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Be Safe – Because encouraging Namibians to be safe is at the heart of what we do
What we do
Safe driving is everyone’s responsibility, and it is important that the necessary precautions are taken to lessen the chance of having an accident.
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Seven tips to help you save responsibly on your insurance premium
For most Namibians, the past several months have been a real challenge, forcing individuals and businesses to look for ways to save money during a tough economic period.
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3 easy steps to trading in your car
Trading in your old car for a shiny newer model is by far the most convenient way to upgrade your set of wheels. Although you will get more money selling it yourself, most dealerships will fall over themselves to sell you a great value second-hand car. The trick to getting the best deal is to do your homework and be a savvy negotiator. Follow these three steps to win at trading in.
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Get the full picture: hidden costs of trading in your car
Trading in your car is a convenient way to get your hands on a shinier, newer model. However, sales people often put too much focus on the most affordable monthly installment, leaving you to budget for all those hidden extras you may not have considered. Before you lose your heart on your dream car, run through this list of common expenses to help you see the full picture and make a smart buy.
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Our guide to home contents insurance - and why combining cover saves you money
What you own is more than just stuff. It takes a lifetime to build up a collection of prized possessions so it’s important to ensure, should any of these possessions get lost or damaged, that you have enough financial support to repair or replace them.
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Award-winning entrepreneur Lindiwe Matlalis secrets to her success
It’s a first-of-its-kind block-based coding platform to teach school children to code, from foundational phase up, in their mother tongues.
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ix tips to help you save responsibly without compromising on your cover
They say ‘you get what you pay for’ which is why when it comes to car and home insurance cheaper is not always better.
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6 Trends for entrepreneurs to embrace right now
With the world slowly starting to recover, 2021 has become a year for rebuilding. Here are some of the main trends that entrepreneurs should consider.
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Could the pandemic be the catalyst for collaboration between industries?
Entrepreneur Kim Whitaker is a Corona virus survivor who was spurred on to take action after a conversation with a doctor and fellow entrepreneur.
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Why you need building insurance and how to switch from your bank
South Africans have by now become used to checking load shedding schedules on a daily basis, and planning their activities around these. However, a recent consumer survey has revealed that many households are not taking adequate steps to minimise damage and loss during load shedding.
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Cyber crime is huge: how to protect your business
Cyber criminals no longer only target large corporates. Big or small business, city or small town – no one is exempt from criminals trying to gain access to your money or personal information. South Africa has the third highest number of cyber crime victims worldwide, while cyber crime is now the fourth most reported economic crime in South Africa, according to the findings of PwC's 2016 Global Economic Crime Survey.
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How to trade in your second-hand car and get the most cash for it
Trading in a second-hand car at a dealership is convenient but may mean that you get less than you bargained for. We enlisted the help of a financial journalist to help you get the most from your trade-in.
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The difference between the retail and market value of a car
Would you need to completely replace your car if it is stolen or written off after an accident? If so, do you know what value your car has been insured for? For many of us, the difference between the retail and market value of your car is confusing but fortunately Santam’s experts can help us figure it out.
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Should I insure my car for retail, trade-in or market value?
Many South Africans don’t understand that you can insure your car for different values but in order to understand how your premium will be calculated, it is important to understand the difference between retail, trade or market value.
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Cash business? Make sure you have the right insurance cover
“Money is king” is a saying that still rings true especially for small businesses. But having a lot of cash on your premises increases your risk of armed robberies and burglaries. There are however, a number of ways in which you can protect yourself.
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Seamless risk protection for mega projects: Tanzania
Infrastructure development is booming across Africa, due in no small part to significant economic growth and foreign direct investment. In line with this, and as part of Santam’s strategic expansion into Africa in partnership with Sanlam Emerging Markets.
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Reduce your business' risk and save on insurance premiums
There is little doubt that you are running your business in a climate where cost management is everything, which is why reducing your business’ exposure to risk makes good sense. Not only will it help make sure your business keeps running, you could save on your monthly business insurance premiums.
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Protect your business this Winter
South Africa is preparing for a spate of cold fronts in the next few weeks and business owners would do well to ensure they are adequately protected against the consequences of adverse winter conditions.
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Load shedding: your questions answered
This month, we're focusing on a specific question around load shedding which came directly from the public. In the coming months, we'll use more questions and case studies to illustrate the value of getting the proper advice around short-term insurance.
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Advice: load shedding, insurance and generators
Eskom's decision to implement load shedding on a regular basis is having a severe impact on South African households - not least of which is the increased risk of damage to sensitive electronic items due to power surges, fires and crime as a result of security systems not operating properly.
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The importance of business interruption cover for SME’s
The journey through the first 3 years, or 1001 days of a start-up business is a mix of good and bad days. To make it through the bad ones – the days when delivery vans crash or stock gets stolen – you need an insurer that understands the importance of keeping your business in business.
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Navigating insurance has never been easier
Our new-look Santam website is a easy to navigate across all devices and puts useful information at your fingertips,from finding your nearest broker to redesigned insurance calculators to help find the right insurance for you.
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Protect your home against flooding
There's no doubt that weather-related events like flooding, caused by heavy rains, have increased in the frequency and severity over the past few years, often causing damage worth millions of rands.
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How to protect your car from pothole damage
A pothole is one of your car’s worst enemies. We look at how to avoid them, the warning signs to watch out for and what to do if you've hit one.
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Treating customers fairly (TCF) and intermediaries
The Financial Services Board’s (FSB) Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) regulations came into effect more than a year ago in order to address concerns about what boiled down to ‘unfair treatment’ from a number of financial services related institutions.
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Come visit santam agriculture at NAMPO
Santam Agriculture will again have a strong presence at Grain SA’s NAMPO in Bothaville in the Free State from 12 to 15 May 2015.
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Help clients prevent getting flooded out this winter
Winter is around the corner and with it comes the possibility of torrential rain and flooding in large parts of South Africa. Flooding can happen at any time of the year and is not only limited to the summer months of December, January and February.
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1 001 Days by Explosive Functional Fitness
The first 3 years, or 1001 days, are the hardest for any business, with the majority never reaching their third business anniversary. We talked to Garth Hendricks about his journey from being a personal trainer to owning a booming indoor boot camp business, which he dreams of franchising in the next few years.
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How to winterproof your home and save money
With the winter months upon us, now’s the time to take a long hard look at how you can winterproof your home, keeping it in tiptop shape and saving you money in the long run.
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How ACSA’s new hand luggage restrictions may affect your insurance
The Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) issued new hand luggage restrictions earlier this year which may affect your insurance cover.
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Building resilience through partnerships
South Africa’s insurance risk pool is affected by a number of trends and changes that have materially impacted risk profiles and claims patterns. It has been important to adapt underwriting and risk management strategies to take account of these to achieve Santam’s strategic objectives.
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Hail storms, floods and fires: How we helped out
Read about how the insurance industry is uniquely positioned to tackle several risks and opportunities in a changing risk landscape.
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Santam partners with farmers to encourage proactive fire risk management
Santam Agriculture is partnering with farmers to create awareness of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act and encourage proactive fire risk management.
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Innovation in our commercial contact centre
Today’s customers expect more from every business interaction. For many, this interaction starts and ends with their contact centre experience. Read about innovation in our commercial contact centre this year.
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Keep your bicycle (and yourself) safe
Whether you like ambling about on your bicycle for fun or if you’re training for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, knowing how to stay safe is the best way to enjoy your time cycling.
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Our latest TV ad: One-of-a-kind insurance for a one-of-a-kind country
Our new TV ad takes a fly-on-the-wall look at foreigners from India to the UK, from the Netherlands to Japan, as they share anecdotes about South Africa with their friends. Take a look and tell us what you think.
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The small business owner’s guide to surviving load shedding
We’ve put together some practical advice which can help lighten the impact of load shedding on your business.
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4 tips to ensure you’re protecting your eyes properly
Let's face it, getting distracted while driving doesn't take much. The 'ping' from your cellphone, the good song you haven't heard in a long time or the lip gloss you simply have to apply right away. All these distractions can cause you to take your eyes off the road or lose concentration when you're supposed to be concentrating on getting home safely.
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1 001 Days by Benger
The first 1000 days of business is a challenging time for most start-ups, with the majority never reaching their third business anniversary. We interviewed four diverse companies who surpassed this milestone and now share their insights with fellow entrepreneurs.
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What homeowners need to know about insuring a second home
Does my current home insurance cover my second home as well? Here's everything you need to know about insuring a second home.
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Safety tips for your next road trip this holiday season
You're all packed up and getting some last-minute snacks before you hit the long road but you have a worrying feeling you've forgotten to do something important. We put together a list of a few things you'll need to remember to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones on the road this festive season.
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What to do in the event of an earthquake
Earthquakes or tremors are not common in South Africa but the 5’5 magnitude earthquake in Orkney in August 2014 highlighted the importance and value of ensuring your own safety and the safety of those you love. Santam’s experts recommend the following guidelines in the event of an earthquake, severe tremor, no matter where you are.
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1 001 Days of business for Dineplan
The first 1000 days of business are make or break for entrepreneurs. In this infographic, we take a look at the business highs and lows of Martin Rose, owner of digital reservation service, Dineplan, and share his insights.
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How to maintain your roof
Prevention is better than cure. That is why inspecting and keeping your roof in a good condition can make a world of difference to a big roof repair bill somewhere down the line.
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Flooded? here’s what you need to do
Summer is nearly here and with it comes the possibility of torrential rain and flooding in large parts of South Africa. Historically, most incidents of flooding takes place December, January and February.
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1 001 Days of business by So We Too
It can be challenging to make it through the first 1000 days of business - just ask Raymond Rampolokeng, one of the co-founders of SO WE TOO - a cooperative of seven enterprising tourism operators in Soweto. We sat down with this bird watching extraordinaire to learn more about his business journey and share his ultimate survival tips.
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Everything you need to know about 4x4 insurance
We answer your questions regarding 4x4 adventures and insurance, helping you steer clear of sticky situations.
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1 001 Days of business by Jesse James
The first 1000 days of business are make or break for entrepreneurs. Statistically, very few companies survive the first 1000 days (3 years) of business so we sat down with 3 very diverse businesses to get their advice on how to get to day 1001.
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What you need to know about buying a car
Buying or selling a car? We spoke to some of SA’s leading car experts and motoring journalist to get their advice on what you need to know about buying a car. Their useful tips will help you make the right choice, get the most value, and take better care of your car.
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Home explorer: everyday risks you need to know
The Santam Home Explorer is a unique interactive video guide to making your home a safer place to live for you and your family. We show you where everyday risks can occur and how to prevent them. You can decide which areas of the home you would like to explore by clicking on the interactive areas in the video.
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What does it take to survive your first 1000 days as a start-up business?
From statistics, we know that the first 1000 days are the most challenging for small businesses. Over the next few months, we will be sharing the stories of those that made it past this important milestone and how they did it. We hope that by letting these entrepreneurs tell us what they went through and how they survived it, we will help more local businesses pass this important milestone.
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Tips on how to protect yourself from lightning
Our research has shown that the average house in Johannesburg and Pretoria will be struck by lightning once every 25 years however, the same house will experience power surges, due to lightning, more than ten times per year. Our technical specialists have put together some advice and tips on how to keep safe
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How to buy a second-hand car in 10 steps
Here's the ultimate guide on how to smartly buy a used car in just ten steps, with car journalist Wilmer Müller.
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5 ways to increase the value of your car before selling
Before buying a new car, you will likely need to sell your old one. You can easily increase its value by keeping maintenance up to date and sprucing it up with a few clever tricks just before you sell it. Adam Ford, second-hand car expert and TV presenter, lists five tips that will give you the competitive edge and help you earn the most cash from your sale.
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Common issues facing new and used car owners
Gaskets, cylinders, coil-packs and lambda. Whether you’re trying to decipher your favourite TV motoring show or aiming to better communicate with your mechanic to spruce up the car you are selling or buying, it pays to learn some of the most commonly used lingo. We sat down with Aaron Borrill, senior car journalist and blogger, to find out what some of the most common issues are.
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What you need to know about buying a new or used car
Looking to change your car? Some people will always look for a bargain second-hand buy while others swear by cars off the showroom floor. With the help of car journalist and motoring man, Calvin Fisher, we weigh up both sides of the argument, plus share some must-knows.
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5 lessons advanced drivers can teach you about driving
Sharpen up you driving skills with 5 tips from an advanced driving instructor – helping you stay safe on the road with Santam.
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What you need to know when moving to a new home
Recently, we spoke to five local experts to get their advice on what you need to know about buying a home. Their useful tips can help turn a stressful time into a happy one.
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Guest house insurance: what you need to know
Whether you’re a guest house or small bed and breakfast owner, Santam can offer you the type of insurance that will cover most eventualities.
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Your offer is accepted & you're about to move
You're furiously working through the paperwork with one eye on the move, here are some tips to make sure the move goes smoothly and your new home is safe and secure.
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20 surprising things you’ll need when moving house
Moving is notoriously stressful – there are thousands of things to think of as you uproot your beloved home. The most important thing to decide is whether you will use a removal company to help you pack and unpack, or whether you will pack and they will move?
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6 hidden costs of buying a home
They say the costs of buying a home can be as much as 10% of the asking price, from admin fees to the more unexpected defects waiting for you. We spoke to an estate agent to uncover some of the most common cost surprises, to help you plan better:
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Managing your business’ risk
Running a small business in South Africa. That is why we’ve identified some of forms of risk facing South African small businesses specifically as well as some practical tips to help you manage those risks.
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Making an offer and applying for finance
It’s easy to get carried away when searching for the perfect house, here Santam gives advice on making an offer for a new home and applying for finance.
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The facts, the damage and the need-to-knows about hail
If you are a Santam policyholder and your property, roof or vehicle is damaged by hail during hailstorms, contact our 24/7 SOS emergency and claims line.
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The common cold of our time
Useful safety tips on how to ensure that you reduce the risk of cyber fraud and hacking. Read more about online security threats, password protection.
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Easy ways to back up your data
The risks of not backing up data are much greater than most business owners realise, Santam Information Security Officer, Andre Nel tells us more.
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You have survived 1 001 days, now share your story with us
They say that the first 3 years of business are make or break for an entrepreneur. Like a relationship, this is the time in which you really get to know what works for your business. If you have made it through the ups and downs of these crucial years, we would like to hear more about your business journey
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3 ways to introduce innovative thinking in your small business
In today’s world, where consumers have a myriad of options available, you have to position your business as a leader in innovative thinking in order to grow and most importantly, stay in business. How do you do that?
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5 essential checks before buying a home
You’ve found your dream home, the price is right and you can’t wait to move in. We talked to expert builder Marc Kilner of Kilner Construction to share five essential checks you need to do before signing on the dotted line.
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Ten must-have items that should always be in your car
Santam’s Road assistance service provider reports that call-outs for help on the road is often one of the most frequently used benefits by South African policyholders.
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How to maintain your geyser to prevent accidents
It happens when you least expect it. The day your geyser decides that it’s had enough. In fact, Santam’s claims figures show that geysers mostly tend to give our policyholders problems on a Monday.
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5 things to consider when choosing a new neighbourhood
Shopping for a new neighbourhood? Don’t be dazzled by a great house or what you see on the surface. Do your homework and take a good look around. We chatted to Paul Burger, Patrol Coordinator of the HarLyn Neighbourhood Watch, about some things to look out for in a new neighbourhood:
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Can you afford not to have insurance good and proper?
When things go wrong, that’s when you could do with a little extra and no excuses. And that’s why Santam offers compelling rewards, benefits and services for you and your business. Plus the added advantage of knowing that you can rely on insurance good and proper, to do what it’s supposed to do, when you need it most.
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How to increase the value of your home in 24 hours
Selling your home? You can easily increase its value in a weekend with a few carefully chosen DIY or décor projects. With the help of Jeanne Botes, Décor Editor of Elle Decoration, we break down 24 hours with tips that will take your house from fixer-upper to fabulous find.
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The 5 W s and 1 H of marketing your business
These days, you don't need a whopping ad budget to have an effective marketing plan. Not sure where to even start? These 5 W's and 1 H should help you take the first steps in marketing your business
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Business advice from the small business growth conference
The Small Business Growth Conference, held in March at the CTICC, brought together small business owners for advice from some of the best small business experts in the country.
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How to do business in other countries
Sunel Beeselaar discusses what businesses need to consider when working across borders. She gives advice and tips on what to watch out for when considering doing business in another country.
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Growing a business through learning
Sibulele Siko-Shosha talks about the biggest lesson she learned through starting and growing her business and shares her insights on understanding business processes and systems in order to build a successful business.
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The biggest problems entrepreneurs face
David Seinker explains why attempting to succeed as a one-man band is one the biggest problems faced by entrepreneurs in South Africa.
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Managing excessive sick leave
Gerrie van der Watt is passionate about assisting businesses in overcoming internal workflow challenges and implementing healthy work practices.
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The key to small business marketing
Mike Joubert shares practical insights on how to focus on developing a sustainable business offering in a highly competitive market environment.
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Overcoming obstacles to move ahead
Catherine Wijnberg discusses an entrepreneur’s biggest obstacle and gives insights into how to overcome these roadblocks.
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5 ways to create an effective website for your small business.
Remember the days when you only had to worry about getting a spot in the latest Yellow Pages to promote your business? Nowadays, being without a business website is not really an option.
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Four essential business lessons from the small business growth conference
The Small Business Growth Conference, held in March at the CTICC, brought together small business owners for advice from some of the best small business experts in the country. The focus? Exploring the key areas small businesses need to invest in to grow their busines
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7 ways to find your dream home and neighbourhood
Its easy to get carried away when searching for the perfect house, here Santam give 7 tips that will help you find your perfect home.
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How to teach your kids about safety
The Santam Child Safety Survey showed that 60% of children don't believe adults follow the rules that they teach them. Even more frightening, 96% wish their parents would take fewer risks while driving.
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The Santam safety survey
When you look at the world from a child’s perspective it will change how you approach everyday risks. Children are hard-wired from birth to learn by watching our actions. They learn far more from what we do than what we say.
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5 mistakes people make when buying used cars
Buying a pre-owned car is usually a better investment than buying one new, since new cars lose about 25% of their value as soon as they leave the showroom. The prospective buyer needs to be wary, however, especially when buying a used car privately.
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5 steps to take when writing a business marketing plan
A product or business is only as good as its marketing plan. In order to attract and retain customers, your business needs a marketing plan. People are unlikely to stumble across your business, if they don’t know who you are, what you’re selling or offering, or who to look for online. So, how do you approach writing a business marketing plan? Take a look at the infographic.
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How to work out the retail value of your car
Its a good idea to do an annual check on the retail value of your car. For starters, your car depreciates in value every year, which means you could be over-insured, so your insurance premium may be higher than it needs to be.
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6 things you can do to make your home safer
There are certain things which we all know we should do, but somehow never quite get round to doing them. Let us help make your home safer.
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How to comply with the CPA to keep your business safe
8 things your small business should be doing to comply with the Consumer Protection Act.
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Our latest TV ads featuring world-class hypnotist Keith Barry
All the people in our TV ads were really hypnotised by Keith Barry to show how a small change in thinking can make us safer. Find out more about the psychology behind safety.
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How sme’s can manage debt effectively
Each month we are inviting a Guest Expert to give us tips and advice that is helpful to SME owners. This month we have Kelebogile Mooketsi, a registered and accredited Debt Counsellor.
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How to have a safer new year
Welcome to January. A month of hopeful resolutions; optimistic gym memberships and renewals; reluctant crawls back to work and lingering regrets over saying “yes” to second helpings all holiday season.
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The cost of insuring Santa Claus
If you thought you had some challenges preparing for the holiday season, spare a thought for Santa Claus. Delivering the right presents to the right children (last count 2 billion worldwide even if you discount the naughty ones) is hard work.
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Holiday mode
As minds drift away from the office and into the festive season, some things get forgotten, lost and left behind. Holiday mode is great for you – but not always great for your belongings.
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Is your biggest challenge your biggest opportunity?
Santam has brought together an expert panel of some of South Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs to share their best business insights. Meet Jody, Luvuyo and Pumeza.
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Funding your business in tough economic times
Three South African Entrepreneurs share how they went about securing funding and entered into partnerships to save money and grow their businesses.
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Miss Milli B shares her insights
Each month we are inviting a successful business mind to share insights and advice helpful to SME owners. This month we have Miss Milli B - blogger, writer, trend consultant www.missmillib.blogspot.com.
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Q and A with guest editor: Sizwe Nzima – on the challenges facing SME’s
Each month Santam for Business invites a successful SME owner to share their advice and insights on managing risk and growing a business. This month we interviewed Sizwe Nzima and asked for his SME advice and tips on business risk management.
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Manage your personal insurance, no matter where you are
At Santam, we’re passionate about delivering innovative solutions to give you a more convenient claims experience. This is why we designed an app, made for Namibia, which gives you the freedom to manage your insurance the good and proper way, no matter where you are.
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Claiming online: here’s how to do it
No one likes claiming, we know. In our recent advertising campaign, we asked people what they’d rather do than claim - getting a haircut from a kid or taking a shower in a carwash were some of the hilarious answers we got back. So because we want to make claiming as easy and convenient as possible for our policyholders, here’s a reminder that you can manage your insurance online on our dedicated client website and Santam app. It’s just another way that we do insurance good and proper.
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Have a safe holiday away – the checks to do before you lock up and go
The long summer holiday is the perfect time to lock up your home and go away for a well-deserved break with friends and family.
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Mind the Gap Cover: Get Vehicle Credit Shortfall Insurance
The end-of-year holidays are popular times for car buyers to upgrade their set of wheels, whether it’s to impress visiting family or to enjoy a long road trip in comfort.
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Load shedding: survey reveals South Africans not taking adequate steps to protect property
South Africans have by now become used to checking load shedding schedules on a daily basis, and planning their activities around these. However, a recent consumer survey has revealed that many households are not taking adequate steps to minimise damage and loss during load shedding.
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E-tolls and insurance: we answer your questions
We’ve received a few questions about e-tolls and insurance which our underwriting team have answered.
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Beyond protected in tough economic times
Underinsurance is a challenge for Namibian businesses. Underestimating the replacement value of any business equipment, combined with a failure to regularly review policies, means that the percentage of Namibian businesses that are underinsured could be really high.
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Common pitfalls when insuring against business interruption
Fire, storm damage and other modern-day risks can cause a significant disruption to a business. Steering clear of the most common pitfalls when insuring against business interruption will safeguard your company until it can operate at 100% again.