NUGGET (28 OCTOBER 2026)
Nuggets! (Bite size updates on the real important stuff related to Tech, Trends, Business and the Planet.)
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CLEVER SOUTH AFRICAN
Heard of Professor Mashudu Tshifularo at Steve Biko Academic Hospital? Well, he pioneered a groundbreaking procedure using 3D-printing technology a few years back, which you probably didn’t know about. His solution reconstructed broken bones in the middle ear, helping to treat trauma-induced deafness.
Shein Temu No More
This month, South Africa’s largest trade union federation, COSATU, launched a campaign demanding that our government ban Chinese e-commerce platforms Shein and Temu.
They argue, and I have to agree, that these fast-fashion giants pose a direct threat (estimated by some at R7.3 billion, roughly 37% of the country’s online clothing and textile sector) to local manufacturers, retail markets, and domestic job security. There is no reason why we cannot become a country of producers.
HEALTH WHO
On 10 October, World Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global directive urging countries to dismantle long-term institutionalised psychiatric hospital models. Why? Because nearly half of patients in large psychiatric facilities globally are held involuntarily! I had no idea! How scary is that fact? The alternative option that the WHO is encouraging is a transition to community-based, person-centred care.
Here are some contacts you might find helpful in South Africa. 🇿🇦
Emergency & Crisis Helplines
- Suicide Crisis Helpline (SADAG): Call 0800 567 567 (free, 24/7). You can also text them via SMS at 31393.
- Cipla Mental Health Helpline: Call 0800 456 789 (free, 24/7).
- LifeLine South Africa: Call 0861 322 322 (24/7 emergency and emotional trauma support). You can also text their WhatsApp crisis line at 060 715 4415.
Specialised Support Lines
- DSD Substance Abuse Helpline: Call 0800 12 13 14 or SMS 32312 for drug and alcohol dependency support.
- Gender-Based Violence Command Centre: Call 0800 428 428 or dial the “Please Call Me” string at 1207867#.
- Childline South Africa: Call 116 for free, confidential protection and support for children under 18.
e-BIZ NEWS
New insights from Forbes Africa show that Africa’s digital payments market is booming and projected to reach a whopping $1.5 trillion by 2030, with cross-border transactions driving massive regional growth. P.S. I hope none of that comes from money stolen from you by those awful cybercriminals! Also, if you would like to get your business online, I really recommend www.ecommerceshop.co.za
SECOND GREEN FLAG
WWF South Africa recently translocated 20 black rhinos from KwaZulu-Natal to a secure site in Botswana, doubling Botswana’s estimated black rhino population. While this is wonderful news, and I’m very grateful for the effort, it makes me so sad that the numbers are so unimaginably low. Forty-five rhinos in Botswana in 2026, is this really an achievement? In the 1980s, Botswana was left with an estimated population of only 30 black rhinos before the species was entirely wiped out in 1992.
THE BARROW SCALE
Expanding in, not out, might be the answer to many, if not all, of our problems! This month, I learned about the Barrow Scale and wanted to share an excellent short video from one of my favourite channels. Learn something interesting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW_jlUn4gA8
CRITICAL WATER
By 2035, South Africa is projected to face a significant water deficit, with estimates suggesting a gap of approximately 1.1 billion cubic metres between water supply and demand. So, news about water security is important, and I have some to share.
This month, I learned that South Africa and Zimbabwe are discussing a proposed $500-million (R8.2-billion) cross-border water project. The Thuli Moswa Dam is planned for the Thuli region (makes sense) in Zimbabwe, with a reservoir expected to hold around 430 million cubic metres of water, a bit less than the capacity of Heyshope Dam. The purpose? To transfer up to 90 million cubic metres of water to South Africa, supplying the industrial Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Limpopo.
RED FLAG
Sadly, 230 rhinos have been poached so far this year in South Africa, but 156 people have been arrested for this type of crime.
This month, Google Search Console introduced generative AI reporting globally, giving us greater insight into how often brands appear in AI Overviews and AI Mode responses. This development confirms that search is changing. Focusing solely on clicks from traditional search results is a mistake. We must get visible, credible, and properly referenced in AI-generated answers, and don’t forget, this is something I can help with.
MONEY!
Great news for African tech companies, whoop, whoop! The African tech ecosystem has officially crossed the $2 billion mark in 2026, reaching this impressive milestone months ahead of last year’s pace.
Could this be a sign of renewed global investor confidence? I think it’s a green flag for sure! But I want to share a footnote that’s longer than my actual note. The data reveals a shifting landscape, with growth currently being driven largely by concentrated capital in late-stage funding rounds for mature, proven businesses, rather than by a broad distribution of investment across the ecosystem. Key sectors such as electric mobility and green technology are leading the charge (no pun intended). Some analysts project that African tech funding could reach the $3 billion mark by the end of the year.
Here are a few businesses making major waves, and a big well done to them from me!
- Spiro — $270 million
https://spiro.africa/
The electric motorcycle and clean-mobility company is scaling clean transport across Benin, Togo, Rwanda, and beyond. - Moove — $250 million
https://moove.africa
The Nigerian-born mobility fintech company closed a major Series C funding round led by Mubadala Investment Company. - SolarAfrica — $94 million
https://solarafrica.com
SolarAfrica secured significant project financing from Rand Merchant Bank and Investec to develop a major solar facility in South Africa. - Valu — $63.6 million
https://valu.com.eg/
The Egyptian fintech company raised substantial funding to support consumer finance and digital financial services. - NALA — $50 million
https://nala.com/
NALA continues to strengthen international payments and credit infrastructure. - Sistema.bio — $53 million
https://sistema.bio/
The company raised climate-finance capital to deploy biodigesters for smallholder farmers.
The END!
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Who is Jean-Pierre Murray-Kline?
Jean-Pierre is a South African serial e-entrepreneur, published author, and change champion who has worked in over 300 types of industries in some capacity or another. His own online businesses have generated millions of Rands and involved sectors such as law, web & app development, events & entertainment, property, technical services, media, and tourism.
He has traveled to over 180 cities worldwide and is extremely active as a business and environmental technologist. In addition to his own projects, he researches and consults on all things online: marketing, reputation, compliance, law, and e-security, and also offers strategy workshops and scenario sessions on future thinking with a key focus on technology, the environment, and global influences.
Jean-Pierre is often asked to be a guest speaker on a variety of subjects he continuously studies and writes about.
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