Author: Gugu Lourie

As Altron marks its 60th anniversary, the JSE-tech listed group has delivered a stellar financial performance, showcasing 50% growth in operating profit to R972 million and a 27% surge in EBITDA to R1.8 billion for the year ending February 2025. This strong performance emphasises the company’s resilience amid economic uncertainty and its ability to execute a disciplined growth strategy. A Year of Strong Financial Performance Despite flat revenue of R9.6 billion, partly due to the sale of its ATM business, Altron demonstrated underlying growth with a 3% organic revenue increase when excluding this divestment.  More impressively, the company’s headline earnings per share (HEPS) jumped 73% to 178 cents, while…

The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has pledged full cooperation with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proclamation authorising an investigation into its 2017 procurement process. The probe will examine the awarding of a turnkey software asset management and logistics support contract, assessing compliance with National Treasury regulations and potential irregularities. While the investigation focuses on a past tender, SITA emphasizes that it reflects its current leadership’s commitment to accountability. Since 2021, the agency has implemented sweeping reforms, including: Revised procurement frameworks aligned with PFMA and Treasury rules, Digital tracking systems for audit-ready contract management, Mandatory ethics…

Since Vodacom’s strategic R1 billion acquisition of a 51% stake in IoT.nxt in 2019, the IoT specialist has become instrumental in driving its Beyond Mobile strategy, enabling digital transformation across multiple industries through cutting-edge connectivity solutions. The Technology Edge At the core of this partnership is IoT.nxt’s innovative edge-to-cloud platform that seamlessly bridges legacy systems with modern data sources, delivering real-time business intelligence. The company’s competitive advantage stems from three key technological differentiators: Raptor edge gateway technology – Enables rapid IoT deployment at scale Web-Commander software stack – Provides unified data aggregation with 3D visualisation capabilities Multi-directional rules engine – Facilitates…

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…