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The Star
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
UJ ABSA Challenge 2025 highlights the strategic prowess of future business leaders
It was a true clash of intellects as the University of Johannesburg (UJ) played host to the much-anticipated 2025 UJ ABSA Challenge, a strategic finance competition designed to showcase the acumen of tomorrow's business leaders. Held on August, 1, 2025, the final round was no ordinary event; it was a high-pressure arena where the top three teams, each comprised of five bright students, rose to the occasion with strategic presentations based on real-world business scenarios. Teams were tasked with dissecting complex case studies, applying advanced thinking across strategic, financial, and operational domains. The stakes were high, and every team exhibited an extraordinary level of professionalism, creativity, and analytical prowess. However, it was Group 7 that clinched the title, having left an indelible mark on both academic and industry judges with their comprehensive analysis, practical recommendations, and alignment with the CIMA strategic management framework. 'The UJ ABSA Challenge is more than just a competition, it's a launchpad for future business leaders,' expressed Kevin Thomas, senior lecturer at UJ. 'This year's finalists exemplified the strategic thinking and professionalism that the CGMA designation represents.' The members of Group 7 reflected on their journey to victory, attributing their success not just to individual talent but to the strength they found in collaboration The members of Group 7 reflected on their collaborative journey to victory, emphasising that their success was not solely the result of individual talent. Shelly Lerato Mahlangu who spoke to Saturday Star underscored the importance of teamwork, stating, 'Winning this challenge wasn't just about strategy; it was about teamwork, resilience, and believing in our vision. It was crucial that we worked together as a group. We held meetings, critiqued each other's work, and provided feedback to improve. That process led us to this moment.' Mandlenkosi Masuku echoed her sentiments: 'I'm happy that the team won after hours of preparation, it would not have been possible without collaborative effort.' Meanwhile, Bill Katutwa addressed the challenges they encountered, saying, 'Individually, we faced challenges; together, we found strength. Through every struggle and disagreement, we grew. In the end, we didn't just win the competition, we built something stronger: unity.' Gracia Kalend Yav remarked on their understated approach: 'We were not the loudest in the room, but we showed up, worked hard, and let the effort speak for itself. Winning this means a lot, it proves that consistency and teamwork really do pay off.' Neo Madavhu added a poignant note, stating, 'We didn't win just because of skill, we won because of trust, teamwork, and belief. Through every challenge, we showed up for each other. This is a victory that means more than just a title.' The competition, a collaborative effort between UJ and ABSA, aims to simulate real business dynamics and encourages students to integrate strategic finance and management accounting in practical settings. It forms part of UJ's broader commitment to preparing students for a rapidly evolving workforce by equipping them with essential employability skills, including problem-solving, strategic decision-making, and effective communication. [email protected] Saturday Star
IOL News
04-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
UJ ABSA Challenge 2025 highlights the strategic prowess of future business leaders
It was a true clash of intellects as the University of Johannesburg (UJ) played host to the much-anticipated 2025 UJ ABSA Challenge, a strategic finance competition designed to showcase the acumen of tomorrow's business leaders. Held on August, 1, 2025, the final round was no ordinary event; it was a high-pressure arena where the top three teams, each comprised of five bright students, rose to the occasion with strategic presentations based on real-world business scenarios. Teams were tasked with dissecting complex case studies, applying advanced thinking across strategic, financial, and operational domains. The stakes were high, and every team exhibited an extraordinary level of professionalism, creativity, and analytical prowess. However, it was Group 7 that clinched the title, having left an indelible mark on both academic and industry judges with their comprehensive analysis, practical recommendations, and alignment with the CIMA strategic management framework. 'The UJ ABSA Challenge is more than just a competition, it's a launchpad for future business leaders,' expressed Kevin Thomas, senior lecturer at UJ. 'This year's finalists exemplified the strategic thinking and professionalism that the CGMA designation represents.' The members of Group 7 reflected on their journey to victory, attributing their success not just to individual talent but to the strength they found in collaboration The members of Group 7 reflected on their collaborative journey to victory, emphasising that their success was not solely the result of individual talent. Shelly Lerato Mahlangu who spoke to Saturday Star underscored the importance of teamwork, stating, 'Winning this challenge wasn't just about strategy; it was about teamwork, resilience, and believing in our vision. It was crucial that we worked together as a group. We held meetings, critiqued each other's work, and provided feedback to improve. That process led us to this moment.' Mandlenkosi Masuku echoed her sentiments: 'I'm happy that the team won after hours of preparation, it would not have been possible without collaborative effort.' Meanwhile, Bill Katutwa addressed the challenges they encountered, saying, 'Individually, we faced challenges; together, we found strength. Through every struggle and disagreement, we grew. In the end, we didn't just win the competition, we built something stronger: unity.' Gracia Kalend Yav remarked on their understated approach: 'We were not the loudest in the room, but we showed up, worked hard, and let the effort speak for itself. Winning this means a lot, it proves that consistency and teamwork really do pay off.' Neo Madavhu added a poignant note, stating, 'We didn't win just because of skill, we won because of trust, teamwork, and belief. Through every challenge, we showed up for each other. This is a victory that means more than just a title.' The competition, a collaborative effort between UJ and ABSA, aims to simulate real business dynamics and encourages students to integrate strategic finance and management accounting in practical settings. It forms part of UJ's broader commitment to preparing students for a rapidly evolving workforce by equipping them with essential employability skills, including problem-solving, strategic decision-making, and effective communication. Saturday Star
Sydney Morning Herald
30-07-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Scientists tested their homes and cars. They were inhaling 68,000 microplastics every day
Researchers who tested their homes and cars for airborne microplastics have reported that levels of the ultra-small pollutants, capable of penetrating deep into our lungs, may be 100 times higher than previously estimated. The study was on a tiny scale, with 16 air samples taken across three apartments and two cars, but it focused on detecting smaller microplastics compared to other experiments, which have typically focused on larger particles. 'We found that over 90 per cent of the microplastic particles in indoor air, across both homes and cars, were smaller than 10 micrometres (µm) – small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs,' wrote the authors, led by Nadiia Yakovenko from the University of Toulouse in France. 'This was also the first study to measure microplastics in the car cabin environment, and overall, we detected indoor concentrations up to 100 times higher than previous extrapolated estimates – revealing indoor air as a major and previously underestimated exposure route of fine particulate microplastic inhalation.' The researchers estimated in PLOS One there were 528 microplastic particles per cubic metre in their apartments and 2238 per cubic metre in their cars. When they combined their results with previously published data, the authors estimated adults may inhale 3200 larger microplastics, sized between 10 and 300 micrometres, per day. For the microplastics smaller than 10 micrometres, which is about seven times thinner than a hair strand, it was 68,000 particles per day. Smaller microplastics can reach the alveoli, tiny air sacks in the lungs which move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide. The study's focus on under-studied particles under 10 micrometres is valuable, said environmental health scientist Professor Kevin Thomas, but its conclusions should be taken with caution given the limited sample size and because measuring tiny particles comes with higher uncertainty.
The Age
30-07-2025
- Health
- The Age
Scientists tested their homes and cars. They were inhaling 68,000 microplastics every day
Researchers who tested their homes and cars for airborne microplastics have reported that levels of the ultra-small pollutants, capable of penetrating deep into our lungs, may be 100 times higher than previously estimated. The study was on a tiny scale, with 16 air samples taken across three apartments and two cars, but it focused on detecting smaller microplastics compared to other experiments, which have typically focused on larger particles. 'We found that over 90 per cent of the microplastic particles in indoor air, across both homes and cars, were smaller than 10 micrometres (µm) – small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs,' wrote the authors, led by Nadiia Yakovenko from the University of Toulouse in France. 'This was also the first study to measure microplastics in the car cabin environment, and overall, we detected indoor concentrations up to 100 times higher than previous extrapolated estimates – revealing indoor air as a major and previously underestimated exposure route of fine particulate microplastic inhalation.' The researchers estimated in PLOS One there were 528 microplastic particles per cubic metre in their apartments and 2238 per cubic metre in their cars. When they combined their results with previously published data, the authors estimated adults may inhale 3200 larger microplastics, sized between 10 and 300 micrometres, per day. For the microplastics smaller than 10 micrometres, which is about seven times thinner than a hair strand, it was 68,000 particles per day. Smaller microplastics can reach the alveoli, tiny air sacks in the lungs which move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide. The study's focus on under-studied particles under 10 micrometres is valuable, said environmental health scientist Professor Kevin Thomas, but its conclusions should be taken with caution given the limited sample size and because measuring tiny particles comes with higher uncertainty.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local woman, 2 others plead guilty to cross-state drug trafficking ring participation
A local Pennsylvania woman and two others from Ohio and New Jersey pleaded guilty in federal court for their alleged connection to a cross-state drug trafficking ring. A U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson says Melissa Frain, 36, of Indiana, entered a guilty plea on May 30 to charges of violating federal narcotics laws. Also pleading were Robert Hurst, 46, of North Royalton, Ohio, and Kevin Thomas, 48, of Newark, N.J. Officials say the three are among 27 people charged in March 2023 for their alleged participation in a cross-state narcotics conspiracy involving large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, crack and heroin. Between about September 2021 and January 2022, Frain is said to have conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute quantities of mixtures of cocaine, fentanyl and crack. The defendants will be sentenced on Sept. 17. They could face up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million or both. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
