Author: Gugu Lourie

Sungrow introduces smart energy solutions that resonate with the daily experiences of households grappling with load shedding. Real-life stories from South African users highlight the tangible impact of Sungrow’s residential solution on overcoming the hurdles of power disruptions. Championing Energy Independence in South Africa Sungrow’s commitment to providing a reliable power supply aligns seamlessly with the aspirations of South Africans facing the frustration of load shedding. Users from various regions share heartfelt experiences of reclaiming control over their energy destiny, transforming load shedding challenges into opportunities for energy independence. Key Features Rooted in Real South African Experiences: Fast Charge: In the…

South Africa’s telecommunications regulatory authority, ICASA, has issued a warning, declaring the utilization or facilitation of access to SpaceX’s Starlink services in the country as illegal. ICASA has expressed disapproval towards companies that have allegedly been involved in importing and selling Starlink satellite internet terminals within South Africa. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) issued its warning through an official notice published in the Government Gazette on Tuesday. Icasa emphasised on Wednesday that Starlink, the internet satellite fleet in low Earth orbit overseen by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, lacks the necessary license to operate in South Africa. The reason…

JSE-listed retailer Pepkor announced on Wednesday that Pep ,which is synonymous with quality clothing at discount prices, sold eight million cellular handsets during the year, 50% of which were smartphones. The retailer said the growth in consumer demand for smartphones exceeded product availability in certain smartphone product lines. With the aim of making smartphones affordable for customers, a cellular handset rental product was developed and is being tested in 180 stores. “To date, 120 000 cellular rentals have been provided through both the group’s internally developed capability and third parties,” said Pepkor. The company added that Pep achieved very pleasing…

Anker Innovations, a global frontrunner in consumer electronics and technology, today announced a dynamic new collaboration with Tudortech, a distinguished distributor in South Africa. This partnership signifies a pivotal move in Anker’s strategic expansion within the South African market, representing a noteworthy milestone for the company. Faraz Ahmed, General Manager MEA & South Asia at Anker Innovations, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “We are thrilled to join forces with Tudortech to expand our presence in South Africa. This partnership represents a significant step forward for Anker Innovations as we bring our innovative charging products closer to South African consumers.…

The Smart Africa Alliance has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bayobab and Africa50 to provide regulatory and policy support for Project East to West. Project East to West is dedicated to connecting landlocked African nations through an expansive terrestrial fiber optic network. This collaboration underscores the significance of pan-African cooperation in building telecommunication highways, crucial for addressing the growing demand and requirement for affordable connectivity solutions across Africa. Frédéric Schepens, Bayobab Group CEO shares, “We are thrilled to join hands with the Smart Africa Alliance on Project East to West. This collaborative endeavour signifies the power of pan-African…

Black investors participating in YeboYethu, the black economic empowerment initiative of Vodacom SA, are poised to receive dividends exceeding R48.7 million. Established in 2008, the Vodacom YeboYethu empowerment programme enabled black individuals to acquire discounted Vodacom SA shares. It’s important to note that YeboYethu holds no ownership, beneficial interests, or rights to Vodacom Group shares. For the six months ending on September 30, 2023, YeboYethu received a dividend of R377.7 million from Vodacom, prompting the empowerment company to declare an interim dividend of 92 cents per share. Also read: R74 Million in Dividends Unclaimed in Vodacom’s YeboYethu YeboYethu, the broad-based…

Brace your credit card; Black Friday is coming! It represents a massive opportunity for small to medium-sized businesses to compete with larger retailers, as shoppers take to the internet en masse to find the best possible deals. But those deals will only happen if one thing is firmly in place: trust. According to a recent PwC consumer spending trends report¹, 40% of consumers are open to buying directly from a brand’s website. But, a recent report² by The University of Pretoria points out that trust is one of the single most important factors when trading online. So, how do small to medium-sized businesses…

The global Covid-19 pandemic saw retailers respond to consumers’ demands for online shopping. This growth has translated into exponential growth for the courier industry. By 2019 Fastway Couriers, SA’s largest network of independently owned last-mile courier service providers, was growing by 9.2% year-on-year. In 2022, Post Covid-19 and amidst the local e-commerce boom, that catapulted to 35.7% year-on-year. Daniel Lombard, Fastway Couriers MD, says the company anticipates moving around 14 million parcels this year, as consumers recognise the convenience and cost-effectiveness of retaining home deliveries from retailers. Lombard says the growth in last mile courier deliveries have their roots in both traditional…

Discover unbeatable November deals before stocks run out! Vodacom is your gateway to massive savings on both sim-only data plans and smartphones this Black November. As part of this exclusive promotion, enjoy incredible discounts of up to 75% on SIM-only data deals. These offers are valid from November 16th to December 6th, 2023. Don’t miss out on the chance to seize a SIM-only 700GB data deal for just R349 per month on a 36-month contract, resulting in an impressive saving of R26,280. Alternatively, opt for the SIM-only 900GB data deal at R399 per month on a 36-month contract and pocket…

The festive season can often bring hefty price tags. Apart from the cost of living during this particularly social time of the year, there’s the price of Christmas presents for loved ones and long-awaited holiday destinations. There might even be a car on the festive shopping wishlist. But what if the budget only stretches to a car costing no more than R50,000? What budget-friendly and reliable options can consumers find on the used car market in this price bracket? Cars priced under R50,000 are expected to be somewhat long in the tooth, high on mileage and short on creature comforts. Yet,…