JSE-listed higher education provider STADIO plans to develop a new comprehensive campus in the Western Cape, with the first phase set to launch in mid-2025. Located in Durbanville, in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, the new campus plans to offer schools in education, IT, law, media and design, commerce, architecture, and engineering, with a planned capacity of between 4 000 and 5 000 contact learning students. The campus will officially welcome students in the 2026 academic year.

Broadening access to higher education

Chris Vorster, Chief Executive Officer at STADIO, explains that developing the new campus is part of the group’s strategy. “Our vision is to broaden access to higher education in South Africa, with a goal of accommodating 100 000 students in time, 80% of whom will be distance learning students and 20% contact learning students,” he says. “This means we need to accommodate 20 000 contact learning students, and the Durbanville campus, along with our other campus strategies, will provide us with sufficient capacity to achieve this. Broadening access to tertiary education involves much more than merely creating spaces for more students; it’s about offering alternative pathways into tertiary education.”

STADIO’s strategy is to rather invest in a few comprehensive campuses as opposed to having various small campuses. In this regard, the Durbanville campus will offer higher certificate qualifications as well as undergraduate degrees and post-graduate programmes.

Vorster says the new campus will help to underpin STADIO’s national footprint by creating a private tertiary education hub that rivals the Western Cape province’s four public universities. “There is huge demand for higher education in the province and just not enough tertiary institution supply,” he says. “Our new campus will tap into the rapidly growing economy in the northern suburbs, including the planned Cape Winelands Airport, and create job opportunities, enable development in this new hub, as well as offer an alternative to commuting to one of the public universities in the region.”

Comprehensive and community-focused

The campus, envisioned to be 13 000m² of buildings at completion, will be launched in phases, starting in mid-2025 with the access points, roads, first academic blocks, offices, lecture halls and parking facilities. In February 2026, a rugby field complying with the International Rugby Board’s Artificial Rugby Turf specifications, will follow. This field will be suitable for international rugby games.

Vorster adds that the campus will benefit the entire STADIO community, which comprises students, staff and investors. “For students, we’re offering a variety of qualifications, including higher certificates as bridging courses to degrees for those who passed Matric without university exemption,” he explains. “Those who choose to do their postgraduate studies with us automatically become shareholders through our STADIO Khulisa Student Share Scheme upon graduation. Additionally, students in the area will save on transport by not having to travel to other institutions in Stellenbosch or Cape Town.”

For staff, there will be new employment opportunities created, but Vorster adds that the institution has growth structures in place that allow for professional development. All permanent staff employed by STADIO for more than a year and who are not active participants in STADIO’s long-term incentive scheme qualify for the STADIO Staff Phantom Share Scheme. This scheme pays returns aligned with STADIO’s annual declared dividend.

“As our student numbers grow at the Durbanville campus, our shareholders will ultimately benefit from this investment,” adds Vorster.

Campus life

The STADIO Durbanville site development plan has been designed by BPAS Architects and attention has been given to ensuring the campus will not only be functional but attractive and sustainable too. “For instance, we have allowed for free flow of pedestrian traffic between the buildings while ensuring there is minimal vehicle traffic. We have also implemented measures like rainwater harvesting and waterwise landscaping across the entire site,” Vorster explains.

STADIO is in discussions with developers to ensure a range of student accommodation options and other facilities are available. This includes, for example, an underpass built between the STADIO campus and Curro Durbanville, allowing for the campus’ sports facilities to be shared.

“Apart from investing in sports facilities, such as our rugby field and multi-sport courts, we are building relationships with sports clubs in the area to offer students opportunities to compete at competitive levels.”

Vorster concludes that STADIO Durbanville’s comprehensive campus will be equipped to offer a full student experience, on par with any other higher education institution in the country.

Westcon-Comstor, a global technology provider and specialist distributor, today announced an expansion of its partnership with Weblib, a leading vendor of intelligent Wi-Fi solutions, to cover the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

The two companies have a long-standing relationship in France. Under the newly-expanded distribution agreement, Westcon-Comstor will work with its EMEA-wide network of channel partners to scale adoption of Weblib’s UCOPIA Wi-Fi solution for enterprises, trade shows, stadiums and public sector organisations.

Partners across EMEA can leverage Weblib technology wrapped in Westcon-Comstor’s range of value-added services spanning technical enablement, education, training and data-driven sales and marketing programmes.

Combining state-of-the-art technology with a deep understanding of customer needs, Weblib/UCOPIA lets its partners maintain complete control over their networks while gaining valuable privacy-compliant insights into usage behaviour. Its solutions are used in sectors such as retail, hospitality, education and healthcare, helping to increase customer satisfaction while improving operational efficiency.

Weblib’s technology partners include existing Westcon-Comstor vendors Cisco, HPE, Extreme Networks, Juniper Networks and Ruckus Networks. Compatibility between Weblib’s UCOPIA solution and these vendors’ products will enable Westcon-Comstor to accelerate growth by giving partners and their customers access to integrated multi-vendor solutions.

“It’s a real honour to be taking our successful collaboration with Weblib UCOPIA to the regional stage through this EMEA-wide agreement,” said Marianne Nickenig, VP Networking EMEA & VP Revenue Operations EU, Westcon Europe at Westcon-Comstor. “Our two businesses have a strong relationship built on a history of trust, collaboration and working to achieve shared goals. We look forward to scaling the Weblib business across the region, fuelled by its in-demand technology and its integrations and partnerships with several of our key strategic vendors.”

“Our mission is to deliver world-class connectivity and outstanding user experiences, and our distribution partners including Westcon-Comstor are central to this,” said Sébastien Bloch, Vice President of Sales at Weblib. “Based on our successful collaboration in France, we are excited to what we can achieve with Westcon-Comstor across the wider EMEA region.”

Pizza lovers across the country have a new reason to give in to their pizza cravings. Debonairs Pizza, South Africa’s leading pizza brand announces the launch of its latest menu, introducing innovative new offerings that promise to redefine the pizza experience for customers.

As one of the country’s most loved pizza brands since its founding in 1991, Debonairs Pizza is proud to unveil South Africa’s first-ever PIZZAWRAP®, a reimagined ON THE DOUBLE® range, an all-new Pepperoni Pizza, exciting new sides and expanded Real Deal range catering for different occasions and experiences.

The groundbreaking PIZZAWRAP® is SA’s newest must-have ultimate on-the-go meal. Taste that fits in your hand and your daily hustle, the PIZZAWRAP is easy to hold, easy to eat and impossible to resist. It’s a pizza that moves with you in a triangular tortilla-style wrap loaded with toppings and cheese in every bite.

Known for their iconic pizzas, Debonairs Pizza is consistently pioneering ground-breaking new products and offerings to meet the evolving tastes of its customers. “Innovation is core to our brand. Our latest menu reflects our commitment to continually pushing boundaries, bringing our customers something new and exciting while still providing good value” says Mmaphuti Rankapole, Marketing Executive at Debonairs Pizza.

A Commitment to Quality and Affordability

“Our customers shouldn’t have to choose between a great quality pizza and affordability. We know that the cost of living continues to rise, so we’re keeping our menu affordable while making sure to provide the quality, flavour and abundance our customers expect,” says Rankapole.

“Value is at the heart of our new menu offering great taste and amazing value at every price point. Our popular ON THE DOUBLE® deal is back, now offering TWO Pizzas at ONE great price.”  This time, the brand has expanded the deal to their Clazzics & Deluxe ranges, giving more choice and more value.

On a Side Note.

Debonairs Pizza has also expanded their range of sides, making sure that pizza time is about more than just pizza, it’s also about a feast. “Our Full Chicken Wings are the perfect companion to your favourite pizza in two bold flavours, because pizza and wings are made for sharing after all.” The pizza giant has also added Chicken Shots to the menu. These crispy bites, with a Sweet Chilli or BBQ dipping sauce, are the perfect go-to snack.

Other AMAZING New Menu Highlights

• The much-anticipated Pepperoni Pizza is finally here, abundantly topped edge to edge with a new improved spicy pepperoni.
• The Real Deal is also reimagined and back on the menu in six exciting flavours, with a new Chicken & Spicy Pine flavour added to the range.

Available Nationwide

Debonairs Pizza’s new menu reflects the brand’s continued effort to meet the evolving tastes of its customers while maintaining the high standards for which they’re known. Customers can now enjoy the new menu offerings at Debonairs Pizza restaurants across the country, available for delivery or takeaway.

Whether you’re looking for a quick bite on the go or planning to share with friends and family, the new menu promises to deliver something amazing.

For more details, visit www.debonairspizza.co.za. Now that’s a wrap!

The world is changing at a breakneck pace, and organisations that do not adapt to the shifting demographics of their workforce and customer base are at risk of becoming obsolete. Embracing diversity is no longer optional; it’s a business imperative for success.

The power of inclusion
The traditional, homogenous workplace is a thing of the past. Diverse teams bring a unique blend of perspectives, experiences, and skills to the table, fuelling creativity and innovation. By challenging the status quo and embracing differences, organisations can tap into a vast reservoir of immeasurable potential. Diverse perspectives also enhance problem-solving capabilities, enabling teams to address complex challenges from multiple angles.

However, diversity without inclusion is like a high-performance car without fuel. Creating an inclusive environment—where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered is essential for harnessing the benefits of a diverse workforce. When employees feel a sense of belonging, they are more likely to contribute their best ideas, collaborate effectively, and remain engaged in their work.

 Leveraging unique strengths
For organisations to achieve extraordinary results, they must harness the unique strengths of their diverse workforce. By creating a culture that values individual contributions, companies can empower employees to reach their full potential as part of high-performance teams.

One of the most effective ways to leverage diversity is by encouraging diverse thought leadership. This involves recognising and promoting individuals from diverse backgrounds who have valuable insights and expertise. By elevating these individuals, organisations can create a more inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

Diverse thought leaders are essential in nurturing a culture of innovation. When employees from different backgrounds feel safe and supported, they are more likely to share their ideas and challenge the status quo. This can lead to groundbreaking innovations that would not have been possible in a more homogenous environment.

Celebrating differences is another key strategy for leveraging diversity. By acknowledging and appreciating the unique perspectives and contributions of each team member, organisations can create a more positive and inclusive work environment. This can boost employee morale, engagement, and productivity. Additionally, it is important to measure and monitor progress in diversity and inclusion initiatives. By tracking metrics such as employee satisfaction, retention rates, and innovation output, organisations can identify areas for improvement and celebrate their successes.

Overcoming obstacles
While embracing diversity is essential, it comes with challenges, as some employees may resist change or hold unconscious biases. To overcome these obstacles, it’s essential for organisations to provide education, training, and support at all levels. Cultural awareness training can help employees understand and appreciate different cultures, traditions, and sensitivities, reducing bias and promoting respect among team members.

Inclusive communication is essential for creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all employees. By fostering open and honest communication, organisations can ensure that all employees feel heard and valued. Mentorship programmes can provide valuable support and guidance for employees from diverse backgrounds. By pairing employees with mentors who can offer advice and encouragement, organisations can help them succeed and feel more included.

Flexible work arrangements can accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of employees. By offering options such as remote work, flexible hours, or job sharing, organisations can make it easier for employees to balance their work and personal lives. Internal diversity and inclusion initiatives help create a more accommodating workplace, while employee resource groups and unconscious bias training can provide employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

Facing the future of work
The future of work is increasingly global, diverse, and interconnected. Organisations that fail to adapt will struggle to compete, but by embracing diversity and creating inclusive work environments, businesses can position themselves for long-term success and contribute to a more equitable and just society. Diverse teams can better understand and serve varied customer bases, leading to greater market success. Additionally, organisations that champion diversity inspire positive social change, demonstrating the power of inclusion and collaboration.

In this new global reality, embracing diversity is the key to thriving in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

About Infobip

Infobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected experiences across all stages of the customer journey. Accessed through a single platform, Infobip’s omnichannel customised engagement, customer segmentation and profile management, user authentication and contact centre solutions help businesses and partners overcome the complexity of consumer communications to grow business and increase loyalty. With over a decade of industry experience, Infobip has expanded to 70+ offices globally. It offers natively built technology with the capacity to reach over seven billion mobile devices and ‘things’ in 6 continents connected to over 9,700+ connections of which 800+ are direct operator connections. Infobip was established in 2006 and is led by its co-founders, CEO Silvio Kutić, Roberto Kutić and Izabel Jelenić.

Recent award wins include:

• Infobip named a leader in the CPaaS Leaderboard, Juniper Research (February 2023)
• Infobip named a leader in the CCaaS Leaderboard, Juniper Research (Aug 2022)
• Omdia Ranks Infobip as Leader in CPaaS Universe Report (May 2022)
• Ranked the leading service provider in CPaaS by Juniper Research in its new Competitor Leaderboard CPaaS Vendors (October 2021)
• Infobip named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) 2021 Vendor Assessment (doc #US46746221, May 2021)
• Best A2P SMS provider for the fourth year running by mobile operators and enterprises in ROCCO’s annual Messaging Vendor Benchmarking Report
• Best CPaaS Provider of the Year, Best RCS Provider of the Year, and Mover & Shaker in Telco Innovation at the 2021 Juniper Digital Awards

As South Africans prepare to review their medical aid plans ahead of the window for change leading up to December, many are grappling with the difficult decision of whether to downgrade their cover. Rising costs and ongoing economic pressures have led an increasing number of individuals and families to seek more affordable medical aid options. However, while downgrading may be an immediate cost-saving measure, it is crucial to understand how this decision impacts overall coverage and why adding gap cover should be a vital part of your strategy.

The consequences of downgrading medical aid plans

In 2025, medical aid contributions are expected to rise significantly, with many schemes projecting increases in the 10-15% range, far outstripping the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and most people’s salary increases. These hikes pose a major financial challenge, especially for the average family whose income growth may not keep pace with the rising costs of healthcare. As a result, many are choosing to downgrade from comprehensive plans to more affordable options, often focusing on hospital cover while choosing to manage day-to-day medical expenses out-of-pocket.

However, downgrading often comes with hidden costs. Lower-tier medical aid plans may only cover 100-200% of the scheme rate, while medical specialists and healthcare providers frequently charge significantly more than this. This leaves you vulnerable to substantial out-of-pocket expenses, particularly for specialist care or hospital procedures. As a result, gap cover, which is designed to cover the shortfall between what medical schemes pay and what healthcare providers charge, becomes increasingly essential when downgrading your medical aid.

The vital role of gap cover

When you downgrade your medical aid plan, you may face more co-payments, reduced benefits, and sub-limits on procedures that previously had unlimited coverage. Gap cover serves as a critical financial buffer, protecting you from these unexpected medical expense shortfalls. However, it is important to note that many medical aids are making changes to existing plans for 2025, with increased co-payments and reduced benefits, and potential sub-limits on procedures that previously had full coverage. This means you need to be more informed than ever, not only if you are thinking of downgrading, because changes may affect your existing plan as well.

By incorporating gap cover, you can safeguard against these potential shortfalls and ensure that you are not caught off-guard by additional expenses. This safety net can help you navigate the complex and evolving healthcare landscape in South Africa, ensuring that you remain adequately covered, even in challenging economic times, particularly as medical schemes change the way their cover operates.

Evaluating your medical aid and gap cover options

When reviewing your medical aid policy, it is essential to assess how well it meets your current and future needs, including factors such as affordability and coverage limits. Navigating the complexity of this often requires expert advice, which is why your broker is an invaluable resource. Brokers have an in-depth understanding of the medical aid landscape and can guide you in making the most informed decision for your unique needs, whether you are downgrading your plan or considering other options.

Your broker can help you understand the potential shortfalls that come with a downgrade and ensure you have the right gap cover to supplement your plan. They will also assist you in reviewing your policy schedule, interpreting medical aid terminology, and comparing plans to ensure that you are fully aware of the benefits and changes heading into 2025. The right broker will work with you to find a medical aid plan and gap cover that align with your life stage, financial situation, and healthcare needs.

Ultimately, working with your broker to ensure you have the right medical aid plan and gap cover will provide peace of mind and protect your financial wellbeing in an ever-changing healthcare environment. With the right guidance from a knowledgeable broker, you can make informed decisions that safeguard both your healthcare and your financial future.

About Turnberry Management Risk Solutions

Founded in 2001, Turnberry is a registered financial services provider (FSP no. 36571) that specialises in Accident and Health Insurance, Travel Insurance, and Funeral Cover.

With extensive experience across healthcare and insurance industries in South Africa, Turnberry offers unsurpassed service to Brokers and clients. Turnberry’s gap cover products are available to clients on all medical aid schemes, as they are independently provided and are therefore transferable in the event of a change in the client’s medical aid scheme.

Turnberry is well represented nationally, with its Head Office based in Bedfordview, Johannesburg with Business Development Managers in Cape Town and Durban. The Turnberry Team’s focus on outstanding client service comes from having extensive knowledge and experience in the financial services sector and is underwritten by Lombard Insurance Company Limited. Lombard Insurance Company Limited is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 1596) and Insurer conducting non-life insurance business.