Author: Staff Writer

Pick n Pay is leading the way in local retail by making transactions via cryptocurrency more accessible to millions. This follows the successful completion of the first phase of a new pilot that allows customers to pay using cryptocurrency on their smartphones using a trusted app. It is now testing it in more stores. While for many years crypto was something for specialists on their computers, or used by early adopters trying it out, things are changing. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority’s (FSCA) recent announcement paves the way for cryptocurrency as a mainstream method of payment. Increasingly cryptocurrency is being used…

For many South African learners, maths is a major stumbling block. A young Western Cape-based entrepreneur- Thobeka Nkabinde – is changing this, one equation at a time, with the WhatsApp-based eRank Play app. Her vision? To make maths fun to learn for all South African children. The eRank Play app is built around everyday actions like working out what change is due from a taxi driver when collecting fares or how to use maths to slot a car into a small parking spot, and can be played anywhere, anytime. The app, which already has 1,000 regular players and is growing…

Sanlam and MTN Group are pleased to announce that our strategic alliance to market and distribute insurance and investment products across Africa has reached a significant milestone with the fulfilment of the regulatory, competition and other requirements. The effective date of the transaction is 31 October 2022. The strategic alliance will be implemented through MTN Group’s InsurTech platform aYo Holdings (aYo) and each partner will hold 50% of aYo. Through aYo, the alliance will continue to build and develop digital insurance and investment offerings that provide people across Africa with easier access to Sanlam’s products, particularly those people who have…

In testing, just 11% of 3,907 employees proved a high level of cybersecurity awareness using Kaspersky Gamified Assessment Tool. Fewer skilled users made most of their mistakes in the realm of web browsing. With 90% of people overestimating their cybersecurity abilities, Kaspersky Gamified Assessment Tool is designed to not only change employee behaviour and awareness, but also to assist chief information officers (CIOs) and HR departments measuring workers’ cyber skills, and provide their teams with a relevant education environment. During the game, employees receive points on the decisions they make during commonly encountered situations occurring while working remotely – at…

Anton Herbst, currently chief executive officer of Tarsus On Demand (TOD) and Tarsus Technology Group (TTG) has resigned his positions at the Group with effect from 31 January 2023. In a related move, Gary Pickford, currently chief commercial officer of Tarsus Distribution has been appointed managing director of Tarsus Distribution effective 1 November 2022. The process of selecting a new CEO for TOD is underway and an announcement will be made as soon as the details are finalised. Herbst was appointed CEO of Tarsus Technology Group in 2021 and at the time Lawrence Barnett, chairman of the TTG board said:…

It’s not every day a CEO of a major company asks his customers to log in and ask him tough questions face-to- face and on the spot. In an extremely well-attended and vibrant one hour LinkedIn Live session on Friday afternoon, MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi did just that, fielding many curve balls and unleashing a 24/7 customer service “war room” to ensure rapid responses and urgent follow-ups to the most pressing customer issues. With rolling blackouts, vandalism at power stations and battery theft resulting in increasing downtime on networks across SA, Molapisi said he did not have time for…

South Africa’s telco Telkom today officially launch its 5G network in partnership with Chinese telcoms giant Huawei. The 5G network is an ultra-speed, superior Internet connection that supersedes the previous LTE and 4G connections.  This next-generation network  will open up new opportunities for smart cities, businesses, healthcare, manufacturing and autonomous vehicles. Manufacturing makes up close to 12% of South Africa’s GDP, there’s a solid case to make regarding the value of 5G in transforming business models. 5G offers manufacturers the chance to build smart operations and truly take advantage of technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, augmented reality for troubleshooting,…

Heineken South Africa has taken a bold step in moving closer to reducing carbon emissions in all its operations, by launching a solar power plant at its Sedibeng, Midvaal brewery. The solar plant began producing power in May this year and is the largest freestanding solar plant powering a brewery in South Africa, and the largest within the Heineken group. The solar plant boasts 14,000 panels with an energy capacity of over 6.5MW providing 30% of the brewery’s electricity demand. The 19ha project will generate 17,000 MWh per annum. “This project supports Heineken’s Brewing a Better World goal reach to…

The Shoprite Group made its second minority investment in a South African tech startup this year. In the most recent transaction, the retailer is among a group of companies, led by Buffet Investments and KLT, in an undisclosed expansion round in Omnisient, Africa’s first privacy-preserving data collaboration platform provider. “We are excited by local start-ups that are creating value for our customers and partner businesses, whilst having privacy at the core of their offering,” says Neil Schreuder, Chief of Strategy & Innovation at ShopriteX, the Group’s data and customer technology unit that has been working with Omnisient for the past…

JSE-listed technology company Altron has announced its intention to sell the ATM Hardware and Support Business portion of its Altron Managed Solutions Division to NCR. The NCR Retail Hardware and Support business remains under Altron Managed Solutions. The sale sees ownership of the business going full circle, as Altron initially acquired the business from NCR Corporation. Altron Managed Solutions Managing Director, Warren Mande, said: “NCR and Altron have a long relationship, dating back more than 40 years. In this dynamic and highly demanding market, the future for our banking business under a global leader such as NCR, brings direct access…