Author: Gugu Lourie
Eskom has confirmed it will implement Stage 2 loadshedding daily from 16:00 to 22:00 until Thursday, 15 May 2025, citing generation shortages and delayed unit returns. Key Reasons for Loadshedding: 3,120MW delayed from planned maintenance Additional 1,385MW lost due to unplanned breakdowns Current unplanned outages exceed 13,000MW Eskom acknowledged these challenges align with risks highlighted in its Winter 2025 Outlook. The utility is emerging from an intensive maintenance cycle, which has temporarily reduced system flexibility. Leadership Response Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said: “Our new Operational Excellence Programme is key to restoring performance. We are reinforcing oversight, strengthening accountability, and aligning service providers with stricter performance standards. This forms part of…
A leaked list of appointments to Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards has revealed shocking political patronage, with ANC loyalists, including Gwede Mantashe’s son and a former KZN Premier, handed key positions. Karabo Khakhau MP, DA Member of the Committee on Higher Education and Training, stated: “These appointments confirm the ANC’s blatant abuse of SETA boards for political gain. We demand Minister Nkabane explain why qualified South Africans are being sidelined for connected cadres.” Controversial Appointments Exposed: Buyambo Mantashe (son of ANC Chair Gwede Mantashe) – MERSETA Board Chair Nomusa Dube-Ncube (ex-KZN Premier) – BANKSETA Board Chair Siboniso Mbhele (KZN Transport HOD) – Given SETA board role Loyiso Masuku (ANC Johannesburg Deputy…
Cassava Technologies, a global tech leader of African heritage, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Zindi, Africa’s largest professional network for data scientists, to drive AI solutions and GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) across the continent. This strategic partnership aims to accelerate digital transformation in Africa by combining Cassava’s advanced GPU capabilities with Zindi’s AI challenge platform. Together, they will support local developers and startups in building data-driven solutions for Africa’s most pressing challenges. Empowering Africa’s AI Ecosystem Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, stated: “For Africa’s AI ecosystem to thrive, we must provide the right platforms and resources.…
Belgium Campus iTversity has partnered with UiPath, a global leader in agentic automation, to enhance its training programs in software automation and AI. As a new member of the UiPath Academic Alliance, the institution will integrate market-leading automation and AI curricula, empowering South Africa’s future workforce with cutting-edge skills. Preparing Students for the Fifth Industrial Revolution Dr. Jannie Zaaiman, CE of Education & Academic Collaboration at Belgium Campus iTversity, highlights how this collaboration will expand training in Robotic Process Automation (RPA), AI, and Agentic Automation. “Belgium Campus’ course material already includes aspects of robotics, which translates to projects such as robot races and a recent partnership with Penn…
In a landmark moment for digital learning, 217,000+ learners have enrolled in the 2025 FNB App Academy, 12x surge from 2023’s 17,000 participants. This makes it Africa’s largest free digital skills program, highlighting the continent’s growing demand for tech education. Now in its third year, the FNB App Academy is a nine-week, fully online coding programme designed to democratise access to digital and coding skills, with a curriculum focused on hands-on coding, problem-solving, and user experience design, and is open to anyone from complete beginners to aspiring developers. “This overwhelming response reflects a new wave of digital ambition across Africa,” says Janis Robson, Head of Business Development…
Today, Prosus published a letter to shareholders from CEO Fabricio Bloisi, which outlines Prosus’s performance for the financial year ending 31 March 2025. The financial information disclosed today has yet to be audited. Highlights include: FY25 Ecommerce aEBIT of more than $435 million, exceeding our goal of $400 million OLX revenue growing at close to 20%, with FY25 aEBIT up over 50% to around $270 million iFood delivering over 120m orders per month, and FY25 aEBIT increased by more than 100% to more than US$200m. $2.4 billion raised through trimming of Swiggy position at listing, selling of stakes in Trip and Tazz,…
FNB has recorded over R100 billion in virtual card transactions since launching the digital payment solution in October 2020, with R50 billion spent in 2024 alone. The bank’s latest data reveals a 108% year-on-year (YoY) surge in in-store virtual card usage, highlighting growing consumer trust in secure digital payments. Key Growth Metrics 5.3 million active virtual cards issued to date. 40.4% YoY increase in individual customers using virtual cards. 49.5% YoY growth in in-store virtual card purchases. 39% YoY rise in online transactions. Why Customers Prefer FNB’s Virtual Card FNB’s virtual card stands out with dynamic CVV security codes that refresh hourly, reducing fraud risks. Customers can instantly block, cancel, or replace cards via…
Calling all innovators! The Empire Partner Foundation (EPF) and TechFinancials are back with Round Three of our Q&A Competition—a platform for brilliant minds to showcase bold ideas and win amazing prizes! This round’s challenge: “How can AI improve healthcare in South Africa, especially in rural areas?” Share your vision, and you could win R5,000! Why Participate? Win big: Score R5,000 for your groundbreaking ideas. Make an impact: Your solution could transform healthcare access in underserved communities. Gain recognition: Stand out in a competitive innovation space. How to Enter: Apply via the TFS Competition Link. Complete your profile. Submit your answer—you could be the next winner! Hurry! Entries close 27 May 2025. This competition is proudly sponsored by the Empire Partner Foundation, driving innovation…
Advocate Pansy Tlakula, Chairperson of South Africa’s Information Regulator, reflects on the institution’s remarkable journey in the Annual Performance Plan (2025/26), comparing its growth to the cosmic mystery of creation: “When physicists attempt to solve the mystery of the creation of the universe, they arrive at the ultimate question: how do you create something from nothing? While physicists continue to grapple with this question, we at the Information Regulator can speak from experience from our own small, institutional universe.” From humble beginnings in 2016, armed only with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and a boardroom, the Regulator has…
As South Africa accelerates its digital transformation, Broadband Infraco (BBI) is positioning itself as a key enabler of the country’s connectivity and socio-economic development. The state-owned enterprise’s Strategic Horizons Corporate Plan (2025/26 – 2029/30) outlines a three-phase approach to optimise its current operations, innovate for customer needs, and transform into a leading digital infrastructure provider. With a mandate to expand electronic communications accessibility, BBI is crucial in bridging South Africa’s digital divide and supporting Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) advancements. This article explores how BBI’s strategic roadmap will shape its role in government digital transformation, universal broadband access, and economic growth. Horizon 1: Optimising the Core Business (2024/25 – 2025/26) The first phase focuses…