Author: Gugu Lourie

Is Cell C manipulating its latest financial figures? I recently found out that the troubled mobile phone company somehow managed to pay its workers’ outstanding bonuses and 13th cheques that were promised in March 2020. It is commendable that Cell-C, with much-reported money troubles, paid out much-needed cash to hard-pressed workers who had been struggling under COVID-19 lockdown. Last year on 26 September 2019, Cell C said its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) decreased by 19% to R3.39-billion. These financial results were for the year ended March 2019 (2018: R4.18-billion) due to the expanded network roaming agreement…

ICT industry veteran Andile Ngcaba’s inq., a Pan-African digital service provider, has teamed up with Nasdaq and Stockholm-listed Enea. The Pan-African cloud-based digital service provider has selected Enea NFV Access as the virtualization and management software for the inq. universal CPE platform. inq. will initially provide enterprises with managed services for security, software-defined wide-area networks (SD-WAN), and application delivery controllers (ADC’s), while expanding the portfolio with additional managed services. The inq. universal CPE platform will ensure that all these services are well-positioned in terms of cost and performance. The uCPE architecture with Enea NFV Access gives inq. the flexibility to…

Digital transformation is forcing banks to change their business models and adapt to the new market reality. The evolution of technology has led to customers demanding a faster and more efficient experience from banks. To position itself for the future, Nedbank is focusing on digital technologies and internal optimisation, to transform and improve its juristic client experiences. The banking group informed investors on Wednesday that the shift to digital continues to gain momentum. The bank reported that digitally active clients rose by 16% to 1,85 million for the six months to end-June 2020, with 961 000 clients using the Money…

Nedbank’s shopping app Avo has raked in 45 000 less than three months after going live. The  Avo app gives the bank’s customers access to online shopping, essential services and financial products on a single platform. The Avo beta phase was released to Nedbank clients via the Money app on 15 May 2020 and released to the broader public, including non-Nedbank clients, via Apple and Google Play stores on the 19 June 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic creating challenges for many clients to access essential services such as healthcare and home repair services, Nedbank launched its market-leading digital…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has lambasted Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, for defying parliament regarding the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) appointments. The newly-appointed ICASA Council members will take their oath of office today and commence their four (4) year term to serve and execute their mandate in the public interest. The Chairperson will serve a five-year term. Councillors join the employ of ICASA immediately following their appointment by Ndabeni-Abrahams, as published in the Government Gazette on 21 August 2020. The new appointees are: 1. Dr. Keabetswe Modimoeng – appointed Chairperson of ICASA 2.…

Due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, most railway companies have been forced to stop services. In light of this, railway operators seek the help of new technologies to navigate these difficulties. Hao Guoqiang, President of Global Transportation Development Dept in Huawei Enterprise Business Group shared some ideas from China experience. How to fight against with COVID-19 and how to use this opportunity to accelerate digital transformation in rail industry. He shared some of the lessons Huawei learned from clients. Lesson 1: The pandemic will accelerate the digital transformation of the rail industry. Lesson 2: After the pandemic, the rail…

TechFinancials interviewed Mickey Mashale, the new boss of Nexio, in a wide-ranging discussion that touched on women’s equality, empowerment, digital transformation and the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). South Africa’s digital system aggregator and solution provider, Nexio, announced last month that it has appointed Mashale as CEO. For more read: SA’s Tech Firm Nexio Taps Mickey Mashale as New CEO In an interview with TechFinancials, Mashale unpacks her views on transformation in the ICT sector and how is Nexio embracing 4IR and helping companies on their digital journey. She also talks about how Nexio is adding value to its parent company, Vodacom. What…

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…