Author: Gugu Lourie

Western Digital Corp., a Nasdaq-Listed data storage giant, today provided information regarding a network security incident involving some of its systems and the company’s active response to this matter. On March 26, 2023, Western Digital identified a network security incident involving Western Digital’s systems. In connection with the ongoing incident, an unauthorized third party gained access to a number of the Company’s systems. “Upon discovery of the incident, the company implemented incident response efforts and initiated an investigation with the assistance of leading outside security and forensic experts.,” said the company. “This investigation is in its early stages and Western…

MICT SETA has partnered with Empire Partner Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on technology, to provide work-integrated learning programmes for university students to help close the skills gap and reduce the unemployment rate. About thirty students from Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa have already benefited from this work-integrated learning programme. Currently, more than half of young people do not have the necessary skills to succeed in industry IT. The programme offers students the opportunity to find employment in the technology sector as it further educates them with the knowledge gained at Tshwane University of Technology. MICT SETA focuses…

In an increasingly digital economy, accelerated by the Covid 19 pandemic, collaboration between the private sector and governments in Africa has intensified to drive digital and financial inclusion on the continent. Financial inclusion in particular is both a prerequisite and a key enabler for achieving many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including reducing poverty, boosting economic growth and promoting market access. To this end, several governments, including Kenya and Tanzania, have not only embraced digital transformation, but over the years have also put in place sound and enabling policy frameworks to enable innovative solutions that empower citizens. For…

 Ramp – a forecasting decision science startup that is transforming how global finance teams plan for the future – has closed a $5 million or R90 million seed round, which it intends to utilise to streamline the onboarding of new clients to allow for scale. Ramp was created in 2018 when its founders realised that the root cause of poor revenue forecasting is that, in 99% of businesses, the financial modelling still takes place on spreadsheets that are no longer fit for purpose. They found that spreadsheets are largely inaccurate, time-consuming and open to ‘subjective’ interference from different areas of…

SEACOM, Africa’s telecommunications and managed services provider, today announced that Alpheus Mangale, is joining SEACOM as incoming Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2023.  He is a seasoned business leader with over 25 years’ experience across the enterprise, telecoms, financial services and technology markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He will work alongside the company’s outgoing Group Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Fortuin, for a three-month period to ensure a smooth leadership transition, at the end of which he will assume full responsibility for the business. “I am delighted to join SEACOM at this critical time in Africa’s…

TROOP, the award-winning global developer of corporate meeting technology and services, has announced that it has secured $11m (R201m) in Series B funding. This funding will contribute towards expanding the company’s presence in South Africa and globally. TROOP plans to engage with engineering and product talent in South Africa and double its current employee base in 2023, as well as build a team of 170 people globally by 2025. TROOP has entities in the USA, Spain, South Africa, and the UK. TROOP’s technology platform helps companies plan, book, expense, and manage logistics for in-person meetings. The demand for group meetings…

The Shoprite Group has launched UNIQ, its new clothing brand fashioned on simplicity, comfort, superior fabrics and value.  The first standalone UNIQ store opened in Cape Town’s Canal Walk shopping centre with another eight stores scheduled to open in the next month.  Catering for the entire family, the UNIQ range consists of premium basics in a variety of colours and fabrics that are easy to mix and match.  Every item of clothing is thoughtfully designed and made to last, pairing durable fabrics with stylish and versatile designs.  UNIQ has sourced materials specifically engineered for comfort and convenience, and it is the first local clothing retailer to introduce Supima cotton to the mass market. With longer fibres than regular…

MINI South Africa has teamed up with Red Bull to launch the country’s first MINI-branded solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Cape Town. Head of MINI South Africa, Shaun Willis noted: “MINI and Red Bull have a long-standing relationship, forged 17 years ago in California when the first MINIs were converted into the iconic Red Bull MINI. There has always been a strong union between our brands, and this collaboration on our first solar-powered charging station is further evidence of this in South Africa.” The launch of the first solar-powered charging station is another sign of MINI’s pledge to…

MpiloTech, a fast-growing, medium-sized, specialist software development company, has added two new executive roles as it gears up for expanding its digital banking services to the financial services sector. “More so than ever banks and other financial service providers are continually bolstering their digital services offerings in an extremely competitive trading environment and where cyber security threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. This creates a massive growth opportunity for us as our technology is capable of addressing such challenges with laser-focussed solutions and mitigations,” says CEO and Founder Denzil Fillis. MpiloTech services companies such as Standard Bank, Absa, Discovery, Grindrod Bank…

k’nect mobile, the Shoprite Group’s cellular network, has slashed its data prices by more than 35% to now offer the lowest data rates in South Africa, with 1GB starting from as little as R19.50.   Data bundles from k’nect mobile also only expire after 60 days, instead of the more common 30-day period.  “With soaring living costs, our customers want and need affordable data which doesn’t expire in a matter of days,” explains Jean Olivier, GM: Financial Services for the Group. “Shoprite is South Africa’s low-price champion, and that extends to our growing suite of fintech products which is driven entirely by customer needs.”  Launched 24 months ago,…

Coaxle, the integrated data and insights company, has recently acquired a 50% stake in iX, a specialist provider of digital solutions, primarily to the retail automotive industry. The acquisition will strengthen the synergies between iX and long-standing partner Lightstone, a provider of comprehensive data, analytics and systems in the automotive and property sectors. The acquisition enables a broader and deeper value proposition as it creates cross-selling opportunities and will provide value to motor dealers through an enhanced stock management process, optimised digital customer engagement capabilities and streamlined finance and insurance application processes. “Coaxle is dedicated to the sustainability of the…

Kia has today revealed full details of the Kia EV9, its first three-row seat electric flagship EUV. Based on the game-changing Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9 ensures athletic performance, complemented by a targeted all-electric range over 541 km, according to the World harmonized Light vehicle Testing Procedure (WLTP). Ultra-fast 800-volt charging capability enables the EV9 battery pack to be replenished with sufficient charge to power the vehicle for 239 km in approximately 15 minutes. “The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities. Created to meet the…

JUWI Renewable Energies, a global solar, wind and hybrid project developer, EPC and operations and maintenance (O&M) company, today announced that the 84 Megawatt (MW) Wolf Wind Project in the Eastern Cape has reached financial close. Exploding public and private demand for large-scale renewables due to South Africa’s energy crisis has led to rapid expansion of the clean energy leader’s footprint across the country, with over 1.5 GW of wind, 2 GW of solar and 500 MW of hybrid projects incorporating storage in development for private and public energy users. The Wolf Wind Project, located two hours from the city…

G-Star RAW has once again pushed the boundaries of denim design with its latest project involving artificial intelligence. G-Star RAW utilized AI to create 12 unique designs, with one of them being brought to life in the form of a RAW denim couture piece. G-Star RAW is the first denim brand to actually create AI-designed garments in real life, and the Denim AI garment is a testament to the brand’s commitment to creating the future of denim. Innovation is ingrained in the G-Star DNA, and the use of AI in the design process showcases the brand’s willingness to embrace new…

GE HealthCare has signed an agreement with Axim Life Isotopes South Africa (ALISA), a joint venture between Life Healthcare and the AXIM Group of Companies, to expand provision of molecular imaging in South Africa with the delivery of two Cyclotrons, which produce radioisotopes enabling the production of tracing agents used in molecular imaging scans. GE HealthCare will deliver the Cyclotrons to ALISA’s laboratory facility in Midrand, South Africa early next year, giving patients in Africa access to medical advancements. Molecular imaging enables doctors and clinicians to see inside the body with a non-invasive process, helping to diagnose and treat diseases…

Two in three (64%) consumers in South Africa prefer using digital-only platforms when transferring money internationally, according to Western Union’s inaugural Global Money Transfer Index. When asked about the future, being able to choose between digital and in-person platforms grows in importance. South Africa has taken bold steps to rebuild the national economy and boost digital inclusion following pandemic lockdowns. As a result, it is increasingly moving to a remittance future that aims to realise financial inclusion and help grow the economy. Today, it is the largest ‘send’ market in Africa with USD 1.1 billion in outflows[1], and approximately 2.9…

Checkers Sixty60 will now give customers their delivery for free if an order arrives more than 30 minutes after the estimated time of arrival. Delivery will also be free if an order contains fewer than 80% of a customer’s first-choice products. This Service Guarantee is a first in the South African on-demand grocery delivery space.  “Sixty60 is exceptionally confident in our ability to deliver the groceries shoppers want within 60 minutes. In South Africa this can be tricky at times given loadshedding-related traffic congestion, rainy weather and other challenges faced by drivers on the roads. Our north star is to make shopping effortless, and now we are giving customers the confidence to use…

South Africa-based payments infrastructure company Stitch today announced expansion to become an end-to-end Payments Service Provider (or PSP, defined as a third party that enables businesses to accept, manage and send digital payments through a variety of methods). This comes off the back of new solutions including pay-ins via Card and Debit Order, and payments orchestration and reconciliation system, PayOS. The Stitch payments suite is designed specifically for businesses with complex payments needs, offering flexibility and customisation. Stitch launched its first pay-in method, Instant EFT, in late 2021. They moved from a single-method provider toward a multi-method offering with the…

Tech consultancy giant Accenture announced today plans to retrench 19,000 people, or 2.5% of its workforce, as part of its actions to streamline operations and transform non-billable corporate functions to reduce costs. The retrenchments will be undertaken in the next 18 months, the tech giant informed investors in an SEC filing. Accenture added that it hire  consultants to meet current and projected future demand. “We proactively plan and manage the size and composition of our workforce and take actions as needed to address changes in the anticipated demand for our services and solutions, given that compensation costs are the most…

JSE-listed firm Blue Label Telecoms announced on Thursday that Douglas Craigie Stevenson stepped down as CEO of struggling mobile phone operator Cell C. Blue Label Telecoms said Craigie Stevenson resignation is effective 31 March 2023. The company said Craigie Stevenson has elected to resign for personal reasons and to pursue other opportunities in line with his personal career goals. “We thank Douglas for his valued contribution and for successfully assisting in navigating Cell C through the recapitalisation process,” Joe Mthimunye, Chairman of the Cell C Board, said in a statement. “Through the implementation of Cell C’s new strategy, he has…

JSE-listed Metair CEO Riaz Haffejee resign to ‘pursue other opportunities more in line with his personal career goals’. The manufacturer, distributor and retailer of batteries and automotive components informed investors that the board has duly accepted his resignation and wishes him well in his future endeavours. Haffejee, who joined the company two years agao, will be available for a period of two-months up to the end of May 2023 to ensure a smooth transition and handover. Metair also announced that Sjoerd Douwenga, chief financial officer (CFO), has been appointed as interim CEO and as a member of the S&E Committee. Anesh…

MindGeek, a technology and media company, owner of a large portfolio of adult entertainment properties, including Pornhub, has been acuired by a Canadian private equity firm Ethical Capital Partners (ECP). The terms of the transaction are private and are not being publicly disclosed. “At ECP, we seek out innovative and ethically-driven companies that operate at the frontier of new, evolving industries. In MindGeek, we have identified a dynamic tech brand that is built upon a foundation of trust, safety and compliance, and with ECP’s resources and broad expertise spanning regulatory, law enforcement, public engagement and finance, we have a unique…

Financial services provider Sanlam has acquired half of mobile operator MTN ‘s insurtech platform aYo. The strategic alliance, which takes effect on 31 October 2022, will market and distribute insurance and investment products across Africa through MTN Group’s insurTech aYo, in which each partner will hold 50%. “The group entered into an agreement with Sanlam Emerging Markets Proprietary Limited (Sanlam) to sell 50% of aYo’s issued shares for S$40 million ( approximately R735 million translated at the signature date ),” MTN said on Monday. “Subsequent to the sale, a new shareholders’ agreement has become effective governing each shareholder’s rights in…

Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says collaboration between government, business and society is imperative if South Africa is to overcome the current electricity crisis gripping the nation. The Minister was speaking during the launch of the Resource Mobilisation Fund (RMF) on Thursday afternoon. The RMF is a collaborative effort between government and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) to provide resources and expertise that will assist government to fully implement the Energy Action Plan. “The establishment of the Resource Mobilisation Fund is a significant step in this regard. It is only through a collective national effort that…

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is working to build a public service staffed by men and women who are professional, skilled, selfless and honest. He said that this in order to build a capable developmental state for the implementation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP). The President said that this includes implementation of the Professionalisation of the Public Service Framework. The Framework proposes fundamental reforms, including a stronger emphasis on merit-based recruitment and appointments, integrity testing before recruitment, revising the tenure of Heads of Departments, and curriculum development for ongoing learning of public servants. President Ramaphosa was responding…