Author: Staff Writer

Capitec – South Africa’s largest digital bank – has taken the final step in its paperless journey with the introduction of an eSignature capability, by means of a biometric fingerprint. At a time of COVID-19 and social distancing, this is a crucial move to ramp up convenience and help keep South Africans safe. Biometric readers allow for sanitization after each client’s use, while paper documents cannot be easily disinfected between parties. “We’re constantly challenging the norm, helping our clients to live better through smarter, simpler banking. Our transition to paperless banking is in line with this, offering our clients improved…

MTN today launched another offering for avid gamers. Enter, MTN Arena, through which MTN is bringing the world of competitive gaming to the casual mobile gamer along with daily, weekly and monthly mobile tournaments – and the chance to win a share of R100 000 in prize money every month. Available on MTN Play, MTN’s portal for all things gaming, music and video, MTN Arena makes access to tournaments for games such as X-Wing fighter, Star Wars Rebels Special Ops, Spiderman Mysterio Rush and Angry Flappy Wings, quick and easy. MTN Arena comes on the back of the recent launch…

MTN Nigeria is attracting more customers as it prioritises upgrading its network capacity to accommodate growth in traffic while continuing to expand 4G network coverage, albeit at a slower pace given the constraints presented by COVID-19. In the first half of the year, MTN Nigeria achieved 6.8 million in net additions to connect over 71.1 million customers to its network. The company also connected 3.8 million new users to the internet, bringing its active data subscribers to 29 million. MTN Nigeria’s MoMo (mobile money) subscribers increased by 1.6 million to 2.2 million in the six months to end June, according…

FinTech startup Remitly has raised $85 million (R1.4 billion ) at a $1.5 billion (R24.7 billion) valuation in a funding round led by existing investor Prosus’s PayU. The funding will enable Remitly to expand its suite of financial services products and digital solutions as the global demand for digital remittances continues to surge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Returning investor Prosus’s PayU led the round at a $1.5 billion valuation. They were joined by returning partners DN Capital, Generation Investment Management, Owl Rock Capital, Princeville, Stripes, Threshold Ventures, and Top Tier. “As the current health crisis continues to devastate the global…

As the COVID-19 crisis continues globally, carriers need to be prepared in four areas of network construction and business development to quickly unleash network potential and inspire business growth, said Huawei’s executive director and president of the Carrier BG Ryan Ding. He was delivering a keynote speech at the Better World Summit 2020 today. 1. Carriers need to maximize the value of existing networks. They should make the most of their networks and rapidly expand their capacity by using software or adding boards or replacing RRUs. This can help them respond to the soaring data traffic during the pandemic and…

FNB announced on Wednesday it has launched a virtual card for individual and business customers. The banking group said in a statement that the virtual card will be available by October 2020. Customers can access the virtual card via the FNB App and the RMB Private Banking App. Once available, customers can request the card anytime, anywhere at no additional cost. The virtual card is available to individual customers across Debit, Fusion and Credit Cards and for business customers on Debit Cards. All 3 million FNB and RMB Private Bank App users can conveniently use Virtual Cards for QR code…

South Africa’s digital system aggregator and solution provider, Nexio has named former Vodacom Business chief sales officer as its new chief executive officer, turning to an industry veteran to help drive growth. Unlisted Nexio said in a statement it had appointed Mickey Mashale as its new chief executive, effective August 1. “We are pleased to welcome Ms. Mickey Mashale as the new Chief Executive Officer of Nexio. Mickey is recognised as one of the industry’s distinguished female business thought leaders,” Nexio Board Chairperson and Vodacom Business CEO, William Mzimba said. “During her reign as interim acting CEO, Mickey has demonstrated a…

DStv announced on Monday that the pay-TV service will be bringing back US sports channel ESPN. The US sports channel eased broadcasting in Africa on 31 July 2013. MultiChoice Group (MCG) and The Walt Disney Company Africa today announced that they have signed an exciting partnership, which will see a significant addition to the sports available to its customers across the continent. The agreement will result in two 24-hour ESPN channels being made available to DStv customers from 29 July, where they will be able to enjoy the very best of US sports. Featuring every major US sport as well…

On the opening day of the online Better World Summit, Huawei’s Rotating Chairman Guo Ping elaborated on how synergy across five major tech domains will help unlock the full potential of 5G to drive commercial success. Guest speakers from China Telecom, Etisalat, MTN, GSMA, and 3GPP/ETSI were also joined by several thousand online attendees from more than 80 countries to explore how information and communications technology (ICT) can power new economic growth both now and in a post-pandemic world. Guo Ping talks about 5G commercial success at the Better World Summit 2020 Working together to fight the pandemic with technology…

South African consumers look set to accelerate their journey towards online shopping beyond the pandemic as they stay in to enjoy the investments they have made in their homes during the lockdown. This is according to new Consumer Pulse research from GfK South Africa into the behaviours and sentiment of online consumers during the Level 3 lockdown. The survey reveals that consumers are preparing themselves for a prolonged period of cocooning, with 59% of consumers expecting the pandemic to last more than another 12 months, and 34% predicting that it will continue for another 18 months or more. Only 2%…

Many companies are looking for new ways to access markets and clients, given the impact of COVID-19 on our economies.  Current market conditions, as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown, have limited the opportunity for face-2-face sales meetings.  Manufacturing Indaba has developed a new virtual event platform that solves this market dilemma.  The new platform is known as Africa B2B and is a virtual business event providing 2 full days of virtual business meetings. Africa B2B affords companies with 2 days of new local and international clients to network, engage, sell, and showcase products and services.  Companies are looking for…

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, says the 64-dish MeerKAT, the pre-cursor to the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), will be expanded by 20 dishes at a cost of R800 million. The Minister said this when he outlined the department’s spending priorities during a virtual sitting of the National Assembly on Friday. Nzimande said that astronomy in South Africa remains important to its socio-economic landscape and that the heritage will further be strengthened through the MeerKAT, which has already been able to give the world a glimpse into the star-formation history of the universe. “To extend its research…

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, has tested positive for COVID-19, the Presidency announced in a statement released on Saturday night. The Minister received his results today, 25 July 2020. This was the Minister’s second test to be conducted since the outbreak of this virus. Minister Patel is in good spirits and is in self-quarantine, and will continue to work from home. Those that have been in contact with the Minister are also in self-isolation and have been encouraged to get tested. On Friday, Patel participated in the virtual parliamentary budget vote debate on the revised budget…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is investigating allegations that unscrupulous officials and businesses benefited from billions meant to fight COVID-19. According to a report by the Sunday Times, the SIU is investigating 90 companies that received contracts from the Gauteng health department. It is also investigating R30 million worth of allegedly irregular contracts in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as others in the Eastern Cape. The deals are believed to be worth more than R2.2bn, involving emergency purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE). Black Business Council president Sandile Zungu told the Sunday Times he was saddened to see that his lobbying for…

Police Minister Bheki Cele says the department will embark on a virtual media campaign to educate communities on the police’s response to reported gender-based violence cases. He said this when he outlined spending priorities for the men and women in blue during a virtual sitting of the National Assembly on Friday. Cele said police are supportive of initiatives that are aimed at improving access to support services for survivors through victim-centric criminal justice services. “As part of the Women’s Month activities, the department together with provincial departments will embark on a virtual media campaign to educate communities on SAPS response…

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu says discussions on the mooted Basic Income Grant beyond October are in early stages. Zulu said this when she briefed members of Parliament in the National Assembly while outlining the department’s budget priorities for the year ahead on Friday. “As we consider multiple ways to extend the social protection coverage to those aged 18 to 59 years in the period beyond October 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing back the discussion about the Basic Income Grant. “The lack of social protection coverage for this group calls for an acceleration of efforts to put in place…

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Ronald Lamola says the department will introduce a new bill that will enable victims of gender-based violence to apply for a protection order online. The Minister said this when he outlined the department’s priorities during a virtual sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday. “I am pleased that our Domestic Violence Bill will introduce modernization in a radical form. If passed, our domestic violence bill will make it possible for one to apply for a protection order online. “This will be a leap forward in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide. “This is the…

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has cut the repo rate by 25 basis points. “The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, taking it to 3.50% per annum, with effect from 24 July 2020. Three members preferred a cut of 25 basis points and two preferred to keep rates on hold,” Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Lesetja Kganyago, said on Thursday. He said the implied path of policy rates over the forecast period, generated by the Quarterly Projection Model, indicates one repo rate cut of 25 basis points in…

Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Cambridge will help keep drivers’ eyes on the road and reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses in a post-COVID-19 world through new contactless touchscreen technology. The patented technology, known as ‛predictive touch’, uses artificial intelligence and sensors to predict a user’s intended target on the touchscreen – whether that’s satellite navigation, temperature controls or entertainment settings – without touching a button. The pioneering system, developed with engineers at the University of Cambridge, is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Destination Zero vision – a desire to make its vehicles safer and the environment…

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…