Author: Gugu Lourie
Telkom announced on Wednesday that its biggest shareholder, the South African government, may sell its shareholding in South Africa’s largest fixed-line telephone group. The company informed investors that government is currently considering various strategic options with regards to partially reducing its 39% shareholding in Telkom. “The implementation of Government’s Telkom proposal may have a material effect on Telkom’s share price,” the company said, advising shareholders to exercise caution when dealing in Telkom’s securities until a further announcement is made in this regard. SA Govt May Sell Profitable Telkom to ‘Save’ Cash Guzzling SAA The South African government may sell its…
Entrepreneur Paula Sartini would love to see users of search giant Google and other platforms use her company’s solutions to make brand management easier in the digital world. Her products are already available on a cloud based add-on application that pairs with Microsoft’s Office Suite. “The idea that you can go to any device and login to have everything you use to have on a laptop, that’s pretty cool,” says Sartini, founder and chief executive officer at BrandQuantum, in an exclusive interview with Techfinancials.co.za. “That’s the part we are working on to make sure our products are available through the web…
By Vian Chinner, Xineoh CEO Imagine a time in the not-too-distant past, when our consumption of media was entirely dictated for us – when we were forced to stay-in, so as not to miss our favourite show, or sit through hours of misguided programming waiting for that long-awaited movie to be broadcast. Today, this kind of scenario seems almost incomprehensible, thanks to the rapid emergence of new technology that has totally shifted the way we engage with entertainment. Now, we consume media when we want, where we want and how we want, essentially creating our own programming schedules in line…
Teddy Daka, the boss of Ansys, has reasons to feel he is on top of the world. When Daka took over as interim CEO of the South African engineering firm in 2012, the plan was simple – turn the business around and improve its fortunes. Daka was a non-executive chairman of Ansys when he was appointed as interim CEO. In 2014, the company reported an operating loss of R7,3 million. However, in a little over four years, he has managed to turn the fortunes of the ailing business. Turnover grew from R100 million to R500 million. With the turn around…
Standard Bank Group continues to undertake a wide approach to its technology investments, such as increasing its digital capabilities, which has helped Africa’s largest bank by assets to deliver positive results for the first half of 2017. The journey to compete aggressively in the digital space continues as part of Standard Bank strategy to improve the client experience. Standard Bank reported on Thursday a 11% rise in headline earnings per share (HEPS) to 756 cents, supporting an interim dividend per share of 400 cents. HEPS is South Africa’s main profit gauge. The bank attributed the rise in earnings to its universal client offering,…
The country’s communications watchdog – the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)- announced late on Wednesday that Pakamile Pongwana has agreed to step down as a CEO. On July 6, ICASA announced that Pongwana was placed on precautionary suspension pending an internal disciplinary process. “The Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) notifies all stakeholders and the media of its mutual separation with the chief executive officer, Pakamile Pongwana,” said ICASA in a statement. The communications watchdog added that its chief operations officer, Willington Ngwepe, will continue serving as the acting CEO until such time a…
The railway networks are becoming connected or turned into digital railways as operators embark on a mission to upgrade old engineering with digital technology. The objective is to bring the industry into the 21st century dominated by sensors and Internet of Things (IoT), which create higher levels of railway operation efficiencies. The Centurion-based Ansys, which develops technology based solutions for enterprises is with reason excited about this development. “The railways are also, by the way, talking about digital railways. We are smiling,” Ansys boss Teddy Daka told Techfinancials in an interview. Asked whether the company was smiling all the way…
The mining industry may be struggling at the moment and several miners are seeking ways to exit, but for South Africa’s Ansys boss Teddy Daka the capital-intensive sector is alluring to his firm, which develops technology based solutions for enterprises, including the resources market. “If I look at our business from a vertical perspective, mining is one vertical that we are interested in,” Daka told Techfinancials this week in an interview held at the offices of the company’s manufacturing subsidiary Parsec in Centurion. “I know mining is not as sexy as it used to be and we have seen disinvestment…
The African streaming industry could be in for an even greater shake up as US-based streaming player MatrixStream seeks to collaborate with Telcos and Internet service providers (ISPs). The US-based firm wants to help African services providers, especially mobile phone operators and ISPs, to crack the video streaming market by bringing new OTT (Over the Top) end-to-end HD (high-definition) streaming Internet Protocol television (IPTV) services to the market. The firm provides wireless IPTV solution offering HD streaming over wireless 3G, 4G and LTE networks. IPTV viewers can enjoy HD videos on either MatrixStream’s HD set-top boxes, Android smartphones, Apple iPhones,…
The Ministry of Public Service and Administration has rejected reports that Minister Faith Muthambi has employed relatives in her private office. “The ministry would like to put it on record that none of the support staff mentioned in the Sunday Times story are friends or relatives of the Minister. “The ministry is dismayed at these misleading reports and wants to further state that it is incorrect to suggest that the Minister is not following public service prescripts with regard to the appointment of support staff in the ministry. “In accordance with Section 9 of the Public Service Act, 1994, read with Regulation…
South Africa’s big four mobile operators – Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Telkom – are spending more than R32 billion on network infrastructure upgrade in 2017. The figure is likely to balloon to more than R100 billion if you include fibre network providers such as Vumatel, Seacom, Dark Fibre Africa, Fibrehoods, Vox, Frogfoots, OpenServe, Smart Village and Rain, etc. MTN is the biggest spender with R11.5 billion, followed by Telkom’s R8.6 billion and in the third position is the country’s biggest mobile phone operator Vodacom at R8.5 billion and in fourth is smaller Cell C at R3.5 billion. With all…
The Internet of Things (IoT) is no longer the stuff of science fiction but an essential part of the reality of our everyday lives. It is going to transform the way we interact with different things and creating this change is impossible without developers. Therefore, the IoT space is a developer driven industry. Applications developers are already creating solutions for smart homes and cities, connected cars and streets, etc. Vula Telematix is creating a blanket coverage of the country with its IoT network to empower local applications developers to create intelligent solutions to be connected to its network. Vula Telematix…
You may have heard of the next best thing in agriculture, or the future of agriculture – that is the efficient way to adapt smart and modern farming practices. While there is a lot of technology in use to make modern agriculture more efficient, the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming more popular and relevant to African farmers. Vula Telematix, which is building an IoT-focused wireless network using technology from US-based specialist Ingenu, is running several projects around the country to deliver precision farming. The firm says the goal of precision agriculture is to define a system to support whole…
The Impulse Duo Wireless earbuds are comfortable in-ear and make listening to music a pleasure. This is no surprise as the Impulse Duo Wireless headphones are produced by iFrogz, a Nasdaq-listed ZAGG’s brand specialising in creative mobile accessories. iFrogz has created a niche for itself as a provider of budget-friendly buds but still making you look as if you are using premium audio wireless earbuds. For R459 at Takealot and Música Stores, the Impulse Duo Wireless earbuds are one of the most affordable headphones offering premium sound in the market. They are much less than several Bluetooth audio devices currently priced above…
President Jacob Zuma has survived yet another attempt by opposition parties attempt to unseat him from power. This vote was held through a secret ballot. It was the eighth motion of no confidence against Zuma. Twitter Reacts: Total Votes: 384Yes 177 (46%)No 198 (52%)Abstain 9 (2%)The ANC is dead, today was the official murder just because of a Rapist #ZumaVote— Baxolile Nodada (@BaxNodada) August 8, 2017 #ZumaVote. ANC doesn't care about us.ANC my foot pic.twitter.com/ue5ZSvZnPw— Mmatodzi. (@99vhap) August 8, 2017 All the hope most of us had in our leadership,constitution and country has officially been lost.#ZumaVote pic.twitter.com/7m2NBEedoQ— Reba (@RebaMokgoko) August…
The Vuma Fibre has started rolling out its high-speed fibre network in the southern areas of Johannesburg. The company is already rolling out its fibre network in Bassonia, Glenanda, Glenvista and Mulburton. As the demand for superfast broadband increases, Vumatel plans to extend the build to the rest of Johannesburg South and surrounding suburbs. Vumatel is building its open access fibre network in partnership with the community and connect every home, complex and apartment block to super-fast world-class fibre broadband. The fibre provider will also connect every certified Primary and High school passed when deploying the network to free 1Gbps…
Vula Telematix, South Africa’s first Internet of Things (IoT) network operator, has hit a major milestone with coverage of four main South African cities with its IoT dedicated network. “We have created coverage in Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Tshwane. We are now going to Nelson Mandela Bay,” Agnat Max Makgoale, CEO Vula Telematix, told Techfinancials in an interview. He added that the company was also involved in several projects in smaller municipalities across the country. The IoT is the internetworking of physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other items – embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that…
The vote of a motion of no confidence tomorrow against President Jacob Zuma in South Africa’s Parliament will be conducted in a secret ballot. Baleka Mbete, the National Speaker of Parliament, informed the media on Monday that the vote of no confidence in Zuma will be done through a secret ballot on Tuesday. “This decision is therefore in the best interest of the country. The Speaker is required to guard the procedure of this house and to ensure that the outcome of this very important vote is credible. The Speaker must do this without fear or favour. It is with…
South African cities and municipalities are facing pressing and complex challenges, such as providing services, including water, electricity, housing, and free Wi-Fi on limited budgets. Inadequate housing, unreliable electricity, and water supplies are some of the major problems faced by South African cities and smaller municipalities. However, the Internet of Things (IoT) can greatly improve the provision of public services. IoT solutions can enable smart interactions with city services to save municipalities a lot of money and make them more efficient. IoT also could transform the lives of residents by providing tangible solutions to many of society’s ills. Vula Telematix, South…
Silvertree Internet Holdings is planning to invest about R130 million in the next 12 months into new and existing portfolio companies that make use of technology to reach consumers, with a focus on growth stage and buyout opportunities. The Cape Town-based firm has already invested $15 million (R 200 million) into African consumer-focused technology companies since inception in 2014. The company said its portfolio has achieved an average of more than 200% annual revenue growth, helped by fast-growing companies like car buying site carzar.co.za and meal-kit delivery company ucook.co.za. Silvertree has a unique owner and operator approach with active and…
South Africa’s retailer Pick n Pay last week released the latest version of its mobile app for Android and quickly recorded more than 10 000 downloads were recorded within 24 hours. Today, the iPhone version was released, and the retailer expects comparable download volumes. The app offers practical updates that have been designed to enhance the Pick n Pay shopping experience. It also brings all the functionality of the Smart Shopper kiosk to the palm of users’ hands. New features on the app include: Barcode scanner: Users can scan any product and instantly add it to their shopping lists New recipes…
Blue Label announced on Monday that it has completed its recapitalisation of mobile phone operator Cell C. The company’s recapitalisation has resulted in Cell C’s net borrowings reduced to R6 billion. South African-based Blue Label said through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Prepaid Company, now owns 45% of the issued share capital of the mobile phone operator. The JSE-listed telecommunications group also announced that The Prepaid Company has implemented the acquisition of 47.37% stake in 3G Mobile for R900 million The acquisition of the remaining 52.63% for R1 billion is subject to regulatory approvals and the first acquisition becoming unconditional. 3G…
Mxolisi Saady Zuma has been accused of trying to broker a R54-million bribe to use his father’s influence to swing a multibillion-rand TV set-top box (STBs) contract, according to the Sunday Times. The country is migrating from analogue to digital terrestrial TV and the decoder will be necessary for homes to receive signals. SA has been planning for digital migration since 2008. The initial deadline, as determined by the International Telecommunication Union, was June 17, 2015, but South Africa missed that deadline. The South African government has committed to giving five million subsidised STBs to poor TV-owning households. The Universal Service…
On the same day former Vodacom executive, Rob Shuter, presented his maiden financial results for his present employer MTN, Treasury named Vodacom’s Vuyani Jarana as the new CEO of South African Airways. Jarana is the latest Vodacom executive to land a plum job at another entity. The Vodafone-owned mobile phone operator hasn’t named a successor to Jarana. For more read: SAA Taps Vodacom Executive Vuyani Jarana as CEO Vodacom under Shameel Joosub may be doing something right. Judging from the trend, It has obviously hired high-calibre individuals and groomed them for bigger positions. For Joosub, Vodacom’s emergence as a “breeding…
We live in a world where five billion people are connected and where mobile, broadband, and cloud are transforming the fabric of society. Ericsson in a new report titled: An Economic Study of the Hyperscale Data Centre, calls this world the Networked Society and it is impacting our everyday lives in profound ways, not unlike the titanic shifts of the industrial revolution more than a century ago. Ericsson added that with the rise of the Internet of Things, more products are becoming “smart” and connected with other things across an expanding global cloud network. Meanwhile, information streams from these networks…