Author: Gugu Lourie
Samsung South Africa has introduced a new mobile premium service for the Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices called Samsung Mobile Care (SMC), which offers customers a smooth and convenient repair service with expert care from the people who made the device. SMC is a Service Plan for your Galaxy S8 and S8+ device in the unfortunate event of accidental screen damage. It provides a quick and easy solution that allows you up to two screen repairs in a 24-month period. The Service Plan costs R69.99 per month, with the 1st month being free of charge. Alternatively, customers can purchase the…
The African continent has huge potential to create more “unicorns”, or privately-owned technology businesses valued at $1 billion (R13.5 billion) or more, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). WEF says that for Africa to realise success on creating more unicorns depends on creating a positive ecosystem for these vibrant enterprises to thrive and grow. The organisation added that the focus of education needs to shift towards self-learning and entrepreneurial thinking. Africa’s Unicorn Effect Last week, panellists at WEF Africa on Africa’s Unicorn Effect said policy-makers should recognise the positive role that innovation can play in improving economic efficiency and…
SweepSouth, Africa’s pioneer in using technology to provide on-demand and regular home cleaning services, has raised undisclosed amount of capital from local and global investors to accelerate its growth in the African continent. SweepSouth is an online platform for booking, managing and paying for home cleaning services using a laptop, phone or tablet. The platform makes it easy and convenient for anyone to book and pay for cleaning services, and connects clients with efficient, reliable and trustworthy cleaners. SweepSouth’s home cleaning professionals have gone through a rigorous interview process and are experienced, reference- and background checked, criminal record-checked, and fully…
South Africa is a country of well-known promise and peril. Despite being the largest economy on the African Continent, the nation is plagued by high levels of unemployment, a poor education system and staggering income inequality. Underscoring the country’s struggle to translate its rich natural resources and other assets into Underscoring the country’s struggle to translate its rich natural resources and other assets into a social benefit, South Africa ranked 149th out of 162 in its ability to convert wealth into well-being, according to Boston Consulting’s (BCG’s) most recent Sustainable Economic Development Assessment (SEDA). While financial inclusion – the adoption, usage and…
Aisha Pandor, the founder of on-demand cleaning service platform SweepSouth, has been named one of Africa’s Breakthrough Female Tech Entrepreneurs of 2017 by the World Economic Forum. The WEF contest, which was open to female entrepreneurs whose business was less than three years old, and which used an innovative technology or business models, lauded Pandor for SweepSouth’s potential to demonstrate social and economic potential for the country. Pandor said she was delighted by the recognition. The empowerment company, likened to the “Uber of domestic cleaning services” allows contracted domestic cleaners, booked via an online mobile application, to take home between…
The keyless car rental fleet market is so new in South Africa, many people are not aware of it and how it is providing a great customer experience. In fact, car rental fleets are popular among corporate users. South Africa’s Bidvest Car Rental launched in December their keyless car rental fleet with the introduction of their app known as Snappdrive, which is aimed at redefining car rental market in the country. Speaking at the MTN Internet of Things (IoT) breakfast in Sandton, Gaynor Von Loggenburg, executive: sales and marketing at Bidvest Car Rental, said the company was excited and enthusiastic about the…
Isaac Mophatlane, the CEO of BCX, has apparently been forced out of the tech company by its main shareholder, Telkom, according to South Africa’s Black Business Council (BBC). In a statement on Thursday BBC said it “believes (Mophatlane) was forced out”. The black business lobby group condemned the departure of Mophatlane from BCX, he and his late twin brother founded 38 years ago, a few years after it was acquired by Telkom. “There’s no magic solution to avoid the hurt feelings, the tension, the discomfort this development has caused among our members. This is an attack on black excellence,”…
By Richard Mukheibir, CEO at Cash Converters Second-hand is the savvy way to shop now. Even before the news of the junk-status downgrade, the Momentum/Unisa survey showed that South African households’ real net wealth had declined by nearly 2% in 2016 and we have just heard from Statistics SA that retail sales fell at about the same rate in February this year. We need to get past the doom and gloom, though, and recognise that there is a silver lining in the second-hand goods market. The market for second-hand goods has been burgeoning in South Africa and across the continent in…
If you want to listen to your cool music on the earbuds that deliver sound with accurate tonal balance, even dispersion, natural clarity, and a rich, dynamic range, resulting in an outstanding listening experience, try Impulse Wireless. I have been using them for the past two weeks and was thrilled. We have been using them on the iPhone 6s and a Lenovo laptop to see if they are capable of being a device to be utilised at home, in the office and on the go. The iFrogz premium audio wireless earbuds are worth below R600 at Takealot and Musica Stores,…
MTN, South Africa’s second-biggest mobile phone operator, has delivered strong results to start the year, with solid revenue growth despite a drop in subscriber numbers. The telco said on Wednesday service revenue rose 4.1% in the first quarter of 2017 financial year, boosted by data and digital revenue which jumped 17.8% and 20.3% respectively. However, outgoing voice revenue declined 5.4% year-on-year as billable minutes dropped 7.5%. MTN South Africa’s customers were down 1.7% to 30,2 million in the first quarter due to seasonality. “We remain committed to our net additions guidance of 630 000. We are encouraged by the progress…