Author: Staff Writer

Spurred on by young people’s ingenuity, creativity and audacity, digital technology is changing the face of Africa. Africa has been known for its vast natural resources for decades, including diamonds, platinum, cobalt, iron ore, gold, etc. However, the continent will now need to enter the speed race for ICT skills, which have become a critical part of any national digital strategy to promote economic and social development. Moreover, ICT skills are not only related to technology job roles, and they become essential for every aspect of life and work. They have become transversal and crucial to nearly all workers. Tech…

South African pure-play software testing company, Inspired Testing, is on a continent-wide drive to attract, develop and place Africa’s digital talent on the global stage. The company is on a determined path to ensure that African talent plays a meaningful role in the 4th Industrial Revolution and believes that the continent’s digital-savvy talent is the answer to a worldwide software skills shortage. Andre Barnard, Chief People and Culture Officer at Inspired Testing, says, “We are currently headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa and in Edinburgh and London, the United Kingdom, servicing local and global clients from both locations. Our endeavour…

This week, South Africa completed its proof-of-concept, Project Khokha 2, for its looming Digital Rand, which included a decentralised trading platform, in conjunction with a separate platform to manage the CBDC. Additionally, a project included a bidirectional bridge. It was noted that Project Khokha has successfully replicated SAMOS. “This is the culmination of over a year of work, and all those involved should be proud of the progress made. That said, South Africa remains a country which must continue to focus on the regulatory component surrounding digital assets of all kinds,” said Richard Gardner, CEO of Modulus, a US-based developer of ultra-high-performance…

Dell Technologies has announced the expansion of its Asset Recovery Services with new availability in South Africa. The service supports any brand of laptop, desktop, server, peripheral or accessory, helping customers receive value from existing IT assets and implement sustainable recycling and recovery services at scale. Since 2008, Dell has recovered more than 2.5 billion electronics[i] through its takeback programmes, supporting businesses in sustainably retiring IT assets. Asset Recovery Services provides a modern, simplified and standardised offer to help customers scale their recycling efforts. The offer includes a new, online self-service portal that simplifies asset disposition even more – providing…

MTN partners with IWF, Meta, ICMEC and Child Helpline International to launch the Help Children be Children campaign and Child Safety Online Africa Portal to help prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material online MTN has joined forces with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) Meta, ICMEC (the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children) and Child Helpline International, with the support of the United Nations office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to launch the Help Children be Children campaign and the Child Safety Online Africa Portal to increase public awareness of the impact of Child Sexual Abuse Material and help…

Business rescue in South Africa is experiencing a crisis of trust, mainly due to the low success rate experienced by lenders as well as the unsuitability of business rescue practitioners (BRPs). This is one of the key findings of the 2022 Deloitte Africa Restructuring Survey, which was launched in Johannesburg today. The survey was conducted between January and February this year among 111 C-suite executives and restructuring professionals including lawyers, lenders, advisors and business rescue practitioners in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. The survey also predicts an increase in distressed Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), or companies selling to get out…

JSE-listed EOH announced that it has concluded an agreement to divest of its Network Solutions (EOH-NS) and Hymax businesses to SEACOM, which owns Africa’s largest network of ICT infrastructure, for a consideration of R144.9 million. The proceeds from the sale, net of costs, will primarily be applied to reduce EOH debt further. EOH-NS and Hymax have vast experience in the delivery of wholesale and managed service solutions for the networking and voice segments of the telecommunications industry. EOH-NS and Hymax are also strategic and essential partners to a variety of enterprise clients covering multiple verticals across the private and public…

Vodacom introduces Linea, a watch which gives customers peace of mind knowing they are in a position to reach out for assistance from a trusted contact when they need help the most. Launched under the “Connected by Vodacom” range, Linea features a panic button which sends an SMS to five pre-determined trusted contacts with a 30-minute real-time monitoring functionality. When required, the owner of the watch can simply push the panic button on the device, and their pre-determined trusted contacts will immediately receive an alert via SMS, with a date, a time and a live GPS location link to a…

Standard Bank has reached the one million customer mark on its low-cost banking solution MyMo, which is designed for people who don’t like spending their hard-earned cash on fees but still want all the features of a transactional bank account. This milestone comes off the back of the recent announcement that Standard Bank now has over 10 million customers in South Africa due to significant growth in 2021, this is attributed to its customer acquisition growth and investments towards digitising the bank. As consumers, we are naturally inclined to always look out for value for money, but especially when cash…

Volvo Car South Africa has confirmed the new pure electric XC40 P6 Recharge will soon join its increasingly electrified range of vehicles. While the XC40 P8 Recharge AWD already available in South Africa employs twin electric motors (one on each axle), the P6 features a single unit – permanently sealed and maintenance free – mounted at the front. With peak outputs of 170 kW and 330 Nm, the new front-wheel-drive variant offers lively performance, completing the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint in just 7.4 seconds. Thanks to a low-mounted, high-voltage 69 kWh lithium-ion battery, the P6 Recharge is able to travel…

ADP, a global technology company providing human capital management (HCM) solutions, has acquired Sage’s South Africa payroll outsourcing business. This acquisition marks a strong partnership between the two businesses in South Africa over the past 12 years. By integrating Sage South Africa’s local payroll expertise with ADP’s global reach and comprehensive human capital management (HCM) solutions, ADP can provide clients with an enhanced experience to help to grow and scale their business. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sage provides leading technology to small and medium businesses with the visibility, flexibility, and efficiency to manage their finances, operations and…

US-based data centre giant Equinix today announced it has completed its deal to acquire West African data centre and connectivity solutions provider MainOne for an enterprise value of $320 million, marking the beginning of its expansion into the African continent. The completion of this acquisition augments Equinix’s long-term strategy to become a leading African carrier-neutral digital infrastructure company by being able to bring a full range of transformative technologies and connectivity to Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. This acquisition will extend Platform Equinix into West Africa, giving organizations based inside and outside of Africa access to global and regional markets.…

IQ Logistica today announces the launch of Farmers Friend, a new companion Farming Operations Mobile Application. The app is a new tool for farmers to use in-field to manage their full farming operations straight from their phones or tablets. It offers a new way for farmers to easily view, manage and access all of their operational data to mitigate risks, successfully implement lucrative stakeholder relationships and optimize their yield opportunities. The app comes as a complementary tool against their successful web application which allows farmers to store, manage and access all of their agricultural operational data in order to amplify…

MTN SA is ramping up investment to modernise existing and deploy new network infrastructure across Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The R820 million investment will go toward MTN’s “Modernisation of Network South Africa project” (MONZA) as well as expanded rural reach, 5G expansion and restoration of vandalised network infrastructure. “Our aim is to significantly enhance access and open the door to new digital opportunities for many more people across the province. Our investment is specifically targeted at increasing network coverage, improving throughputs, and connecting the previously unconnected,” says Kagiso Moncho, General Manager: Northern Region from MTN South Africa. The MONZA rollout in…

SmartWage, an innovative HR and communications technology startup, has raised $2 million or R29 million. The oversubscribed seed funding round was raised to support SmartWage’s vision of transforming Africa’s workforce through digital inclusion, particularly for frontline employees like cashiers, restaurant staff, security personnel, and healthcare workers.  SmartWage is giving enterprises a simple yet effective way to digitise their most time-consuming HR processes, helping them save time and money in order to focus on what matters most – people. The product gives employees without email the ability to receive company-wide communication, access their payslips, request leave and get access to financial…

This past weekend, 25 – 28 March 2022, saw HQ Sandton ignite the Sandton property market with a 72-hour exclusive to Africa’s richest square mile. An incredible 48 Hospitality Studios were secured as 72 opportunities sold for R1 million, with a deposit of R10 000 only required. Even at a prime lending rate of 7.75%, we are still well below the level of 10% that existed when we entered the pandemic in early 2020, giving keen investors the perfect opportunity to add to their property portfolios. With estimated long-term rental yields in year one around 9% and short-term rental yields in year one around…

As worldwide adoption and usage of BNPL grows as the alternative payment method of choice for today’s young consumers, Codebase Technologies has responded by developing an innovative BNPL solution to help banks tackle the threat of rising BNPL brands. Leveraging Codebase Technologies’ award-winning digital banking platform, DigibancTM, the new BNPL component allows for banks, fintechs, lenders, retailers, and anyone in between to create and launch their own branded BNPL offering. Codebase Technologies has introduced the solution to the market after months of design, development, and robust testing. As people continue to deal with the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic…

RCS, the consumer finance arm of global bank BNP Paribas, has announced its acquisition of SA’s online credit provider Mobicred. RCS CEO, Regan Adams, states that there has never been a better opportunity to tap into the accessibility and convenience that the South African e-commerce environment has to offer. “Our acquisition of Mobicred enables us to better serve the needs of South African consumers who require a more diverse suite of credit solutions to help them access and manage their purchases,” he said. “The acquisition of Mobicred was the natural next step in RCS’s digital transformation strategy and complements…

Payment fraud is a nightmare scenario for any business. Irrespective of size, companies face substantial financial and reputational harm resulting from fraudulent activity. Depending on the severity of the crime and the losses incurred, the very survival of the business may be at stake. Ryan Mer, CEO at eftsure Africa,  a Know Your Payee™ (KYP) platform provider, says banking and payment fraud remains a serious concern as fraudsters use increasingly sophisticated methods to exploit process vulnerabilities and take advantage of human error. A 2021 TransUnion report noted a significant surge in fraud and criminal activity related to financial services in…

Cape Town has been announced as the first city on the African continent to welcome the prestigious 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Reigniting international tourism to Cape Town  World-class travel destination Cape Town, South Africa has welcomed the introduction of luxurious Dreamliner aircraft flights between Cape Town and Istanbul from 1 April 2022. The city has been selected as the priority destination for the aircraft on the continent. Turkish Airlines states that the Dreamliner is the airline’s most-advanced aircraft, with a seating capacity of 300 passengers, including 270 Economy Class seats and 30 Business Class seats. The Dreamliner provides on-board dining and…

Huawei signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) to drive Africa’s digital transformation. Bridget Linzie, CRASA Executive Secretary and Yang Hongjie, Director of ICT Strategy and Policy Department of Huawei Southern Africa Region, signed the MoU during the CRASA 11th annual general meeting attended by delegates from all 13 member countries in Luanda Angola. Under the agreement, both parties intend to exchange information and ideas on ICT policies and regulations, undertake joint research on network security, data protection, digital inclusion policies and emerging technologies like 5G, and organise capacity building activities through…

Vodacom South Africa Managing Director, Balesh Sharma, has decided to leave the  Vodafone-owned company after a two-decade-long career to pursue an external opportunity in Europe, with effect from 30 June 2022. Balesh has held his current role as Managing Director of Vodacom South Africa since September 2020, after he was appointed to carve out a new standalone Vodacom South Africa entity. To ensure a smooth transition, Balesh will remain in his role for the next three months. “I would like to offer my deepest gratitude to Balesh for his invaluable contribution in the establishment of Vodacom South Africa,” Vodacom Group…

Eskom’s former Financial Controller Mosai Barnard Moraka and service provider Victor Vilosi Tshabalala were sentenced to 20 years in jail for fraud and corruption that cost the power utility R35 million. Thed Palm Ridge Commercial Crimes Court sentenced two thieves to an effective 20 years’ imprisonment on Tuesday. The pair were each found guilty of 53 counts of fraud and theft that cost Eskom R35 million. The court also granted an order where both thieves will forfeit their respective properties to the state. The properties were placed under a preservation order in November 2021 and will now be sold, and…

MSI, Redragon, Antec, Crucial and ACGL are joining forces for another year of competitive battle royale action with the #MythicRoyale for Fortnite and Apex Legends. During the course of the year, competitors will compete via a series of qualifiers to earn their spot in the cash final per title. A total of R150,000 in cash is allocated to the rotating Apex Legends and Fortnite series. Each cash series will launch with a guaranteed prize pool, which can be boosted by achieving a number of community goals. The higher the number of community goals per series achieved, the higher the prize pool. Community goals for…

South Africa’s Macrocomm is in strategic partnership with India’s Bharat Rail Automation to deliver signal management and smart railway solutions to SA and other African territories. Macrocomm, with its partner ecosystem, offers cutting-edge digital technology solutions concentrated around IoT, Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The Macrocomm-Bharat Rail partnership will focus on delivering secure data-driven solutions that will enable railway authorities to significantly improve operational efficiency and safety through contextual and secure signalling as well as optimal route planning and scheduling. “Our choice of Bharat Rail Automation as a partner has been based on the trust that the…