Author: Gugu Lourie

South Africa is forging ahead with its plans to establish the National Health Insurance (NHI), with preparatory work set to begin this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced during his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA). “We want a nation in which there is quality health care for all,” Ramaphosa declared. “This year, we will proceed with the preparatory work for the establishment of the NHI.” Laying the groundwork for universal healthcare The initial phase of the NHI rollout will focus on key foundational steps, including: Developing a single electronic health record system to improve patient management. Setting up Ministerial…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a bold new initiative to drive economic transformation, pledging R20 billion a year over the next five years to support black-owned and small businesses. Speaking during his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA), he emphasised the urgent need to correct historical economic exclusion and build an inclusive economy. “For many decades, our economy has been held back by the exclusion of the vast majority of the South African people,” Ramaphosa stated. “Black South Africans were deprived of land, of capital, of skills, of opportunities. Our economy was starved of the potential of its people.”…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to energy reform, stating that the country will lay the foundation for a competitive electricity market in 2024. Speaking during his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA), he highlighted the progress made through the Energy Action Plan in stabilising power supply. “The measures we have implemented through the Energy Action Plan have reduced the severity and frequency of load shedding, with more than 300 days without load shedding since March 2024,” Ramaphosa said. While acknowledging that load shedding briefly returned last week, he emphasised that South Africa is on a positive…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to push forward with a second wave of economic reforms aimed at accelerating inclusive growth and revitalising South Africa’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Speaking during his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA), he highlighted the progress made so far and the urgent need to build on these efforts. “We are steadily removing the obstacles to meaningful and faster growth,” Ramaphosa said. “The economic reforms that we are implementing through Operation Vulindlela have created a new sense of optimism and confidence in our economy.” Key reforms have already improved the functioning of critical industries, creating new…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced an ambitious plan to secure R100 billion in infrastructure financing by engaging local and international financial institutions and investors. Speaking during his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA), Ramaphosa emphasised that large-scale infrastructure investment is key to accelerating economic growth and job creation. “To create this virtuous cycle of investment, growth, and jobs, we must lift economic growth to above three percent,” he said. To achieve this, the government is prioritising massive infrastructure investments while maintaining and upgrading existing assets. A project preparation bid window has been launched to fast-track investment readiness, supported by…

Bolt is launching Trusted Contacts in South Africa, a feature that will enable passengers and drivers to add names and phone numbers of friends or relatives to a list of contacts for their account, so that Bolt’s Safety Team can get in touch with them if the account holder can’t be reached. This is part of Bolt’s ongoing investment in upgrades to safety features on its platform and will ensure quicker escalation of Ride Check notifications, Emergency Assist requests or any other significant safety incident reported if the Safety Team can’t get a hold of the account holder. This is the…

JSE-listed paper and packaging giant Sappi is making bold strides in the bioeconomy, with plans to become one of the world’s leading producers of furfural: a key biochemical used in industries ranging from biofuels to pharmaceuticals. Following the successful piloting of its proprietary furfural manufacturing process at Saiccor Mill in Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal, Sappi is now advancing towards full-scale commercial production. The company confirmed in its latest Sustainability Report that the pilot plant has validated and optimised its furfural technology, demonstrating the ability to extract high-quality furfural from hemicellulose sugars in spent sulphite cooking liquor. “The pilot plant successfully demonstrated that…

South African motorists will have to dig deeper into their pockets as fuel prices are set to rise significantly from 5 February 2025. The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced the latest adjustments, citing a combination of international and local economic factors driving the increase. Why are fuel prices going up? South Africa’s fuel prices are reviewed monthly, influenced by global crude oil prices, international petroleum product costs, and the exchange rate between the Rand and the US Dollar. This month’s surge is attributed to: Rising crude oil prices Brent Crude oil prices climbed from $72.78 to $77.41…

Sipho Maseko and Sonja De Bruyn have joined a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) consortium that will play 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. Creation of LicenceCo As part of this restructuring: LicenceCo will operate as an independent entity, holding the South African subscription broadcasting licence and contracting directly with MultiChoice’s South African subscribers.…

In the heart of Mpumalanga, a region historically known for its coal mining, a groundbreaking project is set to redefine the future of sustainable energy and food security in South Africa. Suiso, a homegrown company specialising in blue ammonia production, has announced a monumental $1.7 billion (R31.5 billion) investment in a state-of-the-art coal-to-fertiliser facility in Kriel. Founded in 2019 by four visionary South African entrepreneurs, Suiso is on a mission to drive sustainable energy solutions, enhance food security, and promote responsible resource management. The project, which has garnered significant attention for its scale and ambition, is backed by prominent businesswoman…

Vodacom now processes over $1.2 billion (R22.7 billion) in daily transaction value through its mobile wallet offerings. The JSE-listed telecommunications group disclosed this figure on Monday for the quarter ended 31 December 2023, highlighting the scale of its business and solidifying its position as Africa’s largest mobile money platform by transaction value processed. Excluding Safaricom, Vodacom Group generated R3.6 billion in service revenue during the quarter, up 5.7%—or 17.2% on a normalised basis Across Its geographic segments, Vodafone Egypt remains a star performer having grown service revenue at 44.3% in local currency, well above the rate of inflation. South Africa…

Meridiam has acquired a majority stake in Ilitha, a telecommunications company founded by Vuyani Jarana, with a mission to deliver affordable, unlimited internet to underserved areas in South Africa. The investment, made through the Meridiam TURF B Fund, will accelerate Ilitha’s fibre rollout, targeting over half a million households in township communities. “Access to the internet has become a basic human right, yet many people living in townships and rural communities do not have access to affordable quality broadband services,” said Vuyani Jarana, CEO and Founder of Ilitha. “Ilitha is not just about bringing internet to these communities, it’s about…

XLink Communications, a subsidiary of Vodacom and part of the Vodafone Group, is redefining Africa’s payments ecosystem with a suite of cutting-edge solutions designed to enhance the customer payment experience. Established in 2004, XLink has evolved from a connectivity provider into a purpose-driven PayTech leader, championing financial inclusion across the continent. Operating in South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, and Ghana, the company is now at the forefront of payment innovation under the visionary leadership of CEO Dr. Thanusha Govender. Since assuming the role in 2022, Dr. Govender has led a strategic transformation, repositioning XLink as a multifaceted payment technology powerhouse. The…

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced the City’s new Main Arterial and CBD Cleansing Plan, which will enhance visible cleaning along major routes and the CBD. The City Council has approved over R26 million in start-up funding as part of its January Adjustment Budget. Additionally, the City is allocating an extra R100 million to address potholes and resurface roads. The new plan aims to ensure cleaner major routes while creating employment opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Dedicated teams will perform top-up cleaning services along main arterial routes and within the CBD. Mayor Hill-Lewis stated, “Our new Main…

Bassonia, one of Johannesburg’s most sought-after suburbs, is poised for a major upgrade with the upcoming construction of the Omni Square Bassonia Shopping Centre. Nestled between the highly desirable areas of Meyersdal and Glenvista, Bassonia is renowned for its scenic beauty, tranquil valleys, and upscale living. This new development promises to enhance the suburb’s charm while offering a world-class retail experience. The shopping centre will be strategically located at the intersection of Comaro, Soetdoring, Alwyn, and Meerkat Avenues, making it easily accessible to residents and visitors alike. Bassonia, with its rich heritage as a historical home to various SAN tribes and…

South Africa’s communications watchdog – ICASA, has finally broken its silence, confirming its approval of Blue Label Telecoms’ bid to take control of Cell C. However, the reasons behind the approval of the deal remain shrouded in secrecy, raising questions about transparency and accountability. On January 24, 2025, Blue Label announced that ICASA had approved the transfer of Cell C’s spectrum and network licenses, clearing the path for the JSE-listed group to assume control of the struggling mobile operator. Cell C has been transitioning into a super mobile virtual network operator, and Blue Label, which currently holds a 49.5% non-controlling…

Eskom has issued an urgent alert warning of a high risk of loadshedding at short notice, following over 10 months of uninterrupted electricity supply, a milestone achieved through the success of its Generation Recovery Plan. “This is a potentially temporary setback. Loadshedding is largely behind us due to the structural improvements in our generation fleet. However, over the past seven days, we have experienced several breakdowns that require extended repair times. This has necessitated the use of all our emergency reserves, which now need to be replenished. Consequently, we are closely monitoring the status of our current emergency reserves, and…

The latest Annual Report (2023/24) from the Gauteng e-Government Department reveals a troubling pattern – the words “targets not achieved” are mentioned 55 times. The report raises serious questions about the department’s ability to modernise the province’s ICT infrastructure, a key goal set at the start of its term. Despite some progress, the report highlights significant challenges and missed opportunities that could leave Gauteng lagging in the digital age. What has been achieved? The Gauteng Broadband Network (GBN) project, a cornerstone of the department’s strategy, has seen some successes: Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity was provided to 1,262 sites, including schools, clinics, courts, and…

Eskom and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have reached a settlement in a High Court case initiated by Eskom in 2021. The case sought to nullify a cost reduction contract known as the “Capital Scrubbing engagement” and recover payments made to PwC and Nkonki. This engagement was examined by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, commonly referred to as the Zondo Commission. As part of the settlement, the disputed contract has been set aside, and PwC will pay Eskom R43 million in a full and final settlement of Eskom’s claim. This resolution marks a crucial step in Eskom’s ongoing…

Suiso, a South African company specialising in blue ammonia production, is set to invest $1.7 billion (R31.5 billion) in a state-of-the-art coal-to-fertiliser facility in Kriel, Mpumalanga. Founded in 2019 by four local entrepreneurs, Suiso is driving sustainable energy solutions, food security, and responsible resource management. The project, backed by businesswoman and former Miss South Africa Basetsana Kumalo as a black economic empowerment partner, promises to create 4,000 jobs during construction (slated for 2026) and 981 permanent positions upon operational launch in 2029. The facility will produce 1.5 million tons of nitrogen-based fertilisers annually, replacing South Africa’s import of 1.2 million…

South Africa’s innovative food delivery platform, Spaza Eats, is gearing up to launch a wallet-as-a-service feature, potentially transforming the app into a mobile money powerhouse. Founder Talifhani Banks revealed on LinkedIn that merchants, customers, and drivers will soon be able to use the Spaza Eats app to send, receive, fund, trade, and manage payments, payouts, and remittances. Banks, who also founded AnalyticsX, the parent company of Spaza Eats, sees this move as a gateway to the untapped $900 billion mobile money market. He recently shared on LinkedIn that Spaza Eats’ vision extends beyond being a logistics company. “We want to…

The Gauteng Department of Community Safety’s ambitious drone programme, aimed at bolstering crime prevention and enhancing police visibility, has hit a major snag. Despite spending a staggering R10.8 million on procuring 33 drones and receiving an additional five from the Department of e-Government, only one drone has been registered for operational use over the past year. This shocking revelation has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the programme and the safety of Gauteng residents. According to the department’s 2023/24 Annual Report, the province now has a total of 38 drones intended for crime prevention operations. However, Crezane Bosch, DA Gauteng Shadow…

Attacq, the property group behind iconic retail hubs such as Mall of Africa and Mooirivier Mall, has announced impressive turnover growth across its retail portfolio in the final months of 2024. The company’s retail-experience hubs achieved an 8.8% year-on-year turnover growth in November 2024 and a 3.2% increase in December 2024, building on the successful growth recorded in October 2024. Attacq owns Mall of Africa, Mooirivier Mall, Eikestad Mall, Glenfair Boulevard, Lynwood Bridge and Waterfall Corner. Strong retail performance driven by Black Friday and local brands Retailers within Attacq’s portfolio experienced a robust November 2024, with extended specials leading…

DFA has invested more than R800 million to upgrade and future-proof its national fibre network. This investment strengthens DFA’s position as a leading wholesale open-access connectivity provider in South Africa and helps meet the growing demand for fast, reliable internet. DFA is part of the MAZIV group. Its national network provides connectivity and backhaul services for mobile operators, data centres, internet service providers, and public sector institutions. This latest investment follows DFA’s R400 million Dry Underground Distribution Cabinet (DUDC) project launched in August 2023, which aimed to stabilise and future-proof its network. The upgrades have already shown positive results, including…

Gauteng unveiled last november a cutting-edge number plate system designed to bolster security and create exciting business opportunities for young entrepreneurs. The new prototype, introduced by the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG), features advanced security measures aimed at curbing crime and ensuring traceability. According to the GPG’s 2023/24 Annual Report, the system will enable law enforcement officers to track and trace number plates issued by authorized embossers. By scanning the plates, officials can verify details such as the embosser, vehicle information, and owner data, making it easier to combat illegal activities. As part of its empowerment strategy, the Gauteng Department of…