Author: Gugu Lourie

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 10 015. Case Data Province Total Confirmed Cases Eastern Cape 1218 Free State 135 Gauteng 1952 KwaZulu-Natal 1353 Limpopo 54 Mpumalanga 61 North West 45 Northern Cape 29 Western Cape 5168 Unknown 0 Total 10015 “We note with concern that the Western Cape and Eastern Cape combined comprises 84%of the total new cases,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Health Minister. Testing Data A total of 341 336 tests have been conducted to date with 17 257 tests done relative to the last report. “This is a record high for a 24-hour…

The Business for SA (B4SA) is not disclosing the names of the panel members that sidelined black businesses in the allocation of multimillion-rand contracts for sourcing equipment for the fight against COVID-19. The business group – made up of the Black Business Council and Business Unity South Africa – was formed to support the government’s efforts to deal with the effects of COVID-19. B4SA – has been procuring much-sought-after PPEs (personal protective equipment) on behalf of the government and the Solidarity Fund. This week, the organisation refused to reveal the names of those panel members entrusted with appointing PPEs suppliers, according…

Applications for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant will open on Monday, May 11, the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) announced late on Saturday. The criteria for the application were gazetted later on Saturday to enable implementation and allow millions of deserving members of the public to access the grant.  Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Social Development, will present a comprehensive report on the matter to the National Coordinating Council today Sunday, May 10. WhatsApp and related electronic application options will go live on Monday, and this will be demonstrated during a media launch to be addressed by Minister Zulu. In…

The South African government is suppressing information from the public about COVID-19. The Sunday Times reported that the government is doing this to “avoid panic.” Leading experts have questioned why COVID-19 modelling data is being kept under wraps by the government. “We don’t want to put these models out to the public as if they are the gospel truth,” President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Khusela Diko, told the Sunday Times. “There is an element where we want to avoid panic in communities, and we’re also mindful of the stigma of the virus.” She conceded that “we need to allow people to…

With economic data for April beginning to show the devastating impact of the first full month, Business for SA (B4SA) has urged the government to move quickly to level 2. The business group – made up of the Black Business Council and Business Unity South Africa – was formed to support the government’s efforts to deal with the effects of COVID-19. Modelling by B4SA shows that if level 4 continues for a month, with a gradual move to lower levels, the economy will contract 14.5% in 2020. The Sunday Times reported that B4SA is calling for a swift move to…

SAveabusiness, a platform that works in collaboration with citizens to save small South African companies that have been hardest hit by COVID-19, is offering grants of R20 000 to struggling businesses. Donations are offered to ten businesses struggling to operate during the lockdown, weekly. During COVID-19, small businesses in South Africa have few options of relief during a time of lockdown and no business activity.  SAveabusiness is looking to gain the support of civil society and large businesses to ensure that small businesses make it through this period. SAveabusiness looks to the public to swiftly and meaningfully take action and…

A total of 324 079 COVID-19 tests has been conducted, of which 16 327 are new tests from those reported yesterday. Case Data “There are 525 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, with the total number of confirmed cases at 9 420,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Health Minister. Province New cases Total cases Percentage total Eastern Cape 89 1078 11,4 Free State 1 134 1,4 Gauteng 60 1910 20,3 KwaZulu-Natal 54 1308 13,9 Limpopo 7 51 0,5 Mpumalanga 1 61 0,6 North West 0 41 0,4 Northern Cape 1 28 0,3 Western Cape 312 4 809 51,1 Unknown 0 0 0,0 Total 525 9 420 100 Deaths…

Correctional services centres across South Africa have 172 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with three deaths and 59 recoveries. A total of 95 officials have tested positive for COVID-19, with 77 inmates also being affected by the virus. “Currently, our COVID-19 preventative measures are stretched to the brink. We have managed thus far, but the spread of the virus continues. We ought to act decisively and prevent this invisible killer from rapidly multiplying in our centres,” Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola said. The Minister was on Friday briefing members of the media in Tshwane on the Special COVID-19 Parole…

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Friday that he has authorised the placement on parole of selected categories of sentenced offenders as a measure to combat the spread of COVID-19 in correctional facilities, which are considered high-risk areas for infection. In a statement, Ramaphosa said the presidency has taken this step in response to a call by the United Nations for all countries to reduce prison populations so that social distancing and self-isolation conditions can be observed during this period. The President has taken this decision under the terms of Section 82(1)(a) of the Correctional Services Act of 1998 which empowers…

The Vumatel investment is an excellent case study of how mezzanine debt can unlock growth opportunities where banks remain risk-averse,” says Warren van der Merwe, co-managing partner at Vantage Capital. “In this way, Vantage Capital plays an important role in supporting mid-size corporates before they are sufficiently established to fully fund its operations and growth ambitions with bank debt.” Africa’s largest mezzanine debt fund manager Vantage Capital announced it had fully exited its investment in fibre-to-the-home operator Vumatel. “Mezzanine” refers to a hybrid of debt and equity financing that gives the lender the right to convert to equity interest in the case…

by Vijay Reddy By mid-April, about 1.725 billion students globally had been affected by the closure of schools and higher education institutions in response to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the UNESCO Monitoring Report, 192 countries have implemented nationwide closures, affecting about 99% of the world’s student population. This is unprecedented. The scale and complexity of what’s happening is entirely new territory. In recent decades crises such as natural disasters, armed conflicts and epidemics have disrupted education around the world. For example, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina in the US destroyed 110 of New Orleans’ 126 public schools. In the past…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 8, 232. Testing Data A total of 292 153 tests have been conducted to date with 12 774 tests done in the past 24 hours. “There are 8 more COVID-19 related deaths: 2 from KwaZulu Natal and 6 from Western Cape. This brings the total national deaths to 161,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Health Minister. “We wish to express our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased and thank the healthcare workers who treated these patients.”

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…