Vodacom is set to enter the South African insurance industry. The Financial Services Board (FSB) has given the cellular operator the green light to enter the long- and short-term insurance market. Vodacom appointed Frank.net, which is owned and capitalised by Liberty Holdings, to provide administrative and claims support for its long-term insurance offering. “Our insurance business proposition is simple; we [...]

The South African government is confident that it will avoid US sanctions. The government is involved in daily discussions with US officials over the Iranian oil embargo.  South Africa imports a quarter of its oil from Iran and our oil refineries are in many cases specifically adapted to process Iranian crude. “Engagements continue, they are continuing probably on a daily basis [...]

Private hospital group, Netcare Ltd, posted a 12 per cent rise in half-year profit on Monday, helped by a strong performance in South Africa and favourable currency swings. While demand for private healthcare has increased in South Africa thanks to a rapidly growing middle class, stalling economic growth in Britain has blunted self-funded treatments and led to a drop in [...]

An average of 16 people in the United States die each year due to dog bites. Last year insurers forked out US$479 million (R4 billion) in claims for dog bites. While dog bites rarely make the news, insurers are often swamped with claims. California, the largest state in the US by population, and home to more dogs and people than [...]

Private equity investment in Africa is rapidly gaining traction, as rock stars and global institutional investors realise the value and potential of stimulating economic growth in emerging markets. Known for his global anti-poverty crusade in which he asked rich countries to forgive third-world debt, it was recently revealed that Irish rock star Bob Geldof had raised $200-million (R1.6 billion) for [...]

South Africa has produced the world’s 1 000th actuary to formally qualify as a chartered enterprise risk actuary (CERA). Actuaries with this internationally recognised qualification are trained to devise and implement effective risk management strategies across organisations. According to the CERA Global Association in Switzerland, the most recent actuary to obtain the CERA qualification is Cape Town-based Karl Schriek, a [...]

has long been used to reduce commuting costs. Grumbling motorists are desperate to keep head above water , perhaps now even more so as fuel reaches record price levels. But industry experts say carpooling-consumers may be in for a nasty surprise come claims time. Your clients could be at risk if they don’t know what their insurer’s policies on carpooling [...]

At RISKSA we support anti-poaching initiatives, and as many of you know, this year we’ll be taking part in Put Foot Rally 2012, which aims to raise money in support of anti-poaching teams around Southern Africa. Team RISKAFRICA members, Andy, Mike and Blake have been inoculated against Tetanus, Cholera, Hepatitis A and Yellow fever, in preparation for the 16-day rally. [...]

RISKSA Magazine and its team just keep palming in the accolades. After being nominated for two Discovery Health Journalism awards this year, RISKSA features writer Hanna Barry received the award for Best Analysis and Commentary at the Johannesburg ceremony on Monday 7 May. Hanna’s winning piece, ‘Healthcare’s new horizon: a prognosis for NHI’, featured on page 62 of the September [...]