Ashley Lechman

Digital Editor

From outsider to industry influencer: Mirriam Fonang’s mission to transform mining from Postmasburg

Ashley Lechman|Published

With resilience and purpose, Fonang is leading the charge for women entrepreneurs in South Africa’s male-dominated mining sector.

Interest rates ease, but rising food and energy costs keep pressure on South Africans

Ashley Lechman|Published

Despite the SARB’s repo rate cut, households remain under financial pressure as food, fuel, and debt costs rise. JustMoney. co. za warns consumers not to become ...

South African women are driving retail trends

Ashley Lechman|Published

To mark Women’s Month, consumer insights agency KLA analysed YouGov Profiles data to explore how South African women are engaging with brands in 2025. The findings ...

Empowerment fund boost for SA’s circular economy

Ashley Lechman|Published

An empowerment fund created by one of South Africa’s longest-standing producer responsibility organisations is starting to deliver on its mandate to bolster small ...

Holiday Trends 2025: Why South African consumers are starting their festive shopping earlier

Ashley Lechman|Published

Consumers are planning their purchases earlier, spending more strategically, and increasingly turning to online channels to find the best value.

R5 trillion SME sector demands tangible backing

Ashley Lechman|Published

84% of SMEs expect their businesses to grow over the next 12 months, 69% are confident the economy will be conducive to growth, and confidence in access to finance ...

Watch VideoCheckers is testing SA’s 1st smart trolley – with built-in scanner and automated checkout

Ashley Lechman|Published

Called the Xpress Trolley, it allows shoppers to scan-and-bag items as they go, track a live running total, and pay directly on the trolley without needing to stand ...

SA inflation edges higher in July, but Sarb still targets lower end of range

Ashley Lechman|Published

The latest data shows that electricity prices surged by 8. 9% and water tariffs by 7. 1% in July, well above the Sarb’s 3% target.

Last call for Shoprite Group bursaries this year – now with exciting new benefit

Ashley Lechman|Published

In addition to full academic funding, bursary recipients now also receive support to obtain a driver’s license, a valuable tool for those preparing to enter the ...

Why women and youth should choose a career in tourism

Ashley Lechman|Published

With women and youth playing a critical role in the future of tourism, industry leaders are calling for a more inclusive and people-centred approach to building ...

ButtaNutt: from nut stall to national staple, Antoine van Heerden’s plant-based vision comes to life

Ashley Lechman|Published

For Antoine van Heerden, founder of ButtaNutt, the path from engineering student to food entrepreneur was shaped by family roots and a love for wholesome, local ...

Surfing the Trump tsunami: how tariffs are rocking, but not sinking South Africa

Ashley Lechman|Published

On Tuesday last week, the government submitted a revised trade offer to Washington in an effort to ease the blow.

Save on shipping: 5 practical ways SMEs can cut delivery costs

Ashley Lechman|Published

With a recent World Wide Worx report revealing the value of e-commerce in South Africa is expected to surge to over R100 billion by 2026, these mounting expenses ...

Sweet Legacy: How Simone Nel turned her grandmother’s fudge recipe into a thriving business

Ashley Lechman|Published

What began as a way for her grandmother, Rina Nel, to stay busy and earn a little extra income has become a growing artisanal fudge brand built on heritage, heart, ...

South Africa's unemployment rate rises to 33. 2% in second quarter

Ashley Lechman|Published

Amid rising unemployment levels and a fluctuating job market, South Africa faces a pivotal moment. Discover how sector trends and regional disparities are shaping ...

Murendeni Nefale: rewriting South Africa’s literacy narrative with purpose and power

Ashley Lechman|Published

Chosen Epics, is a youth-led storytelling and literacy venture.

Fuel price rollercoaster continues to impact South African households

Ashley Lechman|Published

While petrol prices drop by 28 cents in August, the sharp increase in diesel costs threatens to worsen South Africa's economic strain. Experts warn that these mixed ...

Lula sees 'green shoots' for SMEs in South Africa

Ashley Lechman|Published

Small and medium-sized businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, employing up to 60% of the private sector workforce and generating approximately 40% of the country's ...

Ex-employees still have access? The hidden cyber threat nobody talks about

Ashley Lechman|Published

The rise of the “shadow employee”: When ex-employees still have access.

KPMG appoints new CEO for South Africa to lead the business in 2026 and beyond

Ashley Lechman|Published

Joelene Pierce to take up the reins as CEO from 1 March 2026.

Squirrel Away: the South African fintech app turning gifting into investment

Ashley Lechman|Published

Squirrel Away, a first-of-its-kind platform in the local market, offers a simple yet powerful alternative to traditional gifting: instead of toys or gift cards, ...

SA Reserve Bank rate cut offers relief to consumers

Ashley Lechman|Published

This means the repo rate will decrease from 7. 25% to 7%, effectively taking the prime lending rate to the country to 10. 50% from 10. 75%.

SA Reserve Bank cuts interest rates

Ashley Lechman|Published

The central bank's Monetory Policy Committee (MPC) voted to cut the repurchase rate (repo rate) by 25 basis points (BPS), Sarb Governor Governor Lesetja Kganyago ...

Household affordability index reveals slight food price decline amid ongoing struggles

Ashley Lechman|Published

Discover the latest trends from the Household Affordability Index, revealing a slight drop in food prices for July 2025, yet highlighting significant affordability ...

Young South Africans are turning to entrepreneurship as youth unemployment soars

Ashley Lechman|Published

In the face of an unemployment crisis, young South Africans are taking matters into their own hands. Discover how a wave of youth-led startups is transforming ideas ...