Lisakanya Venna

2 weeks ago | dailymaverick.co.za | Lisakanya Venna

South Africa’s small, medium and micro enterprises sector is facing unprecedented challenges, from regulatory hurdles to funding constraints, threatening the very lifeblood of the economy. As the backbone of South Africa’s economy, small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) account for more than 90% of all formal businesses.

3 weeks ago | dailymaverick.co.za | Lisakanya Venna

LEGAL SHOWDOWN The protracted legal dispute between the Board of Healthcare Funders and the Council for Medical Schemes over low-cost benefit options has entered another chapter following recent developments in the North Gauteng Division of the High Court. The North Gauteng Division of the High Court this week dismissed the Board of Healthcare Funders’ application to compel the Council for Medical Schemes to permit medical schemes to offer low-cost benefit options.

3 weeks ago | dailymaverick.co.za | Lisakanya Venna

STYLISH SOLUTION The company uses AI to give last season’s stock a new lease of life, helping to address the fashion industry’s waste problem. The value of excess items in the fashion industry – a whopping $140-billion or R2.5-trillion in lost sales – is a stark reminder of the sector’s environmental and economic challenges. In South Africa, the fashion industry is also grappling with a staggering waste problem, driven in large part by the rapid growth of fast fashion.

3 weeks ago | allafrica.com | Lisakanya Venna

The South African government has withdrawn its ban on cannabis and hemp foodstuffs, following public outcry and pressure from civil society organisations, easing tensions for sellers who can now resume business. Listen to this article 5 min Listen to this article 5 min The South African government has withdrawn its contentious regulations banning the sale, importation and manufacture of food products containing hemp and cannabis.

3 weeks ago | dailymaverick.co.za | Lisakanya Venna

NEWSFLASH South African motorists can look forward to a significant drop in fuel prices come April. The fuel price gods have finally smiled upon South African motorists. For months, the pinch at the pumps has hurt pockets, but next month, the petrol price is expected to drop by almost R1 a litre. This welcome relief comes at a critical time for many households that have been battered by economic headwinds.