Author: Gugu Lourie

Cell C Holdings has announced its intention to list its shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The listing will be done through a private placement of existing shares by The Prepaid Company (TPC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Label Telecoms. The move is subject to JSE approval and market conditions. .”The decision to pursue a listing on the JSE marks a significant and exciting step in Cell C’s growth story,” Jorge Mendes, Chief Executive Officer of Cell C, stated: “While Cell C is already owned by a listed entity and has operated within that framework, the separate listing of the…

Optasia, a global leader in AI-powered fintech, has officially commenced trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in a landmark listing that underscores its mission to drive financial inclusion in emerging economies. The Initial Public Offering (IPO) was a resounding success, priced at the top of its range at R19 per share. The offering was several times oversubscribed by both South African and international institutional investors, raising R6.5 billion ($375 million). This implies a market capitalisation of R23.5 billion based on the 1,235,061,843 ordinary shares in issue. Optasia now trades on the JSE’s Main Board under the share code OPA.…

A historic climb proves electric vehicles can master the world’s toughest terrain. This landmark ascent was powered entirely by a solar-powered charger, setting a new standard for sustainable adventure. In a landmark moment for electric mobility, the all-electric Volvo EX30 Cross Country has become the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) to conquer South Africa’s legendary and brutal Sani Pass. This feat, achieved 56 years after the first Volvo completed the climb, shatters the myth that EVs lack the capability for extreme, rugged adventure. The milestone is amplified by the use of South Africa’s highest solar-powered EV charger, installed by CHARGE at…

In a major strategic move to dominate the Zambian financial sector, FirstRand has announced a definitive agreement to acquire the wealth and retail banking business of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia PLC. This landmark deal is a direct execution of FirstRand’s plan to aggressively scale its broader Africa portfolio. The acquisition will see FNB Zambia, which launched as a greenfield operation 16 years ago, absorb a massive ZMW 5.2bn in customer deposits, ZMW 1.6bn in loans, and a formidable ZMW 3.8bn in wealth assets under management. The transaction also includes a transfer of physical assets—from ATMs to branch properties—and key employees.…

Airtel Africa has reported robust financial results for the half year ended 30 September 2025, with its mobile money service, Airtel Money, emerging as an engine of growth and customer acquisition. The division’s annualised transaction value surged past $193 billion as its customer base accelerated towards the 50 million mark. The telecom and fintech group saw constant currency revenue growth of 24.5%, reaching $2,9  billion. This performance was significantly bolstered by Airtel Money, which delivered a 30.2% constant currency revenue increase. The service is now a core pillar of the company’s strategy, driving digital adoption and deepening financial inclusion across…

Balwin Properties has demonstrated the tangible financial benefits of its green building strategy, with its dedicated sustainable utilities arm, Balwin Green Living, delivering over R4.6 million in direct savings to homeowners through its solar energy installations. The initiative, which provides metering and sustainable utility solutions to body corporates, is a core component of Balwin’s commitment to environmentally conscious development. The JSE-listed company announced that the solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays deployed across its developments have generated 1.7 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of renewable energy in the recent interim period. This significant energy production directly translates to lower electricity costs for residents, even while…

In a strategic move to solidify its high-growth technology segment, Balwin Properties has announced a major restructuring of its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) business, Balwin Information and Communication Technology Proprietary Limited (Balwin ICT). Effective 1 March 2025, Balwin Annuity has entered into a subscription agreement that increases the shareholding of its non-controlling interest partner to 50%, valuing the transaction at R73.8 million. Crucially, Balwin Annuity will retain operational control of the subsidiary, ensuring strategic alignment with the wider group’s objectives while deepening the commercial partnership. The deal emphasises the immense value Balwin places on its fibre assets, which are a cornerstone of…

Telkom Group has been named the 2025 South African Winner for Best Corporate in Investor Relations (Small Cap) by the prestigious Extel surveys. The award was presented at the inaugural Investor Relations Society of South Africa (IRSSA) Awards at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, recognising Telkom’s superior transparency and strategic engagement with the investment community. The victory is significant, as Telkom was judged against other respected South African corporates, including Pick n Pay, Spar, AVI, and African Rainbow Minerals. The Extel Awards are a global benchmark for IR excellence, evaluating companies on rigorous criteria such as financial disclosure, ESG engagement, and…

Axiz has entered into a distribution agreement with Object First, the company behind the Ootbi (Out-of-the-Box Immutability) appliance, and founded by Veeam founders Ratmir Timashev and Andrei Baronov. The partnership will provide African organisations with enhanced data protection for Veeam backups. The agreement covers more than 25 countries across southern, eastern, and western Africa, including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritius, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zambia. Through this partnership, Veeam partners and customers in these regions can now procure Object First appliances via Axiz. Ootbi is designed to protect backup data against ransomware and other cyber threats. Its architecture prevents destructive…

The heart of eMalahleni is poised for a dramatic transformation with the announcement of Jumbo Mall, a 37,000m² retail development designed to be a modern community hub. Developed by New Africa Developments (NAD) with funding from Investec, the project, scheduled for a March 2026 opening, represents one of the most significant commercial investments in the Blesboklaagte area. It aims to bring a tech-forward, sustainable, and comprehensive shopping experience to a region ripe for growth. A Strategic Partnership for a Landmark Project This milestone project signals a deepened collaboration between NAD, a specialist retail developer, and financial powerhouse Investec. While the…

In a recent alert, Sharenet has issued a critical warning to investors: scammers are impersonating Sharenet staff on Telegram. These fraudsters are using fake names and profile images to promote fraudulent investment opportunities and offer unauthorized financial advice. How the Scam Works The impersonators create fake accounts on Telegram, posing as Sharenet employees. They may reach out to unsuspecting individuals, promising high-return investment opportunities or offering financial guidance. Their goal is to steal money, personal information, or sensitive investment details. Sharenet emphasizes that these scammers have no affiliation with the company, its products, or its employees. In their official statement,…

In the heart of South Africa’s townships, a quiet revolution is brewing. The nation’s tavern sector, worth an estimated R40 billion to R60 billion a year and comprising more than 34,000 licensed tavern owners, is finally going digital. For decades, these vital community hubs have operated on a basis of cash and manual record-keeping. But now, fintech solutions are sweeping in, transforming these cash-only businesses into digitally-enabled engines of growth. Bridging the Digital Divide The scale of the opportunity is massive.  “Taverns play a central role in township life, offering social hubs to the community and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs,” says…

Zimbali Lakes is riding a wave of unprecedented momentum, shattering its own sales records while securing  R1.2 billion reinvestment from its master developer, IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFAHR). This vote of confidence is fuelling the rapid acceleration of the estate’s most ambitious components, from a members-only supercar vault to a signature Ernie Els golf course, cementing its status as KwaZulu-Natal’s premier luxury address. The figures speak to an unrivalled market surge: R280 million in sales recorded in the first nine months of 2025 alone, marking the highest sales period in the estate’s history. With only 161 land opportunities remaining, demand…

A massive R660-million infrastructure investment is set to transform connectivity across Southern Gauteng, with Vodacom launching new sites and expanding its 5G footprint to bridge the digital divide. Vodacom Southern Gauteng is reinforcing its commitment to the region with a massive financial injection of over R660 million this financial year. The investment is strategically targeted at accelerating 4G and 5G rollouts, expanding coverage to underserved communities, and future-proofing the network against growing data demands and power challenges. The ambitious plan includes the deployment of 67 new base stations across key areas including Springs, Brakpan, Germiston, Tembisa, Soweto, and Alexandra. Simultaneously,…

Enartis, a world leader in oenological products and technologies, has announced the signing of a preliminary agreement to acquire 100% of Parsec, an Italian centre of excellence renowned for its advanced, integrated control systems for the wine sector. The strategic agreement, which is pending Italian regulatory approval, is a great step towards creating a unified technology platform that manages the entire winemaking process, from grape reception to bottling. The integration of Enartis and Parsec will create a global player capable of offering wineries worldwide a complete and smart management of their production processes. This synergy combines Enartis’s cutting-edge oenological solutions…

South Africa’s cryptocurrency revolution is accelerating, with platform Luno signing up more than 530,000 new customers in the past year, pushing its local user base to over 6.3 million. New data from the exchange paints a picture of a market rapidly maturing beyond Bitcoin speculation into sophisticated investing, everyday payments, and passive income generation. xStocks and Luno Pay See Remarkable Traction A key driver of this sophistication is the successful launch of Luno’s tokenised stocks (xStocks). These digital representations of actual stocks have quickly captured the interest of South African investors seeking exposure to traditional markets through blockchain technology. “19,000…

In a major move that redefines the future of business, Salesforce and Google have dramatically expanded their strategic partnership. The core of this alliance? A powerful infusion of Google’s cutting-edge Gemini models directly into the new Agentforce 360 Platform, setting a new standard for intelligent, connected customer and employee interactions. This is positioned as a fundamental shift towards an “Agentic Enterprise,” where AI agents work seamlessly alongside humans to automate complex processes and unlock unprecedented productivity. The Brain Behind the Operation: Gemini Powers Salesforce’s AI The expanded partnership places employee productivity at the forefront, but its intelligence runs deep. Customers…

In a move set to transform the region’s infrastructure landscape, Growthpoint Properties, South Africa’s leading Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT),  has made an initial investment with the right to co-invest and develop the new Cape Winelands Airport precinct. This marks the start of a strategic partnership to deliver the Western Cape’s next-generation aviation, hospitality and industrial hub. Growthpoint, which co-owns Cape Town’s signature V&A Waterfront and holds group property assets to the value of R155.8 billion, brings its extensive experience in large-scale, mixed-use precincts to the 450-hectare development. The airport will be developed on the site previously known as Fisantekraal,…

As the digital economy continues to mature, more long-term investors are seeking secure passive income models with high returns. Recently, long-term XRP (Ripple) holders are turning to Find Mining, a regulated crypto mining platform, to generate a stable passive income of up to $7,400 per day. This is not a gimmick, but a new legal way to grow wealth Find Mining is not a “get-rich-quick” scheme with false promises. Instead, it is a legitimate crypto mining platform that has undergone international financial audits and security certifications. Its operating mechanism is based on actual computing power leasing and the distribution of…

Karooooo, the parent company of Cartrack, announced strong financial results for its second quarter ended August 31, 2025, highlighting a significant acceleration in its subscription revenue growth. The company reported that its subscription revenue growth increased from 15% in the same quarter last year to 20% this quarter. Cartrack, its primary subsidiary, saw quarterly subscription revenue hit a record R1,1 billion. “Our subscription revenue growth increased from 15% in full year 2025 quarter two2 to 20% in this quarter,” said Zak Calisto, CEO and Founder of Karooooo. “We believe that our strong unit economics coupled with a clean balance sheet…

Amid a proposal for free hotspots, Telkom highlights its “constructive engagement” with the regulator to advance digital inclusion In response to a new ICASA proposal that would mandate free WiFi hotspots at 171 government centres, Telkom has struck a conciliatory and forward-looking tone, emphasising its willingness to collaborate on shaping South Africa’s digital future. The proposed regulations, gazetted by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), would impose new Universal Service Obligations on the partly state-owned operator. The plan requires Telkom to provide uncapped, free internet connectivity with speeds of at least 30Mbps to 171 Thusong Service Centres in…

South Africa’s grocery shopping habits are changing fast, and SPAR is racing to keep up. In a major expansion of its partnership with Uber Eats, the retailer plans to have over 800 stores on the delivery app, making it easier than ever to get essentials delivered to your door. This move is a direct response to a massive shift in how South Africans shop. Online grocery sales have exploded, growing 54% annually since 2019 to reach a R23 billion market. A new report from McKinsey shows that 26% of consumers plan to spend even more on online groceries in the…

French media giant Group Canal+ has all but completed its takeover of MultiChoice, It has securied a 94.39% of the South African pay-TV group’s issued shares following the close of its mandatory offer to shareholders. The company has also confirmed it will proceed with the compulsory acquisition of remaining shares and delist MultiChoice from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The mandatory offer, which closed on 10 October 2025, was accepted by shareholders holding approximately 92.54% of the shares not already owned by Canal+. With this overwhelming success, Canal+ will now invoke provisions of the Companies Act to compulsorily acquire all remaining…

South Africans are working harder than ever to stretch every rand. In a climate of rising costs, a new e-commerce player, The Hawker, is transforming the refurbished and pre-owned market into a destination of trust, pride, and smart value. More than just an online store, The Hawker is building a value brand designed for South Africans, combining affordability, transparency, and an authentic local identity. It tackles the growing need for affordable essentials head-on by curating a range of electronics, appliances, and gadgets, all meticulously graded for condition. “South Africans work hard for every rand. With The Hawker, we give people…

Forget the search bar. The future of ecommerce is an  artificial intelligence (AI) that understands what you want, even when you can’t quite put it into words. Global tech investor Prosus has just launched its Large Commerce Model (LCM), an agentic AI system designed to completely replace traditional search and recommendation engines. Trained on a unique global database from its portfolio of companies, the LCM continually learns from over 500 million users and trillions of data points. Prosus calls it a “new operating system for ecommerce” – a single, integrated model that powers everything from basic search to hyper-personalised recommendations.…