Author: Staff Writer

A total of 4 424 720 applications for Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant have been approved. Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu said that the department has to date, received 7 558 555 applications through the various electronic application platforms, including Supplementary Service Data (USSD), Website, WhatsApp and email. “A total of 2 174 046 applications were found to be active on various databases, including those who are currently receiving social grants, receiving Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits or are appearing on the active database of UIF contributors, those who are receiving National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) stipends, [and] those…

Telkom has unveiled a complete online education solution for learners through the Lightbulb Education platform. The company said the Lightbulb Education platform can be used seamlessly between school and home. The platform focuses on the goals of the learner and creates a path to achieve this goal through a personalised learning journey. Most classrooms in South Africa have over 50 learners per class, with one teacher having to give enough attention to each child, said Telkom. The company added that this is impossible in most cases, resulting in some children being left behind. 2020 has added additional strain to this…

The South African Municipal Workers (SAMWU), is now demanding the government to pay its members a “danger allowance” of R3 000 after 63 of its members succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday, SAMWU held a virtual Special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The union said in a statement on Monday that it stands by its demand for a danger allowance of a minimum of R3000 which should be paid to all municipal workers who were on duty for the duration of the lockdown. “For purposes of clarity, we will henceforth call this demand a COVID-19 allowance,”  union’s general-secretary, Koena…

Telkom has recently unveiled its Big Deal for July 2020, which would make sure you don’t run out of data. “We’re aware that needs differ and that’s why this month we’re bringing you two unique deals,” Telkom said. “With the July Big Deal, you get to choose your monate with Home Unlimited Uncapped Fibre 10Mbps or SmartBroadband Wireless 10GB* Prepaid!” What is the Fibre Big Deal? The deal includes the following: Unlimited Uncapped Fibre 10Mbps R499 PM x 24 Includes WiFi router and installation on a month to month (24-month clawback) 3 Months Free Subscription subject to 24-month contract 1 email account with…

Recent revelations indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump may have used the U.S. clampdown on Huawei – an ICT firm founded in China – as a bargaining chip in the U.S.-China trade dispute, to boost his re-election campaign. The revelations come in recent excerpts published by the Wall Street Journal from former White House security advisor John Bolton’s forthcoming memoir, The Room Where It Happened. The excerpts paint a picture of a president consumed with his bid to win a second term in the White House and looking for leverage on issues where he might be seen to have achieved…

In the past three months, South African startup room.sh has emerged into the video conferencing tech space to compete with the likes of Zoom and Microsoft. The company has quickly grown to more than 100,000 video-calls a month. If there is a common thread woven through the story of South African start-ups it is that necessity breeds innovation, and this is no more true that the story of room.sh. In 2018 the founding team received investment from local VC’s Knife Capital as SkillUp Tutors with the investment thesis at the time being to expand their offering of online education technology.…

Absa’s  Regional Operations’ (ARO) Data Analytics team has the 2020 Best use of Analytics in Financial Services at the Retail Banking International Awards for its Customer360 (C360) platform. This marks the second such award for its Customer360 (C360) analytics platform. Absa Group’s businesses (excluding South Africa) won this award against several international banks. The award was presented at a ceremony recently hosted in London. Customer360 (C360) was developed to ensure a single point of access to various analytical models that provide key insights across the banking spectrum. Through Customer360, Absa uses data analytics and data science models, combined with basic…

President Cyril Ramaphosa is likely tonight to reintroduce night-time curfew, tighten regulations on the sale of alcohol, limit movement between provinces and enforce a limited load in minibus taxis and other modes of public transport. Presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko told the Sunday Times that the president will address the nation tonight, but would not say what he is likely to announce. The Sunday Times understands that the cabinet has sought legal opinion on the best way forward on the request to reintroduce a limit on the movement of people at night, which was fiercely challenged by the DA. There is also now…

Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, announced on Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. The multi-award-winning rapper announced the news on his Twitter page on Friday. Stay Safe. 😷 🦠 pic.twitter.com/qGls3wfRkc — AKA (@akaworldwide) July 10, 2020 Paid or not, fact is Corona is there and people are dying. Worst part some are still ignorant hence they end up sick. People we know are testing positive these days, are they also paid? Stop reading too much into things, we know y'all are smart but this is not the time. Stay safe— 🍉🍉MBUSENG SEHESHE 🍉🍉 (@BUBU_CESC) July 10, 2020…

Much of the current hype in the telecommunications space focuses on the roll-out of 5G technology, the new mobile networks that will power the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). But it is, in fact, 4G technology – LTE – that is providing lifesaving connectivity during the COVID-19 pandemic right now when communities need it most. Called Long Term Evolution to give it its full name, LTE is the network technology used by 52 per cent of the world’s mobile devices. As such, it is this 4G tech that has underpinned the innovative digital initiatives supporting communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. The…

A recent High Court judgement set a significant precedent and sent the hospitality industry reaching for champagne bottles. Judge Andre le Grange ordered insurer Guardrisk to pay out a Cape Town restaurant’s business interruption claim to the applicants, Café Chameleon. The High Court ruled that Café Chameleon’s loss due to the Covid-19 outbreak is legal cause for the insurer to pay out the claim. According to attorney PJ Veldhuizen, Managing Director of Gillan & Veldhuizen Incorporated, who represent a number of major SA restaurant and hospitality groups, it’s “too soon to pop the champagne, but its definitely first blood for…

As South Africans embrace digital and mobile payments, Visa introduced Click to Pay, a payments solution with an online checkout that eliminates passwords, protects data with smart security. On retail websites or mobile apps displaying the click to pay icon, consumers that have enabled their card will not have to enter a 16-digit primary account number, look up passwords or complete forms to make a purchase. Consumers can pay with confidence with their Visa card where they see a Click to Pay icon where Visa is accepted. Click to Pay uses advanced technology and authentication methods, including device binding and…

Canon announces EOS R5 and EOS R6, two advanced full-frame mirrorless camera additions to the EOS R System built on the future-proof RF Mount. The pro-level EOS R5 delivers 45-megapixel stills at up to 20fps and is the first full-frame mirrorless ever to record 8K RAW up to 29.97fps internally and 4K to 120p. EOS R6 is perfect for enthusiasts and professionals moving to mirrorless and looking for greater capabilities, capturing 20.1-megapixel stills at 20fps, stunning 4K video up to 60p and Full HD at up to 120p. Nothing comes close to the speed and resolution of EOS R5 and…

Gauteng Premier David Makhura announced on Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. “On Wednesday 08 July 2020, I experienced some mild symptoms. On Thursday 09 July 2020, I decided to self-quarantine and test for COVID-19 as a precautionary measure,” Makhura said in a statement. “Today, Friday 10 July 2020, I received my test results confirming that I have tested positive for COVID-19.” Gauteng Premier is now in self-isolation and will work from home over the next 14 days whilst monitoring my health. “Given the fact that I only have mild symptoms, I will continue to ensure that the…

The recent launch of 5G technology in South African presents several highly attractive opportunities for consumers, carriers and the ICT industry at large. Three South African mobile service providers – MTN, Vodacom and rain – recently announced the beginning of the 5G roll-out on their networks. The transformative impact of the technology will immediately begin to be felt across sectors, but as the roll-out expands, it will begin to fundamental influence on the way we live, work and interact. Faster, more affordable connectivity A key advantage of 5G technology is that it is a more cost-effective way to serve more…

MTN today announced the introduction of three offerings to its mobile device insurance range aimed at offering consumers more affordable options for protecting their devices in these tough economic times.   Customers can now opt for the exclusive cover of screen repair only, from as little as R17 pm, or accident only cover, starting at R21 pm, or theft and loss cover only, starting at R24 pm.  “South Africans are facing financial hardship and while this is not a revolutionary offer it does offer our customers the flexibility to choose the cover that best suits their needs at a far…

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) engineering team designed and developed portable 3D printed mechanical ventilators that have a customisable base plate to treat multiple patients. ​South Africa faces a looming ventilator shortage as the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases increases, daily. As of yesterday, a cumulative total of 224 665 confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa have been reported. Gauteng Province has now overtaken Western Cape as the province with the highest number of cases cumulatively. The ventilator, named AURA IMPRIMERE, meaning ‘A Breeze of Air provided by printing’ is portable and allows off-grid operations for up to one and…

More than one million gravesites are being prepped in Pretoria as the province braces for an increase in COVID-19 deaths. Gauteng’s health department is feeling the effects of the growing COVID-19 numbers, according to ENCA. Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku says the province has approximately 1.5-million burial sites that can be easily accessed should the need arise. Watch ENCA video below:

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with a number of local partners – has completed work on a local ventilator to be rolled out nationwide to patients showing respiratory distress in the early phase of COVID-19 infection. The first batch of ventilators will be provided to state hospitals around the country that are currently experiencing pressure due to the unavailability of equipment to deal with the pandemic. The CSIR solution is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device that uses an innovative design to provide a mild level of oxygenated air pressure to keep the airways…

Nigerian ‘Instagram Billionaire‘ Ramon Olorunwa Abbas has been extradited to the US from Dubai to face fraud charges. The Arabian Business reported that Abbas, who is popularly known as “Hushpuppi,” faces criminal charges “alleging he conspired to launder hundreds of millions of dollars from ‘business email compromise’ (BEC) frauds and other scams.” Hushpuppi was arrested last month in Dubai before being handed over to the FBI, according to the US Department of Justice. The Rolls Royce-driving Hushpuppi has 2.5 million followers on Instagram, where he regularly posts photographs of himself posing with luxury cars or boarding private jets. Abbas was part…

The MultiChoice Group announced on Wednesday a long-term, content-driven partnership with Springbok and DHL Stormers captain Siya Kolisi. The ambassadorship extends to all brands under the MultiChoice Group umbrella, including DStv. “I’m thrilled to partner with MultiChoice and DStv, and to be offered such an incredible platform to have a voice, allowing me to connect with my fans in ways I can’t on the rugby field,” says Kolisi. Through the deal, negotiated by Roc Nation Sports, MultiChoice have committed themselves to supporting the work of the Kolisi Foundation, Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s philanthropic platform, which has worked tirelessly on the…

Customers can now make cash deposits directly into their own bank account at any Pick n Pay till point, anywhere in South Africa. Deposits at till points is another first for the retailer as they increasingly become a one-stop-shop where customers can do their shopping and banking at the same time. For many years, customers have been able to withdraw cash from till points and now they can deposit cash, up to the value of R5,000 per transaction, at any Pick n Pay stores, including Clothing stores. Pick n Pay facilitated over R36 billion in cash withdrawals last year in…

Audi has launched the AudiSmart Service plan, an affordable new service offering which is applicable to all Audi vehicles that are 6 to 13 years old (or within a maximum mileage threshold of 270 000 KM), and which fall out of the standard Audi Freeway Plan or Freeway Plan Extension. This progressive new plan includes cover for two years and/or 30 000 KM (whichever occurs first) and includes two minor oil change services at a significantly discounted price. AudiSmart Service ensures that only trained Audi technicians will maintain the vehicle, according to the highest standards of Vorsprung service excellence. Further to this,…

Online trading is taking the African continent by the storm. Forex platforms present a viable earning tool for the local population. Anyone can profit from currency trades remotely — all they need is software and a registered account. These are provided by intermediaries known as brokers. The companies are classified as ECN or market makers based on their revenue source. The former is the purest form of brokerage. Here is why. The foreign exchange is an over-the-counter market. This means buyers and sellers establish a direct connection through intermediaries. Individuals, banks and market traders all partake in the activity. If…

The Competition Tribunal has slapped pharmacy group, Dis-Chem, with a R1.2 million fine for excessively overpricing surgical masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. This comes after the company was found guilty following complaints registered by the public. In its order and reasons, the Tribunal found that Dis-Chem contravened the Competition Act for charging excessive prices for three types of surgical face masks to the detriment of consumers during March 2020. The Tribunal considered the background to the COVID-19 pandemic as the economic context in which Dis-Chem had increased its prices on three occasions. This included, among others, the fact that the…