Author: Staff Writer

With little practical or immediate relief in sight for most restaurants and bars, Stella Artois, one of SA’s best-loved premium beers in the SAB stable, has launched the #SaveYourSpot initiative that aims to put much-needed financial relief into the hands of these businesses. Stella Artois has created an online platform where consumers can buy a voucher for their favourite local restaurant or bar. The premium beer brand said that with every voucher purchased it will add an additional 50% of the value of each voucher. It added that consumers who buy vouchers will be able to redeem them at their favourite…

President Cyril Ramaphosa today received on behalf of the government a R1 billion consignment of critical personal protective equipment (PPE) donated by global internet group Naspers South Africa. Ramaphosa received the equipment at Takealot’s Distribution Centre in Johannesburg. “Today we received over 6 million masks donated from Naspers. I’m impressed by the logistical infrastructure and orderly distribution of these important medical supplies. We are grateful for their co-operation and support”, said President Ramaphosa Naspers announced today the arrival of a major shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) consisting of almost 3,5 million KN95 face masks and 2,7 million 3-ply surgical…

Bolt Food will start tomorrow delivering meals from Cape Town restaurants that are members of the Restaurants Association of South Africa (RASA). The company has partnered with RASA to deliver meals for its members. RASA members will benefit from a low 14% commission to use the service to deliver their meals, while restaurants that are not members of RASA will pay a 15% fee. A R35 flat fee for deliveries within 8km of the restaurant is also available, should they have their own online marketplace. Some of the restaurants in Cape Town that have joined Bolt Food include Active Sushi,…

As South Africa and the world grapple with chronic shortages of sanitisers, one of the most critical products in the fight against coronavirus infection, Avon Justine has introduced alcohol-based sanitisers to its product portfolio to plug the supply gap created by an unprecedented spike in local and global demand. The World Health Organisation (WHO), the Department of Health and the health fraternity have identified the use of sanitisers and soap as the first line of defence to stop the spread of the coronavirus and prevent possible infection. “We have leveraged our extensive research and development experience spanning nearly 130 years…

As governments across the globe continue responding to COVID-19’s devastation, the mobile sector is playing a crucial role in supporting efforts to tackle the pandemic and is enhancing health services responses to it, according to a newly released report from the GSMA. While the report found that the pandemic had upended people’s lives, health and business sectors, people were using technological innovation during these uncertain times. “In this unprecedented situation, people are quickly adapting to innovative ways of connecting and doing business empowered by connectivity, and digital transformation is no longer just a question but an action for many industries,”…

Last week JOOX announced the launch of the ‘Gig to Earn’ initiative to support local musicians currently experiencing financial hardship through an inability to perform live. ‘Gig to Earn’ invites them to stream directly to their fans via the JOOX live video streaming feature – and get paid to do so. JOOX needs support to keep this campaign on-going while lockdown measures are still in place at all lockdown levels, as even Level One enforces social distancing rules that will make gigs and performances impossible. JOOX is calling on brands and businesses with vested interests in the entertainment industry to…

Blue Label Telecoms’ subsidiaries Utilities World and Cigicell have teamed up to offer a Free Basic Electricity (FBE) token service to help indigent households meet their basic energy needs while practising social distancing during South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdown period and beyond. Alternatively, Simply Switch can help save money by comparing energy companies that would fit into your budget. Qualifying prepaid electricity customers can now use a free USSD service on their cellular handsets to request their FBE token – all from within the safety and convenience of their own homes. They do not have to venture out to shops during…

Droppa, the digital platform that provides transport delivery solutions, has expanded its service offering with the launch of “Droppa Express”. The new service offers express delivery for light-weight items within a 25 km radius in just 24 hours. The express service, which caters for the delivery of goods such as food, parcels, books, stationery and other smaller items under 25 kg is available in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban – at an affordable rate. Delivery bookings can be made through the company website droppa.co.za or droppa app. “Droppa is continuously looking to enhance current service offerings or to introduce…

Tax Justice South Africa (TJSA) condemns tonight’s announcement of an extension to the cigarette ban as “life-endangering economic sabotage”. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s said last Thursday that the ban on the sale of cigarettes will be lifted from May 1, when the country enters a less strict level 4 lockdown. But Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said late on Wednesday that the ban on cigarettes should remain. Dlamini-Zuma cited the health risks associated with smoking and the sharing of cigarettes as the reasons for the revised decision and said that alcohol would remain prohibited for the foreseeable…

The retail price of the Limited Edition Golf GTI TCR has been announced. The Golf GTI TCR will be available for order from Volkswagen dealers in South Africa as of May 2020. The Golf GTI TCR is the final swansong of the Golf 7 range which has sold 40 128 units in South Africa since launch in 2013. Of the total Golf sales, 13 230 (33%) of those were the GTI derivative, which makes South Africa one of the top 10 markets worldwide for Golf GTI. The Golf GTI TCR is derived from the racing car of the same name;…

South Africa plans to open schools next week despite some parents calling for schools to remain closed because of serious concerns over the spread of the coronavirus. Hubert Mathanzima Mweli, the Director-General of the Department of Basic Education (DBE), told parliament on Wednesday that the department plans to reopen schools from 4 May. The outbreak of COVID-19 led to the early closure of schools during the first term. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. In a virtual presentation to parliament, Mathanzima…

Struggling clothing retailer Edcon is to file for a business rescue after losing R2bn in turnover during SA’s lockdown. The group said its board passed a resolution authorising it to file for business rescue in the next few days. Edcon, which owns the brands Jet and Edgars, said in a letter to suppliers that the R2 billion of lost sales during the COVID-19 crisis period which included the necessary “social distancing” measures, lockdown and extended lockdown, has consumed its remaining cash. The retailer added that it will resume operations and open Edgars and Jet stores in “business rescue” mode on…

South Africa’s prudent decision to institute a countrywide lockdown has circumvented an exponential explosion of cases of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic within the borders of the country, the Department of Health said on Tuesday. The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said while the lockdown will not spell the end of new infections, it has, however, significantly delayed the peak of the virus. This has bought the country precious time to beef up its response, and prepare health facilities for the management and treatment of those infected with COVID-19. As of Tuesday, 28 April, the country had 4 996 confirmed…

Although it’s recommended in King IV, succession planning is often neglected because it’s an uncomfortable subject. The COVID-19 crisis should act as a wake-up call for organisations to ensure not only that they have a plan to govern an orderly succession for key senior posts, but also an emergency back-up plan, says Parmi Natesan, CEO of the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA). “The current crisis should remind governing bodies that in addition to key management positions like the CEO and CFO, succession planning should also cover key board positions, including the chair of the board and chairs of…

Communities in the Eastern Cape such as Mthatha will now have broadband access through Television White Spaces (TVWS). The country’s communication watchdog, ICASA, has assigned temporary radio frequency spectrum to assist in the provision of COVID-19 affordable and reliable data access to rural communities during this period of the pandemic. Using the temporary radio frequency spectrum, Morai Solutions plans to build access infrastructure using TVWS by Eastern Cape. Morai Solutions plans to start its TVWS rollout, starting with Mthatha and the surrounding rural communities of King Sabata Dalindyebo, the local municipality of the OR Tambo District Municipality. “We are planning…

As the face mask become the world’s most coveted commodity, Proudly South African (Proudly SA) has launched a dedicated marketplace portal for selling locally-made face masks. The face mask portal is hosted on the Proudly SA website. The concept of the portal arose from discussions with the SA Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU), the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and The Manufacturing Circle around steps that could be taken to align initiatives underway in the clothing and textile manufacturing industry with the needs of the public and businesses. “This initiative is an effort to support a sector…

Libra By Lemok, the first smartphone brand by a township-based company, was first launched in December 2019. Their launch model, the S8, was developed in partnership with a Chinese company, however, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Lebogang Mokubela (the entrepreneur behind the brand) was forced to review the business model. “When lockdown restrictions were first implemented and borders were closed, we were stuck. We could not get new stock into the country. We then had to evaluate the business and look at manufacturing the phones in South Africa.” Mokubela said. Although there were plans to eventually bring manufacturing into the…

TicketPro announced on Monday it has launched Covid-Zero, a platform for musicians, comedians and other artists to stream their acts online. All ticket sales will be donated to support these artists during the lockdown and fund community care packages. TicketPro is a subsidiary of JSE-listed Blue Label Telecoms, which owns 45% stake in cellphone group Cell C. Covid-Zero and the Trust Blu Foundation aim to provide communities around the country with care packages including masks, hand sanitiser, food vouchers and information on staying safe. The first 5000 Care Packages have already been donated by the Trust Blu Foundation. “Against the…

South Africans have for the first time since the advent of democracy marked Freedom Day under lockdown to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. The country commemorates 27 April 1994 as the historic occasion in 1994 when all citizens were allowed to cast their votes and usher in their first democratic elections. But with South Africans confined to their homes in a bid to curb COVID-19, President Cyril Ramaphosa, through a virtual broadcast, delivered the Freedom Day address under the 2020 Freedom Day theme – “Solidarity and triumph of the human spirit in challenging times”. The President’s address called…

Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Freedom Day celebrations will be marked using online platforms, says the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. “Freedom Day, as South Africans know it, is very different this year… The COVID-19… pandemic has changed things… [from] the norm,”  said the department ahead of Freedom Day on 27 April. The department reminded South Africans that under the current lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the virus, gatherings are prohibited. “The theme for this year’s Freedom Month celebrations is solidarity and the triumph of the human spirit in these challenging times. President Cyril Ramaphosa…

Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged religious leaders and congregants to stay at home as the country continues to observe the COVID-19 lockdown. The Minister’s comments follow a video clip that surfaced on Twitter depicting the arrest of 17 congregants, who had allegedly gathered for prayer in Pretoria West on Friday. The Ministry in a statement said the congregants were in direct violation of the COVID-19 Disaster Management Lockdown Regulations. Cele also condemned a video clip making rounds on social media of a man calling “all Muslims to engage in worship in the congregation”. According to the Ministry, the same…

As South African parents wait to hear what will become of this school year from Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga tomorrow, a major concern for most of them will be the fear of their children contracting the disease once back at school. The outbreak of COVID-19 led to the early closure of schools during the first term. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. “The data we have from China shows that this disease is quite mild in children, and actually very…

South Africans, who are suffering the aftermath of the national lockdown implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19, are gatvol. This is according to research done by Victory Research for City Press. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. However, on Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a five-level plan to ease lockdowns and a R500 billion stimulus package. The report by Victory Research revealed that while “strong” support for the lockdown was at 77% when the measure was initially announced on March…

Bank Zero, a start-up by mostly former First National Bank (FNB) staffers chaired by venture capitalist Michael Jordaan, is planning a mid-2020 controlled launch. The digital bank had initially planned to launch eight months ago. Today, Bank Zero – which is set to compete with fellow newcomers TymeBank and Discovery Bank – revealed to the Sunday Times that it is “really not focused on any competitor out there” but “rather the team is building a great mobile customer experience with a range of globally unique features.” “So, the focus is on customers, including businesses, not on competitors,” said Jordan. In…

A call has been made for South Africans to support locally made products as part of efforts to jump-start the economy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa is preparing to move to level 4 of a nationwide lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 which has gripped the entire world. Speaking at a media briefing detailing how the country intends to move from the current level 5 lockdown which is expected to end at the end of April, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel made the call for citizens to buy locally. “When we as…