Author: Staff Writer

ATEN International, provider of Audio Visual / Information Technology connectivity and management solutions, today announced it is establishing a local presence in Johannesburg, after being a player in the local market for the past six years. Customers will be able to enjoy local support and a virtual interactive showroom, for hands on training and product demonstration, all from the local office based in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. Benji Pienaar, Sales Manager at ATEN South Africa, explains that the company has made an extensive investment into opening an experience room or ‘showroom’ that will allow customers to experience much of the company’s…

In the face of rising unemployment in South Africa, B2B delivery-as-a-service platform OrderIn has launched a programme that aims to create opportunities for unemployed South African youth. With unemployment in South Africa hitting a new record high of 34.4%  in the second quarter of 2021 (according to the latest data released by Statistics South Africa in August) – there has never been a more crucial time to galvanise the creation of initiatives with the sole purpose of combating unemployment, inequality and poverty in the country. The data shows that the youth are even harder hit – with 64% of young…

Temenos, the banking software company, today announced that Barko, a microfinance company, plans to enter the retail banking market in South Africa with a new digital bank built on Temenos Transact and powered by The Temenos Banking Cloud. Barko will leverage the full front-to-back services, giving the new bank total control to create banking products that are easy to consume, configure and integrate with external applications. With Temenos, Barko aims to disrupt the banking status quo with more accessible and affordable banking to advance the financial wellbeing of millions of South Africans underserved by traditional banks. Critically, the investment in…

Pan-African telecommunications services provider SEACOM has announced that it has completed the 100% acquisition of Hirani Telecom’s metro fibre network. The network will be incorporated into SEACOM’s existing metro network in Nairobi, and will be under its full control. Hirani Telecom is one of Kenya’s fastest-growing triple-play service providers and the largest last-mile provider in the region. The acquisition is part of SEACOM’s ongoing strategy in the region to grow its on-net capabilities and provide its enterprise customers with world-class connectivity. Steve Briggs, SEACOM CSMO, expands on what the acquisition will mean for the region: “This is a first step…

The South African United Business Confederation (SAUBC) will embark on a three-city drive, called “VISION SA Roadshow” between November 2021 and March 2022. Sponsored by ITEC Tiyende, and JCDecaux South Africa the VISION SA Roadshow, is a series of staged events to reintroduce the confederation to its key stakeholder. The tour will be centred around wine tasting & cocktail extravaganza with golf days to be staged in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. The roadshow will start in Cape Town on November 5, followed by Johannesburg on the 11 and 12th of November. Durban and Cape Town will host the main…

Generation Z are rapidly stepping onto the world stage. They are graduating from high school, entering the workforce and studying at tertiary education institutions. Referred to as digital natives, this generation grew up with technology and have no knowledge of life without it. They are globally connected, incredibly mobile, entrepreneurial and crave autonomy – especially when it comes to education where they want flexibility on how, where and when they learn. Are our South African universities equipped to engage with and stimulate these digitally immersed learners? Wits University’s Emeritus Professor Barry Dwolatzky, who serves on the Computer Science Advisory Board…

As an increasingly vaccinated world starts fighting its way back to a semblance of normality, it’s almost time again for the eagerly-anticipated annual Mandela Remembrance Walk and Run (MRWR), taking place this year on Sunday 5 December 2021. The event, which honours and remembers iconic global statesperson Nelson Mandela, will again take place in hybrid fashion, with the physical form at Tshwane’s Union Buildings for a restricted number of 1000 people, and the virtual form being open to participants globally who wish to take part in this special event. COVID restrictions forced the bulk of the event to take place…

Huawei has announced the winners of the 2021 edition of the Huawei HMS App Innovation Contest (Apps UP), with four African Apps being recognised and celebrated. Coresthetics walked away with one of the Best App Awards in the Middle East and Africa region, along with $15,000 in prize money. UniAPS bagged an Excellent Student Award, with $5,000 prize money, while Droppa and Secura received Honourable Mention Awards, which each come with $3,000 prize money. “The Apps UP contest is a great initiative from Huawei, and I hope that we continue to encourage app developers to make apps that are beneficial…

Xtra Savings members can now transact using their Xtra Savings cards following a significant update to the Shoprite Group’s Money Market Account. The Money Market Account, which has attracted 530 000 users since it launched just over a year ago, now provides customers with transactional banking functionalities, including sending money and making withdrawals. “The development and roll out of the account have been driven entirely by customer needs,” explains Jean Olivier, General Manager: Financial Services at the Shoprite Group. Customers indicated that they like transacting with their phones, but also with a card, and some raised concerns about how to…

The South African government plans to intervene in the impasse between mobile network operators and the country’s communications watchdog, ICASA, over the expiry of the temporary spectrum.  “The minister [Khumbudzo Ntshavheni] is engaging with all parties to find an amicable solution in the matter,” Communications department spokesperson Tlali Tlali told the Business Times. He added that “the department’s view is that the courts should be an option of last resort to be explored only in the event all other efforts do not yield desirable outcomes”. The temporary radio frequency spectrum was first assigned by means of an expedited ITA during…