Quick reads for this week

Woolworths has launched a benefits package aimed at improving the lives of more than 24,000 employees.

As of July, staff across stores and distribution centres now have access to private, day-to-day medical care.

Through the Momentum Health4Me Gold programme, employees can consult general practitioners, dentists, and optometrists, and receive both acute and chronic medication. The offering also includes risk cover and wellness support via an integrated digital platform.

“This is a game changer,” say Momentum executives Rigitte van Zyl and Damian McHugh, praising Woolworths’ commitment to affordable, quality healthcare and dignity-enhancing benefits.

Melanie Naidu, Woolworths Group people director, says, “This reflects our promise to invest in our people’s wellbeing and quality of life.”

The initiative builds on Woolworths’ Just Wage Initiative, which raised frontline pay and set a minimum hourly rate of R45, 56% above the national minimum.

MTN SA rolls out nationwide biometric ID System to combat fraud

MTN South Africa has officially launched a nationwide digital ID system featuring real-time biometrics across all its stores. Following a successful six-month pilot in 20% of outlets, the full-scale rollout marks a first for the country’s mobile sector.

According to MTN, the system enables fingerprint and facial recognition during onboarding and re-identification, significantly reducing identity fraud and speeding up contract applications. It’s a major step forward in tackling SIM swap and identity theft, persistent threats in the telecoms space.

“Our customers are at the centre of everything we do,” said Cornelia van Heerden, executive for customer operations at MTN SA. “This innovation makes their experience faster, safer, and more intuitive.”

Developed in partnership with Vigilate AI, a biometric identity tech firm. MTN says the solution offers high accuracy, scalability, and security. Daniel Hartwright, CEO of Vigilate AI, called the initiative “a landmark moment” for secure customer verification.

Absa joins SAMRRA, Signalling Growing Confidence in Multifamily Rental Sector

The South African Multifamily Residential Rental Association (SAMRRA) has welcomed Absa as its newest member, making it the second major bank to formally align with the country’s multifamily housing sector.

“This institutional partnership signals that multifamily housing is moving from emerging opportunity to mainstream investment,” says SAMRRA CEO Palesa Mkhize. “With two of South Africa’s largest banks now at the table, we’re seeing financial participation catch up with the sector’s operational maturity.”

SAMRRA says Absa’s entry marks a strong vote of confidence in a sector comprising over 75,000 purpose-built rental units and more than R40 billion in assets. With occupancy consistently above 95%, collections over 98%, and bad debt below 1%, institutional interest is surging.

“We see the multifamily rental sector as central to the future of housing in South Africa,” says Somaya Joshua of Absa CIB. “It combines social relevance with investment resilience.”

SAMRRA says it views Absa’s involvement as a catalyst for deeper collaboration, improved data transparency, and long-term alignment between capital and purpose, essential to shaping inclusive, sustainable cities for generations to come.

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