Author: Gugu Lourie

By Gugu Lourie Mteto Nyati, currently the MTN Group Chief Enterprise Officer since October last year, was named on Monday as MTN SA CEO, effective 13 July 2015. He replaced Ahmad Farroukh, who resigned earlier this month. Nyati is a seasoned ICT executive and business leader, who joined MTN from Microsoft SA. “He brings extensive knowledge of the local ICT market, and is passionate about people and customer service. We believe the appointment of a leader of Nyati’s calibre and competencies will greatly enhance our efforts to strengthen the confidence of our customers and reinvigorate our people,” says Sifiso Dabengwa, MTN Group…

By Staff Writer Vox Telecom has launched a first to market uncapped voice package, that aims to keep South Africa talking.  Available to customers in suburbs where Vox Telecom is rolling out fibre-to-the-home, Uncapped Voice enables unlimited calls to mobile, national and local fixed line and select international destinations. “By providing customers with this service, we are hoping to continue to make keeping in touch as cost effective, and simple as possible,” says Natalie van der Merwe, senior product manager for Voice Solutions at Vox Telecom. The Vox Telecom Uncapped Voice package is currently only available as an add-on service,…

“A stylish local phone that comes with free high-end accessories, with beautifully crafted body in striking rose gold exterior that’s nearly similar to a Samsung Galaxy S6 or even an iPhone” By Gugu Lourie The Ghost – a mid-tier local smartphone – may as well be the next big thing for Mzansi and consumers in the rest of Africa. It offers users an opportunity to ditch their 2G feature phones and migrate into the world of smart devices. While ultra-high-end smartphones are out of reach for millions of African consumers, the Ghost is affordable. It is exclusively available on contract through mobile phone…

By Ujuh The South African government is sticking to its guns in maintaining that online gambling is an undesirable socioeconomic feature which must be prohibited but seems prepared to listen to the other sides of the story. This is apparent from plans to host a seminar on online gambling under the theme: Online Gambling in South Africa: What is at Stake? Hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the National Gambling Board, the seminar comes amidst the publication of the Draft Gambling Policy Review Document for public comment. The key proposal in the draft review…

By Gugu Lourie Samsung, Tecno, and Apple were the leading smartphone vendors in Africa during the first quarter of 2015, with Huawei being ousted from the top three, according to the global technology consulting firm International Data Corporation (IDC) Mobile Phone Tracker. The three leading vendors accounted for a combined 55% share of Africa’s smartphone shipments in the first quarter of 2015. Smartphones sales were up 66% during the first quarter to reach more than 36 million units being shipped by vendors in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. The Mobile Phone Tracker predicts that MEA smartphone shipments are set to total 155…

By Jed Hewson, director of 1Stream. For both new and established e-commerce merchants worldwide, customer experience and customer care have become key to survival. While online stores can beat out their brick and mortar competitors on price, gaining a competitive edge over other online merchants has become about excellence in customer experience. And nowhere is customer experience more important than in the call centre. Indeed, for online customers, the only real point of contact is the call centre. Sadly, it often represents a pain point and last resort. Despite the strategic importance of the call centre, however, many e-commerce companies don’t…

By Staff Writer Vodacom embarks on a skills development training in information and communication technology (ICT) in order to help empower unemployed youth through the Cisco IT essentials. Vodacom saw it fit to capacitive the instructors further, by once again partnering with both Cisco & Microsoft. The training focuses on Cisco CCNA 1 & 2 & Microsoft ITA. The training will help and give learners an opportunity to be competitive in the field of IT as both help desk & technical support. The programme aims to train unemployed youth in ICT skills and to further develop them into ICT entrepreneurs.…

By Staff Writer Technology firm MoWallet walked away with the bragging rights and a cool R1 million after winning the inaugural #Hack.Jozi Challenge. The #Hack.Jozi Challenge is an initiative between the City of Johannesburg and the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) at Wits University, which is aimed at unearthing techno-savvy individuals and SMMEs with great solutions to the city’s everyday problems. MoveThis Stuff and Lazy Lizzard each received R350 000 cash incentives for clinching second and third places respectively. Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Parks Tau said the #Hack.Jozi Challenge and other techno-centric projects were an integral part of the City’s…

By Gugu Lourie MTN Zakhele said on Thursday that it was on track to list on the black economic empowerment (BEE) platform of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) alongside the Sasol Inzalo shares. The Financial Services Board (FSB) ordered all over the counter (OTC) trading platforms to apply for trade exchange licence. The order came last year but has been postponed to accommodate initiatives like the MTN Zakhele OTC trading platform to get their houses in order. MTN Zakhele, the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) scheme of MTN, has since been granted a number of temporary exemptions to sort out its situation.…

By James Moar Satya Nadella has announced that Microsoft will be laying off 7,800 workers in a reshuffle, accompanied by a $7.6 billion write-off related to the acquisition of Nokia. This is despite Lumia sales that have been showing steady increases throughout 2014, although they do not come close to the likes of Samsung, Apple or even LG. A Nexus-like Future for Microsoft Devices? The formation of the Windows and Devices Group earlier this month was an early acknowledgement that something needed to be done about this – Microsoft is looking to integrate its software and hardware more tightly than it…

By Gugu Lourie ZAR X, a newly formed company, is keen to set-up a stock exchange in South Africa that will compete with the current incumbent, the JSE. The Financial Services Board has issued a notice of application for exchange licence in terms in Section 7 of the financial markets Act, 2012 and identified ZAR X as an applicant. “In terms of section 7(4)(b)(iii) of the FMA all interested persons who have objections to the application are hereby called upon to lodge their objections with the Registrar of Securities Services, on or before 3 August 2015,”  the FSB said in…

By Gugu Lourie Telkom said on Wednesday that the interim order granted by the Labour Court in Johannesburg to stop retrenchments is a “temporary delay” in its much-needed restructuring process of the business. “We will study the full detail of the judgement to allow us to determine our next steps,” Telkom spokesperson Jacqui O’Sullivan said on Wednesday. “While the judgment is disappointing, this is a temporary delay in the restructuring of Telkom, which remains a key business requirement for the future sustainability of the organisation.” The judge has ordered that the dispute, which relates to information sharing, must be referred…

Following weeks of participation on the Quiz4Moola platform, today MTN announced the grand winners of the Quiz4Moola who will respectively pocket R1 million in cash and all-expenses paid family trip to Disneyland. Andre Bernard, from Durban was selected as the winner of the R1 million prize, while Gordon Gcwabaza from Soweto won the runner’s up prize of an all-expenses family trip to Disneyland in the United States. MTN launched the Quiz4Moola competition in March this year. This knowledge-based competition rewards customers with points for each correct answer and bonus points for getting a stipulated number of consecutive answers right. After…

By Gugu Lourie The Labour Court on Wednesday has granted an interim order preventing Telkom, South Africa’s largest fixed-line telephone group, from going ahead with its retrenchment process. The application, which was heard in the Labour Court in Johannesburg, was lodged on Tuesday by Solidarity Union after Telkom “disregarded the agreement with trade unions with regard to restructuring processes”, according to Solidarity. The Labour Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday decided in Solidarity’s favour, ruling that Telkom’s restructuring and retrenchment process be stopped. Judge David Gush further ordered Telkom to retract its restructuring and retrenchment notice. Furthermore, trade unions must refer a…

By Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO, ESET Southern Africa Have you seen emails pretending to come from South African Revenue Services (SARS) – the ones that lead you to infected websites or that try and lure you into opening infected attachments? Have you heard of scammers filling your taxes for you and trying to get your refund? In South Africa, tax season means high risk for many people. Cyber criminals perform phishing attacks on the SARS website, send fake refund advice to potential victims and take the tax refund themselves. How hard is it to tell if an email or text message…

By Anthony Kent High street shops are well-established online these days and provide new opportunities for interaction between shop and shopper. Consumers have become accustomed to shopping using a range of devices and the immense popularity of smartphones and mobile devices has led to the rise of mobile or m-retailing, with new communication and distribution channels created with these in mind. Perhaps this mix of the real and online worlds are helpful precursors for what may be the “next big thing”: virtual reality shopping. Virtual reality (VR) experiences are typically provided through wearable headgear or goggles that block out the…

By Ujuh  The tablet, as mobile computing device, has become a “nice to have” a development represented in the 2015 shipment numbers from manufacturers. The latest report on device shipment from ICT consulting firm, Gartner, shows tablets losing some steam alongside personal computers while the mobile is keeping up growth speed. The Gartner report noted that “The tablet has become a ‘nice to have’ device, and there is no real need for an upgrade as regularly as for the phone.” This is after the reported noted that the shipment of ultramobile segment (tablets and clamshells) is set on pace to…

By Staff Writer Evolving customer needs and expectations are a challenge facing all retail sectors. As part of its retail strategy the BMW Group SA is implementing a comprehensive new programme called Future Retail in all its BMW and MINI dealerships over the next two-years. Future Retail comprises of a range of retail initiatives and tools designed to enhance a BMW customer’s premium retail experience. With Future Retail, the BMW Group aims to: Increase the number of possible customer contact points; Expand the services and benefits offered through retail channels; Enhance the retail experience at dealerships and through initiatives like…

By Staff Writer Judgement in the challenge by Solidarity Union to obtain an interdict against Telkom’s planned job cuts has been reserved by the Labour Court in Johannesburg. Judge David Gush reserved judgement today in Solidarity’s urgent application against Telkom’s restructuring process. Judgement will be served in the Labour Court tomorrow at 11:00. The application, which was heard in the Labour Court in Johannesburg, was lodged after Telkom disregarded the agreement with trade unions with regard to restructuring processes. Marius Croucamp, spokesman at Solidarity, said the union is hopeful that the court will intervene for the sake of the workers. “Telkom simply…

By Staff Writer Bidvest Media, a division of  JSE-listed group Bidvest has acquired a majority stake in Retroviral Digital Communications (Retroviral). The acquisition results in Retroviral becoming a subsidiary of Bidvest Media, launching the company’s foray into the digital marketing sector. Bidvest Media currently has a 100% stake in MSCSPORTS, an integrated sports marketing and sponsorship agency, Create, and an airport’s media company, with Retroviral its second media and marketing acquisition. Retroviral co-founder Mike Sharman retains an interest in the company, and is committed to remain at its helm. His entire team moves under the Bidvest Media umbrella with him, ensuring strategic and…

By Dr Corine Van Erkom Schurink, While predictive analytics is a hot topic, many local businesses are hesitant to embrace it. However, given the significance of providing valuable insight on the current and future performance of a company, implementation has to happen sooner rather than later. Some decision-makers are concerned about the complexity of integrating with business functions that are seemingly quite disparate – think marketing and IT for example. However, once the value of predictive analytics is understood, as well as the associated processes and data requirements, then the choice becomes clear. While it makes sense to utilise predictive analytics…

By Staff Writer MTN Group today announced the resignation of Ahmad Farroukh, CEO of MTN South Africa, which is effective 31 July 2015. “This was a difficult decision to take for Ahmad, but unavoidable due to personal and family reasons,” says MTN Group President and CEO, Sifiso Dabengwa. Mr. Farroukh joined MTN in 2006, with the acquisition of Investcom. He has fulfilled several roles during his tenure with the Group. Farroukh is a former CEO of MTN Nigeria, and served in a similar role at MTN Ghana. Before assuming the role of Group Chief Operating Executive, he was Vice-President of…

By Staff Writer Local mobile technology brand AG Mobile has launched the Ghost – the first Android smart phone with a lifetime warranty. The company which was the first in the country to launch its own brand of phone in 2007 – and has launched over 50 other devices since – guarantees it will replace any faulty device for the lifetime of the phone, and three years after the phone has been discontinued. The warranty includes the replacement of two cracked screens – at no charge – as well as a 24-hour replacement with a new phone areas across the…

Cyberbullying, bullying that takes place using digital technology, has become a serious issue. The consequences can be serious: children become withdrawn and secretive, their schoolwork suffers and they may become aggressive, depressed or even prone to self-harm. By Staff Writer But even if your children face something like this, there is still a lot that parents can do by offering support at the right times and initiating a discussion about the problem. We want more parents to be aware of what cyberbullying is, how to recognise its first signs and how to tackle the issue. Although the Internet is a virtual…

By Ujuh ICT giant, IBM, seems to be positioning itself to leverage its first mover advantage in rolling out the equity equivalence requirement in South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) programme. IBM executives expressed an ambition to help other multinationals to meet the special BEE dispensation, equity equivalence. The equity equivalence principle is a special BEE dispensation designed for multinationals which have a global policy that precludes them from selling equity for BEE purposes. Such firms are allowed to come up with alternative socio-economic development investments that will add up to an equivalent of 25% equity. IBM’s ambition to help…