Nominated for ‘Podcast of the Year’ in the 2024 African Podcast and Voice Awards (APVA), the weekly Sandton Times Hour is a Sandton magazine show that brings the wanted online pages of The Sandton Times to life.
- Dr. Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President Sustainability & Chief Economist for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) talks about the factors that impact the costs of running an airline in Africa.
- Christelle Grohmann, Director: Advisory – Strategic & Development Consulting at BDO South Africa chats about the potential of tourism to solve youth unemployment in South Africa.
- Best-selling author Helen Nicholson shares some insights from her latest book ‘Networking for Introverts’.
- Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.
As the only radio show and podcast dedicated to Africa’s richest square mile, this Sandton magazine show is packed with an array of entertaining and informative interviews blended with the best music, every week on Mix 93.8, Mondays at 7pm.
The Sandton Times offers readers all they ever wanted online, and The Sandton Times Hour is the go-to weekly magazine show broadcast from greater Sandton. The Sandton magazine show features fabulous food spots, luxurious lifestyle bits, first-hand travel tips, motoring notes, and world-class entertainment, business and so much more beyond the borders of greater Sandton.
In 2024, The Sandton Times Hour secured the third spot on Feedspot’s list of the “30 Best South Africa Podcasts” highlighting the top South African podcasts from thousands available on the web, ranking them based on relevancy, authority, social media followers, and freshness.
In this week’s show [Edition 170 Week 33] The Sandton Times covers an array of topical news as well as these interviews:
Impact The Costs Of Running An Airline In Africa With Senior Vice President Sustainability & Chief Economist For The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dr. Marie Owens Thomsen
The IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa (WOCFA) event, held on 2 – 3 July 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa, brought together over 400 aviation leaders, regulators, and experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities within Africa’s air transport industry. Recognized as a region with the highest growth potential in aviation, Africa’s sector is seen as a critical driver for economic and social development. The event aimed to advance strategies under IATA’s Focus Africa initiative, which seeks to enhance the industry’s contribution to the continent’s development, improve connectivity, and bolster safety and reliability.
During the event, Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East, emphasized the immense potential of Africa’s aviation market, predicting a doubling of traffic over the next 15 years. While progress has been made in areas such as safety, significant challenges remain. Professor Malesela John Lamola, CEO of South African Airways, delivered the opening keynote, highlighting the importance of advancing the air transport industry for Africa’s economic growth.
The conference also focused on the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in South Africa, which IATA identified as a key opportunity for the country. Dr. Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist, stressed South Africa’s potential to become a leading SAF producer, citing its abundant feedstocks and existing refinery infrastructure. IATA urged the South African government to adopt a strategic plan to develop SAF production, emphasizing the need for industrial infrastructure development, resource pooling, R&D incentives, and investment in greenfield infrastructure.
With South Africa’s aviation industry poised for significant growth, IATA called on the government to prioritize aviation as a strategic focus, emphasizing the sector’s potential to generate substantial economic activity, create jobs, and support sustainable development through initiatives like SAF production.
Tourism To Solve Youth Unemployment In South Africa With Director: Advisory – Strategic & Development Consulting At BDO South Africa Christelle Grohmann
South Africa faces one of the highest youth unemployment rates globally. The expanded unemployment rate, which includes discouraged work seekers, reached 42.6% in Q2 of 2024 with youth unemployment particularly severe, affecting 60.8% of those under 25, according to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey.
Amidst this crisis, BDO South Africa’s Christelle Grohmann, Director: Advisory – Strategic & Development Consulting, highlights the untapped potential of the country’s tourism sector as a vital avenue for entrepreneurial opportunities and job creation.
The tourism sector, with its ability to attract domestic and international visitors, could become South Africa’s largest foreign currency earner. From January to March 2024, the country welcomed 420’727 tourists from Europe, marking an 8.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023. South Africa’s diverse offerings—national parks, cultural heritage sites, wine estates, and beautiful coastlines—make it an appealing destination, creating fertile ground for a thriving tourism startup revolution.
As of March 2024, there are over 130 online travel start-ups in South Africa, and this number continues to grow. These start-ups are not only driving innovation but also opening doors for youth employment. Opportunities span a wide range, from tour guiding and hospitality roles to specialized fields like marketing, IT, financial management, and design. Many start-ups provide training programs or online platforms that help young people develop critical skills, while start-up incubators and accelerators offer mentorship, funding, and workspace.
However, aspiring tourism entrepreneurs face significant challenges, including securing funding, navigating complex regulations, and competing in a crowded market dominated by established players and global platforms. To succeed, collaboration with industry veterans and associations is crucial. Established players offer industry experience and market insights, while start-ups bring fresh ideas and innovative technologies. This synergy can drive sustainable growth, benefiting both parties.
By fostering youth involvement and leveraging their unique cultural perspectives, the tourism sector can not only stimulate economic growth but also contribute positively to South Africa’s social and environmental landscape.
Now is the time to harness South Africa’s abundant tourism potential and transform it into a powerful force for youth employment and entrepreneurship.
‘Networking For Introverts’ With Best-Selling Author Helen Nicholson
Introverts around the world often find social situations stressful, as they tend to feel drained by prolonged interactions and large gatherings. Unlike extroverts, who gain energy from being around others, introverts recharge through solitude and quiet time. The pressure of small talk and quick thinking in social settings can also be overwhelming for introverts, who usually prefer deeper, more meaningful conversations.
Helen Nicholson, dubbed the “Networking Queen” by her clients, began her career as an accountant and has since evolved into the CEO and founder of The Networking Company, where she trains people on the “power” skills needed to elevate their careers. Helen has published four best-selling business books, including her 2022 release Mindfulness: How to Stay Sane in an Insane World.
Networking for Introverts is now available in major bookstores, online, and as an Amazon Kindle e-book.
Sandton Times Hour Music Playlist
- Katy Perry – Woman’s World
- Klischée – Bella Ciao
- Dominic Neill – Alone
- Shania Twain – Man! I Feel Like A Woman!
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