Author: Staff Writer

Government has emphasised its support for the national carrier, South African Airways (SAA). This comes following the publication of the carrier’s business rescue plan on 16 June 2020. “Government, as the sole shareholder of SAA, supports the business rescue plan where it results in a viable, sustainable, competitive airline that provides integrated domestic, regional and international flight services,” said the Department of Public Enterprises. This is to resolve the untenable situation of the current South African Airways specifically for its employees and its creditors, as well as to support important economic objectives. “The aviation industry in South Africa requires the…

South African FinTech company Centbee launched a new feature in its Bitcoin wallet today that allows you to purchase prepaid electricity, airtime and data. This is the realisation of a dream by co-founders Lorien Gamaroff and Angus Brown, finally making the vision for bitcoin as electronic cash a reality. South African Centbee users have been able to top up their wallets with Bitcoin from over 50 000 retail stores since early 2019 and from their South African bank accounts since February 2020. In addition, Bitcoin can be bought from South African cryptocurrency exchanges VALR.com and AltCoinTrader and sent to a Centbee…

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has pounced on eight suspects allegedly behind the plundering and collapse of the Venda Building Society (VBS) Mutual Bank. Four suspects were arrested when the Hawks descended on 10 properties in Gauteng and Limpopo on Wednesday morning. While the further three are expected to hand themselves over to the investigators, the warrant of arrest on the eighth suspect is yet to be effected, as he is in COVID-19 isolation. The seven are expected to appear before the Johannesburg High Court, sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court. The arrests are a culmination of…

Newly released research by TransUnion shows South African consumers are now more uncertain about the future of their finances through the COVID-19 crisis than they were at the beginning of April, with the number of consumers who have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic continuing to increase. The ongoing research by the information and insights company to better understand the financial impact of COVID-19 on consumers showed that 16% of respondents financially impacted by COVID-19 have lost their jobs, up from 10% in the first week of April when the first survey was conducted in South Africa.…

Gold-backed ETFs are some of the easiest ways to invest in gold. You’re able to use the price of the commodity to your advantage by trading alongside it. A gold-backed ETF will often trade at one-tenth of the spot price of gold. So, at any one time, your investment will go up or down in tandem with the gold price. This is a proportional relationship that protects you as the investor. You’re protected because you’re only tracking the price of gold, so even when it goes down, you have limited exposure. Limited exposure equals limited risk. Gold ETFs are performing…

The V&A Waterfront is partnering with one of South Africa’s leading Click and Collect service providers, to offer an alternative for shoppers who want to avoid possible exposure to COVID-19 by queuing in shops, but who still want to collect their own goods. The new Click and Collect Drive Through service will allow customers to place online orders with multiple V&A Waterfront stores, and then to collect their parcels themselves. The drive through facility will be positioned at the Entrance One of Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre nearest The Table Bay Hotel. The Kiosk itself will be situated outside, in front…

South Africa has recorded a further 88 COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total number nationally to 1 568. “Regrettably, we report a further 88 COVID-19 related deaths: 73 from the Western Cape, nine from the Eastern Cape and six from Gauteng. We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank healthcare workers who treated the deceased,” Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize said on Monday. The Minister also announced that there is a total of 73 533 COVID-19 cases. The provincial breakdown of COVID-19 cases is as follows: Western Cape 44 143; Eastern Cape 10 597; Gauteng 12 193; KwaZulu-Natal 3 959; North…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has encouraged the youth to work with the government in creating an inclusive economy that will rid South Africa of inequality, poverty and unemployment. “There has to be life beyond COVID-19. We are looking forward to creativity, innovation and new ideas from young people and we want young people who are going to speak out and step forward,” the President said. President Ramaphosa on Tuesday participated in an interactive panel session with young people as part of the virtual Youth Day commemorations. Youth Day pays tribute to the school pupils who lost their lives during the 16…

The South African economy has suffered tremendously due to the global and national COVID-19 epidemic. As we gradually move back to ‘normal’, many consumers are taking advantage of incredibly low-interest rates to secure new vehicle purchases. Discovery Insure CEO, Anton Ossip, announced the launch of a new product in their offering, providing vehicle warranty cover to its clients. The new product, available exclusively to Discovery Insure clients, comprises comprehensive and market-leading mechanical breakdown and electrical failure cover for 36 critical vehicle components, with no cover limits. According to Ossip, “Our driving behaviour technology allows us to collect telematics data for…

In South Africa, manufacturers experience significant challenges. From the stuttering economy to the lack of skills development, there are obstacles that prevent industries from pushing forward into a new era of automation and robotic solutions. Due to the effects of COVID-19, many businesses might not have a choice but to rapidly adopt this technology – especially if they wish to survive in this new contactless society. Automation is no longer a subpoint in a five-year roadmap, but an item of critical importance. Stringent health and safety measures have always been a massive concern for manufacturers, but many organisations will need…

As the number of COVID-19 infection cases in the country continues to rise, with the national death toll now at 1080, President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the families of COVID-19 victims, who have succumbed to the virus. “Each one of these deaths is a tragedy. Each one represents a unique life: a parent, a child, a sibling or a friend. Each one leaves behind a family and a community in mourning. “I would like to offer my condolences to all South Africans who have lost someone they love, and wish them strength, courage and hope in the…

With the coronavirus pandemic lockdown easing, South Africans are being warned to expect a spike in crime. “Since the lockdown has eased, petty crime like theft of garden tools, plants and fruit from trees began to increase. This, however, has escalated to more serious crimes such as house break-ins, house robberies, and theft of motor vehicles.” Says Shaun Rademeyer, CEO of Multinet Home Loans. Protecting your humble abode from unwanted guests is easier than you might think. To help, we’ve put together the following list of protection tips for your new home. Use this list to ensure that your home protection…

Cape-based Flyt Property Investment has recently announced an inventive means for South Africans to take advantage of Government’s Section 12J tax incentive when the chips are down. Flyt Partnership Fund, which is restricted to R300 million, allows investors to take part in the fund on a 100% loan basis. The R300 million has been made available as loan capital to investors to participate as partners in the fund. A minimum investment of R1million is required; however, an investor need only contribute 35% (i.e. R350 000 per R1 million), with Flyt Property Investment contributing the remaining 65% on the investor’s behalf. To…

Naked, the artificial intelligence-driven insurance provider, has announced that its customers will continue to pay just 10% or so of their usual premium on the days that they ‘pause’ their accident insurance cover until 30 September this year. This follows Naked’s decision when the lockdown was announced to offer this higher premium saving until 30 June for customers who use its CoverPause feature. The average customer would usually pay roughly 50% of their comprehensive cover rate when CoverPause is active. Customers simply activate the CoverPause feature on the Naked app to freeze their accident cover on the days that they…

Over the past few months, South Africans have been inspired by the unrelenting and fearless work of those facing the worst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, from the healthcare and essential workers doing dangerous but crucial work every day, to the journalists bringing us the news from frontlines of this issue. But there are also unsung heroes, closer to home, who have reached out to those in need to make a difference, no matter how small, during this challenging time. It is these stories that MTN wants to hear as it calls on all South Africans to “shout-out” their COVID-19…

COVID-19 has accelerated the inevitable. Before the pandemic, the world had been moving on an unavoidable path toward a new digital age, despite many businesses failing to invest in the requisite technologies. However, as the COVID-19 meteor hit global markets, companies in sectors like retail that failed to recognise the encroaching new virtual age were brutally impacted in the market sell-off. What is undeniably clear in the post-COVID-19 age is that companies that do not leverage on new technologies might not remain competitive relative to new entrants. The sheer pervasive reach of tech across industries is challenging traditional valuation frameworks.…

Global beauty and personal care brand company Avon Justine has joined nationwide relief efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus by pledging 1.5 tons of hand sanitisers to the South African Police Services (SAPS). The hand sanitizers will be handed over to senior officials of the SAPS and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation for distribution among law enforcement officials. “We are delighted for this kind gesture which will go a long way to help in bolstering our defences against this pandemic. Our members are exposed to this pandemic daily, risking life and limb in the exercise of their duties.…

In an effort to weed out corruption in its ranks, the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Wednesday nabbed eight of its own in a pre-dawn operation across the country. Eight were among the 14 arrested by the Anti-Corruption Task Team during the operation. Among those arrested were senior police officers and six company owners and directors. In a statement, police spokesperson Vish Naidoo said among the arrested senior officers was a former SAPS Lieutenant General. “[They were arrested] on warrants of arrest issued on multiple charges, including fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering,” he said. The Special Anti-Corruption Task…

Almost 5 000 Wits students have received laptops, delivered by the South African Post Office (SAPO), to enable online learning during the nationwide lockdown. Through its Speed Services Courier Unit, SAPO delivered the laptops to the homes of disadvantaged Wits students across South Africa, including in rural areas. Due to the national COVID-19 lockdown, Wits University suspended contact teaching and commenced with emergency remote teaching and learning on 20 April 2020. In its transition to online learning, Wits established a mobile computing bank, which granted qualifying students access to a mobile device for online learning purposes. A partnership with the SAPO ensured…

FNB is distributing 100 000 cloth masks to SASSA beneficiaries who collect their social grants across the Bank’s branches. The masks are distributed through 200 FNB branches in provinces which include Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Free State. The allocation in each branch is dependent on the volume of beneficiaries per branch, however, each branch has been allocated between 400 to 1000 masks to distribute during the days that grants are paid-out. “Our measures are designed to support the country’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and we are playing our part by prioritising…

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has expressed confidence that the aviation industry and the country’s airports will adhere to COVID-19 regulations and directives, as the sector reopens. The Minister made the declaration on Wednesday at the O.R Tambo International Airport, where he was inspecting the airport’s adherence to lockdown regulations and directions. “These regulations and directives are there for the protection of all people and we expect absolute compliance,” said Mbalula. He said government understood the need for a balanced gradual reopening of the economy and safety and good health. “I am confident that our airports will play a central role…

For many, every month seems to be the start and end of a year, as locals adjust to the “new normal”. In January, it was about a ‘new year, new me’ and choosing to ignore those 2020 memes, the start of the nationwide lockdown was the beginning of new lifestyle choices by South Africans, according to data by Uber Eats. Self-isolated Savourness  While the most ordered healthy meal is the Poke bowl and the many iterations and flavour combinations of it, Uber Eats reports that healthy orders overall spiked at a 71% increase since the beginning of April as compared…

The Ministry of Transport wishes to notify road users that the national rollout date for the Administrative Adjudication of the Road Traffic Offences  (AARTO) Act had been delayed as a result of the outbreak of Coronavirus. In August 2019, the AARTO Bill was signed into law and although no date was officially promulgated, it was intended to take national effect by mid-2020. “However, the capacity of the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), which is the entity responsible for the rollout of AARTO, has been severely compromised by the COVID-19 outbreak,” the transport department said in a statement. “The entity has…

The new BMW 4 Series Coupé is ready for launch. The latest generation of the sporty two-seater for the premium midsize segment underscores its distinctive character profile, with both a vehicle concept focused squarely on delivering dynamic driving pleasure and the clear differentiation of the coupé from the new BMW 3 Series. This is the next chapter in a coupé tradition shaped by numerous legendary BMW models. Global market launch from October 2020. Global sales begin with five model variants; the BMW M440i xDrive Coupé (fuel consumption combined 7.1 – 6.8 l/100 km [39.8 – 41.5 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined:…

A Pretoria company is in hot water after implementing excessive price hikes during the COVID-19 pandemic. In South Africa’s first contested excessive pricing case in the context of COVID-19, the Competition Tribunal has found Babelegi Workwear and Industrial Supplies CC (Babelegi) guilty of excessive pricing. “In its order and reasons issued today, the Tribunal has found that Babelegi contravened section 8(1)(a) of the Competition Act by charging excessive prices for face masks that it sold to customers between 31 January 2020 and 5 March 2020 (the complaint period). The contravention relates to the sale of face Dust Mask FFP1 Pioneer…