Author: Staff Writer

Franc is an investment app that was founded with a clear vision – to democratise investing in South Africa. It provides simple, easy accessibility to the money market and stock market via one’s mobile phone. It has fast become a loved and trusted local household name, growing 5x in registered users in the last year and a 24x in investors since being launched publicly in September 2019. What makes Franc stand out is how simple it is to use. They don’t try to confuse you with financial lingo, but rather genuinely help you feel empowered and in control of your…

Albert Einstein once said of problems; “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions.” He would later add, “We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them”. Einstein might not have realised it at the time but his comments are the foundation of the field of data science today – i.e. thoroughly interrogate the problem and then think about solving it in new and innovative ways. “In the modern era, we have the ability to support human ingenuity with smart…

Recently announced research by the AI Media Group in Cape Town, points towards Johannesburg fast becoming the continent’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tech Capital of Africa  Launched in early 2018 the AI Media Group set out to create a new hybrid analysis, trade & advisory operation to build one of the largest communities of technology practitioners discussing the application of AI / 4IR technologies in a business context on the African continent. Dr Nick Bradshaw, Founder and CEO of AI Media stated, “One of our key goals was to assess and showcase the growing emerging market opportunity in the Africa region for…

Discovery Bank, launched in 2018, is slowly gaining traction as more customers sign up to use its digital banking services. The bank is powered by the country’s largest medical aid provider, Discovery Health. Described as the world’s first behavioural bank, the fully digital bank promises to help clients bank healthier and leverages Discovery’s shared-value model. Discovery announced on Thursday that Discovery Bank continued to gain traction with 362  000  clients for the year ended-June 2021 versus  274  000  clients in  July  2020. Discovery Health added that the band increased the number of accounts to 649  000  compared to   505  000 …

In just a few years since launching its remote biometric digital authentication and automated on-boarding technology platform, iiDENTIFii has attained Microsoft co-sell Partner status with its biometric digital authentication and automated onboarding solution hosted in Microsoft Azure. This coveted global status is a significant achievement for a South African-based digital identity verification platform, as it effectively positions iiDENTIFii and its end-to-end triangular digital authentication, an official Microsoft commercial marketplace value-add and part of the Microsoft Global Partner Network. “Being honoured with Microsoft Co-sell status is a key milestone for us. It provides recognition for iiDENTIFii as a proven innovative digital…

South African Airways (SAA) is extending the validity of its Voyager Miles and announced the launch of the double miles bonus. Airliner SAA informed loyal customers in an email. See, SAA email below: “As a heartfelt thank you for your patience and support the validity of your Voyager miles due to expire 31 March 2022 is being extended to 31 March 2023. This gives you more time to use your miles as SAA rebuilds its network and reintroduces partners. At the same time, and to jointly celebrate South African Airways return to the skies, you will earn double Voyager miles…

The Golf 8 GTI will officially go on sale from Volkswagen Dealers in South Africa today, 1 September 2021. AVIS was the first customer to take delivery of the Golf 8 GTI in South Africa. “Part of our success as a brand is attributed to sales to the rental industry. Volkswagen has the highest passenger car share of the rental market which is 34%. AVIS remains a key strategic partner for the Volkswagen brand because it accounts for 50% of our rental channel sales,” said Steffen Knapp, head of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand. Over 7 000 units are sold…

The rapid growth of information and digital technologies, perpetuated through the emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), has the ability to bring about widespread change for the better. In response to the overwhelming demand for contemporary, fit-for-purpose digital and IT education offerings, MANCOSA (a proud member of the Honoris United Universities network) has today (1 September) launched the School of Information and Digital Technology (SIDT). Education in the field of information and digital technology is no longer an exclusive domain for aspiring tech-fundi’s, IT managers and chief IT officers. Instead, digital and IT education is now a prerequisite for…

Discovery Bank has announced that Black and Purple cardholders can enjoy faster security clearance with the Discovery Bank Priority Fast Track at the Cape Town International Airport domestic departure hall, making travel more rewarding than ever. This follows the launch of Priority Fast Track at OR Tambo International Airport in July 2020, successfully brought to life by creative agency Pacinamix. “With our world-class app, Discovery Bank clients are used to convenience and banking on the go. Priority Fast Track allows clients to save time and avoid extra stress while travelling. Discovery Bank is designed to share the value that clients…

ASX-listed Zip has announced its intention to fully acquire South African buy now pay later (BNPL) FinTech Payflex as part of its global expansion plans. With a presence in twelve markets across five continents, Zip plans to grow the South African business and expand into other African markets with sizable underbanked, digitally savvy populations that will benefit from innovative payment solutions. Payflex is the first and largest BNPL player in South Africa and has grown from a base of just 70 merchants in 2019 to over 1,000 active merchants today, including leading brands such as Superbalist, Cotton On and Runwaysale.…