Latest news with #Dis-Chem
IOL News
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Put on your socks, change a life - Smile Foundation launches Socks For Smiles Campaign
The Smile Foundation has launched its boldest and brightest campaign yet, Socks for Smiles, an initiative aimed at raising R2.5 million to fund 100 life-changing reconstructive surgeries for children across South Africa. With the purchase of a R20 Socks for Smiles sticker, South Africans are encouraged to step out in their funkiest, brightest, and most joyful socks on 19 September, whether at school, at work, or out in their community. Every sticker bought is a step closer to helping a child smile again. Smile Foundation is excited to share the launch of our boldest and brightest initiative yet, Socks for Smiles. The campaign is made possible with the generous support of Dis-Chem, Cape Union Mart, and Baby City, where the public can purchase their stickers in-store nationwide. Stickers are also available online at Beyond retail support, Smile Foundation is thrilled to be joined by an incredible group of ambassadors who are stepping up and socking up for a cause that brings hope and healing to young lives. Lending their star power to the campaign are beloved South African personalities and performers including Swing City, The Muses, Lady Zamar, Gugulethu Nyatsumba, DJ Milkshake, Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg, John Vlismas, Themba Robin, and Toniquinne Becker. These ambassadors will be sharing their messages of support across social media and media platforms, encouraging the public to wear their socks with purpose and proudly support the campaign. 'We wanted to create something that's fun, simple, and accessible but still powerful in its purpose,' said Loyiso Bala, Smile Foundation ambassador and campaign advocate. 'Socks for Smiles is a reminder that even the smallest act can have a life-changing Impact. It's more than a fundraiser. It's a movement. It's about showing up, standing together, and helping children step into their futures with confidence,' added Zoalize Jansen vanRensburg, Smile Foundation ambassador and Miss World South Africa. Smile Foundation is calling on schools, corporates, universities, and everyday South Africans to join in. Group sales are available, and the Foundation encourages companies to get their teams involved or even sponsor sticker packs for schools in under-resourced areas. 'We are so grateful to every single person playing a role in this campaign,' says Moira Gerszt, Acting CEO of Smile Foundation. 'To our incredible retail partners Dis-Chem, Cape Union Mart and Baby City, our inspiring ambassadors, the schools and corporates taking part, and everyday South Africans who are proudly wearing their socks to support our cause: thank you for walking this journey with us. Together, we are changing more lives.' Whether you're walking into a boardroom, a classroom, or your favourite café on 19 September, let your socks do the talking and help change a child's life. To get involved, purchase your sticker, or learn more about the campaign, visit or follow @smilefoundationsa on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
Time Out
5 days ago
- Health
- Time Out
Own your health: Where to get screened in Joburg for under R300
Self-love looks different for everyone. For some, it's a fresh set of nails, a glowing facial, a delicious meal, a good workout, or catching up with a friend over coffee. Sometimes, it's simply giving yourself the grace to sleep in. But if we're being honest, how often do we overlook what's arguably even more important – our inner health? Every month is a good reminder to prioritise your wellbeing, but during Women's Month, it feels especially meaningful. Don't get us wrong, we know. Appointments like these can be easy to delay or feel a little daunting. But your health is worth it. To make it easier, Dis-Chem clinics nationwide are stepping in to help close the gap. Until 14 September, you can get a Pap smear, breast examination, and rapid HPV test for R299.95 – a simple step that could make a lasting impact on your health, all in a stigma-free, safe, and supportive environment. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dis-Chem (@dischem_pharmacies) Here is everything you need to know before, during, and after booking an appointment (so we can help calm those nerves and make the process easier for you). Do I need medical aid? No, you don't. According to Dis-Chem, this initiative is cash-only and not claimable from medical aid. How do I book an appointment?: You can schedule an appointment in any of the following ways: What information do I need to provide? Full name and surname Cell phone number Name of branch Preferred time and date Reason for booking What documentation should I bring? Be sure to bring your ID or passport with you to your appointment. Which branches offer this service? This initiative is available nationwide, including the following Johannesburg branches: Braamfontein Gandhi Square Chestnut Hill Centre Glenvista Shopping Centre Greenhill, Emmarentia Gresswold centre Jabulani Mall Linksfield Neighbourhood Campus Square Shopping Centre Randburg Square Shopping Centre Time Out Insider Info: To get the most accurate results from a Pap smear, avoid intercourse, douching, vaginal medicines, or spermicidal products (foams, creams, jellies) for two days before your appointment.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Join Socks for Smiles and help change a child's life
Join Socks for Smiles and help change a child's life Smile Foundation has launched its bold Socks for Smiles campaign, aiming to raise R2.5 million to fund 100 life-changing reconstructive surgeries for children across South Africa. South Africans are encouraged to wear their brightest socks on 19 September and buy a R20 Socks for Smiles sticker at Dis-Chem, Cape Union Mart, Baby City stores nationwide, or online. 'We wanted to create something that's fun, simple, and accessible but still powerful in its purpose,' said ambassador Loyiso Bala. 'Socks for Smiles is a reminder that even the smallest act can have a life-changing impact.' Joining the campaign are well-known personalities, including Lady Zamar, DJ Milkshake, John Vlismas, Themba Robin, and Miss World South Africa Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg, who said: 'It's more than a fundraiser. It's a movement. It's about showing up, standing together, and helping children step into their futures with confidence.' Acting CEO Moira Gerszt thanked all partners and participants: 'Together, we are changing more lives.' For more details or to get involved, visit the Smile Foundation's website or follow @smilefoundationsa on social media.
IOL News
12-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Dis-Chem Life sets a new course in South Africa's life insurance landscape
Greg Smith has almost always been an insurance man. His role as CEO of Dis-Chem Life is backed by his extensive experience as an actuary and insurtech entrepreneur. Image: Supplied Dis-Chem Life CEO, Greg Smith, has said that the new entrant was carving out a bold new path grounded in ready accessibility, smart technology, and deep integration within South Africa's largest pharmacy and healthcare retail network. The pharmaceutical company recently acquired about 50% of OneSpark, an insurtech startup, for R155.9 million. The merged Dis-Chem Life entity launched in February this year, gearing to capitalise on Dis-Chem's expansive footprint across South Africa. Smith told Business Report in an interview this month that business has been steady over the first few months of operation as Dis-Chem Life. He also disclosed that the company is looking to expand from within the Dis-Chem ecosystem. 'Our growth starts from biggest growth is within our own network. Now with over 350 Dis-Chem stores across the country—and many more planned—our physical footprint is one of our most valuable assets,' Smith said. From wellness clinics to pharmacies and retail aisles, Dis-Chem pharmaceutical stores provide brand visibility for Dis-Chem Life in addition to the usual healthcare services. This means that Dis-Chem Life's work and processes to secure new clients is cut out. 'We don't need to go out and find new customers—we already have a base of over 15 million people who know and trust the Dis-Chem brand,'explained Smith. 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 ✕ Ad loading Although now trading as Dis-Chem Life, the company remains focused on its original principles of democratizing life insurance through offering affordable life insurance for income groups in the country. From the beginning, said Smith, OneSpark was able to build products that could compete with anyone in the market. The Dis-Chem footprint, technological clout and a large stack of client and customer data is further enhancing prospects for the company as it operates against bigger players. 'Now we have the technology, the retail footprint, and the data to deliver value where it's needed most. We've already seen strong early uptake,' said Smith. Smith has almost always been an insurance man. His role as CEO of Dis-Chem Life is backed by his extensive experience as an actuary and insurtech entrepreneur. A former top actuarial student at Wits University, he played a key role in developing more than 50 groundbreaking insurance products at Discovery. As the founder of OneSpark, he was in 2022 named one of the Top 10 Most Inspiring Global CEOs. The merged Dis-chem Life enables it to operate at a bigger scale while retaining the initial a startup mindset. This means that Smith and his team at Dis-Chem Life can still continue to push innovation boundaries, moreso with better resources and a trusted brand. Smith is aware though that the bigger traditional players in the South African life insurance sector have strong brands and other legacy advantages. The disadvantage they have was that these traditional operators also with rigid models that curtail their approach to innovation. 'We are agile, we innovate constantly, and we have designed products that are genuinely simple, valuable, and rewarding.' The company was currently roping in innovations to do with payment systems, access, and rewards. With chronic diseases linked to lifestyles causing 20% of deaths among South Africans aged 35 to 64, Smith argues that insurance should be structured to incentivise better health management while providing comprehensive financial protection. This kind of approach was proving to be central for the company's growth and ambitions.
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Generational wealth: Dis-Chem founder gifts sons nearly R7 billion in shares
The shares are equivalent to about a 25% stake in Dis-Chem. Dis-Chem founder Ivan Saltzman has taken gifting to a new level as he prepares the next generation of the family to become significant shareholders in the pharmacy group. Accelerating his succession plan, he has handed over 217 shares in the pharmacy to his two sons, Dan and Mark Saltzman. By the end of trading on 19 June, the shares were worth R6.8 billion. The 217 shares gifted to the sons were previously held by Ivlyn Local Investment Holdings (Ivlyn), also founded by Ivan and his wife, Lynette Saltzman. The shares are equivalent to approximately a 25% stake in Dis-Chem. New era for Dis-Chem The news was announced on Friday by the group, which is worth R27 billion. 'Ivan Saltzman is in the process of restructuring his interest in the Dis-Chem share portfolio, which is held through Ivlyn Local Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited. 'This restructuring involves the distribution 217 125 386 ordinary shares. All distributed shares will remain within the Saltzman family, thereby continuing current family ownership,' read the announcement. Ivlyn, before the transaction, held 29.31% of Dis-Chem, and it now holds 4.06%. While Dan and Mark each hold 12.62% of the group. NOW READ: 'No whites' letter cost Dis-Chem hundreds of millions in profit Third son already at Dis-Chem Before the transaction, neither of the two sons held an executive position or a board seat. However, this is expected to change as they become more involved in the group's operation. Another son of the Saltzman family, Saul, has held various positions within the group throughout his entire career and was appointed executive director alongside his father in 2022. Saul already has shares in the group. Dis-Chem was founded in 1978 and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in 2016. 'The transaction will not affect the liquidity of the company's shares traded on the JSE.' Who owns the company? Ivan stepped down as CEO in 2023 after 45 years, succeeded by Rui Morais, who had previously served as the company's CFO. In 2021, the Saltzmans reduced their shareholding in the group from above 50% to 31% through several transactions. 7% was sold to the open market for almost R2 billion to interested investors, and a 3.75% stake was also sold to senior executives, including Morais. In the previous financial year, Ivan received total remuneration of R17 million, while his wife was paid R14 million. Despite Ivan's stepping down in 2023, he and Lynette remain actively involved in the company's operations. Saul was paid a total of R7.9 million. NOW READ: Dis-Chem's growth strategy challenges Clicks' dominance
