Author: Gugu Lourie

In a sector currently navigating the treacherous waters of regulatory scrutiny, institutional demand, and the desperate need for transparency, Maksym Sakharov, CEO of WeFi, is building what he calls the “Deobank.” As the leader of a next-generation onchain financial infrastructure platform, Sakharov believes that the future of finance isn’t just about digitization, but about compliance-first blockchain frameworks. In an exclusive interview, Sakharov sat down with us to dissect the hurdles facing fintechs today, the strategic pivot toward institutional-grade rails, and how WeFi’s proprietary WeChain is rewriting the rulebook for transparent banking.. Africa has dozens of currencies and highly fragmented financial markets.…

In an unprecedented show of unity, over 100 of the world’s largest technology companies, financial institutions, and cybersecurity firms have signed an open letter urging governments and the private sector to mount a collective defense against rapidly advancing AI-enabled cyber threats. The letter — titled “A Call for Collective Action on Cyber Defense” — was published on August 27, 2026, and features signatories including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Adobe, AMD, Cisco, Dell, Fortinet, IBM, Oracle, and SAP. Financial powerhouses such as Citi, Capital One, Mastercard, Visa, US Bank, and Zurich have also joined the effort, alongside cybersecurity leaders CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks,…

South African parents want phones controlled at school and social media delayed until the age of 16, a Karri survey finds. A new Karri Parent 2026 Survey captures the views of 2,780 South African school parents representing more than 4,751 school-going children across all nine provinces on phones, social media, youth banking, education insurance and the Tooth Fairy. Karri is a financial wellness platform designed to help families manage children’s money, digital safety, and financial education in an increasingly connected world. The survey, conducted via the Karri app in March and April of this year, found that 91% of South…

There is a quiet architect in South Africa’s corporate landscape who is methodically constructing something that looks eerily familiar. His name is Christopher “Chris” Seabrooke, and if you haven’t been paying attention, you might miss the empire rising beneath your feet. Seabrooke founded Sabvest in 1987, listing it on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange a year later. Since then, he has delivered a staggering 54-times return on capital over three decades. His net asset value has grown at a compound annual rate of 20.2% over twenty years. Yet, he remains something of an enigma, a billionaire who operates in plain sight,…

Let me introduce you to *Vino Skhosana. In the dusty streets of eMba, Secunda – the town dominated by Sasol plant in Mpumalanga, he is known as “Mr Buy Me Data.” Every single morning, he performs a ritual familiar to millions of South Africans surviving on the margins of the digital economy. He digs out out his phone, waits for the daily blessing of that 50MB Facebook bundle from Vodacom, and uses those precious free minutes to comment, to react, to exist in the social media world. He always asks his friends for R50 to get just a little more…

South African-founded AI innovator Verascient has closed a massive $1.2 million (R19.5 million) pre-seed round, backed by international heavyweights. Hot on the heels of this financial milestone, co-founders Keagan Stokoe and Emile Ferreira are shifting their focus to a bold recruitment drive, searching for South Africa’s elite 1% of AI engineers to fuel a major global scaling push. Verascient delivers the operating system and expertise companies need to successfully leverage the best of AI. The startup turns knowledge scattered across documents, systems and individuals into shared organisational context, then builds the workflows and agents that allow teams to use it…

This week I found myself fixated on Investec winning Best Private Bank in Africa for Technology at the FT Wealth Tech Awards 2026. I wondered what Investec’s win suggests about the Big Five banks – FNB, Standard, Nedbank, Absa, and especially the mass market bank Capitec. These top South African banks are spending above inflation on IT, with budgets hitting the billions of rand. Yet where’s the real return? Are these banks throwing billions at digital projects while somehow missing the point entirely? Too often, these investments are what experts call “bolt-on” – adding flashy new features to creaking old…

In a deal meant to reshape South Africa’s digital landscape, Frogfoot, Vox, and Hypa have secured a massive capital injection that values the combined entities at a staggering R14.4 billion. The strategic investment is set to accelerate fibre access across the country, with a specific focus on bridging the digital divide in previously underserved and lower-income township communities. The transaction introduces significant equity capital and additional leverage to strengthen the companies, enabling them to quadruple their annual fibre rollout to an ambitious 360,000 connected homes. Beyond connectivity, the expansion is projected to create over 5,000 direct jobs in local communities over the…

OpenAI has officially launched ChatGPT for Teens, a dedicated version of its artificial intelligence chatbot designed specifically for users between the ages of 13 and 17 — years after millions of teenagers had already begun using the platform for schoolwork, daily questions, and even companionship. The San Francisco-based company announced the new experience on August 18, 2026, positioning it as a response to growing concerns about online safety for young people and the unique risks AI chatbots pose to developing adolescent brains. “We’re introducing ChatGPT for Teens, an experience designed to help teens learn, think critically, deepen understanding, and use AI…

Volkswagen has officially opened pre-orders for the all-new Volkswagen T-Roc, giving customers the opportunity to secure one of the brand’s most exciting new SUVs ahead of its official market launch early in September 2026. Positioned between the Taigo and Tiguan, the second-generation T-Roc strengthens Volkswagen’s growing T-SUV family alongside the T-Cross, Taigo, Tiguan, Tayron and Touareg. Combining expressive design, premium craftsmanship and advanced technology, the new T-Roc raises the benchmark in the compact SUV segment while delivering the quality, innovation and driving experience synonymous with Volkswagen. Bold design with unmistakable Volkswagen character The all-new T-Roc introduces a more confident and…

South Africa-based workforce management platform Jem has raised $8.4 million (approximately R136 million) in a Series A funding round led by global fintech investor Quona Capital. The investment will accelerate Jem’s evolution from an HR and benefits provider into a comprehensive AI-native workforce management ecosystem, specifically designed for the realities of frontline and deskless workers across Africa. Quona led the round, with participation from the University Tech Fund, E4E, and a group of prominent angel investors, including former Old Mutual CEO, Iain Williamson. The platform currently serves more than 250,000 employees across 200+ companies, including major brands such as Servest, Bidvest, McDonald’s, KFC, Seattle Coffee Company, and Bootleggers.…

In a significant leadership shake-up, Spar Group informed shareholders on Monday, 17 August 2026, that Chairman Mike Bosman and Deputy Chair Dr Shirley Zinn have tendered their resignations with immediate effect, effective the same day. Bosman has tendered his resignation as an independent non-executive director and Chairman of the Board, with effect from 17 August 2026. Shareholders are further advised that Dr Shirley Zinn has tendered her resignation as an independent non-executive director and Deputy Chair of the Board, with effect from 17 August 2026. Addressing the departures, the board confirmed that the resignations were amicable and mutually understood.  “While…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially launched South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system at OR Tambo International Airport, describing the reform as a critical step in making the country more competitive in the global economy while creating much-needed jobs. The launch took place on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, following a successful pilot implementation during South Africa’s G20 Presidency. The ETA system combines advanced biometric verification, machine learning and the upgraded Electronic Movement Control System (eMCS 2.0) as part of a modern digital immigration ecosystem. ‘A statement about the kind of country we are building’ Addressing dignitaries and officials at the…

Vodacom Group has announced a sweeping series of changes to its board of directors, confirming the upcoming retirement of its chairman, the appointment of his successor, and the addition of a former Airtel Africa chief executive as an independent non-executive director. The strategic reshuffle reinforce Vodacom’s commitment to corporate governance and its self-imposed board tenure policies, setting the stage for a seamless leadership transition over the next 12 to 18 months. Chairman Retires After Reaching 10-Year Tenure In a formal notice to shareholders, Vodacom confirmed that its current Chairman, Saki Macozoma, will officially retire after a decade of service. The…

Weaver Fintech, a ldata-driven financial technology company, has announced the impending soft launch of its new Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), PJN Mobile, scheduled for the third quarter of 2026. The strategic move marks a significant step in the group’s evolution from a lending-led business into a comprehensive fintech ecosystem. “(We) enter the second half of the year with a strong platform for growth,” stated Sean Wibberley, Chief Executive Officer of Weaver FinTech. “We expect to soft launch PJN Mobile in Q3, a mobile virtual network operator partnership requiring minimal capital that establishes the foundation for rewarding and incentivising customer…

Weaver Fintech has delivered a resilient first-half performance in 2026, demonstrating the power of its digital-first fintech ecosystem even as South African consumers grapple with mounting financial pressures. While group headline earnings per share (HEPS) declined 10% to 256.5 cents, the company’s Fintech division continues its aggressive growth trajectory, acquiring over 130,000 new customers monthly and driving 30% revenue growth in the segment. HEPS is South Africa’s main profit main gauge. The contrasting performance highlights the transformation underway at Weaver as it evolves from a lending-led business into a comprehensive digital financial services ecosystem spanning payments, lending, insurance and merchant…

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries worldwide, one of South Africa’s most established retailers is taking a notably different path.  Lewis — the country’s largest furniture chain, valued at R4.5 billion on the JSE — has drawn a clear line in the sand: technology should support workers, not replace them. In an era where automation often signals job cuts, Lewis is doubling down on its people-first philosophy. The company, which has been synonymous with furniture retailing in South Africa since its founding in Cape Town in 1934, now employs almost 11 000 permanent staff across its trading brands including Lewis, Best Home…

In a strategic move for African travel technology, Cape Town-founded ground transportation software provider Ratality has officially become part of the newly launched global parent company, Terra Mobility, which has simultaneously secured a $40 million credit financing from Vista Credit Partners, the credit-investing arm of Vista Equity Partners. Ratality, known for its specialised bus and coach operator software used extensively across South and Southern Africa, was originally acquired by Canadian travel-tech firm Busbud in 2024. Today, the launch of Terra Mobility represents a strategic evolution, elevating the combined enterprise into a unified global powerhouse that bridges consumer booking marketplaces with cutting-edge operator infrastructure. Under…

Nedbank Group has reported robust financial results for the six months ending 30 June 2026, with headline earnings reaching R8.4 billion, significantly outperforming the bank’s initial expectations for the year. The results reflect a robust combination of digital adoption, strategic restructuring, and disciplined expense management that has positioned the bank for sustained growth in an evolving economic landscape. Digital Banking Momentum Drives Client Growth The bank’s digital transformation strategy continues to yield impressive results, with digitally active retail clients increasing by 8% to 3.5 million in Personal and Private Banking (PPB). In the Nedbank Africa Regions (NAR):: SADC business, digital…

Irvine, CA (PinionNewswire – Deserve to Win Podcast Episode 44 just dropped and Troutman Amin, LLP’s new format, new rules, and awesome guests have received rave reviews from its nationwide audience.  This week Troutman Amin, LLP’s famous Deserve to Win podcast features an interview with a panel of CEOs–Contact Center Compliance leader Ron Allen, PureCaller ID chief Derek Oberholtzer and the new head of Sonera Mark Mitchell. Sonera results from the combination of CCC and PCID and looks to shake up the industry in a move the Czar–attorney Eric J. Troutman– believes will force consolidation across call center solutions.  The…

Gurhan Kiziloz has won a first appeal to unfreeze a combined $527 million in Tether company holdings and other assets tied to a Brazilian tax dispute. The ruling does not release the funds at once. It narrows the freeze and opens a route for the full amount, including roughly $213 million in USDT, to be released by October 2026. Here is what happened, and why it matters beyond Brazil. The core of the decision was restraint, not reversal. The court did not order the money returned. It ordered a narrower review, requiring authorities to separate assets with a direct Brazilian…

Datatec (JSE: DTC), a leading international Information and Communications Technology (ICT) group, has announced that its subsidiary, Logicalis USA, has successfully acquired 100% of the share capital of Loial, a prominent technology solutions provider based in New Mexico. The strategic acquisition, which became effective on July 31, 2026, significantly strengthens Logicalis USA’s managed services portfolio and cybersecurity capabilities. It also establishes a permanent Logicalis USA physical presence in New Mexico, expanding the company’s operational footprint across the Southwest region. Logicalis USA is a digital enablement partner that accelerates the business and technology transformation of its clients. It offers a comprehensive suite of managed…

Nedbank Group has announced a major leadership change in its technology division, appointing Nikos Angelopoulos as its new Group Chief Information Officer (CIO). The appointment, effective 1 September 2026, signals a significant shift for South Africa’s “green bank” as it looks to double down on digital innovation. Angelopoulos joins the financial services giant from MTN Group, where he served as Group CIO since 2018. During his tenure at the telecommunications leader, he was responsible for overseeing information technology strategy, investments, and governance across 16 markets, serving a combined customer base of more than 300 million people. A Global Technologist with…

For decades, the business model of terrestrial internet service providers was built on a simple premise: if you wanted fast, reliable internet, you needed wires. Fibre, copper, or coaxial cables were the arteries of the digital age, and the companies that laid them enjoyed something close to geographic monopolies, particularly in rural and small-town markets where the economics of infrastructure investment were marginal at best. Then the sky arrived. Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, led by SpaceX’s Starlink and soon joined by Amazon’s Project Kuiper, now branded Amazon LEO, have fundamentally altered the competitive landscape. The question was no longer…

While geopolitical turbulence has stalled many global mining projects, Kumba Iron Ore is charging decisively in the opposite direction. The company is aggressively marching ahead with its flagship R11.2 billion (approx. $631 million) Ultra-High Dense Medium Separation (UHDMS) project at the Sishen mine in South Africa—a bold technological leap designed to rewrite the economics of low-grade iron ore processing. The mission is clear: transform material once considered marginal waste into a highly profitable, premium product that commands top dollar in the global green steel market. Kumba is owned by global mining resources group Anglo American. Current Progress: Construction Firing on…