Author: Gugu Lourie

JSE-listed technology firm Blue Label Telecoms has once again raised questions about its financial dealings with struggling mobile operator Cell C, as its latest financial results reveal continued transactions involving its subsidiaries, Comm Equipment Company (CEC) and The Prepaid Company (TPC). These transactions involve substantial airtime purchases, prompting scrutiny over whether Cell C is being financed in an unconventional manner. Strange airtime purchases to ‘fund’ Cell C In its latest financial report, Blue Label disclosed that TPC now holds either a 53.57% or 63.19% stake in Cell C. The ambiguity around this ownership raises a fundamental question: Is Cell C…

JSE-listed Blue Label Telecoms has increased its stake in Cell C to 53.57% through its subsidiary, The Prepaid Company (TPC), raising fresh questions about whether the struggling mobile operator is now a subsidiary or remains an associate company. On January 24, 2025, Blue Label announced that ICASA had approved the transfer of Cell C’s spectrum and network licenses, clearing the way for the company to assume more control. TPC acquired an additional 4.04% of Cell C shares from Cedar Cellular Investment 1 (SPV1). However, despite the increased shareholding, Blue Label maintains it does not have de facto control of Cell…

In a significant move toward enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, South African Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has announced plans to deploy body-worn cameras for police officers. The revelation came in a written Parliamentary response to Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP) Billy Mzamo, with the rollout set to begin in April 2025. However, concerns have been raised about the slow pace and limited scale of the initiative. According to Minister Mchunu, the South African Police Service (SAPS) will commence the procurement of 100 body-worn cameras this year, at an estimated cost of R28,818 per unit. This translates…

The automotive industry has started the year off positively, with strong sales in both the new and used car segments. January is typically one of the better-performing months in terms of sales, and this is reflected in steady used car sales and increasing new vehicle sales, reflecting strengthening confidence amongst South African consumers.  Data from South Africa’s most trusted motoring marketplace, AutoTrader, shows strong used car sales, even against January 2024’s exceptional performance. In January 2025, 30,961 used cars were sold—a +17.2% increase from December 2024’s 26,424. Year-on-year, sales dipped slightly by just -0.1% from the 30,996 vehicles sold in…

The City of Cape Town is ramping up its paperless billing campaign, with over 430,000 accounts already being sent via email. As part of its commitment to digital transformation, the City has announced that it will discontinue sending printed bills through the South African Postal Service after 31 December 2025. This initiative is aimed at improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring more reliable bill delivery. Residents who do not have access to email are encouraged to contact the City’s Call Centre for assistance in making alternative arrangements. “We’ve made a lot of progress over the years with reducing the…

Crime in South Africa is vastly underreported, leaving many communities without safe and effective ways to alert authorities. Enter Community Wolf, an AI-driven platform that is revolutionizing crime reporting by enabling anonymous incident reports via WhatsApp. With over 30 million South Africans already using WhatsApp, Community Wolf makes crime reporting effortless, free, and completely anonymous. No apps, no personal details—just send a message to Wolf, and your report is processed in real-time to help prevent crime before it happens. “We work directly with community leaders, ward councillors, and security providers to transform anonymous reports into positive safety outcomes for all…

Volvo today reveals the Volvo EX30 Cross Country, designed for people who want big experiences from their small, fully electric SUV. Building on the success of the EX30, this rugged version is perfect for those eager to escape crowded cities and explore the great outdoors—rain, shine, snow, or ice. Volvo isn’t just selling a car; they’re offering an experience. Alongside the EX30 Cross Country, Volvo is launching a special experience package for buyers, including access to outdoor gear, accessories, and tips to help you make the most of your adventures. “Cross Country is more than just a car—it’s a lifestyle,”…

In an exciting move to modernise charitable giving, PayPoint, in partnership with the SPCA, is replacing outdated cash collection tins with a secure, seamless, and efficient digital donation platform. This innovative solution ensures no more lost or stolen donations, making it easier than ever to support animal rescue, shelter, and care. “We’re thrilled to announce that PayPoint, one of our standout portfolio companies, is making a paws-itive impact with its cutting-edge donation technology,” says EPF Tech Fund, a black-led venture builder focused on driving tech innovation across Africa. PayPoint, a FinTech leader specialising in advanced payment solutions, has teamed up…

In a thought-provoking essay on his personal blog, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged a pressing concern: the benefits of artificial intelligence may not be evenly distributed. To address this, Altman proposed a series of unconventional ideas, including a “compute budget,” aimed at ensuring AI’s transformative power reaches every corner of the globe. “We need to enable everyone on Earth to use a lot of AI,” Altman wrote, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to the technology. Among the “strange-sounding” solutions he floated is a system where individuals receive a set amount of computational resources, leveling the playing field and preventing…

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the U.S. will impose a sweeping 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, a move that could have significant repercussions for South Africa’s economy. The decision, expected to be formally unveiled early this week, is part of a broader strategy to implement reciprocal tariffs on trading partners. “Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25% tariff,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, according to NBC News. He confirmed that aluminum imports would face the same levy, stating, “Aluminum, too,” when questioned by a reporter. Trump indicated…