Author: Gugu Lourie

Opera Mini has launched #DataDance, a national campaign addressing data affordability and digital access for South African youth. Combining dance culture with digital opportunity, the campaign invites users to post their dance routines on TikTok using the #operaminidatadance hashtag for a chance to win up to five years of airtime. High Data Costs Create Real Challenges for Youth A recent Opera-commissioned survey reveals that 62% of South Africans aged 16-35 believe internet costs are too high. 86% say affordable access could transform their lives, particularly in education, jobs, and information access. Key findings: 63% run out of data every other month 31% exhaust data monthly 68% feel frustrated, while 17% stop browsing entirely How to Join #OperaMiniDataDance To participate: Use the custom amapiano track (available on TikTok under “Opera…

ButtaNutt, a South African plant-based dairy alternatives provider, has secured a 54% equity investment from PSG Group. The transaction, effective May 2025, represents a strong vote of confidence in local entrepreneurship and homegrown innovation. The founding management team, led by Founder and CEO Antoine van Heerden, retains the remaining shareholding. Based in Paarl, Western Cape, ButtaNutt has evolved from a single-product startup into a well-known name in South Africa’s food innovation sector. Its nut butters and dairy alternatives, made with natural, minimally processed ingredients, have gained popularity among health-conscious consumers. PSG Group Backs ButtaNutt’s Growth Ambitions PSG Group, a South African investment firm, is known for…

Canal+ has agreed to a moratorium on retrenchments for three years at MultiChoice Group following the merger implementation date. Sipho Maseko and Sonja De Bruyn have joined a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) consortium played a crucial role in facilitating Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice Group. As part of the transaction, MultiChoice South Africa’s broadcasting licence operations will be restructured into a new independent entity, MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd (LicenceCo). This move ensures regulatory compliance while paving the way for Canal+ to expand its video entertainment footprint across Africa. Canal+ has committed that the majority of LicenceCo’s shareholders will be Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs) and workers. The…

Life Healthcare Group Holdings Limited has unveiled plans to invest R2.3 billion in capital expenditure for FY2025 as part of its growth strategy, alongside reporting robust interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2025. Financial and Operational Highlights Revenue up 8.1% to R12.1 billion, driven by higher patient volumes and improved tariffs Normalised earnings per share (NEPS) up 9.1% to 49.0 cents Interim dividend increased by 10.5% to 21.0 cents per share Paid patient days (PPDs) grew by 2.0%, with occupancy rising to 68.6% R2 billion cash generated from operations, supporting expansion plans R2.3bn Investment in Strategic Growth The Group’s R2.3…

Technology distributor Axiz has announced a strategic partnership with Jabra, a global leader in professional audio and video solutions. This collaboration expands Axiz’s portfolio to include Jabra’s cutting-edge communication technology, catering to businesses and professionals who demand high-quality audio and video experiences. Jabra’s suite of products — ranging from certified professional headsets and speakerphones to advanced video conferencing equipment — is designed to enhance productivity and collaboration. From headsets with Active Noise Cancellation that deliver crystal-clear calls, to intelligent video conferencing cameras that offer seamless integration with platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, Jabra’s solutions meet the growing demands of…

History is a great teacher, and those who ignore it are doomed. Would South Africa be creating new “Elon Musk regulations” if it exempts Starlink from Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) compliance? The answer lies in understanding how US giants like IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon already comply: through Equity Equivalent Programmes (EEPs). What is B-BBEE and Why Do Multinationals Use Equity Equivalents? South Africa’s B-BBEE Act of 2003 aims to redress apartheid-era economic disparities by promoting black ownership, skills development, and enterprise growth. However, foreign companies often cannot transfer direct ownership. Instead, they leverage Equity Equivalent Programmes – approved by the Department…

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has vowed to take legal action against the South African government over reports that it plans to offer Elon Musk’s Starlink a special exemption from Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws. The party has condemned the move as unconstitutional, warning that it compromises the country’s sovereignty. EFF Condemns “Unlawful” Starlink Deal EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo argued that if Musk were genuinely concerned about South Africans, he would advocate for sanctions and disinvestment rather than pushing for Starlink’s entry into the market. “This decision undermines our laws and economic transformation agenda,” Thambo stated. “If Elon Musk truly cared about…

South Africa’s smart locker market is heating up as Bob Box, a courier-agnostic locker network, announces plans to expand from 200 to 1,000 locations by the end of 2025. This aggressive growth strategy positions Bob Box as a key competitor against established players like Pargo, which currently leads the market. How Does Bob Box Compare to Other Smart Locker Operators? According to a TechFinancials report, Pargo dominates South Africa’s smart locker space, with major banks and logistics firms like Aramex and DHL also entering the race. However, Bob Box differentiates itself with unique features: Load-shedding resilience (battery-powered lockers) Locally manufactured lockers tailored for South African conditions Open to multiple couriers,…

At its Build 2025 conference, Microsoft announced Microsoft Discovery, a groundbreaking AI platform designed to accelerate scientific breakthroughs by integrating agentic AI into the research process. The platform promises to dramatically shorten development timelines, turning processes that once took years into weeks, while maintaining rigorous standards of transparency, compliance, and researcher control. A New Era of AI-Driven Scientific Discovery Microsoft Discovery is built on Azure’s cloud infrastructure, combining high-performance computing (HPC), generative AI, and graph-based reasoning to tackle complex R&D challenges. Unlike traditional methods, the platform enables continuous, iterative research cycles where AI agents collaborate with scientists to refine hypotheses, run simulations, and analyse data in real time. “We have…

Vodacom Group is actively pursuing fibre joint ventures (JVs) across its African markets while maintaining its FinTech business as a core operation, with no plans for unbundling. The Vodafone-owned telecom giant remains committed to expanding digital infrastructure despite regulatory hurdles in South Africa. Maziv Deal Appeal and Fibre Strategy Vodacom continues to challenge the Competition Tribunal’s decision to block its proposed stake in Maziv, which houses Dark Fibre Africa (DFA) and Vumatel. Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub stated: “While we were disappointed by the Tribunal’s decision, we have lodged an appeal. Fibre is critical for economic growth and we believe this transaction holds significant public interest benefits. If…