Author: Gugu Lourie

It’s no coincidence that Zendesk Presents: South Africa, taking place this September, sharing practical and modern ways to transform customer service — from AI-powered automation to lean, scalable operations that make a real impact. For global businesses, these tools are an advantage. For South African businesses, they’re becoming a necessity. Why WhatsApp Is the New Frontline 94% of South Africans use WhatsApp daily (Statista). It is the country’s most trusted digital touchpoint — fast, familiar, and personal. But making WhatsApp work at enterprise scale requires more than plugging in a chat app. It demands integration, automation, and a balance of…

Nine years ago, Vodacom announced a vision that seemed ludicrous to many: a future where they would provide full internet services inside connected cars. Critics whispered that the telco’s bosses needed a one-way ticket to Weskoppies psychiatric hospital. But Vodacom wasn’t mad. It was visionary. While the world focused on carmakers and batteries, Vodacom saw the hidden nerve centre of the modern vehicle: connectivity. Electric vehicles are available from brands like Volvo, BMW, Mini, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, GWM, Jaguar, Porsche, Lotus, and BYD in South Africa, with the Volvo EX30 being a best-seller in 2024. In 2024, Volvo sold 539 electric…

The XRP price may be holding the spotlight with ETF rumors and adoption stories, but the louder excitement is swirling around Rollblock. Traders across multiple communities sense that while Ripple could stabilize here, Rollblock might surge up to 50x this year.  The intensity of the FOMO among investors big and small is setting the stage for one of the boldest moves in 2025… Rollblock (RBLK): FOMO At Fever Pitch Rollblock (RBLK) is shaping up as one of the top crypto projects of 2025, building momentum across Telegram, X, and trading forums. The platform’s edge is simple yet powerful: over 12,000…

The month of September has once again reminded global investors why Bitcoin remains one of the most unpredictable yet rewarding assets. Price swings have tested the nerves of traders worldwide, but for those leveraging BAY Miner Cloud Mining, volatility has become less of a risk and more of an opportunity. With advanced cloud-based infrastructure, investors are now able to generate up to $85,777 in monthly passive income, positioning BAY Miner as one of the most trusted names in the next era of digital wealth creation. September Volatility: Risk for Some, Opportunity for Others In the past, September has proven to…

TaxTim, South Africa’s leading digital tax assistant, has been acquired by a private consortium led by Twofold Capital. The consortium, which includes Stellenbosch-based technology group Octoco, provided a successful exit for TaxTim’s non-operational shareholders and a partial exit for co-founder Evan Robinson, who will remain involved in the business and continue to lead product strategy. The acquisition paves the way for significant product enhancement and expansion into new services, backed by deep technological expertise. “TaxTim has built a trusted brand, a loyal user base, and a track record of solving real customer problems in a market where simplicity and trust…

How can artificial intelligence be harnessed to protect a nation’s soul and ensure its people’s security? The Empire Partner Foundation (EPF) and TechFinancials are posing this critical question for September’s TFS Q&A Competition, offering a R5,000 cash prize for the most innovative answer. The latest challenge in the Solve For X initiative asks: “How can AI protect our heritage and keep our public spaces safer?” This call to action invites students, tech developers, data scientists, and civic-minded innovators to propose practical AI applications. The challenge seeks solutions that could monitor heritage sites for vandalism or decay, analyse data to prevent crime in public areas, or create…

 In response to a dramatic surge in AI-powered banking fraud, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is urgently calling for the establishment of a dedicated Cyber Commissioner to protect South African consumers. This proposal follows the release of the latest South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) report, which revealed that digital banking fraud cases doubled from 2023 to 2024, with financial losses climbing from R1 billion to a staggering R1.4 billion. While overall crime-related losses decreased, the report highlights a worrying trend: sophisticated scams targeting individual customers are becoming increasingly common. Currently, banks have no legal obligation to reimburse victims of…

The South African Competition Commission has unconditionally approved the proposed acquisition of local messaging company SMSPortal by Norway-based LINK Mobility Group Holding ASA. Founded in Cape Town, SMSPortal has become a leader in the cloud communications (CPaaS) industry as it evolve with its ever-changing customer base. For more read: From student entrepreneurs to billion-rand business According to a notice from the regulator, the deal involves LINK Mobility using a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to acquire 100% of SMSPortal. The Commission found that the transaction is “unlikely to substantially lessen or prevent competition in any market” and raised no significant public…

The Reyaga Community project has announced plans for a major shutdown of the industrial suburb of Rosslyn, taking direct aim at automotive giant BMW and the broader industry for what they call entrenched economic exclusion and practices that violate spatial justice. The planned action, detailed in a comprehensive memorandum addressed to BMW and other major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), is backed by a list of urgent demands. These include radical procurement reform, enforceable hiring quotas for local residents, full transparency on supplier contracts and a fundamental overhaul of the industry’s transformation fund. TechFinancials reached out to BMW for comment but…

Vodacom has become the first company to fully operationalise virtual wheeling. The achievement delivers on a power purchase agreement (PPA) with leading independent power producer SOLA Group and provides a replicable blueprint for other corporations to procure renewable electricity. The solution, which leverages an agnostic platform developed by Vodacom subsidiary Mezzanine and renewable energy from SOLA’s solar power plant in the Free State, overcomes the historic barriers that have prevented companies with widespread operations from accessing clean energy. “Executing this innovation is an immensely proud moment for Vodacom South Africa, and highly significant for the country’s future where energy is…

Ericsson has announced the appointment of Sandile Dhlomo as the new Head of Ericsson South Africa, effective 01 September 2025. He will report to Majda Lahlou Kassi, Vice President and Head of Ericsson West and Southern Africa, and will also serve as a member of the regional leadership team. Dhlomo brings extensive expertise to the position, with over two decades of experience in the telecommunications and digital industry across the African continent. His background includes strategic leadership roles in ICT, network consulting, and business development in multiple markets, including Algeria, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana. The appointment underscores Ericsson’s commitment to…

In a major move to digitise and personalise the customer experience, Famous Brands, Africa’s largest restaurant franchisor, has announced a strategic partnership with MoEngage, a Customer Data and Engagement Platform (CDEP). The collaboration is set to revolutionise how the company’s iconic brands, including Mugg & Bean, Wimpy, and Milky Lane, build customer loyalty and drive repeat business. The initiative focuses on unifying customer data from multiple sources to seamlessly connect digital interactions with in-restaurant transactions. A key objective is to enhance the performance of loyalty programmes by encouraging both the earning and spending of points, creating a continuous and rewarding…

In a significant move to address the stark funding inequality for women entrepreneurs in tech, global investment giants Naspers and Prosus have announced the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge. The programme will award a total of $100,000 in equity-free grants to outstanding women-led startups across the continent. This initiative, launched in partnership with the Lionesses of Africa network, directly tackles a critical issue: while women represent 26% of Africa’s entrepreneurs, their startups receive less than 3% of venture capital funding. This gap, estimated at $42 billion, represents a massive untapped opportunity for continental economic growth. “The Tech FoundHER Challenge is about…

In its financial results for the 52 weeks ended 29 June 2025, JSE-listed retail group Woolworths highlighted its on-demand Woolies Dash offering as a critical growth engine, significantly outpacing overall group performance. Despite navigating challenging macroeconomic conditions and global trade uncertainties, which saw group turnover grow by 6.1%, Woolies Dash delivered explosive growth. The platform recorded a staggering 41.6% surge in sales, helping to propel overall online sales for its Food division by 32.9%. Online sales now contribute 6.6% to total Food sales. This robust performance from the on-demand sector underpinned a “creditable” overall result for Woolworths South Africa, which was…

For the past two years, I’ve been privileged to test drive the silent, swift and sophisticated electric vehicles from Volvo. This experience stands in stark contrast to my daily reality: behind the wheel of a diesel-guzzling V6, wincing every time I fill up at the pump. That deep down understanding of the high cost of combustion is what makes the emerging electric vehicle (EV) narrative in South Africa so compelling. It’s no longer a distant fantasy; it’s a tangible, financially savvy alternative quietly building momentum right under our noses. While projections suggest a modest 1,100 EVs on our roads by…

 In a major step for electric transport, the STS Tech Group has launched ‘Smart EV’, a new charging infrastructure designed to tackle South Africa’s unique energy challenges. The company, known for building Africa’s largest EV charging centre, is using powerful global partnerships to bring world-class technology to local roads. This new system is a full service, offering smart, scalable charging solutions for everyone from homeowners to large companies. A key feature is its ability to work around power cuts. The system can boost charging capacity and speeds by up to 300% when grid outages loom, helping to keep essential transport…

Alighting from a BMW M3 at the Mall of the South, Johannesburg South, the driver exclaimed, “Wow, it is such a beautiful machine, this one,” adding, “It’s so pretty and looks like my gorgeous Palesa”. That was some stamp of approval. My family and I were on the first day of our adventure with the new Volvo EX90. The BMW M3 passenger noticed that we were in earshot as he cast a glance at our gleaming Volvo EX90. “Volvo has done an amazing job,” he said. “What is it called, my brother? Can it compete with a Range Rover?” Not…

Land Rover has unveiled its most exclusive vehicle yet for South Africa: the Range Rover SV Polar Night. With a price tag of R6,521,929 and only five units available, it’s designed for the most discerning luxury buyer. The name “Polar Night” comes from the twilight skies in the far north. This theme is seen in its unique Spectral Light Blue paint, contrasted by a glossy black roof and mirrors. The SUV sits on massive 23-inch alloy wheels in Satin Dark Grey and Black. Inside, the exclusive feel continues with blue and black two-tone leather seats, a matching blue steering wheel,…

 In a significant ruling welcomed by the power utility, a director implicated in a multi-million rand fraud scheme targeting Tutuka Power Station has been sentenced and ordered to repay Eskom R2,595,000. The Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court handed down its sentence on 22 August 2025 against Ms Jessie Phindile Kubheka, a director and majority shareholder of one of the implicated companies. The court sentenced Kubheka to 12 years for fraud, suspended for five years under strict conditions, and a further four years for money laundering, also suspended for five years. The sentencing relates to a 2020 case where an Eskom…

The financial market infrastructure giant BankservAfrica has officially been rebranded to PayInc. The launch, held yesterday, marks a decisive shift in the organisation’s role at the centre of South Africa’s payments landscape. More than a simple change, the rebrand reflects a renewed purpose, positioning the leading payments provider as the trusted partner in building a digital payments ecosystem that is secure, efficient and inclusive for all. “Our new name strongly positions who we are. ‘Pay’ highlights what we do, while ‘Inc’ speaks to why we do it – economic inclusivity,” says PayInc CEO, Stephen Linnell. “This change is not cosmetic.…

In a move set to transform the local business landscape, a new South African software platform is using advanced artificial intelligence to automate critical administrative tasks for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). TechFinancials sat down with the founder of Skhokho AI Bertha Kgokong, a chemical engineer turned self-taught software developer, to discuss how her all-in-one solution – Skhokho 2.0 -is seeking to level the playing field. When asked how Skhokho 2.0 will benefit users, Kgokong was clear about its core mission: to eliminate administrative drag. “Skhokho 2.0 is designed to take the pain out of everyday business administration,” Kgokong stated. “Instead…

The Master Developers of Zimbali Lakes have shifted luxury living into high gear with the launch of The Avanti Residences and the Tatali Society Club, marking the arrival of KwaZulu-Natal’s first-ever supercar-centric residential development. The 26 August 2025 unveiling was more than a property launch; it was an immersive experience that fused high-octane automotive culture with unparalleled coastal luxury, drawing high-net-worth buyers, investors, and car enthusiasts. The event transformed the estate into a pit lane of prestige, lined with supercars and vintage vehicles. Guests enjoyed fine canapés and cocktails before an exclusive presentation on the development. The evening peaked with…

OPPO has officially launched the Reno14 5G in South Africa, a smartphone engineered to be the life of the party. Priced at R19,999 and available from all leading operators, this device is crafted specifically for the nation’s dynamic nightlife, from pulsating music festivals and serene rooftop sundowners to spontaneous after-hours braais. The company claims it combines AI-powered camera tech with staggering battery stamina, ensuring you capture and share every moment without missing a beat. “The Reno14 5G reflects OPPO’s focus on relevance for South African consumers,” said Bradley Young, Head of Retail at OPPO. “It delivers real improvements in low-light…

The decades-long “Please Call Me” legal saga between Nkosana Makate and Vodacom is headed for a final reckoning. The case has been set down for hearing in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) on 18 November 2025, as mandated by the Constitutional Court, and will be heard by a new panel of judges. This follows a ruling on July 31, 2025, where the Constitutional Court overturned the SCA’s previous judgment in Makate’s favour. The apex court criticised the SCA for its failure to properly analyse evidence, introducing a new “duty of proper consideration” standard for appellate courts. It ordered a new…

In a move to ensure leadership continuity at a key state entity, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has appointed a seasoned National Treasury executive as the acting CEO of the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA). This follows the precautionary suspension of the agency’s chief executive over allegations of serious misconduct in high-value procurement transactions. To ensure stability and the uninterrupted delivery of services, Job Stadi Mngomezulu, the Deputy Director-General for Corporate Services at the National Treasury, has been seconded to the GPAA and appointed as its Acting Chief Executive Officer, effective 25 August 2025. Minister Godongwana expressed full confidence in the…