Jeremy’s weekly wrap: Tourism, nursing, agriculture — SA sectors at crossroads

In Durban, Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025 is positioning the continent as “Unlimited” — rich in opportunity, culture, and growth potential. Darryl Erasmus, chief operations officer at South African Tourism, pointed to surging interest, with 1 300 exhibitors from 27 African countries and over 28 000 business meetings already held.

He noted that 75% of South Africa’s international arrivals now come from the rest of Africa. Yet despite these encouraging numbers, familiar barriers remain, visa hurdles; limited air access; infrastructure strain; and crime. Erasmus insisted that steps are being taken, including e-visa pilots and a new air route strategy but acknowledged that credibility depends on execution.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

In the Free State, Land Bank CEO Themba Rikhotso said transformation in agriculture is happening  but too slowly. Speaking at the Nampo Harvest Festival, he described how blended finance, combining grants and loans, has enabled 400 new Black farmers to enter the sector with over R3 billion in support.

But he admitted the current pace won’t correct historical imbalances. He also addressed frustration around red tape, noting new partnerships with government departments to fast-track permits and licenses. After years of financial trouble, Rikhotso said the Land Bank had undergone a full overhaul and is now “ready to perform its mandate sustainably and at scale”.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

In healthcare, Merle Victor, chief nurse officer at Life Healthcare, marked International Nurses Day with a sobering reflection on burnout, mental health strain, and chronic understaffing. While her organisation has invested in support programmes and counselling services, she stressed that unless training is fast-tracked and salaries reviewed, the country risks losing even more nurses to better-paying overseas jobs. She called for a coordinated retention pact between government and private providers.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

And in personal finance, Natasha Huggett-Henchie from the Actuarial Society of South Africa raised serious concerns about the misuse of the new two-pot retirement system. Most withdrawals have been small, repeated claims, suggesting that South Africans are dipping into emergency funds for everyday expenses. With limited financial education and few safeguards, many are risking their long-term financial security for short-term relief — a trend that could trigger a deeper crisis down the line.

Across all four sectors, the message was consistent: South Africa is laying the groundwork  but without faster action, better coordination, and deeper investment, bold intentions will continue to fall short of the outcomes they promise.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

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