Thalia Holmes

Thalia is a freelance business reporter for the Mail & Guardian. She grew up in Swaziland and lived in the US before returning to South Africa.

She got a cum laude degree in marketing and followed it with another in English literature and psychology before further confusing things by becoming a black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) consultant.

After spending five years hearing the surprised exclamation, "But you're white!", she decided to pursue her latent passion for journalism, and joined the M&G in 2012.

The next year, she won the Brandhouse Journalist of the Year Award, the Brandhouse Best Online Award and was chosen as one of five finalists from Africa for the German Media Development Award. In 2014, she and a colleague won the Standard Bank Sivukile Multimedia Award.

She now writes and edits for various publications, but her heart still belongs to the M&G.

Behaviour Change in the age of Covid-19

Special Reports Thalia Holmes - 3 Sep 2020

'If we build better systems and ask the right questions and frame things in the right way, it may help us reduce incidences of corruption'

Fraud and corruption in the Covid-19 era

Special Reports Thalia Holmes - 26 Aug 2020

'We need to make it fundamentally uncool to even be accused of a crime – right now in South Africa being accused of a crime doesn’t end your career'

Saving the class of 2020

Special Reports Thalia Holmes - 17 Aug 2020

The 10-week Educate programme was created to help matric students who have been disrupted by the pandemic get back on track for their final exams

The rise and rise of Rise Uniforms

Special Reports Thalia Holmes - 30 Jun 2020

'If you can’t take a risk then you’re not an entrepreneur, and you might as well get out of the space' says Ntombekhaya Nonnxuba

How to get R7 000 government funding for your spaza shop or traditional grocery store

Special Reports Thalia Holmes - 29 Jun 2020

The Spaza Shop Support scheme allows for your business to access a R3 500 working capital injection and an additional R3 500 in revolving credit

Two small business manage to stay afloat

Special Reports Thalia Holmes - 25 Jun 2020

When lockdown closes the doors of your business you have to learn to think on your feet to keep the wolf from the door

Rethinking partnerships: a key way to keep your business going through the pandemic

Special Reports Thalia Holmes - 24 Jun 2020

Stay in conversation with your suppliers, be agile and try to honour your debts wherever possible to keep your small business viable

Debt Relief Fund a mere drop in the ocean

Special Reports Thalia Holmes - 10 Jun 2020

Most South African SMMEs have received no assistance from the Debt Relief Fund, 90% are in crisis, and many will be forced to close

Cutting salaries? Five ways to make the process less painful

Special Reports Thalia Holmes - 10 Jun 2020

Debt will only put a future strain on cash flow and could result in tremendous financial stress on the owners of the business if they're not able to recover

How to compare investment fees

Article Thalia Holmes - 5 Apr 2019

It’s a matter of deciphering the acronyms, but the crouton in the financial alphabet soup is the EAC

Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my levy

Article Thalia Holmes - 23 Nov 2018

Treasury is coining it as South Africans continue to shell out for their favourite sugary drinks

72 hours to care: The precarious road to psychiatric help

Article Thalia Holmes - 15 Nov 2018

For many people with severe mental illnesses, these special wards can be a lifeline and the first step to care — if they can get there.

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Press Releases

Special Reports

National Science and Technology Forum

special reports - 27 Nov 2020

It's an independent SETI platform, an essential element of an active democracy and an important part of the collaboration process needed in SETI

Special Reports

Milestones over the NSTF’s 25-year history

special reports - 27 Nov 2020

The organisation celebrates its Silver Jubilee as an established player in the NSI and as promoter and influencer of SET and innovation in South Africa

Special Reports

Huawei Cloud’s Year-End Sales Carnival

special reports - 27 Nov 2020

Massive discounts on hot cloud services are on offer along with special coupons and other privileges, but hurry, supplies are limited!

Special Reports

Nurturing expert teachers

special reports - 27 Nov 2020

There's a shortage of resources in many schools and it's important for teachers to understand that they are the biggest resource in a classroom

Special Reports

Get Rewarded for banking with Standard Bank Mobile

special reports - 26 Nov 2020

Free data for your bank card spend every month will go that extra mile to help keep South Africans connected to their dreams

Special Reports

Introducing Greening the Future 2020

Staff Reporter - 26 Nov 2020

We highlight the work of those accelerating sustainable living in SA – at a vital moment for the environment

Special Reports

Western Cape SMBs look to technology to get them through pandemic

special reports - 25 Nov 2020

Many companies have over-capitalised on IT infrastructure in the past, and are looking for ways to access simpler, cheaper technology that cuts their costs

Special Reports

Land reform still a hot potato

special reports - 24 Nov 2020

The land has got to belong to all the people of South Africa, and many believe that there’s no other mechanism for that except expropriation