Author: Staff Writer

Maia Capital Partners, an impact fund manager is setting out its targets for 2027 and beyond, backed by measurable results for the businesses it has invested in: new jobs, funded skills development, expanded women’s participation and access to capital that mainstream lenders often do not extend to growing companies. The firm has already deployed 97.9% of the investable capital in Maia Debt Impact Fund I, with R872.8 million invested across seven transactions and returns well above the stated target of CPI + 8%. Building on this track record, Maia Capital is targeting at least R2 billion for Fund II, approximately…

International iGaming operators that plan a South African launch tend to budget for the licence and the platform, but not necessarily the months in between that milestone and the final certification. Speaking on a SOFTSWISS LinkedIn Live panel, compliance consultant Zeena Rossouw said she knows of operators that “have still not launched even though they were licensed a year ago”. In many ways, though, this type of friction is an essential part of facilitating a compliant industry. The panel, Not a Cheap Bet: The Economics of Launch in the African iGaming Market, brought together Vusi Mtsweni, CEO of the Mpumalanga…

Discovery Insure clients can now earn up to R2,250 a month in fuel and safer driving rewards, following the latest enhancements to the award-winning Vitality Drive programme. Clients can now earn up to 65% back on R3,000 of qualifying monthly fuel spend, worth up to R1,950, with rewards paid instantly in Ðiscovery Miles when they use their Discovery Bank virtual card to fill up. This positions Vitality Drive as South Africa’s most valuable fuel rewards programme. They can also earn 20 Ðiscovery Miles instantly for every event-free trip between five and 20 kilometres, plus one Ðiscovery Mile for every additional…

Cape Town-based Timbuk2 is combining local-knowledge games with field verification, exploring how people can participate in an AI economy that still needs fresh information from the physical world. A shop changes hands. A billboard goes up. A familiar business moves to the next street. For someone who lives nearby, these are ordinary observations. For a company making decisions from a distant office, they can be difficult facts to establish. That gap is the starting point for Timbuk2, the Cape Town company behind 2Klip, a game built around people’s knowledge of real places. The company says the game recorded more than…

Vox has announced the official appointment of Martin Springer as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 2 November 2026. Springer succeeds outgoing CEO Jacques du Toit, completing a planned executive leadership transition. Springer brings over 25 years of international executive leadership experience across the ICT, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure sectors. He joins Vox from NTT DATA, where he served as an Executive of Internet Solutions. His career includes executive board and leadership roles at CMC Networks, Performanta, and BT Group, with a strong track record in operational turnarounds, large-scale network transformations, and M&A growth strategies across Africa and global markets.…

Every grave tells a story. Behind every burial is a person, a family and a history that deserves to be remembered. Preserving that history is not only a matter of dignity; it is also an important responsibility for municipalities managing public cemeteries. Yet, maintaining accurate cemetery records is becoming increasingly challenging. Ageing paper registers, incomplete burial information, outdated cemetery layouts and growing administrative demands can make locating graves, verifying records and assessing available burial space unnecessarily difficult. Imagine a family visiting a municipal cemetery to locate a loved one’s grave, only to discover that the original burial register is incomplete;…

An urgent delivery notice, a discounted holiday booking or a surprise competition win can arrive at exactly the moment consumers are at their busiest. WASPA says three simple habits can help people make safer decisions before money or personal information changes hands. The festive season has always been busy. What has changed is how much of that activity now happens through a mobile phone. Consumers shop, receive parcel updates, make travel arrangements, pay deposits, enter competitions and manage banking from the same device. That convenience also gives criminals more opportunities to imitate familiar brands and place false requests directly in…

Heading into 2027, conflicting pressures are putting stress on the hospitality industry. On one hand, guests (and, in particular, affluent travellers) are expecting a more personalised experience. On the other, hotels grapple with staff shortages, staff retention and rising costs, making it harder to deliver that experience. AI is the answer guests don’t want While automation seems like the obvious solution, particularly in the age of agentic AI, it’s not that simple. Many hotels already have multiple systems running, which don’t speak to each other and sometimes create more problems than they solve. There’s also the concern around guests’ ambivalence…

Maxim has introduced a new SOS button for drivers, providing driver partners with additional ways to call for help and share their location during an emergency. Maxim is a licensed  that connects passengers with drivers through its mobile app, while also offering delivery services in selected cities. Maxim provides transport solutions while creating flexible earning opportunities for driver partners across the country. As safety remains one of the most pressing challenges facing e-hailing drivers across South Africa, with drivers increasingly exposed to risks such as hijackings, robberies, assaults and attacks while carrying out their daily work. Against this backdrop, Maxim…

Momentum Group itoday announced the appointment of Ms Vongani Mageza as its Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer effective 1 February 2027. Vongani will also serve on the Momentum Group executive committee. Mageza has more than 20 years’ experience across financial services and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. She brings extensive experience in building brands, driving client-led growth and integrating marketing capabilities across complex, multi-business organisations.  Her approach to marketing is grounded in a deep understanding of consumers and the role that brands play in creating meaningful connections, aligning closely with Momentum Group’s purpose of building and protecting clients’ financial…

From security and insurance to hidden charges and late-night returns, here’s what Costa Blanca travelers should check before booking airport parking. For many Costa Blanca residents, Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is the starting point for everything from a quick weekend in London to a long-awaited family holiday. Flights are booked, luggage is packed, and passports are checked. Yet one important decision is often left until the final stages of travel planning: where to leave the car. Whether you’re driving from Torrevieja, Benidorm, Orihuela Costa or somewhere closer to Alicante, choosing the right airport parking service involves more than finding the…

The .za Domain Name Authority (.zadna) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the provision of registry services for the .co.za, .web.za, .net.za and .org.za second-level domains, formally commencing the procurement process to appoint a Registry Operator for these commercial domains. The RFP, issued under reference RFPZA2026/05, invites suitably qualified and experienced service providers from the ICT and domain name sectors to submit proposals for the management and administration of the four commercial second-level domains. The procurement is being undertaken ahead of the expiry of the current Registry Operator Agreement in September 2027. It is intended to secure an…

The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) is urging consumers to be careful when downloading apps, particularly from unofficial websites or unknown sources. Consumers should be cautious of unfamiliar apps offering free or discounted streaming, entertainment or other services. SABRIC is aware of suspicious apps linked to streaming content. Some cases are still under investigation, including how consumers accessed or installed the apps. Think before you download. If you cannot verify where an app comes from, do not install it on your device. Malicious Apps Can Put Your Digital Banking At Risk Some malicious apps may access sensitive information,…

South Africans placing bets online may be gambling on illegal offshore websites without even realising it. As these operators increasingly target the local market, the South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA) is using Responsible Gambling Month this November to highlight a simple precaution consumers can take before depositing money: scroll to the bottom of the website’s homepage and check the operator’s licence details. Licensed South African bookmakers are required by law to display regulatory information, including the name of the licensed operator, its bookmaker licence details and the provincial gambling authority that issued the licence. “Don’t be fooled by appearances,” warns…

Western Cape-based fibre network operator (FNO) Octotel has launched Octotel Business, a new B2B brand bringing its existing business connectivity services together under one proposition. The offering introduces Business Broadband, a new service for companies whose connectivity needs have outgrown standard shared fibre but do not require a fully dedicated connection, alongside Octotel’s existing Active Ethernet and Datacentre Interconnect services. The next generation Business Broadband product is a first in the market, giving businesses an enterprise-grade connectivity service. Octotel CEO, Trevor van Zyl, says the need for business connectivity is becoming less closely tied to the size of a company…

Bose Corporation, the world-renowned premium consumer audio company, has appointed Core, a leading distributor of professional and consumer technology in Sub-Saharan Africa, as the authorized distributor for Bose consumer products in South Africa. The partnership strengthens Bose’s local presence, increasing market reach and accessibility to its range of audio products. Core will oversee distribution and market expansion for Bose in South Africa through its network of retail and reseller partners, enhanced in-store and digital commerce experiences, and ensuring consumers have timely access to the latest Bose innovations through authorized channels. The portfolio will include home theatre products, over-ear and in-ear…

Classic table games have stayed relevant because their rules are easy to grasp and their decisions stay engaging over time. What has changed is the way people reach them. Developers now rebuild familiar formats for browsers, phones, and tablets, making setup faster and access wider without removing the structure that made these games last. Backgammon, dice titles, card tables, and board-based systems are all being reworked with touch controls, automated scoring, live matchmaking, and guided tutorials. That shift has created two clear paths: digital versions that focus on practice and social play, and platform-based versions shaped around pace, interface, and…

South Africa’s competitive electricity market has welcomed a new independent participant, with EPIX commencing operations in August 2026 following the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)-approved transfer of Investec’s energy trading licence to the joint venture platform in June 2026. Established as an equal joint venture between Energy Partners and Investec, EPIX combines renewable generation sourcing, funding capability and customer demand in a dedicated platform built to deliver flexible electricity solutions to South Africa’s commercial and industrial sector. “The launch of EPIX marks an important milestone in the development of South Africa’s private electricity market,” says Mpho Modise, Managing…

Insurance platform Naked has introduced pet insurance for cats and dogs, with accident-only cover starting at R40 per month for cats and R55 for dogs, and automated processing that allows some claims to be paid within minutes. “For many of our customers, their pets are part of their family. When a pet needs emergency treatment, you’re already worried about what might be wrong and whether they’ll recover,” says Sumarie Greybe, co-founder of Naked. “The last thing you want to worry about is how you’ll pay the vet bill or how long you’ll have to wait to get your money back.…

South Africans could soon find it easier to access everyday legal services, with proposed regulations paving the way for affidavits to be commissioned remotely and signed electronically, replacing rules that have governed oaths and affirmations for more than 50 years. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development published the draft Regulations Governing the Administering of an Oath or Affirmation on 31 July 2026. If finalised, the regulations would allow for electronic commissioning through audio-visual communication and recognise electronic signatures. The proposed changes could remove uncertainty over whether a deponent and commissioner must be physically present together. LexisNexis South Africa previously…

Disney+ debuted the official trailer and key art for the Hulu Original series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County”, the next installment in the hit franchise. The all-new series premieres with all eight episodes on Thursday, 12 November on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally. A new group of dynamic young mothers in Orange County collide in a community where beliefs are not just their religion; they are their identity. While some defend their way of life, fighting against modernity, others embrace change, becoming a platform to disrupt the status quo. Scandals and secrets will be revealed, facades will crumble,…

Africa’s fintech sector is forecast to grow revenue roughly 13-fold, to around $65 billion by 2030 – the fastest rate anywhere in the world, according to Boston Consulting Group. The figure has done what a headline number is supposed to do. Boardrooms across the continent are now debating how to move beyond payments into credit, insurance and cross-border transactions. Far fewer are asking the question that decides whether any of it works: can the systems we run today actually carry those products? For a lot of institutions, the honest answer is not yet. And closing that gap is a multi-year…

Advtech, Africa’s leading private education provider, has acquired a 25% stake in education technology company MathU, securing a seat on its board and exclusive rights to current and future AI-enhanced education solutions. MathU’s digital learning platform has been used across Advtech’s Schools Division since 2023 under the Advlearn brand, providing personalised learning in Mathematics and Physical Science, with English set to launch shortly. “Working with Advtech will accelerate the reach of our technology and bring innovative learning solutions to more students,” said WA Burger, CEO and Founder of MathU. The partnership will support the continued development of new digital tools for…

Las Vegas –  Omnisient, the consumer intelligence company founded in South Africa, has won the Banking Grand Prix at the 2026 Money20/20 Money Awards for an initiative developed to help banks assess consumers overlooked by traditional credit information. The winning initiative brought together two major South African banks and a leading national grocery retailer. By analysing patterns in shopping history, the collaboration helped banks identify potential creditworthiness among consumers with limited or no conventional credit histories. Approximately 40% of previously credit-invisible consumers assessed were identified as qualifying for credit, according to Omnisient’s award submission. The Grand Prix is the highest…

Vodacom Mpumalanga has reinforced its commitment to connecting communities and advancing digital inclusion through a significant investment of over R600 million in network infrastructure and technology this financial year to expand broadband connectivity and support growing demand for digital services across Mpumalanga. The investment is focused on expanding network coverage, enhancing connectivity, improving network resilience and capacity, and extending access to digital services in underserved rural, township and urban areas of the province. By continuing to invest in critical telecommunications infrastructure, Vodacom Mpumalanga is helping to bridge the digital divide, stimulate economic growth and ensure that more people can participate…