Author: Gugu Lourie

Huhtamaki, a global key advanced manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions, is setting up a new manufacturing unit in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The new manufacturing unit is to serve its existing and new egg packaging customers in the KwaZulu-Natal area with a broad range of locally produced packaging solutions. The new facility will be located close to one of South Africa’s main export ports, enabling competitive exports of egg packaging for customers across East Africa. “The addition of a unit in KwaZulu-Natal is an important addition to our fiber packaging footprint in South Africa not only providing efficiencies in our…

PnP Mobile, which was launched last November, is introducing 1G of data for R20 less at R79 with a 12-month data expiry term. The offer is available to purchase until 11 July 2021. PnP Mobile customers also qualify to earn free data rewards each month when linking their Smart Shopper card to their SIM. A tiered rewards system for Smart Shoppers enables them to earn up to 2.5GB in free data rewards each month. In addition, Smart Shoppers earn loyalty points when purchasing PnP Mobile service products. Smart Shoppers will earn data rewards in addition to loyalty points when shopping…

Retailer Pepkor – the owner of Pep, Flash, Capfin, Incredible Connection – has appointed new independent non-executive directors to its board including ICT industry veteran Isaac Mophatlane. Today, the JSE Listed retailer Pepkor announced new five directors to its board consisting of Mophatlane, Paula Disberry, Ian Kirk, Hester Hickey, Zola Malinga. “The appointments have been made with the objectives of enhancing and widening the skill set of the board and to strengthen the independence and diversity components of the Board,” said the company. Herewith below the profiles of the new non-executive directors Mophatlane is the Managing Director of Randvest Capital…

The FinTech business of retailer Pepkor, consisting of Flash and Capfin, reported a 68.8% rise in operating profit to R336 million for the six months ending 31 March 2021. Pepkor also disclosed that the FinTech business increased revenue by 3.1% to R4.5 billion for the period. The retailer also revealed that the Flash business continued double-digit revenue growth as it invests in new products, technology and channels. “There are currently 196 000 traders who are empowered to grow their businesses and create job opportunities in their local communities,” the company said. “Virtual turnover per device increased by 20% year-on-year, which speaks to a…

Today, South African retailer Mr Price reported lower credit sales and increased write-offs in its Financial Services business, pushing the segment revenue lower. The retailer said Financial Services business revenue decreased 14.5% to R653 million in the year to end April. The Financial Services segment manages Mr Price’s trade receivables and sells financial services products “Lower credit sales, increased write-offs, lower interest rates and fewer new account approvals, all results of COVID-19 consumer impact, affected performance,” the company said. “The total debtors’ book decreased 14.0% to R2 billion, and the group’s impairment provision increased to 13.4% of the debtors’ book…

South African retailer Mr Price, which uses cellular handsets and accessories to drive footfall traffic into its stores and online platforms, reported strong growth from its telecoms segment in the year to end-April 2021. The company said online traffic increased 65.7%  in the year to end-April 2021, with 86.4% of this traffic generated from mobile devices, placing the brand firmly in the hands of its customers. Today, the JSE-listed retailer reported that its Telecoms Business grew 11.6% to R862 million in the year to end-April, driven by cellular growing 35.9% and gaining 90 basis points (bps) of market share according to GfK. Double-digit…

Amazon is buying MGM, the studio behind Basic Instinct, Creed, James Bond, Legally Blonde, Moonstruck, Poltergeist, Raging Bull and Robocop. The online retailer is spending $8,45 billion (R116 billion) to buy MGM Studios. The retailer owns Amazon Prime and this deal will complement the video streaming company. MGM’s vast library has over 4,000 beloved film titles, including 12 Angry Men, Basic Instinct, Creed, James Bond, Legally Blonde, Moonstruck, Poltergeist, Raging Bull, Robocop, Rocky, Silence of the Lambs, Stargate, Thelma & Louise, Tomb Raider, The Magnificent Seven, The Pink Panther, The Thomas Crown Affair, and many other icons. MGM has nearly a…

Telkom Mobile, South Africa’s third-largest mobile operator, wants to upend the prepaid mobile data market through affordable packages as part of its strategy to deliver value to its customers. In an interview with TechFinancials, Serame Taukobong, Telkom Consumer’s CEO, said Telkom Mobile was well-positioned for the prepaid mobile data space. “It’s about looking at the entire value chain. Most of the people don’t have the money to buy the 1GB mobile data,” said Taukobong. Telkom Mobile broadband traffic increased 53.2% to 942 petabytes in the year to end-March 2021, resulting in mobile data revenue growing by 41% to R12,2 billion…

Telkom’s Yep, a digital marketplace where customers can safely and confidently search and purchase from small, trusted businesses, is gaining traction with small businesses. “As at 31 March 2021, there were over 25 335 downloads across the Google Play, Apple and Huawei stores, with the desktop version attracting an average of 337 827 users per month,” according to the company’s results presentation. Last June, the company announced the launch of its latest innovation, Yep, on Google Play and Apple’s app store. The app is geared toward economic sustainability, creating a long-term future for small businesses. Users can locate businesses or…

aYo, a mobile micro-insurance joint venture between MTN and SA’s third-biggest insurer Momentum Metropolitan, saw unique customers enrolled grew 14% to 11.4 million as of 31 March 2021. Momentum Metropolitan disclosed the figures in its operational update for the nine months ended 31 March 2021. The insurer also said aYo is making steady progress in Ghana and Uganda. Following its Zambian launch, aYo achieved a 10 million enrolled customer milestone. aYo provides you with fast, convenient and easy to use insurance right on your cell phone. You enjoy hospital and life insurance cover through airtime deduction (Recharge with Care) or when you send MoMo (mobile…