Author: Gugu Lourie

Zandile Gumede, the corruption-accused former eThekwini mayor, is blaming “sexist” media for tarnishing her good name. In an interview with eNCA this Thursday, Gumede said her ‘name has been dented’ because of sexism and discrimination from the media. Gumede has been parachuted into frontline politics by the ruling party. She has been appointed as a provincial COGTA leader. She says this is to reward her for her hard work in the community. “It’s not a reward. It’s a continuation of work for the people because they know how hard I can work. There is no reward. It is just to open another…

Standard Bank’s customers are slowly embracing digital banking as they ditch brick and mortar banking. Africa’s largest bank by assets informed investors on Thursday that lockdowns encouraged customers to transition to its digital channels. The bank announced on Thursday that digital transaction volumes increased 78% in South Africa, and comprised 99% of total transactions, while in Africa Regions volumes increased 24% and comprised 94% of total transactions. “Physical transactions are expected to continue to decline as the transition to digital accelerates post-COVID-19,” said the bank. “Despite the pandemic-related disruptions, Personal and Business Banking (PBB) SA released several new digital capabilities…

Without a satellite dish and its associated cabling, you can now enjoy all the DStv content you love, as well as hit shows from other streaming services. All you need is a reliable home internet connection, a DStv Streama device and a television set. DStv Streama offers all of the best content customers have come to enjoy, including an array of sports, entertainment, news and kids’ content. With the Streama’s selection of applications such as Showmax and YouTube, it presents all your viewing options in one place, so that you can seamlessly switch between applications to view the content of…

As at the end of July 2020, Curro had more than 400 learners enrolled in Curro Online, South Africa’s largest private education group revealed on Wednesday. “Curro is committed to making quality education more accessible to learners in southern Africa,” the group informed investors. The private school group announced in May the launch of a “new school” that offers online-only teaching in the midst of the pandemic which provides remote teaching and learning for learners. It is the first online school which aims to provide a flexible education model, with classes taught by current Curro teachers. Teachers guide pupils through…

Quoin Rock Wine Estate’s unique terroir has facilitated the creation of a range of exceptional Quoin Rock and Namysto wines. The release of their Vine Dried Sauvignon Blanc 2019 once again raises the bar with a sensational addition that can only be likened to liquid gold. The winemaker’s tasting notes best describe this sublime release: “Aromas of dried pineapple and mango with roasted sweet spices all complement a fascinating and refreshing palate of apricot pips and honey.” A phenomenal wine to end dinner with, the Vine Dried Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect companion to the stellar Quoin Rock range. Ideally,…

Equity Express Securities Exchange (EESE) has warned people not to fall for the WhatsApp scam, enticing investors to trade in Phuthuma Nathi shares or promise to grow their investment. This comes after several WhatsApp groups have been targeting vulnerable people. The scammers send messages to investors using WhatsApp. They try to entice investors to trade in Phuthuma Nathi shares or promise to grow their investment. “We have received notification that shareholders have received WhatsApp messages requesting shareholder information and enticing shareholders to trade their shares,” said EESE. EESE said Phuthuma Nathi and its transfer secretaries/verification agents, Singular Financial Services, would not send shareholders…

YeboYethu, the broad-based black economic empowerment arm of Vodacom, is looking for thousands of shareholders who are owed close to R74 million. “YeboYethu has a number of shareholders to whom unclaimed dividends of R73 742 748 are owed,” Zarina Bassa, YeboYethu’s chairman, revealed in the company’s latest annual report. “As a result of shareholders not updating their contact details regularly, we are unable to contact these shareholders, notwithstanding significant cost and efforts in trying to trace them.” The Vodacom YeboYethu empowerment scheme was established in 2008 and allowed black people to purchase Vodacom SA shares at a discount. This year…

Momentum Metropolitan, a JSE-listed insurer, has told customers it was hit by a data breach. The insurer informed investors on Monday morning that a third party ‘unlawfully accessed’ a limited portion of data of a subsidiary of the group. The company said it became aware of a data breach on its network on Thursday 13 August 2020 and immediately activated its IT security incident plan, which included the implementation of additional systems monitoring and the reinforcement of its IT security. “The group’s IT teams have been working non-stop to ensure that service to clients remains unaffected,” said Momentum Metropolitan. “In…

To understand the new smart monitors and other pro devices of tech health, we should look to Silicon Valley and the quantified movement of the latest generation. Apple’s Watch records exercise, tracks our moves throughout the day, assesses the amount of time we are stood up and reminds us to get up and move around if we have been sat for too long – let’s not forget Tim Cook’s “sitting is the new factor” line. Routinely evaluating your risk factors for various medical conditions, screening for cancer and other diseases, and assessing your lifestyle habits helps you stay healthy. It’s…

To understand the new smart monitors and other pro devices of tech health, we should look to Silicon Valley and the quantified movement of the latest generation. Apple’s Watch records exercise, tracks our moves throughout the day, assesses the amount of time we are stood up and reminds us to get up and move around if we have been sat for too long – let’s not forget Tim Cook’s “sitting is the new factor” line. Routinely evaluating your risk factors for various medical conditions, screening for cancer and other diseases, and assessing your lifestyle habits helps you stay healthy. It’s…

When I woke up today, I found myself reflecting on the works of Niq Mhlongo, one of the most high-spirited and irreverent new voices of South Africa’s post-apartheid literary scene. I decided to reread Mhlongo’s short story collection “Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree”.  In this collection, the author describes his hometown as a place that always seems to hold surprises for both the characters and the reader. When I reached page 10 of the book, a thought crossed my mind that I should visit Soweto, South Africa’s biggest township. It is so big, it’s practically a city in its own right.…

Some parts of Soweto may be experiencing slower connectivity as a result of Vodacom-based stations being increasingly targeted for theft and vandalism. According to Vodacom, its base stations in Soweto are being targeted by organised crime syndicates, with over one hundred cases of vandalism since the start of 2020. In most cases, the theft has resulted in significant site downtime, leaving entire communities in Soweto with no connectivity and has caused millions of rands worth of damage, the company said in a statement. Vodacom warned organised crime syndicates behind the spate of theft and destruction of base stations that their…

Distell, the R17.3 billion South African alcohol empire behind Savanna cider, Amarula, Oudemeester and Bernini, has welcomed the announcement of lifting the alcohol ban. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s addressed the nation on Saturday night announcing that the ban on alcohol and cigarettes will be lifted next week Monday. Alcohol sales will be permitted between 9am and 5pm at liquor stores from Monday to Thursday, while on-site consumption of alcohol at restaurants and pubs will be permitted until 10pm. In a tweet, Distell said it welcomed the opening of the alcohol trade, and the economic relief the government’s decision will provide to…

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressing South Africans on developments in our country’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19, said the further easing of restrictions presents the country with the greatest opportunity since the start of the pandemic to breathe life into our struggling economy. Today, Ramaphosa announced that the country will be moved to level 2 lockdown. A hard lockdown was imposed at the end of March to curb the spread of COVID-19 while giving the government time to prepare the healthcare system for the expected spike in virus infections. Today marks 142 days since the lockdown began. The coronavirus…

South Africa will be moved to a level 2 lockdown next week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Saturday evening. “As South Africa moves to lockdown Level 2 on August 18, prohibitions on the sale of alcohol and tobacco products will be lifted. Gyms and fitness centres will be permitted to reopen. Appropriate restrictions and safety precautions will apply to protect public health,” said Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa was addressing South Africans on developments in our country’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19. A hard lockdown was imposed at the end of March to curb the spread of COVID-19 while giving the…

South Africa to lift alcohol and cigarette ban as the country is moved to level 2 lockdown. A hard lockdown was imposed at the end of March to curb the spread of COVID-19 while giving the government time to prepare the healthcare system for the expected spike in virus infections. Level 3 of the lockdown began on 1 June and enabled the sale of alcohol. The South African government implemented an alcohol sales ban early on when COVID-19 hit the country, as part of its public health response to contain the spread of the virus. The ban was intended to reduce the…

To understand the new smart monitors and other pro devices of tech health, we should look to Silicon Valley and the quantified movement of the latest generation. Apple’s Watch records exercise, tracks our moves throughout the day, assesses the amount of time we are stood up and reminds us to get up and move around if we have been sat for too long – let’s not forget Tim Cook’s “sitting is the new factor” line. Routinely evaluating your risk factors for various medical conditions, screening for cancer and other diseases, and assessing your lifestyle habits helps you stay healthy. It’s…

Mobile operators refrain from investing in the deployment of new rural network sites. During the festive season, when rural folks who work in cities return home, networks get overloaded or operators end up developing short-term solutions. This is understandable. Operators try to maximise their revenues by deploying every possible new network site that can deliver incremental revenues. However, Vodacom seems to be changing its strategy or seeing more value in deploying new network sites in rural areas of South Africa. The Vodafone-owned company is planning to deploy 20 new base stations in urban areas and 18 new base stations in…

Black investors in Phuthuma Nathi, the broad-based black economic empowerment arm of pay-TV operator MultiChoice SA, are in line to share more than R1 billion in dividends. Phuthuma Nathi shareholders own 25% of MultiChoice SA through the Phuthuma Nathi entity. In 2019, shareholders voted to combine Phuthuma Nathi and Phuthuma Nathi 2 into one scheme. The combination of these entities resulted in one listed scheme with a single Phuthuma Nathi share price. The transaction did not have any meaningful impact on the number of shares held or their attributable value. Phuthuma Nathi will receive R1.5 billion of the R6 billion dividend declared by…

All Welkom Yizani, the black economic empowerment shares of media group Media 24, will receive a dividend of 34 cents a share for the 2020 financial year. Welkom Yizani holds 15% stake in Media 24, a print media domination operation in the Naspers stable. Welkom Yizani investors will receive a dividend of R6.2 million in 2020 resulting in a dividend of 42.5 cents a share before tax, said Media 24 in its annual report. Welkom Yizani, Media24’s broad-based black economic empowerment scheme, began trading its shares on the Equity Express Securities Exchange (EESE) in November 2018. In 2016, Naspers, a…

To understand the new smart monitors and other pro devices of tech health, we should look to Silicon Valley and the quantified movement of the latest generation. Apple’s Watch records exercise, tracks our moves throughout the day, assesses the amount of time we are stood up and reminds us to get up and move around if we have been sat for too long – let’s not forget Tim Cook’s “sitting is the new factor” line. Routinely evaluating your risk factors for various medical conditions, screening for cancer and other diseases, and assessing your lifestyle habits helps you stay healthy. It’s…

Teddy Daka, the boss of JSE-listed Etion, is looking to take the company internationally as he aims to cut business risks associated with slower growth in South Africa. The diversified digital technology company is seeking expansion opportunities in Latin America and South-East Asia. It is already testing its Internet of Things (IoT) solutions in those markets. Etion is using lean startups to test its IoT solutions in Latin America and South-East Asia. The aim is to support the sustainable long-term growth of its fast-growing business unit, Etion Create and Etion Secure (LAWTrust). “There’s an opportunity, nonetheless, by internationalising and we…

Shoprite has fired the starting gun on its expansion in South Africa, joining the fast-growing digital banking market where new players are signing up thousands of customers. Africa’s largest food retailer has launched its new Money Market Account, a free transactional account to give customers more ways to save, send or spend their money. Shoprite operates more than 2,934 outlets in 15 countries across Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. The retailer is likely to compete with new digital banks such as TymeBank, Discovery Bank and South Africa’s big 5 banks – ABSA, FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank and Capitec – the moment it…

To understand the new smart monitors and other pro devices of tech health, we should look to Silicon Valley and the quantified movement of the latest generation. Apple’s Watch records exercise, tracks our moves throughout the day, assesses the amount of time we are stood up and reminds us to get up and move around if we have been sat for too long – let’s not forget Tim Cook’s “sitting is the new factor” line. Routinely evaluating your risk factors for various medical conditions, screening for cancer and other diseases, and assessing your lifestyle habits helps you stay healthy. It’s…

Media personality, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Bonang Matheba (Queen B to her more than eight million social media fans) has been persistent from a young age. “I was turned down at least 25 times before I got my first big break as a presenter of LIVE on SABC, and each rejection was heart-breaking. Especially when you’re young, you don’t understand why they haven’t picked you for a part, it’s very painful,” she says. “But it has been a great lesson for me that you must try many things, find what you love, and even then you probably won’t get it on…