Author: Staff Writer

Capitec Bank announced on Wednesday that it has appointed Group Services Financial Head, Grant Hardy, to be a chief financial officer (CFO) and financial director (FD) designate. Hardy replaces André du Plessis, Co-Founder of Capitec, who will retire on 30 June 2022. Hardy is a chartered accountant who completed his articles with Deloitte in Johannesburg in their Financial Services team. Following this, he spent 8 years working in the banking sector in the UK before returning to South Africa and joining Capitec Bank in 2015. He has fulfilled various roles in the Financial Management division at Capitec Bank, and in 2019…

JSE-listed technology company Altron has announced that Group Chief Executive Mteto Nyati will step down from his role effective 30 June 2022. This decision was informed by Nyati’s impending completion of a five-year term with the Altron Group, his successful contribution to increasing shareholder value by approximately six times during his tenure, and his search for a new challenge. Nyati, who led Altron’s transition from a family-controlled and managed business to an independent corporate entity, contributed significantly to the achievement of several strategic initiatives at Altron. These included establishing and growing a core ICT portfolio and transforming Altron from a…

Prosus, one of the largest EdTech investors globally, has expanded its EdTech portfolio with investments in Go Student and EduMe. Prosus has led a €300 million or R5.3 billion Series D funding round in Vienna-based edtech unicorn GoStudent – founded in Vienna in 2016,  GoStudent provides paid, one-to-one, video-based tutoring to primary, secondary and college-aged students in 30+ subjects. The new funding will go towards GoStudent’s international expansion, product expansion through M&A, and increased market share in existing geographies. Prosus has also led a $20 million or R312 million Series B funding round in London-headquartered EduMe. EduMe is a mobile-based…

Forge Academy, South Africa’s first fully inclusive artificial intelligence laboratory, is offering 20 “creative internships” to graduates looking to take that next step in their careers. Selected candidates will grow their digital skillsets and gain valuable experience in the 4IR disciplines of software development, user experience design (UXD), 3D animation, game design and much more. The internship programme, sponsored by Forge Academy, is open to any recent graduate based in Gauteng looking for an opportunity to get their foot into the 4IR industry. From applications received, 20 graduates will be chosen for the internship at Forge Academy, falling under Forge…

Acer announced refreshes across its lines of Predator and Nitro gaming laptops, starting off the year with new models of the Predator Triton 500 SE, Predator Helios 300 and Acer Nitro 5. “Our most popular gaming laptops have been updated with the latest silicon announced at CES,” said James Lin, General Manager, Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Combine that with state-of-the-art cooling technology and high-refresh rate displays and you get exciting laptops that even the most demanding of players will love.” All of the laptops feature the latest 12th Gen Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30 Series…

The South African online casino industry is constantly changing, and players need to be kept abreast of all the updates so as not to miss out. To meet this demand, a group of industry veterans has launched a brand-new source for reliable and updated information about the local gambling market. NoDepositCasino.co.za is an all-encompassing platform which features comprehensive reviews of the best South African casinos, with a focus on sites that specialize in free no deposit casino bonuses and free spins. The new comprehensive South African casino portal is under the management of a well-known face in the SA gambling…

South Africa’s premier online casino guide, www.SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za , has announced the winners in its coveted South African Online Casino Industry awards 2021. Every year, SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za recognize the best online casinos in South Africa. Just like all casino players, we accept nothing less than excellence across the online gambling industry. The site has been around for almost two decades and the team used its many years of experience in the local and international online casino industry coupled with its expertise and in-depth knowledge of the iGaming space to make its choices. They closely examined a range of top online casinos that…

At CES 2022, LG Electronics (LG) is showcasing a smarter, more seamless way to get laundry done with its new LG WashTower and washer and dryer pair. The new laundry solutions feature LG’s enhanced Artificial Intelligence Direct Drive (AI DD) technology, proven steam technology and an array of functions that make washing and drying clothes more convenient than ever. With LG’s enhanced AI DD technology, the new laundry pair delivers customised performance that can sense load size, fabric type and the level of soiling of a clothing article, automatically adding the right amount of detergent and adjusting the wash style…

Acer today announced a pair of additions to its thin, light and powerful lineup of Swift X laptops with discrete GPUs, consisting of a new 14-inch and 16-inch model. New Aspire C27 and C24 All-in-One (AIO) PCs were also released.  All of the new PCs feature the latest 12th Gen Intel® Core™ processors. Acer Swift X — Powerful and Ultraportable The ultra-portable laptop Swift X features a 12th Gen Intel Core processor with up to 12 cores and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti laptop GPU into its 0.7-inch (17.9 mm) thin aluminum chassis. A fan, air inlet keyboard and…

Samsung is revealing a new lineup of smart TVs at CES 2022 today, including features such as an integrated platform for discovering, purchasing and trading digital artwork, plus Google Stadia gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now and Utomik. These new features are available in Samsung’s newest MICRO LED, Neo QLED and Lifestyle TVs. Samsung says with advancements in the picture and sound quality, more screen size options, customizable accessories and an upgraded interface, the 2022 screens bring the vision of ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All’ closer to reality with life-like images, immersive sound and hyper-personalized experiences. The New Smart Hub and Apps…

Recently, MTN Group completed two trials including the Intelligent IP Private Line Solution and the Sleeping Cells Self-healing Solution on South Africa live networks for the first time in December 2021, which are also the first time in the African continent. This marks a new stage for MTN in terms of network autonomy and intelligence capability, and empowers MTN’s “Ambition2025” strategy. Sleeping Cell Self-healing Solution with Cross-domain Fault Automation Based on Huawei ADN (Autonomous Driving Network) Solution, MTN announced the deployment of high innovative use cases in MTN South Africa Johannesburg for sleeping cells self-healing with cross-domain fault automation for Radio Access Network services. Sleeping…

Africa’s leading service provider, MTN, is transforming into a digital platform service operator to deliver exceptional network experience to its subscribers through its long-term vision and strategic network planning. With strong performance in 2020, MTN is the leading NPS contributor in Africa and is currently leading in 14 out of 20 markets it operates in. MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy highlights its leadership position of leveraging cutting-edge technology solutions to transform its operations, gain new efficiencies and provide a superior customer experience to its subscribers. The initiative was formed for “building the largest and most valuable platform business with a clear…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it cleared Pfizer’s antiviral pill, Paxlovid, to treat COVID-19. Paxlovid can be used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and paediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg [88 lbs]) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalisation or death. This is the first pill authorised to treat the virus in the midst of infection. “Today’s authorization of Paxlovid represents another tremendous example of how science will help us ultimately defeat this…

The US Army says it is testing a COVID-19 vaccine it believes could work against any and all coronavirus variants, including Omicron. A series of recently published preclinical study results show that the Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle (SpFN) COVID-19 vaccine developed by researchers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) not only elicits a potent immune response. The jab may also provide broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern as well as other coronaviruses. The SpFN nanoparticle vaccine is developed from the ferritin platform. Pre-clinical studies published today in Science Translational Medicine indicate that the SpFN vaccine protects non-human…

LG Electronics’ (LG) new CEO William Cho announced the company’s priorities for 2022, communicating the importance of being even more strategic in the new year to increase customer value and strengthen existing businesses while preparing for all future possibilities. In his end-of-year employee address, CEO Cho also voiced his appreciation to all staff for a successful 2021 that saw much change and growth amidst the challenges of an evolving global market. “We will do what needs to be done to make management more agile and have the courage to implement new ways to meet the demands of a fast-changing business…

Inspiring stories have the power to ignite a flame of hope in our lives that lights up the future. They help us explain our shared experiences of perseverance, triumph and change, and offer meaning and community in darker days. Planned to go into production towards the end of February 2022, Rocket Boy is a story so inspiring it is sure to capture the hearts of the world. Produced by founder, executive producer and owner of Coal Stove Pictures – Wandile Molebatsi – Rocket Boy follows the uniquely African narrative of an exciting young black scientist Siyabulela Xuza who won The…

Professor Herman Singh has been appointed as an independent non-executive director of the African Bank. His appointment was with effect from 21 December 2021. “We are extremely excited about Herman’s appointment as a non-executive director,” said Thabo Dloti, the Chairman of the African Bank Board. “His passion for technology and digital evolution together with his strong business and finance experience will add immense value to the Board and its committees.” Singh holds a Degree in Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits), a Post Graduate qualification in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He served as an…

Many of us leave shopping for the last minute during the holiday season, only to find ourselves scrambling around a busy shopping mall panic-buying things we don’t really need. But in today’s digital age, there’s a much more convenient way to cross items off our shopping lists. A 2020 survey by Mastercard revealed that more than half of South Africans are now shopping online, opting for the safety of contactless transactions due to COVID-19. Online shopping has undoubtedly revolutionised the retail sector, allowing consumers to browse a much wider variety of products and services and find exactly what they’re looking…

Captain Fresh, a tech-enabled B2B seafood marketplace, announced today that it has raised $40 million or R842 million in a Series B investment round co-led by Tiger Global and Prosus Ventures. Existing investors Matrix Partners India, Accel India, Ankur Capital, and Incubate Fund have also participated in the round. “For centuries, the fish and seafood industry has stayed the same with very little innovation and we have a unique opportunity to revolutionise the sector utilising technology,” Utham Gowda, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Captain Fresh. “We are thrilled to have investors like Tiger, Prosus Ventures, Accel and Matrix believe in…

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, tomorrow will switch off the analogue transmitter in the North-West (NW) Province. The minister and Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, the chairman of communications regulator ICASA, will travel to Zeerust in North West to oversee the switching off of the last analogue transmitter in the province. The event, taking place at the Zeerust Transmitter Site in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality,. The switching off of the last analogue transmitter in the NW Province will make way for the continued implementation of the digital migration process. “We are indeed grateful to be part of…

MTN in partnership with ayoba, Africa’s Super App, has reached an exciting milestone of over 10 million monthly active users. 2021 has been a fast-paced year so far for ayoba, who celebrated its second year in operation in May 2021. The ayoba platform aims to harness growth in the African digital economy by breaking down barriers such as limited access to the internet and digital services, low smartphone penetration, lack of locally relevant content, and affordability. “We celebrate this milestone and are pleased that through ayoba we can provide access to affordable communications, so that millions of people across our…

The first-ever BMW iX, the new technology flagship, is available for sale in South Africa and is retailing from R1.65 million. The BMW iX is a modern Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) that has been designed from the inside out and redefines the idea of interior spaciousness and luxury. Prices: BMW iX xDrive40 – R1,650,000 BMW iX xDrive50 – R2,175,000 BMW iX prices in South Africa include a complimentary Wallbox charger and installation*, free charging at any BMW-branded charging stations, free insurance for the first year, and a year’s subscription to the Charge Point Operator’s network portal. The BMW iX redefines…

Naspers-backed SweepSouth, Africa’s largest online home services platform, today announced it has bought Egyptian startup Filkhedma, a home services marketplace operating across three cities. Filkhedma services tens of thousands of customers with cleaning, maintenance, and beauty services while empowering over 2 000 service providers through technology with consistent incomes and professional development. “We are thrilled to have Filkhedma as part of the SweepSouth family,” says Aisha Pandor, CEO and Co-founder of SweepSouth. “It’s not only their services that align with ours, but also their values and culture. Just like us, Filkhedma is passionate about providing quality and trusted home services,…

With the rollout of 5G networks rapidly gathering pace, it’s only a matter of time before it plays a role in all our lives, even if we’re not always aware of it. But as is the case with any emerging technology, people have raised concerns about what security implications will come with the adoption of 5G. While awareness of cybersecurity issues is undoubtedly a good thing, it’s also important to be aware of the work being done to ensure that 5G networks are as secure as possible as well as the security benefits that come with the adoption of 5G.…

With the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) already having a profound impact on almost every aspect of our lives, it’s critical that the South African tertiary education sector empower graduates with the skills they need to compete in the new world of work. That importance was underlined at the Huawei South Africa ICT Talent Development Annual Awards, which took place virtually on 10th of December 2021. The awards recognise the top students and instructors from Huawei’s ICT Competition and its ICT Academy. The program is aimed at driving the development of ICT talent for industry development and digital transformation and is…