Author: Gugu Lourie

MultiChoice has announced a significant funding boost for its streaming platform, Showmax, as part of its strategic partnership with Comcast Corporation’s subsidiary NBCUniversal Media, LLC (NBCU), and Sky. This collaboration aims to position Showmax as the leading streaming service in Africa. NBCU, a subsidiary of Comcast, has acquired a 30% equity stake in Showmax Africa Holdings Limited (SMAH), the holding company for Showmax operations. The deal includes ongoing support through the licensing of Comcast’s Peacock platform and content from NBCU, Universal Pictures, Peacock, and Sky. MultiChoice, through its wholly owned subsidiary, MultiChoice Group Holdings B.V. (MGHBV), and NBCU are jointly…

Technology and style now blend effortlessly, becoming key aspects of personal identity. With the launch of HUAWEI’s latest wearables in South Africa, the brand pushes the boundaries of what a smartwatch can offer, combining advanced features with sleek design. The new lineup includes the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series, WATCH D2, and WATCH Ultimate Green Edition. These watches boast customisable faces and premium materials like titanium, sapphire glass, and ceramic, offering durability and fashion-forward appeal. HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series The GT 5 Series offers two models: the GT 5 and GT 5 Pro, available in various sizes and finishes.…

The Reserve Bank’s decision to reduce interest rates by a modest quarter of a percentage point last week marks the turning of the interest rate cycle. It will be a positive indicator to businesses and consumers that the tight monetary environment of the last 15 months is starting to ease, hopefully supporting investment. But it is a small step, unlike the leap made by the US Federal Reserve last week in cutting rates there by a full half a percentage point. The risk, of course, is inflation, and the Reserve Bank is again proving its conservative approach. Inflation is bad…

Plentify, an innovative home energy management company, has announced a strategic partnership with Herholdts, one of South Africa’s largest distributors of solar and electrical solutions, to launch SolarBot, an intelligent controller for home solar and battery systems. This collaboration will see Herholdts introduce Plentify’s latest innovation, SolarBot, to homes across the country. “Herholdts is a pioneer in the solar and electrical distribution sector in South Africa, and we are thrilled to partner with an industry icon,” says Kailas Nair, Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at Plentify. The timing of this launch couldn’t be better. SolarBot is designed to significantly improve…

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…