Author: Gugu Lourie

Coaxle, the integrated data and insights company, has recently acquired a 50% stake in iX, a specialist provider of digital solutions, primarily to the retail automotive industry. The acquisition will strengthen the synergies between iX and long-standing partner Lightstone, a provider of comprehensive data, analytics and systems in the automotive and property sectors. The acquisition enables a broader and deeper value proposition as it creates cross-selling opportunities and will provide value to motor dealers through an enhanced stock management process, optimised digital customer engagement capabilities and streamlined finance and insurance application processes. “Coaxle is dedicated to the sustainability of the…

Kia has today revealed full details of the Kia EV9, its first three-row seat electric flagship EUV. Based on the game-changing Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9 ensures athletic performance, complemented by a targeted all-electric range over 541 km, according to the World harmonized Light vehicle Testing Procedure (WLTP). Ultra-fast 800-volt charging capability enables the EV9 battery pack to be replenished with sufficient charge to power the vehicle for 239 km in approximately 15 minutes. “The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities. Created to meet the…

JUWI Renewable Energies, a global solar, wind and hybrid project developer, EPC and operations and maintenance (O&M) company, today announced that the 84 Megawatt (MW) Wolf Wind Project in the Eastern Cape has reached financial close. Exploding public and private demand for large-scale renewables due to South Africa’s energy crisis has led to rapid expansion of the clean energy leader’s footprint across the country, with over 1.5 GW of wind, 2 GW of solar and 500 MW of hybrid projects incorporating storage in development for private and public energy users. The Wolf Wind Project, located two hours from the city…

G-Star RAW has once again pushed the boundaries of denim design with its latest project involving artificial intelligence. G-Star RAW utilized AI to create 12 unique designs, with one of them being brought to life in the form of a RAW denim couture piece. G-Star RAW is the first denim brand to actually create AI-designed garments in real life, and the Denim AI garment is a testament to the brand’s commitment to creating the future of denim. Innovation is ingrained in the G-Star DNA, and the use of AI in the design process showcases the brand’s willingness to embrace new…

GE HealthCare has signed an agreement with Axim Life Isotopes South Africa (ALISA), a joint venture between Life Healthcare and the AXIM Group of Companies, to expand provision of molecular imaging in South Africa with the delivery of two Cyclotrons, which produce radioisotopes enabling the production of tracing agents used in molecular imaging scans. GE HealthCare will deliver the Cyclotrons to ALISA’s laboratory facility in Midrand, South Africa early next year, giving patients in Africa access to medical advancements. Molecular imaging enables doctors and clinicians to see inside the body with a non-invasive process, helping to diagnose and treat diseases…

Two in three (64%) consumers in South Africa prefer using digital-only platforms when transferring money internationally, according to Western Union’s inaugural Global Money Transfer Index. When asked about the future, being able to choose between digital and in-person platforms grows in importance. South Africa has taken bold steps to rebuild the national economy and boost digital inclusion following pandemic lockdowns. As a result, it is increasingly moving to a remittance future that aims to realise financial inclusion and help grow the economy. Today, it is the largest ‘send’ market in Africa with USD 1.1 billion in outflows[1], and approximately 2.9…

Checkers Sixty60 will now give customers their delivery for free if an order arrives more than 30 minutes after the estimated time of arrival. Delivery will also be free if an order contains fewer than 80% of a customer’s first-choice products. This Service Guarantee is a first in the South African on-demand grocery delivery space.  “Sixty60 is exceptionally confident in our ability to deliver the groceries shoppers want within 60 minutes. In South Africa this can be tricky at times given loadshedding-related traffic congestion, rainy weather and other challenges faced by drivers on the roads. Our north star is to make shopping effortless, and now we are giving customers the confidence to use…

South Africa-based payments infrastructure company Stitch today announced expansion to become an end-to-end Payments Service Provider (or PSP, defined as a third party that enables businesses to accept, manage and send digital payments through a variety of methods). This comes off the back of new solutions including pay-ins via Card and Debit Order, and payments orchestration and reconciliation system, PayOS. The Stitch payments suite is designed specifically for businesses with complex payments needs, offering flexibility and customisation. Stitch launched its first pay-in method, Instant EFT, in late 2021. They moved from a single-method provider toward a multi-method offering with the…

Tech consultancy giant Accenture announced today plans to retrench 19,000 people, or 2.5% of its workforce, as part of its actions to streamline operations and transform non-billable corporate functions to reduce costs. The retrenchments will be undertaken in the next 18 months, the tech giant informed investors in an SEC filing. Accenture added that it hire  consultants to meet current and projected future demand. “We proactively plan and manage the size and composition of our workforce and take actions as needed to address changes in the anticipated demand for our services and solutions, given that compensation costs are the most…

JSE-listed firm Blue Label Telecoms announced on Thursday that Douglas Craigie Stevenson stepped down as CEO of struggling mobile phone operator Cell C. Blue Label Telecoms said Craigie Stevenson resignation is effective 31 March 2023. The company said Craigie Stevenson has elected to resign for personal reasons and to pursue other opportunities in line with his personal career goals. “We thank Douglas for his valued contribution and for successfully assisting in navigating Cell C through the recapitalisation process,” Joe Mthimunye, Chairman of the Cell C Board, said in a statement. “Through the implementation of Cell C’s new strategy, he has…