Author: Gugu Lourie

The latest Annual Report (2023/24) from the Gauteng e-Government Department reveals a troubling pattern – the words “targets not achieved” are mentioned 55 times. The report raises serious questions about the department’s ability to modernise the province’s ICT infrastructure, a key goal set at the start of its term. Despite some progress, the report highlights significant challenges and missed opportunities that could leave Gauteng lagging in the digital age. What has been achieved? The Gauteng Broadband Network (GBN) project, a cornerstone of the department’s strategy, has seen some successes: Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity was provided to 1,262 sites, including schools, clinics, courts, and…

Eskom and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have reached a settlement in a High Court case initiated by Eskom in 2021. The case sought to nullify a cost reduction contract known as the “Capital Scrubbing engagement” and recover payments made to PwC and Nkonki. This engagement was examined by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, commonly referred to as the Zondo Commission. As part of the settlement, the disputed contract has been set aside, and PwC will pay Eskom R43 million in a full and final settlement of Eskom’s claim. This resolution marks a crucial step in Eskom’s ongoing…

Suiso, a South African company specialising in blue ammonia production, is set to invest $1.7 billion (R31.5 billion) in a state-of-the-art coal-to-fertiliser facility in Kriel, Mpumalanga. Founded in 2019 by four local entrepreneurs, Suiso is driving sustainable energy solutions, food security, and responsible resource management. The project, backed by businesswoman and former Miss South Africa Basetsana Kumalo as a black economic empowerment partner, promises to create 4,000 jobs during construction (slated for 2026) and 981 permanent positions upon operational launch in 2029. The facility will produce 1.5 million tons of nitrogen-based fertilisers annually, replacing South Africa’s import of 1.2 million…

South Africa’s innovative food delivery platform, Spaza Eats, is gearing up to launch a wallet-as-a-service feature, potentially transforming the app into a mobile money powerhouse. Founder Talifhani Banks revealed on LinkedIn that merchants, customers, and drivers will soon be able to use the Spaza Eats app to send, receive, fund, trade, and manage payments, payouts, and remittances. Banks, who also founded AnalyticsX, the parent company of Spaza Eats, sees this move as a gateway to the untapped $900 billion mobile money market. He recently shared on LinkedIn that Spaza Eats’ vision extends beyond being a logistics company. “We want to…

The Gauteng Department of Community Safety’s ambitious drone programme, aimed at bolstering crime prevention and enhancing police visibility, has hit a major snag. Despite spending a staggering R10.8 million on procuring 33 drones and receiving an additional five from the Department of e-Government, only one drone has been registered for operational use over the past year. This shocking revelation has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the programme and the safety of Gauteng residents. According to the department’s 2023/24 Annual Report, the province now has a total of 38 drones intended for crime prevention operations. However, Crezane Bosch, DA Gauteng Shadow…

Attacq, the property group behind iconic retail hubs such as Mall of Africa and Mooirivier Mall, has announced impressive turnover growth across its retail portfolio in the final months of 2024. The company’s retail-experience hubs achieved an 8.8% year-on-year turnover growth in November 2024 and a 3.2% increase in December 2024, building on the successful growth recorded in October 2024. Attacq owns Mall of Africa, Mooirivier Mall, Eikestad Mall, Glenfair Boulevard, Lynwood Bridge and Waterfall Corner. Strong retail performance driven by Black Friday and local brands Retailers within Attacq’s portfolio experienced a robust November 2024, with extended specials leading…

DFA has invested more than R800 million to upgrade and future-proof its national fibre network. This investment strengthens DFA’s position as a leading wholesale open-access connectivity provider in South Africa and helps meet the growing demand for fast, reliable internet. DFA is part of the MAZIV group. Its national network provides connectivity and backhaul services for mobile operators, data centres, internet service providers, and public sector institutions. This latest investment follows DFA’s R400 million Dry Underground Distribution Cabinet (DUDC) project launched in August 2023, which aimed to stabilise and future-proof its network. The upgrades have already shown positive results, including…

Gauteng unveiled last november a cutting-edge number plate system designed to bolster security and create exciting business opportunities for young entrepreneurs. The new prototype, introduced by the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG), features advanced security measures aimed at curbing crime and ensuring traceability. According to the GPG’s 2023/24 Annual Report, the system will enable law enforcement officers to track and trace number plates issued by authorized embossers. By scanning the plates, officials can verify details such as the embosser, vehicle information, and owner data, making it easier to combat illegal activities. As part of its empowerment strategy, the Gauteng Department of…

JSE-listed retail giant Woolworths revealed a stellar performance for the 26 weeks ending 29 December 2024, with online sales skyrocketing by 37.2%, driven largely by its on-demand service, Woolies Dash, which saw a 49.2% surge. Online sales now make up 6.4% of total Food sales. The retailer’s South African operations reported a 9.1% growth in turnover and concession sales, with its Food business leading the charge at 11.4% growth. Excluding Absolute Pets, acquired last year, Food sales still rose by 9.0%. Price increases averaged 6%, while trading space grew by 1.3%. Despite a 3.7% dip in its Financial Services book,…

In the latest episode of TFS Bag of Words, the TechFinancials podcast, Verina Mohanlal, Head of Financial Services Industry: Applications & Cloud at NTT DATA for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) division, takes centre stage to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of financial services. As the sector undergoes a sweeping digital transformation, Mohanlal unpacks how NTT DATA’s newly established Financial Services Industry practice is addressing industry-specific challenges and unlocking opportunities for innovation. She delves into critical topics, from the shift toward upgrading legacy systems and embracing agility, to the pivotal role of AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity in shaping…