Author: Gugu Lourie

Internet of Things (IoT) player XLink has collaborated with global technology solutions expert Fastcomm to bring connected solutions for South Africa’s retail industry. The COVID–19 pandemic has changed the way we live, work and even eat, with many businesses being forced to shut down to implement effective social distancing measures. The restaurant industry has been hard hit and restaurants are realising the need to become more digitally driven, with many introducing a form of online ordering and delivery in order to stay afloat. International company Fastcomm, with its headquarters, based in Cape Town, has a range of innovative, technology-driven platforms…

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is spending more than R10 million to assist the local taxi industry in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. The assistance comes in the form of more than 65 000 litres of sanitisers, 2 000 face masks, as well as COVID-19-related marketing initiatives. With regards to sanitisers, TSAM confirms that a total of 2 000 x 25 litres, 3 000 x 5 litres, 20 000 x 100ml, as well as 2 000 hand-wash dispensers have been distributed to regional taxi structures across the country’s nine provinces. Under lockdown Level 4 regulations, minibus taxis can…

Vodacom is planning to drive new revenue streams through the recently launched Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centre. AWS has opened a cloud region in Cape Town, allowing customers to run applications and store data locally in South Africa. The new region has three geographically separate data centres or “availability zones” for resilience and brings AWS to 23 regions around the world. The data centre will help millions of people, businesses and organisations benefit from faster connectivity and viable access to next-generation technology. “The launch of the AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region will enable us to fully leverage AWS’s capabilities…

We have received several queries from readers on what is free basic electricity. We have generated a quick explainer from the public government documents. In 2001 South Africa adopted a policy intended for the provision of free basic services to poorer households. Under this policy, municipalities were tasked to identify indigent households that would receive services – such as water and electricity – for free or at substantially subsidised rates. Households are required to register with municipalities to qualify for free basic services. A municipality’s role is to vet every application, selecting only those households that meet various criteria. Successful…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 7, 808. Case Data per province: Testing Data A total of 279 379 tests have been conducted to date with 11 315 tests done in the past 24 hours. “Regrettably, we report 5 more COVID-19 related deaths: 2 from Western Cape, 1 from Limpopo Province and 2 from KwaZulu Natal. The total national deaths is now 153,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, health Minister. “We are, however, pleased to report 3153 recoveries.” The provincial breakdown is as follows:

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) says the system to process COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grants is not ready. Last week Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Social Development, announced that South Africa’s government will start paying COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant on May 15. Zulu announced that applications for the Special COVID-19 Social Relief Grant may be lodged by sending a WhatsApp message to 0600 123 456 and selecting SASSA or by sending an email to [email protected] However, today on its official Twitter page Sassa announced that: “The special temporary COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant will only…

Vodacom has launched its latest “Red Hot Dealz”, offering big discounts on large SIM-only data bundles on a 24-month contract. The Vodafone-owned operator is offering an 80GB data package, consisting of 50GB of anytime data and 30GB of Night Owl data plus a free 5GB video ticket, for R299 per month. Vodacom also has a 10GB data package, consisting of 5GB of anytime data and 5GB of Night Owl data plus 5GB video ticket, for R129 per month. There are two device options that accompany these deals: a Huawei R218h or Vodafone R217 mobile router and a Huawei B535-932 home…

British American Tobacco SA (BATSA) has decided to scrap its intention to take the South African government to court over cigarette ban. An earlier decision by the government to allow the sale of cigarettes during the COVID-19 lockdown was rescinded after the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) consulted medical experts and various role-players. President Cyril Ramaphosa said this on Monday after sections of society implied that Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma had arbitrarily gazetted the ban. Ramaphosa announced that the sale of tobacco products would be allowed when the country moved to Level 4 of the nationwide…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 7, 220. There are 7 more COVID-19 related deaths: 6 from Western Cape and 1 from KZN. Total deaths nationally are now 138. “We wish to express our condolences to the families of the deceased and thank the healthcare workers who treated these patients,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Health Minister. “We have 2, 746 recoveries as of 2 May 2020. “Our mortality rate has remained stable at around 1.9% since the first death was reported. This is below the world average which is 3.4% as estimated…

South African new car sales dipped to a record low in April as South Africa endured its first full month of lockdown. The market recorded a volume total of 574 units, down 98.4% according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa). Of that, 105 units were passenger cars and 318 were light commercial vehicles, impacting the year-to-date volumes of those segments downwards to 28.1% and 38.5% respectively. The industry total is 32.1% down year-to-date. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the…

South Africa’s Vodacom announces being the first operator to switched on Africa’s first live 5G mobile network in three cities – Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. Vodacom announced in 2018 that it had begun modernising its network to prepare for the deployment of standard-based 5G technology in South Africa, subject to the allocation of spectrum. 5G was designed to meet the growing data and connectivity requirements of modern society, as the amount of data traffic is expected to continue growing at exponential rates. The Vodafone-owned company said on Monday that the 5G network will support both mobile and fixed wireless…

Soapie lovers of Mzansi will be glad to know that their favourite telenovelas may start shooting again. Production across all major soapies, The River, Uzalo, The Queen, Imbewu, Isibaya, and Muvhango, Skeem Saam, etc, were halted to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has published a new directive that outlines the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) regulations for film and television productions. The regulations also outline strict mitigation measures to be followed before work can resume. “All directions in respect of health protocols and the exposure of persons to COVID -19 must be…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 6, 783. Case Data Per province As of 30 April 2020, 7 216 777 citizens have been screened and from that Community Screening Programme 72 087 were referred for testing. “We thank all these compatriots for their solidarity with the programme and allowing our health care workers into the privacy of their homes,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Health. “Regrettably, we report a further 8 COVID-19 related deaths: 2 from the Western Cape, 4 from Eastern Cape and 2 from Gauteng,” said Mkhize. “This brings…

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) may not be able to deliver the six-month coronavirus grant known as COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant, NGOs and academics warned. Under the grant, jobless South Africans will each receive R350 monthly for six months. Last week, Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Social Development, announced that the grant will be paid from the 15th of May. The unemployed are expected to apply for the COVID-19 Grant by sending a WhatsApp message to 0600 123 456 and selecting Sassa or an email to [email protected]. The department and Sassa are also finalising additional access channels…

The South African government has vowed not to back down on its decision to ban the sale of cigarettes. “We are not going to change our approach,” Minister for the Presidency Jackson Mthembu, told the Sunday Times. “There is no possibility of a midway agreement that accommodates them and us. We believe that it is the right thing to do. I don’t see any of us agreeing on the measures the other party has taken.” Mthembu added that the government will make its case in court. “We believe we have very good reasons.” As part of South Africa’s lockdown regulations…

The South African National Treasury presented bleak scenarios on the impact of COVID-19 on Thursday, in a briefing in which it outlined the government’s approach to rebooting the economy and detailed its R500 billion stimulus package. As many as 7-million South Africans could join the ranks of the jobless if large swathes of the economy remain shut until the end of the year, according to a report in the Sunday Times. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that was extended by two weeks to the end of April. However, last week President Cyril Ramaphosa…

All road-based public transport services will from 1 May 2020 be permitted to operate from 5am until 7pm, with a grace period of one hour in the afternoon to complete their trips and drop off passengers. This includes minibus-taxis, buses, metered taxis, e-hailing services, charter and shuttle services. This as the country on Friday began its first day of Alert Level 4 of the Risk-Adjusted Strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Announcing the directions that affect transport operations at a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday, following the publishing of the new regulations this week, Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula emphasised…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 5647, an increase of 297 cases from yesterday. The total number of tests conducted to date is 207 530 of which 10 403 were done in the last 24 hours. The provincial breakdown is as follows:

While campus-based learning has been put on hold as the country prepares to move to Level 4 of the national COVID-19 lockdown, interventions have been put in place for the post-school education and training (PSET) sector. Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, on Thursday, said the government has decided not to resume with campus-based academic activity throughout the PSET sector. “Guided by the work and decisions of the National Command Council (NCC), we have decided not to resume with campus-based academic activity throughout the PSET sector, including all universities and TVET [ Technical and Vocational Education and…

South Africa’s food delivery service, Mr D Food announced today that the service will open to restaurant food deliveries from Friday 1 May. On 29 April 2020, the relaxation of regulations relating to restaurants during the national lockdown was announced. Mr D Food said in a statement on Thursday that it was ready to deliver from restaurants across the country. This means customers can stay home, stay safe and still support much-loved local hot spots. Ensuring driver and customer safety is Mr D Food’s foremost priority. Contactless delivery has now been implemented, with drivers instructed not to make physical contact…

Three-quarters of South African consumers (75%) say they are now using contactless payments, citing safety and cleanliness as key drivers during the COVID-19 lockdown, new research reveals. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. However, on Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced five-level plan to ease lockdown. Perceptions of safety and convenience have spurred a preference for contactless cards and reminded consumers of the convenience of tapping, according to consumer polling by Mastercard. It further states that nearly half (47%) of South African respondents have…

Suspended communications and digital technologies minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams says a video shared on social media of her dancing next to a new car is “old, malicious and mischievous.” The video, in which Ndabeni-Abrahams is seen singing and dancing next to a brand new black BMW, has angered Twitter users. This photo & that video should be looked at together … The long suffering selfless loyalty of our #ANC members, compared to displays of conspicuous consumption & arrogance of some of our leaders is shameful. The time for self-correction, & ending this nonsense is long overdue! pic.twitter.com/83K5hj1XK4— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) April…

A South African innovator in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, IoT.nxt, has developed a solution that will make it possible for companies to manage social distancing and control the number of people at a facility in real-time. The product, known as Covision, is currently being tested at various supermarkets in Pretoria. Furthermore, IoT.nxt’s office in The Netherlands is in discussion with a retailer in The Hague for a test site in that city. Since the introduction of social distancing requirements for varied facilities all around the world, many companies have experienced challenges with the management of this. In South Africa,…

MTN has asked a United States court to scrap the case filed against it on 29 December 2019, asserting claims for civil monetary relief under the U.S Anti-Terrorism Act. The lawsuit was lodged by more than 143 families of American troops and contractors killed by the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. They alleged that MTN, along with five other Western businesses, paid the Taliban for protection, providing the insurgency with money that was used to attack and kill U.S. troops. The Taliban then used the money, according to the lawsuit, to fund attacks on other companies that didn’t make payments…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 5, 350, an increase of 354 cases from yesterday. “This is the highest number of cases in a 24-hour cycle recorded to date and represents a 73% increase relative to the day before COVID-19,” said Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize. The total number of tests conducted to date is 197 127, of which 11 630 were done in the last 24 hours. “This is the highest number of tests done in a 24 hour period, representing a 66% increase relative to the previous day’s tally,”…