Ashley Lechman

Digital Editor

Luxury shopping redefined: Glamorizta brings a personalised experience to Johannesburg

Ashley Lechman|Published

Discover how Glamorizta is transforming the luxury shopping experience in Johannesburg, bridging the gap between aspirational fashion and accessible style, and redefining ...

Enoch Godongwana preps for third budget presentation, without VAT hike

Ashley Lechman|Published

Enoch Godongwana, South Africa's Finance Minister, prepares for his third Budget Speech, this time without a VAT increase. Amid public discontent and political challenges, ...

Understanding the surge in South Africa's unemployment

Ashley Lechman|Published

Statistics South Africa reports a troubling rise in unemployment, now at 32. 9%, with significant implications for the economy and youth. Experts call for urgent ...

South Africa's budget 3. 0 predictions: tough choices lie ahead

Ashley Lechman|Published

Frank Blackmore, Lead Economist at KPMG South Africa, has highlighted a key takeaway: the anticipated increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) will no longer materialise, ...

World Union of Wholesale Markets Conference highlights Africa's role in global food security

Ashley Lechman|Published

Industry leaders and government officials gathered in Johannesburg for the World Union of Wholesale Markets Conference, focusing on Africa's pivotal role in global ...

No rate cut by SA Reserve Bank predicted in May

Ashley Lechman|Published

Despite inflation being the lowest it has been since June 2020, economists widely anticipate that the central bank will keep the repo rate unchanged in May.

Will the fuel cut really make a difference in the lives of SA consumers?

Ashley Lechman|Published

This past week the DMRE published the official fuel price adjustments that took effect on Wednesday, 7 May, announcing a cut in the price of petrol of 22 cents per ...

Cosatu extremely concerned about crises at Daybreak

Ashley Lechman|Published

Daybreak Foods grapples with severe financial difficulties, leading to a shocking culling of poultry and protests from unpaid workers. The company seeks assistance ...

How local SMEs can leverage cross-border e-commerce opportunities

Ashley Lechman|Published

The rise of cross-border e-commerce trade is unlocking new opportunities for South African businesses eager to expand their reach and revenue.

Real costs and implications of an unpredictable political landscape for SMEs

Ashley Lechman|Published

This month, Miguel da Silva, Group Executive: Business Banking at TymeBank, looked at the very real costs and implications of an unpredictable political landscape ...

South Africa's food prices rise sharply despite easing inflation

Ashley Lechman|Published

Despite a slight easing in inflation, South Africa's food prices have surged, leaving workers struggling to afford basic necessities.

Coalition politics and budget cuts: What to expect from Godongwana's upcoming speech

Ashley Lechman|Published

"Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to deliver a third Budget Speech on 21 May, following political debates surrounding VAT increases and the need for fiscal ...

South Africa faces mounting budget pressures as finance minister unveils new fiscal plans

Ashley Lechman|Published

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana addressed South Africa's ongoing budget crisis, detailing the recent VAT changes and the implications for the country's fiscal ...

Spotify’s AI Playlist now available in South Africa, enhancing music discovery

Ashley Lechman|Published

The music streaming giant announced that it is bringing Premium users in more than 40 markets another feature to turn users most creative ideas into playlists by ...

Cybersecurity: how the Cell C and SABS attacks could have been prevented

Ashley Lechman|Published

Two recent, high-profile cyberattacks—one on mobile telecommunications provider Cell C and another on the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)—have rocked South Africa. ...

The implications of WhatsApp's new AI features on user privacy

Ashley Lechman|Published

There has been growing debate around what it means for user privacy and the future of encrypted messaging.

Going beyond the code, investing in Girls in ICT is a future investment

Ashley Lechman|Published

Despite strides in awareness, the numbers remain sobering, with 30% of science and ICT professionals are woman, globally.

Tariff wars pose new challenges for Africa's cross-border payments and economic growth

Ashley Lechman|Published

With the global economy in flux, discover how tariff wars are reshaping Africa's cross-border payments and what it means for future trade opportunities. Will Africa's ...

Scrapped VAT increase: What it means for consumers and businesses

Ashley Lechman|Published

South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announces the reversal of the proposed VAT increase, providing short-term relief for consumers and businesses. This ...

Finance Minister’s decision to withdraw VAT increase brings relief to consumers

Ashley Lechman|Published

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced this past Thursday that the National Treasury will no longer be implementing the controversial 0. 5 percentage points ...

MTN Group reports cybersecurity incident affecting customer data

Ashley Lechman|Published

MTN Group has confirmed a cybersecurity incident resulting in unauthorised access to customer data. The telecommunications giant assures that core systems remain ...

VAT victory should see Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana adjusting projected growth rate

Ashley Lechman|Published

Frank Blackmore, lead Economist at KPMG, told Business Report that he thinks this was good news for most South Africans as it spares them an additional stress of ...

Inflation down to a 5-year low, time to cut the interest rate, says Seef

Ashley Lechman|Published

The inflation rate has now fallen to a 5-year low, and is well below the Reserve Bank’s target range of 3%-6%.

SACCI Business Confidence Index indicates cautious optimism for South African SMEs

Ashley Lechman|Published

While there are indications of improved confidence, industry experts warn that complacency is far from advisable, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises ...

Report reveals what has, and hasn’t, changed in the lives of consumers since the pandemic

Ashley Lechman|Published

To help businesses gain a sharper understanding of their consumers five years on from the announcement of the lockdown, The Up&Up Group and KLA have released a white ...