logo
Freelance writer positions available

Freelance writer positions available

The South African19 hours ago
The South African website is growing its editorial team and has several exciting opportunities for freelance journalists.
As a writer and journalist for The South African , you will be expected to cover the latest news, lifestyle, sport or finance developments, and produce daily articles for the publication – all while building your writing, editing and digital media portfolio. A degree or similar qualification in journalism
Two-plus years' online writing experience for a news publisher
Own laptop and stable internet/WiFi connection
WordPress experience is an advantage
Excellent writing skills
Contact list of sources and newsmakers
Knowledge and understanding of search engine optimisation (SEO)
Able to work independently and be an excellent communicator
Knowledge of working on social media platforms
Must have a clear grasp of the South African context, cultural nuances, etc.
Proficiency in analytics tools is an advantage
If you meet the above requirements and are excited at the chance of joining one of South Africa's fastest-growing online news publishers, share your CV with freelance@blueskypublications.com
NOTE: If contacted, you will be required to set aside 90 minutes for a timed assessment.
Position: Freelance writer/journalist (part-time or full-time)
Reporting to: Freelance Army Coordinator
Location: Remote
First established in 2003 by Blue Sky Publications Ltd, thesouthafrican.com has evolved to become one of the most-read websites in South Africa.
We bring you the latest breaking news, lifestyle, sport and finance updates, from South Africa, the African continent and the world at large.
The South African is an independent, no agenda and no bias online news disruptor that goes beyond the news and behind the headlines.
We believe what sets us apart is that we deliver news differently.
While we hold ourselves to the utmost journalistic integrity of being truthful, we encourage a writing style that is acerbic and conversational, when appropriate.
Having started as a print edition targeting expats in the United Kingdom, thesouthafrican.com is now run entirely online with our largest readership footprint based in South Africa.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PowerBall draw jackpot a GUARANTEED R100 million on Tuesday, 29 July
PowerBall draw jackpot a GUARANTEED R100 million on Tuesday, 29 July

The South African

time44 minutes ago

  • The South African

PowerBall draw jackpot a GUARANTEED R100 million on Tuesday, 29 July

South Africans across the country are dreaming big as the PowerBall and PowerBall Plus jackpots climb to a combined R122 million ahead of the highly anticipated draw on Tuesday, 29 July. National lottery operator ITHUBA confirmed that the PowerBall jackpot is a g uaranteed R100 million, while the PowerBall Plus prize is expected to reach R22 million. 'To win, you need to play,' ITHUBA reminded hopefuls, encouraging participation through authorised retailers, online platforms, and mobile channels. The announcement has sparked a wave of enthusiasm among seasoned players and first-time ticket buyers alike, with many eyeing the life-changing potential of becoming an overnight multimillionaire. This massive prize pool comes as many households continue to feel the pinch of rising costs, making the prospect of a win even more appealing. For some, it represents a chance to escape financial pressure; for others, it's simply a moment of hope and excitement in uncertain times. The draw, one of the largest of the year, promises to be closely watched across the country. ITHUBA advises all players to purchase tickets before the cutoff time on Tuesday and to play responsibly. Whether it's buying a quick pick or carefully choosing lucky numbers, millions will be watching to see if a new millionaire is crowned. The draw will be broadcast live on Tuesday evening, and results will be available shortly after on official platforms, as well as The South African website. Good luck! Buy your tickets now at your nearest participating retailer, on our website by visiting national using your computer or mobile site, via the National Lottery Mobile App, or participating banks, namely FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec, TymeBank and African Bank otherwise dial 120 7529# for USSD. Winners who win R50 000 and above receive free trauma counselling from professional psychologists and financial advice from accredited financial advisors absolutely free. At the same time, winnings are paid tax-free directly into the winner's accounts. The next PowerBall and PowerBall Plus draws will take place on Tuesday, 29 July from 20:58. The PowerBall jackpot draw required players to pick five main numbers from 1 to 50 and one 'PowerBall' number from 1 to 20 for an entry fee of R5.00 per board. Draws take place every Tuesday and Friday. The record prize for any lottery game in South Africa came in the PowerBall when one winner scooped an incredible R232 131 750.69 in the draw held on 19 February 2019. PowerBall Plus is exactly the same as PowerBall but gives players a second chance to win. When buying a PowerBall ticket, players can pay an extra R2.50 per board to enter the PowerBall Plus draw. Odds are the same, while prizes are usually slightly lower. It was introduced on 28 November 2015 by the National Lottery of South Africa. If you are buying tickets from a lottery outlet, they close at 20:30 on the day of a draw. Players must be 18 years old. Monday: Daily Lotto Tuesday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Wednesday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Thursday: Daily Lotto Friday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Saturday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Sunday: Daily Lotto For more details and to verify the winning PowerBall and PowerBall Plus numbers, visit the National Lottery website. You must always confirm the official winning numbers on the National Lottery website. We do our best to post the results as accurately as possible, but the National Lottery is the only source you can use to 100% verify the results. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Cashbuild share price drops despite fourth quarter revenue growth
Cashbuild share price drops despite fourth quarter revenue growth

IOL News

time3 hours ago

  • IOL News

Cashbuild share price drops despite fourth quarter revenue growth

Cashbuild reported single digit revenue growth from its building and related materials and product stores in the fourth quarter to July 2025.. Image: Supplied The share price of Cashbuild, the JSE-listed building materials and related products retail group, fell by 2.25% on Friday after it announced a 4% increase in revenue for the fourth quarter ending June 30. In an operational update, the group noted that revenue growth was 3% when compared with the 304 stores that were in existence before July 2023. Revenue from 14 new stores opened by July 2025 contributed 1% to the growth. The share price closed at R139 on Friday, which is approximately 17.8% lower than at the same time last year. For the financial year, revenue for the group increased by 5%. Transactions through the tills during the fourth quarter rose by 6% compared to the same period last year, with existing stores contributing a 5% increase and new stores accounting for a 1% rise. Selling inflation was recorded at 1.7% at the end of June 2025 compared to June 2024. The group's South African stores accounted for 82% of total sales. During the fourth quarter, three new stores were opened, and a total of eight were opened over the full year. Four stores were closed in the fourth quarter, bringing the total closures for the year to 12: 11 P&L Hardware stores and one Cashbuild store. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Additionally, the group refurbished 10 stores and upgraded 26 stores over the year, resulting in a total of 318 stores trading at the year-end. In April, Cashbuild announced plans to acquire 60% of Allbuildco Holdings for R93 million, with the acquisition to be funded through cash reserves and existing overdraft facilities. 'Cashbuild believes that Allbuildco will provide the growth platform to target a customer base not previously serviced by Cashbuild,' directors stated at the time. Visit:

How to be a savvier saver and investor
How to be a savvier saver and investor

The Citizen

time4 hours ago

  • The Citizen

How to be a savvier saver and investor

National Savings Month is an initiative to promote healthier financial habits and encourage households to save. National Savings Month is almost over. Some consumers learned how to save, but how many know how to be a savvier saver and investor? 'In essence, the intention is to foster a culture where South Africans can become more financially disciplined, leading to greater financial independence. To foster this culture, South Africans must learn that small actions in savings and investments can make a big difference in their lives. 'There are positive changes in the financial advice industry that consumers can capitalise on to do this,' Steven Amey, head of Intermediated distribution at Ashburton Investments, says. ALSO READ: South Africans experiencing less financial stress, but still under pressure — survey Why healthier savings and investment habits are necessary According to Eighty20 XDS Credit Stress Report 2025 for the first quarter of 2025, South Africans rely too much on debt. Household debt reached an outstanding R2.56 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, up 2.1% from the previous quarter. 'The most concerning aspect of this is the number of overdue loans. A staggering 34.8% of all loans are in arrears, the first time in two years this number increased,' Amey warns. 'Consumers are battling to pay for rent, food and the basic necessities of life, yet we continue to spend on items that fall outside these categories, evidenced in the 'Mass Credit Market', representing the majority of the South African population. 'Interestingly, approximately 325 000 people started using credit for the first time, in the form of retail loans. Overdue payments on credit cards in the mass credit market increased and 53% are in default, unable to pay an instalment. On average, South Africans spend close to 30% of their income on loans.' ALSO READ: Survey shows how economic distress erodes South Africans' savings culture Statistics show we are not savvier savers Amey points out that according to TransUnion's South Africa Industry Insights Report for the first quarter, the growth in originations for new credit cards at 30.7% compared to the previous year far outstripped growth for other consumer credit products. He says this is cause for concern. How do you change to build better savings habits? Amey says there are a number of good habits South Africans can embrace to improve your financial well-being, including: reviewing your household budget to find where you can save; becoming financially self-disciplined because small changes in spending can make a big difference; and starting to save immediately without hesitation to reap the benefits of compound interest over time. Amey says to start with, you must separate your needs from your wants and rather use your hard-earned salary to pay for the essentials and save the rest or spoil yourself. 'We tend to overreach and spend more than we can afford. The statistics demonstrate this. 'Why extend yourself for short-term happiness when the inevitable of having to return your item or have it repossessed a few months later will cause greater embarrassment?' ALSO READ: How can you save when you use 75% of your income to pay debts? Options to be savvier savers and investors are available He says savings and investment options in South Africa are also evolving in South Africa. 'While learning to save is critical, turning savings into long-term investments is where real wealth is built. To do this, you must be aware of changes in the financial industry that can be leveraged for your benefit. 'The investment value chain dramatically improved for the regular retail investor over the past two decades. We moved from having an investment industry that largely sold financial solutions on the back of attractive commissions to one that has become well-regulated, respected and led by financial professionals that truly care about their clients' financial well-being.' Amey says it is interesting to note that the financial services industry splintered into various advisory groups, each with their own unique value proposition. Many advisors elected to join networks of advisors, ordinarily supported by large established industry providers which assist advisors with regulatory compliance and enable them to offer sound financial advice and a host of additional ancillary services to enhance their value proposition to their clients. In addition, large life and banking advisory divisions offer advisors many of the benefits of a network, with access to additional systems and services these large life and banking channels developed over decades. And then there are the larger, more established independent financial advisory practices that retained their total independence, leveraging the resources they accumulated over years of entrepreneurial practice, Amey says. ALSO READ: Five money mistakes that seem smart, but could cost you a lot later How qualified financial advisers can help us be savvier savers and investors 'Today's Qualified Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) can render sound holistic financial advice and are regarded as the modern day 'sherpa'. Their role is to prepare and help you navigate the financial complexities of life. 'Holistic financial planning is the epitome, where there is no longer a focus on a single need but a comprehensive analysis, incorporating all aspects of financial planning, from budgeting to cash-flow analysis, tax planning, investment planning and estate planning. 'Once all of this and more is compiled into an understandable and executable financial strategy, financial products, platforms and solutions can be recommended to enable your unique plan.' Amey also warns that while robo-advisor platforms are prevalent and tempting, they should be used only by more informed and astute investors. 'The need for financial advice from a qualified financial advisor remains as strong as ever despite these latest developments.' According to the March report of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA), there are a plethora of investment options available to investors. For instance, there are 1 884 unit trusts (100+ being passive or 'Smart Beta Funds'), commodity funds, hedge funds, structured products, private equity, venture capital funds, fine art, actively managed certificates (AMCs) and more to select from, all adding to the financial complexity investors are facing. 'This is why it is critical to get advice from a qualified financial advisor.' ALSO READ: Savings month: How to save like a millionaire – even if you are not one yet How discretionary fund managers can help us be better savers and investors Amy points out that one very important development is the recent steep growth in discretionary fund managers (DFMs) in South Africa. 'DFMs removed the burden of the advisor having to perform in-depth investment management due diligence and the complexity of having to compile detailed economic and asset management reports. 'Most DFMs have experienced teams, with sound investment processes and philosophies mastered over several years, for the benefit of the advisors they serve. In addition, many DFMs manage significant assets, which can enable them to negotiate reduced asset management fees on behalf of advisors.' He says the investment portfolios they compile may be personalised for the needs of certain financial planning practices or more generally to serve broader financial advisor needs. These portfolios usually comprise large and boutique active asset managers, as well as passive and smart beta investment strategies to reduce overall investment portfolio costs. Advisors then invest their clients' assets into these portfolios to achieve desired investment outcomes.' Amey says it is clear that many DFMs 'add significant value, segregating roles and responsibilities to ensure the advisors they partner with can focus on what they do best'. 'The savings and investment industry evolved significantly over the past two decades. If you want to change your financial fate you must tap into this opportunity. The way to do this is to partner with the highly skilled new generation of accredited financial advisors who lead from the front, acting as much needed financial sherpas for South Africans who want to build a better future.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store