For more than five decades, the Sanlam Group Financial Journalism Awards have recognised the journalists who shape Africa’s understanding of business, markets and the economy. As the awards mark 51 years in 2026, entries are once again open, inviting reporters and storytellers from across the continent to submit work that reflects excellence, integrity and impact in financial journalism.
This week, a heavy cloud fell over South Africa as a normal school day ended in tragedy. Fourteen young lives were lost when a taxi and a truck collided, leaving families and communities shattered. As the nation mourned, grief was deepened by the spread of a fake AI-generated image falsely claiming to show the victims. Instead of bringing comfort, the misuse of technology caused further pain, reminding us that in moments of loss, truth, respect, and compassion must always come before clicks and attention.
In today’s digital world, content creation connects people and shapes ideas across the globe. Yet behind every captivating video and online campaign lies an unseen cost; the environmental toll of digital production. From high-energy data centres and AI systems to the rise of electronic waste, the digital industry contributes to pollution and climate change. As technology grows, the media sector faces a key challenge: creating meaningful stories while protecting the planet. Sustainable practices like local filming, energy-saving methods, and eco-friendly materials can help reduce this impact. When creativity meets environmental responsibility, digital media can become a powerful tool for positive change and a greener future.
COVID-19 redefined how people meet, work, and communicate. What began as a global crisis soon became a turning point for connection and collaboration, pushing the world into digital spaces that reshaped everyday life. Virtual meetings and hybrid events replaced traditional gatherings, offering flexibility and inclusion like never before. In the workplace, hybrid models emerged as a new norm, blending the freedom of remote work with the collaboration of office life.
In today’s world, where consumers demand brands to represent more than just profit, collaboration between corporations and advocacy organisations has come out as a working strategy for promoting meaningful change.