Author: Staff Writer

 WeThinkCode_, a leading South African tech academy, has been awarded $2 million in funding from Google.org. This grant will enable WeThinkCode_ to dramatically expand its Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programs, empowering 12,000 learners in South Africa and Kenya with critical AI skills for the rapidly evolving job market. Africa faces a significant digital skills gap; a recent SAP report highlights that 90% of companies in Africa are negatively impacted by a lack of AI skills, experiencing project delays, failed innovation, and an inability to take on new work. WeThinkCode_ has long been dedicated to bridging this gap by training unemployed youth from…

Telkom Group today announced the appointment of Beauty Apleni as Chief Executive Officer of Openserve, South Africa’s leading provider of wholesale infrastructure connectivity, effective 1 July 2025. She will drive the continuing growth and adoption of Openserve’s fibre network in pursuit of Telkom’s data-led strategy. She has over 25 years of experience in the ICT industry with 15 years of that in executive leadership specializing in formulating strategy, driving execution and operational excellence.  Apleni held various roles at Telkom Group such as Telkom Consumer: Chief of Sales and Technology; Telkom Consumer: Chief Technology & Information Officer; Cybernest: Executive Service Delivery…

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has issued an alert regarding individuals impersonating Brokstock SA (Pty) Ltd, an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP No. 51404). Fraudulent Activity Details Scammers: Zibu Masotobe Sibiya (WhatsApp: +27717684632) and Mike Mabuyakhulu (WhatsApp: +27794293027) Platforms: Operating via Telegram and WhatsApp groups named “Brokstock Beginner/s” Fake Banking Details: Account Name: Brockstockshares Bank: FNB Account Number: 62871907790 Email: [email protected] These fraudsters are luring victims to deposit funds into their fraudulent account under false pretenses. “Brokstock SA has confirmed these individuals are NOT associated with them, and any claims otherwise are entirely false,” the FSCA stated. How to Protect Yourself The FSCA urges the public to: Verify FSP authorization before investing—check the FSCA database. Confirm the FSP…

Many businesses have operations in South Africa and the UK; however, communication costs can quickly get out of hand and even become prohibitive if multinational businesses do not have a solution to comply with local, in-country call rates, explains Telviva Chief Commercial Officer Rob Lith. South African businesses face significant challenges when communicating in the UK, he says, especially in light of recent telecommunications regulatory changes in South Africa, which caused international call termination rates to increase 27-fold overnight. “As one can imagine, this made international communication prohibitively expensive for many businesses with teams sitting in multiple countries,” he says.…

The impact of non-compliance of relevant regulations can have a detrimental effect on all credit providers in South Africa. “The penalties and fines for non-compliance can ultimately cripple a business,” says Vaughn Hechter, Head of Customer Services: NuPay and Delter at Altron FinTech. “There is also the reputational risk, because nobody wants to do business with reputation of being a loan shark or a predatory lender.” Keeping up with complex local and global regulations like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), PSD2 (Payment Services Directive 2) and FICA (Financial Intelligence Centre Act) is…

Durban entrepreneur Shaun Naidu is suing Nedbank for R40 billion after being listed as a suspected fraudster for eight years, severely damaging his business and personal life, according to the Sunday Times report. Fraud Listing Discovery Naidu told the Sunday Times he first discovered the listing in 2015 when he tried to open a bank account and was flagged on the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) database. “I was told I was flagged by Nedbank on the Shamwari database… Due to this listing, I couldn’t open a bank account at any banking institution,” Naidu said. Despite obtaining a police clearance certificate confirming no criminal record, Nedbank initially denied submitting the fraud indicator. Failed Resolutions & Legal…

Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane is under intense scrutiny amid suspicions that her Sector Education and Training Authorities (Seta) “panel” may be imaginary, plunging her deeper into controversy. According to a Sunday Times report, Nkabane—once hailed as one of the ANC’s rising stars—now faces a political firestorm over her aborted plan to appoint politically connected chairs to Setas. ANC Cronyism Allegations The scandal erupted when it was revealed that Nkabane’s proposed list was packed with ANC loyalists, including the son of Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy. The move sparked outrage, raising concerns about nepotism and lack of transparency in key government appointments. Defiant Stance in Parliament During a…

National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi has backtracked on her claim that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had been “infiltrated,” following an urgent meeting with Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi. According to the Sunday Times, Kubayi summoned Batohi after her infiltration remarks raised serious concerns. The minister revealed that Batohi admitted to using “the wrong word” and clarified that her concerns were about individual prosecutors allegedly sabotaging cases: not systemic infiltration. Minister Kubayi’s Intervention Kubayi told the Sunday Times: “After the interviews of the NDPP, I met her yesterday [Friday] urgently, because if somebody says the NPA is held from doing its work I need to understand. It’s my…

A senior SAPS Crime Intelligence official, sought by the NPA over a multi-million Rand property scandal, has reportedly gone missing. The unit allegedly spent R45 million on irregular property purchases without proper approvals, triggering an investigation by the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI) – initiated after DA pressure. Major-General Philani Lushaba, Crime Intelligence’s CFO, failed to report for duty and is unreachable, just as the NPA’s Investigating Directorate sought to question him. The IGI’s probe focuses on two suspicious transactions: a R22.7m Pretoria boutique hotel and a R22.8m Durban commercial property, allegedly approved by Lushaba and Crime Intelligence head Maj-Gen Dumisani…

As the world faces a growing cancer burden, Life Healthcare continues to advance its treatment offering, with new technology constantly being introduced to diagnose, treat and manage cancer. The latest innovations offer patients renewed hope in treating brain tumours, enabling more precise removal, reducing the need for repeat surgeries, and increasing the chances of long-term survival and improved quality of life. “Life Healthcare is dedicated to providing cancer patients with the most advanced and compassionate care possible, placing patients at the centre of care,” said Life Healthcare Chief Medical Officer, Dr Karisha Quarrie. “Our investment in innovative oncology technology such…