Author: Staff Writer

Isaac Nape, an emerging South African talent in the study of quantum optics, is part of a crack team of Wits physicists who led an international study that revealed the hidden structures of quantum entangled states. The study was published in the renowned scientific journal, Nature Communications, on Friday, 27 August 2021. Nape is pursuing his PhD at Wits University and focuses on harnessing structured patterns of light for high dimensional information encoding and decoding for use in quantum communication. Earlier this year he scooped up two awards at the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) conference to add to…

Huawei South Africa supplier, Doreen Mbhalati-Mashele of Deliz Investments has been given a Special Recognition Award at the 2021 BRICS Women Innovation Contest, for her efforts in environmental sustainability, and green design. Mbhalati-Mashele says she was ecstatic to receive this news, especially during August, which is Women’s Month in the country. “I was speechless when I found out that I’d won,” she says. “I didn’t think that I’d be recognised at the BRICS level at this stage of my career. The award has motivated me to go the extra mile when it comes to project delivery, environmental sustainability and job…

PayU, the payments and FinTech business of Prosus, is spending $4.7 billion or R69 billion to buy Indian digital payments provider BillDesk. The proposed acquisition will see PayU, which operates in more than 20 high-growth markets, become one of the leading online payment providers globally by total payment volume (TPV). Acquisition of BillDesk will see PayU become one of the leading online payment providers globally, handling a total payment volume (TPV) of $147 billion or R2.1 trillion. The deal will bring Prosus’s cumulative investment in Indian tech to more than $10 billion or R145 billion. “Our announcement today reflects Prosus’s…

China on Monday announced strict new rules that will ban children from playing online games during weekdays and limit them to just three hours per week. Variety reported that the rules were unveiled by the National Press and Publication Administration in order to curb gaming addiction among teenagers, state news agency Xinhua reported. Gamers aged below 18 will be limited to one hour of online game play, between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in normal weeks. They will also be allowed to play on statutory public holidays, said the publication. Current rules allow for 90…

South Africa’s operators to give back temporary radio frequency spectrum assignments. ICASA, the country’s communications watchdog, said today that it has resolved that the temporary radio frequency spectrum assigned to licensees will now have to be returned by no later 30 November 2021. The temporary radio frequency spectrum was first assigned by means of an expedited ITA during April 2020 on the initial declaration of the National State of Disaster, which in turn was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. ICASA has since twice extended the duration of the temporary radio frequency spectrum assignment, with the last expiry date being 31…

Conducting background checks on service providers and employees has always been restricted to large organisations such as corporations and government departments. Now, anyone in South Africa can do so, thanks to an innovative new online platform called iKNOWyou. Targeted at property owners, parents, and small businesses, this newly launched online personal vetting solution by Managed Integrity Evaluation (MIE), provides users with better insight into who they are employing or contracting. The platform first runs identity verification to assess whether individuals are indeed who they say they are and provides further information by means of a criminal check. “With criminal activity…

This week South Africa’s unemployment rate soared to 44.4% over the second quarter, the highest on a global list of 82 countries monitored by Bloomberg. Now, a new video-interview platform Wamly aims to play its part in tackling the country’s growing unemployment rate. The disruptive one-way video software platform has recently been joined by South African serial entrepreneur Marnus Broodryk. He believes that the time is right for investment in innovative thinking that takes advantage of modern technology to replace outdated processes and costly, time-wasting procedures. “We need to be thinking differently and to use innovation to solve the country’s issues…

The International Fraud Deterrent System recently unveiled by the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association) will help prevent telecoms fraud including the multi-billion dollar global problem of “robo-calling”. That’s according to PBX over GSM provider Trabel (Pty) Ltd which believes that the GSMA’s latest anti-fraud initiative can, in particular, add another layer of protection to PBX systems running over different telecoms networks. “When it comes to security, GSM is the undisputed gold standard for voice calls,” says Anton Potgieter, Managing Director of Trabel (Pty) Ltd, the Cape-based developers of NoPBX. NoPBX is a secure GSM-based PBX solution that seamlessly…

FinTech enablement partner Ukheshe Technologies has announced a new partnership with global next-generation card solutions and digital security company, dzcard. The partnership will enhance dzcard’s customisable solutions for various digital ecosystems and locations. The partnership will leverage Ukheshe’s Eclipse API platform and its market-leading digital payments solutions, allowing both companies to deliver digital strategies within their respective markets. Donovan Drew, president: Asia-Pacific of Ukheshe says the company’s digital payments enablement platform has expanded and evolved significantly as the financial services market seeks innovative solution providers that can address fundamental payment gaps. “The partnership will provide further channels for dzcard to…

Black investors in Phuthuma Nathi, the broad-based black economic empowerment arm of pay-TV operator MultiChoice, will share more than R1.5 billion in dividends. MultiChoice South Africa (MCSA) announced it has declared a dividend to Phuthuma Nathi  shareholders of R1.5 billion. An ordinary dividend of R22.22 per share before dividend tax (R17.78 after tax) will be paid to Phuthuma Nathi shareholders in the first week of September 2021. “The economic environment in South Africa combined with the effects of COVID-19 have created tough conditions. Despite these challenges, we’re delighted to declare a dividend,” Imtiaz Patel, MultiChoice South Africa chairman, said. “We…

Huawei’s newest nova series launched today raises the smartphone experience with a bold design, advanced camera capabilities and productivity-boosting features. The Huawei nova series specifically targets the African youth by bringing them not one but two spectacular devices that are price conscious, stylish and socially on-par with what is out there right now. These two devices are the Huawei nova 8 andHuawei nova Y60. “Gen-Z pride themselves on being the most digitally connected generation that keeps getting better and better. They prefer bite-sized video content and are not about to start compromising now; that’s why Huawei has tailored two smartphones…

Absa Group, in collaboration with the Hein Wagner Academy, will be launching South Africa’s first Cybersecurity Academy for the visually impaired. This is the next evolution of the Absa Cybersecurity Academy, which is focused on developing marginalised, unemployed youths in a globally scarce skill. Accepted students will receive a full scholarship to the Absa Cybersecurity Academy for the Blind based in Worcester, Cape Town, covering all fees, from tuition, specialised learning technologies, accommodation, to food and travel expenses. Each student will also receive a monthly stipend during the two-year programme. “This programme is part of our effort to expand the…

African businesses and consumers will now be able to benefit from a direct connection to the USA as Liquid Intelligent Technologies opens an Internet Point of Presence in Miami, connecting to the Liquid network via a South Atlantic subsea cable. As part of Liquid’s East-West route between the US and Asia via Africa, the new POP is connected to their 100,000km of fibre across 11 countries on the continent and another 14 countries via the Operators Alliance Programme and Liquid Satellite Services. This results in customers being able to leverage a better connection to the US, giving them access to…

Specialist technology solutions provider iOCO has expanded its international presence in the UK and Europe in order to better service its customers in the region. Africa’s largest IT service provider, iOCO has decades of experience working with many of the world’s leading organisations, enabling them to gain the full benefits offered by new technologies. Boasting an extensive team of specialists and strategic partnerships with global technology leaders, iOCO provides a personalised approach backed by a multi-national team of experts. This move is in line with iOCO’s strategic digital expansion over the past few years, with the organisation continually enhancing its…

Ithala Bank and FinTech startup Black Pay have created a partnership aimed at financing township and rural development across the country. The alliance, valued at $15 million or R250 million, will finance township and rural development through home loans, backyard flats, and taxi and vehicle credit while prioritising women and young people. Dr Thulani Vilakazi, CEO of Ithala SOC Limited, said Black Pay will provide all the support Ithala’s clients need to help them in obtaining a loan and to ensure the process runs smoothly. “We recognise that a significant part of our work should be the improvement of the…

Catalytic, part of AltX-listed TeleMasters, has launched uncapped voice bundles to the South African market, taking monthly business call costs down to as little as R99 per user. Catalytic CEO Jaco Voigt says various packages have been made available to existing customers and are now available to the broader market to make the costs of voice calls one less thing for local businesses to worry about. The uncapped voice packages start at R99 per user per month and cover all business calls to fixed-line and mobile numbers in South Africa from 08:00 to 18:00 daily. Without lengthy contracts, the Catalytic…

Virtual Assessment Centre and Data Aggregation Platform, SimplyMustard, has partnered with Junior Mining Association (JMA) to provide a range of best-in-class cognitive, behavioural, technical, and developmental assessments. This will be available through SimplyMustaPlatform, which will both support and empower the junior mining sector and its members. It will also facilitate growth. The SimplyMustard Virtual Assessment centre offers a fully functional digital solution that simulates a traditional assessment process by assessing candidates’ skills and behaviours in a controlled environment, thus enabling better decisions about recruiting, developing, and optimising a business or organization’s talent pool. “We are delighted to partner with JMA…

A major development arising from the changing world of work over the past year and a half is the growth in the gig worker economy – that is, professionals who don’t necessarily get employed full-time at a company but sell their time and expertise to multiple clients as consultants. In the past, permanent employment was, for the most part, the sought-after norm, but in recent years – even before the pandemic hit – young people increasingly sought more flexibility in the workplace. This trend was predicted by the World Economic Forum in its Future of Jobs Report of 2018 and…

Telkom Mobile today launched eSIM support for its customers. eSIM is a digital Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) that allows customers to activate a tariff plan from Telkom without having to use a physical SIM. It is an integrated SIM that is built into devices and cannot be removed, unlike a traditional SIM. “Historically, most of our customers have used traditional card Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs). These enable Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to identify a user and then to authenticate that the user is serviced by that MNO,” explained Andrew Dawson, Executive: Product Portfolio Management. “Going forward, Telkom will support eSIM…

As the prevalence of digital fraud attempts on businesses and consumers continues to rise, TransUnion’s newest quarterly analysis found that fraudsters in South Africa are re-focusing their efforts from financial services to gambling, travel and leisure and communities industries. Across all industries, the rate of suspected digital fraud attempts rose 16.5% globally when comparing Q2 2021 to Q2 2020. Gaming and travel and leisure were the two most impacted industries globally for the suspected digital fraud attempt rate, rising 393.0% and 155.9% respectively when comparing the two periods. For transactions coming from South Africa, the overall percentage of digital fraud…

Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit is going public via a merger with a special purpose acquisitions company (SPAC), the company announced on Monday. The company will be valued at $3.2 billion or R48.5 billion. The deal provides Virgin Orbit with $483 million or R7.3 billion in cash at close to help ramp up “rocket manufacturing to meet customer demand, and to fund growth in its space solutions business and Virgin Orbit’s ongoing product development initiatives. Virgin Orbit has developed proprietary air-launch technology, coupled with world-class manufacturing infrastructure and a proven team to transform space access for a diverse and global customer…

South African innovation catalyst and investment platform, Innovation Edge, has launched a call for bold solutions to increase positive involvement by South African fathers and father figures in the early years of their children’s lives. Selected applicants will be supported to pitch their solutions to the Innovation Edge Investment Committee. Successful ventures will receive up to R1.3 million each in grant funding, strategic coaching, customised operational support and connections to social capital. The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2021. Research[1] shows that when a child has an active and positive father or father figure in their lives, they benefit in…

Telkom’s ongoing innovation focus has seen the organisation training and hiring dozens of data scientists across its operations, applying the power of data to solve organisational and societal problems – revolutionising efficiencies at the telco, and boosting the services it can offer clients. Women data scientists are at the vanguard of this drive, bringing their skills to bear on the diversified company’s innovative, digital-first focus. The data science revolution has also been an opportunity to drive Telkom’s Female Leadership Development Programme (FLDP), creating opportunities for dozens of women across the organisation with wide experience across adjacent sectors. Ops specialist: data…

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has suspended the exchange licence of ZAR X effective from 16:00 on Friday, 20 August 2021. “We don’t take this regulatory action lightly, given its impact. Our view however, is that this is a necessary step to safeguard market integrity and the interest of issuers and the broader investing public,” FSCA Commissioner, Unathi Kamlana says. “This is the cornerstone of our mandate as the FSCA” ZAR X is allowed to operate as an exchange to give effect to transactions in progress or otherwise not finalised at the date of suspension, but may not allow…

MTN Group today announced the appointment of Burak Akinci as CEO of Simfy (Ayoba), reporting to MTN Group Chief Digital and Fintech Officer Serigne Dioum and responsible for the super app Ayoba. Effective 1 September 2021, Burak joins Africa’s leading mobile operator from Turkcell, where he was CEO of BiP, an instant messaging platform with millions of users across 192 countries. “We are thrilled that an executive of Burak’s calibre is joining us. His appointment accelerates our work to build the largest and most valuable platforms as we target greater digital and financial inclusion across the continent,” said Dioum. Burak,…