Author: Staff Writer
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…
Vodacom Business has partnered with the Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN) to tackle Gauteng’s worsening water security challenges. The collaboration will leverage digital solutions to improve water management and ensure sustainable supply in the region. A central feature of this initiative is the Digital Water Tower, an innovative platform developed with Mezzanine to support water suppliers, municipalities, and consumers. By integrating geospatial consumption data, network topology maps, and demand reports, the solution aims to cut water losses and optimise supply efficiency. “Our commitment to digital transformation extends beyond connectivity – we believe in using our technology capabilities to drive sustainable impact,” says Videsha…
South Africa’s job market is transforming—fast. With unemployment high and the gig economy rising, workers are racing to future-proof their careers through digital upskilling. Leading this charge is TelkomLearn, where registrations have skyrocketed as thousands embrace free, accredited courses to stay competitive. Why TelkomLearn? What makes TelkomLearn stand out? Powerhouse collaborations with Google, IBM, HP, Alibaba Cloud, and Duke Corporate Education. These alliances deliver nearly 100 NQF and globally accredited courses, many completely free, democratising access to world-class digital education. “The courses equip learners with in-demand skills while sparking creative and critical thinking. We’re thrilled by the uptake and completion rates,” says Dr. Mmaki Jantjies, Telkom’s Group Executive…
Volvo’s flagship all-electric SUV, the EX90, has been shortlisted for the 2025 World Luxury Car of the Year award, ahead of its South African launch in Q2. The seven-seater luxury EV is one of three finalists vying for the prestigious title, having also been nominated in the 2025 World Electric Vehicle category. To qualify, vehicles must be priced as luxury models in key markets, available on at least two continents between January 2024 and March 2025, and exceed 5,000 annual productions. “As we prepare to launch the EX90 in South Africa, we are thrilled to see our most advanced vehicle yet named a finalist,” said Felipe Yagi, Head…
“We’ve always believed that South Africa deserves world-class retail experiences,” says Anthony Thunström, TFG’s Group CEO. “The opportunity to build Bash has been about more than just launching a successful platform. It’s about proving that innovation at scale is possible, that we can lead in technology, and service, while creating meaningful impact in the economy.” This bold vision sparked the birth of Bash, TFG’s digitally native business designed to reimagine how South Africans shop. Led by seasoned e-commerce entrepreneurs Luke Jedeikin and Claude Hanan, Bash has grown from an ambitious idea into South Africa’s largest omnichannel fashion and lifestyle platform…
Robert Gordon University (RGU) is spearheading a research initiative to promote gender equality in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and entrepreneurship through an inclusive program for women in South Africa. Her-AI-Path: Innovating Women through AI-preneurship aims to help women overcome key barriers in accessing vital business resources, including technical knowledge and skills, which often deter them from STEM fields. With nearly £25,000 in funding from The British Council, the project seeks to empower women from diverse backgrounds to launch successful businesses. The initiative is a collaboration with the Gordon Institute of Business and Science at the University of Pretoria, Mobile Applications Laboratory, and…
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) plans to invest $331 million in key strategic sectors in Lesotho as part of its proposed Country Strategy Paper for 2025-2030 to boost economic growth and industrial competitiveness. During an official visit to Lesotho — the first by an African Development Bank President — Dr. Akinwumi Adesina met with His Majesty King Letsie III to discuss strengthening development partnerships and expanding the Bank’s investments in the country. His Majesty expressed delight at the Bank President’s visit, viewing the mission as a reflection of the Bank and Adesina’s appreciation for Lesotho’s progress in improving people’s…
Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa FusionSolar gathered industry partners and key stakeholders from across Sub-Saharan Africa’s Commercial & Industrial (C&I) energy sector as they released an innovative product for the market, LUNA2000-215 Series, the World’s First hybrid air & liquid cooling C&I energy storage solution (ESS). In his keynote address, Mr Xia Hesheng, President of Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa Region, delivered a keynote focusing on the theme of “Growing and Thriving Together in the New Era of C&I”. He told delegates that this new era requires a mindset shift in how they assess the quality of the original equipment…
The rise of digital transformation, cloud adoption, and remote work has made employee cybersecurity awareness a critical priority. However, 70% of South African businesses lack even basic cybersecurity awareness, leaving them exposed to growing threats, according to Fortinet’s 2024 Security Awareness and Training Global Research Report. Doros Hadjizenonos, Regional Director at Fortinet, emphasises that awareness must go beyond simply recognizing the existence of cyber threats. “Almost everyone knows, to some degree, that cyberthreats have become pervasive. However, we need to move from a position of vague awareness to making more material gains that can help businesses,” he warns. “Cybersecurity awareness…
Trade Shield, a tech-based credit risk management solutions provider, has secured R15 million in funding from FNB’s Vumela Enterprise Development Fund, in partnership with Edge Growth. The funding will unlock growth opportunities in South Africa and globally. Since its 2023 launch, Trade Shield has shown impressive growth, strong market demand, and scalability as a SaaS-based business. Trade Shield helps businesses manage trade credit risk through automated data collection, predictive modeling, and AI-driven analytics. Its subscription-based platform provides real-time insights, enabling businesses to extend credit responsibly, boost revenue, and maintain stable debt ratios. Originally developed by Inoxico – a Vumela-backed company…
Volvo Cars is leveraging AI-generated life-like virtual worlds to advance the development of its safety software, including driver assistance systems (ADAS), with the goal of creating safer vehicles. By synthesizing incident data from advanced sensors in its cars, such as emergency braking, sharp steering, or manual interventions, Volvo can now reconstruct and explore these scenarios in new ways to better understand how to prevent accidents. This breakthrough is made possible by Gaussian splatting, an advanced computational technique that creates realistic, high-fidelity 3D scenes from real-world visuals. The virtual environment can be manipulated by adding or removing road users, altering traffic…
A user’s messaging app account might be of interest not only to jealous spouses and nosy coworkers, but also to cybercriminals. Stolen WhatsApp accounts are used for various types of criminal activity, ranging from spam distribution to sophisticated scam schemes. Cybercriminals constantly look for WhatsApp accounts and use various methods to gain access to them. There are two ways cybercriminals can gain control of a WhatsApp account: they can add another device to an existing account using the “Linked devices” feature, or they can re-register the account on their own device as if the user had bought a new phone.…
Today, Google Cloud officially celebrated the opening of its first African cloud region in Johannesburg, a significant milestone in Google’s $1 billion investment pledge to help accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. Operational since January 2024, the Johannesburg cloud region directly supports African businesses and multinational corporations operating on the African continent by providing access to cutting-edge technologies: innovative AI and machine learning, powerful data analytics, and comprehensive security solutions. This enables organizations to improve operational efficiency, build groundbreaking tools, and ultimately unlock new opportunities for growth. Google Cloud’s region builds on wider infrastructure investments into the continent. In May 2024, Google Cloud announced a…