Author: Gugu Lourie

The Constitutional Court will issue a judgment on the high-stakes “Please Call Me” case between Nkosana Makate and Vodacom, a subsidiary of British telecom giant Vodafone. The matter was heard on 21 November 2024, but six months later, the ruling remains pending. Vodacom is appealing a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) decision that overturned its initial R47 million compensation offer, rejected by Makate in 2019, and ordered a new offer. Makate is demanding R9.4 billion for his invention, which Vodacom has profited from since 2000. In a post on X, the Constitutional Court stated: “Judgment to be handed down on 31…

Chinese automakers have historically faced scepticism in South Africa, but OMODA & JAECOO are rapidly changing perceptions. In June alone, the brand sold over 1,000 vehicles, securing a spot in the top 10 passenger vehicle segment. Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for OMODA & JAECOO in South Africa, acknowledges the initial hurdles: “Initially, it was brand trust, along with uncertainty about Chinese brands, but this has changed as SA has started to welcome O&J with open arms.” The brand’s strong warranty offerings have played a key role in building confidence. *”All of our models come with a 10-year engine warranty…

As electric and hybrid vehicles gain traction in South Africa, OMODA & JAECOO are making strategic moves to capture this growing segment. The brand has already introduced plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models like the J7 SHS and C9 SHS, with more electrified options on the way. Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for OMODA & JAECOO in South Africa, explains their approach: “Not necessarily to prioritise [one powertrain], but rather to add that as a powertrain option and emphasise the benefits of alternative powertrains, as well as how vehicles such as plug-in hybrids have strong strengths for South Africans. O&J will…

South Africa’s automotive market is evolving, and challenger brands like OMODA & JAECOO are making waves by offering premium vehicles at accessible prices. But how exactly are they competing with giants like Toyota and Volkswagen? According to Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for OMODA & JAECOO in South Africa, the key lies in understanding the emotional connection South Africans have with their cars. “The expected answer is to bring value and technology to our market; however, we are truly competing by being a brand that South Africans want to be part of, while also delivering on value and technology,” Gahagan…

Anushka Bogdanov responds to JSE’s R500K fine over fake PhD allegations, citing inaccuracies and lack of due process while reaffirming her commitment to governance and ESG leadership in Africa. On Friday, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) announced it has imposed a R500,000 fine and a 10-year directorship ban on Anushka Bogdanov, a former non-executive director of EOH Holdings (now iOCO), for falsely claiming to hold a PhD in International Finance from the London Business School. Bogdanov served as an independent non-executive director at EOH from June 2019 until her resignation in July 2020. During her tenure, her curriculum vitae and a…

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has imposed a R500,000 fine and a 10-year directorship ban on Anushka Bogdanov, a former non-executive director of EOH Holdings (now iOCO), for falsely claiming to hold a PhD in International Finance from the London Business School. Bogdanov served as an independent non-executive director at EOH from June 2019 until her resignation in July 2020. During her tenure, her curriculum vitae and a formal declaration to the JSE stated she held a PhD in International Financial Management and Mathematics from the London Business School. EOH subsequently discovered that Bogdanov never obtained the claimed degree, leading…

Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub has emphasised the company’s commitment to financial services as a key strategic priority, following an 18.1% (21.3%*) revenue increase to R3.9 billion for the quarter ended 30 June 2025. Speaking on the Group’s trading update, Joosub noted: *”Financial services remain a clear strategic priority for Vodacom and represent the largest component of our beyond-mobile offerings. Including Safaricom, we now process $460 billion in mobile wallet transaction value annually, a 14.9% increase over the past year, which solidifies our fintech leadership in Africa.”* The sustained growth in financial services aligns with Vodacom’s mission to drive financial…

A U.S. bill proposing a review of relations with South Africa and potential sanctions against ANC officials has passed its first legislative hurdle. On April 3, 2025, Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) introduced the *U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025*, which mandates a full assessment of bilateral ties and empowers President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on South African officials accused of supporting U.S. adversaries like China, Russia and Iran. Representative John James (MI-10) is co-sponsoring the legislation. Today Jackson posted on X: “South Africa made its choice when they abandoned America and our allies and sided with communists…

South Africa’s political discourse remains fixated on squabbles in the Government of National Unity (GNU), while a far more consequential threat looms: one that could devastate the economy, cripple state functions, and isolate the country from global tech infrastructure. That threat is the impending United States–South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act (H.R. 2633), which, if passed, could trigger a chain reaction of sanctions, investment flight, and technological decoupling. The question is not if South Africa is prepared, it’s whether GNU, led by the African National Congress (ANC), even recognises the danger. The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Trump v. CASA (2025) confirmed that…

Salesforce launched Agentforce on Help in October 2024 to set the standard for world-class, agentic service. This AI-powered assistant supports customers directly on the Salesforce Help site, answering questions in natural language with unified data: delivering fast, 24/7 service while freeing human support teams to focus on complex issues. Salesforce’s Customer Success approach has always been rooted in Easy and Expert, ensuring effortless interactions backed by trusted guidance. Today, Agentforce has handled over 1 million support requests, proving that AI can scale service without sacrificing trust or quality. The Impact of 1 Million AI-Powered Conversations Resolves 85% of support requests, reducing response times by 65% for 90% of…