Author: Staff Writer

With the 2025 Grain SA NAMPO Harvest Day in full swing, Bridgestone Southern Africa is drawing attention to a vital but often overlooked input cost in farming operations: tyres.  As farmers face mounting input costs, the company is calling for greater recognition of the role premium-quality tyres play in sustaining agricultural productivity and stability. Recent estimates indicate that farmers collectively maintain an inventory of tyres valued at over R1.2 billion* annually across their agricultural vehicles, including tractors, harvesters, bakkies, motorcycles, and other equipment. This figure reflects the tyres used across an estimated two to five vehicles per farm, underlining the significant role tyres play…

AURA, a life-saving technology platform making emergency response services more accessible and affordable, has secured €13.5 million (R273 million) in a Series B funding round co-led by the Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund (CAIF) and Partech. This latest investment brings AURA’s total funding to €21 million (R423 million), fueling its expansion into the United States and the development of a global emergency dispatch “clearing house”—eliminating borders in crisis response. Founded in 2017 by Warren Myers, Ryan Green, and Adam Pantanowitz in South Africa, AURA has revolutionized emergency response through its smart auto-dispatch and routing platform. The technology connects individuals in distress with the nearest vetted private security and medical responders, ensuring rapid assistance anywhere, anytime. Transforming Security Response…

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Sihle Lonzi was forcibly removed from a parliamentary committee meeting after questioning the Director-General about the appointment of ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe’s son to the SETA board. The incident follows the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s revelation of a leaked list of Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board appointments, exposing widespread political patronage. The list includes ANC loyalists, such as Mantashe’s son and a former KZN Premier, in key positions. DA Demands Accountability Karabo Khakhau MP, DA Member of the Committee on Higher Education and Training, stated: “These appointments confirm the ANC’s blatant abuse of SETA…

President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump are set for a pivotal diplomatic meeting next week, with negotiations expected to unlock new trade agreements in agriculture, energy, and transport sectors., Business Day reports. A high-level ministerial team, including Trade Minister Parks Tau, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, has been tasked with crafting a trade deal to mend strained relations, according to three officials familiar with the Washington preparations. Will a Formal Deal Emerge? While it’s unclear if binding agreements will be signed, diplomatic sources suggest groundwork is being laid for either a full trade…

The Trialogue Business in Society Conference 2025 is set to be a battleground for ideas, and Telkom SA SOC Limited is bringing its A-game to tackle South Africa’s stubbornly persistent youth unemployment crisis. The numbers are brutal. With 34.2% of young South Africans (18-34 years) currently not in employment, education, or training, the need for targeted interventions is critical. And as the latest data confirms, the burden falls disproportionately on Black African youth, with an unemployment rate of 35.8%, exceeding the national average. Telkom recognises that bridging the gap between learning and career opportunities is paramount. The organisation’s multi-pronged approach involves the…

The Ford Ranger maintains the top spot, but a surge in sales for fuel-efficient hatchbacks signals a continued shift towards affordability.  Following a strong showing last month, the South African used car market remained relatively stable in April despite experiencing a minor sales decrease on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year basis (YoY). Despite this, the sales figures highlight strong interest in used cars, with a mix of vehicles—from bakkies to affordable hatchbacks and luxury sedans—dominating the top 10 list.  According to the latest AutoTrader data, 28,675 used vehicles were sold in April 2025, representing YoY and MoM decreases of -0.2% and -4.1%,…

A training initiative by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) is transforming South Africa’s construction industry by equipping female entrepreneurs with global project management skills to lead, build, and inspire. A Programme Built for Success The programme, which began with five highly accomplished women, focuses on promoting excellence and leadership in a male-dominated sector. Bongani Dladla, cidb CEO, emphasised its purpose: “We’re not just offering training for the sake of it. This is about creating a culture of excellence. These women have already proven they have the skills, strength, and commitment to succeed.” One participant, Lulu Ngomane, a seasoned professional in…

Metrofile Cloud is changing website and application hosting for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with its new Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting solution. Designed to deliver enterprise-grade reliability at an “affordable price”, this service provides SMBs with dedicated resources in a shared environment, helping them compete online without a hefty investment. “Metrofile Cloud’s new VPS offering represents a pivotal shift in the landscape of virtual hosting solutions for SMBs,” said Steve Porter, Managing Director of Metrofile Cloud.  “By combining the power of dedicated resources with the affordability of a shared hardware environment, we’re empowering smaller businesses to have access to the cloud…

As Daybreak Farms faced a catastrophic week with starving chickens and unpaid staff, chairperson Bojane Segooa secured a R625,000 payout before resigning abruptly, reports the Sunday Times. The taxpayer-funded poultry producer, already reliant on billions in state support, had recently been denied a R1.5bn bailout by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). A Board in Chaos Segooa demanded immediate payment of R1.2 million in board fees before stepping down CFO Aubrey Dali resigned after Segooa stripped his payment authority Three other board members refused their fees “out of good conscience” PIC released R74m emergency funds for salaries and bird feed “Have…

Fintech company Lesaka (formerly Net1 UEPS) reported adding 89,000 new EasyPay Everywhere (EPE) users in Q3 2025, increasing its market share among social grant recipients to 13%. The company now serves 1.7 million grant beneficiaries and aims for 20% market penetration within 3-5 years. Post Bank Challenges Drive Growth CEO Lincoln Mali credits Lesaka’s growth to competitors’ struggles, particularly Post Bank’s Sassa card expiration issues. “Operational challenges at Post Bank, particularly around expiring Sassa [South African Social Security Agency] cards, led many of their customers to seek alternative banking providers,” Mali told the Sunday Times. “Our strong brand and extensive…

Gauteng’s public hospitals are in chaos as doctors go unpaid and food shortages leave patients hungry. A doctor at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital was told to prove she wasn’t a “ghost worker” after her April salary was withheld, according to the Sunday Times report. The newspaper reported that many medics haven’t been paid for three months, with some also at risk of missing May salaries. Salary Crisis Deepens The Gauteng health department blamed “administrative and financial challenges” for the delays. Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba admitted and told the Sunday Times that some doctors may not receive May salaries due to…

On 8 May2025, Disney+ — in collaboration with Quiz Nights SA — hosted an unforgettable Quiz Night Challenge at Prison Break Market. Hosted by the always-hilarious Mpho Popps, the night welcomed a star-studded guest list, including familiar faces like Lasizwe Dambuza, Bheki Ndamase, Zamani Mbatha and Mo Setumo. The evening saw fierce but fun competition as guests battled it out to prove who really knew it best — putting their Disney+ knowledge to the test across trivia rounds inspired by the platform’s incredible range of entertainment. From laugh-out-loud moments to surprise twists, it was a celebration of fandom, nostalgia, and…

AI can be transformative for Africa, but the continent must move quickly to empower its youth to optimise the technology’s potential. This is according to Prof. Abejide Ade-Abjola, Professor of AI and Applications at the Johannesburg Business School at the University of Johannesburg and founder and chairman of GRIT Lab Africa, who was addressing the Huawei Cloud Tech Wave DeepSeek workshop in Johannesburg this week. Prof. Abejide Ade-Abjola, Professor of AI and Applications at the Johannesburg Business School at the University of Johannesburg and founder and chairman of GRIT Lab Africa Prof. Ade-Abjola said: “In the African context, AI offers…

McDonald’s South Africa is expanding its chicken offering with the nationwide launch of the McCrispy, a new crispy chicken burger that aims to elevate the brand’s presence in the competitive chicken market. Made with 100% South African-raised chicken breast, the McCrispy features a seasoned, crispy fillet served on a soft potato bun with shredded lettuce and a creamy lemon and pepper sauce. The burger is positioned as a premium menu item and is now available at McDonald’s locations across the country. Daniel Padiachy, Chief Marketing Officer at McDonald’s South Africa, said the McCrispy is a response to growing demand for…

Windows 10 is reaching the end of its support lifecycle, and businesses still relying on it must make a crucial decision. They can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro if their devices are compatible, invest in new hardware if they’re not, or risk running an unsupported system, leaving themselves vulnerable to security threats and operational inefficiencies. For businesses investing in new PCs, the difference is immediate – faster speeds, greater responsiveness, and a smoother, more seamless performance experience.  Even for those with compatible hardware, Windows 11 Pro brings AI-driven enhancements that make the system feel faster, more intuitive, and more secure. This transition…

IBM is changing enterprise AI with new hybrid technologies designed to break down barriers to scaling, enabling businesses to deploy AI agents with their proprietary data. Announced at the annual Think event, these innovations promise to accelerate AI adoption while driving measurable ROI. The Urgent Need for Scalable AI Solutions With over one billion apps expected by 2028, enterprises face mounting pressure to integrate AI across fragmented environments. A recent IBM CEO study reveals that: Business leaders anticipate AI investment growth to more than double in the next two years. Most are actively adopting AI agents, but only 25% have achieved expected ROI due to disconnected tech stacks. IBM’s…

NASDAQ and JSE-listed Lesaka Technologies subsidiaries Kazang and Connect were recognised as fintech innovators in South Africa’s bustling fintech universe at the recent Absa Commercial Payments Awards 2025. Cash Connect won the ‘Most Progressive Device Cash Solutions Provider’ category, with Kazang winning the ‘Most Disruptive Fintech Shaping Financial Inclusion Vision.’ Steven Heilbron, Head of M&A and Corporate Development at Lesaka, said, “We have always seen ourselves as innovators and disruptors with our holistic merchant solutions in both cash and digital, and to be recognised as such in both formal and informal market offerings is extremely encouraging.” Lesaka offers Southern Africa’s…

Growing numbers of South Africans are discovering that saving money in groups can work better than trying to do it alone, this is according to FNB recent stokvel data. Himal Parbhoo, CEO of FNB Retail Cash Investments says, “more people are joining stokvels to make savings, easier and safer. The bank has the data to support this assertion, with total inflows in its FNB Stokvel Accounts growing to R13.3 billion by December 2024, up 66% from the R8 billion that flowed into these accounts in December 2023.” The data further revealed that more people are also joining stokvels through FNB, with…

Disney+ is bringing the magic back to the quiz scene this May with the return of its much-loved Disney+ Quiz Nights, in collaboration with Quiz Nights SA. After the success of last year’s events, this year promises an even more exciting, expanded edition — with fresh Disney+ content, exciting prizes and more venues. The 2025 Disney+ Quiz Nights will run from 12-15 May for the public at participating venues across Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal and will celebrate the latest and greatest (and so much more) exclusive content only found on Disney+, the home of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars,…

Bolt, the global shared mobility platform, has launched a first-of-its-kind dash cam partnership for driver partners nationwide in South Africa. The offer, provided in partnership with dash cam and safety technology provider Driver Technologies, allows Bolt driver partners to turn their mobile phones into a forward-facing exterior and driver-facing interior dash camera, with videos backed up in the cloud.  Bolt driver partners will receive a free month of the premium dash cam app and then be able to access the premium app at a 75% discounted rate for R54,99 per month, which enables unlimited trip storage, access, and sharing capabilities…

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is embroiled in an R800 million funding scandal after approving a contentious bailout for Siyanda-Bakgatla Platinum Mine (SBM), despite internal reports questioning the mine’s financial distress claims. The Sunday Times reported that Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has halted the deal, demanding an investigation into the controversial decision. Dubious Bailout: Jobs Saved or Shareholder Gains? The UIF had agreed to provide R807 million to save 5,702 jobs at SBM’s Limpopo mine, later revised to R736 million for 5,200 workers. However, leaked documents reveal the fund’s own analysts flagged that SBM was not in financial trouble. “Acting in the best interest of workers, and as the custodian of the workers’ funds,…

A fiery ANC caucus meeting has exposed deep divisions over the party’s alliance with the DA in the Government of National Unity (GNU), with over 100 MPs demanding an immediate breakup, according to Sunday Times sources. Frustrated ANC legislators confronted Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula at a tense Johannesburg meeting, slamming the DA’s repeated challenges to key policies—including the budget and employment equity laws—as proof of bad faith. “They’ve Defined Themselves Out of GNU” – Ramaphosa MPs cited President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent remarks that the DA, by rejecting two budget versions, had “defined itself out of the GNU.” One insider fumed: “They take NHI to court, fight Bela, block…

South Africa is set to invest R60 billion in its nuclear build programme, including the acquisition of mini nuclear reactors, as the government pushes forward with its energy transition plans. Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa confirmed the move, stating that the country will seek expertise from global leaders in nuclear technology, including Russia and China. Nuclear Power Now Official Policy Ramokgopa told Sunday Times’ Business Times that nuclear energy is now a key government policy, following the successful 20-year extension of Koeberg’s Unit 1—adding to its 40 years of safe operation. *“That we have been able to successfully get long-term operation extension of Koeberg’s unit 1…

The .za Domain Name Authority (.zadna), in partnership with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) and the South African Internet Governance multistakeholder committee, will host the 2025 South African Internet Governance Forum (ZAIGF) from 7 to 8 May 2025 at the Durban University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal. zadna is a not-for-profit company established in terms of section 59 of the Electronic Communications and Transaction Act, 2002 (Act 25 of 2002). Its mandate is to regulate the .za namespace and ensure its efficient use, management, and administration. Under the theme “Reviewing South Africa’s Internet Governance Progress in the Context…

Openserve, South Africa’s leading wholesale connectivity provider and a Telkom Group company, is proud to demonstrate the strength and scalability of its network infrastructure with a live showcase of Gigabit-speed fibre at Comic Con Africa 2025 in Cape Town. As part of the Telkom VS Gaming arena, one of the event’s most high-energy zones, Openserve is powering seamless, ultra-fast connectivity for high-stakes gaming competitions, delivering speeds of up to 1000Mbps and showcasing the low-latency performance critical to competitive play. This demonstration highlights not only Openserve’s technical capabilities, but also the future-ready infrastructure that supports South Africa’s evolving digital needs across…