Author: Gugu Lourie
OpenAI announced today in iots blog that it is rolling out new voice and image capabilities In ChatGPT. “They offer a new, more intuitive type of interface by allowing you to have a voice conversation or show ChatGPT what you’re talking about,” said OpenAI. The company added that voice and image give you more ways to use ChatGPT in your life. You can now snap a picture of a landmark while traveling and have a live conversation about what’s interesting about it. “When you’re home, snap pictures of your fridge and pantry to figure out what’s for dinner (and ask…
In a significant development today, Cisco, a prominent figure in the realm of cybersecurity, and Splunk, a recognised leader in observability, have officially unveiled a definitive agreement. According to this agreement, Cisco is set to acquire Splunk for a substantial $28 billion, which is equivalent to R530 billion. Once the acquisition is successfully concluded, Gary Steele, the current president and CEO of Splunk, will assume a key role within Cisco’s Executive Leadership Team, with direct reporting responsibilities to Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins. This acquisition not only capitalises on Splunk’s rich legacy of aiding organisations in bolstering their digital resilience…
The National Credit Regulator (NCR), in partnership with the Government of Japan and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), have come together to launch an innovative TechSprint competition (also known as the Hackathon) designed to support the digitisation and regulatory compliance of small credit providers in South Africa. The initiative will incorporate a virtual TechSprint and subsequent Showcase event, engaging software developers and technology teams to create robust and affordable solutions for small credit providers, ultimately promoting financial inclusion for underserved borrowers. In the virtual TechSprint (Hackathon), taking place from 16 to 20 October 2023, Tech teams will enter a hackathon…
South Africa’s whisky aficionados have a reason to celebrate as the world-renowned Scotch whisky brand, Johnnie Walker, unveils its latest masterpiece – Johnnie Walker Elusive Umami. The limited edition offering will be available in South Africa from October 2023 for discerning palates. This collectible release is a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation and the art of whisky craftsmanship. Master Blender, Emma Walker, along with world-renowned Chef Kei Kobayashi, set out on an epicurean journey of flavour discovery to create a blend that encapsulates the enigmatic taste of Umami. The result is an expression of sumptuous taste, complexity and…
Remgro, with a 57% ownership in CIVH, revealed that CIVH contributed R206 million to its headline earnings for the year ending June 2023, a significant increase from R47 million the previous year. This boost is attributed to improved performances by CIVH’s core businesses, mainly DFA and Vumatel, driven by network expansion, although offset by higher finance costs. DFA saw a 6.8% revenue increase to R2.6 billion, with annuity income reaching R213 million per month in March 2023, compared to R198 million per month in 2022. Meanwhile, Vumatel experienced a 15.1% revenue surge to R3.4 billion, propelled by fibre infrastructure expansion…
Discovery Bank, a part of Adrian Gore’s Discovery Group, achieved its medium-term goal of adding 1,000 new clients daily in January to June 2023, a 50% increase from the prior year. The bank’s total client base exceeded 700,000 by June 2023, making significant progress toward its 2026 target of one million clients. Discovery Bank saw steady growth in advances, driven by a 56% increase in credit applications and higher card usage. Its share of new credit issued for credit card facilities rose to 15.7% in Q2 2023, up from 10.9% the previous year. Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, Discovery Bank…
Two months after the initial launch of inDrive.Freight in South Africa, the company is honored to share encouraging indicators reflecting the positive reception and adaptability of the youth in leveraging technology for employment opportunities amidst the country’s existing high unemployment rate. Remarkably, nearly 40% of the drivers who have engaged with the inDrive.Freight platform fall under the youth demographic(individuals aged 18 to 35 years old), demonstrating a significant stride towards engaging this vital sector of the population in economic activities. Further attesting to the high adaptability rate of technology among the youth, data showcases that 57.23% of the deals facilitated…
Time is a peculiar phenomenon. When in haste, it creeps by agonisingly slow, yet when in need of more, it slips through our grasp at double the pace. The hands of the clock maintain their steady rhythm, but our perception of time seldom adheres to the linear path that science dictates. It feels as if the inception of TechFinancials happened just yesterday, yet that “yesterday” was back in 21 September 2013. Time and change are inexorable forces, unstoppable in their relentless march forward. Over the past few months, we have been diligently working behind the scenes, preparing to introduce exciting…
Whether recharging, waiting to pick up your loved one, or cherishing a quiet moment away from the in-laws – your Volvo car is now better equipped to keep you entertained by introducing Prime Video to Google Play for download in all markets where Google apps and services are available. Volvo Cars is among the first carmakers to offer Prime Video in its cars. YouTube is also coming soon to Volvo cars with Google built-in. The service will become available as a pre-installed app starting from September 18th with a gradual rollout via over-the-air update (OTA), market by market. “Adding access…
The Naspers and Prosus boards and Bob van Dijk have mutually agreed that Bob will, effective 18 September 2023, step down from his position as chief executive as well as his position on the boards of both companies. Bob has agreed to assist with the transition after this date and will remain as a consultant to the group until 30 September 2024. Bob has been the chief executive of Naspers since 2014 and of Prosus since its listing in 2019. The company said Bob established the group as a leading global consumer internet company, creating significant value for shareholders. The…
Dublin-based online training platform Kubicle today announced that over 1,000 Capitec employees have completed more than 6,000 courses in data analytics. “We’re thrilled to be part of Capitec’s journey towards becoming a data-driven organization. Our platform aims to empower professionals with the skills they need in today’s digital age,” said Mark Henderson, CEO of Kubicle. “This milestone is a testament to the effectiveness of self-led online training in meeting the demands of a fast-paced work environment.” During the year, Capitec partnered with online learning platforms, including Udemy Business, Kubicle for data skills, as well as Cloud Masters. These platforms offer…
In a significant development, the Department of Higher Education and Training in South Africa recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s Biotechnological University, commonly known as BioTech University. This landmark agreement paves the way for the establishment of the Centre of Open Education. The inauguration of the Centre for Open Education took place at the premises of the Empire Partner Foundation (EPF) in Illovo, Sandton. This collaborative initiative marks the beginning of a pilot programme conducted by EPF in partnership with BioTech University, with the shared aim of advancing education in science and technology. The official opening of…
Thandile Fikeni, CEO of WIB Group, has collaborated with global creative director Xander Pratt to establish the Nomadhood in Africa platform. The two announced their partnership on the sidelines of Russia’s 8th Eastern Economic Forum, which is now underway, through participation in the Friends for Leadership network of next-generation leaders and entrepreneurs created by Dr. Roman Chukov. The Platform is the first for digital nomads to digitally experience Africa through first-hand community experiences, experiencing not only tourist places but also secret destinations for the next generation traveller. Deemed as Ambassador of Tourism, Culture and Peace, Pratt is a multidimensional Zimbabwean…
Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid), a business of Cassava Technologies, a pan-African technology group, today announced the launch of two new fully redundant terrestrial routes – Kenya to Ethiopia and Zambia to Malawi. This significant achievement will allow for greater efficiency and reliable regional connectivity, both key to the economic development of these countries. Spanning over 1000 km, the fibre link between Kenya and Ethiopia offers businesses in Ethiopia access to data centres and cloud in Nairobi, Kenya, ensuring that data doesn’t leave the continent. In addition, this link is further supported by the cross-border 711 km link between Zambia and…
African super app Ayoba has reached a new milestone – surpassing 30 million monthly active users. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the app’s growing popularity, particularly in focus territories such as Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Moreover, Ayoba has successfully broadened its user base into new markets, such as Kenya and Tanzania, contributing to its rapid growth since passing the 25M MAU mark in May 2023. “Ayoba’s growth reflects our commitment to delivering valuable, user-focused services. This achievement is a significant step in our ongoing journey to deepen connectivity and digital inclusion across Africa and signifies the trust…
MTN Nigeria today announced that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the transfer and assignment of the 10MHz frequency division duplex (FDD) in the 2.6GHz spectrum band from OpenSkys Services Limited to MTN Nigeria. The effective date for the licence is 7 September 2023, and it is due for renewal on 16 April 2033. The additional spectrum will enable MTN Nigeria to enhance network capacity and improve customer experience. “The acquisition of an additional 10MHz FDD in the 2.6GHz spectrum band is an important milestone in the execution of our Ambition 2025 strategy,” Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of…
International ICT solutions provider Angola Cables has announced the appointment of Sudhir Juggernath as CEO of TelCables South Africa and will be responsible for the development and expansion of TelCables operations within the Southern and East African regions. Sudhir has held senior strategic positions within the Southern African Telecommunications and Enterprise market and beyond, within businesses, focusing on growth and strategic business development. He has 20 years of global telecoms and technology experience, stretching across Wholesale Carrier Connectivity, Big Data Analytics, IoT, Digital Transformation, Unified Communications and Contact Centre and Managed Services at Siemens, ATIO, Neotel / Liquid, BT Global…
MTN Nigeria has decided to cancel its tower deal with IHS in Nigeria, and American Tower Corporation (ATC) will assume responsibility for MTN’s tower operations in the country. MTN Nigeria today informed its investors that the leases for approximately 2,500 network sites, currently serviced by IHS Nigeria Limited, are set to expire in 2024 and 2025. In accordance with MTN Nigeria’s procurement policy, the telecommunications company is committed to ensuring a transparent and competitive bidding process for these tower contracts. Consequently, MTN Nigeria initiated a tender process for these contracts. MTN stated that after a thorough evaluation of the bids…
South Africa is currently examining the possibility of establishing a specialized police unit designed to proactively address safety concerns and promptly resolve incidents involving tourists, as detailed in the Department of Tourism’s Green Paper, which has been published for public review and comment. The Green Paper highlights that crimes against tourists significantly impact South Africa’s attractiveness as a travel destination for both international and domestic tourists. It emphasises the need for a research-based tourism safety response program and an investigation into the creation of a dedicated police unit capable of focusing on preventive measures and expeditious resolution of tourist-related incidents.…
Chinese-owned British automaker Lotus charges ahead in electric rivalry with Porsche. Meet the Emeya, following the Eletre SUV. This “hyper GT” shares the Eletre’s platform and boasts a thrilling 905 hp from dual electric motors, achieving a 0-62 mph time in just 2.8 seconds. Emeya has an electronically controlled air suspension system. Its advanced onboard sensors feel the road 1,000 times a second and automatically adjust the vehicle to ensure the smoothest ride. The top specification model for Emeya features Lotus’ high-power dual motor set-up that delivers a top speed of more than 155mph (250km/h) and can accelerate from 0-62mph…
OpenAI will hots its first developer conference, OpenAI DevDay, on November 6, 2023 in San Francisco. The one-day event will bring hundreds of developers from around the world together with the team at OpenAI to preview new tools and exchange ideas, said the company in a blog post. In-person attendees will also be able to join breakout sessions led by members of OpenAI’s technical staff. “Since launching our API in 2020, we’ve continuously updated it to include our most advanced models, making it easier than ever for developers to integrate cutting-edge AI into their projects with a simple API call,”…
In response to the surging interest in women’s soccer, BallTalent, a talent scouting app headquartered in Soweto, is illuminating the path for exceptionally skilled female soccer players, ensuring they receive recognition from both local and international scouts. The recent success of international competitions like the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Women’s Africa Cup, where South Africa’s Banyana Banyana claimed victory, has ignited a newfound enthusiasm for women’s soccer. BallTalent, the brainchild of Simon Mokgotlhoa (30) and Lesego Ndlovu (29), two self-taught innovators, has emerged from their profound passion for technology and their dedication to unearthing hidden local talent. Ndlovu…
The recent appointment of former Eskom chief operating officer, Jan Oberholzer, as the new chairman of Mulilo Energy Holdings has raised eyebrows and stirred a conversation about empowerment within the company. Upon hearing the news of Oberholzer’s new role, I was initially excited about the prospect of his expertise being utilised in what on the surface appeared to be a “black-owned company”. However, upon closer inspection of Mulilo Energy Holdings’ profile on their website, it became evident that the company was neither black-owned nor black-led. Despite the name “Mulilo,” which means “fire” in Tshivenda, there is little connection to Tshivenda…
In a groundbreaking development, Bayobab, previously known as MTN GlobalConnect, has received regulatory approval in Nigeria for its National Long-Distance Operator License. This pivotal milestone marks a significant shift in the nation’s connectivity landscape, addressing the growing need for data connectivity within Nigeria. Under this license, Bayobab’s Nigerian subsidiary gains the authority to manage long-distance traffic, creating exciting opportunities for improved communication, collaboration, and innovation. “This achievement marks a transformative moment for us, as we look forward to contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria’s digital economy. At Bayobab, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible…
On September 5, 2023, Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Vice-Chairperson of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), delivered a keynote address at the 2nd Network of Tax Organizations (NTO) Technical Conference in Cape Town. The theme of the conference, “Digitalisation of Tax Administrations and Contemporary Issues,” set the stage for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of tax administration in our rapidly changing world. A Call for Broader Engagement Kieswetter began his address by emphasising the importance of engaging all stakeholders in the tax ecosystem. He highlighted the need to involve policymakers, national…