Author: Gugu Lourie

Balwin Properties, known for its secure, eco-conscious, and strategically located residential estates, has achieved substantial growth in its annuity income, primarily driven by its fibre and renewable energy services. Offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, Balwin developments cater to a diverse spectrum of home buyers and investors. These apartments feature modern, energy-efficient kitchens, prepaid water and solar-assisted electricity systems, and eco-friendly appliances, with every unit fully fibre-enabled through Balwin’s dedicated subsidiary. In the latest financial year, Balwin Annuities reported a 17% year-on-year revenue growth, reaching R65.8 million as of August 2024, up from R56.3 million in 2023. Fibre installation and…

Pick n Pay’s online retail division has reported an impressive 60.6% year-on-year growth in sales, reflecting the company’s strategic advancements in its on-demand platforms and overall digital transformation. Building on a robust 74.4% increase in full year 2024, Pick n Pay Online’s sustained growth has been driven by notable improvements in customer service, technological upgrades, and operational efficiency. This expansion has been primarily fueled by the popularity of Pick n Pay’s on-demand retail services, including the Pick n Pay asap! app and Pick n Pay Groceries on Mr D, both of which are now accessible through 550 Pick n Pay…

Four years ago, TechFinancials anticipated that EOH, the scandal-tainted IT group, would undergo a major rebrand, emerging as iOCO. EOH believes it has largely restored its reputation after facing allegations of involvement in state capture corruption and is now refocusing on government contracts, with ambitions to double its revenue from these engagements, according to a report in the Sunday Times’ Business Times. The company, identified by the Zondo Commission as a key player in state capture, began its reform journey in 2018 with the appointment of Stephen van Coller as CEO. Chief Justice Raymond Zondo commended EOH in his initial…

It is both disappointing and dishonest that some are trying to pin YeboYethu’s woes on Nkosana Makate, the inventor of Vodacom’s “Please Call Me” (PCM) service. YeboYethu, the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) vehicle of Vodacom, has been pushing the narrative that compensating Makate fairly for his billion-rand idea will destroy the livelihoods of its black shareholders. This is nothing but a diversionary tactic. Makate has been embroiled in a relentless legal battle with Vodacom for over 16 years, fighting for fair compensation for his revolutionary PCM service, which he developed in while employed at Vodacom. The service, which allows users…

In an interview with TechFinancials, William Dong, President of Huawei Cloud Marketing, shared insights on how Huawei Cloud is positioning itself to drive growth and accelerate digital transformation in South Africa’s private and public sectors. As South Africa’s market moves closer to adopting cloud and AI technologies, Dong emphasised the pivotal role that Huawei Cloud plays in enabling this shift. Dong was speaking ahead of the inaugural Huawei Cloud South Africa Cloud Summit 2024, set to be held tomorrow in Johannesburg. This landmark event will bring together over 600 industry leaders from various sectors at the Gallagher Convention Centre for…

Vodacom is once again seeking to challenge its obligation to fairly compensate Nkosana Makate, the inventor of the lucrative Please Call Me service, which the telco has used for over 23 years to generate billions. Despite the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling in February 2024 that Vodacom should pay Makate 5%-7.5% of the revenue generated by Please Call Me over 18 years, Vodacom is heading to the Constitutional Court to appeal the decision. Vodacom – owned by British mobile giant Vodafone –  is challenging SCA ruling, which rejected the R47 million compensation offer made by CEO Shameel Joosub to…

The South African economic landscape has seen more stability in 2024, with inflation slowing to an average of 5.38%¹, compared to 6,0% in 2023 and 6.9% in 2022². This economic relief has translated into slower price hikes for the used car market. The AutoTrader Retail Price Index (RPI), a key measure of price movements in the used car market, shows that the average price increase for used cars dropped to 2.43% this year from 7.35% in 2023. “The easing of inflation in 2024 has brought some much-needed stability to the used car market, which is good news for consumers, who are now seeing slower…

JSE-listed Sasfin announced today that Gloria Serobe will be appointed as chair of the Board of Sasfin Wealth, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sasfin, with immediate effect. Gloria is a founding member and CEO of Women Investment Portfolio Holdings Pty Ltd. She obtained a BCom degree from the former University of Transkei and holds an MBA degree from Rutgers University, New Jersey USA and has been conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) by the Nelson Mandela University. She is one of the co-founders of Women Investment Portfolio Holdings (Wiphold) – the first women’s group established post-1994 to…

What’s it like to stay at the new Embassy Suites By Hilton Dubai Business Bay? Well, imagine checking into a hotel where everyone greets you with a smile so warm you’ll think you just walked into your own family reunion, except with better views. Yes, Hilton has truly outdone itself with this 30-story gem in the heart of Business Bay in Dubai. From the moment I stepped in, I felt like Hilton was channeling its founder, Conrad Hilton’s, dream of running the best hotel on Earth (or at least in Texas, originally). If he were around today, I think he’d…

Prosus and Naspers CEO Fabricio Bloisi has marked his first 100 days at the helm by sharing an update with shareholders. In his letter, Bloisi outlined his ambitious vision for the future, stating that Prosus, currently valued at around $100 billion, is set to drive further growth. He emphasized his commitment to creating another $100 billion in value by focusing on building and investing in fast-growing, profitable businesses. Bloisi also reassured shareholders that these efforts would generate substantial returns, reinforcing his focus on long-term value creation. Read the letter below: First 100 Days @ Prosus Dear Partners, Hello! I hope…

Following a solid performance in August, the South African automotive segment experienced mixed results in September 2024, with minor increases in new car sales and a subtle downturn in the used car market.  According to the latest sales data from AutoTrader, the used car market recorded 28,609 units sold in September 2024, a -9.6% year-on-year drop from the 31,636 units sold in September 2023. When compared to August 2024, which saw 31,877 used car sales, the market experienced a decline of -10.3% month-on-month. According to naamsa | The Automotive Business Council, the new car market posted a +2% year-on-year growth in…

South Africa’s Constitutional Court has delivered a significant setback to YeboYethu, the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) shareholders of Vodacom. On Thursday, the court dismissed YeboYethu’s attempt to join the high-stakes legal battle between Vodacom and Nkosana Makate, the inventor of the “Please Call Me” service, as a friend of the court (amicus curiae). “The Constitutional Court has considered the application for admission as amicus curiae. It has concluded that the application should be dismissed as no case has been made out for admission as amicus curiae or ‘friend of the court,’” reads the court order. Notably, the court also decided…

Dubai – FOMO South Africa, a  deals platform with over 500,000 users and 200,000 monthly website visits, proudly announces its expansion into the UAE market with the launch of FOMO Dubai. Known for providing unbeatable deals on attractions and experiences, FOMO is set to transform how Dubai’s residents and tourists book their adventures – offering exclusive discounts on activities ranging from desert safaris to visits to world-renowned theme parks. Bringing FOMO’s Winning Formula to Dubai After establishing a solid presence in South Africa, FOMO is ready to make its mark in Dubai. FOMO Dubai will provide users with unmatched access…

Dubai – Li Peng, Corporate Senior Vice President and President of ICT Sales & Service at Huawei, delivered a compelling vision for the future of industrial digital transformation at the 2024 Huawei Industrial Digital and Intelligent Transformation Summit, held during GITEX Global in Dubai. Li’s message was clear: Huawei is leading the way in innovation to help customers succeed, empower local partners, and cultivate homegrown talent. “We’re combining our strengths in networking, storage, computing, cloud, and energy,” Li began, emphasising Huawei’s focus on building new digital and intelligent infrastructure. “We’re working with partners to develop cutting-edge solutions that are adaptable…

Dubai – “The wave of digital and intelligent transformation must ensure that no one is left behind,” said Leo Chen, Corporate Senior Vice President and President of Enterprise Sales at Huawei’s Enterprise Business Group. Speaking at the Industrial Digital and Intelligent Transformation Summit, held alongside GITEX Global 2024 in Dubai, Chen emphasised the need for inclusive growth as industries embrace the future of technology. Amid the wave of digital and intelligent transformation, Huawei urges all parties to collaborate and seize new opportunities. In his keynote address, Chen highlighted AI and 5G-A as key next-generation technologies powering the Fourth Industrial Revolution,…

In a world rapidly transitioning to an intelligent economy, Huawei is at the forefront of the digital transformation revolution. Speaking at the Huawei Industrial Digital and Intelligent Transformation Summit 2024 during GITEX Global in Dubai, Li Peng, Corporate Senior Vice President and President of ICT Sales & Service, outlined the company’s vision for an AI-driven future that empowers enterprises globally. “The digital economy is evolving into an intelligent economy, and it will soon become the main engine of global economic growth,” Li Peng declared as he addressed a diverse audience of global partners and customers at the Conrad Dubai. With…

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,…