Author: Staff Writer
While the President continues to take no action against ANC corruption in the National Executive, the DA will use every means we can to fight it. Tomorrow, Tuesday 1 July 2025, ahead of the Higher Education Minister’s budget debate in the NCOP, the DA will be laying criminal charges against Minister Nobuhle Nkabane for lying to Parliament. The charge-laying will be led by DA Federal Council Chairperson, Helen Zille, DA Deputy Chief Whip, Baxolile Nodada MP, and DA National Spokesperson, Karabo Khakhau MP. Details of the event are as follows: Date: 01 July 2025 Time: 09:30 AM Location: Cape Town Central Police Station, Buitenkant Street. The…
In a defining moment for South African innovation, homegrown health-tech pioneer Khoi Tech has captured international attention after representing the nation at London Tech Week 2025, one of the world’s most prestigious technology gatherings. The Soweto-based company joined fellow South African innovators Smartee and XDOY in demonstrating Africa’s burgeoning tech potential to global investors and industry leaders, including during a high-profile engagement with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. From Local Roots to Global Recognition The South African delegation’s participation was made possible through a strategic collaboration between the British High Commission and South Africa’s Department of Telecommunications and Digital Technologies via…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has condemned the wasteful expenditure of R100,143.68 in public funds on a personal protection order for Magistrate Ezra Morrison, demanding immediate repayment and accountability. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development has failed to justify why taxpayer money was used to cover legal fees for Morrison’s private case against journalists an administrative task she could have handled herself. Misuse of Public Funds Last year, Magistrate Morrison sought a protection order against journalists who exposed her failure to refer a minor, now accused of murdering Deveney Nel, to the Children’s Court. The boy, previously accused of raping an 11-year-old girl…
Viu, PCCW’s pan-regional OTT video streaming service, is introducing Korean dramas dubbed in isiZulu to South Africa, in a move that enhances cross-cultural entertainment and language inclusion. Elouise Kelly, Country Manager, Viu South Africa said, “K-dramas have captured global audiences with their vivid storytelling and heartfelt themes. By dubbing popular Korean content into isiZulu, a first in South Africa, we’re bringing international stories closer to home while affirming the cultural and commercial relevance of indigenous languages in mainstream entertainment.” Available this winter on both the free and premium tiers of the platform, the first wave of K-Zulu titles – each…
The Hawks have arrested two former Transnet executives, Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, in connection with a controversial R93-million locomotive procurement deal. The two appeared in court to apply for bail following their arrest, which stems from corruption allegations detailed in the State Capture Inquiry reports. The case revolves around suspected irregularities in the procurement process, where the two former executives allegedly played key roles in fraudulent activities. Molefe, who previously served as Transnet CEO and later as Eskom CEO, and Gama, another high-ranking Transnet official, were processed at a police station before their court appearance. Notably, both Molefe and…
City Lodge Hotels (CLH), in collaboration with Sigma International and the SATSA Tourism Business Incubator, proudly launches Year 4 of its transformative Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme, a journey defined by meaningful impact, innovation and inclusivity. This milestone is not just about sustaining a programme but celebrating its intentional influence on lives, businesses, and communities. City Lodge Hotels is a proudly South African hospitality group with 58 hotels across Southern Africa. Its four brands, Courtyard Hotel, City Lodge Hotel, Town Lodge, and Road Lodge, cater to diverse travel needs. To date, the initiative has empowered 47 tourism-focused SMMEs across South Africa,…
Naspers has directed its executive team to identify new investment opportunities in South Africa by the end of its 2026 financial year as part of its next strategic investment cycle, according to a report in the Sunday Times. The global technology investor, which owns major South African platforms including Takealot, Mr D, Media24, AutoTrader and Property24, continues to prioritize building Takealot into the country’s dominant e-commerce player despite intensifying competition. According to Naspers’ latest annual report, South Africa CEO Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa has been tasked with finalizing the local investment strategy by FY2026 while ensuring all potential deals receive proper evaluation.…
South African financial institutions are currently holding more than R90 billion in unclaimed benefits that rightfully belong to members of the public, according to a report in the Sunday Times. This staggering amount includes R4.5 billion in unclaimed dividends alone, according to a recent report. Banks, retirement fund administrators, insurance companies and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) are all actively trying to locate millions of beneficiaries who may be unaware they are entitled to these funds. R4.5 Billion Waiting To Be Claimed! Is Yours? JSE Launches Campaign For Unclaimed Dividends The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) revealed that the total…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has rejected calls to leave South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), despite tensions with the ANC over President Cyril Ramaphosa’s firing of DA deputy minister Andrew Whitfield, according to a report in the Sunday Times. At a heated two-hour federal executive meeting, some senior DA members pushed for the party to exit the GNU but were overruled by leader John Steenhuisen and his allies, including cabinet ministers. The party instead resolved to vote against the budgets of two ANC ministers implicated in corruption. The crisis escalated after Ramaphosa dismissed Whitfield for “insubordination” when he traveled…
Embattled Road Accident Fund (RAF) CEO Collins Letsoalo allegedly spent over R10 million in public funds on his security detail, including a R4 million armoured BMW X5, over three years, according to a Sunday Times report. Law enforcement sources revealed that Letsoalo’s security detail, comprising nine bodyguards, makes him the most protected state-owned entity (SOE) CEO, surpassing even ministers, who typically receive four guards. Only the president and deputy president have larger security teams (15-20 bodyguards). However, the Transport Department and State Security Agency (SSA) confirmed they have no record of Letsoalo reporting threats or requesting a risk assessment. A whistleblower disclosed…
JSE-listed 4Sight Holdings has delivered another set of strong financial results and positive operational performance for the year ended 28 February 2025. Operating profit rose 49.3%, supported by 28.4% Cash Balance growth, delivering 75.7% Earnings per Share for shareholders for the two-year year-on-year comparison. “Our latest set of results reflect the continued success of our dual go-to-market strategy – Direct and Indirect, and our steadfast dedication to innovation, for our partners: both Customers and Vendors,” explained Tertius Zitzke, Group CEO at 4Sight Holdings. “Our sharpened focus on delivering 4Sight Automated Intelligence (4AI), driving Agentic AI in business solutions, enabled real-time…
Salesforce’s latest Slack Workforce Index revealed a significant increase in AI adoption and excitement among desk workers, with daily AI usage higher by an astounding 233% in just six months. The survey of 5,000 global desk workers also found that AI has emerged as a clear competitive advantage, as workers who use AI daily prove to be 64% more productive and 81% more satisfied with their job than colleagues not using AI. The Index reveals that workers are using AI to level up, going beyond just automating tasks. 96% of workers have used AI to perform tasks they previously didn’t have the skills to do themselves, and today’s workers are 154% more likely to turn to AI agents to help them perform tasks better and more creatively, rather than to just simply automate their work. “AI adoption is accelerating rapidly, and it’s changing the way the world works for the better,” said Peter Doolan, EVP & Chief…
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…