Author: Staff Writer

Volvo Car South Africa continues to strengthen its position as a leader in South Africa’s electrified vehicle landscape, with the brand’s plug-in hybrid models ranking first and second among the country’s best-selling used PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). New market data from AutoTrader South Africa reveals a compelling trend: demand for Volvo’s electrified vehicles remains robust across the full ownership cycle, from new sales to the rapidly expanding pre-owned segment. Between 1 January and 31 October 2025, the Volvo XC90 sold 67 units and the XC60 sold 63 units, making them the first- and second-best-selling used PHEVs in South Africa. It’s worth noting…

Recently, Disney+ revealed first look images from the upcoming drama series “The Testaments,” featuring Ann Dowd, Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday, Rowan Blanchard, Mattea Conforti, Isolde Ardies, Shechinah Mpumlwana, and Birva Pandya. ”The Testaments” will premiere April 2026 on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally. “The Testaments” is based on Margaret Atwood’s Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, which was published in 2019 and takes place in the dystopian theocracy of Gilead. Years after the events of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Testaments” is a coming of age story that finds a new generation of young women in Gilead grappling…

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) in collaboration with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), and other law enforcement agencies have secured six years direct prison sentence with two years suspended for Tshepo Khoza in a tax fraud matter involving approximately R3.6 million, linked to systemic corruption within state procurement processes. Tshepo Khoza, director of Grey Apple Trading Enterprise (Pty) Ltd, was found guilty on three counts of fraud, one of which falls under Schedule 5 category (serious crimes) and one count of failing to register for Value-Added Tax (VAT) in contravention of section 234 of the Tax Administration Act.…

ERAFIED Introduces Blockchain-Based Verification Platform to Protect Consumers and Businesses from Digital Misinformation Johannesburg, South Africa – As the world becomes increasingly dependent on digital platforms for information, entertainment, and daily decision-making, one question is rising to the surface: Is the information we consume truly VERAfied? VERAFIED is a pioneering Digital Trust Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) created to provide clarity in an age of digital confusion. Utilising a Blockchain-First architecture, VERAFIED fundamentally redefines digital authenticity by providing an immutable, verifiable record of content provenance and integrity. Enhancing the verification engine, VERAFIED’s AI ‘Bouncer’ evaluates content for manipulation patterns, deepfake signals and contextual anomalies…

Salesforce has hosted its 2025 Trailblazer Awards in Johannesburg, recognising the South African organisations using Salesforce’s platform and partner ecosystem to cut costs, accelerate sales cycles and improve operational performance. Across this year’s finalists, companies report an average 35% saving in service costs, a 22% increase in sales-cycle velocity, and combined outcomes that include more than R10 million operational efficiency savings, 13,000 workdays returned to businesses, and over 10,000 employees equipped with productivity-boosting tools. These results show how South African organisations are moving beyond isolated upgrades and into enterprise-wide transformation. Using Salesforce, Agentforce, MuleSoft, Data Cloud, Tableau, Slack and an…

The Western Cape is gearing up for another record-setting festive season as domestic and international visitors flock to the province to enjoy its beautiful beaches, wine farms, and nature reserves. Vodacom Western Cape region has implemented significant network upgrades to meet rising traffic demands, ensuring that visitors and residents remain connected during the busy festive period. “We have invested R450 million this financial year to enhance the quality, capacity, and reach of our broadband network infrastructure across the Western Cape. This substantial investment builds on the R350 million invested during the 2023/24 financial year, demonstrating Vodacom’s sustained commitment to connecting…

“No Internet, no modern life.” That’s the blunt conclusion of young South African, Godfrey Ngwenya. He’s not wrong. South Africa has among the highest internet penetration rates on the continent, but a digital divide persists, leaving many young people like Godfrey and their families with no Internet access. They’re desperate to be connected, and to transform their lives. Now, change is underway. With the rollout of the national broadband strategy, SA Connect, a “digital highway” to the future is extending from cities into rural areas.  Voices from the Unconnected Godfrey lives in Diepsloot, Gauteng, a densely populated, underserved community made…

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, today announced a landmark regulatory achievement: The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, the Capital of the UAE, has formally approved the authorisation of Binance’s global platform, Binance.com, under a comprehensive regulatory framework. This global first is a major step in Binance’s mission to create the most trusted and compliant digital-asset ecosystem in the world. A license granted by FSRA of ADGM offers Binance credibility and seamless access across multiple markets, extending well beyond the UAE, and cements Binance’s position at…

The blueprint for a sustainable and resilient Africa was demonstrated at the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) yesterday, as the event celebrated the winners of its 2025 Industry Solutions Challenge. Hosted by Telkom, the participants were tasked with proposing cutting-edge solutions across five key categories, Energy and Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Customer and User Experience, and Networking, students to translate academic knowledge and research into practical, industry-ready innovations. Under the 2025 SATNAC theme, “Africa’s Ascent: Enabling Sustainability Through Tech and AI” the competition attracted more than 235 students from 84 local tertiary academic institutions. Over…

Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) itoday announced the upcoming activation of in-car data connectivity for your EX30 electric vehicle. This enhanced connectivity service has officially been activated, delivering a seamless and reliable online experience to drivers across South Africa and Lesotho. With built-in internet now fully enabled, Volvo EX30 owners can stay connected, informed, and in control wherever their journey takes them – without the need for external Wi-Fi routers or mobile hotspots. Volvo has granted all eligible vehicles a complimentary four-year connectivity package, valid from November 2025 through November 2029. In addition to the successful activation, all vehicles have…

For decades, the gold standard of motoring luxury has been defined by cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. With its hushed ride, cutting-edge technology, and decadent interiors that are crafted like Swiss bank vaults, few vehicles this side of a Rolls-Royce Phantom can exceed its sumptuousness or refinement. But here’s the reality: you no longer need R3 million or more to experience the finer things in life. You don’t even need half of that. Step into the latest crop of premium vehicles arriving in South Africa, and you’ll find a surprising level of sophistication at a fraction of the price. Leather-trimmed…

As more people rely on digital platforms for news, entertainment, and everyday decisions, one question grows urgent: is the information we consume truly VERAfied? “Trust can no longer be assumed – it has to be verified. VERAFIED gives people that power,” says Khumo Makiti, Founder and CEO of VERAFIED. The platform is designed to tackle the growing challenge of AI-driven misinformation globally. VERAFIED has teamed up with dynamic creative entrepreneur and producer Nolo Phiri, known for her strategic innovation and passion for storytelling with social impact. Speaking about the collaboration, Nolo says: “In a world where technology can distort reality,…

Zazu, pan-African digital banking platform built exclusively for entrepreneurs and SMEs, has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding from a group of leading African and European investors to accelerate its rollout in South Africa and Morocco, with plans to expand across the continent in 2026 The round includes Plug and Play Ventures with participation from a high-profile group of angel investors and fintech founders, including Zachariah George (Launch Africa Ventures), Axel Peyriere (Co-founder, AUTO24.africa), Akshay Patel (Founder, Paymentology), Ismael Belkhayat (Founder, Chari), Sophie Guibaud (Founder, Fiat Republic), and several founding members of European fintech unicorns like Qonto and Solarisbank -…

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, convened founders, investors, corporate partners, and industry leaders in Cape Town this week for the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator programme Cohort 4 Demo Day. The event spotlighted 22 high‑growth fintech startups from across the continent, marking the culmination of an intensive three‑month journey to develop and scale innovative digital commerce solutions. Cohort 4 reflects the continued momentum of Africa’s fintech landscape and demonstrates the strength, diversity, and ambition of the region’s innovators. This year’s group includes startups headquartered in 12 African countries and operating across 31 markets. Women-led innovation stands out as a defining feature of…

In today’s fast-changing economy, logistics is no longer the quiet link between production and sales. It has become the defining factor in business agility, customer satisfaction, and long-term growth. The companies that master logistics don’t just move goods – they move faster, smarter, and more profitably than their competitors. The momentum behind this transformation is evident in South Africa’s logistics sector itself. According to Mordor Intelligence, the country’s freight and logistics market is estimated at USD 14.70 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 19.90 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.24%…

, South Africa Leading law firm Adams & Adams, announces the launch of the SMARTAI IP Portal, a groundbreaking digital platform and advisory service designed to help businesses understand, assess, and address the risks posed by the AI revolution. “As artificial intelligence transforms industries at an unprecedented pace, businesses face new and complex risks, from intellectual property exposure to governance gaps. The SMARTAI IP Portal is the first of its kind, offering organisations a practical way to measure their AI readiness and take action” says Darren Olivier, Lead Partner in the AI IP advisory team. How the SMARTAI IP Portal…

South African Airways (SAA) confirms it has received an urgent Airworthiness Directive (AD) from Airbus concerning a mandatory software update for the A320 model aircraft. Safety remains SAA’s highest priority. In response, we have taken immediate and proactive measures to ensure full compliance with the directive, which mandates completion of the software installation by 23:59 UTC (Universal Coordinated Time) on Saturday, 29 November 2025. Currently, SAA does not anticipate any flight disruptions because of this compliance action. SAA Technical (SAAT) mobilised resources early this morning to initiate the required software installation. Despite the narrow compliance window, our teams are working efficiently…

Eskom has released the group’s unaudited interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 September 2025, which further demonstrate the continued execution of the turnaround plan leading to a recovery in operational and financial performance. “These unaudited interim results demonstrate that our annual results for FY2025 were not a once-off achievement and that our progress in turning around operational and financial performance, supported by government and stakeholder collaboration, is positioning Eskom for a sustainable future,” said Eskom’s Chairman, Mteto Nyati.. “When this Board took over in October 2022, we found an organisation in crisis. These results reflect how strong…

SwiftVEE, the largest online livestock trading platform in Africa, featured in Bloomberg’s inaugural 25 African Startups to Watch 2025, has completed its Series A funding round. The transaction brings some of the continent’s most accomplished investors onto swiftVEE’s Cap Table, including HAVAÍC, Old Mutual’s former CEO Iain Williamson and private equity firm EXEO Capital. They join swiftVEE’s current shareholders; fund managers Mike Kirsten and Carlo Dickson and private investment vehicle Zire Africa. Launched in South Africa in 2019 and credited as pioneers of online livestock trading in Africa, swiftVEE has become a Pan-African business trading in excess of $100m GMV…

Phuthuma Nathi, the MultiChoice South Africa’s broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) share scheme, is calling on shareholders and families of deceased shareholders to come forward and claim dividends owed to them. Since 2020, Phuthuma Nathi has run an annual national campaign to locate shareholders with unclaimed dividends dating back to 2006. Thanks to these efforts, more than R125 million has already been paid out, but more than R270 million in dividends remain unclaimed. Phuthuma Nathi is committed to finding its shareholders and ensuring that they receive what is rightfully theirs. The most common reasons for unclaimed dividends include shareholders not…

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, and Tyme Group – the global digital banking group head-quartered in Singapore with over 20 million customers in South Africa and Southeast Asia, have announced a multi-year, multi-market deal aimed at accelerating financial inclusion and digital payment innovation across South Africa, the Philippines and Vietnam. “This multi-year, multi-market partnership reflects our shared ambition to accelerate digital adoption, broaden financial inclusion, and bring innovative, low-cost banking solutions to millions. Through enhanced card-issuance programmes, digital infrastructure support, and data-driven value-added services, Visa is proud to empower Tyme Group as they continue to scale across regions,”…

Cell C Holdings Limited (Cell C) today listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) under the ticker CCD, marking a defining milestone in South Africa’s telecommunications landscape and opening a new chapter in the company’s journey. The listing closed at R26.50 per share, valuing the business at approximately R9 billion with 340 million ordinary shares in issue. The offer included 102 million sale shares, raising R2.7 billion for the selling shareholder, The Prepaid Company (TPC), a subsidiary of Blu Label Unlimited Group. The offer also included a further allocation of 54.2 million shares to Sisonke Growth Partners as part of TPC and Cell…

Oni-Tel Fibre Networks, a fibre optic cable infrastructure provider in South Africa, has launched its Inter-Data Centre Fibre Network, with Digital Parks Africa (DPA) serving as the inaugural point of presence (PoP). This high-speed fibre backbone connects all major data centres across Gauteng, enabling seamless, low-latency connectivity between facilities and unlocking new possibilities for enterprise and cloud infrastructure. This milestone marks a significant step forward for the region’s digital infrastructure, with Oni-Tel set to become: The first provider in this space to introduce new infrastructure access models through a purpose-built network engineered for data centre interconnectivity (DCI) and external connections,…

SwapVend, South Africa’s digital-hybrid ecosystem connecting informal and formal economies, has launched its long-anticipated Barter feature, a core part of its ecosystem that honours one of the continent’s oldest and most dignified forms of trade. Bartering is not new. It is not foreign. It is rooted in our history, our kasi economies, and our everyday exchanges; from “I’ll help you with your tax return if you design my flyer” to “You fix my tap, and I’ll repair your fence.” SwapVend has now digitised that familiar tradition and placed it back at the centre of South African commerce. The Problem: Value…

Plentify, the pioneering South African electrotech company, using AI-fueled hardware and software to connect home appliances to cheaper, cleaner energy, has raised an oversubscribed Series A funding round, bringing its total capital raised to date to nearly $15 million. The raise marks a major milestone in Plentify’s journey from rapid early-stage growth to global expansion, reinforcing investor confidence in its team, technology, and strategy at a time when venture capital funding in the climate tech sector remains highly competitive. The round was led by Secha Capital, Buffet Investments, and a South African family office, with participation from existing investors E3…