Author: Gugu Lourie

On Digital Media (ODM), the licensing company behind the pay television platform StarSat, has taken note of the recent statement issued by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) on 20 September 2024, which expressed surprise and concern regarding StarSat’s potential exit from the South African subscription market.

On Digital Media (ODM), the operator behind StarSat and the South African branch of StarTimes Media, will exit the subscription television market as its broadcasting license has not been renewed. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) announced that ODM’s 15-year Individual Broadcasting Service Licence, which expired on 8 July 2023, was not renewed after ODM failed to submit a renewal application on time. According to the Electronic Communications Act, applications must be submitted no earlier than 12 months and no later than six months before the license expires. Despite multiple reminders, ODM only submitted its application on 10…

After a strong July, the South African automotive sector experienced a period of consolidation in August 2024, with moderate improvements in both new and used car sales. While new car sales increased by 3.1% compared to August 2023, used cars showed slight month-on-month growth despite a year-on-year decline. According to AutoTrader, 31,877 used cars were sold in August 2024, down from 34,725 in August 2023, marking an -8.2% year-on-year drop. However, sales improved slightly compared to July 2024, when 31,707 used cars were sold, reflecting a 1% month-on-month increase. This highlights the resilience of the used car market, even amid…

With e-commerce users in South Africa expected to soar to 21.52 million by 2029, last-mile delivery companies are under pressure to enhance their operational efficiency. Enter Industry 4.0, the latest industrial revolution characterised by the integration of connected digital technologies. From science fiction to reality Industry 4.0 is more than a buzzword; it represents the fourth industrial revolution where advanced technologies like automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data, machine learning, cloud computing and robotics are seamlessly integrated into logistics to create smarter, more efficient, and interconnected systems. This technology has sparked a transformation in last-mile…

The Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) returns to the African stage, with a deep dive into the transformative power of AI. Hosted by Telkom, SATNAC 2024 will take place from 6 – 9 October in the heart of the Kruger National Park at the Skukuza Rest Camp. This year’s theme, “The AI-Driven Hyperconnected Future: Co-creating shared value,” promises insightful discussions and groundbreaking research presentations. South Africa is rapidly emerging as a global leader in AI adoption, defying outdated technological stereotypes. Recent data reveals that over 60% of South African workers regularly use generative AI tools, surpassing rates…

Vodacom South Africa, a subsidiary of Vodacom Group, has introduced a cloud-based phone aimed at making smartphone access more affordable and accelerating the shift from legacy networks to modern 4G. A 2022 report by the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, supported by Vodacom’s parent company, Vodafone Group, emphasized that lowering the cost of devices is essential for increasing smartphone access. For example, the Alliance for Affordable Internet estimates that a smartphone priced at R1,094.24 (US$62/€56) could account for nearly 63% of the average monthly income across Africa. The report recommended exploring affordable thin-client phones, like the new cloud-based device from…

South Africa is infamous for the worst savings rates in the world, with a multitude of surveys telling us it is difficult to save when you can’t make ends meet and are struggling to pay off debt. But is this the full picture – and more importantly, is there anything consumers could be doing differently, given a slightly improved outlook? “After years of unrelenting financial pressure, our customers have had to become financially disciplined and resourceful. This will make it easier for them to get back on their feet when things start to improve, helped by the drop in fuel…

Happy Pay, South Africa’s only independent Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider with 150,000 active users, has secured $1.8 million or R32 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by prominent South African venture capital firms E4E Africa and 4Di Capital, along with participation from DotExe Ventures, Launch Africa, Equitable Ventures, Felix Strategic Investment, U.S.-based Gaingels, and local angel investors. Fin Africa (formerly Finclusion Group) is backing the company’s debt facility. Happy Pay’s BNPL platform, built to comply with future regulatory standards, enables consumers to split payments over two paychecks with no interest or deposit. Using AI-driven credit scoring,…

After a successful 2023 pilot in Alexandra, Vuma, a Maziv company, has officially launched Vuma Key – South Africa’s most affordable uncapped fibre service at just R99 per month. Vuma Key is a prepaid service with no penalties for missed recharges, tailored for households earning under R5,000 per month. For R99 a month (equivalent to R3.30 per day or less than 83c per device for a 4-device household), Vuma Key is 34% cheaper than its closest competitors. While some advertise a R99 price point, those are for 7-day recharges; Vuma Key offers uninterrupted service for 30 days. Initially piloted in…

JSE-listed manufacturer Metair, known for producing suspension springs, brake pads, shock absorbers, radiators, and air conditioners, announced the sale of its Turkish subsidiary, Metair Türkiye, to Quexco for R1.95 billion. Metair, which also manufactures batteries for mobility applications and sectors such as telecoms, utilities, mining, and retail, has operated Metair Türkiye as part of its Energy Storage vertical. This subsidiary serves as the holding company for Metair’s Turkish operations, primarily consisting of the Mutlu Group. Since acquiring the Mutlu Group in 2013, the Turkish division has contributed to Metair’s geographic and sector diversification. However, after a thorough review and restructuring…