Author: Staff Writer
Today the Telkom Foundation celebrated the successful completion by 115 Mpumalanga learners of its Coding & Robotics Programme at an event at the Ermelo Inn. Introduced into two Mpumalanga schools in 2022, the three-year programme is part of the Telkom Foundation’s commitment to equip young people with digital literacy skills and the necessary tools to be economically active and to find employment in the new digital environment. It is fitting that the graduation event takes place at the end of Youth Month, whose theme was ‘Skills for a changing world – Empowering youth for meaningful economic participation’. Certified by IBM…
Disney+ debut the official trailer and key art for the Original limited series “Washington Black,” based on the bestselling novel of the same name and starring Sterling K. Brown, who also serves as an executive producer. The series will premiere with all eight episodes on Wednesday, 23 July on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally. “Washington Black” follows the 19th-century odyssey of George Washington “Wash” Black, an eleven-year-old boy born on a Barbados sugar plantation, whose prodigious scientific mind sets him on a path of unexpected destiny. When a harrowing incident forces Wash to flee, he is thrust into a globe-spanning adventure that…
TransUnion today announced a minority investment and broader strategic partnership with Omnisient, a South Africa-founded FinTech operating internationally that offers a privacy-preserving data collaboration and advanced analytics platform. The Omnisient platform empowers businesses to safely access high-value consumer data ecosystems and rapidly integrate alternative data sets to drive intelligent decision-making. As part of the investment, a TransUnion representative will join Omnisient’s board of directors. “The Omnisient platform allows multiple clients to use built-in advanced analytical tools to simultaneously evaluate the utility of diverse data sets, identifying those that deliver measurable value. Through this collaboration, TransUnion expects to gain access to…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the decisive reforms introduced by Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber to modernise the department’s identity verification service, calling it a critical step toward a more efficient and reliable system. A System in Crisis For years, the Home Affairs identity verification system operated at a meager fee of 15 cents per transaction, far below the actual cost of maintenance. This underfunding led to severe inefficiencies, including a 50% failure rate and a staggering 41,691 hours of system downtime over the past five years. To put this into perspective, the downtime was four times worse than the hours lost…
Themed Thrive with Digital, Accelerating Electric Power Intelligence, Huawei Electric Power Summit 2025 was held in South Africa’s port city of Cape Town. More than 100 customers, partners, and opinion leaders from the electric power industry in Africa attended the summit, who explored how to leverage digital technologies to promote the intelligent and sustainable development of the power industry. Africa’s economy is booming, with rapid population growth and urbanization driving a massive demand for electricity. However, power shortages and outdated power grids have become significant obstacles to the continent’s economic progress. Embracing new energy sources can boost power supply capabilities.…
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recently hosted a hybrid media briefing to highlight the groundbreaking work of young South African researchers in science, technology, and innovation (STI). Their projects address critical challenges in food waste, child health, and agriculture, reinforcing CSIR’s 80-year legacy in fostering youth development in STEM fields. Affordable Probiotic for Child Health Early childhood is crucial for developing a healthy gut microbiome, which influences digestion, immunity, and long-term disease prevention. To support this, the CSIR has developed an innovative project: “Production of Biotherapeutic Limosilactobacillus reuteri for Use as a Probiotic Additive in Paediatric Gummy Supplements.”…
Proudly South African, in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), unveiled ground-breaking and pioneering e-commerce solutions that will bolster public and commercial support for locally manufactured goods and services in line with the drive to ramp up localisation of the economy. These e-commerce solutions comprise of a business-to-consumer online store aptly named Shop Proudly SA, and a business-to-business (B2B) online platform which will be known as the Market Access Platform (MAP). MAP will provide corporate buyers who wish to meet their localisation targets with access to a database of over 2 000 enterprises spanning diverse industries…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is appalled by Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau’s failure to provide clear answers in Parliament regarding alleged conflicts of interest in the appointment of the new National Lottery operator, Sizekhaya Holdings. Toby Chance MP, DA Spokesperson on Trade, Industry, and Competition, stated: “Minister Tau’s lack of awareness regarding potential links between Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s family and shareholders in Bellamont Gaming is unacceptable. His duty was to ensure a fair, transparent process free from conflicts of interest.” The Minister’s evasive responses during the committee hearing raise serious concerns about the legitimacy of the adjudication process.…
South Africans have spent over R20 million through Luno Pay since its launch in November 2024. The leading crypto app* now processes approximately R2 million in transactions monthly, signalling adoption across diverse merchant categories. The data reveals purchases ranging from as little as R1 at Pick n Pay to high-value transactions of tens of thousands of rands, showcasing crypto’s versatility across different spending patterns. Christo de Wit, South Africa country manager at Luno, says, “Appetite for digital currency transactions in everyday commerce is growing. The wide transaction spectrum indicates that cryptocurrency payments are becoming more common for both everyday purchases and…
New legal filings reveal details about OpenAI and Jony Ive’s io team collaborating on a consumer AI device, according to a report by The Verge. According to court documents, the first product – slated for release no earlier than 2026 – will not be an “in-ear device” or a wearable. “The prototype Sam Altman referenced in the video is at least a year away from being offered for sale,” said Tang Tan, io’s chief hardware officer and a former Apple design leader, in a June 16th declaration. “Its design is not yet finalized, but it is not an in-ear device, nor a wearable device.”…
South Africa just got a look at the new HONOR 400 and HONOR 400 Pro. Judging by the immediate reaction, it did not disappoint. The series was launched at the Kyalami Racecourse in Midrand, last week Thursday. Here, the unveiling of the HONOR 400 and HONOR 400 Pro brings together tech, creativity and speed in a way that hits home for local users. But behind the fanfare and flashbulbs, one feature stands out, AI SuperZoom. It’s the kind of innovation that quietly shifts how we take photos. More than just digital zoom, it’s a smart system that brings detail forward without the…
Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical is now streaming exclusively on Disney+. Captured live onstage at the world-famous Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London’s legendary West End, this spectacular stage production features Samantha Barks as Elsa, Laura Dawkes as Anna and the cast of the smash London production who bring the beloved tale of sisterhood, bravery, and self-discovery to life in a new breathtaking way. In Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical, Queen Elsa’s hidden powers plunge Arendelle into an eternal winter and her sister Anna sets out to find her and save the kingdom. As the storm rages on, both sisters must learn…
Two unsuccessful bidders for South Africa’s lucrative national lottery licence have demanded answers from Trade, Industry & Competition Minister Parks Tau, while another has launched a legal challenge to overturn the decision, according to a report in the Sunday Times. The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) and Tau have faced five consecutive court defeats in recent months over the R100bn tender. The NLC withdrew an appeal application last Friday, anticipating another loss. Legal Challenges Mount Losing bidders Ringeta and Ithuba have formally requested reasons from Tau for selecting Sizekhaya Holdings, while Lekalinga has filed a court review to set aside the decision. Lekalinga’s founder, Vladimir Vukovic, alleges in court…
President Cyril Ramaphosa is under increasing pressure to dismiss Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane amid allegations of corruption at the Construction Sector Education and Training Authority (Ceta) and claims that she misled Parliament, according to a report in the Sunday Times. Nkabane is already under scrutiny for allegedly lying about an “independent panel” that approved politically connected Seta board appointments. This week, fresh revelations emerged that she ignored whistleblower reports detailing tender fraud and governance irregularities at Ceta, which has a budget exceeding R20bn. Prominent academic Prof Malegapuru Makgoba has joined calls for her resignation, labelling her “a disgrace to…
The power system remains stable and continues to demonstrate resilience in response to increased electricity demand., says Eskom. While occasional system constraints are experienced and managed, sufficient emergency reserves are in place and are strategically deployed to support demand during morning and evening peak periods. To further enhance grid stability, Eskom plans to return a total of 2 730MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak on Monday, 23 June 2025. During the week of 13 to 19 June, planned maintenance averaged at 3 659MW, resulting in a decline in planned outages. During the same period, the…
A cold and steady rain fell over Stellenbosch on Friday morning, but rays of sunshine appeared over lunch as Stellenbosch University (SU) celebrated a momentous occasion: the formal installation of the institution’s 16th Chancellor – Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. The ceremony, held in the Endler Hall, unfolded with stately precision, resounding music performances by SU’s top musicians and an academic procession in full ceremonial regalia – a visual reminder of the University’s rich past and vibrant future. In an impassioned inaugural address in front of dignitaries, senior management and community leaders, Kganyago said he considered…
Telkom today announced the continued success and graduation of its inaugural cohort from the Telkom FutureMakers Township Innovation Incubator. This groundbreaking initiative is empowering Black-owned, township-based tech businesses, transforming innovative ideas into sustainable enterprises and creating vital job opportunities in South Africa’s burgeoning ICT sector. “The Telkom FutureMakers programme is more than just an incubator; it’s a commitment to fostering a self-sustaining entrepreneurial ecosystem within our communities,” says Tshepo Petla, Head of Business Development at Telkom. “We are investing in the talent and vision of South African entrepreneurs, providing them with the technical expertise, business acumen, and ongoing support needed…
The official unemployment rate in South Africa rose to 32,9% in the first quarter of 2025, with the number of unemployment people increasing by 237 000 compared to the previous three-month period. Youth unemployment (15–24-year-old job seekers), climbed to 62.4% in Q1 2025, the highest level since Q1 2022. This does not even account for young people who have given up on looking for work in the formal economy. Despite this hunger for work, certain sectors of the economy are persistently unable to fill certain jobs, particularly high skilled fields, especially in the rapidly expanding digital economy, estimated to have a skills shortage of around…
Amazon Web Services (AWS) today opened applications for the third cohort of the AWS Generative AI Accelerator (GAIA), an eight-week global program designed to scale early-stage startups building foundational generative AI technologies. Forty promising startups from around the world will be selected for this year’s program, which kicks off on October 13, 2025, at Amazon HQ1 in Seattle. Applications are open from June 10 through July 10, and the selected cohort will be announced September 24, 2025. Startups can apply here. With generative AI tools now widely available, AWS is focusing efforts in 2025 to support those startups who are…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has raised serious concerns over the Public Investment Corporation’s (PIC) failure to act against company secretary Bongani Mathebula, despite disciplinary and commission recommendations. Outgoing PIC CEO Abel Sithole admitted that the asset manager ignored its own disciplinary committee’s recommendation to dismiss Mathebula. Additionally, the PIC provided unclear responses on whether it followed the Mphati Commission’s directive to review Mathebula’s reinstatement. Earlier, the PIC may have misled Parliament by claiming all Mphati Commission recommendations had been implemented. The DA is demanding access to board meeting minutes that confirm whether the PIC formally reviewed Mathebula’s reinstatement, as advised…
South Africa faces a significant challenge of high youth unemployment coupled with a digital skills gap. The disconnect between the skills graduates possess and the demands of the modern job market necessitates innovative training programmes to bridge the divide. Recent statistics paint a stark picture. The nation’s unemployment rate climbed to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025, with young people aged 15-34 disproportionately affected. According to Stats SA, experienced a notable increase in unemployment figures. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights similar concerns, revealing that over 60% of African companies identify skills shortages as a…
The way we spend our leisure time is rapidly evolving. As mobile devices become more powerful and ubiquitous, they’re not just changing how we communicate or shop—they’re reshaping how we relax. More than ever, users are moving away from passive entertainment, like watching TV, and turning to interactive formats such as mobile games. Whether it’s a quick 10-minute play session or an immersive feature experience, mobile games are now leading the digital entertainment revolution. One of the fastest-growing categories in this space is feature-rich, slot-style mobile games, which combine vibrant visuals, themed experiences, and interactive elements designed purely for fun.…
Wetility. South Africa’s fastest-growing solar-as-a-service provider, has successfully secured a R500 million structured capital partnership with Jaltech, a leading funder of solar energy projects in South Africa. The transaction marks a milestone in Wetility’s mission to provide clean, reliable, and cost-effective solar energy to over one million homes and businesses across the country. The capital provided by Jaltech will be utilised to fund solar and battery systems, enabling Wetility to add over 16 MW of solar capacity to the national distributed energy footprint, as well as avoid over 250,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. “This funding unlocks the next phase of our growth, empowering thousands of homeowners…
The Gauteng Health Department has paid more than R3 million to four suspended Tembisa Hospital officials implicated in corrupt contracts, the same contracts whistleblower Babita Deokaran tried to stop before her assassination. This revelation came to light in a written response by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko to questions posed by DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom, in the provincial legislature. Disciplinary Outcomes and Suspension Payouts Of the nine officials implicated in the scandal, three were dismissed following disciplinary processes, three resigned before their hearings concluded, two retired, and one’s contract expired. The officials faced charges of gross misconduct, including failure to comply with supply…
The adventurous new derivative of Volvo’s award-winning electric crossover is coming soon, bringing rugged design, all-wheel drive and zero emissions. Following the local release of the range-topping EX90, the brand’s all-electric seven-seater, Volvo Car South Africa is pleased to announce the imminent arrival of the new EX30 Cross Country, the rugged derivative of the award-winning EX30. With a spirit of adventure, the EX30 Cross Country brings an iconic name back to the Volvo lineup. First introduced in 1997 on the V70, the Cross Country treatment adds rugged and adventurous styling, along with updates to the marque’s refined vehicles. With an increased ride…