Author: Staff Writer

An innovative local software development partnership between 4Sight Holdings and Bidvest Advisory Services has created 4MIA powered by ALICE TM, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered automated digital transformation advisor. Developed on the ALICE TM platform, the intelligent predictive solution Monitors, Investigates and Advises (MIA) business and technology executives on critical aspects related to their digital transformation roadmaps. Decision makers can now leverage the 4MIA’s automated proactive monitoring and reporting to gain greater visibility into their IT environment with real-time insights related to digital transformation readiness. “As digital technologies and competitor capabilities rapidly evolve, business leaders and executives must constantly assess and evaluate…

Standard Bank’s point-of-sale devices have been enabled for UnionPay International (UPI) contactless payments. The cooperation is a strategic move from UPI that follows the surging trend of the global contactless payment industry and accelerates the development of international mobile payment services. According to a survey conducted by RTI, around 30% of the respondents have started to use contactless payments since the pandemic began. And 70% of those users are likely to continue using contactless payments post-COVID-19. Contactless payments have emerged as an essential solution for all the businesses as it enables them to drive their business forward along with ensuring…

South Africa’s retail sector has entered the age of ecommerce, with total online retail sales expected to reach R42-billion by the end of 2021. From the rise of contactless payments to the boom in social commerce, the pandemic has significantly altered consumer expectations when it comes to making purchases online. To unpack the major trends in the digital retail industry and explore the legacy of Covid-19, online payment gateway PayFast has launched their second annual Ecommerce Performance (PEP) Index. “We saw a 178% increase in QR code payments, and a 55% growth in mobile usage for online shopping over 2021.…

The country’s communications watchdog, ICASA, plans to invite applications from infrastructure-based mobile network operators for provisional assignment of radio frequency spectrum under the new ICT COVID-19 National State of Disaster Regulations, 2021. The temporary radio frequency spectrum was first assigned by means of an expedited ITA during April 2020 on the initial declaration of the National State of Disaster, which in turn was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. ICASA has since twice extended the duration of the temporary radio frequency spectrum assignment, with the last expiry date being 31 August 2021. South Africa’s operators are expected to give back temporary radio frequency…

South Africa will not win the war against corruption if it does not actively and adequately protect whistle-blowers, the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation said on 10 November 2021. “Corruption has become embedded in South African society and it robs the country of the ability to provide its citizens with employment, services and social support by damaging economic activity and growth and siphoning off taxes,” says Foundation CEO Piyushi Kotecha. On 1 November South Africa lost an upstanding citizen when Athol Williams fled the country in fear for his life after implicating 39 individuals and companies at the Zondo…

Vodacom announced today that it is buying a controlling stake in Vodafone Egypt, one of Africa’s premier telecom operators. Subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, Vodacom will fund the acquisition of a 55% stake in Vodafone Egypt by issuing 242 million new ordinary shares at R135.75 per share and R8.2 billion ($548 million) in cash. This values the proposed transaction at circa R41 billion or $2.738 billion. “Acquiring a majority stake in Vodafone Egypt would cement Vodacom Group’s position as Africa’s leading techco by advancing our strategic connectivity and financial services ambitions while increasing our total population coverage on the…

Vodacom today announced that it has agreed on terms to acquire a strategic stake in Community Investment Ventures Holdings’ (CIVH) fibre assets that will transform its South African fibre business and accelerate the purpose-led group’s ambition of connecting people for a better future. Subject to regulatory approvals, Vodacom Group will hold a co-controlling 30% equity interest in a newly formed InfraCo entity into which all of the material assets currently owned by Dark Fibre Africa (DFA’ and Vumatel will be transferred in addition to certain Vodacom owned fibre assets. Vodacom has an option to acquire an additional 10% stake in…

Barrows, the provider of hotel investment and advisory services for hotels in the Middle East and Africa is preparing for a new digital revolution in making the hotel industry smarter. Anyone who thinks we are already there with digitization in the hospitality industry could not be further wrong. Service and Hospitality will innovate enormously over the years to come through numerous sleek technological applications and make buildings intelligent. By providing the hotel buildings with intelligent applications aimed at high-quality guest service during the construction phase, the use of smart technology in the workplace becomes a natural result. This concerns, for example,…

Pick n Pay is preparing to release its Black Friday deals this November and says customers can expect massive deals and some of the lowest prices reported this year. Andrew Mills, Group Executive: Marketing at Pick n Pay, expects more customers to be excited for Black Friday deals this year and says they have made extra provisions to bring customers the biggest ever Black Friday deals in stores and to their doorstep. Pick n Pay is planning thousands of deals. The majority of these deals will be Smart Price Black Friday deals meaning customers who swipe their Smart Shopper card…

Its official electronics manufacturer TCL is entering the South African market as of 3 November 2021. It promises affordable quality and smarter than smart televisions for all South Africans.  “South Africa has always been on our radar as a next expansion point, and we’re thrilled to officially be in the market,” says Robin YI, General Manager of TCL South Africa. “We will be utilising South African resources as much as possible on the ground and that includes a local South African assembly partner with plans for expansion in the near future.” As an introductory product, TCL will be launching its…