Author: Staff Writer
Vodacom Group now procures 100% of its purchased electricity from renewable sources, making it the first multi-national telecoms operator on the continent to reach this goal. This major milestone reflects Vodacom’s efforts to decarbonise, as part of its purpose-led commitment to protect the planet. To meet this target, Vodacom has several on-site renewable power installations, procures electricity through renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs), and purchases *renewable energy certificates (RECs). Vodacom’s total energy consumption reached 2 076 GWh in the past financial year, of which 1 275 GWh was purchased electricity. Of this, 906 GWh came from grid electricity, not own…
Whether from the comfort of their living room or an enchanted forest, audiences of all ages can experience the magic and music of Disney’s Snow White when the film streams exclusively on Disney+ from 11 June. The live-action retelling of Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs invites families and friends on a thrilling new cinematic adventure, one that also offers a charming stroll down memory lane. Just as audiences in 1937 were captivated by the magic of animation, today’s viewers can marvel at stunning visual effects that bring nature and fantasy vividly to life. Set to a soundtrack that blends original songs with fresh takes…
The Investing in African Mining Indaba (MI26), Africa’s most influential and transformative platform for mining leadership, investment, and innovation, has announced its 2026 theme, “Stronger together: Progress through partnerships.” This bold direction reflects the urgent need for collaboration across the continent to fast-track untapped growth opportunities across the entire mining value chain and unlock downstream industrialisation industries. With the world’s transition to clean energy accelerating, Africa stands at a crossroads. The continent holds approximately 55% of global cobalt reserves, with the DRC producing 70% of the world’s supply, nearly half of global manganese reserves, and an estimated 90% of platinum group metals,…
McDonald’s South Africa today announced the appointment of Max Oliva as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 July 2025. Oliva brings more than three decades of executive experience in retail and supply chain management, with a strong track record of delivering operational excellence, building high-performing teams, and driving sustainable growth. He was selected following a rigorous executive search process aimed at identifying a leader with the vision, discipline, and commercial acumen to guide the business into its next phase of transformation. His appointment comes at a pivotal time for McDonald’s South Africa, as the brand continues to evolve in…
The Drinks Federation of South Africa (DF-SA) has released new research revealing a sharp increase in the illicit alcohol market, which has grown by 55% in volume since 2017. The study, conducted by independent research firm Euromonitor International, highlights the escalating impact of illegal alcohol on public health, consumer safety, and national tax revenue. “This study is a wake-up call,” said Dr. Shamal Ramesar, Head of Research at DF-SA. “Communities are being exposed to harmful, unregulated alcohol, and the country is losing billions in revenue. It is urgent that government, industry, and civil society work together to tackle this issue…
Salesforce, the #1 AI CRM, has announced the return of its Agentforce World Tour to Johannesburg. Today, the Kyalami International Convention Centre will host this premier event, featuring Agentforce, Data Cloud and Customer 360. Attendees will explore how businesses can deploy autonomous AI agents to enhance customer success and operational efficiency. Unlocking the Future with Agentic AI The event’s central theme, “Agentic AI: Unlock Your Digital Workforce with Agentforce,” highlights the transformative potential of AI in business. With $6 trillion in global tasks potentially automatable, Agentforce represents a new era of enterprise productivity. Built on the Salesforce Platform, Agentforce enables businesses to: Deploy AI agents across departments Automate repetitive tasks Drive cost savings…
By 2050, the global market for non-military drones is expected to grow significantly, transforming how goods and people move across cities and rural landscapes. In South Africa, where road access remains limited in many regions and urban congestion chokes daily logistics, drones present an opportunity to leapfrog legacy infrastructure and reimagine mobility from the sky down in both scenarios. That’s the vision of Professor Filippo Tomasello, a leading global expert on drone regulation and safety, who will deliver a plenary address titled “Unleashing the Growth Potential of Drones” at the 43rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference (SATC). With decades of…
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is facing challenges in stopping unauthorised Starlink services in the country, despite declaring the satellite internet provider illegal. Starlink Operating Without Approval ICASA Chairperson Mothibi Ramusi confirmed that Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has been operating unlawfully in South Africa. Authorities recently confiscated equipment from ICASAsePush, a company in the Eastern Cape that was distributing Starlink technology. Ramusi stated: “Starlink has been operating illegally in SA. We have recently confiscated equipment belonging to SpaceX from a company called ICASAsePush.” Thousands of Illegal Starlink Kits in Circulation Although ICASA has not released 2025 data, estimates from November 2023 suggest: Over 14,000 Starlink kits are…
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) faces mounting uncertainty following the suspension of its CEO, Collins Letsoalo, amid a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into a controversial R79 million office lease deal in Johannesburg. Letsoalo was placed on special leave with immediate effect, raising questions about governance and financial management at the embattled state entity. Letsoalo Breaks Silence In an exclusive interview with #Newzroom405’s Xoli Mngambi, Letsoalo addressed his suspension and the allegations against him. He maintains his innocence, claiming that certain parties are attempting to portray him as “corrupt and incompetent.” Why Was the RAF CEO Suspended? The RAF Board suspended Letsoalo on 27 May 2025 following a preliminary SIU report implicating…
Following a successful first round in October 2024, Collective X has committed an additional R50 million to invest in digital jobs across South Africa – co-investing with employers to create structured, outcomes-based work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities that connect digital skills training with real employment. This commitment comes on the heels of new Collective X research revealing the scale of South Africa’s digital skills crunch: an estimated 118,000 ICT roles are currently unfilled, with more than 41,000 of those suited to junior talent. With over 30,000 different ICT jobs currently advertised, employers are struggling to find work-ready candidates—despite high youth unemployment.…