Author: Staff Writer

Woolworths has officially opened the doors to its highly anticipated Food Emporium at Dainfern Square, marking the format’s debut in Gauteng. As the retailer’s premier food destination, this flagship store is more than just a place to buy groceries, it signals a bold step forward in premium retail, prompting industry watchers to ask: is this the blueprint for the future of shopping in South Africa? The launch represents a major milestone for Woolworths, bringing its most extensive food offering to the region under one roof. From daily staples and convenient meal solutions to specialist ranges and premium ingredients, the Dainfern…

Specialised South African technology group Alphawave today announced that its businesses Saigen and Callbi have merged into a single operating company trading as Saigen, with experienced technology entrepreneur Sam Clarke being appointed as CEO of the combined business. The two businesses have operated as closely linked companies for years. Saigen builds AI-powered speech recognition for under-resourced languages and specialised domains, including code-switching within a single utterance across South African languages. Callbi, built on the Saigen engine, transcribes and analyses contact centre conversations for quality assurance, compliance and operational insight. The Callbi name will be retained for the contact centre business.…

Salesforce and Anthropic are announcing Claudeforce, an expanded strategic partnership bringing Claude’s intelligence and reasoning together with Salesforce’s trusted enterprise harness to make its data, workflows, business logic, actions, and governance securely accessible to power agentic experiences wherever work happens. The Claudeforce partnership launches with Salesforce in Claude, a Plugin with 37 prebuilt sales skills that enable sellers and agents to reason over live revenue context, automate pipeline updates, and take governed action right from Claude — with the power of Salesforce directly where sellers work. The companies plan to introduce more integrations across Claude, Salesforce, and Slack, expanding each…

On 24 July 2026, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) published the National Radio Frequency Plan 2026 (NRFP 2026), formally allocating the full U6 GHz band, 6425–7125 MHz, for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) use. This decision, which incorporates 700 MHz of contiguous mid-band spectrum into the mobile communications framework, represents one of the most consequential regulatory milestones in the country’s digital evolution. The attention now is on the implementation phase, including the draft Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans (RFSAPs) currently open for public comment until early September. A Transparent and Evidence-Based Process The NRFP 2026 emerged from an…

Huawei South Africa has officially launched the sixth edition of its Women in Tech Digital Skills Development Programme, gathering 50 businesswomen and public-sector leaders for a three-day immersive experience centred on technology, leadership, and enterprise growth. The initiative, which kicked off in Johannesburg, emphasises a national push to ensure women are not left behind as artificial intelligence reshapes the business landscape. This year’s theme — HERabytes: Small Business. Big Intelligence. — signals a sharp focus on equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools to harness AI for real-world impact, moving beyond theoretical knowledge to practical application. At the opening event, representatives from Huawei,…

Amazon Web Services (AWS) and NVIDIA have officially escalated their 16-year alliance, announcing a blockbuster expansion aimed at crushing the surging global demand for AI compute. In a landmark update, the duo confirmed plans to inject an additional 2 million NVIDIA GPUs into AWS’s global data center infrastructure between 2027 and 2028. This massive scale-up, coupled with deep co-engineering across CPUs, networking, and open models, solidifies AWS as the premier cloud destination for running NVIDIA’s AI stack, catering to everyone from frontier AI labs to top-tier government agencies. Surging Demand Drives Unprecedented GPU Capacity AI workloads are scaling at breakneck speed, transitioning…

Today,Google  announced the expansion of its AI-powered learning tools across Africa, offering eligible higher education students in 27 countries one year of Google AI Plus at no cost. Eligible students can access 12 months of Google AI Plus, which includes Gemini Omni, two times higher usage limits in Gemini and 400 GB of cloud storage across Google Drive, Gmail and Google Photos, alongside a growing suite of AI-powered learning tools. The offer gives university and college students access to Gemini and other AI-powered learning tools designed to support research, coursework, revision and everyday academic tasks. Students in markets including Kenya,…

The launch of the South African Information and Communication Technology Association’s (SAICTA’s) jobs portal comes at an opportune moment as government and business embark on Phase Three of their partnership, seeking to add a million jobs to the economy by 2030. In announcing the partnership on 20 August, President Cyril Ramaphosa was clear that Southern Africa is well positioned to benefit from the digital revolution, while also making the point that “potential does not become prosperity by itself”. SAICTA – which aims to bridge the gaps between education and industry; talent and opportunity; and innovation and impact – concurs that…

Virgin Bet South Africa today launches ‘A  Good Bet’, its first brand campaign outside the United Kingdom, created by award-winning  South African agency Joe Public and shot by Darling Productions. The campaign moves away from the outcome-led conventions of the betting category. Rather than leading on winning, ‘A Good Bet’ focuses on the enjoyment across sport and  entertainment – from the entertainment of watching a game and the excitement of casino  play, to the conversations and shared moments around both – introducing South African  audiences to the Virgin Bet proposition through a distinctly local lens. Brendan Hoffmann, Executive Creative Director…

Qatar Airways, the operator of the world’s first and largest Starlink-equipped widebody fleet, has become the first airline to operate Starlink-equipped Boeing 787-9 aircraft, globally. The carrier has also completed Starlink rollout across its Boeing 787-8 sub-fleet in seven months, bringing the total number of its Starlink-equipped widebody aircraft to 150. Qatar Airways remains on track to complete the Starlink rollout across its Boeing 787 fleet by the end of 2026.. The latest achievement builds on Qatar Airways’ record-breaking completion of the Boeing 777 programme in nine months and the Airbus A350 programme in eight months. The airline now operates the world’s…

Humanz, the pioneering AI-powered creator marketing and creator commerce platform, has announced the appointment of Mpumelelo (Mpumi) Zondi as its new Country Manager for South Africa. Zondi joins the global martech platform at a defining moment, as the marketing ecosystem undergoes a massive structural shift towards AI-driven automation. In his new role, Zondi will spearhead local operations from the Johannesburg office, scale brand partnerships, and drive Humanz’s next phase of African market expansion. His appointment coincides with a series of major upcoming AI releases from Humanz set to redefine how marketers deploy budgets, how creators commercialise their work, and how…

Nedbank’ introduces a Client Connect Zone pilot, a new retail banking concept, as customer expectations reshape the future of banking.. Although South Africans have embraced digital banking at an unprecedented pace, new customer insights suggest convenience is no longer defined solely by mobile apps or online platforms. Increasingly, customers want banking to fit naturally into their daily lives allowing them to access financial services while shopping, meeting friends or running errands rather than making a dedicated trip to a traditional branch. For banks, this represents a significant shift in customer expectations. Rather than choosing between digital and physical banking, customers…

The clock is ticking for South Africa’s major mobile network operators to fulfil their legal obligation of zero-rating information and services that carry social value. Companies like MTN, Vodacom and Cell C have been given until 15 January 2027 to make the digital content of public benefit organisations (PBOs) data-free for users. The zero-rating requirement is not a corporate social responsibility initiative; it’s a condition attached to the multi-billion-rand spectrum auction held by Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in 2022. The expected revenues foregone were factored into the bid prices by the network operators. But ICASA has yet…

Disney+ released the key art and details on the cast and schedule for FX’s “American Horror Story: 13.” Giving fans their closest look yet at the latest chapter in the legendary anthology series, today’s revelations include the return of fan-favorite characters including Constance Langdon, Cordelia Goode, Madison Montgomery, Marie Laveau, Rubber Man, Twisty the Clown, Kai Anderson among other surprises. All previous seasons of FX’s “American Horror Story” are currently streaming on Disney+ in South Africa. “AHS: 13,” featuring 13 half-hour episodes, will premiere Friday, 25 September exclusively on Disney+. Premiere week and week two will each feature three episodes, followed by a pair of episodes each following Friday leading up to the 13th and final episode…

Volkswagen has officially opened pre-orders for the all-new Volkswagen T-Roc, giving customers the opportunity to secure one of the brand’s most exciting new SUVs ahead of its official market launch early in September 2026. Positioned between the Taigo and Tiguan, the second-generation T-Roc strengthens Volkswagen’s growing T-SUV family alongside the T-Cross, Taigo, Tiguan, Tayron and Touareg. Combining expressive design, premium craftsmanship and advanced technology, the new T-Roc raises the benchmark in the compact SUV segment while delivering the quality, innovation and driving experience synonymous with Volkswagen. Bold design with unmistakable Volkswagen character The all-new T-Roc introduces a more confident and…

Today, it is believed around 70% of the mining majors use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), while 37% is the last comparable figure provided for junior miners by analytics firm GlobalData*. From security-based applications initially; now exploration, surveying and mapping represent the lion’s share of operational tasks undertaken by drones in mining. “UAV uptake by juniors remains relatively low and yet, it is the early-stage mining activities that are the main focus of juniors where drones really shine with their cost savings and safety enhancements,” notes Phil Smerkovitz, MD of enterprise-class UAV consultants, GoUAV. The popularity of UAVs across the mining…

SARS aspires for a future in which tax just happens for most of taxpayers by leveraging data and technology. To this end, and pursuant to the VAT Modernisation Discussion Paper of 2023, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is pleased to release the VAT Modernisation Consultation Paper for public consultation and comment, calling on all impacted and interested stakeholders to contribute to a modern, transparent and efficient VAT administration system in South Africa. The feedback from the 2023 Discussion Paper on Modernisation has greatly enriched the direction for VAT modernisation and we are thankful to all stakeholders for their valuable…

JSE-listed fintech Lesaka Technologies is rebranding Kazang Insights as Lesaka Data & Insights as part of the consolidation of its merchant-based businesses under the name of Lesaka Merchant Division. Formed through Lesaka’s 2024 acquisition of Touchsides from Heineken International, Lesaka Data & Insights now operates as a neutral data and insights partner to FMCG brands, wholesalers, financiers and other organisations serving South Africa’s informal market. Lesaka Data & Insights has access to data from a point-of-sale (POS) network comprising over 90,000 spaza shops and taverns and 10,500 checkouts. The company captures millions of transactions each month, giving its clients near…

Leapmotor is expanding its South African line-up with the launch of the B10 Hybrid EV, broadening its offering beyond the C10 Hybrid EV. This compact SUV ushers in a new generation of intelligent vehicles designed to make electrified mobility more accessible, simpler, and fully aligned with everyday needs, delivering true “Peace of Drive.” Built on the LEAP 3.5 technological platform, already recognized in several international markets, the B10 combines the performance and driving enjoyment of an electric vehicle with exceptional range, meeting the expectations of motorists looking to transition to electrification with complete confidence. The model also offers a seamless…

Disney+ has today confirmed a one-year exclusive agreement with The Overlap as the headline sponsor of both its hugely popular and multi-award-winning original show “Stick to Football” and brand-new original format “Stick to United with Wayne Rooney” covering the upcoming 2026/2027 football season. “Stick to Football”, hosted by Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott, Ian Wright, and Roy Keane, features an incredible lineup of special guests discussing all things football. “Stick to United with Wayne Rooney”, a brand-new show hosted by Wayne Rooney and Mark Goldbridge, will analyse Manchester United’s latest results and performances, providing fans with expert insight, honest opinion and in-depth discussion on the biggest talking points surrounding the club. 40 brand-new episodes of “Stick to Football” will be available to stream on Disney+, alongside existing streaming platforms and The Overlap’s YouTube channel, with…

About 52.8% of South Africans surveyed now prefer contactless payments over traditional methods, while more than 90% have tried or have used a payment method beyond cash and cards in the past year – making it clear that the future of payments is becoming increasingly wearable, as South Africans are rapidly embracing digital wallets, smart devices and wearable technology to make everyday purchases. In fact, as consumers prioritise convenience, speed and security, physical bank cards are becoming less visible, serving as the credential behind the payment rather than the payment itself. “With over half of South African consumers surveyed now preferring…

A consortium including the Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, is close to completing a deal for a 30% stake in Liverpool after months of talks with Fenway Sports Group. The development signals a major shift for the billionaire, who has long been rumored to be eyeing sports investments but has yet to commit to a team until now. If finalised, the transaction would inject substantial new capital into the Premier League giants and place Bezos alongside a high-profile group of global investors. Who Is Behind the Bid? The investors are led by Amit Bhatia, the son-in-law of the Indian billionaire Lakshmi…

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has officially opened applications for its 2027 Graduate Training Programme, a flagship two-year initiative designed to equip young professionals with the practical experience, technical knowledge and leadership skills needed to build successful careers in the automotive industry. For more than four decades, Toyota has played a significant role in South Africa’s industrial and economic development through investment, skills transfer, manufacturing excellence and job creation. As a recognised Top Employer, the company remains committed to creating opportunities that support both individual growth and the broader development of the country’s workforce. The Toyota Graduate Training Programme offers…

As South African small businesses accelerate AI adoption faster than many developed economies, Huawei South Africa has opened applications for the 2026 Women in Tech Digital Skills Training Programme. The programme will take place from 26 to 28 August in Johannesburg. Now in its sixth year, held during Women’s Month, this flagship initiative helps women build the digital skills to compete, adapt, and lead in an AI-driven economy. This year’s theme, HERabytes: Small Business. Big Intelligence, captures a simple but powerful idea: growth in the AI economy isn’t one giant leap. It is built one byte, one skill, and one…

CANAL+, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have confirmed the broadcast rights agreement for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) to be shown live in South Africa and the Rest of Africa market on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. The agreement will see SuperSport, Africa’s leading sports broadcaster, showcase all four Test matches between South Africa’s Springboks and New Zealand’s All Blacks, who will embark on a full tour of SA for the first time since 1996. Three Tests starting 22 August 2026 will take place in South Africa (two in Johannesburg and one in Cape Town),…