Author: Gugu Lourie

C-CONNECT, South Africa’s newest virtual mobile network operator (MVNO), has launched nationwide, offering mobile subscribers more choice and competition. With a focus on providing affordable mobile services without compromising quality, C-CONNECT is set to become the top choice for savvy prepaid users. This innovative SIM-only prepaid brand operates on C-Cell’s robust network infrastructure, rewarding users for their everyday mobile activities. When subscribers top up their prepaid Airtime or Data, they earn 10% back in the form of Cha-Chings, an in-app currency that can be used to purchase items that enhance their lives. Cha-Chings can be redeemed for a variety of…

The Telkom FutureMakers enterprise and supplier development (ESD) programme has reported impressive successes – creating procurement and innovation impact worth R339 million, far exceeding its goals and impacting thousands of lives. These millions of rands worth of impacts in the 2024 financial year come in the form of procurement opportunities and innovation programmes to support developing enterprises and represent enormous growth from the 2023 level of R191 million. During the 2024 financial year, SMMEs in the Telkom FutureMakers programme increased to 428 from 320. Telkom’s investments in SMMEs and development programmes resulted in positive social and commercial outcomes in the…

Pick n Pay, a retailer with over 1,650 stores across seven African countries, has partnered with OpenText to supercharge its software testing processes. By leveraging generative-AI and private large language models (LLM), Pick n Pay has automated 95% of its software testing, cutting testing times by up to three days and significantly improving its digital services for ecommerce customers. Pick n Pay integrated OpenText’s cloud-based value stream management (VSM) and DevOps platform, OpenText ValueEdge, with the pioneering AI capabilities of OpenText DevOps Aviator, to meet the escalating customer demand for innovative digital shopping tools. By activating OpenText DevOps Aviator within…

Attacq and Hyprop Investments, two major South African shopping mall owners, are divesting their interests in Sub-Saharan mall assets worth R1 billion. The assets in question, located in Ghana and Nigeria, are being sold to Lango Real Estate Limited. The transaction involves a complex ownership structure: Attacq, via AIH International, and Hyprop, through Hyprop Mauritius, hold stakes in Nigeria’s Gruppo Investments and Ghana’s AttAfrica. Specifically, AIH International owns 25% and Hyprop Mauritius 75% of Gruppo’s shares, while both firms have a 50% stake in AttAfrica, with their economic interests being 27% and 73%, respectively. The sale will see these stakes…

Facing severe financial difficulties, South African major solar provider Hohm Energy, a solar power firm, has halted operations and entered business rescue. Struggling to manage its debt, the company has laid off an unspecified number of employees. A business rescue practitioner has been appointed to evaluate the situation and chart a path forward. Franc Gray, CEO of Hohm Energy’s parent company, Spark Energy Services, revealed to TechCabal that the company has ceased operations as it seeks legal guidance on its next steps. Gray acknowledged that Hohm Energy is currently not active in the market. “We are working with legal counsel…

The Naspers and Prosus boards announced today that after 29 years of exemplary leadership and service, Basil Sgourdos will retire from his position as Group Chief Financial Officer and financial director of both companies. His retirement is effective 30 November 2024. Basil has had a broad and varied career at Naspers and Prosus having joined the company in 1994, initially as the finance manager of the South African operations division in MultiChoice before taking on a number of other global leadership positions within the group. He was appointed Group Chief Financial Director of Naspers in July 2014 and of Prosus…

In a challenging competitive landscape, Telkom Consumer recorded a 2.6% increase in revenue, reaching R6,589 million for the first quarter ended 30 June.. This improvement is attributed to Telkom’s data-centric approach, driven by both the Mobile business and the expansion of our fibre offerings. Revenue growth in the Mobile business was propelled by a 9.5% increase in external mobile service revenue, amounting to R4,996 million. Total external revenue rose by 5.3%, reaching R5,737 million. “This growth was fueled by our continuous delivery of innovative and value-oriented offerings, significantly boosting data consumption. Consumers increasingly sought value through our personalised pricing platform,…

Telkom has demonstrated notable success in the device insurance sector, serving approximately 1% of its customer base. This achievement emphasises the substantial growth potential within this market. Currently, Telkom boasts 161,612 device policies, generating an impressive R284.5 million in revenue. Despite this success, there remains ample opportunity for Telkom to expand its reach. By signing up more customers, Telkom can aspire to the levels of market penetration seen by competitors such as Vodacom and MTN, who have achieved significantly higher penetration rates in the device insurance market. The current figures reflect a promising start but also highlight the untapped potential…

As South Africa’s banks reduce ATMs due to increased digital banking adoption, high operational costs, and security concerns, the Shoprite Group offers a convenient solution for its customers. Shoppers can deposit and withdraw cash from their bank accounts at tills in all Shoprite, Checkers, and Usave stores nationwide. This provides customers with safe, convenient, and affordable access to their funds, even during load shedding, without the need for an ATM. Key Benefits Accessibility: With more than 2 100 stores (Shoprite, Checkers, and Usave supermarkets, as well as Shoprite and Checkers LiquorShops) and over 28 000 tills nationwide, customers can easily…

Gender equality has evolved from being a mere policy aspiration to a critical business imperative. South Africa’s major telecommunications companies are leading by example, placing their financial trusts in the capable hands of highly accomplished female leaders. This Women’s Month we celebrate South Africa’s telco’s top Chief Financial Officers. Raisibe Morathi – Vodacom Vodacom, the country’s largest mobile operator, relies on Raisibe Morathi to oversee its finances. Morathi joined the Vodafone-owned company in 2020, bringing a wealth of experience from the financial services sector. Her expertise is particularly valuable in navigating the booming mobile money space. With over 20 years…