Author: Gugu Lourie

With e-commerce users in South Africa expected to soar to 21.52 million by 2029, last-mile delivery companies are under pressure to enhance their operational efficiency. Enter Industry 4.0, the latest industrial revolution characterised by the integration of connected digital technologies. From science fiction to reality Industry 4.0 is more than a buzzword; it represents the fourth industrial revolution where advanced technologies like automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data, machine learning, cloud computing and robotics are seamlessly integrated into logistics to create smarter, more efficient, and interconnected systems. This technology has sparked a transformation in last-mile…

The Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) returns to the African stage, with a deep dive into the transformative power of AI. Hosted by Telkom, SATNAC 2024 will take place from 6 – 9 October in the heart of the Kruger National Park at the Skukuza Rest Camp. This year’s theme, “The AI-Driven Hyperconnected Future: Co-creating shared value,” promises insightful discussions and groundbreaking research presentations. South Africa is rapidly emerging as a global leader in AI adoption, defying outdated technological stereotypes. Recent data reveals that over 60% of South African workers regularly use generative AI tools, surpassing rates…

Vodacom South Africa, a subsidiary of Vodacom Group, has introduced a cloud-based phone aimed at making smartphone access more affordable and accelerating the shift from legacy networks to modern 4G. A 2022 report by the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, supported by Vodacom’s parent company, Vodafone Group, emphasized that lowering the cost of devices is essential for increasing smartphone access. For example, the Alliance for Affordable Internet estimates that a smartphone priced at R1,094.24 (US$62/€56) could account for nearly 63% of the average monthly income across Africa. The report recommended exploring affordable thin-client phones, like the new cloud-based device from…

South Africa is infamous for the worst savings rates in the world, with a multitude of surveys telling us it is difficult to save when you can’t make ends meet and are struggling to pay off debt. But is this the full picture – and more importantly, is there anything consumers could be doing differently, given a slightly improved outlook? “After years of unrelenting financial pressure, our customers have had to become financially disciplined and resourceful. This will make it easier for them to get back on their feet when things start to improve, helped by the drop in fuel…

Happy Pay, South Africa’s only independent Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider with 150,000 active users, has secured $1.8 million or R32 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by prominent South African venture capital firms E4E Africa and 4Di Capital, along with participation from DotExe Ventures, Launch Africa, Equitable Ventures, Felix Strategic Investment, U.S.-based Gaingels, and local angel investors. Fin Africa (formerly Finclusion Group) is backing the company’s debt facility. Happy Pay’s BNPL platform, built to comply with future regulatory standards, enables consumers to split payments over two paychecks with no interest or deposit. Using AI-driven credit scoring,…

After a successful 2023 pilot in Alexandra, Vuma, a Maziv company, has officially launched Vuma Key – South Africa’s most affordable uncapped fibre service at just R99 per month. Vuma Key is a prepaid service with no penalties for missed recharges, tailored for households earning under R5,000 per month. For R99 a month (equivalent to R3.30 per day or less than 83c per device for a 4-device household), Vuma Key is 34% cheaper than its closest competitors. While some advertise a R99 price point, those are for 7-day recharges; Vuma Key offers uninterrupted service for 30 days. Initially piloted in…

JSE-listed manufacturer Metair, known for producing suspension springs, brake pads, shock absorbers, radiators, and air conditioners, announced the sale of its Turkish subsidiary, Metair Türkiye, to Quexco for R1.95 billion. Metair, which also manufactures batteries for mobility applications and sectors such as telecoms, utilities, mining, and retail, has operated Metair Türkiye as part of its Energy Storage vertical. This subsidiary serves as the holding company for Metair’s Turkish operations, primarily consisting of the Mutlu Group. Since acquiring the Mutlu Group in 2013, the Turkish division has contributed to Metair’s geographic and sector diversification. However, after a thorough review and restructuring…

McDonald’s South Africa recognises that a change as little as reading a book can change a lot about a child’s future. Starting in the month of September, which marks Literacy Month, McDonald’s South Africa will be on a quest to donate over a million books to disadvantaged schools and Early Childhood Development Centres across the country. According to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, which evaluated the reading ability of 400,000 students globally in 2021, South Africa ranked last out of 57 countries assessed, with eight out of 10 South African school children struggling to read by the age…

In celebration of Deaf Awareness Month, the Neema Foundation for the Deaf has launched a WhatsApp Chatbot (number 060 019 1981), a groundbreaking platform designed to provide the Deaf community with real-time access to essential information. This innovative tool was developed with the support of African Bank and the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund1. “As a Foundation, we are committed to ensuring that the Deaf community is fully supported in every aspect of their lives,” said Itumeleng Motaung, Chairperson of the Neema Foundation for the Deaf. “This platform will provide crucial assistance to Deaf victims of GBV, offering…

Airbus has officially opened a new Customer Support Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, further solidifying its presence in the region and accelerating the growth of Africa’s aviation ecosystem. This strategic hub will offer dedicated, hands-on support to regional airlines, improving operational efficiency and access to key resources, including maintenance and training. By nurturing local capabilities, the new centre will help airlines become more self-sufficient while uplifting the entire aviation industry and creating opportunities for the local workforce. Airbus’ expansion signals its commitment to empowering African aviation and fostering long-term industry growth across the continent. “With the rapid expansion of the…

TymeBank, one of the fastest-growing digital banks globally, has reported an 11.8% increase in customers, bringing its total to 9.5 million as of 30 June. The bank, owned by African Rainbow Capital Investments, boasts the largest cash-in and cash-out network in South Africa, thanks to partnerships with major retailers like Pick n Pay, Boxer, and The Foschini Group (TFG). Additionally, TymeBank revealed a 59% surge in deposits, reaching R6.5 billion, while merchant credit advances climbed to R1.8 billion. The bank’s diverse range of banking products offers customers excellent value, creating multiple avenues for growth. With technology driving operational efficiency, TymeBank’s…

Microsoft has announced another wave of retrenchments, with 650 positions being cut from its gaming division, according to an internal memo from Xbox head Phil Spencer, obtained by IGN. The retrenchments primarily impact corporate and support roles within the division, with Spencer emphasizing that the decision was made to position the company for “long-term success.” In the memo, Spencer reassured staff that no games, devices, or experiences are being scrapped, and no studios are slated for closure as a result of these retrenchments. This latest round of cuts brings the total number of job losses in Microsoft’s gaming sector to…

Talk360, the international calling app, has raised $1.4 million or R25 million in a Pre-Series A funding round, led by long-term investor Havaic. The funds will support the company’s goal of connecting seven million people by 2025 and advancing toward profitability. “We’re incredibly proud of Talk360’s growth. Over the past two years, we’ve gone from connecting 2.3 million users to 4 million in 2023. This funding will help us continue our mission of connecting African migrant communities with their families back home,” says Hans Osnabrugge, co-founder and CEO of Talk360. Talk360, a South African and Dutch calling app, allows affordable…

FNB’s virtual cards are gaining popularity among customers. Virtual debit cards work like regular debit cards but are entirely digital and offer greater security and privacy. They allow for convenient payments anytime, anywhere, without the need for a physical card. FirstRand, which owns FNB, released its financial results for the year ending 30 June 2024. FNB continues to invest in its integrated financial services platform, enabling customers to handle most of their banking needs digitally. The platform offers both assisted (e.g. call centres and branches) and unassisted (mobile and online banking, FNB app, ATMs) interfaces. Key highlights for the year…

On Thursday, 19 September 2024, ICASA will host public hearings to review Cell C’s request to transfer control of its licences to The Prepaid Company (TPC). ICASA published this on a notice in the Government Gazette. In December 2023, Icasa announced Cell C’s request to transfer its I-ECS, I-ECNS, and spectrum licences to The Prepaid Company (TPC), a Blue Label Telecoms subsidiary and Cell C’s largest shareholder. On 6 December 2023, Icasa published a notice in Government Gazette No. 49831 regarding Cell C’s applications to transfer its licences. The notice invited written responses from interested parties within 14 working days.…

Omnisient, a leader in privacy-preserving data collaboration, has been awarded the globally recognised Finovate 2024 Excellence in Financial Inclusion Award. Omnisient was the only African fintech to be recognised as a leader in its category. The US-based award honours both established institutions and rising stars that have made significant strides in delivering innovative and impactful products and services to the financial services sector. Each winner was selected from a group of finalists that have each demonstrated exceptional contributions to society and developed groundbreaking solutions that have reshaped the fintech landscape. The Excellence in Financial Inclusion award specifically honours institutions that are…

JSE-listed South African casino and hotel group Sun International announced today that its online betting platform, Sunbet, continues its exceptional growth trajectory and is exceeding its targets. Sun International informed investors that Sunbet’s overall income was up 71.8% for the six months to 30 June 2024, reaching R512 million and delivering a record adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), pre-management fees, of R170 million, an increase of 88.9% compared to the prior period. Sunbet’s active players continued to grow, with additional games being offered and the overall player experience being enhanced. “While customer acquisition is key, retention…

The ICT SMME Chamber and Seacom have partnered to advance small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) growth as a key driver of economic transformation and job creation. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)marks a pivotal step in unlocking the full potential of SMMEs within South Africa’s ICT sector. The partnership is grounded in the Triple Helix Model of Engagement, fostering collaboration between government, the private sector, and civil society, serving as a key driver for inclusive growth and sustainable job creation. Loyiso Tyira, Managing Director of the ICT SMME Chamber, emphasised that the true measure of success for this model will…

In a dramatic twist to the long-running “Please Call Me” service compensation dispute, South Africa’s Constitutional Court has dealt a major blow to Vodafone – the parent company of Vodacom. On Friday, the court rejected Vodafone’s bid to be a friend of the court (amicus curiae) in the high-profile legal brawl between Vodacom and Nkosana Makate, the creator of the “Please Call Me” service. Vodafone has maintained a close relationship with its subsidiary throughout this drawn-out legal battle. However, Vodafone’s attempt to position itself as a neutral party – ready to assist if required – was shot down by the…

Telkom has announced a promising decline in criminal activities targeting its operations, signaling that its preventive measures are proving effective. From April to June, the company reported losses of R3.8 million due to criminal activities such as copper cable theft and infrastructure vandalism, a significant decrease from the R10.1 million lost during the same period last year. Simile Ndlovu, Telkom’s Executive for Forensic, Security, and Insurance, shared with Business Times that the company is addressing various crimes, including copper theft, fiber damage, damage to exchanges, battery theft, and robberies involving technicians working on infrastructure. “We are happy with one fact:…

Vodafone, the global telco based in London, has hit a legal stumbling block in its attempt to intervene in the long-running court dispute between Vodacom and Nkosana Makate, the creator of the “Please Call Me” service. Vodafone and Vodacom maintain a close relationship. Vodafone holds a significant stake in Vodacom. As of 2024, Vodafone owns 60.5% of Vodacom. Vodafone’s request to join the case as Amicus curiae (a friend of the court) was denied, marking the latest twist in the drawn-out battle over compensation for the widely-used messaging innovation. The letter to Vodafone reads in part: “The Constitutional Court has considered the application…

Metrofile today announced that Group Chief Executive Officer Pfungwa Serima, who has held the role since 1 February 2016, will step down effective 30 September 2024. However, Serima will remain with the company on a full-time basis until 31 December 2024 to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Serima informed the board of his desire to pursue new opportunities after three decades in corporate leadership. Under his leadership, the JSE-listed company saw significant progress, particularly in advancing its digital strategy. When he joined, digital services contributed less than 1% to revenue, but by the end of the 30 June 2024 financial…

The Gauteng Department of e-Government requires R700 million to upgrade the province’s internet infrastructure, but currently lacks the necessary funds, according to the DA. This leaves the government’s systems vulnerable to data breaches and hacking, putting service delivery to residents at risk. During a recent oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on e-Government to the Security Operations Centre (SOC) in Rivonia, it was revealed that cybersecurity remains a pressing concern. Although there have been hacking attempts, no breaches have occurred so far. The existing security strategy, developed for the 2020/2025 period, should be updated annually to keep pace with technological…

Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon, announced that Gold Fields, a global gold producer, has successfully migrated its end-to-end SAP and treasury systems to AWS as part of its digital transformation strategy. This partnership has allowed Gold Fields to modernise its technology infrastructure, leveraging AWS’s analytics, machine learning (ML), and generative artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to improve operational efficiency, enhance workplace safety, and become a more data-driven organization. “AWS is helping us modernise our infrastructure, improve our governance, and drive cost efficiencies,” said Strini Mudaly, Group ICT Vice President at Gold Fields. “We selected AWS as our…

The Shoprite Group, Africa’s largest retailer, unveiled its capital expenditure for the 2024 financial year. The JSE-listed company, which also owns Checkers, reported a total capital spend of R7.8 billion, up from R6.8 billion in the previous year. This expenditure represented 3.2% of Shoprite’s sales in 2024, compared to 3.1% in 2023. “The majority of the capital expenditure relates to expanding and upgrading our core Supermarkets RSA store portfolio as well as our continued investment in digital commerce and technology-related expenditure,” the company informed investors. During the period under review, Shoprite successfully completed a 41,000 sqm extension of its distribution…