Author: Staff Writer
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,…
In a strategic move aimed at reshaping the digital banking platform landscape, Dunes, a prominent Fintech platform headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to acquire a substantial stake in Be Mobile Africa. The acquisition, slated for finalisation by the close of the second quarter of 2024, represents a pivotal moment for Dunes, solidifying its position as a frontrunner among the new wave of Fintech enterprises. “The strategic sale of non-financial assets injects vital financial resources into Be Mobile Africa. These resources will be used to double down on key African markets, in line…
The electric vehicle (EV) market in South Africa is projected to reach R612,922,375 in 2024 and the market is expected to expand at an annual growth rate of 16.93% between 2024 and 2028. Many in the automotive industry will know that electric charging barely scratches the surface of automotive possibility in 2024. By 2030, around 95% of new vehicles sold globally will be connected. Software, personalisation, and automation will define the next era of auto. “New in-vehicle experiences powered by tech will revolutionise how we and our cars interact with our environment in the coming years. However, to do this,…
South Africa’s first fully-fledged creator house, Ya Rona House, has been unveiled in Johannesburg. Positioned as the ultimate intersection between sports, entertainment and culture, Ya Rona House is attached to this year’s Nedbank Cup – South Africa’s biggest knockout football tournament. While Ya Rona House was designed in the guise of the TikTok-style creator houses seen in America and Europe, it will feature some of South Africa’s top creator talent. True to its name, which translates to ‘our house’, the space will provide guests with some of the most innovative experiences seen in local football. With an injection of gaming,…
While it’s unlikely that the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill will be tabled before Parliament rises ahead of the elections this year, market players are eagerly awaiting its enactment and the many benefits it will bring, especially when it comes to low risk, rapid innovation in the fintech space. Designed to complement the Banks Act and Insurance Acts, COFI has been drafted to consolidate thousands of pages of disparate financial legislation and create a single standard of industry conduct. It will impact all financial institutions, including banks, insurers, credit providers, and financial advisors and, importantly, non-financial institutions such as…
With more than 80% of confirmed data breaches due to stolen, weak or reused passwords*; reclaiming digital footprints by safeguarding personal information is one of the most pressing internet safety issues of 2024. This is according to the Internet Service Providers’ Association of South Africa (ISPA) as another Internet Safety Month winds down and stakeholders in South Africa and across the globe help raise awareness of a safer and better internet for all. “February with its ‘together for a better internet’ message is an opportune time to remind South African internet consumers that the safeguarding of personal information should be…
After unveiling its groundbreaking collaboration with the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) two weeks ago, Vumacam, South Africa’s premier technology-infused CCTV network, is delighted to report significant initial achievements in combating crime within the nation’s economic hub. This alliance empowers the GPG to leverage Vumacam’s expansive camera infrastructure and cutting-edge crime-deterrence solutions. By partnering with Vumacam, the GPG gains instant access to a vast network comprising over 6000 cameras across Gauteng, with additional access to partner cameras nationwide. “The power of our technology allows our partners in the public and private sector to maximise their crime fighting resources. By putting the…
This year’s Huawei Cloud Summit demonstrated how Huawei Cloud is the infrastructure of choice for AI applications. With the theme of “Accelerate Intelligence with Everything as a Service”, the 500-strong event brought together executives and experts from diverse industries, such as carrier, finance, and Internet. Huawei Cloud presented 10 AI-oriented innovations and extensive industry expertise of Pangu models. The objective is an AI-ready infrastructure tailored to each industry for a faster journey towards intelligence. Jim Lu, President of the European Region and Senior Vice President of Huawei, stated in his speech that, “Intelligence will open up new opportunities for Europe…