Author: Gugu Lourie
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…
Vodafone and Project Kuiper, Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite (LEO) communications venture, have unveiled a strategic partnership. In this collaboration, Vodafone and Vodacom intend to leverage Project Kuiper’s advanced network to expand 4G/5G coverage for their customers across Europe and Africa. Utilizing Project Kuiper’s high-capacity, low-latency satellite network, Vodafone and Vodacom aim to bring the advantages of 4G/5G connectivity to regions that would otherwise be challenging and costly to serve using traditional fiber or microwave solutions. Project Kuiper will establish connections between widely dispersed cellular antennas and the core telecom networks of these companies. This strategic move enables Vodafone and…
As the holiday season approaches, businesses are gearing up to express gratitude to their employees and reward loyal clients. While the classic gift of chocolates remains a thoughtful gesture, there’s an even better way to show appreciation – by letting recipients choose their own perfect gift. Scan to Pay, powered by Ukheshe, introduces a game-changing solution known as Scan to Pay vouchers, according to Tracy-Lee Schoeman, VP of Loyalty and Rewards at South Africa’s largest QR payment ecosystem. This innovative service was born out of a rising demand from businesses looking to distribute tailor-made loyalty or incentive rewards efficiently and…
In response to an Enforcement Notice issued by the Information Regulator of South Africa to Dis-Chem, following a data breach which occurred in May 2022, Dis-Chem has disputed the accuracy of the allegations. Dis-Chem in a statement confirmed that it has already responded to and actioned all orders contained in the Enforcement Notice and will report to the regulator within 31 days as requested. The regulator disclosed on Friday that enforcement notice was issued to Dis-Chem for violating POPIA. The company confirms that the data held by the third-party provider was restricted to mailing details only and did not contain…
On the 31st of August 2023, the Information Regulator took action by issuing an Enforcement Notice against Dis-Chem, due to their non-compliance with several provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). In the timeline of events, it was revealed that during the months of April and May in 2022, a brute force attack was launched against Grapevine, a third-party service provider engaged by Dis-Chem. A brute force attack involves repeated attempts to guess a password until the correct combination is discovered. It wasn’t until the 1st of May 2022 that Dis-Chem became aware of this security breach when…
After years of rumors and speculation, Google’s first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, was finally released last month. This new addition to Google’s smartphone lineup promises to redefine user expectations and usher in a new era of smartphone technology. With its striking 7.6-inch internal screen and an ultra-sleek profile, the Pixel Fold sets new standards for design excellence. Not just good looks, the Pixel Fold also presents a world of possibilities when it comes to smartphone multitasking and media consumption. The splitscreen mode and intuitive drag-and-drop feature means users can now be on a Zoom call while responding to a…
For the first time, Volvo Car South Africa has extended its guaranteed future value (GFV) finance offering to their electric fleet. Previously, the Volvo Versatility Finance scheme was available only for the Swedish firm’s combustion-engined vehicles, but in response to growing local demand for electric vehicles (EVs), the company has added the XC40 Twin Motor Recharge AWD Ultimate to the list of eligible cars, while also further refining its GFV offering. According to Volvo, customers will now have the flexibility to choose between a 36- and a 48-month GFV contract period, with a generous mileage cap of 20 000 km…
Plural, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered policy tracking platform, today announced its expansion into Africa to enable access to public policy data across various African jurisdictions starting with Nigeria and South Africa. In June 2023, Plural began collaborating with a local network organization, Afrilabs, to help refine the platform and spur the region’s economic growth, create political change, simplify increasing regulatory complexity, develop ongoing digital transformation and stimulate transparency and cross-border business expansion. Plural’s expansion into Africa comes at a crucial time, as Africa is currently implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and being met with growing calls for policy transparency, harmonization and improvements to aid free trade and economic development. Plural…
It’s truly remarkable to contemplate that Telkom’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) is commemorating its 25th anniversary. Through the CoE Programme, substantial funding and assistance are channelled into the advanced education of post-graduates (encompassing PhD, Masters, and Honours levels) within the realm of Computer Science and Engineering (CS&E). This initiative not only enhanced technical research and innovation on a significant scale in South Africa but also nurtures the growth of adept professionals in these fields. Telkom has seamlessly integrated several innovations stemming from these students, one notable example being Izwe.AI, which has been harnessed to enhance the quality of customer service.…
Telkom has reaffirmed its dedication to cultivating emerging technological skills as its Centre of Excellence (CoE) reaches its 25-year milestone. Originating as a collaborative initiative involving Telkom, the telecommunications industry, and the government, the CoE was established to advance research in communication technology and related sciences. It also aimed to offer facilities that would inspire young scientists and engineers to pursue their research passions within South Africa. The funding for CoEs was a joint effort involving Telkom, companies within the ICT industry, and the Department of Trade and Industry through the Technology and Human Resource for Industry Programme (THRIP). However,…
Telkom’s participation in the two-day Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) is significant. The overarching theme of the conference, “The Augmented Era: Navigating Artificial Intelligence in a Connected Society” is reflected in the plenary sessions and presentations, which include speakers and panellists from local and international telecommunications, software, networking and infrastructure providers. SATNAC is an annual event held under the auspices of Telkom and attracts more than 400 participants. This important gathering has become the most important ICT conference across the continent. It serves as an important platform for industry, academic and operator stakeholders to showcase their advances…
Telkom recently partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand to inaugurate the Telkom Industry Solutions Lab. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to foster collaboration between businesses and universities in the field of research and development (R&D). The establishment of this lab is a key strategic move by Telkom to strengthen innovation within the group. The partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand aims to create an environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. This venture leverages the collective expertise and resources of both Telkom Group and the university. Ahead of the upcoming Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC), which…
Telkom’s AI system called Izwe.AI is changing the way customer service works. It takes spoken words in English and local languages and turns them into written text. Izwe.AI, which means ‘nation”, is special because it can understand how people with South African accents speak. According to Dr Mmaki Jantjies, Telkom’s Innovation and Transformation Officer, Izwe.AI was developed to celebrate African languages. Most language technologies are designed for different languages and not much effort has been put into supporting the specific languages of South Africa. “So from translation perspective, it’s so important for us because a simple example: In call centres,…
Black investors in Phuthuma Nathi, the broad-based black economic empowerment arm of pay-TV operator MultiChoice, will share more than R1.3 billion in dividends. An ordinary dividend of R20.37 per share before dividend tax (R16.30 after tax) will be paid to Phuthuma Nathi shareholders in the first week of September 2023. “Despite the challenging macro-economic environment, which is also having a severe impact on our Phthuma Nathi shareholders, the board declared a dividend again this year,” Imtiaz Patel, MultiChoice SA chair, said. “We want to lend a helping hand during these trying times to our 77 000 shareholders who come from all…
Empire Partner Foundation, a distinguished philanthropic entity committed to the advancement of education and technological progress, today announce its collaborative endeavor with Midesk Global in delivering 50 Smart Desks to Mayibuye Primary School in Soweto. This charitable contribution, undertaken to enrich educational prospects and broaden student access, stands as a momentous achievement in the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to empowering marginalized communities through innovative solutions. The Smart Desks, thoughtfully equipped with a comprehensive ensemble including a school bag, desk, solar-powered light with charging port, and chair, are poised to redefine the learning experience for Mayibuye Primary School students. The seamless integration…
South Africa’s premier fintech focused on SMEs, Lulalend, has transformed into Lula, an encompassing cash-flow management and business banking solution. This rebranding signifies a pivotal shift from being solely a funding provider to an integrated cash flow management platform designed to streamline financial operations for SMEs. “Guided by our core belief that SMEs are the lifeblood of the South African economy, Lula aims to broaden our service offering to solve even more of the most common financial challenges small businesses face. To this end, we’re launching a business banking account tailor made for SMEs, complete with advanced financial management capabilities…
The Road Traffic Management Corporation, in collaboration with WeBuyCars, has unveiled a groundbreaking solution that enables the hassle-free online registration of motor vehicles and seamless transfer of ownership. This innovative initiative has been meticulously crafted to offer a streamlined and user-friendly approach for motor vehicle dealers and financial institutions. By facilitating direct online interactions with Natis, the system eliminates the need for cumbersome paperwork and visits to registration authorities. Months of meticulous development and rigorous testing alongside WeBuyCars have paved the way for this smooth and efficient introduction. This marks the latest stride in a series of technological enhancements within…
Solvyng is a Johannesburg based provider of information technology (IT) cloud services founded by Thulasizwe Mavuso. the company predominantly services the banking and asset management sectors and has recently focused its efforts and diversified to other sectors such as mining, retail, manufacturing and insurance. Solvyng is an amazon web service (AWS) advanced tier partner. its goal is to ensure that cloud services align with organisational objectives and business strategy, for seamless migration from legacy-to-cloud based systems. “We enable businesses to be more agile and resilient, reaching their bottom line quicker while saving cost and delivering more value to their customers.…
Bayobab, a subsidiary of the JSE-listed MTN Group, says it well on track to spend over $500 million or R10 billion investment in the expansion of its fibre business into an open-access network. CEO Frederic Schepens of Bayobab revealed to TechFinancials the company is in transition to separate MTN Group’s fibre business from the GSM network to unlock value within the business, attract strategic partners and comply with local regulation across our key markets. Schepens highlighted that the company is currently making significant strides in Zambia, where it has rolled out an impressive 4,000 kilometres of fibre. He added that…
BMW Group South Africa today unveil the newest addition to its leadership team. Effective from July 1, 2023, Thorsten Achenbach assumes the role of Director Digital and Global Solutions at the esteemed BMW IT Hub, situated in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria. This strategic appointment follows in the footsteps of Mr. Klaus von der Osten-Sacken. “I am pleased to welcome Mr Achenbach in his new role at the BMW IT Hub. Mr Achenbach brings a vast portfolio and proven track record of excellence, particularly in the IT field, and we look forward to the continued success of the BMW IT Hub,” said…
Cell C has officially announced the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer, Lerato Pule, who has decided to pursue a new opportunity. In the coming months, Pule will continue to fulfill her responsibilities, ensuring the seamless handling of crucial financial matters during the transition period. Pule has demonstrated exemplary leadership throughout her tenure, notably guiding the successful conclusion of the recapitalization process. Additionally, she has overseen the completion of historical audits spanning three years (2018-2020), with the finalization and sign-off of financial statements. The remaining stages of the 2021 and 2022 historic audits are underway, underscoring her commitment to delivering…
Entersekt, a global frontrunner in cutting-edge transaction authentication solutions for combating financial fraud, proudly announces a robust surge in both revenue and clientele. This remarkable achievement is propelled by its unwavering expansion in the United States and strategic collaborations. Following a strategic investment by Accel-KKR in the fiscal year 2022, Entersekt has witnessed rapid global growth, with a staggering 191% increase in contracted annual recurring revenue, and an impressive surge of nearly 220% in US-based clientele solely within the fiscal year 2023. Schalk Nolte, Entersekt CEO, commends the noteworthy growth amid a challenging global business landscape, attributing it to Entersekt’s…