Author: Staff Writer

Africa’s largest content platform as a service (CPaaS) provider, SMSPortal, has seen the COVID-19 pandemic intensify the demand for Content-as-a-Service, with some 1.3 million businesses using app-to-peer (A2P) SMS in 2020, according to their data. “The CaaS market is growing massively, both globally and here in SA,” says James Pearce, co-founder of SMSPortal. “Today, the total number of businesses now using this channel, globally, is just under eight million, which is an increase of 20% on the number using A2P SMS prior to the pandemic.” Given the impact of the pandemic and of course, the dispersed working environment most find…

TymeBank, one of South Africa’s leading digital banks, will export its business concept and experience to its international sister company Tyme’s newly established banking operations, GOtyme, in the Philippines. GOtyme, which has had its digital banking licence application approved by the Philippines Central Bank, will benefit from TymeBank’s high-touch high-tech banking model, world-class technology, unique kiosks and digital banking expertise to bring banking simplicity and financial empowerment to the lives of Filipino consumers. The approval of the licence application, which is the first of a three-step Philippines Central Bank application process, comes shortly after TymeBank secured international investors in February…

BrainQ, an Israeli stroke therapy technology startup, today announced it has raised a $40 million or R592 million to support a multicenter pivotal trial for its groundbreaking technology for ischemic stroke survivors in selected US hospitals.  The funding round is led by Hanaco Ventures, along with Dexcel Pharma, and Peregrine Ventures, bringing the total raised by the company to over $50 million or R739 million. This year, BrainQ received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation allowing the company to work closely with the FDA to expedite development plans and premarket clearance, with access to the new Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology pathway. “We’ve seen…

MALII FinTech platform, founded by Oratile Seabela, aims to solve the cash payment system, lack of public transport integration, financial exclusion, and inefficiencies in the minibus taxi industry. MALII is an app that enables taxi commuters to make payments without using cash. Commuters upload funds for the month in the MALII wallet, using their bank card or top up at the nearest spaza shop. They then find a QR code sticker positioned on the taxi window and can scan the QR code with their smartphone. The idea for MALII came to Oratile in 2017 while she was taking a taxi.…

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has expressed its dismay at reports that some healthcare workers, including doctors, have discouraged patients from getting COVID-19 vaccinations, based on doubts about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. SAMA Chairperson, Dr Angelique Coetzee, said the organisation wholly rejects any doubts about the COVID-19 vaccine. “There is high confidence among the scientific and medical community about the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines being rolled-out in South Africa, and they have also undergone safety and efficacy tests by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. “These are overwhelming endorsements of the vaccines, and there should…

The Department of Public Enterprises has announced a master plan for the Port of Durban which will seek potential private investments of R100 billion into the port over at least the next ten years. Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan says the master plan for the Port of Durban is currently undergoing consultation processes. “The Port Master Plan…will serve as a basis for investment in the port both in respect of the port infrastructure – now governed by the Transnet National Ports Authority – but also in respect of the terminals and the freight infrastructure that services these ports as well,”…

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has authorised local biotechnology company CapeBio to manufacture rapid COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits. Announcing the approval of the test kits on Monday, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, said the COVID-19 test kits, co-developed by CapeBio and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will help to reduce South Africa’s reliance on imports, making it easier for the country and the rest of the continent to gain speedy access to test kits. “Given Africa’s dependence on imports, the government, through the Department of Science and Innovation…

Former ICASA CEO Pakamile Pongwana has passed away, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa said in a statement. “ICASA is deeply saddened by the recent passing of its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Pakamile Pongwana,” reads the statement. Pongwana was at the helm of ICASA as the CEO from 2013 to 2017, where he contributed immensely to the work and performance of the Authority. “He is widely regarded as one of the industry veterans and a key architect of the ICT sector since the dawn of democracy,” said ICASA. “When joining ICASA as CEO, Pongwana arrived at a time…

The 2Africa consortium, comprised of China Mobile International, Facebook, MTN GlobalConnect, Orange, stc, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone and WIOCC, announced today the addition of four new branches to the 2Africa cable. The branches will extend 2Africa’s connectivity to Seychelles, the Comoros Islands, and Angola, and bring a new landing to south-east Nigeria. The new branches join the recently announced extension to the Canary Islands. 2Africa, which will be the largest subsea cable project in the world, will deliver faster, more reliable internet service to each country where it lands. Communities that rely on the internet for services from education to healthcare,…

The new Audi’s Skysphere is a self-driving roadster that drives itself while passengers relax and can change shape at the touch of a button. Details of the new Audi’s electric concept car were revealed this week by the German carmaker. With the touch of a button, the driver can take advantage of their freedom and choose their own driving experience– either they pilot their 4.94-meter-long e-roadster themselves in “Sports” mode with a reduced wheelbase, while the rear-wheel steering ensures that the vehicle remains extremely agile despite its dimensions. Or they can choose to be chauffeured around in a 5.19-meter GT…