Author: Gugu Lourie

The Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) returns to the African stage, with a deep dive into the transformative power of AI. Hosted by Telkom, SATNAC 2024 will take place from 6 – 9 October in the heart of the Kruger National Park at the Skukuza Rest Camp. This year’s theme, “The AI-Driven Hyperconnected Future: Co-creating shared value,” promises insightful discussions and groundbreaking research presentations. South Africa is rapidly emerging as a global leader in AI adoption, defying outdated technological stereotypes. Recent data reveals that over 60% of South African workers regularly use generative AI tools, surpassing rates…

Vodacom South Africa, a subsidiary of Vodacom Group, has introduced a cloud-based phone aimed at making smartphone access more affordable and accelerating the shift from legacy networks to modern 4G. A 2022 report by the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, supported by Vodacom’s parent company, Vodafone Group, emphasized that lowering the cost of devices is essential for increasing smartphone access. For example, the Alliance for Affordable Internet estimates that a smartphone priced at R1,094.24 (US$62/€56) could account for nearly 63% of the average monthly income across Africa. The report recommended exploring affordable thin-client phones, like the new cloud-based device from…

South Africa is infamous for the worst savings rates in the world, with a multitude of surveys telling us it is difficult to save when you can’t make ends meet and are struggling to pay off debt. But is this the full picture – and more importantly, is there anything consumers could be doing differently, given a slightly improved outlook? “After years of unrelenting financial pressure, our customers have had to become financially disciplined and resourceful. This will make it easier for them to get back on their feet when things start to improve, helped by the drop in fuel…

Happy Pay, South Africa’s only independent Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider with 150,000 active users, has secured $1.8 million or R32 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by prominent South African venture capital firms E4E Africa and 4Di Capital, along with participation from DotExe Ventures, Launch Africa, Equitable Ventures, Felix Strategic Investment, U.S.-based Gaingels, and local angel investors. Fin Africa (formerly Finclusion Group) is backing the company’s debt facility. Happy Pay’s BNPL platform, built to comply with future regulatory standards, enables consumers to split payments over two paychecks with no interest or deposit. Using AI-driven credit scoring,…

After a successful 2023 pilot in Alexandra, Vuma, a Maziv company, has officially launched Vuma Key – South Africa’s most affordable uncapped fibre service at just R99 per month. Vuma Key is a prepaid service with no penalties for missed recharges, tailored for households earning under R5,000 per month. For R99 a month (equivalent to R3.30 per day or less than 83c per device for a 4-device household), Vuma Key is 34% cheaper than its closest competitors. While some advertise a R99 price point, those are for 7-day recharges; Vuma Key offers uninterrupted service for 30 days. Initially piloted in…

JSE-listed manufacturer Metair, known for producing suspension springs, brake pads, shock absorbers, radiators, and air conditioners, announced the sale of its Turkish subsidiary, Metair Türkiye, to Quexco for R1.95 billion. Metair, which also manufactures batteries for mobility applications and sectors such as telecoms, utilities, mining, and retail, has operated Metair Türkiye as part of its Energy Storage vertical. This subsidiary serves as the holding company for Metair’s Turkish operations, primarily consisting of the Mutlu Group. Since acquiring the Mutlu Group in 2013, the Turkish division has contributed to Metair’s geographic and sector diversification. However, after a thorough review and restructuring…

McDonald’s South Africa recognises that a change as little as reading a book can change a lot about a child’s future. Starting in the month of September, which marks Literacy Month, McDonald’s South Africa will be on a quest to donate over a million books to disadvantaged schools and Early Childhood Development Centres across the country. According to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, which evaluated the reading ability of 400,000 students globally in 2021, South Africa ranked last out of 57 countries assessed, with eight out of 10 South African school children struggling to read by the age…

In celebration of Deaf Awareness Month, the Neema Foundation for the Deaf has launched a WhatsApp Chatbot (number 060 019 1981), a groundbreaking platform designed to provide the Deaf community with real-time access to essential information. This innovative tool was developed with the support of African Bank and the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund1. “As a Foundation, we are committed to ensuring that the Deaf community is fully supported in every aspect of their lives,” said Itumeleng Motaung, Chairperson of the Neema Foundation for the Deaf. “This platform will provide crucial assistance to Deaf victims of GBV, offering…

Airbus has officially opened a new Customer Support Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, further solidifying its presence in the region and accelerating the growth of Africa’s aviation ecosystem. This strategic hub will offer dedicated, hands-on support to regional airlines, improving operational efficiency and access to key resources, including maintenance and training. By nurturing local capabilities, the new centre will help airlines become more self-sufficient while uplifting the entire aviation industry and creating opportunities for the local workforce. Airbus’ expansion signals its commitment to empowering African aviation and fostering long-term industry growth across the continent. “With the rapid expansion of the…

TymeBank, one of the fastest-growing digital banks globally, has reported an 11.8% increase in customers, bringing its total to 9.5 million as of 30 June. The bank, owned by African Rainbow Capital Investments, boasts the largest cash-in and cash-out network in South Africa, thanks to partnerships with major retailers like Pick n Pay, Boxer, and The Foschini Group (TFG). Additionally, TymeBank revealed a 59% surge in deposits, reaching R6.5 billion, while merchant credit advances climbed to R1.8 billion. The bank’s diverse range of banking products offers customers excellent value, creating multiple avenues for growth. With technology driving operational efficiency, TymeBank’s…