Author: Gugu Lourie

MTN Nigeria, MTN Group’s biggest operating subsidiary, diversification from its voice telephony business into digital and FinTech space has been gaining traction and is a boon for its earnings. Profit before tax increased by 8.9% to 76.3-billion naira (R3.6 billion) during the quarter, year on year. Nigeria is MTN’s most profitable market and on Wednesday the operator said it would continue to gain market share, with the addition of 4.2 million subscribers to the network, representing a 6.5% increase in the quarter to 68.5 million. The operator said in the three months ended 31 March 2020, active data subscribers rose…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 4, 996 cases. “We have a burden of hypertension, over 4.5 million people in South Africa have diabetes. Such diseases factor in COVID-19 infection,” says Dr Zweli Mkhize, Health Minister. Currently, in South Africa, we have seen an increase in COVID-19 deaths.  We had 203 cases today and 3 more deaths. “There are now 93 deaths,” says Mkhize. All three deaths were in the Western Cape. “We convey our condolences to the families and friends. Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this…

The South African National Treasury is replacing measures relating to the COVID-19 Disaster Management Central Emergency Procurement Strategy. The replacement follows concerns about the procurement process, stating that the approach adopted has excluded a number of domestic suppliers and has covered an array of goods especially goods that can be manufactured locally. On Sunday, Sunday World reported that the massive treasure trove of R20 billion set aside for the Department of Health to help South Africa weather the deadly COVID-19 storm could trigger a war among businesspeople. Black businesses allege that they have been sidelined in the allocation of multimillion-rand…

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) says it has completed testing its WhatsApp registration system to payout the six-month coronavirus grant known as COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant.   Under the grant, jobless South Africans will each receive R350 monthly for six months.   Sassa says on its Twitter page: “The WhatsApp application system for #COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant opened only for testing over the weekend and it’s closed now. We’ll announce the official opening date”. The WhatsApp application system for #COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant opened only for testing over the weekend and it’s…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 4, 793. The total number of tests conducted to date is 178 470, of which 9 827 were done in the last 24 hours. The provincial breakdown is as follows: Reported Deaths “We regret to report a further three deaths: two from the Western Cape and one from KZN,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Health Minister. “This brings the total cumulative COVID-19 related deaths to 90.” The cases were: A 79-yr-old-male who presented with shortness of breath&chest pain. His co-morbidi- ties included diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease&cardiac…

Fake COVID-19 officials in Mpumalanga were arrested on their way to a marijuana import deal. The three suspects, aged between 31 and 35 were arrested at Ekulindeni in Mpumalanga in the early hours of today for using COVID-19 to cover their ploy. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brig Leonard Hlathi said a team of police officials received information about two vehicles which were branded with COVID-19 insignia allegedly participating in criminal activities. “They (police) followed up on the information and noticed a VW Polo Sedan as well as a Toyota Hilux Bakkie, which both matched the description given,” said Hlathi. Upon stopping…

South Africa’s Telkom announced on Monday it is planning to increase line speeds for some customers as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Fibre and copper connection customers will see speed changes from 1 May. The company, however, did not specify how long the speed lines are being increased. “This initiative is intended to ensure that our customers get to enjoy high-speed connectivity allowing them to study online, continue doing productive work, game and stream content to keep themselves and their families entertained during this lockdown,” says Serame Taukobong, Chief Executive Officer: Consumer at Telkom. “In addition, we have recently…

Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), wants the South African government to make the COVID-19 special grants permanent. Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 a month for the next 6 months. The grant is to be paid to individuals who are currently unemployed and do not receive any other form of a social grant or UIF payment. The Department of Social Development will issue the requirements needed to access and apply for this funding. Malema wants the grant to be permanent and increased to R1, 000…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 4 546. The total number of tests conducted to date is 168 643, of which 7 639 were done in the last 24 hours The provincial breakdown: Reporting of Deaths “We regrettably report another COVID-19 related death (1) in the Western Cape, which increases the total number of deaths to 87,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Health Minister. “We convey condolences to the family and appreciate our frontline workers who treated this patient. “We urge you to take preventative measures such as meticulous hand washing and the…

The massive treasure trove of R20 billion set aside for the Department of Health to help South Africa weather the deadly COVID-19 storm could trigger a war among businesspeople. Sunday World reports that black businesses allege that they have been sidelined in the allocation of multimillion-rand contracts for sourcing equipment for the fight against COVID-19. The much-sought-after equipment includes ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPEs). Black businesses are represented by the Black Business Council (BBC). “We have noticed some actions by those who are against economic transformation of trying to sideline black-and-women-owned suppliers,” said BBC CEO Kganki Matabane. “We have…