Author: Staff Writer

The BMW Group presents a fusion of art and innovation at the Frieze Los Angeles art fair in the form of the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA. The one-of-a-kind vehicle combines colour-change technology developed by BMW with the artistic language of South African artist Esther Mahlangu. The designer piece, with sections of attached film that can be electronically animated, embodies the latest development in colour-change technology for vehicle surfaces in cooperation with E Ink. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA celebrates its world premiere at the fair opening on 29 February. The contemporary tribute recalls the BMW Art Car designed by Mahlangu…

Eskom board announced the arrival of Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, who officially assumes his role today. He re-joins Eskom at a time when the organisation faces an existential challenge and is undergoing significant changes that require hands-on, bold, and decisive leadership. Eskom Board Chairman Mteto Nyati expressed confidence in Marokane’ s abilities, as well as in the leadership and staff of Eskom, emphasising their collective commitment to turning the organisation around. “We expect Dan and his leadership team to accomplish at least two critical tasks. First, they must address the current business challenges. Loadshedding must become a thing…

The newly-formed National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) today announced the commencement of operations as a single, one-stop, all-in-one dispute resolution service made up of the four (4) former existing services – the Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS); the Credit Ombud (CO); the Ombudsman for Long-Term Insurance (OLTI); and the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI). The Ombud Council, granted the NFO recognition (under section 194 of the Financial Sector Regulation Act, 9 of 2017 (FSR Act), as an industry ombud scheme on 23 February 2024. Complaints will be accepted from 1 March 2024. All the services and assistance previously provided to…

Mastercard and MTN Fintech have signed a multi-market agreement that will set in motion a new era of collaboration to connect millions of people and small businesses across Africa with digital tools to transact through secure mobile payments, expanding access to the benefits of the cashless digital economy. The partnership will use Mastercard’s cutting edge technology and capabilities to support MTN’s ambition to become Africa’s largest fintech platform for both merchants and consumers. This follows Mastercard and MTN’s recent agreement for a minority investment into MTN Group Fintech – the digital financial services arm of Africa’s largest mobile network operator…

Transnet acting CEO Michelle Phillips has been appointed as its new boss, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan announced on Wednesday. The Minister also announced the appointment of Nosipho Maphumulo as the Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO). “These are critical appointments which represent our steadfast commitment as government to equip Transnet with a competent and experienced executive leadership team to drive the strategic interventions that the board has put in place as part of the Transnet recovery plan,” Gordhan said. Phillips is currently acting as the Group Chief Executive of Transnet, and there has been improvements in the performance of ports…

At MWC 2024, Huawei officially released the National Cloud 2.0 solution worldwide. Huawei aims to help government organizations around the world accelerate national digital transformation and promote intelligence. Hu Yuhai, Vice President of Huawei Hybrid Cloud, said: “Global digital transformation has reached a new stage of full intelligence driven by data and AI. The National Cloud 2.0 solution from Huawei provides trusted cloud infrastructure, innovative cloud services, and extensive industry know-how. We aim to help governments achieve national digital visions faster.” The National Cloud 2.0 Solution Has Been Officially Released Today, more than 170 countries and regions have announced digital…

During MWC Barcelona 2024, Huawei held the Huawei Talent Summit and made announcements relevant to several talent development initiatives, including: the launch of the applications for the global ITU-Huawei Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme; the announcement that the joint project between Huawei and UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) will be implemented in Morocco; and Huawei Cloud’s startups programme. The theme of the event was “I C Talent: Nurturing Excellence in a Digital World”. Attendees included representatives from international organizations like ITU and UNESCO, government officials from Greece, Kenya, and Mexico, female industry leaders, entrepreneurs participating in the Huawei Cloud…

Discovery today announced the official launch of the Discovery Pothole Patrol Academy in partnership with Avis Southern Africa. Following a successful pilot in 2023 with 18 learners, the Academy is now accredited by the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) to offer a 12-month practical skills training programme providing an NQF Level 3 qualification. In its first official year, which kicked off on 1 February 2024, the Academy is providing classroom and on-the job-training to 24 learners through EduWize, an accredited learnership and skills development provider. Participants are men and women aged 22 to 34 from previously disadvantaged communities…

Vodacom has taken its case to the Constitutional Court, aiming to overturn a judgment from the Supreme Court of Appeal regarding the “Please Call Me” dispute, which it deems “fundamentally flawed.” This move follows the dismissal by the Supreme Court of Vodacom’s application for leave to appeal against a prior High Court ruling. The Supreme Court directed Vodacom’s CEO, Shameel Joosub, to extend a new offer to Nkosana Makate, operating on the premise that Makate had an 18-year contractual relationship with the company. In 2016, the Constitutional Court recognised Makate as the inventor of the “Please Call Me” service, despite…

Covid-19 exposed the weakness of the data held by municipalities across South Africa. Lack of information about vulnerable families made it difficult to implement focused and effective disaster-management and support initiatives. That’s the challenge at the heart of a weekend hackathon in March 2024, hosted in Johannesburg by Kagiso Trust in partnership with the Empire Partner Foundation (EPF). The event, with a prize of R20,000 for the winning team, will aim to develop a tech solution to address data management in municipalities. “We are at a pivotal moment where technology can drastically improve how local government operates,” says Mankodi Moitse,…