Author: Staff Writer

Telkom has launched Africa’s first Mastercard virtual card for use on WhatsApp, enabling Telkom Pay customers to make e-commerce payments. This move is expected to empower millions of South Africans – even those without a bank account – to access the digital economy and transact online. Launched in 2020, Telkom Pay is a digital payments wallet that enables its users to make and receive payments using WhatsApp on their mobile phone. With the addition of the Mastercard virtual (non-plastic) card to the wallet, users can now make payments to local and global online merchants that accept Mastercard, including Uber and…

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Network operators are facing some fierce new challenges with the emergence of IoT and 5G, along with the migration of data, applications and other business elements to the cloud. While these trends are vital to push the envelope in their respective fields, they are challenging service providers to deliver increased bandwidth and application quality of service. Serving increasingly stringent requirements along with mounting scale increases the complexity of networks. Organizations everywhere are looking for solutions to simplify such complexity within their networks — which is where Segment Routing (SR) comes to the rescue. Herotel has implemented a cutting-edge segment routing (SR) network from NEC XON…

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CaseWare Africa, part of the Adapt IT, has launched a holistic, cloud-based tax return solution designed especially for trusts. Michael Mncube, Tax Product Manager at CaseWare Africa, says that the new software enables tax practitioners to handle all tax administrative matters relating to trusts in one application, including the preparation, calculation, and submission of IRP6 and ITR12T tax returns directly to SARS. “Administering trusts is complex and the tax authorities are especially rigorous in their oversight of trusts, thus further raising the stakes for administrators. Trust Tax provides practitioners with a single application that makes it possible to keep track…

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Nedbank Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB) has invested in a minority equity interest in LifeQ, a disruptive HealthTech innovator and leading provider of biometrics and health information derived from wearable devices. The data collected by LifeQ is used by many of the world’s leading health solutions providers to inform their science-based health data analytics with the ultimate aim of positively impacting the future of health for their members and customers. The investment formed part of a global fundraising campaign by LifeQ, which saw the business secure $47 million from a variety of prominent investors around the world. “Nedbank CIB’s investment…

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Nobody could have predicted that the arrival of social media on the business and social scene more than ten years ago could lose people jobs, reputations and careers. But it has. Today, social media law cases number in the thousands, and many of these come as a surprise to employees. According to Nicol Myburgh, Head: CRS Technologies HCM Business Unit, the best way to avoid becoming embroiled in a legal battle or losing your job is to not use WhatsApp with colleagues as a way of venting your frustrations, no matter how private you think your group may be. If…

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Mr Price Group is a South African-based retail company founded in 1985 by Stewart B. Cohen and Laurie J. Chiappini. Since the company went public, it has undergone an incredible evolution. The company currently specializes in selling cosmetics, homeware, apparel, and sportswear merchandise across Africa and other parts of the world. Once again, Mr Price is trending after registering a sales boom after 53 weeks, which ended on April 3rd, 2021. During the period, the company doubled the sales of sportswear and core apparel, its main product offering. According to Mark Blair, the company’s CEO, the red cap logo establishment…

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Naspers announced a R42 million investment in Cape Town-founded, WhereIsMyTransport through its early-stage tech investment vehicle. The investment is part of a R201 million (US$14.5 million) funding round led by Naspers Foundry, Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund, and SBI Investment. “Mobility remains an obstacle for billions of people in high-growth markets across the world,” Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO of Naspers, said. “Our investment in WhereIsMyTransport is testimony of our belief that great innovation and tech talent is found in South Africa, and with the right backing and support these businesses can provide solutions to local challenges that can improve the…

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Absa has developed an online portal focused on providing additional opportunities for Africa’s small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs). According to the World Bank, formal SMMEs make up 40% of GDP in emerging economies, with this number being significantly higher when informal SMMEs are factored in. “Absa’s Procurement Market portal not only demonstrates Absa’s strategy of promoting responsible and inclusive procurement practices, but also ensures that all suppliers are aware of the bank’s service requirements; information that was not previously widely available,” said Vusi Fele, chief procurement officer at Absa. “What’s more, it will help us build mutually beneficial, thriving, inclusive…

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Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Region’s drive to connect everyone to the digital economy irrespective of where they live is changing lives. The region has accelerated its deep rural network investment to cover remote areas of the province that had no mobile network connectivity. An investment of close to R100 million over three financial periods has led to the deployment of 84 new base station sites, ushering in a new era of mobile connectivity and successfully driving digital inclusion for all. The new sites were rolled out in 9 District municipalities and 14 Local municipalities including Jozini, uMhlabuyalingana, uMfolozi, uMlalazi, uMsinga, uMzumbe, uMgeni,…

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Vodacom Business Africa remains committed to supporting the ambitions of multinational businesses across the African continent, regardless of the global disruptions to businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The business landscape is ever-changing; competitive barriers are disappearing making the speed and agility to market critical components in the digital world. Vodacom Business Africa is introducing Carrier Ethernet and Managed Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) services to empower clients and enable them to seize new digital opportunities across its extensive footprint of 47 countries on the African continent. “These services work seamlessly alongside other converged Fixed and Mobile Connectivity services to give…

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