Author: Staff Writer

In a surprising move amid strained South Africa-US relations, President Cyril Ramaphosa is reportedly considering four white Afrikaners – including former negotiator Roelf Meyer – for the ambassador role, while retaining Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy. According to The Sunday Times, government sources indicate Meyer – Ramaphosa’s counterpart in the 1990s Codesa talks – is a top contender. The pair, dubbed “R&R,” played a pivotal role in South Africa’s democratic transition and were known for their close rapport. Other potential candidates include Marthinus van Schalkwyk, ex-leader of the National Party (NP), who later joined the ANC and served as tourism minister…

– Huawei South Africa has launched its leading smart warehouse solution in Johannesburg. This strategic investment has the potential to revolutionise logistics operations in Africa. The newly opened 14,000 square meter facility boasts advanced technologies that boost efficiency, security and sustainable practices – marking a major step forward for the warehousing industry. Huawei is transforming Africa’s logistics sector by introducing intelligent systems to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. This smart warehouse represents the future of the industry and showcases Huawei’s commitment to innovation in Africa. Will Meng, CEO of Huawei South Africa, spoke to the strategic vision for the industry,…

Clicks Group reports strong growth in loyalty membership, retail turnover, and sustainability initiatives in the six months to end-February 2025. Clicks ClubCard Loyalty Programme Soars Clicks ClubCard has grown to 12.1 million active members, adding over 1 million new members in the past year. The loyalty program now drives 81.6% of Clicks’ sales, with members earning R438 million in cashback over six months. Retail Turnover Up 6.4% The Clicks Group reported a 6.2% increase in group turnover, reaching R23.2 billion for the six months ending February 2025. Retail turnover, including Clicks, The Body Shop, M-Kem, and Sorbet, rose by 6.4%, with 5.4% comparable store growth (excluding leap year effects). Excluding…

The Sunday Times reports the Cape Winelands has become South Africa’s fastest-growing millionaire hotspot, with centimillionaire residents nearly doubling in the past decade, according to the World’s Wealthiest Cities Report 2025. Key Findings Wealth Boom: The Winelands (Stellenbosch/Franschhoek/Paarl) now host 18 centimillionaires ($100M+ net worth), up from 10 in 2015 Cape Town Dominance: The Mother City leads with 34 centimillionaires, up from 28 last year Jo’Burg Decline: Gauteng continues losing wealthy residents to coastal regions Why the Winelands? Luxury Estates: Exclusive developments attract global ultra-high-net-worth individuals Vineyard Lifestyle: Wealthy owners increasingly retire to their wine farms Education Hub: Top schools + Stellenbosch University appeal to affluent families SA’s Winelands Billionaire…

The ANC appears ready to abandon its proposed 0.5% VAT increase following fierce opposition from its Government of National Unity (GNU) partners, including the DA, The Sunday Times can reveal. Budget U-Turn: Key Details Original Plan: Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana initially proposed a 2% VAT hike in February, later reduced to two 0.5% increases over two years. GNU Resistance: The DA and other parties refused to support any VAT rise, forcing the ANC to reconsider. May 1 Deadline: Businesses had already begun invoicing at the new 15.5% rate, but the hike may now be scrapped entirely. R13.5bn Budget Gap: Dropping the tax increase leaves a major revenue shortfall, pushing Treasury to find alternatives. Why This…

A preliminary report by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has implicated Road Accident Fund (RAF) CEO Collins Letsoalo in alleged wrongdoing involving a R79 million lease deal for the fund’s Johannesburg offices. The investigation, initiated under a 2021 presidential proclamation, follows a whistleblower’s complaint to the Public Protector, accusing Letsoalo of overturning bid committee decisions to favor Mowana Properties, a losing bidder that ultimately secured the five-year contract. Key Findings from the SIU Report Whistleblower’s Claims Confirmed: The SIU’s preliminary findings support allegations of tender manipulation in leasing, cleaning, security, and legal services. Letsoalo’s Defense: The RAF CEO claims Mowana Properties—a Government Employees Pension Fund…

The Huawei Intelligent Finance Summit (HiFS) Sub-Saharan Africa 2025 has paved a new path for the digital transformation of Africa’s financial services industries (FSI). Huawei shared how its “Mobile First, Resilience Empowers AI-infused Finance” strategies would strengthen service resilience and promote digital innovation for the FSIs on the continent. In his opening address titled “In Africa, for Africa, Technology Inclusion Booming Financial Inclusion”, Victor Guo, President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa Enterprise Business, said that greater technology integration is driving financial inclusion on the continent. He observed that increased economic activity and smartphone adoption have enhanced banking services in Africa. Through…

In a dramatic trade policy shift, former President Donald Trump declared economic war on China while extending an olive branch to other nations. The Guardian reported that effective immediately, Chinese imports will face a crushing 125% tariff, a fivefold increase from previous levels, while most other countries get a 90-day reprieve with reduced 10% duties. “When China punches America, we punch back harder—125% harder,” declared White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, framing the move as retaliation for Beijing’s “disrespect of global markets.” The announcement sent stocks skyrocketing, with the S&P 500 up 5.6% and the Nasdaq leaping 8% as investors cheered…

Cell C today announced that it wass aware that data compromised in the recent cybersecurity incident has been unlawfully disclosed by RansomHouse, the threat actor claiming responsibility. This follows a previously reported incident involving unauthorised access to unstructured data in some parts of our IT environment. “We deeply regret this development and the concern it may cause among our employees, customers, partners, and stakeholders at large,” Cell C said in a statement. “As part of our commitment to safeguarding the interests of our stakeholders and full transparency, Cell C has set up an Information Hub, www.worldofcellc.co.za/information-hub, where stakeholders can access…

Huawei recently hosted the prestigious Regional Finals of its 2024/2025 ICT Competition and Summit at Huawei Office Park in Johannesburg, bringing together outstanding technology talent, educators, and policy makers from across Sub-Saharan Africa in a celebration of digital innovation excellence. The event was attended by the winning student teams, their instructors, stakeholders from academic institutions across the region, and key government partners, including Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, South African Minister of Higher Education and Training, who delivered the keynote address. “Digital skills are one of the most critical skills that are desperately required in Africa and governments cannot achieve this without…

Altron, a JSE listed, proudly South African, technology company, is celebrating 60 years of innovation by showcasing the story of Johannesburg through a new lens. In collaboration with historian Michael Charton, author of “My Father’s Coat” and other historic narratives, Altron will bring to life Johannesburg’s story, highlighting its role in South Africa’s industrialisation and paying tribute to the business leaders and organisations who helped shape its growth. This powerful narrative that will be performed to audiences throughout April, is set to inspire optimism around the city’s revival. Altron’s Chief Executive Officer, Werner Kapp says: “Commemorating our 60th anniversary by…

Disney+ has unveiled an exciting lineup of titles set to premiere in South Africa in 2025. Titles include FX’s highly anticipated “Alien: Earth,” the new limited series FX’s “Dying for Sex” starring Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate, star-studded UK Original “The Stolen Girl”- a five-part psychological drama starring Denise Gough, Holliday Grainger and Ambika Mod, alongside Lucasfilm’s “Andor” season 2 returning for its long-awaited conclusion, and Searchlight Pictures’ Award-winning “A Real Pain”. Not to mention critically acclaimed and multiple Emmy® award-winning series returning including FX’s “The Bear”, “Only Murders in the Building” and the latest season of “The Simpsons” now streaming exclusively on Disney+ in South Africa. Disney+…

The FNB App Academy, a transformative nine-week online tech programme, kicks off on 22 April 2025, offering young South Africans free access to coding skills, industry mentorship, and career-building opportunities. With classes held twice a week, the academy equips participants with hands-on experience to thrive in the digital economy. Bridging the skills pap in South Africa In a country where youth unemployment remains a critical challenge, the FNB App Academy provides a lifeline by delivering cutting-edge digital training at no cost. Since its launch, the initiative has empowered over 17,000 young people across South Africa and the continent, helping them secure jobs or start their own tech ventures.…

Africa’s gaming industry is poised for a breakthrough. As one of the fastest-growing creative sectors on the continent, game development has the power to drive innovation, create jobs, and bring African storytelling to the global stage. But to fully unlock this potential, developers need resources, mentorship, and international connections. That’s where GamesConnect AFRICA steps in. What Is GamesConnect AFRICA? More than just an initiative, GamesConnect AFRICA is a movement shaping the future of gaming in Africa. It empowers mid-sized studios with the tools to scale, improve game quality, and compete globally. The programme also fosters international collaborations, co-productions, and knowledge-sharing – ensuring African…

Core Group, South Africa’s distributor of tech products, has announced a new distribution partnership with Microsoft to bring its lineup of Surface hardware to South African resellers. Through this collaboration, businesses will be afforded seamless access to the world-class portfolio, providing a perfect blend of hardware and software designed for the modern workplace. With Microsoft Surface, South African businesses can now access the best-in-class hardware, built specifically to enhance productivity and performance through device level AI capability and the Microsoft 365 (M365) suite of productivity tools. “Microsoft Surface is engineered to deliver best in class device productivity,” said Dian de…

As financial inclusion continues to be a major challenge for many communities across South Africa, FNB is enabling access to basic banking services and cash in close proximity to both the unbanked and under banked individuals, through FNB AgencyPlus.  AgencyPlus is a safe and convenient way for individuals to deposit cash into an FNB account and withdraw cash from their FNB account or eWallet at a local shop or small business registered as an AgencyPlus agent. Users can also buy airtime and electricity through the solution. Banking services are provided at the store (agents) via the FNB App or cellphone…

At Intel Vision 2025 in Las Vegas, Intel leaders reaffirmed the company’s commitment to customer success, innovation, and ecosystem growth. The event highlighted Intel’s strategic priorities, including advancements in AI, data center solutions, and Intel Foundry’s progress, all driven by a customer-first approach. A Customer-Centric Vision Intel’s leadership emphasised the importance of listening to and collaborating with customers to deliver cutting-edge solutions. “Yesterday you heard from Lip-Bu that our work is not over, that we have to continue to do a lot of hard work,” said Christoph Schell, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Intel, echoing sentiments shared by new Intel…

Imagine predicting a hurricane’s or tornado’s impact in minutes, not days. Kamiwaza AI’s powerful orchestration engine, powered by Intel® Gaudi® 3 AI accelerators and Intel® Xeon® 6 processors, helps federal meteorologists automate analysis and extract insights from massive datasets—including over 90 years of climate data. to deliver faster, more accurate warnings. At Intel Vision 2025, Luke Norris, CEO of Kamiwaza, and Sunny Wescott, federal chief meteorologist, demonstrated how the system processes 1 trillion data points from legacy weather sensors, a task that once took days, now completed in minutes. This speed is critical when every second counts. By analyzing historical weather patterns, Kamiwaza AI links past…

“This is a really good university that is already globally recognised for its research excellence. But there are bolder things we can do and greater ambitions that we can have – together. This can culminate in us having even greater impact on society.,” says Prof Deresh Ramjugernath (52), the 13th Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU), who officially stepped into his new role this morning (1 April 2025). He takes over from Prof Wim de Villiers who completed two terms at the helm. “Stellenbosch has a proud history of excellence in learning and teaching. Under Prof De Villiers, we…

HGS, a global leader in digital customer experience (CX), AI-driven BPM, and digital media services, has officially opened its cutting-edge CX hub in Cape Town. The exclusive launch event showcased HGS’s commitment to transforming CX through digital innovation, impact sourcing, and a customer-first approach, solidifying South Africa’s reputation as a top-tier CX destination. The event gathered industry leaders, government officials, and global brands to explore South Africa’s growing role in CX excellence. HGS’s new hub will help businesses reduce costs, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive growth through AI-powered solutions and best-in-class service delivery. Attendees gained insights into HGS’s digital-first strategy,…

Savant today announced that APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! Savant has been a Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Seed fund implementing partner since 2017 and has facilitated funding and supported a significant number of early-stage technology projects over the past 8 years. The Pre-Seed Fund targets projects that are in the early stages of technology development such as proof of concept studies, development of prototypes and conducting market research. Its aim is to ensure that innovators reach technical feasibility of their technologies or innovations currently at a TRL3 or TRL4 stage. The allowable amount per application for this call is R800,000 including VAT, with a maximum duration of 12…

Eskom has confirmed that loadshedding remains suspended. While the power system remains constrained, it is stable, with emergency reserves being strategically used to meet demand, particularly during peak periods. The Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) for the financial year-to-date stands at 25.85%, an improvement from 32.38% during the same period last year. This reflects a ~6.5% reduction, signaling improved fleet reliability. Kusile Unit 2 is expected to reconnect to the repaired Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) system and main stack by month-end. Meanwhile, Unit 1 will go offline starting 31 March 2025 for similar work, in line with environmental compliance. Eskom continues high…

The Capitec Board announced today that Gerrie Fourie, founding member and CEO of Capitec since January 2014, will retire at the Annual General Meeting of shareholders to be held on 18 July 2025.  Fourie has been on the executive management team for the past 25 years. Under his stewardship as CEO, the company transformed from a challenger bank serving 5 million clients in 2014 to South Africa’s leading digital bank and a diversified financial services company serving over 24 million personal and business clients. “Gerrie has provided exceptional leadership and strategic vision,” said Santie Botha, Chairman of Capitec’s Board. “He…

Picture this scenario: a perpetrator is holding a gun to your head, trying to coerce you to unlock your banking app using facial recognition. In a situation like this, it is almost impossible to open a manual panic button on your phone, let alone remember the manual pin code for your banking and phone apps. Enter Valor – the only voice-activated panic Super App, brought to you by BYY Strategic Services.   “Valor is the next level of personal security,” notes Amanda Rogaly, CEO of BYY Strategic Services. “This is the first patented voice activated panic Super App not just in…

At the start of the cloud era, there was anxiety about whether the cloud was more secure. Today, there is this extreme confidence in cloud security. Companies think being in the cloud means their security risks are mitigated. However, the reality is more nuanced. Cloud technologies determine how digital systems function and how users can access those systems. Whether it’s through email and SharePoint, running server infrastructure, or using AI models, it’s all cloud. So are the many software management services, backup providers, and data intelligence platforms that companies rely on. Is the cloud better for security? Cloud services fall…