Author: Gugu Lourie

Dubai – GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech and startup event, is set to take centre stage in the UAE today. The 44th edition promises to reshape the global digital economy and AI landscape. Under the theme “Global Collaboration to Forge a Future AI Economy,” GITEX GLOBAL 2024 will bring together leading tech enterprises, governments, investors, experts, startups, and academia. Running alongside GITEX is Expand North Star, the world’s largest startup and investment event, hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and organised by DWTC at Dubai Harbour from 13-16 October. With over 6,500 exhibitors, 1,800 startups, and 1,200…

The 2024 Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) concluded its 26th edition with a resounding call to harness AI to drive positive change across the continent. Held under the theme “The AI-driven hyperconnected future: Co-creating shared value,” the conference brought together leading experts, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to navigate the transformative potential of AI in telecommunications and beyond. A key takeaway from the conference was the recognition of AI’s pivotal role in bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive growth in Africa. Along with the need for AI-powered solutions tailored to address local challenges, such as improving access…

Volvo Car South Africa has unveiled an exciting limited-time offer that provides extra perks for local buyers of its electric vehicles (EVs). This deal reinforces Volvo’s commitment to delivering exceptional value and enhancing the ownership experience. The promotion, valid for the final quarter of 2024, applies to all new fully electric Volvo models purchased during this period. Buyers will be rewarded with three complimentary benefits: 1 year of free public charging 2 years of comprehensive vehicle insurance 3 years of complimentary in-car data “Volvo is leading the charge in South Africa’s new-energy vehicle space, driving much of the recent growth…

As SATNAC 2024 draws to a close at the Skukuza Rest Camp in the heart of the Kruger National Park, we are reminded of the profound impact this conference continues to make on South Africa’s innovation landscape. Dr. Mmaki Jantjies, SATNAC Chairperson and Telkom Group Executive: Innovation & Transformation, delivered an inspiring closing speech, emphasising the event’s enduring legacy of fostering innovation, intellectual capital, and social impact. In a country grappling with some of the highest levels of inequality in the world, with unemployment hovering at 34%, and a staggering 45% among the youth, Dr. Jantjies stressed the critical role…

The telecommunications industry is undergoing a radical shift, pushed by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and automation. The recent SATNAC 2024 panel discussion, “Redefining Telecommunications: Telcos of the Future,” hosted by Sello Mmakau, Group Chief Digital Officer of Telkom SA, brought together global experts to explore how these innovations are reshaping the telco landscape. The panellists, including Prof. Thomas Magedanz from Technische Universität Berlin, Dr. Adrian Tiplady of the National Research Foundation (NRF), Naeem Seedat from Telkom SA, and Manav Daby, Specialist in Data & AI at Google, shared their insights on the role of AI…

At SATNAC 2024, Dr. Noxolo Kubheka-Dlamini, Telkom’s Chief Digital & Information Officer for Consumer and Small Business, delivered a forward-looking keynote address titled “AI-Driven Hyper-Personalised Future.” This annual event, hosted by Telkom, took place from October 6-9 in the heart of Kruger National Park, Skukuza Rest Camp. Dr. Kubheka-Dlamini’s thought-provoking speech centred around the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping hyper-personalised customer experiences, urging industry stakeholders to embrace change or risk becoming irrelevant. Dr. Kubheka-Dlamini began by acknowledging the exponential pace of AI’s development. “If you look at the evolution of AI,” she remarked, “it has moved from basic…

A recent raid by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) has put the future of 200 StarSat employees in jeopardy, while also impacting over 1,000 dealers and sales agents. The regulatory body’s search and seizure operation has disrupted Starsat’s business, raising concerns about widespread unemployment and financial instability across the company’s network. “The latest situation orchestrated by ICASA’s vehement rejection of constructive engagement with StarSat TV will undoubtedly affect the livelihoods of more than 200 workers and disrupt the broader network of over 1000 dealers and sales agents who rely on its operations for their subsistence and ongoing earnings…

Kagiso Modise, Executive: Technology Lifecycle Management & NMS Operations at Openserve brought the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into sharp focus. He was speaking at the at the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) at Skukuza Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park. Modise emphasised how AI can be harnessed to drive sustainability efforts globally while navigating the delicate balance between resource use and environmental responsibility. His speech emphasised the critical role technology must play in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to social inequality. The butterfly effect:…

Minister of Communications & Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi highlighted South Africa’s leadership in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive economic growth and social change. Malatsi delivered a speech at the 27th Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) at Kruger National Park. Recognising SATNAC as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration within the ICT sector, Malatsi expressed deep appreciation for the event’s legacy of innovation. “SATNAC has become a beacon of innovation and collaboration in our ICT sector, a platform that has grown over the years into a vital space for research, discussion, and partnership between industry, government,…

Prepare to be dazzled as Sandton welcomes its newest and most exciting dining destination: Vaagh Sandton. Launching on the 18th of October 2024, Vaagh is more than just a restaurant; it’s a fusion of culinary mastery and world-class live entertainment that promises to redefine your night out. Located in the chic Parkmore district, Vaagh offers an extraordinary experience where every evening feels like a grand celebration. The restaurant’s meticulously curated menu by renowned Chef Nas is a symphony of flavours, designed to delight even the most discerning palates. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in an atmosphere where…

The Empire Partner Foundation (EPF), under the leadership of its founder, Nathan Mariemuthu, stands as a beacon of hope for young South Africans, empowering them to unlock their potential and pursue greatness. Speaking at EPF Tech Awards held in Montecassino this weekend, Mariemuthu emphasised the vital role EPF plays as a partner foundation in nurturing young innovators and giving them the confidence to become leaders in their fields. “I have a birthday every day,” Mariemuthu remarked in his speech. “I don’t look forward to one specific day because every single day of my life, I get to meet incredible young…

The Empire Partner Foundation (EPF) continues to make significant strides in creating an environment where innovation thrives, and visionaries are empowered to shape Africa’s future. With a powerful presence at the 2024 EPF Tech Awards, Joanna Govender, CEO of EPF Tech Fund and EPF, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to supporting young African innovators and expanding its footprint across southern Africa. In her opening remarks, Govender drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s focus on youth empowerment and education, emphasising that “by investing in our youth, we invest in the future of Africa.” This vision aligns with EPF’s broader mission to create opportunities…

Justin Hughes, HR Executive for HR Operations at Openserve, shares his thoughts on why SATNAC is important. In the latest episode of TFS Bag of Words, Justin Hughes talks about how Openserve’s involvement in SATNAC helps improve Africa’s telecommunications infrastructure. SATNAC 2024, hosted by Telkom, will be held from 6–9 October at the Skukuza Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park. This year’s theme is “The AI-Driven Hyperconnected Future: Co-creating Shared Value,” focusing on how AI is changing the industry. In this episode, Hughes also discusses Openserve’s commitment to supporting research and development in the ICT sector through SATNAC. You…

For over 27 years, Telkom’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) programme has been a beacon of progress in South Africa’s ICT industry, playing a critical role in developing the nation’s talent pool and addressing crucial technological gaps. Established in 1997, the CoE initiative is designed to empower students by fostering research, innovation, and skills development, particularly in the fields of Computer Science and Engineering (CS&E). By enabling access to advanced education and research opportunities, Telkom’s CoE programme has significantly contributed to the creation of a future-fit, skilled workforce that is driving South Africa’s digital transformation. A visionary programme rooted in collaboration…

Tune in to the latest episode of TFS Bag of Words, featuring Uri Zisser, Regional VP Customer Business Executive at Amdocs, as he explores how Amdocs supports talent development through the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC). Returning to the African tech scene, SATNAC 2024, hosted by Telkom, will take place from 6–9 October at the Skukuza Rest Camp in the heart of the Kruger National Park. This year’s theme, “The AI-Driven Hyperconnected Future: Co-creating Shared Value,” will bring insightful discussions and innovative research on the transformative role of AI. In this episode, Zisser explains how Amdocs leverages…

The long-running legal battle between Vodacom and Nkosana Makate, the inventor of the “Please Call Me” (PCM) service, will reach the Constitutional Court on 21 November 2024. In a notice of set down, the top court said: “Please take notice that the above matter has been set down for hearing on Thursday, 21 November 2024 at 10h00.” Vodacom is seeking to appeal a previous ruling that ordered the company to pay Makate “fair compensation” for his idea, which was developed in 2001 while he was employed at the company. Despite the service generating significant revenue, Makate has been fighting for…

StarSat, operated by OnDigital Media (ODM), confirms that earlier today, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), accompanied by the South African Police Service (SAPS), entered its Midrand offices and disconnected services. During this process, not only were ODM’s services impacted but also those of StarTimes Media’s pan-African broadcast. As the service provider to ODM and a subsidiary of the larger StarTimes Group, StarTimes Media holds a valid individual electronics communication network service (ECNS) licence for transmissions across Africa. “While we acknowledge ICASA’s mandate to shut down ODM’s South African services, we are appalled by the manner in which…

Numeral has announced the opening of Numeral Biotechnologies in South Africa, which is fully owned by the company. The company continues to focus on biotechnology and is actively looking for acquisitions in this field. This announcement is made in line with the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM ) Listing Rules and the Securities Act of Mauritius, as well as the JSE Listings Requirements. Numeral is listed on the SEM and also has a secondary listing on the Alternative Exchange of the JSE. Numeric Biotech is a biopharmaceutical company fully dedicated to cure rare diseases in the field of age-relating diseases.…

RMB served as the sole mandated lead arranger for the acquisition of Octotel, the leading Open Access fibre network operator in Cape Town and the Western Cape. This significant transaction reflects RMB’s dedication to supporting investment in South Africa’s next-generation telecommunications infrastructure. Octotel has been acquired by a consortium comprising African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), one of Africa’s largest infrastructure-focused private equity fund managers and a division of Old Mutual Alternative Investments, STOA, a prominent impact fund focused on infrastructure and energy in developing markets, and Thebe Investment Corporation, a leading South African black-owned and managed investment firm. In March,…

TymeBank, Africa’s first digital bank to achieve profitability, has reached a significant milestone by surpassing 10 million customers, less than six years after its 2019 launch. Karl Westvig, who officially took over as CEO on 1 October 2024, expressed gratitude to the bank’s customers, stating: “We’d like to thank our 10 million customers for choosing us. This achievement is a testament to our team’s dedication to providing equitable banking that meets the evolving financial needs of South Africans and empowers them to achieve financial freedom.” He further highlighted: “Among our most significant achievements has been getting the business to break…

French broadcaster Canal+ and MultiChoice made a joint merger control filing with the South African Competition Commission. The French media giant has offered R125 in cash for every MultiChoice share it does not already own and has invested nearly €1.2bn for a 45.2% stake in the company. The filing is part of the process for the offer, signaling the next steps in their merger. As per the Competition Act, the transaction is categorised as a “large merger,” which requires approval from the Competition Tribunal. The Competition Commission will now review the filing and submit its recommendations to the Tribunal. Both…

Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank by assets, and Meridiam, an independent investment Benefit Corporation and asset manager, hosted a joint event to explore investment opportunities in alternative energy infrastructure across the continent. Meridiam has been building its investment presence in Africa since 2015 and has partnered with Standard Bank for over four years, focusing on alternative energy infrastructure projects. Last year, Meridiam acquired BTE Renewables’ assets in Kenya, a company that develops and operates 250 MW of onshore wind and solar projects. “Given our unrivalled footprint across the continent, we are regularly looking to work with partners that share…

The board of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) has dismissed its Chief Executive (CE), Shahied Daniels, with immediate effect following a disciplinary process. The decision was based on the outcomes of an independent disciplinary hearing and legal advice. The board ensured that the process was conducted fairly and without prejudice. Background of the Disciplinary Process Since April, both Daniels and Chief Operations Executive (COE), Dr. Gavin Isaacs, have been under disciplinary investigation due to findings in a forensic report. The report alleged that both executives had violated SAIPA’s rules, policies, codes, and procedures, leading to charges of…

Eskom is testing the use of recycled legacy coal ash for road construction, starting with a new access road at its Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga. This is the first time in South Africa that coal ash is being used for this purpose. The 759-meter heavy-duty road is designed to handle up to 1,600 trucks daily, each weighing around 34 tonnes. Through its Research, Testing, and Development (RT&D) initiative, Eskom is replacing traditional cement with recycled coal ash, using about 2,904 tonnes of ash per kilometer of road. This reduces carbon emissions since less cement is used, with every tonne…

FirstRand, Africa’s largest financial institution by market capitalisation, has announced that it will acquire the clients, banking assets, liabilities, and employees of HSBC Bank plc’s (HSBC) South African branch. The transfer will be made to FirstRand’s wholly owned subsidiary, FirstRand Bank Limited (FRB). HSBC South Africa primarily serves subsidiaries of multinational companies operating in the country, as well as some major domestic corporates. The transition will be led by FirstRand’s corporate and investment banking division, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), a prominent player in both South Africa and the broader African market. This move will ensure that HSBC’s clients continue to…