Author: Staff Writer
Pick n Pay has launched an online scheduled grocery delivery service that enables customers to set up an automatic weekly or monthly delivery of items they buy regularly. Removing the hassle of manually placing regular online orders for essentials, this new online shopping feature, called Grocery Genius, offers customers an easy and more convenient way to re-stock products – from the week’s groceries to monthly pantry and household items. Pick n Pay was the first retailer to launch online grocery shopping in South Africa and has now become the first supermarket to introduce this future-focused grocery service. Gaining traction overseas…
Pan-African telecommunications service provider, Seacom, and Tata Communications, a global digital infrastructure provider, have joined forces to offer high-speed, reliable pathways between Africa, Europe and Asia to meet the growing demand for connectivity linking these regions. Reflecting the increasing appetite for investment into Africa, this partnership allows Seacom and Tata Communications to leverage each other’s regional and global networks to address enterprises’ connectivity requirements. Seacom’s dedicated subsea cable system runs up the east coast of Africa and connects to India in Mumbai. Given Tata Communications’ strong presence in the Indian subcontinent, Seacom customers can connect seamlessly onwards into business hubs…
The first web TV platform dedicated to sports clubs and athletes opened in October 2018 and has already won over 33,000 users and web TV channels for sports clubs in more than 50 countries, with over 1.5 million visits in the first month of the year alone. The company had already announced, in September 2019, that the channel “Sport in France” launched on the initiative of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), had joined the platform to develop the promotion of all disciplines, all federations and their clubs. The company is developing its blockchain-based technology by allowing users…
The BMW iNEXT is undergoing further testing across the Kalahari desert in South Africa ahead of series production in 2021. Intensive test runs in the freezing cold at the polar circle are now being followed by a contrasting program in the Kalahari, where in addition to extreme heat and solar radiation, permanent dust formation and off-road terrain with its sand, pebble and gravel tracks pose exceptional challenges for the BMW Group’s technology flagship. In this literally hot phase of the series development process, not only do the drive and suspension components of the BMW iNEXT, a car designed for all-electric…
The quest to achieve that elusive, radiant and glowing skin will now be the thing of the past following Avon’s launch of ANEW Essential Vitamin C. This serum, which carries the equivalent amount of Vitamin C found in 30 oranges, delivers 10% powerful, stabilised and pure Vitamin C straight onto the skin. Avon customers who use this new powerhouse anti-oxidant will reap multiple benefits, namely protection against damaging free radicals, significant reduction of fine lines, a more even complexion and improved skin radiance and texture. “The introduction of ANEW Essential Vitamin C serum builds on the pioneering breakthrough that Avon…
As of January 2020, commercial 5G networks have been deployed in 378 cities across 34 countries, according to the new VIAVI report “The State of 5G Deployments,” now in its fourth year. The country with the most cities with 5G availability is South Korea with 85 cities, followed by China with 57, the United States at 50, and the U.K. with 31 cities. In terms of regional coverage, EMEA leads the way with 168 cities where 5G networks have been deployed, Asia is second with 156 cities, with 54 cities covered by 5G across the Americas. Africa is represented by…
Following the launch of the MultiChoice Innovation Fund last week in KwaZulu-Natal, the second in a series of regional seminars around this exciting new funding and development initiative took place in Cape Town today. MultiChoice Group, in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, as well as WESGRO hosted entrepreneurs and SMEs under the theme of ‘Spurring a culture of innovation within the SME segment of South Africa’. The seminar aims to further the goals of the Innovation Fund by driving innovation in the tech and video entertainment sector and unearthing entrepreneurs with unique business ideas.…
Minister Stella Ndabeni Abrahams, who heads the Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies, has stressed the need for partnerships and collaboration with global companies like Huawei to grow innovation in the SA ICT sector as the country moves into the era of digitisation. Speaking during a community stakeholder engagement in Mthatha, after the launch of Huawei’s free 5G training for ICT students at the Walter Sisulu University, the Minister said; “It is very important that we understand that through collaboration with global companies like Huawei, we can build on and enhance the ideas that we have.” “That is why when…
The BMW Group will unveil its first pure-electric Gran Coupe on 3 March 2020 at the Geneva Motor Show. The BMW Concept i4 heralds a new era in Sheer Driving Pleasure; it provides a whole new take on the dynamic excellence for which BMW is renowned and blends a modern, elegantly sporty design with the spaciousness and practicality of a four-door Gran Coupe – all while generating zero local emissions. “The BMW Concept i4 brings electrification to the core of the BMW brand,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The design is dynamic, clean and elegant.…
This week Uber users in South Africa will have the option of receiving a four-digit PIN code to provide to their driver before starting a trip. This added layer of verification can help ensure users get in the right car and drivers are picking up the correct rider. Most users will be able to set up the PIN verification feature in their app, with the feature rolled out to all users in the coming weeks. Users can opt-in to the PIN code feature by navigating to their app settings and tapping “Verify Your Ride.” From there, users can choose to…
Dread diseases such as cancer not only have a devastating effect on individuals but can also prove to be costly for society, as they can have a potentially large impact on productivity and the overall economy. Every cancer-related death in individuals of working age, as well as every absence from work due to cancer—whether temporary or permanent—represents an economic loss to society. “Cancer is a costly disease, with potentially significant impact on productivity and the economy, meaning that aside from directly affecting the lives of those diagnosed, it potentially also has a largescale knock-on effect on communities. This should certainly…
Public Enterprises Deputy Minister Phumulo Masualle says there is still a commercial case for SA Express, and that it can play a critical role as a feeder airline to service secondary routes and key cities in the Southern African region. Masualle said this after engaging the business rescue practitioners of SA Express, which was placed under business rescue on 6 February 2020 by an order of the Johannesburg High Court. The business rescue process was as a result of legal action undertaken by service provider Ziegler. The service provider, whom SA Express had contended in its responding papers to the…
AutoTrader, South Africa’s largest and most trusted motoring marketplace, has invested in making the K53 learner’s book available free of charge to all South Africans via Help Guides. Leveraging the reach of one of the most visited sites in the country, AutoTrader’s goal is to champion wider access to the K53 manual as a crucial step to greater mobility and financial freedom to many. “As one of SA’s leading online auto trading sites, we have the opportunity to assist many South Africans,” said George Mienie, AutoTrader CEO. “Obtaining a driving license is a necessary step toward finding personal mobility.” AutoTrader’s…
iiDENTIFii, South Africa’s very own leading-edge company has been invited to demonstrate their innovative artificial intelligence development for thousands of leaders in the field at Finovate, Berlin, this month. iiDENTIFii provides a secure and user-friendly technology platform that authenticates physical identities in a connected world. And they are on a mission to stop identity fraud by making seamless identity authentication accessible to everyone, everywhere, on any mobile device. Gur Geva, Co-CEO of leading digital authentication company iiDENTIFii, not only represented iiDENTIFii at this year’s Finovate event in Berlin, Germany, which took place from 11 – 13 February 2020 but he…
Amsterdam-based venture capital fund Two Hop Ventures has announced that it has taken a stake in Johannesburg-based Bitcoin SV (BSV) wallet and merchant payment startup Centbee. Centbee is growing globally from its base in South Africa. The deal comes after South African-based venture capital fund Paper Plane Ventures successfully exited to Two Hop. Centbee was in the news last year when it raised £1 million in a Series A round from Canadian-born billionaire entrepreneur Calvin Ayre. “Not only is Centbee one of the most used wallets in the BitcoinSV (BSV) ecosystem, it’s building products and services with a strong focus on regulatory compliance.…
Swiggy, India’s largest food delivery platform, has raised $113 million (R1.7 billion) to further develop its new lines of business, addressing visible gaps in the market. The latest round is led by existing investor Prosus N.V. and includes participation from Meituan Dianping and Wellington Management Company. Having grown beyond food delivery, Swiggy aims to use the funds to further develop its new lines of business, addressing visible gaps in the market. The company will continue to invest in new growth areas (Stores, Go and SuprDaily) as it delivers on its promise of bringing unparalleled convenience to the lives of urban…
Discerning Avon customers who have always yearned to adorn themselves with the most coveted designs by David Tlale are in for a treat following the announcement that the world’s fourth-biggest beauty company will collaborate with the internationally acclaimed couturier to launch a selection of items for the fashion-savvy customers. The announcement of this ground-breaking collaboration was made to the media and celebrities in the fashion industry at a glittering ceremony held in Johannesburg. The partnership between Avon and Tlale is the first collaboration of its kind at Avon and in the direct selling business in South Africa. In terms of…
Volkswagen has taken the first step in its journey towards electric mobility in South Africa through the launch of the e-Golf pilot project. The e-Golf pilot project will see six fully electric vehicles being tested by motoring and lifestyle media, selected dealers as well as Volkswagen employees in an effort to gain valuable consumer insights into the varying experiences of driving and living with an electric vehicle in South Africa. Through the involvement of selected Volkswagen dealers in Gauteng and Western Cape, the e-Golf pilot project seeks to drive customer awareness and education regarding electric vehicles. The e-Golfs will be…
Known as the place of peace, Polokwane has become synonymous with being a keepsake in South African history. From its untouched architecture to having more public statues per capita than any other Province, this city is more than just a capital of a Province but the food powerhouse of the country given that it produces up to 60% of local fresh produce. That’s why the launch of Uber Eats today in Polokwane is an exciting chapter for the city. “We’re excited to launch in Polokwane, bringing the convenience, affordability and reliability synonymous with the app to it’s locals. Uber Eats…
Finance minister Tito Mboweni has sparked a debate on Twitter, after he called on Mzansi citizens to debate on whether we should continue to bailout SOEs or invest the Public’s tax money on roads and other public goods. Mboweni, who is known as Tweeto Mboweni on the social media site, said: “I mean, REALLY?!! Let’s have a public debate!” Ok. I hear you. For example, what are the citizens’ views on whether we should continue to bailout SOEs or invest the Public’s tax money on roads and other public goods!? I mean, REALLY?!! Let’s have a public debate! — Tito…
The SA Post Office is losing at least R60 million a month from distributing social grants to millions of citizens, who rely on the government’s welfare net for survival, reports the City Press. The report attributes this loss to the high fees the SA Post Office must pay to cash-in-transit and security fees to ensure that hard cash delivered to pay points. The social grants deal was originally seen as a big opportunity for the struggling SA Post Office to earn more revenue. “The Sassa project won by the Post Office has proved to be a loss-making initiative that the…
The South African government is negotiating with mobile phone operators for big data price cuts and free daily data allocation for users. “The competition authorities are now working towards a resolution with the large mobile operators to secure deep cuts to data prices across pre-paid monthly bundles, additional discounts targeted at low-income households, the free daily allocation of data and free access to educational and other public interest websites,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said. Delivering his State of the Nation (SONA) Address to a Joint Sitting of Parliament on Thursday, President Ramaphosa said this is an important step to improve lives,…
The government will this year open up and regulate the commercial use of hemp products, providing opportunities for small-scale farmers, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday. Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament, President Ramaphosa said the government will formulate policy on the use of cannabis products for medicinal purposes, to “build this industry in line with global trends”. “The regulatory steps will soon be announced by the relevant ministers,” President Ramaphosa said. He reiterated that agriculture is one of the industries with the greatest potential for growth. This…
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will this year introduce Coding and Robotics in Grades R to 3, in 200 schools – with a plan to implement it fully by 2022. This is one of the steps taken by the government to improve education in the country. Government is piloting the Coding and Robotics Curriculum for Grades R – 3 in selected schools across the country to equip learners with the required skills for the 4th Industrial Revolution. Delivering the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday, President Ramaphosa said the most significant contribution government can make to inclusive…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the government will establish a new university in the city of Ekurhuleni. The new university will focus on science and innovation. “We have decided to establish a new University of Science and Innovation in Ekurhuleni,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said. Delivering his State of the Nation (SONA) Address to a Joint Sitting of Parliament on Thursday, President Ramaphosa said Ekurhuleni is the only metro in our country that does not have a university. “This will enable young people in that metro to be trained in high-impact and cutting-edge technological innovation for current and future industries,”…