Author: Gugu Lourie
In a groundbreaking development, Bayobab, previously known as MTN GlobalConnect, has received regulatory approval in Nigeria for its National Long-Distance Operator License. This pivotal milestone marks a significant shift in the nation’s connectivity landscape, addressing the growing need for data connectivity within Nigeria. Under this license, Bayobab’s Nigerian subsidiary gains the authority to manage long-distance traffic, creating exciting opportunities for improved communication, collaboration, and innovation. “This achievement marks a transformative moment for us, as we look forward to contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria’s digital economy. At Bayobab, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible…
On September 5, 2023, Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Vice-Chairperson of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), delivered a keynote address at the 2nd Network of Tax Organizations (NTO) Technical Conference in Cape Town. The theme of the conference, “Digitalisation of Tax Administrations and Contemporary Issues,” set the stage for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of tax administration in our rapidly changing world. A Call for Broader Engagement Kieswetter began his address by emphasising the importance of engaging all stakeholders in the tax ecosystem. He highlighted the need to involve policymakers, national…
Vodafone and Project Kuiper, Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite (LEO) communications venture, have unveiled a strategic partnership. In this collaboration, Vodafone and Vodacom intend to leverage Project Kuiper’s advanced network to expand 4G/5G coverage for their customers across Europe and Africa. Utilizing Project Kuiper’s high-capacity, low-latency satellite network, Vodafone and Vodacom aim to bring the advantages of 4G/5G connectivity to regions that would otherwise be challenging and costly to serve using traditional fiber or microwave solutions. Project Kuiper will establish connections between widely dispersed cellular antennas and the core telecom networks of these companies. This strategic move enables Vodafone and…
As the holiday season approaches, businesses are gearing up to express gratitude to their employees and reward loyal clients. While the classic gift of chocolates remains a thoughtful gesture, there’s an even better way to show appreciation – by letting recipients choose their own perfect gift. Scan to Pay, powered by Ukheshe, introduces a game-changing solution known as Scan to Pay vouchers, according to Tracy-Lee Schoeman, VP of Loyalty and Rewards at South Africa’s largest QR payment ecosystem. This innovative service was born out of a rising demand from businesses looking to distribute tailor-made loyalty or incentive rewards efficiently and…
In response to an Enforcement Notice issued by the Information Regulator of South Africa to Dis-Chem, following a data breach which occurred in May 2022, Dis-Chem has disputed the accuracy of the allegations. Dis-Chem in a statement confirmed that it has already responded to and actioned all orders contained in the Enforcement Notice and will report to the regulator within 31 days as requested. The regulator disclosed on Friday that enforcement notice was issued to Dis-Chem for violating POPIA. The company confirms that the data held by the third-party provider was restricted to mailing details only and did not contain…
On the 31st of August 2023, the Information Regulator took action by issuing an Enforcement Notice against Dis-Chem, due to their non-compliance with several provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). In the timeline of events, it was revealed that during the months of April and May in 2022, a brute force attack was launched against Grapevine, a third-party service provider engaged by Dis-Chem. A brute force attack involves repeated attempts to guess a password until the correct combination is discovered. It wasn’t until the 1st of May 2022 that Dis-Chem became aware of this security breach when…
After years of rumors and speculation, Google’s first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, was finally released last month. This new addition to Google’s smartphone lineup promises to redefine user expectations and usher in a new era of smartphone technology. With its striking 7.6-inch internal screen and an ultra-sleek profile, the Pixel Fold sets new standards for design excellence. Not just good looks, the Pixel Fold also presents a world of possibilities when it comes to smartphone multitasking and media consumption. The splitscreen mode and intuitive drag-and-drop feature means users can now be on a Zoom call while responding to a…
For the first time, Volvo Car South Africa has extended its guaranteed future value (GFV) finance offering to their electric fleet. Previously, the Volvo Versatility Finance scheme was available only for the Swedish firm’s combustion-engined vehicles, but in response to growing local demand for electric vehicles (EVs), the company has added the XC40 Twin Motor Recharge AWD Ultimate to the list of eligible cars, while also further refining its GFV offering. According to Volvo, customers will now have the flexibility to choose between a 36- and a 48-month GFV contract period, with a generous mileage cap of 20 000 km…
Plural, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered policy tracking platform, today announced its expansion into Africa to enable access to public policy data across various African jurisdictions starting with Nigeria and South Africa. In June 2023, Plural began collaborating with a local network organization, Afrilabs, to help refine the platform and spur the region’s economic growth, create political change, simplify increasing regulatory complexity, develop ongoing digital transformation and stimulate transparency and cross-border business expansion. Plural’s expansion into Africa comes at a crucial time, as Africa is currently implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and being met with growing calls for policy transparency, harmonization and improvements to aid free trade and economic development. Plural…
It’s truly remarkable to contemplate that Telkom’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) is commemorating its 25th anniversary. Through the CoE Programme, substantial funding and assistance are channelled into the advanced education of post-graduates (encompassing PhD, Masters, and Honours levels) within the realm of Computer Science and Engineering (CS&E). This initiative not only enhanced technical research and innovation on a significant scale in South Africa but also nurtures the growth of adept professionals in these fields. Telkom has seamlessly integrated several innovations stemming from these students, one notable example being Izwe.AI, which has been harnessed to enhance the quality of customer service.…