SA reacts to teen's actuary degree; Matlala's wife in custody: Top 7 stories in 7 minutes
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'Please delete, worried my mother will see': SA reacts to 17-year-old's actuary degree
Mongiwa Hazel Ntuli, at 17, earned an actuarial science degree from the University of Pretoria, becoming the first graduate in her family.
Ntuli's achievement sparked widespread admiration and humour on social media, with users reflecting on their own experiences at 17.
Her story is celebrated as an inspiring example of perseverance, brilliance and belief in one's potential.
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SAPS/Supplied
Olorato Mongale: KZN mother released amid allegations of tipping off wanted son
Philangenkosi Makhanya, wanted for the murder of Olorato Mongale, was killed in a police shootout after allegedly being tipped off by his mother.
Makhanya was linked to multiple kidnapping cases and found with numerous IDs and cellphones, suggesting a wider criminal network.
Police are investigating Makhanya's associates and the source of the IDs and cellphones, while also searching for another suspect believed to have fled to Zimbabwe.
Lisalee Solomons/News24
'She did not want to see me': Kelly Smith refuses to say goodbye to mom after sentencing
Racquel "Kelly" Smith refused to see her mother, Amanda Smith-Daniels, after receiving a life sentence for kidnapping and trafficking her daughter, Joshlin.
Amanda Smith-Daniels plans to legally adopt Smith's two other children and provide them with stability and love in the Northern Cape.
Smith-Daniels expressed her belief that Joshlin is still alive and will be found, while also thanking the community and authorities for their work on the case.
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Picture: Thahasello Mphatsoe/Graphic: Sharlene Rood/News24
'Cat' Matlala's wife appears in court, remanded in custody until next week
Tsakani Matlala was arrested and charged in connection with the 2023 attempted hit on Tebogo Thobejane.
She appeared in court alongside her husband, Vusimusi Matlala, and their case was postponed for bail applications.
The other two accused in the case are also linked to a separate murder and will have their case transferred to the High Court.
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Supplied/Absa
Absa names new leaders for its retail and business banking units
Absa has appointed Christine Wu and Geoffrey Lee as interim co-CEOs of personal and private banking and Faisal Mkhize as CEO of business banking, effective 2 June.
This follows Absa's December announcement to restructure its South African retail banking operations, reversing changes made under former CEO Arrie Rautenbach.
The announcement comes shortly after Absa named Kenny Fihla as its new CEO, with Charles Russon remaining interim CEO until Fihla's arrival on 17 June.
'We're not here to entertain': Sharks boss Plumtree prepared to win 'ugly'
Sharks coach John Plumtree is unconcerned with the aesthetics of his team's play as long as they secure a win in their URC quarter-final against Munster.
Plumtree emphasises the importance of winning, even if it means playing "ugly", and focuses on key aspects like set pieces and defence rather than prioritising high scores.
The Sharks will field a star-studded lineup, including 12 Springboks, for the crucial match against Munster, with Plumtree highlighting the benefit of having key players available.
Durban's Metro FM Awards hosting in limbo as talks for R30 million bid 'still under way'
Metro FM says negotiations are ongoing regarding the host of the next Metro FM Music Awards.
The eThekwini municipality reportedly earmarked R30 million over three years to host the awards.
This comes after KZN withdrew from hosting the 2023 South African Music Awards.
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‘Wonderful' and ‘loved by all' - 65-year-old woman reported kidnapped in Gqeberha
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Emile Ormond: South Africa unready for AI-era job disruption
Emerging economies like South Africa may be partially shielded from the initial waves of AI automation, but when it inevitably arrives, the country could be especially vulnerable due to its large, predominantly young labour force, writes Emile Ormond. As artificial intelligence (AI) grows more sophisticated and pervasive, its potential to disrupt labour markets demands urgent attention. Will AI displace workers? Could it trigger unprecedented unemployment? There has been an influx of news articles, predictions, and expert claims that AI will be highly disruptive to the workforce. For instance, McKinsey estimates 400-800 million people globally may need new jobs by 2030, while a BCG survey found 42% of workers fear their roles may vanish within a decade. For South Africa, with an unemployment rate of 32.9% and 46.5% for youth, these predictions are dire. The country simply cannot afford large-scale job losses without jeopardising fragile social stability, deepening poverty and inequality, increasing crime, and threatening fiscal sustainability. As the government of national unity prioritises 'inclusive growth and job creation,' understanding AI's impact on jobs is not just critical - it's urgent. Impact yet to materialise Despite these warnings, evidence of current AI-driven job losses remains limited. In advanced economies like the US and EU, unemployment is near historic lows. Research has found that, for now, AI's impact on employment is minimal, often boosting productivity instead. In South Africa, high unemployment predates AI, rooted in structural economic challenges. So far, AI has not significantly shrunk job markets globally or locally. Historical, technological leaps, like the Industrial Revolutions, sparked similar fears of mass labour market disruption but ultimately resulted in substantially higher employment and productivity. For instance, more than two-thirds of the world's population lived in extreme poverty before the Industrial Revolution – today, it is less than 10%. This precedent, combined with AI's limited impact to date, may have bred complacency among South Africans, especially policymakers, that AI's impact will be manageable and a net positive. However, this view is shortsighted and lacks nuance. Rapidly increasing advances in areas such as multi-modal and agentic AI are poised to transform workplaces. The vast majority of organisations are planning on introducing or expanding their use of AI. This will see workers requiring new skills, creating new roles, and eliminating others. While the balance of these changes is debated, massive labour market disruption is almost certain. This time is different AI's unique traits, distinct from past technologies, will amplify its impact on jobs. These features include: Cognitive capabilities: Unlike earlier automation that targeted manual tasks, AI can handle complex cognitive work, such as analysis and decision-making. General-purpose technology: Like electricity or the internet, AI's application spans all sectors, driving broad economic impact and broadly fuelling productivity at an unrivalled pace. Self-improvement: AI can help enhance future iterations of itself, unlike previous technologies. For instance, the most advanced nuclear reactor cannot design new reactors, but AI can make better AI. Democratised access: Many AI tools are freely or cheaply available, unlike costly previous industrial technologies that were often limited to large, wealthy organisations. Rapid adoption: Generative AI, for example, surged from obscurity to global prominence in just three years. Now, South African workers use generative AI more than those in the US and UK. These characteristics illustrate why AI will disrupt labour markets at an unprecedented pace and scale, but not all countries and groups are equally vulnerable. SA has breathing room High-income countries, with more white-collar jobs, face earlier AI-driven disruption. For instance, 34% of European Union jobs are exposed to AI automation, compared to 19% in the African Union, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Ageing populations and high labour costs may also accelerate AI adoption in developed markets. Young workers, often in entry-level roles, are particularly at risk. The ILO notes that youth hold jobs most susceptible to automation, potentially blocking their entry into the labour force. This is particularly pressing for Africa, with 350 million young Africans expected to reach working age by 2050. In other words, emerging economies like South Africa may be partially shielded from the initial waves of AI automation, but when it inevitably arrives, the country could be especially vulnerable due to its large, predominantly young labour force. In conjunction with this, AI will likely also drive massive productivity gains and create new, currently unforeseen jobs, but the transition period could be long and hard. Moreover, it could ultimately further entrench South Africa's world-leading inequality. Charting a path forward South Africa has a narrow window, as short as two to three years, to harness AI's productivity gains while mitigating its fallout. Key actions stakeholders can take include: Policy development: Political leaders must move beyond vague rhetoric and adopt nuanced, thoughtful policy positions on AI. The government should finalise a national AI strategy, released for comment in mid-2024, to address labour market impacts. Digital infrastructure: Expand reliable, high-speed internet nationwide, resolving disputes over providers like Starlink to ensure equitable AI access. Reskilling programmes: Invest in large-scale training to equip workers with AI-relevant skills and update school and tertiary education curricula for emerging roles. Responsible AI governance: Regulators and organisations should integrate AI oversight into corporate governance, aligning innovation with national development goals. Moreover, AI needs to be a cross-cutting responsibility in government. Social protections: Plans for displaced workers need to be considered now – there are nearly 19 million grant recipients, compared to a tax base of 7 million. Growth measures and/or new revenue sources will need to be found if the if the South Africa stands at the edge of an epoch-defining labour shift. The question is whether we act proactively or react in a crisis. - Dr Emile Ormond has an interest in policy analysis and risk managment.
