Author: Gugu Lourie

Sebata Holdings, a JSE-listed firm, takes a big bet on a South African startup that is making pool care a hassle-free experience and its solution monitors your pool water quality 24/7. Pro Automation is a startup that strives to bring innovative, smart and simple solutions to the connected home Internet of Things (IoT) market. Sebata is buying 30% in Pro Automation, which has developed a device that is changing the way we maintain our pools. Pro Automations’ Pool Sense product has transformed the complex and costly management of pool maintenance since its launch in December 2018, allowing owners to monitor and…

Few years ago, most telematics software users had a primary need for GPS location of vehicles on a map for dispatching. Today, if a business hasn’t evolved from track and trace, it has not evolved. But MiX Telematics sees a possible future business opportunity that could have huge growth potential in the coming years. The JSE-listed global fleet management and the vehicle-tracking company is exploring opportunities in commercial fleet managers who are seeking effective technology solutions to enhance their operations and bottom-line. ABI Research,a global tech market advisory firm assessed the market from the end user’s perspective and found that…

South African-based fleet management Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider, MiX Telematics announced that global security group G4S has selected it to assist in modifying driver behaviour across their Cash Division in the UK. The R4.6 billion company – which in August 2013 listed on the New York Stock Exchange –said this implementation will cover a further 1,500 vehicles throughout the UK. The contract was awarded on the basis that the global player believes MiX’s products to be the gold standard for safety, improving efficiency and alleviating impact on the environment, said the JSE-listed company. “For many years, MiX has helped G4S address…

South African-based vehicle tracking firm Cartrack may be sold to a Singaporean investor. Cartrack provides services related to stolen vehicle recovery, fleet management and insurance telematics through Software as a Service (SaaS). The company competes with JSE-listed DiDigicore, which was acquired by US-based technology firm Novatel for R1.1 billion. It also competes with JSE-listed Mix Telematics and Tracker. The JSE-listed company informed investors on Monday that it has received an expression of interest from a foreign investor. It added that the investor is proposing a transaction that could ultimately result in the restructuring of the company such that shareholders would hold shares, pursuant to…

Telkom has unveiled its Big Deal for March 2020, which would enable you to turn your home or office into a connection hub. The SmartBroadband 80GB Wireless is an LTE data offer, which includes 40GB Telkom anytime data a month and 40GB night surfer data a month. The deal includes the following: 40GB Anytime data 40GB Night Surfer data A R99 Once-Off SIM activation fee D-LINKAC1200 DB router This deal offer is available from 1st March until 31 st March 2020. The subscriber who depletes their inclusive allocated data bundle can buy/top-up with the LTE/LTE-A Once-off data bundles which expire within…

Ellies, the maker of satellite dishes and TV aerials, is planning to retrench close to 200 workers at its subsidiary, Ellies Electronics. The equipment manufacturer has served trade unions with section 189 notices. It added that Ellies Electronics will enter into a formal consultation process with relevant stakeholders, regarding the restructuring of its goods receiving, warehousing, distribution, logistics and head office functions. The company attributed the restructuring to ongoing financial losses experienced by Ellies Electronics. “The restructuring will result in the rationalisation of overheads and the realisation of other efficiencies required to restore profitability and ensure the existence and longevity of…

SelfSure, a new fintech in South Africa, has come up with a smart way to solve the problem faced by many car owners when they put in a claim after an accident. After paying premiums each month to cover their vehicles, consumers are often shocked at the thousands of rands they still need to pay to cover the excess. The brainchild of an actuary, Proud Chitumba, SelfSure’s Excess Wallet ensures that you pay zero excess no matter the size of your claim while reducing your car insurance premiums without having to change your insurer. Chitumba explains, “South African policyholders believe…

As part of its plans to roll out payment service bank seamlessly in Nigeria, MTN says it has registered about 108,000 mobile money agents across the country since August when it began the super-agent service. “We launched a super-agent service in August and are pleased with the initial rollout and uptake of the service,” said MTN Nigeria CEO, Ferdi Moolman. “We continue to make good progress with the expansion of our super-agent network and are confident that the expanded service offerings will position us to effectively drive broader financial inclusion as well as roll out the payment service bank seamlessly,…

MTN will invest about N600 billion (R32 billion) in Nigeria’s network, Africa’s largest mobile phone operator announced on Sunday. The investment will be made over the next three years. The South African-based company said this investment will enable it to accelerate its 4G network expansion, deepen population coverage and support the Federal Government’s broadband initiative. “We are excited about the possibilities that the transition to digital presents for our business, and the growth and development of Nigeria.” Expanding 4G network coverage to deliver highspeed internet to more people nation-wide and data revenue growth remain in focus, said the company. “We…