Author: Staff Writer

Airports Company South Africa and BMW South Africa today announced the launch of BMW ChargeNow electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at O.R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport. EVs accessing the BMW ChargeNow stations will now enjoy exclusive parking bays at three airports. O.R. Tambo International and Cape Town International Airport will each have two ChargeNow stations that accommodate up to four cars at a time, while King Shaka International Airport has one ChargeNow station able to charge two cars at a time. The BMW ChargeNow stations are located at prominent areas with maximum…

In its continued effort to fight against the exploitation of children on the internet, MTN announced the launch of its Child Online Protection initiative by signing a partnership with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). MTN claims to be the first Africa-wide telecommunications company to partner with the IWF. MTN said that everyone deserves the benefits of modern connected life and that all users of its products and services have the right to freely and safely enjoy the digital solutions it offers. “We’re good together” initiative that was launched in October aimed at demonstrating how through partnerships we can help to…

Sun Exchange, a global solar micro-leasing marketplace, which last month kickstarted a R7 million ($460,000) Uprise.Africa equity crowdfunding campaign, for about 5.2% equity stake in the company is extending the campaign. To date, 216 individuals have invested R3,454 million ($230 000). Seeing the investments surpass the R3 million tipping point this week was exciting and encouraging, as having achieved this milestone means the campaign is officially a success and, pending FICA Compliance checks (identity verification) and a prospectus review process, shares will be issued to all verified participants. “We want to build on this momentum and continue pursuing our ultimate…

MTN is turning 25 and we are making this year’s Summer more special for our Prepaid customers. This year, new and existing MTN prepaid customers will experience that “Winning Feeling” during MTN’s Summer campaign by playing MTN CakeCrush. With over a R100 million in prizes including 12 Polo Vivos, shopping vouchers, devices, data, social and voice and discounted bundles up for grabs, plus a number of recharge promotions, it’s set to be a very special summer.  MTN customers can access the CakeCrush app by downloading the new MTNApp on Android and iOS stores. This Summer will also see the price…

Despite being the most valuable asset class in the World[1], the technology underlying the real estate investment market has remained largely unchanged for decades. Max Property Group, a real estate investment company in the Netherlands, having suffered antiquated practices and outdated technology first hand, has developed a platform with the potential to rock a US $228 trillion market.  The World’s Most Valuable Asset Class In 2016, the Savills World Research team calculated the value of all global property at US $217 trillion total.  In 2017, their research showed that global asset price inflation had grown by 5 percent to US…

South Africa’s leading telco has launched a new affordable prepaid device offering for Vodacom customers that will see barriers to entry for more aspirational smartphones fall by the wayside. The high price of smartphones has long been an inhibitor for the majority of prepaid customers. Vodacom has taken an active step in driving financial and digital inclusion by now providing such customers with the opportunity to purchase a 4G smartphone with an option to pay over a period of 12 months with zero interest. “Many people in the country cannot afford high-tech smartphones or don’t want to commit to a…

Seedstars World, a Swiss-based startup competition in emerging markets, and the African Development Bank on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership to implement its innovative ‘job creation track’ model to support youth employment and entrepreneurship in Africa. The partnership is in line with the Bank’s entrepreneurship and innovation lab under its Jobs for Youth in Africa (JfYA) strategy. The aim is to create 25 million jobs and equip 50 million young people with skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial success by 2025. The strategy will support countries to stimulate entrepreneurship, youth employment and economic development with a focus on young…

The Limpopo provincial government is embroiled in a tender irregularity controversy following its decision to award a R585-million broadband connection tender. At the centre of the controversy is that the tender was awarded in contravention with the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) Act. According to a report by City Press, Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha has allegedly suspended a senior official who made it known that he would testify to the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture about possible corruption in the province relating to a R585 million broadband connection tender. Limpopo provincial government IT officer Lesetja Mathiba has been suspended…

The eighth edition of the MTN Business App of the Year Awards concluded with the much-anticipated announcement of the overall and category winners in South Africa’s most prestigious app development competition. The winners were announced at a gala event held in Johannesburg last night. The overall winner for 2019 is Naked Insurance. The app uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence and chat-bots to give consumers insurance cover at the touch of a smart-screen in under three minutes. The app is almost fully automated to manage clients’ policies, keeping costs lower while driving greater efficiency. Users have constant control over when and how…

To leverage its downstream supply chain activity, Pamodzi Group announced that it has acquired a 60% stake of Siyanda Petroleum. Pamodzi’s strategy is to invest in growth sectors to grow its portfolio and partner with credible delivery partners and institutions to realise our vision. Siyanda Petroleum is an oil and gas distribution company that markets and sells diesel, petrol, jet fuel, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and lubricants. The company has wholesale licenses and import permits and has been able to establish long-term arrangements with international oil refineries with shipping, terminal and storage capabilities. Siyanda Petroleum was established in 2002 and…

Today, premier Internet of Things (IoT) focused conference concluded with the announcement of the winner of the 2019 MTN Business IoT Solution of the Year Award. The Informed Decisions solution took top honours at this year’s awards. This will see its developers, travelling to Silicon Valley later this year – the grand prize is valued at R200 000. A proudly South African original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Informed Decisions provides a multitude of full IoT tracking, monitoring and analysing solutions, all produced and designed in-house. Its innovative hardware technology enables IoT in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, the cold chain and…

MTN SA customers who download the new MTNApp from either Google Play store or Apple App Store will get 1GB free data, valid for 24 hours. The new app offers ease of use and navigation, allows customers to effectively manage their accounts, monitor their data usage, and recharge quickly and easily. It also unlocks exclusive deals for customers that are not yet available anywhere else. The 1GB data reward promotion ends on the 30th of January 2020. “We have considered the feedback received from our customers and designed an all-new MTN app which has an improved user interface and provides…

FNB, one of South Africa’s most innovative banks, is deploying a marketing ploy to convince other banks customers to trust it with their money. The FirstRand-owned bank is for the first time opening its award-winning Banking App for all consumers in South Africa to experience and engage with, further encouraging and empowering you to manage your money better. Aptly named, the FNB AppVenture, all customers regardless of who they currently bank with, will have the opportunity to explore and experience the benefits and features of the FNB App. Non-FNB customers can stand a chance to win one of two R1…

The 14th Avon Justine iThemba Walkathon was held at Marks Park in Johannesburg on Sunday, 20 October with 20 000 participants in attendance. Aimed at breast cancer awareness, the event was attended by numerous celebrities including legendary actress Lillian Dube, former Bafana Bafana shot-stopper, Brian Baloyi, comedians Skhumba Hlophe and Jason Goliath as well as Neo and Kaya FM presenter Kgomotso Matsunyane. The event began with a 8km and 5km walk along the scenic suburb of Emmerentia. Upon completion participants were treated to aQuelle water to help them refresh ahead of an exciting line-up of performers which included multi-award winning…

In pursuit of its goal to contribute to bridging the financial divide, MTN Group has granted third parties access to its Mobile Money (MoMo) Access Programming Interface (API) platform. The open API enables developers and programmers to innovate on the platform and develop products and other solutions that will create a wider range of digital financial offerings for MTN’s customers. To further foster innovation and enhance financial inclusion, MTN is inviting developers and entrepreneurs, across five countries, to participate in the MoMo API Hackathon. The Hackathon, run in partnership with Ericsson (MTN’s MoMo technology partner), will give app developers based…

Volvo Cars has announced a ground-breaking global incentive scheme, branded the Recharge campaign, whereby the buyers of all-new hybrid plug-ins will receive a full refund for all electricity used in the first year of ownership. And the great news for South African motorists is that the Recharge campaign is also being rolled out in the country – meaning a year of free electricity is also available. According to Greg Maruszewski, managing director of Volvo Car South Africa, the Recharge campaign offer will be applicable to all plug-in hybrids ordered from October 16. “In South Africa, this offer applies to the…

Moblicks, a Johannesburg-based mobile and digital advertising technology firm, says South African brands making the move to new forms of advertising must insist on independent location data verification. “The local digital advertising space is awash with numbers since the advent of new social media and mobile marketing platforms that lend themselves to rich reporting,” says Shaun Rosen, Mobiclicks CEO. “With the digital advertising marketplace remaining unregulated and an estimated $19 billion wasted on advertising fraud globally, clients must insist on third-party verification of the data served to them by digital advertising partners.” Location-based marketing continues to advance in leaps and…

MTN South Africa’s CFO, Sandile Ntsele, will be moving from his current role to support MTN Group CFO Ralph Mupita on several strategic projects that are key for the execution of MTN’s Group strategy. The move is effective from 01 November 2019. Ntsele has been with MTN for 20 years in numerous capacities and across various markets like Nigeria, Cameroon and Zambia, playing an integral role in driving strategic, commercial and financial stewardship for the business. Sugentharen Perumal, current Executive for MTN Group Finance, responsible for Group Finance Operations and Revenue Assurance and Fraud Management (RAFM), will assume the role…

To celebrate 25 years of connecting South Africans, Vodacom customers will share over R100 million worth of prizes through its 2019 ‘Shake!Up Summer’ promotional campaign. Available exclusively to customers on the country’s leading network, Vodacom customers will simply need to “Shake” their devices to win a share of over R100 million in prizes including cash, data, cars, vouchers for a year, international holidays and much more. This year, for the first time ever, Vodacom has introduced functionality that allows customers to interact, engage, as well as ‘Shake’ using WhatsApp as a platform. Vodacom is a digitally-led telco that is constantly…

MTN, South Africa’s second-largest mobile phone operator by subscribers, has earned two awards. It received the coveted MyBroadband Mobile Operator of the Year and Internet Service Provider of the Year. While Godfrey Motsa, MTN SA’s CEO, was named IT Personality of the Year. The awards were presented to MTN SA at the MyBroadband Conference & Expo held today at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The Best Mobile Network Award is based on the results from MyBroadband Speedtests which evaluate the coverage and quality of mobile networks. The Internet Service Provider of the Year Award is based on the average…

Do you want to be part of the biggest breast cancer awareness walkathon globally? This is your last chance to register to participate in the 14th annual iThemba Walkathon which will be hosted on Sunday, 20 October at Marks Park in Johannesburg. Entries can still be made for walkers and runners who wish to take part in the 14th edition of this iconic event, which attracts nearly 30 000 participants each year. Avon Justine will once again host the iThemba Walkathon in partnership with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), Wings of Hope and Look Good…Feel Better “One in…

Efforts to revive the country’s sluggish economy and create much-needed employment are set to receive a major shot in the arm with the launch of Mara Phone’s first cellphone manufacturing plant in South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa, as part of the recently launched District-Based Development Model, will later this week launch the Mara Phone Plant at Dube Trade Port in KwaZulu-Natal. Announcing the District-Based Development Model during the State of the Nation Address in June, President Ramaphosa said the approach would focus on the 44 districts and eight metros to speed up service delivery, ensuring that municipalities are properly supported…

Checkers, Africa’s largest supermarket group has introduced its new rewards programme, called Checkers Xtra Savings. The new programme is to compete with Pick n Pay’s SmartShopper and Woolworths’ WRewards. Checkers Xtra Saving has no points, tiers and Levels. Just instant cash savings on your groceries and drinks. Partnering with SA’s biggest brands, Checkers Xtra Savings is launching with incredible savings ranging from essentials such as 35% off OMO washing powder to premium deals with R1000 off Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky, and so much more in between. The Checkers Xtra Savings Programme gives customers extra cash savings on more than…

FNB announced on Tuesday the launch of First Business Zero. First Business Zero is digital on platform business bank account offered by FNB from 1 November 2019. The offering is designed specifically for sole proprietor businesses with an annual turnover up to R5 million and can be opened on the FNB App within a few minutes using our “Selfie” process to identity and verify the user. The key features of the First Business Zero proposition include no monthly account fee, unlimited free POS card swipes, inter-operable QR code for accepting payments, linked saving pocket to ring-fence savings and earn interest,…

Entrepreneur-led Investment growth partner Silvertree Holdings has invested growth capital and operational resources in South African skincare brand SKOON. SKOON. is- a successful natural skincare collection that uses best-in-class, natural and non-toxic ingredients in scientifically lab-formulated combinations. SKOON. sells its products to a local customer base via its own website, skincare salons, as well as leading retailers, such as Faithful to Nature, Wellness Warehouse and Superbalist. It is the fastest-growing skincare brand on Faithful To Nature and ranked in the top 5 best-sellers on the site. In the month of October, SKOON. will launch in three Edgars Beauty stores, housing…