Apply for a bursary

The Shoprite Group has opened applications for its 2026 bursary programme, offering financial support and a guaranteed pathway into employment for ambitious students in retail business management, accounting, supply chain and logistics and biological and agricultural sciences.

The bursary covers tuition and accommodation, includes a monthly grocery allowance, provides wellbeing support services through the Group’s Employee Assistance Programme, and incorporates a work-back agreement ensuring a direct transition from graduation into employment within the company.

Applications close on May 31.

Got to shopriteholdings.co.za for more info about the bursary programme and how to apply.

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Good news for the automotive sector

MISA (Motor Industry Staff Association) welcomes South Africa’s inclusion in the extension of AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) as it will benefit the country’s vehicle and automotive part exports. Under AGOA, more than 1 800 South African products and goods were exported to the US duty-free.

The suspension of AGOA severely impacted South Africa’s vehicle and part exports in 2025, plummeting by 55% to 80% year-on-year, falling from R26.5 billion (Jan-July 2024) to R9.8 billion in 2025.

From the beginning of August 2025, South Africa was subjected to a 30% blanket tariff, which further increased the cost for US businesses importing vehicles from South Africa. This put South Africa at a significant disadvantage compared to other countries exporting vehicles to the United States, which only pay 25%.

Vet your employees

You need to know you can trust the people who work in your home and on your property while you are away, said Charnel Hattingh, group head of marketing and communications at Fidelity Services Group.

Often in cases of break-ins and house robberies, inside information has been shared with criminals.

She recommends a criminal record check and previous employers’ references.

Employees must not be allowed to give access to the property to anyone they don’t know unless you have granted permission for them to come onto your property, and if their identity has been confirmed.

Before allowing anyone in, an employee should: Ask the person to identify themself by full name, ask them to state their business, ask them to show identification, verify by calling the homeowner to find out if they are expecting the person or call the company the person works for.

New appliances, old wiring?

Dr Andrew Dickson, engineering executive at CBi-electric low voltage, explains that a DB board (distribution board) is designed to cut the power when something goes wrong, but many homes still rely on DB boards installed in the 1990s. Back then, a typical household had a TV, a fridge and perhaps a microwave.

Today, it’s multiple high-demand devices, often running at the same time. This mismatch between old infrastructure and new energy use is exactly where problems begin.

Indicators your DB board may be unsafe include burn marks around switches, faint burning smell, rust or corrosion, loose or exposed wires, lights dimming when appliances switch on, frequent power trips, warm switches or outlets and buzzing sounds.

It’s important to consider your earth leakage – look for the button marked ‘TEST’ on your DB board and press it.

The unit should trip immediately. If it doesn’t, your earth leakage protection has failed, and that’s the device designed to save you from electrocution.

A DB board may need replacing if:
• Your home is more than 25 years old, and the board has never been upgraded.
• You still have an old fuse box instead of modern circuit breakers.
• You’ve added high-demand appliances such as an EV charger, heat pump or multiple air conditioners.
• Power trips regularly during normal household use.
• Your board has no earth leakage protection.
A standard replacement costs between R3 500 and R7 000, with major upgrades reaching R12 000.
“Compare that to rebuilding after an electrical fire,” said Dr Dickson.

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