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REGENT Business School (RBS) is one of the leading distance learning institutions in Africa. The institution’s philosophy of ‘Disrupt. Rethink. Innovate.’ well reflects its goal to transform higher education. REGENT Business School focuses on adaptive learning, using technology not only to communicate information, but to improve curricula and adapt to different learning styles. RBS has embraced the “laboritorisation” of learning with innovative iLeadLABs, understanding that you can’t learn 21st-century skills in a 19th-century classroom. International Academic and Research Linkages RBS has established academic and research linkages with partner universities and research institutions in Africa, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and India. In addition, RBS is a member institution of the Pan African and Global Honoris United Universities Network. These linkages ensure that the RBS staff, students, and alumni are continually exposed to international best practices and expertise from academic, professional, private, public, and civil society sectors from a range of countries across the globe. Consequently, RBS’s active research focus combined with the wealth of intellectual capital, its qualified and experienced lecturers, and specialised experience in delivering learning programmes, has allowed the institution to design and deliver effective higher education programmes for students both in the public and private sectors. On Site and Distance Learning RBS’s campuses are in all major hubs including Durban, Gauteng, Cape Town, East London, and Pretoria, as well as in SADC countries, Swaziland and Namibia. As many students are unable to attend full time campus programmes, RBS offers flexible delivery options. The supported distance-learning mode of delivery, carefully designed curricula as well as affordable fee structures make RBS programmes a preferred choice for persons in full-time employment in particular. Student Support In response to Covid-19, RBS’s team of thinkers, innovators and implementers have worked tirelessly to guide, nurture and empower students, ensuring that teaching, learning, and collaborating is enabled through webinars, pre-recorded lectures and exercises, and digital tutor interaction. Student support includes: Student support WhatsApp Bot: A quick-response programme designed to provide instant assistance by providing answers to frequently answered questions. iLeadLAB creative exercises: The student community loves the free webinars and activities designed to develop skills to nurture innovation. Counselling: In the true RBS spirit of caring, support extends well beyond the academic, an attentive ear or a virtual shoulder to lean on. Digital specialist engagement: There are several established digital platforms for students. Accredited Study Choices RBS offers an array of study choices, ranging from short courses and higher certificate programmes to MBA’s, postgraduate qualifications, degrees and diplomas. All degrees are locally accredited and internationally recognised. RBS was recently received a major accolade with accreditation for the for a doctorate degree by the Department of Higher Education. RBS’s programmes cover the areas of business administration, commerce, management and leadership, entrepreneurship, local government, educational management, finance, and human resource. RBS’s programmes cover the areas of business administration, commerce, management and leadership, entrepreneurship, local government, educational management, finance, human resource management and healthcare management. Bridging the Gap Between Learning and Work RBS programmes are designed to be responsive to the current needs of commerce and industry in South and southern Africa, while being sensitive to the rapidly changing global business environment. In addition, graduates must be prepared to excel at jobs that do not yet exist. One of the institution’s main objectives is to use the potential in information technology to drive RBS into a digital future using the institution’s Employability unit (iLeadLAB) to bridge the gap between education and the demands of the modern workplace. The academic makerspaces or iLeadLAB’s combines formal discipline-centric education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) immersion, with work-integrated learning, and internship programmes. Through this unit, graduates acquire experiential learning of flexible in-demand skills, as well as acquire future-fit skills and experience, which reduces the education-job mismatch and increases employability. Graduates must be prepared to excel at jobs that do not yet exist. REGENT Business School meets this need by combining formal discipline-centric education with experiential learning. Entrepreneurial Skills Development The REGENT Enterprise Development Hub (REDhub) leverages the business school’s iLeadLABs. REDhub strives to promote impactful entrepreneurial skills development by nurturing resilient entrepreneurs, and supporting ideas and business concepts, to stimulate the growth of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). Entrepreneurs experience the entire process from rapid prototyping and development to finding funding and bringing products to market. Alumni The institution’s alumni base of 7000 is rapidly expanding. RBS’s annual student surveys show that RBS alumni hold executive and leading positions across Africa, the Middle East, Western Europe, and Asia. Further, the current student population of RBS is very representative of the demographic of communities in South Africa and countries in the SADC region. List of Programmes Bachelor of Commerce – General NQF 7 1. Electives: · Economics · Accounting · Digital Marketing · Project Management · Health Management · Information Technology · Supply Chain Management · Human Resource Management · Risk Management · Retail Management · Digital Leadership · Business Intelligence 2. Bachelor of Commerce – NQF 7 · Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting · Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management · Bachelor of Commerce in Supply Chain Management · Bachelor of Commerce in Law · Bachelor of Public Administration · Bachelor of Commerce in Retail Management · Advanced Diploma in Financial Management- NQF 7 3. Diploma – NQF 6 · Diploma in Financial Management · Diploma in Public Relations Management 4. Higher Certificate – NQF 5 · Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management · Higher Certificate in Healthcare Services Management · Higher Certificate in Business Management · Higher Certificate in Accounting · Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship · Higher Certificate in Management for Estate Agents · Higher Certificate in Islamic Finance, Banking and Law · Higher Certificate in Marketing Management · Higher Certificate in Retail Management · Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management 5. MBA – NQF 9 · Master of Business Administration · Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management 6. Postgraduate Diploma – NQF 8 · Postgraduate Diploma in Management · Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting · Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership · Postgraduate Diploma in Islamic Finance and Banking · Postgraduate Diploma Project Management · Postgraduate Diploma Digital Marketing · Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management 7. Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree 8. Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management Honours Degree 9. Doctor of Business Administration – NQF 10. For more information contact: T: +27 31 3044626 E: study@regent.ac.za / ileadlab@regent.ac.za W: www.regent.ac.za

Standard Bank’s long and celebrated history in KwaZulu-Natal spans more than 150 years. The bank opened its third South African branch in Durban in 1863. Significantly, Standard Bank prides itself on being a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the regions in which it operates and strives to make life better for all by doing business the right way. As such Standard Bank is delighted to sponsor the KZN Top Business Awards 2021. “Standard Bank strives to inspire hope and enable dreams because they fuel our growth,” said KwaZulu-Natal Standard Bank Head Business Clients Coverage, Hameed Noormahomed. “In addition, these awards are in line with Standard Bank’s commitment to business activities that have social, economic and environmental impact in the communities in which we operate.” “Standard Bank is proud to recognise the many individuals, organisations and companies that work hard to find innovative and sustainable solutions to ensure that their businesses thrive. In so doing they are not only doing business the ‘right way’ but through positive change are able to provide employment for the people of South Africa, contributing to the growth of our economy,” added KwaZulu-Natal Standard Bank Head Consumer Client Coverage, Imraan Noorbhai. The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards are based on King 4, which aspires to achieve four governance outcomes: Ethical culture: Good performance and value creation Adequate and effective control Trust, good reputation, legitimacy The awards are open to businesses and organisations of any size based in KwaZulu-Natal. The 2021 categories are: Business Innovation Entrepreneur Resilience Digital/System Implementation Employee Wellbeing Small Business Start-up Community and Social Responsibility Family Business KZN Top Brand Business Personality of the Year Grant Adlam, CEO of KZN Top Business encourages all qualifying businesses to enter. He said, “The emphasis is on what makes your business exceptional in the category selected. The size of the company does not matter; the quality of what you do counts.” All entrants are required to send in a written submission explaining what your organisation has done that makes it stand out from the other entries against a set of key criteria as appropriate e.g. financial results or benefits for the company, employees, or community. You may enter your own organisation for an award or nominate a third party. Entries close on the 7 May 2021. The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards will take place on the 10 June 2021 at the Onomo Hotel, Durban which will be streamed. For more information on entering visit www.kzntopbusiness.com If you have any questions about the awards, entry process or event, please email gayle@mweb.co.za or telephone +27 31 267 1977. #KZNbusinesssense #kzntopbusiness

Musa Zulu is a published author, an award winning entrepreneur, international artist, celebrated motivational speaker and prominent disability activist in South Africa. Zulu launched his latest book titled ‘I AM ART: The 40th Anniversary Essay’ in KwaZulu-Natal on 20 April 2021. This book launch highlighted three very important issues for Zulu. Firstly, the book celebrates the four decades (1979 – 2019) in which he has lived as an artist, together with reflecting on the 25 years (1995 – 2020) that he has spent in his wheelchair. The second was to highlight the 100 years that the Open Air School for learners with disabilities celebrated on the 9 February 2021. This says Zulu is, “A milestone that I feel has been grossly overlooked in South Africa.” The third was to celebrate the learners from the very same school who recently passed their 2020 matriculation examinations with distinction. “They even topped their able-bodied peers in the province, but were not invited to the KwaZulu-Natal ‘achievers awards’ ceremony held by provincial education authorities a few weeks ago.” “It was an honour to be joined by the Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize in the Presidency who called in to congratulate Open Air School for their 100 years. I was humbled that she spent a full 15 minutes talking to the four 2020 matric graduates and their principal, Mr Moodley.” Reflecting on the launch Zulu said, “This will go down as one of those very memorable days in my life. I was in the presence of some of the people that have made me the man I am today. I am thankful to life for granting me another moment to be happy as I reflect on the many blessings I have received to share. It was an amazing day indeed.” The Gautrain Management Agency, which Musa has worked with extensively in the area of disability accessible transportation systems over the last decade, has sponsored the printing of 1000 copies of the book. In addition, Zulu will be starting a ‘100 000 Messages Campaign’ to get the South African public to send messages of congratulations for the schools who have had 100 years in service to the disabled sector. Potential partners for this initiative are currently being identified, which will culminate in the launch of a book with all those messages on the 3rd of December 2021 (International Day for Persons with Disabilities). For more information visit www.valhallaarts.co.za #KZNbusinesssense

Standard Bank’s long and celebrated history in KwaZulu-Natal spans more than 150 years. The bank opened its third South African branch in Durban in 1863. Significantly, Standard Bank prides itself on being a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the regions in which it operates and strives to make life better for all by doing business the right way. As such Standard Bank is delighted to sponsor the KZN Top Business Awards 2021. “Standard Bank strives to inspire hope and enable dreams because they fuel our growth,” said KwaZulu-Natal Standard Bank Head Business Clients Coverage, Hameed Noormahomed. “In addition, these awards are in line with Standard Bank’s commitment to business activities that have social, economic and environmental impact in the communities in which we operate.” “Standard Bank is proud to recognise the many individuals, organisations and companies that work hard to find innovative and sustainable solutions to ensure that their businesses thrive. In so doing they are not only doing business the ‘right way’ but through positive change are able to provide employment for the people of South Africa, contributing to the growth of our economy,” added KwaZulu-Natal Standard Bank Head Consumer Client Coverage, Imraan Noorbhai. The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards are based on King 4, which aspires to achieve four governance outcomes: · Ethical culture: · Good performance and value creation · Adequate and effective control · Trust, good reputation, legitimacy The awards are open to businesses and organisations of any size based in KwaZulu-Natal. The 2021 categories are: · Business Innovation · Entrepreneur Resilience · Digital/System Implementation · Employee Wellbeing · Small Business Start-up · Community and Social Responsibility · Family Business · KZN Top Brand · Business Personality of the Year Grant Adlam, CEO of KZN Top Business encourages all qualifying businesses to enter. He said, “The emphasis is on what makes your business exceptional in the category selected. The size of the company does not matter; the quality of what you do counts.” All entrants are required to send in a written submission explaining what your organisation has done that makes it stand out from the other entries against a set of key criteria as appropriate e.g. financial results or benefits for the company, employees, or community. You may enter your own organisation for an award or nominate a third party. Entries close on the 7 May 2021. The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards will take place on the 10 June 2021 at the Onomo Hotel, Durban which will be streamed. For more information on entering visit www.kzntopbusiness.com If you have any questions about the awards, entry process or event, please email gayle@mweb.co.za or telephone +27 31 267 1977.

Musa Zulu is a published author, an award winning entrepreneur, international artist, celebrated motivational speaker and prominent disability activist in South Africa. Zulu launched his latest book titled ‘I AM ART: The 40th Anniversary Essay’ in KwaZulu-Natal on 20 April 2021. This book launch highlighted three very important issues for Zulu. Firstly, the book celebrates the four decades (1979 - 2019) in which he has lived as an artist, together with reflecting on the 25 years (1995 - 2020) that he has spent in his wheelchair. The second was to highlight the 100 years that the Open Air School for learners with disabilities celebrated on the 9 February 2021. This says Zulu is, “A milestone that I feel has been grossly overlooked in South Africa.” The third was to celebrate the learners from the very same school who recently passed their 2020 matriculation examinations with distinction. “They even topped their able-bodied peers in the province, but were not invited to the KwaZulu-Natal ‘achievers awards’ ceremony held by provincial education authorities a few weeks ago.” “It was an honour to be joined by the Deputy Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize in the Presidency who called in to congratulate Open Air School for their 100 years. I was humbled that she spent a full 15 minutes talking to the four 2020 matric graduates and their principal, Mr Moodley.” Reflecting on the launch Zulu said, “This will go down as one of those very memorable days in my life. I was in the presence of some of the people that have made me the man I am today. I am thankful to life for granting me another moment to be happy as I reflect on the many blessings I have received to share. It was an amazing day indeed.” The Gautrain Management Agency, which Musa has worked with extensively in the area of disability accessible transportation systems over the last decade, has sponsored the printing of 1000 copies of the book. In addition, Zulu will be starting a ‘100 000 Messages Campaign’ to get the South African public to send messages of congratulations for the schools who have had 100 years in service to the disabled sector. Potential partners for this initiative are currently being identified, which will culminate in the launch of a book with all those messages on the 3rd of December 2021 (International Day for Persons with Disabilities). For more information visit www.valhallaarts.co.za

Five reasons 2021 matrics should consider a career in hospitality? The United Nations World Tourism Organisation estimates that by 2030, there will be 1.8 billion new international travellers. Choosing a career in hospitality, therefore, could be the best decision that the Matrics of 2021 will ever make! Shaun Lamont, Managing Director, First Group Hotel and Resorts said, “With university and college applications now open for 2022, Matrics will be looking to make a decision about what to study next year. If your child is still sitting on the fence, why not get them to consider a career in hospitality?” Shaun offers five reasons why Matrics should consider studying hospitality: In demand: According to Study International, one in every five jobs created in the last decade globally has been within travel and tourism, and pre-COVID, the industry was expected to support an additional 100 million jobs worldwide by 2028. The World Travel and Tourism Council also reports that one in ten jobs on the planet is supported by travel and tourism. Whilst the pandemic has slowed the industry down, it is the one industry that is predicted to bounce back with a bang! Why? Well, travel is in our DNA and it’s going to take more than a global shutdown to change that. See the world: If you’ve always dreamt of visiting exotic destinations, but your travel fund smacks more of ‘beer and biltong’ than ‘champagne and caviar’, then a career in hospitality could be the ticket to the travel you’ve been dreaming of. Whether local or international, you’re bound to traverse the globe by working in a variety of positions and places. You’ll only be limited by your imagination – from cruise ships and hotels to game lodges and beach resorts. Options, options, options: At the core of hospitality, are customer experiences, which opens up a myriad of opportunities for graduates. Armed with a wide range of skills and knowledge, working in hotels, restaurants, events, catering, hospitals or airlines, or even branching out into business development, marketing, or entrepreneurship, are all within the realm of possibility. Learn while you earn: Most reputable hotel groups and resorts partner with hotel management schools in order to offer students the opportunity to learn the relevant theory whilst getting practical, on-the-job training. First Group for example, embraces unskilled trainees every year, who share our passion for guests and place them at our various resorts around the country. Furthermore, some groups even offer trainees a stipend whilst working, which means that you can learn while you earn. Move up the ranks: A career in hospitality offers you the chance to grow. While everyone starting out their career starts on the bottom rung of the ladder and moves their way up the ranks, there are so many rungs on the hospitality ladder! Moving from bellhop to the front desk to the manager, or from waiter to food and beverage manager doesn’t have to remain a pipe dream. As leaders in the South African hospitality industry, First Group prides itself on offering incredible career opportunities for both entry-level and experienced candidates who are either looking to step into the industry or those looking to move up the ladder. “If doing the same thing day after day after day excites you, then a career in hospitality is best avoided. If you’re looking for an ever-changing, exciting job in a vibrant industry that demands commitment to making strangers smile and helping them to make lasting, magical memories – then this industry is for you!” Shaun concludes. www.firstgroup-sa.co.za #KZNbusinesssense

Founded in 2011, Meishi is a progressive web app that not only shares contact information but the DNA of your business. The way we exchange contact information with other businesspeople is changing. Although business cards have been used for many years, the increasingly digital era in which we live suggests that printed business cards will soon become redundant. In addition, the drive for remote interactions in 2020 provoked a greater need for a virtual way to exchange contact and business information. Even when in-person gatherings resume, digital business cards and apps will stay around because they are germ-free, and no physical contact is required. Furthermore, over 90% of business cards are thrown away within one week of receiving them. Consequently, tools such as digital business cards or business card web apps will be more commonly used to share these details. In addition to your normal contact information (like your name, company, email, and phone number), you can enhance your card with links to your various communication platforms e.g., Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal etc. LinkedIn is great to include on your Meishi card as it is an excellent platform for developing and strengthening your brand, for growing your number of LinkedIn connections, or sharing your CV if you’re on the job market. Adding a picture or video to your Meishi card is important — it will help connect the ‘name to a face’ for your contacts. You are able to make your profile even more memorable by opting to featuring a video instead of a static picture, which is a great way to further engage with businesspeople. Through the Meishi progressive web app all printing in your business is eliminated – business cards, flyers, brochures, and product specifications become redundant. You can put as much information as you want on your digital business card, and you’ll never run out of space. Creative media companies, estate agencies, car retailers, or hotel chains, amongst others, are set to make full use of this new technology. Being able to transmit more than names, numbers and website addresses means that business people can send information such as house listings, new cars, or accommodation offerings, in image files or promo videos, straight to a cell phone or computer. You are able to update or edit the information on your Meishi card at any time, so your contacts always have your current contact details and products or services information. Digital cards can be shared with anyone, anywhere — simply send the link over email, text, social media or supply a QR code. As long as you have access to your phone or computer, you’ll always have your digital business cards on hand. Because everything is electronic, you’ll never need to worry if your card supply is low and if you need to order more. Meishi makes following up with clients easier and more efficient, which in return can lead to fostering stronger connections. To find out more about getting your own Meishi card speak to Don Gray at T: +27 74 616 1954 E: dongraybiz@gmail.com dongraybiz@gmail.com #KZNbusinesssense #kzntopbusiness

Five reasons 2021 matrics should consider a career in hospitality? The United Nations World Tourism Organisation estimates that by 2030, there will be 1.8 billion new international travellers. Choosing a career in hospitality, therefore, could be the best decision that the Matrics of 2021 will ever make! Shaun Lamont, Managing Director, First Group Hotel and Resorts said, “With university and college applications now open for 2022, Matrics will be looking to make a decision about what to study next year. If your child is still sitting on the fence, why not get them to consider a career in hospitality?” Shaun offers five reasons why Matrics should consider studying hospitality: 1. In demand: According to Study International, one in every five jobs created in the last decade globally has been within travel and tourism, and pre-COVID, the industry was expected to support an additional 100 million jobs worldwide by 2028. The World Travel and Tourism Council also reports that one in ten jobs on the planet is supported by travel and tourism. Whilst the pandemic has slowed the industry down, it is the one industry that is predicted to bounce back with a bang! Why? Well, travel is in our DNA and it’s going to take more than a global shutdown to change that. 2. See the world: If you’ve always dreamt of visiting exotic destinations, but your travel fund smacks more of ‘beer and biltong’ than ‘champagne and caviar’, then a career in hospitality could be the ticket to the travel you’ve been dreaming of. Whether local or international, you’re bound to traverse the globe by working in a variety of positions and places. You’ll only be limited by your imagination – from cruise ships and hotels to game lodges and beach resorts. 3. Options, options, options: At the core of hospitality, are customer experiences, which opens up a myriad of opportunities for graduates. Armed with a wide range of skills and knowledge, working in hotels, restaurants, events, catering, hospitals or airlines, or even branching out into business development, marketing, or entrepreneurship, are all within the realm of possibility. 4. Learn while you earn: Most reputable hotel groups and resorts partner with hotel management schools in order to offer students the opportunity to learn the relevant theory whilst getting practical, on-the-job training. First Group for example, embraces unskilled trainees every year, who share our passion for guests and place them at our various resorts around the country. Furthermore, some groups even offer trainees a stipend whilst working, which means that you can learn while you earn. 5. Move up the ranks: A career in hospitality offers you the chance to grow. While everyone starting out their career starts on the bottom rung of the ladder and moves their way up the ranks, there are so many rungs on the hospitality ladder! Moving from bellhop to the front desk to the manager, or from waiter to food and beverage manager doesn’t have to remain a pipe dream. As leaders in the South African hospitality industry, First Group prides itself on offering incredible career opportunities for both entry-level and experienced candidates who are either looking to step into the industry or those looking to move up the ladder. “If doing the same thing day after day after day excites you, then a career in hospitality is best avoided. If you’re looking for an ever-changing, exciting job in a vibrant industry that demands commitment to making strangers smile and helping them to make lasting, magical memories – then this industry is for you!” Shaun concludes. www.firstgroup-sa.co.za

The year 2021 is set to be tough on budgets with many increases in daily living costs proposed. The sharp increases in the prices of petrol, diesel and paraffin in February and March 2021 are still having an impact with many industries having to pass these additional charges onto their clients in the form of fuel levies. In May, petrol is expected to increase by six cents a litre, while diesel and illuminating paraffin costs are expected to drop. This decrease will provide some relief but will not lower the price paid significantly. Through BT CORP’s prepaid offer, you can obtain a minimum cashback of 70 cents per litre of diesel purchased. Once your vehicle is registered on the programme your benefits are determined by the amount of fuel (diesel) dispensed into your vehicle/s. The difference between the pricing (zone-specific) and the displayed pump price will be reimbursed. The fuel must be purchased at participating service stations, which are located around the country. BT CORP uses BP Windscreen Tag technology which eliminates credit risks. Details like driver details and odometer reading are captured for every purchase, so you can stop chasing down fuel receipts from your vehicles’ drivers. This product is specifically targeted at small, medium and micro businesses. As a business owner you are able to manage your business’s fleet vehicles by monitoring and controlling employee spending. Ultimately, you would be able to easily account for every transaction, and drivers can plan every trip’s route efficiently and profitably. How do you obtain the cashback? 1. Register online www.btcorp.co.za/ApplyNow.php?AID=79 2. Fill in your business details and your taxi’s details and create an account. 3. After you have completed this quick approval process and deposited some funds, you select a location to pick up your disc from the list provided. 4. Place the disc on your taxi’s windscreen and you are good to go. The cash back accumulated each month is credited to your account. For more information contact: Tracy Engelbrecht E: tracy@zambezzi.com #DurbanBusinessesBenefit #KZNbusinesssense #kzntopbusiness

Imagine someone says to you, “Let’s go and swim with some sharks, no scuba, no cage, just us and the sharks in the crystal-clear water.” What would you do? The overwhelming reaction is a fear-based perception of what sharks are, prior to the swim. This is always completely reversed post swim. A sense of wonder, appreciation and joy exudes from the free-divers once they have spent an hour swimming amongst the sharks. If a person had only been exposed to images of car accidents, depicting it as a killing machine, I am sure that they would be terrified of travelling by vehicle. The fact that more people are killed in South Africa on an Easter weekend visit to the coast, than all the annual shark fatalities in the world. So, this is all about perception. The movie ‘Jaws’, and the current media hype hinting that anything that looks like a shark is a killer has fueled this viewpoint. To me, this is a skewed portrayal of sharks worldwide. Considering that we, as a human race, kill more than 100 million sharks per annum for food, it is the sharks that are in fact terrified of us. And rightly so. Using bait to attract sharks on Aliwal Shoal is a tourism draw card and has been hugely beneficial in disproving the myths that go with sharks. Wetu Safaris, a permitted and conservation focused operation on Aliwal Shoal, uses this method judiciously to attract sharks closer, so that the free-diver and snorkeler guests can swim among the sharks without restrictions. Aliwal Shoal has a plethora of marine animals to free-dive with, especially the sharks. Blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) are the prevalent species year-round with the added bonus of Tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) and the Bull Shark/Zambezi (Carcharhinus leucas) often making appearances in the warmer summer months. Andy Coetzee and Wetu Safaris have guided many hundreds of people on these cageless shark dive experiences. Most people are so relieved that they have overcome the fear that they had of sharks, and can truly start to appreciate how beautiful these marine predators are. Andy Coetzee has spent many years free-diving with large marine animals from Great Whites, Tigers, Bulls, Makos, Silky, Orcas and Whales from many parts of the world. Wetu Safaris and Freedive Aliwal conduct free-dive courses, adhering to strict safety protocols and techniques, ensuring the certified free-divers are competent and comfortable in the water. Freediving is the current ‘greener’ and more environmentally friendly style of diving today. It is one of the fastest growing recreational sports in the world. Free-diving with sharks is amazing since free-divers use only one breath to submerge and swim silently and weightlessly amongst the sharks. Truly a liberating feeling. Contact Andy Coetzee to book your shark dives T: +27 82 547 5554 E: andycoetzee5601@gmail.com Wetu Safaris: Cassie Weinberg T: +27 76 590 0253 E: mailwetu@gmail.com Freedive Aliwal: Libby Meyer T: +27 76 873 0942 E: libbymeyer7@gmail.com W: www.wetusafaris.co.za #KZNbusinesssense

For most of us, coffee is an essential part of our day. It helps us through our hectic morning routines, warms us as we share precious moments with friends and when needed, gives us an extra kick of energy. But is there more to this much-loved beverage? According to Catherine Clark, owner and founder of The Harvest Table, for years coffee has had a bad rap, but there is finally some good news for coffee connoisseurs. “Studies are now showing that you could be getting more from your favourite beverage than you thought. Moderate coffee drinking (not more than four cups a day) is now thought to have a variety of health benefits as your morning cup of joe is in fact packed with healthy substances that are safeguarding your body from several chronic diseases,” says Catherine. Here are Catherine’s top four reasons why coffee may be one of the most beneficial beverages on the planet. Increases energy: The active ingredient in coffee that gives ‘vooma’ is caffeine. Caffeine has been shown to temporarily improve mood, reaction time, memory, vigilance and general brain function. It takes around 45 minutes for your body to absorb caffeine and the effects peak for anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours. Caffeine is absorbed in the gut and dissolved in the body’s water and fat molecules and is even able to cross into the brain, but fibre or food in the gut can slow the effects of the caffeine peak. So, if you are looking for a quick “caffeine fix”, having your coffee on an empty stomach is the way to go. Burns fat: Caffeine, partly due to its stimulant effect on the central nervous system, both raises metabolism by up to 11% and causes the body to send signals to the fat cells to break down excess fat. Of course, releasing fatty acids into your blood will not help you lose fat unless you are burning more calories than you consume so if you are watching your weight, have your morning fix but opt for coffee without milk or sugar. Source of Essential Nutrients: Coffee is loaded with nutrients and is in fact one of the best sources of antioxidants in the Western diet, even outranking many fruits and vegetables. These high levels of antioxidants help to reduce internal inflammation and have been shown to be effective in guarding against conditions such as colon cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and even type 2 diabetes. Boost physical performance: Firing up with a coffee before a workout has been shown to improve physical performance. Caffeine improves endurance levels and resistance to fatigue and studies indicate that athletes even had a more positive exercise experience when they exercised after a cup of coffee! “With so many benefits, it’s hard not to be a coffee-lover!” says Catherine. For those who want to add more nutrition to their caffeine fix, Catherine recommends adding a collagen creamer to your morning cuppa instead of dairy. “The collagen will provide your body with even more health benefits and will help to further reduce any inflammation and leaky gut issues, ease joint pain, improve liver health and increase metabolism. The combination of coffee and collagen not only tastes great but packs a punch in keeping you in optimal health.” For more information, please visit: W: www.harvesttable.co.za #KZNbusinesssense

The deadline for entries for the Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Awards is fast approaching. Of Standard Bank’s participation in the event, KwaZulu-Natal Standard Bank Head Business Clients Coverage, Hameed Noormahomed says, “We want to grow our clients; they form a key part of growing the South African economy. In keeping with that we see the awards as an event that celebrates their successes. The awards give them the confidence to grow, build and increase what they are doing. I am so excited for this event.” New categories have been introduced in 2021, which are in keeping with the current times and relevant to the experiences that we are going through. The 2021 categories are: Business Innovation Entrepreneur Resilience Digital/System Implementation Employee Wellbeing Small Business Start-up Community and Social Responsibility Family Business KZN Top Brand Business Personality of the Year The Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Awards evening will be a hybrid event, which will be streamed. Only the winners will be present at the live event so that their successes can be celebrated with them. Woodford Car Hire will be transporting the winners to the event which will be held at the Onomo Hotel, Durban on the 10 June. If you have not done so already, please submit your entry by the 30 April. Entries for the Top Brand Award is by public vote which opens on 1 May through a SMS platform. Dial 33808 to vote for your KwaZulu-Natl homegrown brand. “We have taken the voting to the SMS platform to make the competition more available to everybody. Dial 33808 and SMS who you think is the Top KZN brand. Get in there and get involved,” says Grant Adlam, CEO of the KZN Top Business. Visit www.kzntopbusiness.com #kzntopbusiness