Author: Gugu Lourie

Capitec Bank revealed today that it has signed up more than 1.5 million new customers for the year end-February 2020. According to the bank, digital and self-service banking saved its clients R474 million during the year whilst the migration created more capacity in its branch network. “We now have 6.7 million retail clients making use of our digital channels (banking app and USSD) up from 5.2 million in 2019,” the bank informed investors on Monday. However, some customers still like visiting brick and mortar branches. During the year under review, the bank said about 7.8 million (2019: 6.6 million) retail…

The Gauteng Liquor Forum, which wants restrictions on the sale of alcohol eased during an extended lockdown, is threatening court action against the South African government. The South African government banned the sale of alcohol during the lockdown that started on 26 March 2020, was due to expire on 16 April and was extended to month-end. The forum, which is a non-profit organisation of stakeholders made up of associations of mostly township based Shebeens and Taverns, represent about 20,000 micro and small businesses around Gauteng. Also read: Coronavirus: SA Liquor Makers Want Booze Restrictions Eased Struggling South Africa’s liquor makers…

Vodacom boss Shameel Joosub to donate a third of his salary as part of a contribution to South Africa’s fight against the coronavirus. The funds will be donated to the Solidarity Fund. The fund, which was created by President Cyril Ramaphosa, enables individuals and organisations to contribute to the detection and prevention of COVID-19, to provide care for those that need medical care and to support those whose lives have been disrupted by the health crisis. “Vodacom can confirm that Joosub, has heeded the call by President Cyril Ramaphosa and will donate a third of his salary for the next…

Police Minister Bheki Cele has vowed to crack down on illegal alcohol sales during uring South Africa’s lockdown. News24 reported that Cele is also targeting alcohol looters, who have struck several times since the lockdown began. On Thursday, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the extension of the lockdown by two more weeks. For more read: Coronavirus: South Africa Extends Lockdown by Two Week The lockdown, which started on 26 March 2020, was due to expire on 16 April. South Africa’s first case of COVID-19 was reported on 5 March 2020, when a KwaZulu-Natal man came back home after travelling abroad. “Sober…

The fear of police knocking at the door at any time to seek answers about her alleged violation of the lockdown regulations grips Communications and Digital Technology Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the City Press reported. A close associate revealed to the newspaper that: ”She is quite scared and worried about the police.” Mduduzi Manana, a former deputy minister of higher education and training, posted a picture to Instagram of Ndabeni-Abrahams and others having a meal at his house during the lockdown. President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed his communications minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, on “special leave” for two months, of which one month…

Struggling South Africa’s liquor makers want restrictions on the sale of alcohol eased during an extended lockdown. On Thursday, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the extension of the lockdown by two more weeks. For more read: Coronavirus: South Africa Extends Lockdown by Two Week The lockdown, which started on 26 March 2020, was due to expire on 16 April. South Africa’s first case of COVID-19 was reported on 5 March 2020, when a KwaZulu-Natal man came back home after travelling abroad. The Sunday Times reported that the government is putting together an emergency plan to kick-start SA’s economy after the…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the deputy president, members of the cabinet, and himself will all take a pay cut as part of a contribution to South Africa’s fight against the coronavirus. “We have decided that the President, Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers will each take a one-third cut in their salaries for the next three months,” Ramaphosa said on Thursday night. “This portion of their salaries will be donated to the Solidarity Fund.” “We are calling on other public office bearers and executives of large companies to make a similar gesture and to further increase the reach…

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday night announced the extension of the lockdown by two more weeks. The lockdown, which started on 26 March 2020, was due to expire on 16 April. South Africa’s first case of COVID-19 was reported on 5 March 2020, when a KwaZulu-Natal man came back home after travelling abroad. “There is sufficient evidence that shows that the lockdown is working. Since the lockdown came into effect, the rate at which new cases have been identified in SA has slowed down COVID-19,” said Ramaphosa on Thursday night. “If we end the lockdown too soon or…

Pick n Pay is introducing ‘Scan & Pay’ technology at all till points nationwide to allow customers to go completely contactless when paying for their shop. Pick n Pay was the first major retailer in South Africa to introduce contactless ‘Tap & Go’ card payments, and they have now enhanced their payment devices to offer QR payments through Masterpass. Masterpass lets customers securely download a free digital wallet from any of the major South African banks to their mobile phone. Customers can then safely and simply pay for their purchase by scanning the QR code at the till from the…

Shoprite, Usave, Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores shoppers can now use smartphones to pay for their groceries s the retailers continues to find new ways to keep its stores, customers and employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The food retailer said the dynamic QR payments will be available at the tills within the next two months. Customers simply have to scan the QR code at the till point with their phones and pay with Masterpass, SnapScan, Zapper, FNB Pay or Nedbank Pay in any of the Group’s stores. Africa’s largest food retailer said the amount payable will automatically display on the customer’s phone, leaving…