If the thought of robots short-circuiting your career is keeping you awake at night, you might be experiencing FOBO – the fear of becoming obsolete.



This rising form of anxiety is leading many workers to worry about being left gathering dust as their high-tech counterparts advance.



With AI and robotics evolving at lightning speed and taking over roles once occupied by humans, job sec rity is increasingly uncertain.



This fear is not confined to blue-collar jobs – it spans sectors including finance, law, healthcare and education.



In manufacturing, robots are already revolutionizing the industry by efficiently and safely handling repetitive tasks like assembly and packaging.



In a similar situation, customer service representatives are witnessing the rise of AI chatbots and virtual assistants that manage inquiries, resolve issues and provide support without human intervention, potentially reducing demand for traditional customer service roles.



Retail workers are also feeling FOBO, as automated checkout systems and self-service kiosks become more common, handling transactions and managing inventory independently, which could lead to fewer jobs for cashiers and other retail workers.



In the legal field, AI tools are increasingly taking over tasks such as legal research and document reviews that were traditionally carried out by paralegals and junior lawyers.



Financial advisers are concerned as algorithms capable of analyzing market data, managing investments and providing tailored advice become more prevalent.



Robo-advisers could reduce the demand for human planners, making some feel their financial advice could soon be unplugged.



In education, AI-driven platforms are delivering personalized learning experiences that might impact traditional teaching roles, leaving educators worried about being powered down.



The healthcare sector faces potential competition from advanced robotic systems that perform complex surgeries with high precision and fewer complications.



Graphic design and language translation are not immune either as AI tools create basic designs and manage straightforward text translations, potentially impacting entry level roles and leaving some feeling their creativity is being replaced by code.



Overall, it is hard to picture an industry or role escaping the robotic revolution.



The roots of FOBO lie in the rapid pace of technological advancement.



Historically, workers had time to adapt to new technology and gradually learn new skills.



Today, the tech revolution is advancing so quickly that most workers struggle to keep up. It leaves many feeling stuck in neutral while technology zooms ahead, leading them to worry about being left behind in a cloud of robotic dust.



Automation and AI promise increased efficiency and cost savings but also pose significant threats to traditional employment structures.



While millions of traditional jobs are likely to be displaced, millions of new ones are expected to be created as the job market adapts to new technologies.



Although this shift presents opportunities, it is not guaranteed that everyone will transition smoothly-especially in industries where automation takes the lead.



FOBO can also impact one’s sense of self- worth as many people view their careers as



central to their identity.



The idea a machine might perform their job better and without breaks can significantly undermine confidence, leading to chronic stress, anxiety and – in severe cases – mental health issues like depression.



Yet the worry of becoming obsolete does not have to short-circuit motivations to advance in the workplace.



Instead of viewing automation as a threat, consider it an opportunity to reboot your career.



Staying relevant in an automated world requires continuous learning and a robotic commitment to skills development.



Workers should be encouraged to upgrade their abilities, focusing on technical skills like coding and data analysis as well as soft skills such as creativity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking – areas where humans still hold a distinct advantage over machines.



By remaining curious, resilient and ready to reboot the learning process, careers can stay charged and fulfilling.



Embracing this robotic revolution with a proactive mindset will help ensure workers remain not only relevant but indispensable in an ever-evolving job market.



Ultimately, the future of work is not about humans versus machines but about humans and machines working together to create a more efficient, innovative and exciting world. Overcoming FOBO will allow us to move into a future where both humans and robots can work seamlessly in sync – without glitches, short-circuits, or downtime.

A young boy dressed as a businessman wears a paper bag with a happy face on it.

Expert-Speak: Why FOBO Will Force A Massive Career Reboot

<a href="https://www.forbes.com/"></a><a href="https://www.forbes.com/search/"></a>As CEOs cut back on DEI and tell young workers to leave their politics at home, charitable giving, with an employer match, has emerged as a way for employees to bring their own values to work.



<abbr>P</abbr>resident-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump and his appointees are promising a war against woke, with employer diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts among their targets. At the same time, with job&nbsp;<a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/JTSJOL" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">openings</a>&nbsp;down nearly 40% from their 2022 peak, even unhappy employees are less likely to&nbsp;<a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/JTSQUR" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">quit</a>. So it’s no surprise that CEOs, who a few years ago embraced social justice in part to appease young subordinates, are now curtailing DEI programs, staying mum about causes, and demanding employees, too, keep their political views out of the workplace. Just last week, Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/11/26/walmart-is-the-latest-major-company-to-roll-back-dei-policies-amid-conservative-backlash/">confirmed it was rolling back</a>&nbsp;its DEI efforts.



After protests over the war in Gaza, workers discovered that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenamcgregor/2024/05/06/all-hands-memo-why-activism-at-work-could-get-you-fired/">activism can even get you fired</a>.



But there’s a notable exception to this retreat: charitable giving. In recent years, even as contributions to the United Way have declined, a new type of giving platform has spread that empowers workers to pick their own charitable causes–usually with an employer match.



“Everyone is looking for a way to keep all these young employees who now expect [their employers to speak out] happy, while not putting their organization at legal risk,” says Alison Taylor, a professor of corporate responsibility and business ethics at New York University’s Stern School of Business. “There is this overwhelming sense of caution among senior leaders and C-suite executives about not pissing anyone else off.”



In that context, she adds, “The pivot to giving employees more control over their donations is sensible.”



It’s also a way to accommodate Gen-Z and younger Millennials moved by the human suffering they see on social media and in the news, particularly in places like Gaza.



The dominant player in the giving platform space is Alberta, Calgary-based fintech Benevity, which in 2023 processed $3.2 billion of donations to 265,000 unique causes, from workers at such companies as Adobe, Cisco, Merck, Microsoft, Nike, UPS and Visa. (That total, which was up 14% and is on track to grow again this year by double digits, includes employer matches of workers’ donations. While Benevity has multinational and non-U.S. companies as clients, 84% of 2023 contributions went to U.S. charities.)



In an analysis for&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;of all employee giving at 826 client companies during the two years ended Oct. 31, 2024, Benevity found the top five recipients were the Red Cross (across all countries and chapters),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/st-jude-childrens-research-hospital/?list=top-charities">St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital</a>, Doctors Without Borders (across all countries),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/planned-parenthood-federation-of-america/?list=top-charities">Planned Parenthood Federation of America</a>&nbsp;and the Palestine Children&#8217;s Relief Fund.



At our request, Jules Dorval, the social data science lead at Benevity, also drilled down on giving by young workers at the subset of 62 companies for which it has data on donors’ age. During the same two year period, the top recipients of money from workers under 30 skewed more heavily to relief groups, particularly international ones. Palestine Red Crescent Society-Al Bireh Branch (serving both Gaza and the West Bank) was No. 1, Islamic Relief No. 3, and Palestine Children’s Relief Fund No. 6, compared to Nos. 11, 14 and 17, respectively, for workers of all ages at those same 62 companies. Rounding out the top 10 for under 30 givers: World Central Kitchen (2), UNICEF (4), Red Cross (5), St. Jude’s (7), Mercy Corps (8), Doctors Without Borders (9) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/save-the-children-federation/?list=top-charities">Save The Children Federation</a>&nbsp;(10).



Medical Aid for Palestinians, a British non-profit providing healthcare services in Gaza and the West Bank, was the 11th most-donated-to charity for employees aged 30 or younger giving through Benevity, though it didn’t break the top 200 charities for all workers.



New York City-based American Friends of Magen David Adom, which&nbsp;<a href="https://afmda.org/about/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">acts</a>&nbsp;as Israel’s representative to the International Red Cross and provides disaster relief and emergency services to Israelis, ranked 18th in the top charities younger workers donated to, but just 78th for all employees–further evidence that whatever their views on the Israel-Hamas conflict, the youngest workers are inclined to express them through charitable giving.



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



<abbr>“I</abbr>gave at the office”&nbsp;is a cliche born from a long tradition. In the late 1800s,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.org/research/publication/past-present-and-future-workplace-giving-united-states" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">local elites attempted to rationalize charitable giving</a>&nbsp;by forming charitable societies to act as umbrella organizations that could weed out the undeserving from the deserving. Increased workplace charitable solicitations during World War II led to the first implementations of payroll deductions for donations. After the war, as other deductions for insurance, taxes and the like spread, so did the payroll giving model, with most of the money going to community chests like the now more than 1,100 U.S. chapters of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/united-way-worldwide/">United Way Worldwide</a>, which in turn directed the majority of their funds to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/100731/the_past_present_and_future_of_workplace_giving_in_the_united_states.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">small group of big name</a>, mainstream charities, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/ymca/?list=top-charities">YMCA</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/american-national-red-cross/?list=top-charities">Red Cross</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/salvation-army/?list=top-charities">Salvation Army</a>.



At first, workers didn’t have much choice about what their dollars supported, but under pressure from alternative giving campaigns, in 1990 United Way officially embraced the idea of allowing payroll donors to designate where their dollars would go–even to organizations outside of United Way. Still, the percentage of workers participating in United Way campaigns continued to drop, with donations falling sharply during the Great Recession.



In the year ending in June 2024, just $1 billion of the United Way’s $2.5 billion in private donations came from workplace contributions.



Now the spread of online giving platforms is breathing new life into the old tradition of workplace giving–and turning it into an employee benefit, part of a broader package offered by companies to keep workers engaged and satisfied. Some 78% of employees who have workplace giving programs available say that their companies&#8217; values align with their personal ones, compared to just 56% where workplace giving isn’t offered, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/content/dam/fc-public/docs/insights/giving-in-the-workplace.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">research</a>&nbsp;by Artemis Strategy group for Fidelity Charitable, an affiliate of Fidelity Investments. (In 2019, Fidelity Charitable and the big employee benefits division of Fidelity Investments teamed up to start the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleaebeling/2019/03/26/fidelitys-latest-move-into-workplace-benefits-a-new-way-to-donate-to-charity/">Giving Marketplace,</a>&nbsp;a competitor to Benevity.)



Moreover, in the same Artemis survey of 1500 workers, 89% who have workplace giving programs available said they were satisfied with their current employer, 12 percentage points higher than the satisfaction rate for those without workplace giving schemes. Artemis’ findings don’t necessarily show that charitable giving is&nbsp;why&nbsp;more employees are satisfied, but it does suggest that it’s part of a benefits package found at happier workplaces. That’s something employers can’t ignore, since according to Gallup, Millennial and Gen Z workers in particular report&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx?thank-you-report-form=1" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">feeling more disengaged and stuck in their jobs</a>&nbsp;these days–a reflection of a tougher market for job-hunters that has transformed the “Big Quit” into the “The Great Stay.”



Further evidence that giving is now an employee benefit: 70% of employers who use Benevity match 100% of an employee’s contributions (up to a set amount), Dorval reports. In total, he calculates, 65% of all dollars given through the platform get a match. Companies can also use the platform to track days off given to workers for volunteering, or even to make contributions to a worker’s charity account to reward them for volunteering on their own time. Workers can donate through payroll deduction, fund their giving with a credit card donation, or do both. Employees can designate in advance the charities their money will support or accumulate cash in a giving account, and then direct individual donations from that account—just as someone would when using a donor-advised fund. (Benevity uses a master donor-advised fund to hold all the donations.)



The flexibility of the Benevity platform accommodates special fundraising drives and events like Giving Tuesday–the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Charities have pushed Giving Tuesday since 2012 as a way to goose donations at a time when Americans’ wallets are relatively open. During 2023’s Giving Tuesday, Benevity logged $150 million in donations made through its platform, a 22% increase from the year before.



Workplace giving is still just a drop in the charitable bucket–but is growing faster than other giving channels.. The Blackbaud Giving Fund&nbsp;<a href="https://blackbaudgivingfund.org/blog/what-is-workplace-giving-and-why-its-important-for-nonprofits/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">estimates</a>&nbsp;$5 billion a year is given at U.S. workplaces. That’s just 1% of the $557 billion in total contributions made in the U.S. in 2023. according to&nbsp;<a href="https://philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu/news-events/news/_news/2024/giving-usa-us-charitable-giving-totaled-557.16-billion-in-2023.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Giving USA’s annual tally.</a>&nbsp;But individual giving was up only 1.6% (in nominal dollars, not inflation adjusted ones) in 2023, according to that report, compared to Benevity’s 14% increase.



By contrast, giving to donor-advised funds, run by community foundations and non-profit affiliates of such financial services powerhouses as Vanguard, Fidelity and Schwab,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/phoebeliu/2024/11/12/charitable-donations-billionaire-donor-advised-funds-tumbled-2023-year/">dropped a surprising 22% last year to $59 billion</a>. (To maximize their tax benefits, wealthy donors will typically contribute highly appreciated stock to DAFs in a lump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2023/11/20/from-donor-advised-funds-to-qcds-how-taxpayers-can-maximize-charitable-gifts/">when they have big gains</a>, then dribble out contributions to specific operating charities over time. That can lead to more volatility from year to year.)



While Benevity does provide U.S. workers the documentation needed to claim tax deductions, donations by rank and file workers aren’t usually driven by tax considerations–the 2017 Trump tax overhaul reduced the percentage of U.S. filers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2023/03/03/senators-propose-huge-boost-in-charitable-deduction-for-non-itemizers/">who itemize their deductions (and thus can claim tax benefits) to less than 8%.</a>&nbsp;In fact, contributions to foreign charities are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2023/10/10/tax-and-other-considerations-for-charitable-giving-abroad-in-times-of-crisis/">typically not deductible at all</a>, but Benevity reports that 67% of its clients allow for international giving. (Benevity has a roster of more than two million eligible organizations, though companies can exclude certain categories–for example, religious organizations–from their match.)



Workplace giving now seems poised to expand further, even as DEI and social activism by CEOs shrink. A new&nbsp;<a href="https://mycecp.cecp.co/s/article/Giving-in-Numbers-2024-Edition" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">survey of 219 big companies</a>&nbsp;by Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP) found that between 2021 and 2023, 53% decreased their own community investments (which include direct cash gifts and donations of products and services, including employee time). At the same time, 94% of the companies (up by four percentage points from 2021) offered some sort of charitable matching gift program to employees. Matching programs include year-round matches, matching during annual giving campaigns, donations to reward employees’ volunteer work and the fastest growing category, special drives for disaster relief.



Here’s the kicker: At companies responding to the CECP survey, only 20% of employees, on average, participated in their companies’ employer matches, up one percentage point from 2021. Double Your Donation, which maintains a database of employers’ match programs for its clients (who are charities), calculates 27 million workers now have match programs available and estimates they could be leaving $4 to $7 billion in matching money unclaimed annually. Room to grow.

Diverse volunteers packing donation boxes with canned food in food bank

Charitable Giving In The Workplace Is Back–And Just In Time

South African businesses and consumers alike could reap the rewards during November and, possibly, long after, as retailers look to take advantage of increased consumer confidence before the festive season (officially) begins.



Seen as ‘the largest trading weekend on the Retail Calendar’ for some, the knock-on effect of Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be used to create economic movement over a longer period.



Reports online recently forecasted consumer spend of ZAR3 billion ($164.7 million) over the Black Friday weekend, according to First National Bank (FNB), partly due to an increase in consumer purchasing power and the fact that it fell after payday.



Further to this, research commissioned by&nbsp;Capital Connect, a platform that offers financing for retailers, indicated that South Africa’s wholesale, retail and fuel sectors were forecasted to generate more than ZAR88 billion ($4.8 billion) in additional economic value for the economy as a whole during November 2024.



Udhveer Sookraj, Data Integration Specialist at Insight Consulting, emphasizes to FORBES AFRICA that Black Friday is not just a retail event but rather an important stimulus of the economy.



“There is a very widespread impact to the economy in general from this boom. This is as simple as driving the need for the transportation to stores and delivery logistics, to the impact to manufacturing, supply chain and marketing, positively impacting direct participants and indirect participants.



“Black Friday could in fact be seen as one of the most important economic events in the country.”



The knock-on effect of these retail days could, equally, be seen in other sectors of the economy.



“With consumers focusing largely on retail on Black Friday, this puts more focus on the social industry – holidays, restaurants and entertainment – in the festive season as consumers feel less pressured with the traditional festive shopping, moving more towards social experience,” Sookraj explains.



“In other instances, there is an increased focus in preparing for the new year – back to school, a new car – thus in turn stimulating these industries. This pattern of economic activity results in increased consumer confidence, and creates the important knock-on effect that results in active economy well&nbsp;into the new year.”



Steven Heilbron, CEO of Capital Connect, explained, in a statement in October, that the positive outlook for&nbsp;Black&nbsp;Friday&nbsp;2024&nbsp;indicates that “the tide is turning for South African retailers after a long period of economic and retail stagnation”.



In a thought leadership piece on the frenzied festive shopping season, Ulana van Biljon, Chief Operating Officer of Emira Property Fund, states that consumers are more likely to spend during seasonal shopping peaks when they perceive their financial situation as stable or improving.



Following the announcement from Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago of a rate cut of 25 basis points, with the repo rate falling from 8% to 7.75%, consumers may feel more confident about their spending power.



However, van Biljon did caution that, for the 2024 festive season overall, consumers would remain cautious and focus, primarily, on essentials.



Sookraj believes that Black Friday has truly been adopted as a mainstay event by South Africans.



“It’s an event that is so focal to South Africans that budgeting and saving for this event happens months in advance, firmly underlining the joy this event brings,” he says.



“South Africa’s rise in the technology space has also seen [an] incredible increase in online sales participation. For a larger number of retailers, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become the highest trading days in the retail calendar, with some retailers doing over half the annual turnover in that single weekend than in the entire year.”

Shoppers In Manhattan On Black Friday

Stimulating Consumer Spending In South Africa: Could ‘Black Friday’ Become The Gift That Keeps On Giving?

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



Donald Trump announced Saturday he would impose a 100% tariff on BRICS nations if they try to replace the dollar in international trade, impacting a group of major developing economies whose members include Russia, India, China and Iran, among others, marking the latest threats by the president-elect to impose tariffs on imports from several countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



In a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113573130299319701" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">post</a>&nbsp;on Truth Social, Trump said the 100% tariff would affect all BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates—until they commit to not creating a new BRICS currency or back another currency that could replace the “mighty” dollar.



Brazilian President Inacio Luiz&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-13/lula-supports-brics-currency-to-replace-dollar-in-foreign-trade?leadSource=uverify%20wall" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">called on</a>&nbsp;BRICS nations to develop an alternative to the dollar in foreign trade last year, arguing countries that don’t use the dollar should not be forced to use the currency, while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/what-is-brics-currency-could-one-be-adopted-2023-08-23/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">suggesting</a>&nbsp;a new BRICS-supported currency “increases our payment options and reduces our vulnerabilities.”



There is “no chance” BRICS could replace the dollar in international trade, and any country that tries to do so should “wave goodbye to America,” Trump said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">Crucial Quote</h2>



“The idea that the BRICS countries are trying to move away from the dollar while we stand by and watch is OVER,” Trump wrote, adding the nations “should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. economy.”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-2183216841.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63584" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-2183216841.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-2183216841-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-2183216841-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Trump’s proposed tariffs on imports from BRICS nations is his latest economic threat in recent weeks. BRICS was founded as an informal international group in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, though its membership&nbsp;<a href="https://infobrics.org/page/history-of-brics/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">expanded</a>&nbsp;to more nations with “reflecting common stances on topical global development issues,” according to the organization. The group has increasingly called for reduced dependence on the U.S. as it aims to establish new financial organizations. Earlier this month, Trump announced a 10% tariff on Chinese goods and a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada, which he said would remain until the three nations curb the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. and migrants. Trump has claimed the tariffs would protect American jobs, though&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/09/10/will-trumps-tariffs-raise-prices-what-to-know-as-kamala-harris-slams-policy-at-debate/">experts</a>&nbsp;have claimed his proposed tariffs could substantially raise prices for American consumers. During his first administration, Trump launched a trade war with China after imposing tariffs that targeted $200 billion worth of Chinese imports.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">Tangent</h2>



Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday he had an “excellent conversation” with Trump after he threatened Canada with tariffs. The pair had a “positive wide-ranging dinner” with topics that included trade, border security, Ukraine and China, among others, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trudeau-trump-canada-tariffs-mexico-border-e0ee7f9b3dddc80d1260585c11869fff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a> to the Associated Press. President Claudia Sheinbaum <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2024/11/26/mexico-could-hit-us-with-tariffs-in-retaliation-for-trumps-threats-president-suggests/">suggested</a> earlier this week Mexico would impose tariffs on the U.S. in response to Trump’s tariff proposals. Sheinbaum said she would be meeting with Trump “soon.”

Brics Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa August 22-24, 2023

Donald Trump Threatens BRICS Countries—Including Russia, India—With 100% Tariffs

You’re working in a large corporation, and you’ve been given two choices.



Choice one guarantees a profit of $1 million in the next 12 months. It’s safe, predictable, and secure.



Choice two, however, gives you the opportunity to make $1 billion. But there’s a catch: your chance of success is only 1%.



Mathematically, the answer seems obvious. One percent of $1 billion is still $10 million; 10 times more than the first choice.



But what would you choose?



This question was posed to me and a bunch of successful entrepreneurs at an event in Los Angeles by Astro Teller, CEO of X, the radical innovation arm and moonshot factory of Alphabet.



They all voted for the second choice. Which, if you are a venture capitalist, I’d expect, as the evidence is clear; extreme bets pay off in the long run.



According to CB Insights, 67% of venture capital (VC)- backed startups fail, which means that great VCs rely on a small percentage of their investments making exponential returns. They quite literally rely on the one in 20 bet, bringing back a 100 or even 1,000-fold or more returns.



The mindset is home runs matter, strikeouts don’t.



Missing out on the next Google or Airbnb is the real failure, not losing on the ones that didn’t work out. For VCs to thrive, therefore, they have to take the 1% bet.



And thrive they do, because as at May 2024, there were over 1,200 unicorns — startups valued at over $1 billion; with a combined value of approximately $3.8 trillion.



This is of course all great if you work in venture capital. But what about, if you, like I used to, work in corporate?



For me, there was no way I would have ever chosen option two. And neither would my peers. It wasn’t because we didn’t understand the math; it was because we were afraid.



Because corporates are structured to focus on certainty.



I wasn’t paid to fail or take radical bets. I was paid to deliver consistent, predictable results.



So, I know from experience just how difficult it is to push for bold, unconventional ideas in large, legacy organizations. The resistance to change can be overwhelming. Those corporate antibodies make any wannabe intrapreneurs, like I once was, feel like outcasts.



Which is why 99% of corporate leaders choose the safe bets, over and over again. It’s about self-preservation and avoiding career-ending mistakes.



All well and good you might say, if it wasn’t for the fact that predictable companies are unlikely to survive the next decade.



If you think this sounds extreme, consider this. In 1974, the average lifespan of a Fortune 500 company was 75 years. Today, only 12% of those companies remain, and the average lifespan has plummeted to just 15.



What’s pushing them out of business? The answer is obviously venture capital.



An industry that has mastered the art of the 1% bet has learned to disrupt corporates that are too scared to take risks. VCs fund innovative startups that move fast, embrace uncertainty, scale quickly and push incumbents to the brink.



So, the reality for corporations today is therefore stark. Playing it safe is the riskiest choice of all. In an era of rapid disruption, certain bets will never create the breakthroughs needed to stay ahead.



Most corporate leaders I think know this, but are simply too afraid to take the 1% bets. It doesn’t matter how much data, research, or logic is applied. Fear of failure drives their decision-making.



But if the evidence is so clear, that corporates need to take more risks to remain relevant, what can be done to encourage their leadership teams to take risker decisions?



One answer is to change the incentives, to reward executives for driving innovation programs within their organizations, in a similar way to how Alphabet has with its X company.



But the paradox here is that this requires a change in mindset from the very people who created the problem in the first place.



The board.



And to get them to change their opinions about incentives and governance can only really happen if you can get them to believe that the company is facing an existential crisis.



Not easy. But boards that realize the adverse risks of being too prudent and therefore work with their executives, to encourage their intrapreneurs to take the 1% bets, are far more likely to survive than those that don’t

Finding the potential to improve their profits

Expert-Speak: The 1% Bet, Are You Afraid To Take It?

With sensors, smart devices, intelligent equipment and data-driven analytics, next generation technologies and virtual training programs are bringing personalized fitness into the lounge, offering elite athletes and home users the same access to exceptional quality training, regardless of location.



Intelligent clothing and accessories, smart dumbbells, interactive interfaces, artificial intelligence (AI) customized training programs and smart sensors are changing the shape of the sports market – and that of their users.



According to Data Bridge Market Research, the Middle East and Africa fitness equipment market is expected to reach $514.87 million by 2031 at a compound annual growth rate (cagr) of 4.60% with South Africa expected to take the lead with innovations around fit- ness equipment that uses next-generation technologies. Joining South Africa in leveraging AI to enhance fitness training and wellbeing, Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya are also paying attention to the value of AI with interest- ing innovations in virtual trainers, online training plat- forms, and real-time physical monitoring tools.



AI has the potential to fix the problems that people create when they are left to do workouts on their own. It can also be used to enhance the training programs used by coaches to train elite athletes thanks to in- depth data and real-time analytics.



“There are two elements that are important to a coach – measuring and monitoring – as these allow you to prescribe the ideal overload and get the timing of the overload,” explains Ian Martin, Endurance Sports Coach at Coach One. “Technology has played a huge role taking this to another level. Instead of spreadsheets and the limited intelligence of the initial heartrate monitors, i can now fine-tune training cycles.”



Metrics such as sleep, nutrition and recovery can benefit from AI which provides coaches with an exten- sive source of data that can even include environmen- tal factors that play a significant role when preparing an athlete. “The technology is providing athletes and coaches with access to exceptional data that allows them to keep their finger on the pulse – pun intended,” says Martin. “Technology has allowed us to deliver the right information in the right format to anyone, regardless of their level of education or accessibility.”



It is also not exclusively the domain of the elite ath- lete. Anyone can benefit from AI-powered accessories and virtual solutions. iGym in Kenya, for example, uses AI to customize workouts and provide nutrition plans for users, the data built on the expertise provided by trained fitness consultants. It enhances this with ac- cess to guides, articles, videos and calculators designed to make fitness easy and accessible. As Joseph Muongi Kamau, Founder of iGym, explains: “We use AI to cre- ate custom workout plans, training content and provide real-time fitness advice. We opted into using AI as it al- lows us to serve more individuals at scale and generate more accurate workouts and wellness plans that meet their needs. We have seen a significant improvement in fitness results, retention and motivation among clients who use the platform.”



This increased engagement is exactly what was found in a recent paper in Ghana. The researchers established that the use of emerging technologies could be used to improve the health and fitness of sedentary groups. The study focused on Ghanian students and it found that the more aware students were of the technologies and how they could be used to improve their physical wellbeing, the more likely they were to use them.



And AI has the potential to reduce injury and im- prove the quality of workouts. Another paper by Mi- chael Deyzel, Computer Vision Engineer at Stellen- bosch-based startup Hawktivity, in collaboration with Dr Rensu Theart, Senior Lecturer at Stellenbosch Uni- versity in South Africa, wanted to find how AI could be used to enhance workouts, virtual coaching and fitness. “Our project started in collaboration with the Sports Science department to find a way if people did their strength and conditioning exercises correctly,” explains Theart. “Athletes would be given instructions but then lose the correct posture over time which could cause injury and it wasn’t feasible for everyone to have a personal trainer. So, we asked what if there was a system that could automatically tell someone if their posture was correct?”



It turns out that yes, AI can be used to develop a system capable of learning how someone moves and provide intelligent feedback and coaching. “The big disadvantage of AI is that it needs a lot of training data and for fitness, a lot of the datasets needed to train the AI don’t exist yet. The idea of this paper was to find out if AI could learn how to do an exercise perfectly with only one example of that exercise,” says Deyzel. Turns out – this is entirely possible and it is also, believes Dey- zel, something that can democratize sports training in Africa. Just not quite yet.



“The system could potentially be used by anyone indefinitely as a way of supporting elite athlete train- ing – it can provide metrics, insights and guidance when there is limited access to a personal trainer,” says Deyzel. “It does democratize access just a bit, but there needs to be funding behind it because these sys- tems cost money to train, run and set up.”



These systems are also evolving at a radical rate on the global stage. Many of the technologies aren’t avail- able on the continent and, if they are, they’re selling at an exorbitant price. The MAGIC mirror uses AI to provide users with live feedback and real-time pos- ture corrections while they workout at home. Boxing, strength training, dancing and soccer training are some of the workouts included in the futuristic, touch-screen mirror that retails for £400 ($531). Then, there’s the ex- plosion of solutions using sensors, AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance sporting performance in clothing. According to GlobalData’s Technology Fore- sights, more than 76,000 patents have been filed in the past three years. These are aimed at detecting metrics such as environment, speed, acceleration, impact, force and more and the data they generate? This has multiple applications across performance, design, and function- ality.



“AI allows us to coach based on the individual and to personalize the experience for people,” concludes Karen Loader, master franchisor for F45 Training. The company uses a fitness programming algorithm that leverages a content database of several thousand unique training movements to offer new workouts ev- ery day that are accessible globally. “We can provide the same workouts to people anywhere – be they in Cape Town or Nairobi – and use real data to transform their performance or their recovery.”



Is AI going to change the shape of sports? Yes.



Intelligent clothing and accessories may be out of pocket for most people on the continent right now but virtual training programs and platforms are eas- ily available and perfectly attuned to what the African market needs and wants.



This combination of AI and digital brings person- alized fitness into the lounge, offering elite athletes and home users the same access to exceptional quality training, regardless of their location. It is perhaps the era of athletic democratization as local gets the same training flavor as global.

Untitleqqqqd

The Changing Shape Of Sport: How AI Is Playing Fitness Instructor

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



A ban on social media for children under 16—which drew criticism from social media companies and leaders—passed the Australian senate on Thursday, poising it to become the world’s first law designed to keep young children off of social media.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



The ban—which would allow Australia to fine companies for not preventing children younger than 16 from having accounts—passed 34 to 19 on Thursday after passing the House 102 to 13 on Wednesday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australia-social-media-children-ban-safeguarding-harm-accounts-d0cde2603bdbc7167801da1d00ecd056" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>&nbsp;reported.



It’s expected to quickly become law, when it will give social media companies one year to prevent those under the age limit from having accounts or otherwise risk being fined $33 million.



Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the law in an opinion piece Tuesday, positioning “Australia to lead the world” in the safety of young people.



Critics of the bill in the government expressed concerns it was rushed, and one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/28/world/asia/australia-social-media-ban-law.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">independent lawmaker said</a>&nbsp;it was a “blunt instrument” that would not actually hold social media companies accountable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">Crucial Quote</h2>



“This Bill puts the onus on social media companies—not young people, not their parents,” Albanese wrote in his opinion piece. He added the bill is about “making it clear that social media companies have a social responsibility. And sending a message to all those Mums and Dads who are worried about the impact that social media is having on their children&#8217;s wellbeing, their mental health, their confidence and sense of self.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chief-critics">Chief Critics</h2>



Earlier this week, social media companies filed submissions with the Australian government urging it to delay the bill. Google and Meta asked them to wait until they complete an age-verification trial and said without more information on how to enforce such an age cutoff the “bill is inconsistent and ineffective,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/google-meta-urge-australia-delay-bill-social-media-ban-children-2024-11-26/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Reuters</a>&nbsp;reported. TikTok said in a statement it saw “a range of serious, unresolved problems” with the bill that could have “unintended consequences for all Australians.” Last Thursday, X’s owner Elon Musk&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1859479797329535168" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;on the platform the bill “seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



The legislation was introduced just last Thursday, with Albanese&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/australia-launches-landmark-bill-ban-social-media-children-16-rcna181130" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">saying</a>&nbsp;at the time it was “landmark reform” and while they expected some kids to find “workarounds,” the government was “sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act.” Though Australia’s law would be the strictest yet to limit social media use for teens, it’s not the only: a number of countries have tried to implement similar limits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-else-are-there-limits-on-children-using-social-media">Where Else Are There Limits On Children Using Social Media?</h2>



The U.S. has the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/11/2023-28569/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule#:~:text=The%20COPPA%20Rule%20imposes%20certain,to%20participate%20in%20such%20activities." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Children&#8217;s Online Privacy Protection Rule that requires</a>&nbsp;children under 13 to provide parental consent in order for technology companies to collect data, and the European Union passed the&nbsp;<a href="https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/digital-services-act_en" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Digital Services Act</a>&nbsp;last year that attempted to give kids more protection online and prevented platforms from targeting minors with personalized ads. Earlier this year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that prohibited children under 14 from having social media accounts, though that law is facing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/groups-challenge-floridas-law-keeping-kids-off-social-media/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">legal challenges</a>. In March, Utah’s Gov. Spencer Cox&nbsp;<a href="https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/SB0194.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">signed laws</a>&nbsp;that require social media companies to verify users’ ages and disable features, including autoplay and notifications, on youth accounts—though the law was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-tiktok-social-media-youth-b678ed7c9bcc1ea0b72f8b320b5f26fa" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">temporarily blocked</a>&nbsp;in October because of legal challenges.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-judge-blocks-ohio-law-restricting-childrens-use-social-media-2024-02-12/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Ohio</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/judge-blocks-arkansas-law-that-would-have-placed-unconstitutional-age-verification-and-parental-consent-requirements-on-social-media-users" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Arkansas</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/09/18/california-online-child-safety-law/?itid=lk_inline_manual_8" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">California</a>&nbsp;and more have introduced or passed similar legislation, but they have all faced legal challenges from groups alleging the child safety laws violate constitutional rights.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-don-t-know">What We Don’t Know</h2>



Details of implementation. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant is tasked will sorting out its implementation of an age-verification system that may use biometrics or government identification to verify users’ ages—a method some critics have said raise privacy concerns, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/australia-passes-landmark-social-media-ban-children-16-rcna181124" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBC News</a> reported. Inman Grant <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/28/world/asia/australia-social-media-ban-law.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told The New York Times</a> age verification technology is advancing quickly and said she believes tech companies will find a way to comply, noting, “If they can target you for advertising, they can use the same technology and know-how to identify and verify the age of a child.”

Social networks

No Social Media For Anyone Under 16: What To Know About Australia’s New Ban

Since its inception in 2014 – with Checkers (Shoprite Holdings) becoming the first official retailer to introduce Black Friday in South Africa – the appetite and uptake for what is arguably one of the biggest shopping days in the world has grown.



But consumers tend to amp up their spending on this day in particular, ahead of the festive season, which experts feel can be avoided.



“Black Friday is a great time to really set yourself up in some instances,” Ester&nbsp;Ochse, Product Head at FNB Integrated Advice, tells FORBES AFRICA. “But it&#8217;s also a very quick way to set yourself up to a very long January. If you do tend to overextend yourself at this moment in time, when are you going to pay the price? You&#8217;re going to pay the price after the festive season.”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-1807427908.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63801" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-1807427908.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-1807427908-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-1807427908-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A sign that announces a price discount for Black Friday in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Wang Xi/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


Ulana van Biljon, Chief Operating Officer of Emira Property Fund, wrote in her thought leadership piece that the condensed festive season may actually lead to higher spending in January. “This year, fewer shopping days between&nbsp;Black&nbsp;Friday&nbsp;and Christmas Eve, could signal lower sales over the festive period, even with a surge in shopping as consumers scramble to make purchases,” van Biljon said.



To curb this, Ochse recommends that shoppers plan by budgeting their purchases to ensure they do not find themselves in any debt.



“Before you even think about buying anything, set up a discretionary budget on how much you want to spend for Black Friday.”



Furthermore, Ochse recommends that although the festive season is a great time to pick up bargains, make a list during this time as well and avoid just walking around the shopping aisles “aimlessly” as there will be temptations to “just buy.”



However, extended campaigns may actually work in consumers&#8217; favor, according to van Biljon, which could allow for them to “feel more secure in their purchasing decisions as they have longer to evaluate deals and sales”.



FNB’s stats have shown that the major purchases consumers make during Black Friday are groceries (specifically non-perishables), clothing, home buys (such as for home improvements) and travel. What is a surprise for Ochse, however, is how people budget their Black Friday money for medical bills.



“Medical, interestingly enough, is a category that&#8217;s come up. I&#8217;m not quite sure if there are some doctors running specials out there.”



Limit chances for fraud



The key ‘do’ for Black Friday is for consumers to continue to rely on digital payments as opposed to using their actual cards. This will ensure cyber-criminals have less access to fraud.



“This shift towards digital payment technology is crucial during events such as Black Friday,” Norman Nyawo, the Head of Merchant Solutions for Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank South Africa, says in a statement. “When long queues and transaction delays can make or break sales success.”



“Virtual cards are vitally important,” Ochse adds. “The reason why you want to use virtual cards – and there&#8217;s been a significant uptake in this – is you want to make sure that by using it, you&#8217;re protecting yourself. Because as much as we think it&#8217;s a great time to go out and do some extra shopping, the scammers and the fraudsters are out there as well, and by using things like your virtual card, you&#8217;ve got that little bit of an extra protection and layer as well.”



It’s all about smart planning and doing the math, so if the discount is not that significant, it is not a bargain. But it’s also about spotting the real deals and the scams that consumers just don’t see coming.



“For instance, a very popular outdoor warehouse store [stated that they] now suddenly having things like 90% off,” Ochse said. “Now you know that a store in South Africa will not do 90% off, and if you click through – not that I am encouraging anyone to click through – what happens is it takes you to a sort of duplicate site or scammer site.”



In the United States, where Black Friday reigns supreme, US Today reported that 131.7 million people (72%) shop on the day. &nbsp;



In South Africa, the stats are no different, as in 2024, a Capital Connect report found that retailers in could generate ZAR22 billion ($1.2 billion) in additional direct revenues due to Black Friday sales this year, as well as generate ZAR28 billion ($1.5 billion) in indirect economic impact. In this same period, the wholesale sector will gain additional sales of ZAR32.1 billion ($1.7 billion).



The study finds that consumer interest in Black Friday looks to be higher in 2024 than any of the past three years.



“Black Friday, obviously, as you know, is an American concept. It&#8217;s the first Friday after Thanksgiving there, so you can get up to 70%-80% off,” Ochse adds. “In South Africa, because we do everything [differently], we have made it a month-long thing because we already start getting Black Friday deals [from] the first week in November.



“But is it really good? You&#8217;re going to have to hunt for those bargains.”

Black Week Sale

Preparing For Your Black Friday Bargains In South Africa And What You Must Not Do

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



Spotify&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DC4Jv6SJjhg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">teased</a>&nbsp;the release of its highly anticipated 2024 Spotify Wrapped on Wednesday and&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.spotify.com/2024-11-27/are-you-wrapped-ready-first-make-sure-your-spotify-app-is-up-to-date/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">reminded</a>&nbsp;users to make sure their apps are up-to-date so they can access the playlists when they’re released—though the company stopped short of sharing the release date.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



The platform suggested Wednesday that Wrapped is coming soon by&nbsp;<a href="https://mashable.com/article/spotify-wrapped-coming-soon" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">showing</a>&nbsp;users a reminder to listen to their past years’ Spotify Wrapped and saying “the best time of year is right around the corner.”



Spotify also put out a&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.spotify.com/2024-11-27/are-you-wrapped-ready-first-make-sure-your-spotify-app-is-up-to-date/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">press release</a>&nbsp;Wednesday encouraging users to ensure their apps had the latest update so they don’t miss any features included in the Wrapped package.



Spotify teased its upcoming Wrapped package earlier in the year with a Halloween-themed&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SpotifyNews/status/1852006409090535754" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">post on X</a>, formerly known as Twitter, that confirmed data collection would continue past Oct. 31 to an unspecified date.



The Spotify Wrapped packages, customized graphics that tell a Spotify user their top five most-streamed songs and artists in a calendar year—and their top 100 songs—used to stop data collection on Oct. 31,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/11/01/spotify-wrapped-2022-music-data/10659843002/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">USA Today</a>&nbsp;reported in 2022.



<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2024/10/24/spotify-wrapped-2024/75828894007/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Spotify told users</a>&nbsp;in an in-app pop-up message last week that “2024 is almost a wrap,” urging users to update the app so they can access their Wrapped packages when they arrive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-will-spotify-wrapped-2024-release">When Will Spotify Wrapped 2024 Release?</h2>



No release date has been announced, but Spotify Wrapped has typically dropped at the end of November or early December. Spotify released its Wrapped packages on Nov. 29 last year, one day earlier than the previous year, when the packages were released on Nov. 30. Users are typically given access to Spotify Wrapped through an in-app pop-up, and the package is formatted as a slideshow with Instagram Story-ready graphics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-will-there-be-a-new-spotify-wrapped-feature">Will There Be A New Spotify Wrapped Feature?</h2>



It’s not clear. In some past years, Spotify has included new elements to its Wrapped package. Last year it matched users to a “Sound Town” based on their “most-streamed artists of the year, and the way in which those artists are streamed in other cities.” And in 2019, Spotify gave users a look back at their trends over the&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.spotify.com/2019-12-05/spotify-wrapped-2019-reveals-your-streaming-trends-from-2010-to-now/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">decade</a>. In an Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DC4Jv6SJjhg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">post</a>&nbsp;Wednesday, Spotify shared a video of its logo changing to represent various albums released this year and said: “This year contained multitudes. So will your Wrapped. Coming Soon.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">Tangent</h2>



Social media users have frequently joked they wait until Spotify stops tracking their data so they can safely listen to music they’d be embarrassed by if it ended up in their Spotify Wrapped. More than 200,000 users liked an&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/INDIEWASHERE/status/1849090072307491082" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">X post</a>&nbsp;last week from a user who said her Spotify Wrapped is “going to be so embarrassing this year,” and last year, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2023/10/27/spotify-wrapped-tracking-end-october/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Washington Post</a>&nbsp;referred to November and December as “cheat months” where users can listen to holiday music and show tunes safely without fear of them popping up on Spotify Wrapped.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Spotify began its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/11/28/spotify-wrapped-2023-comes-soon-heres-how-it-became-a-viral-and-widely-copied-marketing-tactic/">Wrapped marketing campaign</a>&nbsp;in 2016, and began issuing Instagram Story-shareable graphics to users as part of their Wrapped packages in 2019. The Wrapped campaign has been a huge marketing hit for the streaming platform:&nbsp;<a href="https://time.com/6340656/spotify-wrapped-guide-2023/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Spotify said</a>&nbsp;more than 156 million users accessed their Wrapped package in 2022, up from 120 million the year prior. Social media analytics company&nbsp;<a href="https://sproutsocial.com/insights/spotify-wrapped/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">SproutSocial</a>&nbsp;found 400 million posts had been made about Spotify Wrapped on X in the three days following its 2022 release, up 15% from the year before. Spotify typically unveils new features for the Wrapped campaign each year. In last year’s edition, each user was assigned a “<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/11/29/spotify-wrapped-sound-towns-social-media-has-theories-about-why-you-got-assigned-berkeley-or-burlington/">sound town</a>,” a city that matches their music taste, leading to viral jokes on social media that Burlington, Vermont, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, may be home to large communities of queer artists and LGBTQ listeners. In 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/30/23484880/spotify-wrapped-2022-music-personality-bad-bunny-harry-styles-joe-rogan" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">listeners</a>&nbsp;were assigned listening personality types based on the Meyers-Briggs personality test.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">Further Reading</h2>



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/11/28/spotify-wrapped-2023-comes-soon-heres-how-it-became-a-viral-and-widely-copied-marketing-tactic/">Spotify Wrapped 2023 Comes Soon: Here’s How It Became A Viral And Widely Copied Marketing Tactic</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)

Music And Sound Streaming Platforms Stock Photos

Spotify Wrapped Is Coming Soon—What We Know About This Year’s Iteration

Eleven-year-old Nigerian-American Eniola Shokunbi has written to Nigerian authorities, requesting an invitation and security support to discuss how do-it-yourself (DIY) box fan filters — known as Corsi-Rosenthal boxes — could benefit Nigerian schools.



This initiative follows the recent approval by the State of Connecticut Bond Commission of $11.5 million for the construction and installation of these filters in schools across the state.



The project, led by Eniola as a fifth grader, aims to improve air quality in educational settings.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="566" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-Corsi-Rosenthal-Air-Filter-Image-supplied-by-Funmike-Shokunbi-1024x566.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-63795" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-Corsi-Rosenthal-Air-Filter-Image-supplied-by-Funmike-Shokunbi-1024x566.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-Corsi-Rosenthal-Air-Filter-Image-supplied-by-Funmike-Shokunbi-300x166.jpeg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-Corsi-Rosenthal-Air-Filter-Image-supplied-by-Funmike-Shokunbi-768x425.jpeg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-Corsi-Rosenthal-Air-Filter-Image-supplied-by-Funmike-Shokunbi.jpeg 1232w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Corsi-Rosenthal Air Filter (Image supplied by Funmike Shokunbi)</figcaption></figure></div>


“I want to share this with the world, including Nigeria, where my parents are from,” says Eniola, who will turn 12 on December 12, during a virtual call with FORBES AFRICA from her home in Middletown, Connecticut, accompanied by her mother, Funmiké.



In 2022, while attending Macdonough STEM Academy in the Middletown Public School District of Connecticut, Eniola was inspired by an article about scientists bringing an air filter to the White House.



Aspiring to become the first African-American female president of the U.S., she was captivated by the idea.



“I learned that this was an inexpensive DIY air filter, something you can make with just $60. That’s a really small price to pay for the benefits and protection it provides,” she explains.



Determined to improve air quality in her aging school, Eniola collaborated with Marina Creed, Director of the University of Connecticut’s Indoor Air Quality Initiative, to build Corsi-Rosenthal air filters with her classmates.



The project quickly gained traction, eventually attracting the attention of Connecticut’s legislature and securing statewide funding.



“I’ve been mocked for putting my career aside, but seeing Eniola achieve this makes every sacrifice worthwhile,” says Funmiké, an accountant and businesswoman.



She continues: “Parents need to listen to their kids, encourage them, and make sacrifices when necessary. I never thought the world would know me through my child, but here we are.”



Eniola says to her peers: “Don’t let age, gender, or background stop you from making a difference. Believe in yourself and stay determined.”

Eniola at the Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA); Image supplied by Funmike Shokunbi

11-Year-Old Innovator Writes To Nigerian Authorities For Invitation To Present Air Filter Project That Secured $11.5 Million Approval In Connecticut

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.il/en/pages/spoke-statement261124" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;Tuesday he will recommend the Israeli cabinet approve a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon-based Hezbollah—marking the potential for an agreement that will put an end to more than a year of fighting between the two countries, but that is unlikely to impact Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



The U.S. and France reportedly played a key role in brokering the ceasefire agreement, which would begin a 60-day process in which both sides would stop fighting and Israel would withdraw from Lebanon,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/11/26/world/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-cease-fire/israel-hezbollah-ceasefire-lebanon?smid=url-share" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>&nbsp;reported.



Netanyahu&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/26/israel-hezbollah-ceasefire-lebanon-netanyahu-00191709" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">reportedly</a>&nbsp;said the main reasons for a ceasefire with Hezbollah now are to isolate Hamas and allow Israel to refocus its efforts on Iran and Hamas.



An official cabinet vote on the ceasefire is expected later on Tuesday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-ceasefire-updates#00000193-69bc-dff7-a7f7-69fe20460000" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>&nbsp;reported.



Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-ceasefire-updates#00000193-69d9-d71b-a3b3-ffd9e1600000" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">reportedly</a>&nbsp;told Al Jazeera that Hezbollah has not seen the final ceasefire agreement and hopes to “end the aggression … but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.”



Before Netanyahu said he would recommend the agreement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/11/26/world/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-cease-fire/2f960901-de1d-5591-8d70-1704fb1b97ba?smid=url-share" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">told reporters</a>&nbsp;Tuesday he expected a conclusion “very soon,” adding the agreement would “make a big difference in saving lives and livelihoods” in Israel and Lebanon and allow people to return to their homes.



President Joe Biden is expected to comment on the ceasefire agreement at 2:30 p.m. EST.



This story is breaking and will be updated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Israel and Lebanon have been fighting since Oct. 8, 2023—one day after Hamas attacked Israel—when Lebanon fired rockets at Israel in support of Gaza-based militant group Hamas. Israel recently started attacking Hezbollah and Lebanon with more frequency, though, after&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1835890307763757535" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">declaring</a>&nbsp;in September that a new objective of the war was “returning the residents of the north safely to their homes.” In September Israel blew up handheld radios and pagers that had concealed explosives and were used by Hezbollah members in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2024/09/18/walkie-talkies-reportedly-explode-across-lebanon-one-day-after-hezbollah-pager-explosions/">attack</a><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/27/middleeast/israel-pager-attack-hezbollah-lebanon-invs-intl/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;that killed nearly 40</a>&nbsp;people and injured thousands. As recently as Tuesday, while reports of a potential ceasefire circulated, Israel was launching strikes into Beirut and Hezbollah-dominated areas in Lebanon and advising towns to evacuate,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/11/26/world/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-cease-fire" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>&nbsp;reported. The escalated fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, which is also still warring with Hamas, heightened concerns of a broader conflict expanding in the Middle East.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">Big Number</h2>



1.2 million. That’s at least how many people have been displaced in southern Lebanon, which borders northern Israel,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-hezbollah-ceasefire-netanyahu-war-lebanon-gaza-hamas/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CBS News</a>&nbsp;reported. About 60,000 Israelis have been displaced from towns and villages on the Israeli side of the border.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-don-t-know">What We Don’t Know</h2>



If the ceasefire agreement will make any difference in Israel’s war with Hamas. Blinken said Tuesday it has the potential to pave the way for the war with Hamas to end, noting the agreement will show Hamas “it can’t count on other fronts opening up in the war.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">Further Reading</h2>



<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-lebanon-hezbollah-11-26-2024-aa165645d900a3d681ad127e05b0c561" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AP NewsIsrael bombards central Beirut as its leadership prepares to vote on ceasefire with Hezbollah</a>



<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-hezbollah-ceasefire-netanyahu-war-lebanon-gaza-hamas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CbsnewsIsrael-Hezbollah ceasefire deal to halt war in Lebanon expected within hours</a>

World Leaders Speak At The 79th Session Of The United Nations General Assembly In New York

Netanyahu Will Ask Israeli Cabinet To Approve Ceasefire With Hezbollah

South Africa’s ongoing battle with gender-based violence (GBV) has received a boost with the release of the first national study on the subject. Conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the report goes beyond statistics to expose the structural and behavioral factors fueling this epidemic. At its core, the study reveals the interconnectedness of mental health crises, entrenched societal norms, and systemic inequalities. The report, first commissioned in 2022, was released during a press conference earlier this week.



Women Most at Risk



The study estimates that more than 7.8 million South African women have experienced lifetime physical and/or sexual violence, said Dr Nompumelelo Zungu, Deputy Executive Director at the HSRC, announcing the report in Pretoria.



While all women are vulnerable, those with disabilities face heightened risks. Women living with disabilities are twice as likely to experience sexual violence compared to those without. “For a lifetime, this report shows that all forms of abuse are very high for women living with disabilities,” Zungu explained. These women face unique challenges that demand urgent, tailored interventions, including their reliance on others for daily needs, which leaves them more exposed to abuse.



Black African women also bear the brunt of physical violence. “Lifetime physical violence was significantly higher among Black African women with 35.5%, compared to women of other race groups,” said Zungu.



A Broader Crisis in Masculinity



The study highlights the mental health struggles faced by men, particularly those who perpetrate violence. Early childhood trauma, substance abuse, and socioeconomic pressures emerge as recurring themes among perpetrators. These issues underscore the need for targeted mental health services and programs aimed at dismantling harmful gender norms.



The findings show how deep-rooted societal norms perpetuate violence. Patriarchal beliefs, such as those normalizing men’s control over women, remain prevalent, contributing to a toxic environment. According to the study, nearly a quarter of men believe women cannot refuse sex with their husbands, and 8% believe there are times when women deserve to be beaten.



The Covid-19 pandemic amplified these vulnerabilities, with intimate partner violence (IPV) surging during lockdowns. Economic strain and isolation left many women trapped with their abusers, further underscoring the link between systemic inequalities and GBV.



The HSRC study presents a range of recommendations to tackle GBV, including community interventions to challenge harmful norms, enhanced support systems for survivors, and economic empowerment initiatives.

South Africa : Illustration

Study Reiterates Hidden Drivers Of South Africa’s GBV Crisis

South African literary giant and anti-apartheid activist Breyten Breytenbach died peacefully in Paris on Sunday at the age of 85, with his wife Yolande by his side. Known for his fearless criticism of apartheid and innovative contributions to literature and the arts, Breytenbach&#8217;s work resonated deeply both locally and internationally.



A Voice Against Injustice



Born on September 16, 1939, in Bonnievale, Western Cape, Breytenbach emerged as a formidable poet, novelist, painter, and activist. Fellow poet Antjie Krog remarked: &#8220;He was a phenomenon within Afrikaans literature. Breyten&#8217;s writing was radical, but he was the first poet, I almost want to say writer, who also lived radically. Breyten confronted us with that thing of, &#8216;Okay, you&#8217;re against apartheid, but how are you living against apartheid?'&#8221;



His 1962 marriage to Yolande Ngo Thi Hoang Lien from Vietnam defied apartheid laws prohibiting interracial unions, marking the beginning of his lifelong resistance against oppression.



Exile and Imprisonment



Breytenbach&#8217;s outspoken opposition to apartheid led him to join Okhela, a separate ideological wing of the African National Congress in exile. In 1975, during a clandestine return to South Africa, he was arrested and charged with treason under the Terrorism Act. Sentenced to nine years in prison, he continued to write prolifically while incarcerated, producing works that would cement his status as a leading literary figure.



&#8220;Our sadness affords us another opportunity to pay tribute to Breyten Breytenbach for the bravery and perseverance with which he stood up to his persecution and prosecution by the apartheid state,&#8221; stated President Cyril Ramaphosa. &#8220;Fearful of his influence on the minority electorate in South Africa and on world opinion, the apartheid regime imprisoned him for opposing the system and channelling through his diverse art forms and political and fraternal affiliations the militancy, tragedy and resilience of our liberation struggle.&#8221;



A Legacy of Literary Excellence



After his release in 1982, Breytenbach returned to France, where he continued his activism and writing. His notable works include The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist, an account of his imprisonment, and A Season in Paradise. His writings explored themes of exile, identity, and justice, influencing a generation of writers and activists.



&#8220;I don&#8217;t have the words. I don&#8217;t yet have the words to say everything he was. He leaves a huge void. He was the most exceptional being I have ever known. I am immensely proud to call him my father,&#8221; said his daughter, Daphnée Breytenbach, a journalist based in France. She shared cherished family moments, highlighting his role as a father and grandfather.



Global Tributes



The French presidency under Emmanuel Macron honored Breytenbach as a &#8220;ferryman of freedom,&#8221; acknowledging his deep connection to France and his role in awakening global consciences. &#8220;The President of the Republic salutes the figure of a great craftsman of human rights and freedom, who will always be a link between France and South Africa,&#8221; the statement read.



Author Justin Fox also remembered him fondly: &#8220;Breytie was witty, gentle, entertaining and a formidable intellect. He has been a part of my life since childhood. I&#8217;ve always looked up to Breyten as a kind of honorary uncle, an anchor in my life. So long, dearest Breytie; thank you for your generosity, kindness &#8230; and your brilliance.&#8221;



A Life That Inspired



Despite spending much of his life abroad, Breytenbach remained deeply connected to his South African roots. South African writer Antjie Krog emphasized his profound influence: &#8220;Breyten confronted us with that thing of, &#8216;Okay, you&#8217;re against apartheid, but how are you living against apartheid?'&#8221;



Breytenbach is survived by his wife Yolande, daughter Daphnée, and two grandsons. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy endures through his profound contributions to literature and human rights.

Authors by Ulf Andersen – Breyten Breytenbach

Remembering Breyten Breytenbach: The South African Poet Who Challenged Apartheid

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A DHL cargo plane crashed near the Vilnius Airport in Lithuania’s capital city on Monday, killing at least one person and injuring two others, although the cause of the accident remains unknown.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="694" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-2185884823.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63772" style="width:810px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-2185884823.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-2185884823-300x203.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GettyImages-2185884823-768x521.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">&#8220;Cargo plane crashes near Vilnius airport&#8221; (Photo by Elif Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


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<a href="https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2422029/lektuvo-katastrofa-vilniuje-zuvo-ispanijos-pilietis-trys-suzeisti-vienas-ju-lietuvis" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">According to</a>&nbsp;Lithuanian state broadcaster LRT, one crew member was killed in the crash, while three others were injured—including one who is in critical condition.



The plane crashed into a residential building near the airport, although none of its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2422145/apie-lektuvo-avarija-vilniuje-is-pirmu-lupu-eikit-kur-nors-nes-tuoj-viskas-sprogs" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">12 residents</a>&nbsp;were injured in the crash, police said.



DHL Flight 18D, operated by Spanish carrier Swiftair, was flying from Leipzig to Vilnius, and the plane appeared to have been attempting a landing when the crash took place,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/ec-mfe#381bbfbf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">tracking data</a>&nbsp;on FlightRadar 24 showed.



Local investigators have not yet been able to determine the cause of the crash.



Swiftair&nbsp;<a href="https://www.swiftair.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">confirmed</a>&nbsp;the plane involved in the accident was an older Boeing 737-400, and four people were onboard.



This is a developing story.

Cargo plane crashes into Lithuanian home, killing one and injuring two

DHL Cargo Plane Crashes In Lithuania—At Least One Dead And Three Injured

Inspiring a lasting legacy,the world still resonates with Africa’s first-ever heavyweight title fight, Rumble in the Jungle, watched by as many as one billion people worldwide.



As first light crept over Kinshasa’s then Stade du 20 Mai (20th of May Stadium), the air electric and the world watching, Muhammad Ali, poised like a man who held the keys to destiny, prepared to face the undefeated juggernaut George Foreman, both men ready to etch their names into history.



Rumble in the Jungle, as the world would come to call it, was no ordinary boxing match. On October 30, 1974, the President of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Mobutu Sese Seko had invested $10 million to bring the event to Kinshasa, a sum that was almost unthinkable in those days.



It was a visionary bid, meant not just to crown a champion but to spotlight Zaire as a cultural powerhouse.



For Ali and Foreman, the stakes went beyond titles or money. Undefeated in 40 fights, Foreman was the favorite and expected to dominate the night.



“It amazes me that it was 50 years ago and people are still talking about it, and the term rope-a-dope,” Foreman tells Telegraph Sport.



“I’m just happy that I can remember it, period. I have nothing but fond memories, but at the time, I was devastated at the defeat.’’



Ali had a plan, one as cunning as it was unorthodox. Knowing he couldn’t beat Foreman with raw power, he leaned into the ropes and let Foreman punch himself into exhaustion, an audacious tactic that would come to be known as the rope-a-dope.



This strategy wasn’t just a stroke of genius in the ring; it became a legendary lesson in patience, resilience, and mental fortitude. As Nigerian sports analyst Mustapha Shuaib put it, “Ali’s ability to innovate under the stress of a championship fight is a lesson for entrepreneurs today. When you’re backed into a corner, that’s when true creativity is unleashed.”



Promoter Don King, with his uncanny sense for the dramatic, orchestrated the fight with a flair that transformed it into an event of monumental proportions.



King secured $5 million for each fighter, setting a new standard for athlete compensation and possibly laying the foundation for the billion-dollar sports economy we know today. <a></a>



“Don King didn’t just promote a fight; he promoted a vision,” says Shuaib. “He understood that Ali wasn’t just a fighter—he was a global symbol. King packaged the fight as a cultural moment, a clash of personalities and ideals that resonated worldwide.”



The fight was immortalized through the lens of filmmaker Leon Gast, whose Academy Award-winning documentary, When We Were Kings, brought new depth to its narrative. The documentary, featuring insights from cultural icons like Spike Lee and Norman Mailer, framed the match as a cultural and psychological duel, an enduring metaphor for triumph against the odds.



‘’Rumble in the Jungle set the stage for a new era of sports marketing and broadcasting, showing how a well-told sports narrative could captivate the world and draw in global sponsors,’’ says Shuaib.

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