Author: Staff Writer

The world’s #1 AI CRM  will surface directly in ChatGPT New integrations bring OpenAI frontier models and Salesforce into unified experiences across both platforms SAN FRANCISCO — October 14, 2025 — Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) and OpenAI announced an expanded strategic partnership, establishing a new generation of employee and consumer experiences powered by Salesforce’s Agentforce 360 and OpenAI frontier models. This first of its kind partnership will let companies access Salesforce’s Agentforce 360 platform in ChatGPT — querying sales records, reviewing customer conversations, or building Tableau visualisations, simply by typing a query into ChatGPT. They can also use OpenAI’s latest frontier…

Volvo Car South Africa’s (VCSA) electric momentum continues to build. Following a year of significant growth in its electrified lineup – including the EX90 and EX30 Cross Country, alongside updated plug-in hybrid versions of the new XC60 and XC90 – the brand now turns its attention to its next all-electric SUV: the new Volvo EX60. The EX60 will be revealed on 21 January 2026 in a global livestream from Stockholm, Sweden, marking the next step in Volvo’s drive to make electric luxury more accessible to South Africans. Positioned between the XC40 Recharge and the flagship EX90, the EX60 will strengthen…

Agriculture remains one of South Africa’s most strategically important sectors. But to future-proof it, we need to change the story young people hear about farm work and match that with real pathways into modern, tech-enabled roles. More than compliance, this is about securing food systems, rural livelihoods, and export competitiveness by building a larger, more intelligent talent pipeline. “Too many young people still picture agriculture as low-skilled manual work,” says Sandra Pretorius, General Manager at Afri Training Institute (ATI). “On the ground, the work has changed with soil analysis, sensor-driven irrigation, quality data, biosecurity, and cold-chain logistics becoming an integral…

OpenAI today announced the roll out of ChatGPT Go across Africa. ChatGPT Go is a new tier of subscription plan designed to give more people access to ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities at a more affordable price.  The launch comes as Africa continues to adopt AI at a rapid pace. ChatGPT Go subscribers gain access to ChatGPT’s most popular features, including higher message limits, image generation, file uploads, and memory – all powered by GPT-5, OpenAI’s most-advanced model. The subscription reflects a 75% reduction in price on average compared to the next tier of ChatGPT subscription.   Compared to OpenAI’s free plan, ChatGPT…

Vodacom Limpopo region has announced a major investment of more than R500 million in network infrastructure for the current financial year (FY26). Building on last year’s R414 million commitment, this substantial investment reaffirms Vodacom’s commitment to empowering communities and driving economic growth throughout the province, using broadband connectivity. This year’s capital expenditure brings the total investment in radio and transmission infrastructure to R3,1 billion over a period of seven years in Limpopo province alone. “At Vodacom, our vision is to connect every individual and community, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in the digital economy and reaping the…

Salesforce, the world’s #1 AI CRM, announced the general availability of Agentforce 360, the culmination of a year of transformation, redefining how work gets done in the age of AI. While others are just beginning to showcase what’s possible with agentic AI in the enterprise, Salesforce has spent the past year delivering it — with four major releases, thousands of customer deployments, and Salesforce itself as Customer Zero, proving how the Agentic Enterprise comes to life. The Agentic Enterprise represents a new model for work — where AI elevates people rather than replacing them. In an Agentic Enterprise, every team operates with 24/7 intelligence: sales…

Westbrooke Renewable Energy Alternatives, an alternative investment strategy managed by Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management has acquired a portfolio of operational solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) assets located at 91Shell Downstream South Africa (SDSAs) owned service stations across South Africa. The portfolio was purchased alongside one of Westbrooke Real’s partners, CVE South Africa, an experienced independent power producer. The assets were acquired from Thebe Solar Energy, which exited its position as part of a strategic realignment. The portfolio is fully operational and produces approximately 7.8 GWh of renewable power annually. The acquisition forms part of Westbrooke Real’s…

African founders are invited to apply for exclusive pitch days taking place in Cape Town this November, where a total of R25 million in early-stage capital will be deployed into exceptional startups operating across the continent. Driven by entrepreneur and investor Alexandria Procter and a collective of early-stage investors, the initiative aims to discover and back Africa’s next wave of standout startups. Over a series of exclusive pitch sessions in Cape Town, founders at the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages will have 10 minutes to make their case for a share of R25 million in early-stage funding. “Africa’s founders…

Knight Piésold Southern Africa is proud to officially launch the 2025 Bokamoso Creative Essay Competition, an initiative designed to empower Grade 10 and 11 learners from under-resourced public high schools across Gauteng through creative expression and engagement with real-world sustainability challenges. First introduced in 2019, the Bokamoso Creative Essay Competition forms a core part of Knight Piésold’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, which is focused on advancing access to quality education, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Following the successful revival of the competition in 2024, the 2025 edition aims to deepen impact within the Gauteng province by…

WeThinkCode_, South Africa’s leading software engineering academy, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Collective X, a national coordinating intermediary committed to unlocking scalable, demand-driven digital skills development. This collaboration marks a pivotal step in building a more inclusive, outcomes-based tech talent pipeline for South African youth. The partnership is anchored in a shared commitment to digital ecosystem building, bringing together government, industry, and training providers to co-pay and co-design pathways that align with real employer demand. As a partner, Collective X’s financial support enables WeThinkCode_ to expand access to work-integrated learning opportunities and long-term employment, ensuring that graduates…

As emotional bonds with Artificial Intelligence (AI) raise ethical concerns worldwide, customer engagement consultancy Khumbula Tech has taken the lead locally by committing itself to an ethics-centred approach in its AI consulting. While the most recent Global Index on Responsible AI ranked South Africa as the highest-performing country in Africa*, reflecting the country’s strong legal foundation underpinning its approach to AI, KPMG** found last year that a substantial 77 percent of SA CEOs were concerned about ‘ethical issues’ in AI adoption locally. “From blue chips to start-ups, local business leaders always want to know how they can roll out AI…

Broadband Infraco (BBI), in collaboration with Huawei, launched an upgraded intelligent backbone network at Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg. The upgraded backbone network directly supports the goals of SA Connect and will bring high-capacity, affordable broadband to millions of South Africans. The launch was witnessed by over 200 leaders from the public and private sectors in South Africa and other SADC countries. As a state-owned enterprise mandated by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) to expand South Africa’s broadband infrastructure, BBI is implementing the upgrade as part of its Backbone Network Expansion Strategy. The investment aims to extend electronic…

Telkom today announced a major contribution to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) with the donation of land valued at R3.9 million across Gauteng and the Western Cape. The pledge was formally made during a meeting held at Telkom’s offices yesterday, attended by the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, as part of her drive to mobilise private sector support for education. The land donation will be used to strengthen school infrastructure, enabling the Department to expand access to quality learning environments for learners in need. Speaking during the engagement, Mpho McNamee, Group Chief of Corporate Affairs at Telkom, said,…

The use of social media at work – especially on devices connected to internal networks – is putting South African businesses at risk of data breaches and cyberattacks. With no specific laws governing social media use in the workplace, many businesses operate without cybersecurity policies for online platforms. From Facebook updates and WhatsApp conversations to LinkedIn networking, this leaves the door wide open for cybercriminals looking to exploit employees who have their guard down. “This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’re raising awareness around unregulated use of social media platforms in the office,” says Carey van Vlaanderen, Group CEO at ESET Southern…

Microsoft has announced that Vukani Mngxati has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft South Africa, effective 1 October 2025. His appointment builds on Microsoft’s more than three decades of partnership and investment in South Africa, reflecting the company’s continued commitment to enable public and private sector companies to unlock the power of AI, and drive inclusive economic growth and long-term prosperity for all. In his new role, Mngxati will lead Microsoft’s South African operations, driving initiatives that support the country’s digital and AI transformation journey. Leveraging the foundation built, he will focus on expanding cloud infrastructure, growing AI…

South Africa is urbanising at speed. Every day, thousands of people move into cities in search of work, education and opportunity. However, the same forces that make cities engines of growth also create silent risks for health. Sedentary lifestyles, fast food on the go, long commutes and relentless stress are reshaping the nation’s health profile. Cardiovascular disease, once seen as a disease of affluence or old age, is now rising sharply among younger South Africans. Dr David Jankelow, past president of the South African Heart Association, has described the country’s cardiovascular epidemic as a tsunami overwhelming both public and private…

Despite its history of resilience and globally recognised innovation, the eyewatering pace of cyber threat evolution, characterised by rapid mutation and increasing sophistication, is forcing South Africa’s banking sector to rethink its approach to security.  In its 2024 Annual Crime Statistics report, the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) notes that digital banking fraud saw a significant escalation, with an 86% increase in incidents and a 74% rise in associated losses, totalling R1.89 billion. Digital banking fraud accounts for almost 70% of recorded financial losses in the banking industry. SABRIC has laid a good deal of the blame on…

Uber has launched Women Drivers in South Africa, a product designed to empower women through choice. The product allows female riders to select female drivers, responding to the growing demand for safer, more inclusive mobility options while reinforcing Uber’s commitment to innovation, empowerment, and trust in the local market. The product draws on extensive testing in markets such as some cities in the USA and France, where it was adapted based on rider and driver behaviour. Uber has localised these insights to meet the specific needs of South African riders and drivers, where safety perceptions remain one of the most…

In South Africa, funerals are not just family affairs – they’re collective moments that draw entire communities together. When someone passes away, it’s not unusual for neighbours, relatives and friends to contribute financially, cook for guests, or simply show up to offer support. It’s a lived expression of Ubuntu – the belief that our lives are intertwined. But as funeral costs increase, fewer people carry cash, and more families are separated by geography, this tradition is evolving. South Africans are finding new, digital-first ways to uphold it – not by replacing cultural values, but by adapting them. At the heart…

Visa, in partnership with Absa, is proud to announce the winners of the second annual She’s Next South Africa competition, a flagship initiative designed to empower women-owned small businesses with access to funding, training, and mentorship. This year’s finalists represented diverse businesses, including farming to furniture, recycling, manufacturing, and clothing. With her Avo processing factory on wheels, this year’s overall winner is Christine Masaiti from Grandstage Trading, who has been awarded the grand prize of a R450 000 monetary grant. Zimkhita Duze from Uuka Bricks secured second place, earning R270 000, while third place and R150 000 went to the…

NetApp, a data infrastructure company, has appointed Axiz as a distributor across Africa in a landmark agreement that reflects NetApp’s renewed commitment to scale its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. This strategic collaboration aims to empower a broader channel ecosystem, unlock new partner-led opportunities, and deliver world-class data and cloud solutions to enterprises across Sub-Saharan Africa. “Collaborating with Axiz represents a pivotal step in NetApp’s Africa strategy,” said Farid Najjar, Commercial Sales Manager – MEA at NetApp. “Axiz’s reach, technical expertise, and strong multi-vendor ecosystem uniquely position them to drive the next phase of our growth…

Investec has been awarded an energy trading licence by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), marking another significant milestone in the liberalisation and transformation of South Africa’s energy sector. “This licence is more than a regulatory milestone landmark – it’s about unlocking competitive advantage for our clients,” said Mpho Modise, Head of Renewable Energy Trading at Investec. “As South Africa navigates rising energy costs and ongoing supply challenges, we are focused on providing innovative, cost-effective solutions that not only future-proof businesses but also accelerate the shift to renewable energy.” The newly awarded licence enables Investec to broaden its…

Disney+ today announced that, from 02 October 2025, the ESPN Africa linear channels will be available to South African customers at no extra cost. Fans will have access to the two 24-hour linear ESPN channels that showcase the very best live and studio sports programming from the US and around the world, spanning major leagues and iconic competitions. “At Disney, we are committed to delivering world-class sports and entertainment to customers across the region. The launch of the ESPN Africa linear channels on Disney+ in South Africa reflects our strategy to reach sports fans across multiple platforms and connect with…

JSE listed Balwin Properties, a developer that cares about environmentally responsible building practices and the delivery of high-quality apartments to its valued clients, yesterday launched the first of several vocational training centres that will be rolled out nationally. The first training centre at Mooikloof Smart City, east of Pretoria, will train more than 300 candidates annually in bricklaying, tiling, plastering, plumbing, electrical, first aid, firefighting, and working from heights. Steve Brookes, CEO and founder of Balwin commented: “The construction sector has lost a considerable number of vocational skills in the aftermath of the Pandemic. This initiative is aimed at empowering…

[Shanghai, China, September 18, 2025] HUAWEI CONNECT 2025 kicks off today in Shanghai. Eric Xu, Huawei’s Deputy Chairman of the Board and Rotating Chairman, gave a keynote themed “Groundbreaking SuperPoD Interconnect: Leading a New Paradigm for AI Infrastructure”. During the event, Xu unveiled the world’s most powerful SuperPoDs and SuperClusters. Xu noted, “Computing power is – and will continue to be – key to AI. This is especially true in China.” He reiterated that Huawei’s goal is to sustainably meet long-term computing demand by building SuperPoDs and SuperClusters with the semiconductor manufacturing process nodes that are practically available to the…