Author: Gugu Lourie

The stage is set, the lights are dimmed, and anticipation is building, South Africa’s premier tech celebration is back! Mark your calendars for October 25, 2025, as the EPF Tech Awards return for their third and most spectacular edition yet. Bigger, bolder, and more impactful than ever, this year’s event will take centre stage at the iconic Sandton Convention Centre, bringing together the brightest minds in technology to celebrate innovation, excellence, and the future of South Africa’s ICT sector. More than an awards ahow: a movement for change Dubbed the “Tech Oscars” of South Africa, the EPF Tech Awards go…

The City of Johannesburg is reportedly considering regulations for car dash cams, a growing trend among South African drivers seeking added security and peace of mind on the road. Dash cams have surged in popularity across South Africa, yet their legal status remains unclear. Currently, no specific laws govern their use, but this may soon change for Johannesburg residents. Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, Johannesburg’s MMC for Public Safety, today discussed the potential for new by-laws on car dash cams during an interview with Newzroom Afrika’s AMReport405. He emphasised that any regulations would need to align with the Protection of Personal Information…

The Riverstone Mall in Meyerton, a small town 18 km north of Vereeniging in Gauteng, is set to open on 27 March 2025. This 20,000m² convenience mall will feature approximately 53 retail tenants, including anchor stores like Checkers FreshX, Woolworths Food, and Dis-Chem. Shoppers can also look forward to a mix of fashion, financial services, grocery, entertainment, and dining options. With over 1,000 parking bays, a food court, and two drive-thru outlets, the mall is designed to cater to all needs. Alley Roads, the developer, revealed that the construction phase created over 1,200 jobs. Riverstone Mall is part of Alley…

Gauteng’s e-Government Department has slashed its broadband expansion targets, leaving schools, clinics, and residents without essential internet access. Despite receiving an additional R152.8 million in the adjustment budget, the department has drastically reduced its rollout plans, ignoring the growing demand for connectivity. Ina Cilliers, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for e-Government, criticised the cuts, stating, “This decision leaves millions of Gauteng residents, who already struggle to afford expensive data, without access to vital online resources for jobs, education, and healthcare.” The department has allocated 70% of its broadband budget to maintenance and support, leaving only 30% for new infrastructure. As a…

The all-new Volvo ES90 isn’t just another electric vehicle, it’s a groundbreaking fusion of cutting-edge technology, Scandinavian design, and uncompromising versatility. Built on Volvo’s next-generation SPA2 architecture and powered by the revolutionary Superset tech stack, the ES90 redefines what an electric car can be. With its debut 800-volt technology, this flagship sedan-fastback-SUV hybrid is set to dominate the roads, offering faster charging, longer range, and a driving experience like no other. Volvo ES90: a new class of electric excellence The Volvo ES90 is a masterclass in design and functionality. Is it a sedan? A fastback? Or an SUV? The answer…

Nedbank’s Avo SuperShop, which has been in the market for four years, recorded approximately 2.8 million registered clients for the year ended 31 December 2024. This marks a 9% year-on-year increase in its registered client base. According to Nedbank, Avo SuperShop continues to scale, with total gross merchandise value (GMV) growing by 21% year-on-year across all Avo ecosystems. Expanding Avo SuperShop Since launching in Namibia in the second half of 2023, the first of its kind in the market, Avo SuperShop has gained over 2,250 registered users. The platform currently offers more than 3,300 products from 25 merchants. “Continuous improvement…

Nedbank has appointed Nomonde Hlongwa as its new Group Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), replacing Daleen du Toit, who will retire on 16 May 2025 after a decade at the bank. Who is Nomonde Hlongwa? Hlongwa, an admitted attorney with 18 years of experience, is currently the CCO for Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank. She brings extensive expertise in legal, risk, and compliance management and has worked across multiple African markets over the past decade. Leadership Changes at Nedbank Wealth Nedbank also announced that Iolanda Ruggiero, Managing Executive of Nedbank Wealth, will take early retirement on 31 March 2025,…

Canal+ and MultiChoice have extended the deadline for completing their merger process, giving more time for regulatory approvals. Canal+ made a mandatory offer to acquire all MultiChoice shares it does not already own for R125 per share in cash. The offer was detailed in a combined circular published on 4 June 2024. Regulatory approvals are still in progress. Canal+ and MultiChoice have been working with the Competition Commission, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), and other regulators to clear the deal. New Deadline: 8 October 2025 Originally, all conditions for the deal needed to be met by 8 April…

ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA) decision to shut down its long steel business, putting over 80,000 jobs at risk, exposes the deep flaws in the country’s industrial policies, says Mlondi Mdluli, DA Deputy Spokesperson on Trade, Industry & Competition. “This is a devastating blow for workers and a direct result of failed government policies that have crippled the sector,” Mdluli said. He pointed to three key policy missteps: Departmental Master Plans that have artificially propped up selected companies, including AMSA, fostering dependency rather than competition. Price Controls (Price Preference System) forcing scrap metal to be sold domestically at below-market prices before…

Private security operators rely on CCTV to protect communities, but new by-laws passed by the City of Johannesburg may restrict its effectiveness, warns Vumacam, a provider of camera-based security technologies. Promulgated on 28 February 2025, the new regulations state that “no data or information collected through a CCTV camera shall be disclosed or shared with any person not authorised to have access to such data” and that “all CCTV camera footage or imagery of captured criminal incidents that require further investigation shall be kept confidential.” While Vumacam supports lawful, fair, and reasonable regulation, the company expressed disappointment that its legally…