Author: Gugu Lourie
We’re seeing digital technology reshape the world’s consumer-facing industries. Amazon has changed retail, Netflix is transforming television, Uber is shaking up transport, Facebook has reshaped media, and Airbnb has disrupted hospitality. But up until now, life insurers have largely stuck to the same business model they have followed for three decades or more. By Bryan McLachlan, CEO at Instant Life That picture is rapidly changing as the industry wakes up to the potential of new technology and as consumers start to demand that insurance becomes as convenient, transparent and simple as the other industries they deal with every day. Customers want buying…
When Berno Potgieter and Thatoyoana Marumo flew from Cape Town to Sandton, the Domestly co-founders were not expecting to be crowned the kings of MTN App of the Year Awards 2016. However, Domestly was not only named as the overall winner of the prestigious competition, they also walked away with the Best Consumer App category. The MTN App of the year awards celebrates the out-of-the-box thinkers that drive change through real solutions that deal with real problems. The winners were selected from over 450 entries competing in several categories. Domestly is aiming to advance the way the world cleans their homes.…
“Nice guys finish last” is one of the most widely believed maxims of dating. Fleshed out, the idea goes something like this: heterosexual women might say they want nice characteristics in a partner, but in reality what they want is the challenge that comes with dating a “bad boy”. This idea is so widespread that some people are even making money off the back of it, selling self-help books and teaching men how to pick up women by insulting them – a practice known as “negging”. By Viren Swami Recently, an article published by Broadly claimed, “Everyone knows [bad boys] ……
Did you sleep well last night? If your answer is “no”, there could be an app or a gadget that could help you with that. By Thuong Hoang and Bernd Ploderer But are they any good? Do they really monitor how much you toss and turn while trying to sleep? And can they help you improve your sleep time? How do we track sleep? Sleep is an important part of our well-being. A few nights of bad sleep can cause negative effects on alertness, memory and your mood throughout the day. There are three types of devices available to help you try…
MTN expects to post a basic headline loss for its first half of 2016 financial year, the mobile phone operator informed investors on Thursday. By Gugu Lourie The operator said it will report a basic headline loss per share of between R2.55 and R2.85 for the first half to end-June. Headline earnings per share is South Africa’s main profit gauge. The company’s headline earnings per share was R6.54 in the same period in 2015. Africa and Middle East biggest mobile phone operator attributes its loss mainly to the Nigerian regulatory fine, which had a net negative effect of R4.74 per…
A Nigerian fraudster thought to be behind “online frauds” valued at £45 million (R839 million) is behind bars in the UK, according a report by Wired. By Staff Writer Wired said the man known only as ‘Mike,’ faces charges of hacking, conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences after he was arrested in Port Harcourt, southern Nigeria. It’s believed the man, 40, was the “head of a network” of 40 criminals across Nigeria, Malaysia, and South Africa. “The network compromised email accounts of small to medium businesses around the world including in Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, Romania, South Africa, Thailand and…
The short-term insurance sector in South Africa has been slow to go digital. As a result, the sector is losing out on the Gross Written Premiums (GWP) opportunity estimated to reach R115.2 billion by 2020. This is according to the latest Accenture survey that focuses on the short-term insurance sector. By Staff Writer The survey shows a clear customer preference for digital insurance solutions and readiness for digital engagement. About 80 percent of 1,500 insurance customers surveyed across South Africa are ready to purchase insurance products online. Accenture believes that the R115.2 billion GWP opportunity is within reach for South…
What’s the best way to describe personal elegance that is tailored for your individual character? You donning that designer suit from Tiger of Sweden neatly crafted for your beautifully trimmed body? Vintage shoes, you may say. A fine-looking house in Kraaibosch Country Estate in George. Self-delusion, you may argue. A Patek Philippe timepiece, obviously, but it’s too small to be noticed and you require something that’s fast and perceptible in the streets. While, I was pondering these questions of how to be stylish with grace; my iPhone rang and it was Lloyd Nedohe on the line. He ask me to…
SA’s Telkom paid CEO Sipho Maseko R14.5 million for its 2016 financial year, showing the progress the boss of the telco has made in turning around the country’s biggest fixed-line telephone group. By Gugu Lourie The total package include a guaranteed salary of R7.4 million, R6.2 million short-term incentives and R941 000 in fringe and other benefits. His total remuneration of R14.5 milion was increased by more than R2 million versus R12 million in 2015. For more on Maseko’s achievement read: SA’s Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko isn’t declaring victory yet, but he is targeting pole position While Deon Fredericks, Telkom’s…
National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden has co-designed a new iPhone case that would show when the device is transmitting information, the Telegraph reported on Friday. The newspaper said the iPhone case was designed with the intent of helping journalist keep tabs on whether their phones, wi-fi or Bluetooth connection is being used to share or receive data. “Unfortunately, journalists can be betrayed by their own tools. Their smartphones, an essential tool for communicating with sources and the outside world–as well as for taking photos and authoring articles–are also the perfect tracking device,” co-designer Andrew “Bunnie” Huang, a well known hardware hacker, and…