Author: Staff Writer

MTN today unveiled YelloBucks, its exciting new loyalty points currency that is set to heap more benefits and value on MTN customers through the invigorated MyMTN Rewards programme. YelloBucks will unlock incredible value, discounts and rewards for customers, just for being on the MTN network.  With competition fierce in the loyalty space, MTN is taking this step to drive value across its entire customer base – no matter which price plan or segment a customer is in – to brighten more lives in these demanding times. The new MyMTN Rewards programme will compete with the best-in-class loyalty programmes, with existing…

To assist in the transformation of South Africa’s smallholder agricultural segment and create a more inclusive agricultural economy for women, the Vodacom Foundation launched the Women Farmers Programme in August last year. The programme, in partnership with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and South African Women in Farming (SAWIF), introduces women farmers, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, to technology as an effective tool in agricultural business. A year later, the programme has gone from strength to strength. Since the successful pilot of the programme in Limpopo in 2018, Vodacom has invested over R6.3…

Rand Merchant Investments (RMI) startup incubator AlphaCode has taken another step to find the next unicorn in financial services when it chose Oyi Medical Card and awarded it R450 000 at its first virtual demo day. Oyi is one of seven startups that were awarded entrepreneurial packages valued at R2 million each in 2019 as part of AlphaCode’s Incubate programme. The Oyi Medical Card is a savings card that can only be used for medical expenses and is supported by secure payments technology. Holders use this card to save for medical expenses. It removes the temptation to use the money…

Vodacom announced on Thursday that it is now a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest corporate citizenship initiative, joining over 12 000 companies from more than 160 countries on the world’s largest corporate sustainability platform. “We are pleased to announce that we have joined the UN Global Compact (UNGC).  This sustainability milestone underpins our purpose to connect for a better future,” says Takalani Netshitenzhe, Chief Officer of External Affairs for Vodacom South Africa. “The UNGC principles on human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption not only complement our social contract but also our purpose-led journey…

For the fourth year in a row, the Avon Justine iThemba Walkathon will partner with Gauteng’s leading adult commercial radio station Kaya FM, to host the 15th edition of the annual biggest breast cancer awareness walkathon which takes place on Saturday, 31 October. “The partnership with Kaya FM represents the meeting of the minds and will unlock the inherent synergies that both brands share. Avon Justine is a very aspirational brand that unashamedly harnesses the power of beauty to champion the empowerment of women and supports the causes that resonate with them, while Kaya FM listener is an urbane, sophisticated,…

A feast for the palate is awaiting discerning wine lovers – Vuya Wines has launched to the market with an inaugural selection of two wine varieties, namely Sauvignon Blanc and Red Blend. The winemaker for both wines is the acclaimed Christiaan Groenewald. Groenewald, who is the founder of the New Cape Wines Company, won the prestigious Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year Award in 2013 for Tannat Syrah 2011 and again in 2017 with Eagle’s Cliff Pinotage 2017.  He is one of only five winemakers to have received this award twice. Nosithembele Bhengu, the entrepreneur behind Vuya Wines, explains that…

Global beauty and personal care company Avon Justine will kickstart the commemoration of breast cancer awareness month in October with a webinar where medical experts will share insights on the medical journey that breast cancer patients go through and how chronic disease impacts many aspects of the lives of those infected and affected by this chronic disease. Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death among women across the world. According to the National Cancer Register, apart from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women of all races, with a lifetime risk of 1…

Applications are open for the next AlphaCode Incubate programme which aims to identify, partner and grow innovative financial services entrepreneurs. Successful applicants will receive funding, guidance from performance coaches and a panel of advisory experts, access to AlphaCode’s co-working space and opportunities to apply for further early-stage investment. The Incubate programme has disbursed R30 million in funding to 31 black-owned financial services businesses over the past five years and is viewed as South Africa’s most prestigious fintech startup initiative. “At AlphaCode Incubate we know how much determination is required to get an early-stage business or idea off the ground. Entrepreneurs…

In rural South Africa, a lack of access to healthcare is a daily reality for so many people. Even when a clinic is nearby, those in need of care still have to rely on an overburdened public healthcare sector – there is only one doctor per 4,500 people, and a single specialist for every 18,500 people. Access to medical specialists is virtually impossible if you live far from an urban centre. However, Vula Mobile, winner in the ‘Best Health App’ category of the 2019 MTN Business App of the Year Awards, has confirmed that where specialised expertise and technology combine,…

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government has gazetted ministerial determinations that will enable the development of more than 11 800 megawatts (MW) of additional power generation. This follows commitments the government made to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February this year. South Africa currently has in the region over 30 000 MW of electricity available on the national grid each day. President Ramaphosa said reliable, secure and affordable energy supply is the lifeblood of any economy. “This new energy will be procured from diverse sources, including solar, wind, gas, coal and storage. While meeting our energy needs…

NTT, a global technology services provider, and Dimension Data, the South African systems integrator and managed services provider which represents the NTT business in the Middle East and Africa, today announced that construction works for their Johannesburg 1 Data Center has commenced. The data centre design is based on tier 3 standards and will be constructed in two phases. When fully built it will deliver a total of 6,000 sqm of IT space and 12 MW of IT load. The first phase of the site is scheduled to become operational beginning of 2022. Dimension Data already operates 11 data centres…

South Africa’s digitisation journey is gathering steam as Telkom’s wholesale division, Openserve announces moves to decommission its copper network on an area-by-area basis in favour of new access mediums such as optic fibre. While Openserve cannot currently provide a fixed date for any particular area, limited decommissioning of the copper-based POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) has already commenced in communities where POTS services are delivered over the affected copper. In practical terms, the decommissioning of Openserve’s copper network in an area will mean that residents will lose access to the home phone line that has faithfully served them for years as…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, to once and for all sort out the chaos that persists at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). “It is almost unbelievable that SASSA still has not managed to sort out the perpetual mess with the payment of the Special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distressed (SRD) grant of R350. They’ve had six months to work out the kinks,” said Bridget Masango, DA Shadow Minister of Social Development. The DA said it has again been inundated with complaints from SRD recipients who have yet to receive payment…

Huawei believes that no one should be left behind in the digital world, so the Chinese telecoms giant developed TECH4ALL. TECH4ALL is a long-term, digital inclusion initiative for using technology, applications and skills to empower people and organizations everywhere. At Huawei Connect 2020, which kicked off today, Kevin Zhang, Chief Marketing Officer of Huawei ICT Infrastructure, addressed the online summit “TECH4ALL: Powering Digital Inclusion with Technology”. He pointed out that Huawei is willing to work with global partners to promote digital inclusion in fields like education and environmental protection through technology, applications, and skills. Driving Inclusive Education with Technology The…

The term local is lekker always rings true in a country as diverse as South Africa, where one is always guaranteed a taste extravaganza. As citizens prepare to celebrate Heritage Day this week, Uber Eats has unveiled some of the most loved, tried and tested traditional tastes that Mzansi has come to love. Favourite flavours Here in the land of ama-piano, basic does not cut it. What does get cut (into 8), is a flame-grilled chicken, with the most requested being the thigh and breast piece, even if the wing still remains the most popular single-order on the Uber Eats…

MTN’s mobile money solution, MoMo, now features Play Lotto functionality, offering MoMo users a free-to-play, safe and convenient way to try their luck at the South African Lotto. The MoMo advantage is that customers do not need a bank account to play, unlike traditional banking apps – they merely need to be registered on the MoMo app and have a positive balance in their MoMo Wallet. There is no transaction fee for Play Lotto, but once confirmed, the ticket purchase cannot be cancelled or reversed. As in-store, tickets for both Lotto and Powerball games cost R5; if the Plus 1…

This Heritage Month, BMW South Africa celebrates the life of the iconic Gusheshe, the ‘Grootman’ of BMW that will always be a mark of inspiration in Mzansi. Back in the ’80s and ’90s South African, there was on particular BMW that won over the enthusiast fan-base — the E30 BMW 325is. It won over the hearts of South African enthusiasts, even gaining the nickname “Gusheshe”, and is still beloved today. This #HeritageMonth, we celebrate the life of the iconic #Gusheshe, the ‘Grootman’ of BMW that will always be a mark of inspiration in Mzansi. #TheLegacyLivesOn with the new #BMW330isEdition. Iyeza. #BMW325is…

In an industry plagued with mediocrity, Brooklyn House delivers a world-class living experience to a thriving university campus.  It’s the first instalment of University Square, a holistic lifestyle development featuring student apartments, retail, restaurants, wellness and medical suites. Brooklyn House is located 350 meters from the gates of the University of Pretoria (Tuks) and offers fully-furnished 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom apartments with high-end finishes and smartly designed space-optimised amenities. To provide parents and students with complete peace-of-mind, access to Brooklyn House will be controlled by Covid-19 proof facial recognition technology, 24/7 CCTV monitored security, covered basement parking, armed response…

Spring is one of the best seasons to buy a home. The weather is warming and the positive shift in weather is prompting people to come out of their winter hibernation and start the search for their next home. If you are on the hunt for a new house this spring, take a look at these six steps to guide you on your buying journey to the perfect home. Determine your budget and must-haves The first step before you begin the house hunt is to solidify your budget, what you can afford, and your must-haves for your next home. It’s…

Global beauty and cosmetics company Avon will be joining the global community in commemorating International Peace Day on September 21, and the company will use this day to amplify its campaign against gender-based violence by premiering a film that documents the experiences of women who have been at the receiving end of violence, including two South African women. The Avon film about International Peace Day will be live-streamed on the morning of Monday 21st September. International Peace Day is observed around the world each year on 21 September and provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to…

South African skincare, beauty, and cosmetics brand, Justine, has inked a partnership with award-winning celebrity chef and media personality Lorna Maseko to become the face of A-Firm Brightening range, one of the brand’s flagship products that have recently been launched to the market. Maseko will be the face of A-Firm Brightening range, a portfolio of products that are specifically formulated to address the aging skin concerns of women. “I wish to take this opportunity to welcome Lorna Maseko to the Justine family. The partnership with this dynamic entrepreneur is a marriage of two great brands that share similar synergies and…

The gazetting of the long-overdue draft policy on rapid deployment of electronic communications networks and facilities is good news for a South African economy that shrank 51% in the second quarter of 2020. That’s according to the Internet Service Providers’ Association of SA (ISPA) which says the boost to gross domestic product (GDP) delivered by facilitating investment in telecommunications infrastructure is essential to the local economy returning to pre-Coronavirus levels. “The recent pandemic perfectly illustrated South Africa’s digital divide. Those with affordable, high-speed Internet access transitioned to Zoom and passed lockdown with relatively little disruption, while most households struggled to…

President Cyril Ramaphosa says, as new COVID-19 infections decline and the pressure on health facilities is reduced, the country now has sufficient capacity to expand the criteria for testing. The President said this on Wednesday evening when he addressed the nation on South Africa’s risk-adjusted response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and announced that South Africa would move to lockdown alert level 1 from midnight on Sunday. “Among the categories of people we will now be able to test are all those who are admitted to hospital, outpatients with COVID symptoms, and individuals who have been in close contact with confirmed…

South Africa will reopen its international borders on 1 October 2020, under alert level 1 of lockdown. President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement during a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening. While the country will move to alert level 1 of lockdown from midnight on Sunday 20 September 2020, international borders will only open up in October. “We will be allowing travel into and out of South Africa for business, leisure and other travel with effect from 1 October 2020. This is subject to various containment and mitigation measures,” announced the President. For international travel, government will place…

South Africa has withstood the Coronavirus storm and will move to lockdown alert level 1 from midnight on Sunday, 20 September 2020. President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement during a live address to the nation on Wednesday evening. “We have withstood the Coronavirus storm. Now is the time to return our country, its people and our economy to a situation that is more normal, that more resembles the lives that we were living six months ago. It is time to move to what will become our new normal for as long as the Coronavirus is with us,” he said. The…