift?



A transition of this scale requires a massive investment. Organizations like the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund have already committed R500 million ($27.7 million) to strategic initiatives in South Africa, including mineral beneficiation, charging infrastructure, and supply chain development.



But this is just the beginning. Imagine what could be achieved if institutions like the African Development Bank, the Industrial Development Corporation, the European Development Fund, and private-sector investors aligned their resources to finance local battery plants.



The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers is working to lobby governments to industrialize the sector through the African Continental Free Trade Area. But what’s missing?



What’s Holding Africa Back?



Infrastructure gaps–unreliable energy supply, limited logistics networks, and manufacturing constraints–remain major roadblocks. There’s also the question of geopolitics. In a world where resource security is becoming a central issue, will foreign powers resist Africa’s move up the value chain?



Todd stresses that long-term policy stability and global partnerships will be crucial.



“Battery manufacturing in Africa won’t succeed unless it’s tied to large, negotiated export agreements. A single battery plant needs a production capacity of at least 30 GWh to be viable. That scale requires partnerships with established players–Chinese, South Korean, or Japanese firms–who have the expertise and capital to navigate this complex industry. More importantly, investors need long-term policy certainty. Without clear government commitments spanning 15-20 years, the razor-thin margins in battery production make investment too risky.”



Africa at a Crossroads



The defining question of this decade is whether Africa will remain a supplier of raw materials or rise to become a global force in battery manufacturing.



“Europe produces over 70% of the battery cells used in its EVs, but its supply chain remains dependent on Asia for critical battery materials like cathodes and anodes. This creates a vulnerability –and an opportunity for Africa. By developing local capacity for battery materials, Africa could become a strategic alternative supplier, reducing global reliance on Asia and strengthening supply chain resilience,” Todd concludes.

Electric Car Charging

Turn On The Battery: Africa’s EV Revolution And What’s Holding It Back

Opportunities abound in South Africa’s vintage car market. It’s like a treasure hunt, with some incredibly rare classic vehicles scattered across the continent, sometimes in the most remote villages.



If you’ve ever driven past an old Mercedes-Benz rusting in a field, or spotted a forgotten VW Kombi parked behind a rural shack, chances are you were looking at a small fortune on wheels. For Paul Maree, a 25-year-old vintage car enthusiast based in Johannesburg, spotting and restoring these hidden treasures isn’t just a hobby—it’s a calling passed down through generations.



“My dad grew up poor in Pretoria, and working on cars was just what you did. He’d buy old Harley-Davidsons, restore them, and export them for big money,” says Maree. “He once paid R30,000 ($1,663) for a bike and sold it for over R115,000 ($6,373) in Canada.”



Maree inherited more than just a collection of 14 vintage vehicles when his father, Albert Maree, passed away in 2022. He also inherited a philosophy: the hobby must pay for itself.



And it does—just about. “I try to do everything myself,” says Maree. “Unless it’s a job like paintwork or one that needs massive pieces of machinery, I’m the one sanding, fixing, and assembling.” He’s currently restoring a rare 1965 VW split-window double cab, which he bought for R120,000 ($6,650). When finished, he expects to sell it for around R750,000 ($41,562). “I’ll spend about R300,000 ($16,630) on the restoration, but it’s taken three years of hard work. People think it’s quick money, but they don’t see the hours.”



There’s an almost spiritual joy for Maree in reviving machines others have given up on. “There’s a morbid fixation I have with fixing what no one else can—or wants to. I’ve always been that kid who took things apart just to see if I could put them back together.”



The vintage car scene in South Africa is thriving beneath the surface. While Maree still holds down a day job in a 3D-printing and jewelry design business, he’s not ruling out going full-time. “Plenty of guys do,” he says. “Some only restore old VW buses and export them to Australia. They make millions.”



South Africa’s climate plays a surprising role in this boom. “You don’t want a car from Cape Town—too much rust. But the Eastern Cape and Free State are goldmines. The dry air preserves cars that would’ve rotted anywhere else.”



And unlike many countries, South Africa actually built many of the classics that are now in high demand abroad. “I’ve got a 1977 Mercedes 450SL built in East London. That factory still makes Mercs for the U.S. today. There’s a stockpile of vintage Mercs in this country just sitting under dust.”



But the secret’s getting out.



“Australians want those VW hippie vans. Brits are buying up old Beetles. Americans go mad for pre-war Auburns and Duesenbergs,” Maree explains. “There’re entire online forums where international collectors hunt these cars down. You post a good one and it’s gone in two weeks.”



Maree recounts tracking down his latest project through a Pretoria contact his dad knew for 20 years. “It took months of visits and friendly chats before the old man would sell. At first, he said, ‘Never!’ Then his wife phoned us one day and said, ‘Okay, let’s do it’.”



The restoration process is meticulous. “Every nut and bolt has a specification. Some of these cars were designed to be fixed in the deserts of North Africa. So, if they could do it there, I can do it here in Sandton.”



Still, there’s a bittersweet undertone in the community about the rapid export of classics. “We’re losing our history. There’s almost no chance of someone my age finding—or affording—a 300SL Gullwing locally. They’ve all been sent overseas for insane money.”



Even so, opportunities abound for newcomers. “The market is the opposite of saturated,” says Maree. “If you do good work, you’ve got a two-year backlog in no time. Upholsterers who know what they’re doing are fully booked. And if someone’s free next week—trust me—you don’t want them.”



Africa’s role in this revival isn’t limited to South Africa. “We’ve found an E-Type Jaguar in the Congo. And in Mozambique, we’ve tracked down incredibly rare pre-war Auburn Speedsters. It’s like a treasure hunt. These vehicles are scattered across the continent, sometimes in the most remote villages.”



Maree adds, “Anywhere that had cars in the 1960s or 1970s—Angola, Kenya, even the DRC—you’ll find gems waiting to be discovered. A lot of these countries didn’t have the infrastructure or tools to restore the cars, so they’ve just been sitting there.”



Sometimes, a car finds you.



“There’s this site, Classic Cars In Rhodesia, you’ll see someone’s grandmother in front of a now-insanely-valuable car. Some dude posts a 1970s’ photo of a car his uncle left in Mozambique—and it turns out only ten of them were ever made.”



Maree lights up as he speaks about these “pirate treasure hunts”. For him, it’s less about profit and more about purpose. “It’s a lifestyle. You get your hands dirty. It’s frustrating, exhausting—but there’s nothing like bringing something back from the dead.”



His advice for anyone who suspects they’ve got something valuable parked in a family garage?



“Post a photo. Anywhere. Forums, Reddit—someone will know what it is. And don’t assume it’s junk. Two doors, convertible, iconic shape—those are the hallmarks of value. If you look at it and go, ‘Wow,’ chances are someone else will too.”



As the vintage car wave grows across Africa, Maree hopes more young Africans take the wheel. “If you’re passionate, if you’re willing to learn and work hard—there’s room for you in this world. You don’t need a degree. Just a spanner, a manual, and a bit of madness.”



For now, Maree is just happy to keep tinkering.



“I’m not a professional. I’m an enthusiast. But when I drive a car that was once a pile of rust and watch someone else fall in love with it again—that’s the real reward.”

Paul Maree with a classic; Image supplied

Rust To Riches: The Journey Of Africa’s Lost Classic Cars

Pet-parents can rest easy: thanks to AI, pet technology is being rewritten with smart wearable tools and services emerging–tailored to each pet’s needs–to understand and care for them better.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-medium-font-size is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
“These come in handy for raising alerts when something needs a pet parent’s attention.” – Andrey Klen
</blockquote>



Dottie, a well-loved Boston Terrier, was losing weight. She looked healthy, had no prior medical conditions, ate regularly and was an active dog. Her caregivers were as confused as the vet who couldn’t figure out why Dottie was slowly diminishing in size. Boarding at an animal hospital, the vet decided to fit her with a smart collar. What they discovered was surprising–Dottie’s vital signs were great but at night, when all the staff went home, she was incredibly active, burning a lot of calories. Her activity score was 17.2, which is high when you consider that 11 is average for a healthy dog. Luckily, the fix was easy. Dottie simply needed more food to match her boundless energy yet without a smart collar, no one would have caught the problem.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Andrey-Klen-image-supplied-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65632" style="width:570px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Andrey-Klen-image-supplied-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Andrey-Klen-image-supplied-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Andrey-Klen-image-supplied-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Andrey-Klen-image-supplied-768x769.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Andrey-Klen-image-supplied-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Andrey-Klen-image-supplied-2046x2048.jpg 2046w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Andrey Klen; image supplied</figcaption></figure></div>


Using smart devices, we’re constantly monitoring our own metrics but when it comes to our pets, it’s a little different. One of the main frustrations of veterinarians (and pet owners) is that when a medical condition is picked up, it’s often too late. “You come in for an annual check-up to get shots for your dog and in the exam, something comes up. It could be cancer that’s already spread or chronic kidney disease that’s already destroyed half of your dog’s kidney capacity… in other words, by the time we identify what is wrong with our pets, it’s already very advanced,” says Dr Asaf Dagan, the Co-Founder and Chief Veterinary Scientist at PetPace, a smart collar company with head offices in Burlington, Massachusetts in the United States. Pets cannot tell us how they feel. In fact, their natural survival instinct is to hide pain, discomfort and weakness. But for Dagan, this wasn’t enough. He wanted a way to monitor pets continuously, like they could in a hospital setting. “To identify things as early as possible–it will not only to prevent pain and suffering for the pet, it’s going to make a world of difference when trying to treat them,” adds Dagan. “You’ll have more options and a better chance of turning things around.”



Early detection



Creating a wearable for dogs wasn’t straightforward. In a vet setting, fur is shaved off and a sensor is attached. “We had to develop everything from scratch,” says Dagan. Today, PetPace’s patented collar is lined with sensors that measure temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and–like with Dottie–activity levels. “We also measure a very interesting feature called HRV (heart rate variability) which is a measurement of pain and stress,” he says. All of these metrics are taken every two to five minutes which means PetPace is collecting an extraordinary amount of data. There is so much data that they’re using artificial intelligence to collate the information, identifying disease patterns and predicting outcomes. “It’s not just about telling you that your dog has a pulse of 72 and two minutes ago, it was 74. That would be meaningless to the average user,” continues Dagan. The idea is to analyze the data in two ways. First, to compare it to your dog’s historical and baseline levels. “Over time, we use machine learning to create a biometric profile of your pet. We know the numbers in each metric so as soon as they deviate from this, we can raise a flag that something’s not right,” he explains. The second way PetPace is using this data is by comparing your dog’s data with those of other dogs of the same age, weight and breed. Dog breeds have varying physiological characteristics. A toy poodle, for example, will have a different heart rate to a German Shepherd. Brachycephalic breeds like pugs, French bulldogs and Boston Terriers are prone to eye, skin and breathing issues.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-medium-font-size is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
“To identify things as early as possible–it will not only to prevent pain and suffering for the pet, it’s going to make a world of difference when trying to treat them.” – Dr Asaf Dagan


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dr-Asaf-Dagan-image-supplied-1024x768.png" alt="" class="wp-image-65633" style="width:624px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dr-Asaf-Dagan-image-supplied-1024x768.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dr-Asaf-Dagan-image-supplied-300x225.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dr-Asaf-Dagan-image-supplied-768x576.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dr-Asaf-Dagan-image-supplied-1536x1152.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dr-Asaf-Dagan-image-supplied.png 1890w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dr Asaf Dagan; image supplied</figcaption></figure></div></blockquote>



Understanding pet behavior is something that Petcube, an American smart pet care company, has been looking into for nearly 14 years. “Back in 2012, pet tech was more of a novelty than a necessity,” says Andrey Klen, Petcube’s Co-Founder. “But things have changed. Pets aren’t just animals anymore; they are family. We want to understand pets better, care for them better, and yes, use smarter tools to do it.” What started as a way to peek in on your pet during work has grown into a holistic ecosystem of smart devices layered with intelligent algorithms. “And we use the data to power personalized tools and services tailored to each pet’s needs,” he adds. Once a simple nanny cam, Petcube now has AI-powered monitoring that is so advanced, it can pick on different behavior categories like running, chewing or crying. “These come in handy for raising alerts when something needs a pet parent’s attention,” says Klen. What’s really interesting is the data Petcube is collecting around demographics (or what Klen calls, ‘petrographics’). Looking at smart motion alerts, they’ve seen that 69% are triggered by dogs, 26% by cats, 1.8% by guinea pigs and 0.9% by rabbits. “Sure, this reflects our petrographics, distribution-wise, but it also shows that dogs tend to be more curious around the interactive cameras, especially when some of them toss treats.”



Rewriting vet tech



Like PetPace, Petcube too works with vets, offering services like telemedicine to access medical support when needed instead of resorting to answers on the internet. “They can start a vet chat, get a full video assessment and immediately know whether it’s an emergency or something that can be handled at home,” says Klen, who adds that quick, effective and reliable care is key when every second matters. For Klen, pet tech is a win-win because both pet parents and veterinarians can benefit from better data–data that previously impossible to obtain. PetPace, for example, is launching an epilepsy program because with their smart collar, they can identify seizures in dogs.



“It’s about getting a lot more data without having to bother the animal or your staff,” says Dagan. “And when a pet is home, you have objective, accurate data. After doing surgery and sending a pet home, instead of calling to ask how your dog is doing, I can see every moment of every day what is going on and I can set alerts if something is not right.”



But there’s another aspect of PetPace’s story that extends far beyond a smart collar and their next focus, felines–they’re actually rewriting medical textbooks. According to Dagan, the company now holds the largest biometric database in the world for pets. He tells the story of a meeting he attended with veterinary cardiologists where he shared that the pulse rate of a small dog is different from a medium and a large dog. “And they said, they had always suspected this but never had proof. They suspected it, but didn’t know it,” he continues. What these specialist vets were ultimately missing is long-term dog data, within a natural environment. They lacked the continuous, contextual insights that only come from tracking animals beyond the clinic walls. “And that’s our main effort now–to identify more and more disease patterns. There&#8217;s a lot to do, and it&#8217;s endless. We have enough work for the next 100 years!”



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



The nose knows



Worldwide, it is estimated that there are over 400 dog breeds. But what type of dog you have is not it’s only distinguishing factor. Dog nose prints (DNP) are often compared to fingerprints as they’re made up of lines and creases, creating a unique pattern. While microchips and collars with tags are the most common form of identification, there are a few startups looking into nose-print recognition using AI. At the University of New England, Australia, they’re already doing something similar with cattle and muzzles. One researcher tested his model on 300 cows and the AI managed to identify them with a 99.11% accuracy. In Cape Town, Raman Rajoo, has created an app called IntelliPaw that uses DNP. “Volunteering at rescues, I noticed that lost dogs made up a significant portion within animal welfare,” says Rajoo, who founded a company called CoBaTech named after his two dogs, Coda and Bailey. “I wanted a non-invasive, affordable and less traumatic way to help ID pets with snouts–an alternative to technology like chip tech.” Using AI and machine learning with animal biometrics, Rajoo’s goal is to help decrease how many pets end up in the system. “It will help reduce both pet and owner trauma,” he adds.

Petcube Play (image supplied)

This Is Fur Real: The AI That Knows If Your Pet Is Okay

Alan and Renée Friedland are in the panel-beating business, but three lions changed their story.



By day, Alan and Renée Friedland run a panel-beating business in Johannesburg, South Africa. But in their spare time, they’re rescuing lions, cheetahs and other animals, while creating one of South Africa’s most unique animal sanctuaries—driven purely by passion, not profit.



It all began eight years ago when they heard that three lions were being shipped off to a circus in China. “I’ve got a problem with circuses,” Alan says. “Animals shouldn’t live like that.” The husband-and-wife team stepped in and rescued the lions themselves.



“We didn’t even have a sanctuary when we took them in,” Alan admits. But they immediately rushed to build enclosures, and from that moment on, the Friedlands were fully committed.



They’ve since gone on to rescue animals from all kinds of situations—some abused, some abandoned, others saved just in time. One of the most dramatic rescues involved eight cheetahs on a bankrupt farm. The hyenas kept there weren’t so lucky. “They were killed before we could get there,” Alan says. “But we got the cheetahs out in time.”



Today, the Lion and Cheetah Sanctuary, nestled in Dinokeng Game Reserve just outside Johannesburg, is home to 14 lions, several cheetahs, horses, hyenas, meerkats, giraffes, and more. Every animal has a name, a past, and now—a future.



There’s the heart-warming story of two lion brothers brought together after being separated for eight years and sold off. “They were meant for canned hunting,” Alan explains. “We managed to buy one, but it took us eight months to get the other one.” When they were finally reunited, the lions greeted each other by bumping heads—a natural lion gesture of affection and recognition. “That moment made all the effort worth it,” he smiles.



And it’s not just the animals that are healing. “People come with trauma,” Renée explains, “and the animals help them too.” Visitors have described the sanctuary as a peaceful escape—where nature, empathy and connection create something deeply human.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="682" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG-20250516-WA0054-682x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65626" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG-20250516-WA0054-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG-20250516-WA0054-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG-20250516-WA0054-768x1154.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG-20250516-WA0054.jpg 852w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></figure></div>


To keep the sanctuary running, the Friedlands have opened it to visitors. Guests can book overnight stays in canvas tents or luxury chalets. Twice-daily game drives take visitors up close to the animals—including the rare experience of gently stroking a cheetah.



“There’s nowhere else in Gauteng you can do that,” says Alan. “And the cheetahs love the attention—they begin to purr as soon as you start petting them.”



The income from tourists helps feed and care for the animals, and is reinvested into the sanctuary to support long-term wildlife care and conservation. It’s a model that blends heart and sustainability—something the Friedlands are proud of.



There’s also a strong educational drive behind everything they do. “Abuse of animals starts with ignorance,” Alan says. “There’s very little education around this in South Africa. We want to change that.” The sanctuary hosts school groups and works with communities to teach kindness, compassion, and respect for animals from a young age.



Alan believes the root of the issue lies in broader social challenges. “If children grow up in abusive homes, they’re less likely to show compassion to animals. Education is everything. If we invested in proper schooling, we’d change the future of this country—and our animals would benefit too.”



It&#8217;s not always easy. There are more animals in need than sanctuaries that can take them. But for Alan and Renée, the work is its own reward. “There’s this story about a little girl throwing starfish back into the sea,” Alan says. “Someone tells her it won’t make a difference because there are millions of starfish on the beach. She picks one up and says, ‘It made a difference to that one.’ That’s how we feel.”



For now, the couple continues to juggle full-time jobs, weekend rescue missions, and a growing sanctuary that somehow never stops needing more. But they don’t seem tired—just driven.



“You’ll always find time for what you love,” Alan says with a smile. And what they’ve built is more than a sanctuary. It’s a reminder that ordinary people with enough heart can do extraordinary things.

IMG-20250516-WA0062

How A South African Couple Turned Their Passion Into A Lifeline For Wildlife

&nbsp;As an entrepreneur, or even otherwise, are you looking to build a very basic website?



The tools: You don’t have to use ChatGPT, you can also use <a href="https://grok.com/">Grok</a>, <a href="https://claude.ai/new">Claude</a>, <a href="https://gemini.google.com/app">Gemini</a> or <a href="https://copilot.microsoft.com/chats/ikYTC1JgCzdQDTcSdPucc">Copilot</a>.



The prompt: Please help me build a basic website ‘About Me’ page. I have never done this before, so kindly provide me with detailed steps.



Note: Different AI tools will give you different answers. Copilot, for example, will give you a very basic answer that sends you to other tools to create your code. Grok will provide you with two options–the code to create your page and a preview of how this page will look. Gemini offers you a combination of Grok and Copilot, giving you the option to use a website builder tool or to create your own HTML. ChatGPT and Claude will take you through the tools you need, how to create your files, and the HTML code itself. If you want to create your own code and get more detailed support, your best bet is to go with Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT and Claude.



For the purposes of this walkthrough, we will use the ChatGPT version. The prompt will give you a clear route to creating this page across eight steps: Understand what you need; What tools you’ll need; Create your first files; Basic HTML template; Add your photo; View your page; Make it look nicer with CSS; Summary: Key steps.



The AI does all the work for you here, giving you the exact code you need to create your site. Now, you can dig deeper into this prompt to expand your own skills in web development, using AI as a teaching tool.



The next prompt: Please show me the steps to add graphical elements to the page that highlight my skills.



This prompt will help you to create an About Me page that isn’t made up entirely of words. It shows you how to add in icons, access a free icon library, add in skill bars and use CSS to balance spacing and design.



Learn as you build: Your next prompt is ‘Please show me how I can learn HTML while I build my own website’.



The AI will now give you a comprehensive tutorial on the different ways in which you can learn HTML, how you can access the source code on websites to learn how they’ve been designed and gives you a free HTML practice playground where you can test your code.



The final prompt: Please show me how to publish my website online.



This last prompt will give you several free hosting options such as <a href="https://github.com/">GitHub Pages</a> and talk you through how to use them.



In just three prompts, you have learned how to create, customize and publish a website. AI simplifies and demystifies the process to the point where you can learn how to write code. &nbsp;Bear in mind that this is a very simple website design–you can do a lot more with deeper prompts that capture your features, colors, identity and brand.

Businessman hold virtual rocket launch investment growth, planning and starting corporate business start up aiming objective value development leadership and customer target group.

Starting Your Own Company? Tips And Tricks To Help Build Your Own Website Using AI

One of the country’s most favorite exports is grounded in its roots. The reddish-brown rooibos is being sipped around the world, and could soon have a unique use in petrol stations.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
“Drinking rooibos tea could then be something that individuals can do to look after their own health if they are worried about toxic exposures in daily life.”
</blockquote>



There is an adage that claims a cup of tea can fix just about anything.



Rough day? Sip some chamomile.



Broken heart? Brew some chai.



Need to pull an all-nighter for that deadline? Green tea has your back.



One tea in particular, though, has acquired a reputation as somewhat of a superfood thanks to its long list of health benefits that is transforming wellness, one cup at a time.



Native to the mountainous plains of the Cederberg region in South Africa’s Western Cape province, rooibos has steeped its way to global fame—all the while remaining grounded in its roots.



“Rooibos only grows in 60,000 hectares in the entire world, on the southwest coast of South Africa,” reveals the Marketing Director of Carmién Tea, Lize du Preez.



The distinct location has led to rooibos joining the prestigious ranks of French champagne and Greek feta cheese by acquiring the status of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) from the European Union, becoming the first African food to do so. Thus, if the leaves are not specifically from the Cederberg region of South Africa, well, it is just a herbal infusion with a scarlet hue.



Even rooibos’s unique reddish-brown shade has garnered acclaim: it was named by New York Fashion Week as one of the top 10 colors for the 2024 spring season, complete with its own Pantone color card.



“There is also a video game called Enshrouded where rooibos is one of the resources that you harvest for energy,” notes Marthane Swart, Secretariat of the South African Rooibos Council. “It just shows that there is an increasing awareness of rooibos all over the world and people are using it and thinking about it for a variety of functions.”



One particular purpose is closer to home.



A recent study was conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) to determine whether rooibos can protect petrol attendants from exposure to harmful chemicals.



“Looking into the toxicology of petrol fumes, especially BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene), we found that consistent exposure leads to increased levels of oxidative stress,” explains Dr Kerry Wilson, an epidemiologist at the NIOH who is leading the study.



While all cells are prone to oxidation, high levels have been associated with acute symptoms like headaches and dizziness, and long-term exposure has been linked to nerve damage and elevated risks of cancers.



“Measuring oxidative stress is not that straightforward, but quite a bit of research has been done around the antioxidant levels of tea. Tea is also something that is fairly accessible for most people.”



The array of polyphenols found in rooibos reads like a who’s who of the antioxidant world: compounds that regulate blood sugar, neutralize carcinogens, combat inflammation, and reduce hypertension, amongst others. It is, essentially, tea’s version of The Avengers against free radicals.



Wilson’s study involved analyzing the levels of oxidative stress in the blood and urine samples of 100 petrol attendants from various stations in the Johannesburg city center. The volunteers were then given a six-month supply of rooibos and told to drink three cups a day.



“Most were excited to participate in the research. A few asked for more tea when we returned to take updated samples after the six-month period.”



The final laboratory analysis is currently underway, with the findings expected around the end of 2025.



“One might hope to see an improvement in other chronic diseases if oxidative stress is reduced or managed,” Wilson notes. “Drinking rooibos tea could then be something that individuals can do to look after their own health if they are worried about toxic exposures in daily life.”



The secret to rooibos’s resilience could well be found in how it grows. Enduring temperatures of below 0° Celsius in winter and upwards of 40° during the summer, it is a bush built for survival.



“Because it&#8217;s so cold at night in the Cederberg and hot during the day, the plant stores up enormous amounts of antioxidants to protect itself,” shares Sarah Hetherington, who is Director of brand communication at African Extracts, a skincare brand that uses rooibos as its key ingredient.



The company sells around 3 million products per year, with its Classic SPF 15-day cream regarded as South Africa’s best-selling essential care moisturizer.



“For skincare, we want to preserve the highest-possible level of antioxidants, so we use the extract from green, unfermented rooibos in our products.”



Whether it’s being shipped abroad or recommended by beauty bloggers, rooibos wouldn’t make it to shelves without the farmers who cultivate it. Yet, they are not necessarily getting to reap the rewards of the Rooibos Revolution.



“If you compare the shelf prices to what producers are getting at the farm gate level, there is a huge disconnect,” points out Vanrhynsdorp farmer, Werner Nieuwoudt.



With a background in the corporate world as a chartered accountant, he founded the Rooibos Tea Producers’ Association in 2023 as a platform for farmers to be more involved in industry strategies and processes.



“My vision is a premium growth, sustainable industry that adds benefit to every role player across the board, all the way up to farm worker level.”



In order for this to be achieved, Nieuwoudt believes that certain reforms need to be put in place.



“We need to have a standardized grading system as the tea is currently graded by the various buyers, and we need to have a solid marketing strategy approach as an industry to differentiate our tea in the market and sell our tea globally.”



Tea drinkers in Japan and Germany have already wrought a robust relationship with the red brew, while premium brands, like Du Preez’s boutique LMC Rooibos Collection, are gaining interest in international markets like Taiwan and Scandinavia.



“Rooibos is truly a South African treasure,” Du Preez states. “I wanted to create a product that almost gives the same exclusivity and sensory experience that one would get from a perfume box.”



Rooibos has positioned itself as a symbol of what’s possible when science, tradition and smart marketing come together. If every problem can be solved with a cup of tea, then rooibos might just be the smartest brew of them all.

Rooibos has a long list of health benefits that is transforming wellness; Image supplied

From Superfood To Skincare, Reaping The Rewards Of South Africa’s Red Brew

In discourse about technological adoption and revolution, the piles of old monitors, phones, cables, mouses, and keyboards are often forgotten. With every new phone or laptop release, thousands of devices and their accompanying attachments are discarded without much thought. As Annie Leonard, the American proponent of sustainability, once phrased it: “There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away, it must go somewhere.”



And it certainly is going somewhere. In fact, according to the World Bank, e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. In 2022, for instance, there were around 62 million tons of e-waste produced globally. More distressingly, only 22.3% of this figure was documented as formally collected and recycled. In Africa, this challenge is more pronounced as most of this waste is driven to the continent. 



A 2022 study conducted by Maes and Preston-Whyte estimated that the total e-waste in Africa was between 5.8-3.4 metric tons in 2019 alone, with a distressing caveat that this was a gross underestimation of the actual figure. Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania, with Kenya, Senegal and Egypt are disproportionately impacted by this scourge. As the authors argue, “The growing global manufacture of electronics, in combination with the absence of action plans in African countries and the lack of infrastructure for proper and sustainable e-waste management, has led to e-waste becoming a growing African problem, with global origins.”



While the current figures are already staggering, global forecasts anticipate e-waste generation to increase by 100% in the next three decades. In Africa, e- waste in Senegal, Uganda and South Africa specifically is projected to increase by two to eight times over the next decade. The consequences of unchecked e-waste disposal extend far beyond waste generation. It threatens public health, environmental sustainability, and community wellbeing. For example, hazardous chemicals can seep into the soil and water when e-waste is dumped or burned, thus polluting ecosystems and endangering public health. People living near informal recycling sites, especially waste-pickers and repairers, face direct exposure to toxic fumes and materials, which can lead to various long-term health risks. This is a crisis we need to be taking seriously. 



There are certainly solutions to be pivoted. For instance, informal repairers play a key role in South Af- rica’s e-waste ecosystem by refurbishing discarded electronics for resale and creating affordable repair options for township residents. WasteAid, with support from the Dixon Foundation, has launched an E-Waste Repair and Reuse Programme in Johannesburg. 



The initiative provides training in electrical repair and business skills by equipping local repairers with tools and knowledge to improve their micro-businesses. Participants learn to repair small domestic appliances using reclaimed e-waste components. Many repairers now source parts from local waste collectors instead of buying new ones, which strengthens the community’s waste-to-repair cycle. There is certainly scope to expand this program to other parts of Africa. Alongside programs such as this, it is also necessary to invest in certified e-waste recycling plants to ensure the safe handling of hazardous materials while recovering valuable resources from discarded electronics. Urban mining, for instance, focuses on recovering metals from discarded electronics. 



Moreover, setting up accessible collection centers in communities makes it easier for people to dispose of old electronics properly instead of dumping them in landfills. This, of course, requires governments and electronic manufacturers alike to also teach people how to properly dispose of e-waste and repair devices instead of replacing them.



Other solutions included Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Policies where governments use incentives to ‘nudge’ behavioral changes from manufacturers. Through subsidies or tax breaks, governments can encourage electronics manufacturers to take responsibility for the recycling and safe disposal of their products. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) offers guidance to standardize EPR policies across countries by outlining principles and trade-offs to improve their effectiveness. These policies support recycling goals, fund waste collection and recycling, and provide data on production and waste management.



Companies like Apple and Samsung already offer trade-in programs where customers can return old devices for credit towards new ones to ensure proper recycling and reuse. In tandem with these policies, right-to-repair laws should be considered. These laws require companies to provide repair manuals and spare parts to consumers, and independent repair shops help extend product lifespans and reduce e-waste. These laws have already been implemented in the European Union in 2023 and across some parts of the United States and there is already mounting pressure for these laws to be considered in other countries.



As Africa looks to tackle its burgeoning e-waste challenge, we need to combine policy with sustainable recycling solutions–this is how we really combine advancement with revolution.

EWASTE – a glut of CRTs and electronics

Expert-Speak: Turning The Tide On Tech Trash: Africa’s E-Waste Revolution

South Africa’s workforce contracted in the first quarter of 2025, as unemployment continued to climb, heightening economic concerns.



According to Statistics South Africa&#8217;s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), the number of unemployed persons rose to 8.2 million, a 237,000 increase from 2024&#8217;s final quarter. This translates to a 32.9% unemployment rate–1% higher than last year&#8217;s Q4.



Of South Africa&#8217;s nine provinces, six contributed to the rise in unemployment.



KwaZulu-Natal endured the biggest hit as employment numbers declined by 104,000, followed by Eastern Cape (83,000), Northwest (57,000), Limpopo (55,000), Mpumalanga (43,000) and Northern Cape (12,000).



Western Cape, the only province governed by the Democratic Alliance, saw a 49,000 uptick in workers, a staggering 40,000 better than next-best Gauteng (9,000), while the Free State saw its number of workers rise by 4,000.



Regarding industries, trade took the biggest knock, with its workforce depleting by 194,000. Construction (119,000), Private Households (68,000), and Community and Social Services (45,000) also experienced dwindling figures. The biggest winners include transport (67,000), finance (60,000) and utilities (35,000).



South Africa&#8217;s youth, aged between 15 and 34, remain at risk as the demographic&#8217;s unemployment rate rose to 4.8 million, 151,000 more than the previous quarter.



Simultaneously, the number of employed youth slumped by 153,000 to 5.7 million (46.1%).



Together, these developments have pushed South Africa’s expanded unemployment rate — which includes both active job seekers and discouraged work-seekers—up by 1.2 percentage points to 43.1%.



&#8220;The increase in discouraged work-seekers is a worry because we would want to see people being active in the labor market by either looking for employment or participating,&#8221; Chief Director of Labour Statistics at Statistics South Africa Desiree Manamela said at a press conference.



The growing unemployment rates will undoubtedly instil further public scrutiny on South Africa&#8217;s newly-formed general coalition government, which has yet to show substantial signs of economic growth as it continues to get distracted by in-house disputes.



More business-friendly policies are needed to counteract the nation&#8217;s poor domestic demand. The infrastructure, business, and workers are there, but effective frameworks to harness all three cohesively remain elusive.

Unemployed township youths fix potholes to earn a living

Unemployment In South Africa Rises Sharply In Q1 2025

Starting with a $38 computer, they amassed over 50,000 downloads in the first five months.



Where there is a will, there is a way, even if it’s in a little village in South Africa’s Limpopo province.



Childhood friends Shibambu Mikhongelo Marvel (22) and Malunghelo Mathonsi (25) are defying the odds here, creating an African solution for an African problem.



In rural Gumbani, where the internet connection is as stable as the stock market, and where orange dust swirls over rondavels (traditional African circular mud homes), and innovation is a mirage, they are the brains behind the free, interactive e-learning app called NOVAR that’s gaining ground. &nbsp;



Officially released in December last year, it took two years before Mathonsi began developing NOVAR&#8217;s software, teaching himself code via YouTube tutorials and any free online resources he could get his hands on while battling &#8220;poor internet connection and frequent power cuts&#8221;, he tells FORBES AFRICA.



A R700 ($38) computer facilitated the process, which sometimes took three hours to open the necessary files.



Simultaneously, Marvel, studying Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and living on R310 ($17) a month, was in the Mother City unraveling the fundamentals to make NOVAR succeed.



&#8220;I was here at UCT researching its concept, like how this company should look like, how the app should look like, where do we go after building the app,&#8221; Marvel explains.



Split by 1,909km of South African terrain, their mission remained binding: provide free education to all of Africa&#8217;s children.



&#8220;My dream is for all learners—including my daughter–no matter where they are, to have access to quality education,&#8221; said Mathonsi.



When it is free, such an offering typically comprises basic tutorials and guides. NOVAR is lightyears beyond that.



It includes subjects such as quantum computing, AI, business, medicine, and advanced mathematics that coincide with our technologically evolving times, connecting rural Africa&#8217;s youth with the resources to not only adapt, but also solve global issues.



&#8220;NOVAR is a platform institution, even if you&#8217;re coming from a village, you can learn about AI, how to code, agriculture, mining, the economy and where the world is going, understand what&#8217;s happening on Earth and stick on top of technology. NOVAR is so flexible,&#8221; Marvel adds.



Within the app, are a medley of interactive features, including pre-recorded lessons, live learning, and learning hubs focused on high-school subjects, from mathematics to science, all of which have been manually taught, recorded, and uploaded by co-founders Marvel and Mathonsi.



There&#8217;s also a live feed enabling students to interact and discuss, along with NOVA Shorts, a Tik-Tok-like feature comprised of quick educational videos, exposing learners to worldwide innovation and on-the-go content. &nbsp;



&#8220;Learning has to be exciting,&#8221; says Marvel. &#8220;There needs to be a reason to come back and receive education in a much better projection than other people.&#8221;



NOVAR, which is available on Android and scheduled to be released on iOS in late May, has amassed over 50,000 downloads in its first five months. Even so, it’s future hangs by a thread.



With operation costs rising and no revenue stream, it was nearly wiped away in late April until South African news content creator @coolstorybru_za, shared their mission, raising R80,000 ($4,333) in 24 hours.



More than a week later, they received R193,500 ($10,482) in donations, allowing the dream to soar.



Education and Africa have a sour past, the former offered mostly to those who can afford it while much of the latter remains uneducated, undervalued, and without the resources to thrive in a society where one&#8217;s university degree is the golden ticket to a better life.



For centuries, rural Africa has lived inside a bubble where breaking the poverty line means pulling miracles from dry ground while others coast on smooth roads.



Technologically, socially, and agriculturally, the continent is experiencing an unprecedented transformation that could, for the first time, place it on equal footing with the Western world.



Modern, tech-driven cities are rising from Kigali to Cairo—but how can Africa seize this moment if its people are left behind?



Over six hundred million Africans live without electricity, and as AI continues to revolutionize industries, the need to educate rural regions on modern advancements has never been greater. If not, the damage could be irreversible.



Like decentralized finance to traditional banks, NOVAR is positioning itself to test the status quo of established schools unbothered by their inability to cater to those without the financial means or access to education.



By 2030, reportedly 42% of the world&#8217;s youth will live in Africa. This should sound alarm bells for education departments across the continent.



Experts agree that the current neglect of rural education cannot continue if Africa is to become the global force it has the potential to be.



Education shouldn&#8217;t come with a price tag. From Kakuma to Limpopo, NOVAR&#8217;s betting it can deliver what the system never did.



&#8220;Imagine having more young people in Africa with the mentality of problem-solving… who want to solve global issues,&#8221; Marvel says.



&#8220;Let&#8217;s prepare for what&#8217;s coming. What&#8217;s the next big thing on Earth…. If we want to stay relevant in this world, we have to build young people that are capable of innovating and solving the many problems this world is facing.&#8221;

Forbes Africa

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA