Remember when scoring an international business trip felt like winning the office lottery? Reality check: your body disagrees.

That five-day sprint to Tokyo – the one with back-to-back meetings and seven-hour time difference – is why you’re spending every weekend in recovery mode. And Monday? You’re back at your desk running on fumes.

Here’s what business travel experts now understand: it’s not you, it’s your itinerary.

“Most travellers blame themselves when they feel wrecked after business trips,” says Mummy Mafojane, GM at FCM. “They think they should sleep better, hydrate more, or hit the hotel gym. But they’re missing the fundamental issue – their bodies literally need more time to adjust.”

Enter the one-week rule – possibly the most straightforward travel wellness hack you’ll ever implement.

The concept is based on solid physiological research: your body requires approximately one day per time zone crossed to fully recalibrate its circadian rhythm. Cross six time zones, need six days. Seven zones, seven days. It’s that simple.

Yet most business trips still follow the outdated 3-5 day model, which guarantees you’re heading home precisely when your body has barely started adjusting to local time. And the fallout? Not good.

A Mailman School of Public Health study found that employees who travel extensively report higher stress levels and significantly worse health outcomes than their non-travelling colleagues. Meanwhile, World Travel Protection research revealed over half of frequent business travellers experience burnout symptoms directly tied to their travel patterns.

When your circadian rhythm is disrupted, your cognitive function takes a serious hit. Decision-making suffers. Creativity plummets. Immune function weakens. Your ability to read social cues – crucial in cross-cultural business settings – deteriorates. Add the pressure of high-stakes meetings in unfamiliar settings, and you’ve got the perfect storm for subpar performance.

“We’ve normalised the idea of pushing through jet lag,” says Mafojane. “But would you expect an athlete to compete at their peak while sleep-deprived and disoriented? Then why do we expect it from business professionals making million-rand decisions?”

THE ONE-WEEK RECOMMENDATION

Mafojane says travel management companies (TMCs) like FCM are increasingly recommending a wellness-forward approach.

“Companies need to have candid conversations about the hidden costs of compressed trips,” says Mafojane. “When executives understand they’re potentially operating at 60-70% capacity during these quick trips – and the business implications of that – the one-week rule suddenly makes perfect sense.”

ADAPTING YOUR TRAVEL POLICY

For organisations serious about implementing the one-week rule, Mafojane recommends a phased approach to policy updates:

“Start with your highest-value international trips – those crossing five or more time zones with significant business impact,” she advises. She suggests companies first target traveller segments most affected by jet lag: executives over 50, team members with health considerations and those making presentations or negotiations within 24 hours of arrival.

“Document the business case beyond wellness,” Mafojane emphasises. “Better preparation, stronger relationship-building, higher-quality decision-making – these are measurable advantages of properly timed trips.”

Even for organisations unable to immediately implement the full one-week policy, Mafojane recommends incremental improvements: “Add just one adaptation day to existing trips. Allow work-from-hotel mornings after overnight flights. Create space in the schedule for recovery. Even small changes yield significant benefits.”

Beyond extending your stay, these strategies can dramatically improve your travel experience she says:

Book daytime arrivals

Landing during daylight hours gives your body crucial light exposure that helps reset your internal clock faster. Mafojane recommends prioritising these arrival times over rock-bottom fares when possible.

Sleep-proof your hotel 

“Look beyond the standard hotel amenities,” says Mafojane. “Quality blackout curtains, rooms away from lifts, premium bedding – these aren’t luxuries, they’re recovery tools.” She suggests requesting these specifications when booking accommodations.

Build in buffer zones 

Schedule at least one full day before critical presentations or negotiations when crossing multiple time zones. Similarly, avoid packing your calendar the day you return home.

Log off meaningfully 

“Travellers should establish clear availability windows while abroad,” says Mafojane. “Constant connectivity to the home office disrupts your ability to adapt to local time.” She recommends setting travel communication protocols that protect adjustment periods.

Bonitas Medical Fund has once again proven its industry leadership by securing the Titanium Award for Service to Membership: Operational Performance at the prestigious Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) Titanium Awards. This year marks four consecutive wins for Bonitas.

The awards, held annually, are considered a benchmark for excellence in the healthcare funding industry, honouring medical schemes, administrators and managed care organisations that consistently deliver outstanding value and service to their members.

Bonitas was also shortlisted in two other high-profile categories:

• Best Integrated Report: Health Funders/Medical Schemes (Category 2)
• Service to Membership: Member Service (Category 5A)

“This fourth consecutive win is a testament to our unwavering focus on operational excellence, affordability and healthcare quality,” says Lee Callakoppen, Principal Officer of Bonitas Medical Fund. “To be recognised by the BHF yet again, in a category that so closely reflects our core purpose, is both an honour and a validation of the strategy we’ve worked hard to implement.”

The Operational Performance category required nominees to provide extensive evidence of how they deliver on key industry metrics, including:

• Sustainable membership growth over three years
• A strong credit rating
• Competitive contribution increases
• Rigorous health governance practices
• Comprehensive preventative and risk benefits

“Our goal has always been to deliver real value to our members. This means providing healthcare that is not only affordable but also underpinned by solid governance, smart risk management and a proactive focus on prevention,” added Callakoppen.

He adds that Bonitas’ consistent recognition in this category underscores its role in reshaping South Africa’s healthcare ecosystem, commenting that the Scheme’s ongoing efforts to innovate, remain agile and serve members from all walks of life have enabled it to stay relevant and trusted in a competitive, ever-evolving industry.

“Our members remain at the heart of everything we do, and this award is for them, serving as a signal that we are delivering on our promise to be the Medical Aid for South Africa,” concluded Callakoppen.

The National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA), a public entity under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), proudly joins the global scientific community in commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention,a historic treaty signed in Paris on 20 May 1875 that laid the foundation for today’s global system of measurement.

This momentous occasion will be celebrated around the world on World Metrology Day, under the theme: “Measurements for all times, for all people” – a powerful reminder of how measurement touches every corner of modern life.

Why Measurements Matter to You

Whether you’re filling your car with petrol, buying fruit by weight, paying for electricity, or trusting a medical diagnosis, you’re relying on measurements. But behind these everyday interactions lies a vast and precise system that ensures fairness, safety, and trust. In South Africa, that system is led by NMISA.

From ensuring the accuracy of your electricity meter, to verifying the fuel dispensed at service stations, and backing the reliability of medical equipment, NMISA works tirelessly to guarantee that every measurement counts. We support national health systems, food safety, trade, manufacturing, and even the energy transition, all through the science of measurement.

A Legacy of Precision. A Future of Innovation

The Metre Convention created the blueprint for international collaboration in measurement, which remains the bedrock of global trade, scientific advancement, and technological innovation. Today, metrology powers fields as diverse as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and climate
science.

At NMISA, we’re not just keeping pace, we’re setting the standard. Our experts are collaborating across the continent to develop emission factors for sustainable agriculture, produce certified reference materials for health laboratories, and strengthen forensic science through metrological traceability, and build measurement systems to verify the integrity of green hydrogen. This work ensures that South African products are not only competitive but trusted globally because their measurements are accurate, defensible, and aligned with international benchmarks.

A Call to Celebrate and Engage

World Metrology Day is recognised by UNESCO as a global day of observance, honouring the role of measurement in driving inclusive, sustainable development. This year, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) is hosting a free virtual event from 20–22 May 2025, featuring leading experts and interactive discussions on how metrology shapes economies, industries, and societies. The event will be streamed live and is open to all interested stakeholders.

Access the video content at: Link

Real-life African customer experiences and transformation journeys will be a strong focus at this year’s SAPHILA 2025, the African SAP User Group’s (AFSUG) local biennial SAP user conference. A number of leading local organisations will take to the stage to share their successes, challenges and lessons learned in leveraging SAP technologies at the upcoming event, which is set to take place from 01 to 03 June 2025 at Sun City in South Africa’s North-West Province.

Day one of SAPHILA features an Executive Fireside Chat, where Sergio Maccotta, SAP’s SVP and GM for Middle East Africa – South, will host a panel discussion with Aubrey Mochela, the City of Johannesburg’s Group Chief Technology Officer, and Mandla Ngcobo, Deputy Director-General: eGovernment and Chief Government Information Officer at the South African Department of Public Service and Administration.

Also on the first day of the conference Jan Harm Griesel, Head of Applications, and Eben Truter, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Dis-Chem, will discuss how the pharmaceutical retail group effectively de-risked and accelerated its S/4HANA RISE transformation. In addition, Bushy Thebehali, Aspen Pharmacare’s SAP Extended Services Manager, will highlight Aspen’s metamorphosis.

Day two of SAPHILA continues the customer-centric theme, with several prominent African organisations set to share their SAP journeys.

• Dinesh Ramasamy of Said Salim Bakhresa & Company,the flagship company of the Bakhresa Group, will present on its experience in the deployment, consumption and adoption of SAP technologies.
• Sasol’s Vice President of Supply Chain Services and Leverage Sourcing, Hendrik Steynberg, will unpack the company’s story in a session titled ‘Transforming Procurement: Sasol’s Journey to Innovation and Efficiency with SAP Solutions’.
• From Mozambique, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH) – the country’s national energy company – will share its success with SAP S/4 RISE and SuccessFactors, presented by Director of Information Systems, Inácio Mateus Fumo.

• In the local transport sector, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA) Vukile Nduli will explore how it is leveraging SAP to digitise and track assets, creating a digital twin framework that enhances visibility and control.
• Further insights will be shared by Nick Jackson, CIO of the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation, discussing the expansion of the company’s public cloud ERP system with SAP SuccessFactors.
• Dis-Chem returns to the stage with Dawid Oelofse, Supply Chain Executive, revealing how the group has implemented over 100 automated warehouse management processes.
• Tatenda Mandeya, Group IT Manager at Northern Tobacco will co-present with Carsten Friedman of SAP on how IT supports sustainability in tobacco sourcing in rural Zimbabwe.
• Tiger Brands’ Ntsako Ngobeni, S&OP Capability Manager, will explain how the food and beverage giant has reimagined its planning function to enable end-to-end optimisation and improved working capital efficiency.
• Nedbank’s Justin Tobias will present with Felix Chebeli from Strafore Tech the bank’s success in test automation using Tricentis and SAP Solution Manager.
• Simon Marlin, GM of IT at Toyota South Africa Motors, will walk the audience through Toyota’s S/4HANA transition.
• Ashlita Barlow, Head of Retail Technologies at the Shoprite Group, will showcase how SAP Fiori and BTP are driving business changeby improving stock availability, ensuring transaction accuracy, and reducing waste.
• Rounding out the customer stories, Regardt Wolvaardt, Solutions Architect at PG Group, will share insights on how digital supply chain planning has enabled unified operations.
• Finally, Chris Kien, Enterprise Solution Architect at Implats, will present on driving efficiency and agility through the organisation’s SAP S/4HANA transformation.

“SAPHILA has always been about more than just technology – it’s a space for meaningful collaboration, shared learning, and community,” explains Amanda Gibbs, AFSUG CEO. “In 2025, we’re placing an even greater spotlight on African success stories, because our local customers have such valuable experiences to share. It’s important that we learn from each other, celebrate progress and inspire the next wave of transformation across the continent,” she concludes.

Register now to attend SAPHILA 2025 by clicking here. To become an AFSUG member, please visit https://afsug.com/membership-information/.