Author: Staff Writer
Technology offers the best opportunity for Africa’s advancement, and African countries have the right to choose which countries and companies they partner with in charting the technological development of their people. This was one of the messages emerging from a webinar hosted by the University of Johannesburg yesterday. Titled, “Gearing Africa for the 4th Industrial Revolution: Patterns, Prospects and Lessons,” the event saw stakeholders from business, academia, civil society and the media share insights on the continent’s future, and the role of technology in achieving its developmental aims. Panellists attending the UJ Gearing Africa for the 4th Industrial Revolution Webinar…
If you are worried about your driving licence that has expired during the lockdown, don’t stress, as you have until next year to renew it. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has publicised the gazette announcing amended directions on the validity period of licences, which was published on Wednesday, 22 July. “All learner’s licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits, which expired from 26 March up to 31 August 2020, are extended to 31 January 2021,” the gazette reads. In addition, all motor vehicle discs, temporary permits and roadworthy certificates, which expired between 26 March 2020 and 31…
Hello Paisa, one of South Africa’s largest international money transfer providers, today announced its customers are now able to send global money transfers for payout at the global network of Western Union. This partnership enables Hello Paisa customers to send money from South Africa to their family and loved ones for pay-out into billions of bank accounts in more than 100 countries, millions of wallets in a dozen countries or to Western Union’s retail network across 200 countries and territories. This collaboration further delivers on Western Union’s strategy to open its platform to third-party partners to help them expand their…
LG Electronics (LG) is bringing new meaning to immersive gaming with its new UltraGear (model 27GN950), the world’s first 4K IPS 1 millisecond Gray-to-Gray (GTG) gaming monitor. Featuring advanced IPS displays, LG UltraGear monitors achieve stunning speed without compromising picture quality, contributing to the brand being named the top gaming-designed monitor in the United States. The new UltraGear monitor builds on the fast, accurate colours of its predecessor to deliver 4K resolution for maximum gaming impact. A combination of speed, high resolution and 98 per cent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space gives gamers a total sense of immersion. LG’s one-of-a-kind…
Are you looking to buy a new and affordable smartphone, a tablet with a bigger screen for smooth gaming and system experience or a smartwatch to monitor your health and fitness? Look no further, Telkom has the newly launched Huawei devices that suits everybody’s needs. The devices are available at Telkom stores nationwide and they all come with cool and fun freebies. Get a free Huawei GiftBox when you buy the new Huawei Y6p Huawei’s latest addition to the Y series has arrived at Telkom. The device is aimed at users looking for an affordable smartphone and it is available…
At the beginning of this year, nobody could have predicted just how economically challenging the year 2020 was going to be. While many people are still coming to terms with the financial difficulties caused by COVID-19 and the national lockdown, FNB customers have turned to eBucks rewards to help them extend and better manage their finances. According to Johan Moolman, “We’ve seen how eBucks members are using their rewards to buy essentials. Since the start of the national lockdown towards the end of March, members have spent over R451 million worth of eBucks on things like fuel, groceries, airtime and data…
Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu say R4.6 billion has been allocated to provinces and metro municipalities to upgrade over 300 informal settlements. Sisulu said this when she outlined spending priorities for the department during a virtual sitting of the National Assembly on Tuesday. “Together with Provinces, we will work with communities and municipalities to incrementally upgrade over 300 informal settlements and improve the living conditions of households. “Our policy is clear that for those informal settlements on safe ground, the first choice is to upgrade in-situ. This means that an agreement is reached with the community on…
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) today lists its first China-focused Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), the Satrix MSCI China ETF. This ETF will track the MSCI China Index which will provide investors access to the broader Chinese equity market. The Satrix MSCI China ETF offering exposes investors to an array of Chinese industries, ranging from online commerce, financials, communication services and many others. “Our global ETF range has been very popular with investors seeking to diversify their portfolios. We track the MSCI World, MSCI Emerging Markets IMI, S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 indices,” Helena Conradie, Satrix CEO says. “The investor interest…
Telkom is transitioning its customers from copper-based internet to new-generation fibre technology in all fibre-ready regions across South Africa. The telecommunications provider is currently hard at work upgrading its customers from copper ADSL internet to fibre-based internet. This migration applies to all customers residing in fibre-ready regions around the country where the current DSL infrastructure overlaps with the FTTH footprint. Telkom notes that fibre promises a significant improvement in users’ connectivity experience and assures customers that they will receive the support that they need to undergo the upgrade with minimal stress and disruption. “With technology advancing so rapidly, we want…
One of the most common myths when buying a home is that you should find a home before getting pre-qualified for a loan. Before COVID-19, Estate Agents could show a home or several homes to a buyer whether pre-qualified or not. With the implementation of social distancing and the health and safety risks associated as a result of the global pandemic, it is no longer viable to show homes to clients that are not pre-qualified. Some of the most common things buyers say who do not want to first get pre-qualified for a home loan include: “I’m going to wait…
South Africa has continued to suffer adversely as a result of COVID-19, with the number of new cases having increased of late and the country currently recording the highest death rate on the continent (there have been 5,033 fatalities to date). This is continuing to take a socio-economic toll on the nation’s economy, which is expected to shrink by 6.9% in 2020 according to the S&P Global Ratings. The government is looking to combat this loss with a number of planned policy changes, as it looks to optimise growth potential in the near and medium-term. We’ll break these down below,…
Microgrid and off-grid home solar systems are being rapidly deployed in Africa, where power utilities have failed to keep up with demand. Many Africans are still without electricity or still struggling to access electricity, especially in rural communities. The only solution to this is by introducing microgrid energy. While South Africa has the highest electricity consumption in the sub-Sahara region, the demand continues to outpace the installation of generation capacity. Africa is rich in renewable energy sources which remain the most economical approach to powering microgrids. However, the development of micro-grids faces several barriers that must be unpacked. “Energy poverty…
General Electric (GE) announced on Monday that it has appointed Nyimpini Mabunda as the CEO for Southern Africa. In this role, Nyimpini will lead GE’s growth in the region and drive alignment across its Power, Healthcare, Aviation and Renewable Energy businesses. He will also drive GE’s BBBEE roadmap and processes in South Africa. Nyimpini holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Science, a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management and an MBA from the University of Cape Town. His successes have been underpinned by his talent in people leadership, business turnaround, stakeholder management, digital disruption, execution excellence, and building strong brands. “I…
Harken Holdings, a business builder in South Africa, which owns brands such as Moneypanda.co.za, Insurehero.co.za, Jackmarx.co.za has launched fomo, it’s first app in the hospitality vertical. South Africa’s first food specials and events app launched this month as a tool to help both consumers find specials in their area, as well as restaurants, expand their reach outside of traditional instore and own social media marketing. Ryan Marx and Jacqueline du Plessis, co-founders of Harken Holdings and MoneyPanda, launched the app out of their own need to see up-to-date events and specials that are happening in their area. South Africa and…
rain, South Africa’s data-only mobile network launched its first Standalone 5G network in the country. Powered by Huawei, this is the first commercial standalone 5G network in Africa, and among a few networks of its kind globally. rain’s Standalone 5G is currently available in Cape Town covering areas including Sea Point in Cape Town, Claremont, Goodwood, Bellville, Durbanville, and Cape Town City Centre. The newly released Standalone 5G network are built on rain’s own sites. This allows rain to significantly enhance its fixed wireless broadband (FWA) service experience in the covered areas. “Standalone 5G will further improve 5G network performance…
IMPower is proud to announce a name change as the company was formerly known as All Power Systems. The name change will be effective from 3rd of February 2020. The name change came as a result of a name clash with a South African-based firm that had a very similar name and offered similar solutions. Founded in 2014, IMPower Pty Ltd is a leading engineering, procurement and project management contractor (EPCM) operating in the solar and energy storage industry. The company is focusing more on providing Solar Rooftop/Ground Mount Solutions (Grid-Tied), Micro-Grid/Storage Solutions, Energy Management & Reporting as well as…
South Africa’s five teacher unions are calling for the immediate closure of schools as coronavirus infections spike. The Sunday Times reported that five of SA’s teacher unions are unanimous in their support for the immediate closure of schools, but school governing body associations are divided, in what amounts to a stand-off between rich and poor. Twenty-two teachers have died of Covid-19 complications in the Western Cape, 12 in KwaZulu-Natal and eight in the Eastern Cape. Other provinces did not respond to inquiries by the Sunday Times. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga met with the unions on Friday after meeting governing body…
Onde, a tech company powering over 200 ride-hailing companies in 70 countries, announces an online edition of Ride.Right.Now – a conference for ride-hailing entrepreneurs. This year’s topic is Hack the Crisis: Business Tips for Post-covid Era. The online event is to happen on July 23, 2020. The event will gather ride-hailing entrepreneurs, stakeholders, and experts from around the globe. Speakers will share insights and best cases on how to survive the crisis that has hit the mobility industry. Registration is free of charge. Ride.Right.Now will feature talks with mobility and innovation trend-watchers, discussions of the opportunities emerging as the world…
Refinitiv today released a 2020 first-half investment banking analysis for sub-Saharan Africa. According to the report, investment banking fees in Sub-Saharan Africa reached an estimated US$64.5 million during the second quarter of 2020, half the value recorded during the first quarter of 2020 and the lowest quarterly total since Q1 2012. Around US$196.1 million worth of fees were earned in the region during the first half of 2020, down 27% from last year and a six-year low with fee declines recorded across M&A advisory, debt capital markets underwriting, and syndicated lending. Debt capital markets underwriting fees declined 45% to US$26.2…
There is reason for “cautious optimism” when it comes to the used car market in South Africa. That’s according to George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader, who points to a number of positive trends in this sector of the automotive industry. “Prices have begun to increase – albeit slightly – while cars are also selling faster than experienced earlier this year. Both of these factors bode well for the used car market,” he notes. His statements are based on AutoTrader’s Used Car Rate of Sale (ROS) indicator, which has just been released for the period ending June 2020. As the largest…
South Africa has exceeded the 300 000 mark to reach a cumulative total of 311 049 confirmed COVID-19 cases, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Wednesday. Mkhize also confirmed a further 107 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 4 453. Of the reported deaths, 41 were from Gauteng, 38 from Western Cape, 12 from North West and 4 from Eastern Cape, and 4 from KwaZulu-Natal. Mkhize has conveyed his condolences to the loved ones of the departed, and also thanked the health care workers who treated the deceased. The provincial breakdown of cases: Eastern Cape 55…
In an effort to eliminate the risk of criminals President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that saving lives during this pandemic is important as government is set to engage stakeholders in the education sector on the reopening schools. Interacting with communities across the nation through a virtual Presidential Imbizo on Coronavirus on Wednesday, the President said government will in the next few days engage parents, student organisations, unions as well as other organisations, on the matter of reopening schools. “Once this had been done, we are going to assess what we have heard and discuss it with the medical…
FNB Life is extending credit life insurance benefits to cover a portion of cashflow relief instalments for customers who already have credit life insurance. Under normal circumstances, customers pay an additional amount to extend insurance cover, however, the provider is extending this benefit to protect qualifying customers against the financial impact of COVID-19. The FNB Cashflow Relief Plan covers a number of instalments that a customer has with the Bank, through a separate credit agreement. The extended credit life insurance benefit will cover the portion of the Cashflow Relief Plan that has been used for the customer’s credit instalments where…
Clickatell, a global mobile communications and chat commerce firm, today announced the launch of Chat Desk, a digital contact centre solution that helps agents resolve customer queries and obtain customer insights in real-time using chat channels for live agent support. The solution addresses the growing consumer demand for easy and personal experiences by transforming the traditional call centre with one simple integration. “For decades, businesses have spent significant resources on the call centre experience – generating 265 billion customer service calls each year – and most of this investment does not create desired outcomes for businesses or consumers. It’s cost-prohibitive…
The South African Rand (ZAR) has been exploding in interest in the forex market. Over the last decade alone, the Rand’s trading volume has grown by over 182%. The massive surge in interest surrounding the Rand has prompted the award-winning Bitcoin-based margin trading platform PrimeXBT to list ZAR alongside other new forex currencies from emerging economies. ZAR was listed for trading against USD, EUR, and GBP, alongside other newly listed currencies MXN, THB, CNH, and HKD. The Rand was hit hard by the initial outbreak of COVID, but has since gained against many top currencies. However, uncertainty surrounding remiposing quarantine-like…