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Artificial intelligence, authentic risk: AI-powered threats to soar, warn anti-fraud professionals

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Artificial intelligence, authentic risk: AI-powered threats to soar, warn anti-fraud professionals

AI has changed the rules of deception. What once took a skilled fraudster hours or days now takes a model seconds. Just in time for International Fraud Awareness Week 2025, 16-22 November 2025, a new cross-industry survey of anti-fraud professionals by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and data and AI leader SAS finds that:

  • 77% report an acceleration in deepfake social engineering over the past 24 months; and
  • 83% anticipate a moderate (28%) to significant (55%) increase in such schemes in the next two years.

These early insights – previewing the fourth edition of the Anti-Fraud Technology Benchmarking Report, coming in March 2026 – signal a rapid rise in AI-fuelled fraud that is escalating risks for both industry and the public.

“Artificial intelligence has become one of the most powerful tools in business – and one of its most potent threats,” said John Gill, JD, President of the ACFE. “Awareness is our best defence as new risks continue to evolve. Educating professionals, equipping government and industry and empowering the public to recognise the AI-guided threats proliferating unseen is vital to maintaining trust and building confidence for what lies ahead.”

For anti-fraud professionals, the ACFE and SAS offer the Fraud Week webinar, Agentic AI in Action: Intelligent, Adaptive Fraud and Financial Crime Prevention, available on demand.

“AI is blurring the boundary between truth and imitation, with untold billions at stake,” said Stu Bradley, Senior Vice President of Risk, Fraud and Compliance Solutions at SAS. “Even as AI drives seemingly limitless progress, it tests the very limits of truth itself. We must educate the public about what’s at stake – and ready government and industry to face AI-charged fraud, at a time when fewer than one in 10 anti-fraud pros feel well prepared, according to our recent survey of ACFE members.”

Follow #FraudWeek on LinkedIn and other social channels to join the global conversation. Experts from SAS and across the anti-fraud community will share practical tips, research highlights, use cases and other resources throughout the observance.

Confronting AI-driven fraud across industries

Across sectors, AI is reshaping the scale and sophistication of fraud – and the tools and strategies required to stop it. To strengthen safeguards, SAS offers these field-proven resources:

  • AI in banking: Adversary – and hero. Scams are evolving fast, but so is banks’ ability to stop them. The Future of Trust: How AI is Powering a New Era in Banking Fraud Detection reveals how advanced analytics helped one bank cut alerts by 40% and improve detection by 35%, fortifying both safeguards and customer experience.
  • AI in public sector: Signal – and shield. Even as schemes targeting government programmes grow more complex, detection tools advance in parallel. The Public Sector Fraud-Fighting Maturity Assessment, based on industry research by Coleman Parkes and SAS, helps agencies benchmark their capabilities and identify gaps to advance AI-amplified, anti-fraud readiness.

From digital identity verification to real-time transaction monitoring to insurance claims analysis to payment integrity in public benefits, organisations worldwide are strengthening their defences with SAS. These examples showcase how businesses and government agencies are using advanced analytics to outmanoeuvre AI-scaled fraud threats.

Powering faster, smarter decisions with high-trust identity verification

BankID, a service from Stø, is Norway’s national digital identity provider, securing authentication and digital signing for more than 4.6 million citizens across banking, government and private-sector platforms. Processing nearly a billion transactions each year, BankID is modernising its infrastructure – transforming decades of trusted identity data into real-time, self-learning intelligence.

To strengthen its defences against AI-age threats, BankID is integrating high-trust identity and authentication signals (e.g., login patterns, device metadata, signing behaviour, etc.) into SAS’ real-time fraud scoring and decisioning systems. This convergence of ID assurance and behavioural analytics drives earlier anomaly detection, greater risk-scoring accuracy and stronger protection against account takeover and synthetic identity fraud.

“BankID goes beyond identity protection – it powers intelligent fraud prevention,” said David Sæle, Product Manager, BankID Anti-Fraud. “By combining our identity signals with SAS’ AI-driven fraud analytics, we’ve moved from reacting to fraud to anticipating it. The result is smarter real-time detection and fewer false positives, enabling faster, more confident decisions that protect both users and trust at a national scale.”

Transforming real-time transaction monitoring with machine learning

Ajman Bank is a Sharia-compliant bank serving retail, business and government customers in the United Arab Emirates. The fast-growing financial institution has allied with SAS and regional integration partner DataScience Middle East to advance its fraud detection capabilities and raise the regional standard for modern fraud prevention.

Ajman Bank has deployed SAS’ real-time fraud management and decisioning platform to monitor activity across cards, payments and digital services. Machine learning models evaluate and score customer behaviour in real time, reducing false positives and helping investigators focus on the highest-risk threats. By unifying data and analytics across channels, the bank is building a faster, more precise defence against evolving fraud tactics.

“Our partnership with SAS and DataScience ME reflects our commitment to adopting world-class technologies that protect our customers and ensure the integrity of our banking operations,” said Abhishek Sharma, Chief Risk Officer at Ajman Bank. “With real-time analytics and tailored models, we are delivering smarter, safer banking for our community.”

Mapping hidden insurance fraud networks at scale – a first of its kind in Korea

Among South Korea’s major general insurers, DB Insurance serves more than 10 million customers and manages millions of claims annually. Confronted with organised criminal rings that linked crooked repair shops, medical clinics and brokers, the insurer partnered with SAS to develop Korea’s first AI-powered fraud detection network.

Built on SAS Viya, the DB T-System unifies decades of policy, claims and customer data on a single platform. Then, applying network analytics, the system exposes hidden relationships and patterns of deceit across millions of claims, refining its precision with each investigation. As a direct result, detection accuracy leaped 99%, while analysis time dropped from hours to mere minutes per case. The team now processes 30x more cases than before – not only curbing fraud losses but accelerating claims resolution.

“We turned it on, and just like that, dozens of cases lit up revealing invisible fraud connections,” said a senior claims operations leader at DB Insurance. “We could see 10 million customers, every claim, every connection. We stopped reacting to fraud and started preventing its spread.”

Advancing payment integrity in public benefits with machine learning

Since 2019, one large southern US state has teamed with SAS to strengthen the integrity of its food assistance programme. What began as workflow automation for portions of the state’s SNAP benefit recovery process has since expanded statewide. Using data captured in early stages of the collaboration, SAS later created a machine learning model to risk-score overpayment referrals and help programme staff prioritise cases for investigation, which must meet strict timeliness standards.

Building on this progress, officials expanded that model to evaluate all active SNAP cases across the state and flag those with the highest likelihood of error. The state now uses SAS Payment Integrity for Food Assistance to guide and sharpen its review processes, directing attention to higher-risk cases – a model of how advanced analytics can enhance responsible public programme oversight.

“We saw a 50% reduction in the processing time for our investigations, and we moved from a 12-month processing time down to six months,” said a senior official responsible for the state’s programme integrity oversight. “That was huge for us, because we were also facing budget constraints and couldn’t add more resources.”

Driving Wellness Forward: Engen’s 2025 Trucker Health Campaign Keeps South Africa Moving

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Driving Wellness Forward: Engen’s 2025 Trucker Health Campaign Keeps South Africa Moving

As another successful Transport Month draws to a close, Engen’s annual Driver Wellness campaign has once again delivered vital healthcare support to South Africa’s truck drivers – the unsung heroes who keep the nation’s economy on the move.

For over a decade, Engen Driver Wellness has continued to make a measurable impact on the health and safety of the road freight community, empowering truckers to take charge of their well-being despite the challenges of long hours and life on the road.

In partnership with Trucking Wellness, an initiative of the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI), this year’s campaign offered free voluntary health screenings at 29 Engen Truck Stops and Engen 1-Stops nationwide, reaching truck drivers across eight provinces between 20 October and 13 November 2025.

This year, a total of 1503 screenings were conducted with participating drivers benefiting from comprehensive health assessments, including tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, malaria, TB, STIs, HIV/AIDS, and BMI (Body Mass Index). Each driver also received a complimentary Engen tog bag as a token of appreciation.

Participating drivers benefited from health screeings for blood pressure, cholestoral, diabetes, malaria, TB, STDs and HIV

Beyond the numbers, the campaign once again underscored the importance of preventative healthcare and early detection. For many drivers, these screenings represent a rare opportunity to engage with healthcare professionals during their demanding schedules.

Key health insights from 2025:

  • 53.6% had abnormal findings requiring follow-up
  • 9.9% tested positive for high/abnormal blood pressure
  • 28.9% had elevated cholesterol or blood sugar:
    • High cholesterol: 18.1%
    • High blood sugar: 10.8%

Olwethu Mdabula, Engen’s CSI Manager, said the company remains deeply committed to the well-being of South Africa’s transport workers.

“Truck drivers play an indispensable role in driving our economy forward. Through this campaign, Engen aims to make their health and safety a national priority – because when drivers are healthy, our roads and supply chains are safer too.”

In addition to the mobile health campaign, Engen and Trucking Wellness continue to support drivers year-round through six Trucking Wellness clinics located at key Engen Truck Stops in Beaufort West, Musina, Port Elizabeth, East London, Harrismith, and Kokstad.

These permanent fixed facilities ensure that drivers have continued access to qualified healthcare professionals, treatment support, and counselling services long after Transport Month ends.

With nearly 90% of the country’s goods transported by road, Engen’s Driver Wellness campaign puts driver health at the forefront

Tertius Wessels, Project Manager of Trucking Wellness, praised Engen’s long-term commitment to driver health:

“Our collaboration with Engen enables us to reach drivers where they live and work – on the road. The ongoing support provided through both the mobile and fixed clinics ensures continuity of care, early diagnosis, and ultimately, safer roads for everyone.”

Adnaan Emeran, Engen’s Commercial Marketing and Business Development Manager, emphasised the campaign’s broader purpose:

“Driver Wellness is more than just check-ups – it’s about caring for the people who keep our economy moving. Engen’s ongoing partnership with Trucking Wellness reflects our belief that health and safety go hand in hand with productivity and sustainability in the transport industry.”

Emeran added: “As we look ahead, Engen remains committed to strengthening our partnerships, expanding access to healthcare for truckers, and supporting the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s road freight sector.”

With nearly 90% of the country’s goods transported by road, campaigns like Engen Driver Wellness continue to play a critical role in ensuring that both the drivers and the economy remain #AlwaysMoving.

#TruckerAppreciation #EngenCares #DriverWellness

Cautious consumers set the tone for Black Friday 2025

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Cautious consumers set the tone for Black Friday 2025

South Africa’s technology and durables (T&D) manufacturers and retailers will face fierce competition for the consumer’s rand during the upcoming Black Friday promotional period, with NIQ South Africa forecasting relatively flat growth in terms of units and revenues compared to 2024. Continuing trends seen throughout 2025, consumers look set to be cautious and strategic in their spending across the categories that have traditionally fuelled growth over the Black Friday period.

That’s according to Zak Haeri, MD for NIQ in South Africa, who says that year-on-year growth for tech and durables during Black Friday appears to have peaked. He says that the low-end and mid-range market will be the main arena for competition in most categories amid low confidence and a quest for value among South African consumers. The winning brands will be those that offer meaningful discounts and come to market with a carefully calibrated message about the functional value their products offer in terms of smart features, energy efficiency and brand reliability.

Says Haeri: “We are no longer seeing the sharp year-on-year rises in Black Friday sales we recorded just a few years ago, indicating that the market has reached a saturation point. In 2024, we saw modest growth, despite a trend towards deeper discounting across the T&D sector. Even so, Black Friday Week is the largest sales week of the year, with T&D sales volumes and revenues that are around double those of any other week in the year. It remains the most important promotional period for T&D brands and retailers and a battleground for brand relevance.”

Flat forecasts, fierce competition

NIQ forecasts that the smartphone market will show a year-on-year decline in sales value for November, despite a healthy increase in unit sales. Aggressive discounting in the low-end to midrange markets will set the pace for this all-important category, with challenger brands expected to start their promotions early in the month. The panel television market, a mainstay of Black Friday, is expected to show moderate declines in sales volume and revenues.

The IT hardware market is forecast to continue the recovery seen throughout the year, led by mobile computing. Home appliances are set to show small decline in revenues compared to Black Friday 2024, but a healthy increase in unit sales as manufacturers apply aggressive discounts. Vacuum cleaners may be the unlikely hero of Black Friday 2025, forecast to deliver good revenue growth off flat unit sales. Cooking appliances will also grow, but the cooling market is expected to stumble.

Haeri says: “In recent years, consumers have still engaged enthusiastically with Black Friday, but they are increasingly price-sensitive and value-driven. Customers do their research carefully and will not be fooled by shallow discounts and misleading promotions. Brands are responding with big November promos, especially during Black Friday week. Our data shows that 20% of products were sold at 50% discounts in 2024, compared to close to 0% in 2022 and 2023.”

In terms of the typical cadence of Black Friday discounting and promotions, brands usually start with aggressive clearance sales and entry-level offerings during the first two weeks of November. By mid-November, the focus often shifts to the mid-tier market, before ending off with blockbuster deals on flagship and premium products during the last week of the month. While many retailers continue to offer discounts for Cyber Monday in the week following Black Friday, sales activity generally fall off sharply.

Value-driven shoppers to test T&D brands’ agility

Brands and retailers that do well during this time will apply personalised and segmented approaches to reaching the market. Many have found success in offering bundles (such as smartphone and accessories or a console plus some games) rather than standalone discounts. “Price-sensitive customers tend to respond well to strong entry-level offers, while value-conscious customers look for compelling mid-market deals,” says Haeri.

“The final week of November is typically when brands can convert premium customers who are in the market for flagship products or high-end experiences. Prices across most product groups tend to be lower than the weekly averages for the year, reflecting the deeper discount ranges seen during this period. Since many consumers research and lock in deals before Black Friday, premium brands benefit from activating early to capture high-intent buyers before the discount frenzy on Black Friday.”

Haeri says some of the success factors for Black Friday include:

  • An omnichannel approach that accommodates the complex online/offline journey consumers take when researching and buying T&D products.
  • Early activation of marketing and promotions to win attention in the run-up to Black Friday.
  • Sharp messaging focused on value for money, bundle savings and limited time or quantity calls to action.
  • Surgical discounting because shoppers respond to targeted deals rather than blanket price cuts.
  • Personalised and segmented communications with reminders and early access for existing customers.
  • Measurement and optimisation of campaigns and discounts in real time to respond to volatile consumer demand.

Despite improved sentiment, consumers still face financial strain

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Despite improved sentiment, consumers still face financial strain

Although consumer sentiment continues to improve in 2025, consumers are still under severe financial strain.

This is revealed in DebtBusters’ Q3 2025 Debt Index, a quarterly evaluation of debt counselling applications.

Executive head of DebtBusters, Benay Sager, says that successive interest rate and petrol price reductions have helped consumers better deal with debt, however, finances are still seriously strained.

Sager explains that over the past nine years, income growth has not kept up with significant cost increases, and consumers are using short-term unsecured credit and personal loans to make up the shortfall.

“Of those who apply for debt counselling, 95% have a personal loan, and 57% have a payday loan. A further 22% use overdraft facilities regularly. Vehicle debt also seems to be increasing and is now making up a substantial portion of the incoming client cohort debt.”

Notably, demand for online debt management grew by 47% compared to the same period last year.

Other findings from the Q3 2025 Debt Index are that, compared to 2016, consumers who applied for debt counselling had:

  • 48% less purchasing power. Electricity costs 165% more than nine years ago, and the petrol price is 80% higher, both contributing to cumulative inflation of 51%. Over the same period, nominal net incomes have only increased by 3%.
  • A high debt-service burden. Before coming to debt counselling, consumers were spending 70% of their net income to repay debt. This is the highest since 2017. People taking home R35,000 a month use 78% of their income to repay debt, and their total debt-to-net-income ratio is 189%. The most vulnerable consumers, who earn R5,000 or less a month, use 92% of their income for debt repayments. These ratios are at their highest-ever levels.
  • Unsustainably high levels of debt among top earners. Average unsecured debt levels were 32% higher than nine years ago, but are lower than the same period last year. For people taking home R35,000 or more, unsecured debt levels were 61% higher. While this is only slightly higher than the cumulative CPI growth since 2016, without meaningful salary increases, these consumers need to supplement their income with unsecured credit.

Sager says that debt counsellors can renegotiate interest rates on unsecured debt from 22.3% to ~2.3% per annum, which allows consumers to repay their most expensive debt faster. Vehicle debt and balloon payments can be paid over a meaningful period by getting the average interest rate of 14.3% down to a more manageable level.

“Debt counselling in South Africa works, and benefits both consumers and creditors. Since 2016, the number of people who have successfully completed debt counselling has increased 12-fold. In Q3 2025 alone, consumers who received their clearance certificates paid back over R540 million worth of debt.”

To help South Africans deal with money stress, in September 2025 DebtBusters introduced MyMoneySaver, which helps consumers save on everyday items such as groceries, retail purchases, entertainment, and dining out.

Stop paying for failed solar systems: Here’s what South Africans need to know

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Stop paying for failed solar systems: Here’s what South Africans need to know
Many South Africans are paying for solar systems that do not perform as promised. As loadshedding lingers and electricity tariffs continue to rise, the rush toward solar has accelerated. Yet thousands of households and businesses are left disappointed when their systems underperform, break down or fail long before they should. Much of this frustration could be avoided with better information upfront.
According to Rein Snoeck Henkemans, Co-founder of Alumo Energy, most issues begin long before installation. A common misconception is that more panels automatically mean more power. “Homeowners often focus on the number of panels rather than the total energy output,” he says. “Two systems might have the same number of panels, but if the wattage differs, the electricity generated also differs.”
Another pitfall is selecting the cheapest option. Low-cost systems often use inferior components, offer weak warranties and rely on installers who lack adequate experience. “They may work for a short while, but they rarely last. Replacing a failed system is far more expensive than investing in quality from the start.”
 
Quality, certification and safety
Before committing to a system, consumers should verify that panels and inverters come from reputable manufacturers. Surge protection must be installed on both the AC and DC sides to reduce fire and equipment damage risks. Certification is equally important. Uncertified systems can lead to insurance claim refusals or even enforced removal if they do not comply with safety standards. Checking whether the system appears on the approved NRS list is a practical safeguard.
A vague or incomplete quote is another red flag. “If a quote does not clearly list the panels, batteries, cables or protection measures included, it is best to walk away. You are trusting this company with your energy independence, so credibility is essential. Reading reviews or asking for references can also help consumers avoid costly mistakes.”
 
Design and site assessment
Correct system design is key to long-term performance. Alumo begins every project with an in-person assessment of energy needs, usage patterns and available budget. A system that is too small will struggle during outages while an oversized one leads to unnecessary spending. For commercial clients, Alumo provides detailed design packs that illustrate power flow throughout the system and support compliance.
Environmental and structural factors also play an important role. Even small areas of shading can reduce output across the entire array. Roof type influences installation complexity, with flat roofs often requiring tilt frames and slate roofs posing higher leak risk. Energy use timing is another important factor. Customers who consume most of their power at night may not benefit from a small battery while shifting certain loads to daytime hours can significantly improve returns.
 
Installation and aftercare
Unlike many companies that outsource, Alumo uses its own trained installation teams. Systems include self-extinguishing trunking to reduce fire risk and high-quality surge protection to safeguard appliances. Every installation is reviewed by a dedicated quality control manager.
Support continues long after installation. Alumo provides 24-hour assistance, free swap outs for faulty inverters or batteries under warranty and ongoing maintenance. Homes receive a six-month check-up while commercial clients follow schedules tailored to system size and location.
Henkemans offers a final reminder. “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Work with a company that designs a system around your exact needs and has a proven track record.”
Solar is no longer only about lowering electricity costs. It is about securing reliable power and long-term peace of mind. With the right partner, South Africans can achieve true energy independence.

How Flight Centre Dainfern mixes smart travel tech with good, old-fashioned TLC

Ndumi Hadebe
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How Flight Centre Dainfern mixes smart travel tech with good, old-fashioned TLC

There are travel agencies, and then there’s Flight Centre’s shiny new Dainfern branch – a space that’s far more “travel clubhouse” than cold, corporate call centre. Opened in October with much fanfare (think GQ Magazine’s cover reveal bash, hosted by none other than local legend and Flight Centre brand ambassador Anele Mdoda), Flight Centre Dainfern is all about dialling up the wow-factor on your entire travel journey.

 

To unpack what makes this store anything but ordinary, Lifestyle & Tech parked off for a chat with store manager Moeketsi Mde. His mission? Simple: “make this the friendliest, most travel-obsessed corner in Dainfern”.

Why now? And why Dainfern?

With the world’s flight paths twisting and turning thanks to everything from changing travel trends to tricky geopolitics (looking at you, US-South Africa routes), you’d forgive some for thinking “now” sounds risky. Moeketsi just shrugs and grins:
“We see opportunity everywhere. People haven’t lost their wanderlust. If anything, they’re hungry for more. Our job is to make their travels easier, safer, and deeply personal.”

The Dainfern vision: Travel, but better

“Every traveller should feel like we ‘get’ them, even if it’s their first time out of Jo’burg or their fiftieth passport stamp,” Moeketsi says. “We treat you the way a top mate would: no jargon or snooty ‘travel agent’ vibes, just genuine, invested service. Because at Flight Centre, caring is absolutely our business. And if we can slip in a travel joke or two while we’re at it? Even better.”

Humans aren’t optional

These days, anyone can book a flight online. But according to Moeketsi, that’s only half the story:

“We believe in the power of people – real people – especially when things get complicated. Sure, we love our tech, but there’s always a friendly expert to make sense of the small print, fix the fumbles, and find the sweet spots a bot might miss.”

Many Dainfern visitors have horror stories about invisible customer service or online deals that evaporate when you need help. “That’s where we shine. Our superpower is that no one ever leaves feeling confused or out of pocket. We’re your human safety net,” Moeketsi promises.

AI is cool, but not king

Flight Centre was on the AI bandwagon before it was even a buzzword. Moeketsi puts it plainly:

“AI lets us spot trends and build smarter trips, faster. But there’s no robot on earth that can do what an empathetic, travel-obsessed human does.” Plus, social media? Bring on the wanderlust! “We get customers walking in waving TikTok screenshots, saying, ‘Take me here’. We love that. We just make sure it’s actually the best value and fit,” he laughs.

Why pick Flight Centre Dainfern?

“Think of us as your travel-savvy sidekick. We’ve got your back, whether you’re a solo explorer, planning a family reunion, or finally escaping on that long-delayed couples’ beach holiday,” says Moeketsi.

And it’s not just brochure-speak. “We’ve collectively clocked up thousands of air miles, slept in squeaky beds and luxury suites alike. If we recommend a spot, someone on our team, or across our global Flight Centre family, has been there, done that, and knows exactly what to expect. No nasty surprises… only the good kind.”

A story worth packing

Moeketsi reflects tenderly when asked about memorable moments. “My first year in the game, a single mother came in. Her son had bagged a spot at a basketball academy overseas, but a birth certificate hiccup killed their flight at the last minute.”

Most agents might’ve said “sorry” and moved on. But not Moeketsi. “We stuck with her, handled the admin back-and-forth, chased paperwork, you name it. I personally waved them off at the airport gate five months later. Today, that young man’s making his mark in Spain, and I still hear from the family,” he says.

“That’s what makes Flight Centre, Flight Centre. People – not algorithms.”

The heart of the job

No two days are ever the same for Moeketsi (except for the travel bug, which is a permanent fixture). “This gig teaches you to stay curious and always find the magic in someone’s travel dream. On the surface, our job is to book holidays, but, really, we help turn dreams into real, memory-soaked adventures.”

So, the next time that travel itch strikes, pop into Flight Centre Dainfern at Dainfern Square. The team can’t wait to sprinkle some Flight Centre magic on your next journey with just the right blend of smart tech and all the heart you deserve.

The world’s waiting… we’ll get you there with a smile.

PowerProtect: Faster, Smarter Cyber Resilience

Musa Masungwini
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PowerProtect: Faster, Smarter Cyber Resilience

In the face of escalating cyber threats, building a resilient organisation is no longer just an IT issue – it’s a core business strategy. The ability to protect critical data and recover quickly after an attack is what defines success and ensures business continuity. This is particularly important as 79% of organisations believe that they will experience a disruptive event in the next twelve months.  This situation is similar in South Africa, where 73% share that concern.

Dell Technologies is committed to helping you build that resilience. With the PowerProtect portfolio, we provide the trusted foundation you need to stay protected, recover faster, and operate with confidence. Our latest innovations deliver smarter, faster protection, simplified operations through intelligent automation, and the flexibility your business needs to safeguard its data. This is how you achieve mission-critical cyber resilience.

A comprehensive approach to cyber resilience

Having been identified as the most targeted African country for cybercrime, South Africa needs a strong defence. That requires more than just a single tool; it demands a comprehensive portfolio designed to work together seamlessly. The Dell PowerProtect portfolio, powered by industry-leading software, provides a multi-layered defence to secure, detect, and recover from cyber threats. It’s built for growth and designed to protect your operations from edge to core to cloud.

The PowerProtect portfolio is a market leader, with PowerProtect Data Manager ranking #1 in total cost of ownership and performance at scale. Meanwhile, Data Domain is also #1 in total cost of ownership, as well as security and support. This recognition reflects our commitment to providing solutions that deliver real-world value and a strong return on investment (ROI).

Delivering the next wave of innovation

We are raising the bar again with new enhancements across the PowerProtect portfolio. These innovations are designed to give your organisation a competitive advantage by strengthening your security posture and streamlining cyber resilience.

PowerProtect Data Manager

PowerProtect Data Manager is a cornerstone of modern cyber resilience. The latest release introduces key enhancements to expand its ecosystem, security, and scalability.

  • Dell NativeEdge integration: We are delivering the industry’s first co-engineered cyber resilience solution for edge computing. This provides image-level backup and recovery for virtual machines (VMs) on Dell NativeEdge infrastructure, closing a critical protection gap for edge workloads.
  • Nutanix AHV protection: We’re extending enterprise-grade cyber resilience to Nutanix hyperconverged environments through native Prism Central integration[TG1] . This unified multi-hypervisor approach simplifies management by eliminating the need for separate backup solutions, enabling organisations to maintain consistent protection capabilities across diverse virtualisation platforms.
  • Anomaly Detection review analysis page: This new security analysis interface transforms backup operations into security intelligence. It streamlines ransomware investigation with centralised anomaly management and actionable workflows, accelerating your incident response.
  • Archive to Object enhancements: Extend long-term retention with Microsoft Azure support for VMs, file systems and SQL Server workloads, as well as AIX platform support, enabling cost-efficient, consistent data lifecycle management across diverse infrastructures.

In addition to these software updates, we are announcing the availability of the PowerProtect Data Manager Appliance, which represents the best way to achieve cyber resilience with Dell PowerProtect via an integrated appliance offer. Designed for scalability, flexibility, and performance, the Data Manager Appliance unifies protection and management in a single, streamlined experience, reducing management overhead by 50%. With centralised control of PowerProtect Data Manager and Data Domain, organisations gain consistent operations through an easy-to-manage interface.

PowerProtect Backup Services

Our cloud-native SaaS solution is now even more flexible, with enhancements designed to protect South African organisations’ hybrid and cloud workloads.

  • Support for Azure Blob Storage: We now offer agentless, cloud-native SaaS protection for workloads in Microsoft Azure, giving organisations more storage options and operational simplicity.
  • Advanced Ransomware Add-on for GovCloud and hybrid workloads: This new add-on broadens our offering for government agencies, providing robust ransomware protection for hybrid workloads in specialised, highly secure cloud environments.

PowerProtect Data Domain Operating System

The software that powers our market-leading Data Domain appliances is now even better with several new capabilities.

  • Secure Snapshot for VTL: This feature enables immutability for Virtual Tape Libraries. It leverages the speed and efficiency of Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and all-flash storage to protect backups against threats or human error without impacting backup applications.
  • Expanded cloud support: Data Domain Virtual Edition capacity has increased to 384TB on Azure for consolidating backups. This, along with AWS M7i instance support, helps local companies leverage the cloud for larger workloads while reducing compute costs.

PowerProtect Cyber Recovery and CyberSense

A critical component of any resilience strategy is the ability to recover from a destructive cyberattack. PowerProtect Cyber Recovery enables you to secure critical data in an isolated, air-gapped vault. The latest updates to Cyber Recovery and CyberSense deliver enhanced security and operational efficiency.

  • Enhanced data security: We remain committed to strengthening your cyber resilience and security measures, enabling South African organisations to securely vault and restore HYCU-created backups, ensuring the recoverability of critical workloads across diverse environments in the event of a cyberattack or data loss.
  • Operational efficiency: Support vaulting to 384TB of Data Domain Virtual Edition in Azure and enabling the management of a single CyberSense server across multiple Cyber Recovery servers, helping to optimise resource allocation and improve operations.

Build your more resilient future

In a world of escalating cyber threats, standing still is not an option. The latest innovations across the Dell PowerProtect portfolio empower your organisation to build a robust cyber resilience strategy that drives your business forward. By providing smarter, faster, and more efficient cyber resilience, we help you safeguard your most valuable asset – your data – so you can focus on what matters most: innovation and growth.

These enhancements are more than just new features; they represent our commitment to providing the tools South African organisations need to stay secure in an ever-changing digital landscape. We believe in the power of technology to help your organisation achieve its goals, and with Dell PowerProtect you can build a future that is both innovative and secure.

A celebration of connection: Inside The Nedbank Alchemy

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A celebration of connection: Inside The Nedbank Alchemy

The familiar hum of conversation at Klein Constantia gave way to anticipation. Guests gathered not merely to just sip wine, but to witness a moment where connection became creative expression. This was The Alchemy of Taste – the first chapter of The Nedbank Alchemy, a new experiential platform that celebrates how people, passions, and purpose can transform the ordinary into something remarkable.

At its core, The Nedbank Alchemy is not about selling wine; it’s about bottling creativity and collaboration, the same philosophy that underpins Nedbank’s brand promise to ‘see money differently’. By inviting people to see wine differently, the platform explores how creativity and craftsmanship can turn passion into purpose.

Each chapter of The Nedbank Alchemy is anchored by a limited-edition wine and explores unique blends of art, culture, and craft through immersive experiences and storytelling, celebrating South African excellence and inspiring meaningful relationships. Through this platform, Nedbank continues to show up as more than just a bank, acting as a catalyst for collaboration, creativity, and cultural impact.

Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs, said: ‘With The Nedbank Alchemy, we wanted to create something that goes beyond the expected; something that mirrors how we build connections with our clients, turning shared passions into moments that last.’

On 13 November, Alchemy of Taste transformed Klein Constantia Wine Estate into a theatre of taste and texture. The inaugural experience celebrated the intersection of fine wine and culinary artistry by pairing Klein Constantia’s acclaimed winemaker Matthew Day with celebrated Chef Nti, merging fine wine and innovative cuisine into an immersive exploration of craftsmanship and creativity.

Matthew Day was the visionary behind the wine for The Alchemy of Taste. Drawing on his expertise, meticulous approach, and deep love for winemaking, he crafted each element to embody the heart of Nedbank Alchemy. ‘Together with Nedbank, we’ve created something that celebrates transformation not just in wine, but in the way people and purpose come together,’ he said.

Each bottle of Nedbank Alchemy wine supports The Alchemists Fund, a Nedbank initiative empowering the future winemakers of South Africa’s wine industry. Through this fund, every purchase becomes a small act of good, extending the positive impact of The Nedbank Alchemy beyond the table. The Alchemists Fund creates a cycle of transformation where passion meets purpose and creativity fuels real, lasting impact for the next generation of South African winemakers.

Complementing the wine was the culinary artistry of award-winning Chef Nti, whose menu echoed the philosophy of Nedbank Alchemy. Her dishes mirrored the textures of the wine – earthy, layered, and unexpected – translating its character into cuisine. ‘Alchemy is about more than ingredients; it’s about emotion. Each dish told a story of transformation, showing that when we combine passion and purpose, we create something truly magical,’ she shared

Through The Alchemy of Taste, Nedbank has set the tone for a series that goes beyond traditional experiences, showing that the bank is not only a facilitator of financial growth but also a champion of creativity, connection, and cultural excellence.

Experience the magic of connection with The Nedbank Alchemy.

Joel Meyerowitz, Outstanding Contribution to Photography 2026

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Joel Meyerowitz, Outstanding Contribution to Photography 2026

Joel Meyerowitz is announced as the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Photography title of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026, which honours the people that have shaped the history of the medium. Meyerowitz is recognised for his diverse and expansive body of work, and its extraordinary influence on the visual vocabulary of photography.

Joel Meyerowitz’s practice is marked by his observant eye, finely tuned to the currents and textures of life. His work shows a fascination with life happening around him, and a remarkable instinct for framing images that are at once revealing and enigmatic, imbued with beauty and wit. Meyerowitz’s photographs direct the viewer’s gaze to the parallel and interconnected stories that define a moment. The subjects of his photographs are wide-ranging, from his iconic depictions of the bustle of city life, to his depictions of coastal life and the vast seascapes of Cape Cod, through to his pivotal series documenting all the work inside Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11, and his recent self-portraiture. Over the years, Joel Meyerowitz has captured the surprises that can be found by looking carefully at the scenes that surround us.

An early proponent of colour photography, Joel Meyerowitz was instrumental in bringing this method to widespread recognition and use, and is credited for expanding its global appreciation, establishing it as a fine art practice. His work since the early 1960s has made him a leading figure in the history of 20th century photography.

To mark the award, a special retrospective of works by Joel Meyerowitz will be shown at Somerset House, London, as part of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 exhibition. This showcase offers an insight into the spirit and curiosity that has characterised his practice for the past six decades. Through video and audio installations, Meyerowitz invites visitors to see from his vantage point, recalling the sense of wonder he experienced seeing the scenes in his images for the first time. In several specially commissioned new video and audio installations created in collaboration with award-winning filmmaker Chris Ryan, the photographer reflects on the process of the making of specific images, as well as charting the trajectories of his life, tracing the steps and creative turning points that have led him to the current point. The exhibition will additionally present emblematic works from across Meyerowitz’s career including his early street photography from New York and his travels to Europe, his ‘field photographs,’ focused on the colours, objects and patterns across the frame, photographs from his time in Cape Cod, and his coverage of Ground Zero.

Born in New York City, USA in 1938, Joel Meyerowitz studied painting and medical drawing at Ohio State University before working as an advertising art director. After watching the Swiss-American photographer Robert Frank shoot an advertising project for him in 1962, Meyerowitz immediately quit his job and went out onto the streets with a borrowed camera and two rolls of colour film, and embarked on a career that would make an indelible mark on the medium. While his early work was in colour, he later added Black and White to his photography. Meyerowitz’s work forms an integral part of the American photographic canon – it has appeared in over 350 exhibitions in museums and galleries across the world, and has been published in 57 monographs.

Commenting on his acceptance of the award, Joel Meyerowitz says: ‘I am honoured to be selected as this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient. The photographs I have made over the years show the world as I see it, and the moments of beauty, humour and fun that can be found everywhere, if we take the opportunity to look. I hope this exhibition will encourage visitors to look again at their surroundings and engage with all of the life that unfolds around them.’

The Outstanding Contribution to Photography award recognises the voices behind the most groundbreaking photographic work of our time. As its 19th recipient, Joel Meyerowitz joins a distinguished list of names including Mary Ellen Mark (2014), Martin Parr (2017), Graciela Iturbide (2021), Edward Burtynsky (2022), Sebastião Salgado (2024) and Susan Meiselas (2025).

Meyerowitz will be presented with his award at the annual gala ceremony in London on 16 April 2026, during an evening of celebrations where the overall winners of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 will be announced.

On the occasion of the exhibition a special talk with Joel Meyerowitz will take place on 21 April 2026. A limited number of combined exhibition and talk tickets will be available – register here to stay up to date.

For more information about the Sony World Photography Awards and upcoming announcements and events, please visit worldphoto.org.

AMAZI Celebrates 10 Years of Purposeful Beauty

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AMAZI Celebrates 10 Years of Purposeful Beauty

Ten years ago, the global beauty industry was booming. The global rise of influencer culture, tutorials, and product hauls was shaping an industry obsessed with perfection, but offering little space for something deeper. In the thick of it, Sekela Lisa Mgcotyelwa and Divya Vasant chose a different path. They didn’t want to sell beauty ideals. They wanted to build beauty that means something.

AMAZI was founded in 2015 with a mission to use beauty as a tool for economic inclusion, uplifting young women into employment through skills development and opportunities. Built on a hybrid model with a for-profit arm (AMAZI Beauty) and a non-profit training academy (AMAZI Academy) the brand has become an example of what sustainable impact looks like.

A Decade of Defying the Odds

From humble beginnings, AMAZI has spent the past decade turning purpose into power. “We opened our very first store in Maynard Mall in December 2015 with a ton of hope and not very much else,” reflects Divya Vasant, CEO at AMAZI. “We were located next to a fried chicken shop which wasn’t the ideal destination for a beauty brand, but we defied the odds and made it work.”

Over the years, their milestones have been hard-won and deeply personal. AMAZI’s decade-long journey is marked by meaningful turning points: the opening of its first Academy in 2018, surviving and pivoting through COVID-19, launching a self-manufactured skincare range made with African-sourced ingredients, and securing a game-changing retail partnership with Woolworths. Each achievement is a reflection of the brand’s unrelenting belief that beauty can, and should be, be a tool for transformation.

A Model Built on Purpose and Grit

The road to success wasn’t paved with instant wins. Divya recalls, “I invested all my savings into opening Maynard Mall and supporting the original group of women we trained into employment. I didn’t take a salary for the first three years to make sure every Rand was available to reinvest.”

Even as the brand grew, there were moments that tested their resolve. “We’ve walked away from big partnerships that didn’t respect our mission. We chose to grow slower and more intentionally, even when it felt harder.” The sacrifices have paid off in deeply meaningful ways. AMAZI now operates in over 30 locations, with every service performed by a woman who was once unemployed.

But beyond retail growth, one of their proudest achievements has been introducing healthcare benefits for every woman in the company. “We always dreamed of building a brand that doesn’t just create jobs but also removes the barriers that make it hard for women to keep them,” says Divya. “Access to healthcare is one of those barriers, and we’re proud to have made it part of our offering.”

The Power of Women Leading Women

At its heart, AMAZI is a brand built by women, for women. “When a young woman walks up to you after training and says, ‘One day I’ll be you,’ it’s a reminder of the power and responsibility that comes with representation,” Divya says. “You are the template for what unleashing your ambition and dreaming big looks like.”

At AMAZI, empathy is a daily practice. “We often draw on empathy either to place ourselves in the shoes of the young women we innovate employment solutions for or in the shoes of our customers, because we always want to stay focused on solving for a need.” But that doesn’t mean compromising on standards. “A common misconception about our leadership team is that we’re soft because we’re women,” Divya shares. “We’ve learned how to draw on both our feminine and masculine energy to lead with understanding, and with accountability. That balance is what shapes our culture.”

People, Purpose & Possibility

“When we started, success was about proving ourselves,” Divya reflects. “It was about growing, surviving the hard months, pushing forward no matter what.” Ten years in, success means something different to Lisa and Divya. “Now, success for me is less urgent,” says Divya, “It’s seeing a happy, aligned team that wins every day. It’s being content with where we are as a brand and being grateful for what we’ve built even with growth as a continued aspiration.”

Looking back, the shifts in the beauty and social impact space have only confirmed the importance of AMAZI’s hybrid model. What started with a dream has now grown into a national brand with real-world impact.

Looking to the future, AMAZI’s founders remain steadfast in their mission to leave every life they touch better than they found it. Whether it’s a customer seeking self-care or a young woman walking into the Academy for the first time, AMAZI is there to meet her with empathy, excellence, and empowerment.

 

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