Author: Gugu Lourie

Western Digital Corp., a Nasdaq-Listed data storage giant, today provided information regarding a network security incident involving some of its systems and the company’s active response to this matter. On March 26, 2023, Western Digital identified a network security incident involving Western Digital’s systems. In connection with the ongoing incident, an unauthorized third party gained access to a number of the Company’s systems. “Upon discovery of the incident, the company implemented incident response efforts and initiated an investigation with the assistance of leading outside security and forensic experts.,” said the company. “This investigation is in its early stages and Western…

MICT SETA has partnered with Empire Partner Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on technology, to provide work-integrated learning programmes for university students to help close the skills gap and reduce the unemployment rate. About thirty students from Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa have already benefited from this work-integrated learning programme. Currently, more than half of young people do not have the necessary skills to succeed in industry IT. The programme offers students the opportunity to find employment in the technology sector as it further educates them with the knowledge gained at Tshwane University of Technology. MICT SETA focuses…

In an increasingly digital economy, accelerated by the Covid 19 pandemic, collaboration between the private sector and governments in Africa has intensified to drive digital and financial inclusion on the continent. Financial inclusion in particular is both a prerequisite and a key enabler for achieving many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including reducing poverty, boosting economic growth and promoting market access. To this end, several governments, including Kenya and Tanzania, have not only embraced digital transformation, but over the years have also put in place sound and enabling policy frameworks to enable innovative solutions that empower citizens. For…

 Ramp – a forecasting decision science startup that is transforming how global finance teams plan for the future – has closed a $5 million or R90 million seed round, which it intends to utilise to streamline the onboarding of new clients to allow for scale. Ramp was created in 2018 when its founders realised that the root cause of poor revenue forecasting is that, in 99% of businesses, the financial modelling still takes place on spreadsheets that are no longer fit for purpose. They found that spreadsheets are largely inaccurate, time-consuming and open to ‘subjective’ interference from different areas of…

SEACOM, Africa’s telecommunications and managed services provider, today announced that Alpheus Mangale, is joining SEACOM as incoming Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2023.  He is a seasoned business leader with over 25 years’ experience across the enterprise, telecoms, financial services and technology markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He will work alongside the company’s outgoing Group Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Fortuin, for a three-month period to ensure a smooth leadership transition, at the end of which he will assume full responsibility for the business. “I am delighted to join SEACOM at this critical time in Africa’s…

TROOP, the award-winning global developer of corporate meeting technology and services, has announced that it has secured $11m (R201m) in Series B funding. This funding will contribute towards expanding the company’s presence in South Africa and globally. TROOP plans to engage with engineering and product talent in South Africa and double its current employee base in 2023, as well as build a team of 170 people globally by 2025. TROOP has entities in the USA, Spain, South Africa, and the UK. TROOP’s technology platform helps companies plan, book, expense, and manage logistics for in-person meetings. The demand for group meetings…

The Shoprite Group has launched UNIQ, its new clothing brand fashioned on simplicity, comfort, superior fabrics and value.  The first standalone UNIQ store opened in Cape Town’s Canal Walk shopping centre with another eight stores scheduled to open in the next month.  Catering for the entire family, the UNIQ range consists of premium basics in a variety of colours and fabrics that are easy to mix and match.  Every item of clothing is thoughtfully designed and made to last, pairing durable fabrics with stylish and versatile designs.  UNIQ has sourced materials specifically engineered for comfort and convenience, and it is the first local clothing retailer to introduce Supima cotton to the mass market. With longer fibres than regular…

MINI South Africa has teamed up with Red Bull to launch the country’s first MINI-branded solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Cape Town. Head of MINI South Africa, Shaun Willis noted: “MINI and Red Bull have a long-standing relationship, forged 17 years ago in California when the first MINIs were converted into the iconic Red Bull MINI. There has always been a strong union between our brands, and this collaboration on our first solar-powered charging station is further evidence of this in South Africa.” The launch of the first solar-powered charging station is another sign of MINI’s pledge to…

MpiloTech, a fast-growing, medium-sized, specialist software development company, has added two new executive roles as it gears up for expanding its digital banking services to the financial services sector. “More so than ever banks and other financial service providers are continually bolstering their digital services offerings in an extremely competitive trading environment and where cyber security threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. This creates a massive growth opportunity for us as our technology is capable of addressing such challenges with laser-focussed solutions and mitigations,” says CEO and Founder Denzil Fillis. MpiloTech services companies such as Standard Bank, Absa, Discovery, Grindrod Bank…

k’nect mobile, the Shoprite Group’s cellular network, has slashed its data prices by more than 35% to now offer the lowest data rates in South Africa, with 1GB starting from as little as R19.50.   Data bundles from k’nect mobile also only expire after 60 days, instead of the more common 30-day period.  “With soaring living costs, our customers want and need affordable data which doesn’t expire in a matter of days,” explains Jean Olivier, GM: Financial Services for the Group. “Shoprite is South Africa’s low-price champion, and that extends to our growing suite of fintech products which is driven entirely by customer needs.”  Launched 24 months ago,…