Author: Gugu Lourie

Meridiam has acquired a majority stake in Ilitha, a telecommunications company founded by Vuyani Jarana, with a mission to deliver affordable, unlimited internet to underserved areas in South Africa. The investment, made through the Meridiam TURF B Fund, will accelerate Ilitha’s fibre rollout, targeting over half a million households in township communities. “Access to the internet has become a basic human right, yet many people living in townships and rural communities do not have access to affordable quality broadband services,” said Vuyani Jarana, CEO and Founder of Ilitha. “Ilitha is not just about bringing internet to these communities, it’s about…

XLink Communications, a subsidiary of Vodacom and part of the Vodafone Group, is redefining Africa’s payments ecosystem with a suite of cutting-edge solutions designed to enhance the customer payment experience. Established in 2004, XLink has evolved from a connectivity provider into a purpose-driven PayTech leader, championing financial inclusion across the continent. Operating in South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, and Ghana, the company is now at the forefront of payment innovation under the visionary leadership of CEO Dr. Thanusha Govender. Since assuming the role in 2022, Dr. Govender has led a strategic transformation, repositioning XLink as a multifaceted payment technology powerhouse. The…

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced the City’s new Main Arterial and CBD Cleansing Plan, which will enhance visible cleaning along major routes and the CBD. The City Council has approved over R26 million in start-up funding as part of its January Adjustment Budget. Additionally, the City is allocating an extra R100 million to address potholes and resurface roads. The new plan aims to ensure cleaner major routes while creating employment opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Dedicated teams will perform top-up cleaning services along main arterial routes and within the CBD. Mayor Hill-Lewis stated, “Our new Main…

Bassonia, one of Johannesburg’s most sought-after suburbs, is poised for a major upgrade with the upcoming construction of the Omni Square Bassonia Shopping Centre. Nestled between the highly desirable areas of Meyersdal and Glenvista, Bassonia is renowned for its scenic beauty, tranquil valleys, and upscale living. This new development promises to enhance the suburb’s charm while offering a world-class retail experience. The shopping centre will be strategically located at the intersection of Comaro, Soetdoring, Alwyn, and Meerkat Avenues, making it easily accessible to residents and visitors alike. Bassonia, with its rich heritage as a historical home to various SAN tribes and…

South Africa’s communications watchdog – ICASA, has finally broken its silence, confirming its approval of Blue Label Telecoms’ bid to take control of Cell C. However, the reasons behind the approval of the deal remain shrouded in secrecy, raising questions about transparency and accountability. On January 24, 2025, Blue Label announced that ICASA had approved the transfer of Cell C’s spectrum and network licenses, clearing the path for the JSE-listed group to assume control of the struggling mobile operator. Cell C has been transitioning into a super mobile virtual network operator, and Blue Label, which currently holds a 49.5% non-controlling…

Eskom has issued an urgent alert warning of a high risk of loadshedding at short notice, following over 10 months of uninterrupted electricity supply, a milestone achieved through the success of its Generation Recovery Plan. “This is a potentially temporary setback. Loadshedding is largely behind us due to the structural improvements in our generation fleet. However, over the past seven days, we have experienced several breakdowns that require extended repair times. This has necessitated the use of all our emergency reserves, which now need to be replenished. Consequently, we are closely monitoring the status of our current emergency reserves, and…

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…