Author: Editor
The moment the minister in the presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, declared Chinese low orbit satellite tech superior to Elon Musk’s Starlink, she revealed more than personal bias, writes Gugu Lourie. As Chinese smartphones flood our markets and Huawei’s towers, antennas and 5G tech dominate our skyline, we must ask: are we making strategic decisions or sleepwalking into digital dependency? The reality is that South Africa faces stark choices. Walk into any South African home and you’ll find it powered by Chinese tech: routers, TV boxes, power banks, solar panels and soon electric vehicles. Jonathan E Hillman, in his book, The Digital Silk…
My wife, family, and friends – all Vodacom investors – have questioned why I insist the company must pay Nkosana Makate billions for his “Please Call Me” (PCM) invention, writes Gugu Lourie in the Sunday Times. I argue that R9.4bn is fair compensation, yet Vodacom has fought Makate in court for 25 years. Meanwhile, Vodacom’s auditors, Ernst & Young (E&Y), claim the potential PCM liability is “immaterial” in audited financial statements. Vodacom’s reports state: “Vodacom is continuing to challenge the level of compensation payable to Makate and a provision immaterial to the financial statements has been recorded.” To explain this to my loved…
The South African Post Office (Sapo) has the potential to become a digital lifeline for rural communities by offering Wi-Fi, e-government services, and e-commerce access, writes Gugu Lourie in the Sunday Times. With its vast infrastructure – including 657 branches, a 160,000km fibre network, and a Postbank financial arm -Sapo is uniquely positioned to bridge the digital divide. Why Sapo? Private telecom operators often neglect rural areas due to low profitability, leaving millions offline. However, Sapo, as a state-owned entity, has a social obligation to ensure no community is excluded from the digital economy. Unlocking Rural Potential Sapo’s existing assets…
The mobile operator must just settle the ‘please call me’ saga already — it can easily afford to; writes Gugu Lourie in the Sunday Times. In recent days, I’ve faced criticism and accusations from Vodacom employees, business partners and concerned individuals. Some accused me of advocating for Vodacom’s demise in my previous column, in which I argued that the company’s 25-year legal battle against Nkosana Makate must end with fair compensation for the “please call me” (PCM) inventor. My critics claim that paying Makate the R9.4bn he is demanding and rightfully deserves would cripple the mobile operator, leading to mass…
Imagine Gugu Lourie, the South African columnist known for dissecting business, tech, and policy, suddenly thrust into a Black Mirror episode, where his very existence depends on a monthly subscription. It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. The dystopian anthology Black Mirror, created by Charlie Brooker, has long been a chilling reflection of our tech-obsessed society. In its seventh season, the show takes aim at subscription-based living, a reality already creeping into our daily lives. For someone like Gugu, who analyses the intersections of commerce and digital life, this premise hits close to home. The Subscription Trap: A Frightening New Normal From…
As the 25-year standoff between Vodacom and Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate drags on, concerns mount over delays in justice and the power imbalance in South Africa’s legal system. Commentators argue that those with deeper pockets are able to exploit endless appeals, raising broader questions about access to justice. Tech Financials founder Gugu Lourie weighs in on what this case means for innovation and legal fairness. Watch Interview below: GUGU LOURIE: It’s time to end Vodacom’s 25-year battle against Makate After nine court losses, Vodacom continues engaging in legal manoeuvres while Nkosana Makate waits for fair compensation BL Premium 13…
