Author: Gugu Lourie

Vodacom is planning to drive new revenue streams through the recently launched Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centre. AWS has opened a cloud region in Cape Town, allowing customers to run applications and store data locally in South Africa. The new region has three geographically separate data centres or “availability zones” for resilience and brings AWS to 23 regions around the world. The data centre will help millions of people, businesses and organisations benefit from faster connectivity and viable access to next-generation technology. “The launch of the AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region will enable us to fully leverage AWS’s capabilities…

We have received several queries from readers on what is free basic electricity. We have generated a quick explainer from the public government documents. In 2001 South Africa adopted a policy intended for the provision of free basic services to poorer households. Under this policy, municipalities were tasked to identify indigent households that would receive services – such as water and electricity – for free or at substantially subsidised rates. Households are required to register with municipalities to qualify for free basic services. A municipality’s role is to vet every application, selecting only those households that meet various criteria. Successful…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 7, 808. Case Data per province: Testing Data A total of 279 379 tests have been conducted to date with 11 315 tests done in the past 24 hours. “Regrettably, we report 5 more COVID-19 related deaths: 2 from Western Cape, 1 from Limpopo Province and 2 from KwaZulu Natal. The total national deaths is now 153,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, health Minister. “We are, however, pleased to report 3153 recoveries.” The provincial breakdown is as follows:

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) says the system to process COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grants is not ready. Last week Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Social Development, announced that South Africa’s government will start paying COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant on May 15. Zulu announced that applications for the Special COVID-19 Social Relief Grant may be lodged by sending a WhatsApp message to 0600 123 456 and selecting SASSA or by sending an email to [email protected] However, today on its official Twitter page Sassa announced that: “The special temporary COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant will only…

Vodacom has launched its latest “Red Hot Dealz”, offering big discounts on large SIM-only data bundles on a 24-month contract. The Vodafone-owned operator is offering an 80GB data package, consisting of 50GB of anytime data and 30GB of Night Owl data plus a free 5GB video ticket, for R299 per month. Vodacom also has a 10GB data package, consisting of 5GB of anytime data and 5GB of Night Owl data plus 5GB video ticket, for R129 per month. There are two device options that accompany these deals: a Huawei R218h or Vodafone R217 mobile router and a Huawei B535-932 home…

British American Tobacco SA (BATSA) has decided to scrap its intention to take the South African government to court over cigarette ban. An earlier decision by the government to allow the sale of cigarettes during the COVID-19 lockdown was rescinded after the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) consulted medical experts and various role-players. President Cyril Ramaphosa said this on Monday after sections of society implied that Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma had arbitrarily gazetted the ban. Ramaphosa announced that the sale of tobacco products would be allowed when the country moved to Level 4 of the nationwide…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 7, 220. There are 7 more COVID-19 related deaths: 6 from Western Cape and 1 from KZN. Total deaths nationally are now 138. “We wish to express our condolences to the families of the deceased and thank the healthcare workers who treated these patients,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Health Minister. “We have 2, 746 recoveries as of 2 May 2020. “Our mortality rate has remained stable at around 1.9% since the first death was reported. This is below the world average which is 3.4% as estimated…

South African new car sales dipped to a record low in April as South Africa endured its first full month of lockdown. The market recorded a volume total of 574 units, down 98.4% according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa). Of that, 105 units were passenger cars and 318 were light commercial vehicles, impacting the year-to-date volumes of those segments downwards to 28.1% and 38.5% respectively. The industry total is 32.1% down year-to-date. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the…

South Africa’s Vodacom announces being the first operator to switched on Africa’s first live 5G mobile network in three cities – Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. Vodacom announced in 2018 that it had begun modernising its network to prepare for the deployment of standard-based 5G technology in South Africa, subject to the allocation of spectrum. 5G was designed to meet the growing data and connectivity requirements of modern society, as the amount of data traffic is expected to continue growing at exponential rates. The Vodafone-owned company said on Monday that the 5G network will support both mobile and fixed wireless…

Soapie lovers of Mzansi will be glad to know that their favourite telenovelas may start shooting again. Production across all major soapies, The River, Uzalo, The Queen, Imbewu, Isibaya, and Muvhango, Skeem Saam, etc, were halted to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has published a new directive that outlines the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) regulations for film and television productions. The regulations also outline strict mitigation measures to be followed before work can resume. “All directions in respect of health protocols and the exposure of persons to COVID -19 must be…