Author: Staff Writer

South African FinTech company Centbee launched a new feature in its Bitcoin wallet today that allows you to purchase prepaid electricity, airtime and data. This is the realisation of a dream by co-founders Lorien Gamaroff and Angus Brown, finally making the vision for bitcoin as electronic cash a reality. South African Centbee users have been able to top up their wallets with Bitcoin from over 50 000 retail stores since early 2019 and from their South African bank accounts since February 2020. In addition, Bitcoin can be bought from South African cryptocurrency exchanges VALR.com and AltCoinTrader and sent to a Centbee…

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The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has pounced on eight suspects allegedly behind the plundering and collapse of the Venda Building Society (VBS) Mutual Bank. Four suspects were arrested when the Hawks descended on 10 properties in Gauteng and Limpopo on Wednesday morning. While the further three are expected to hand themselves over to the investigators, the warrant of arrest on the eighth suspect is yet to be effected, as he is in COVID-19 isolation. The seven are expected to appear before the Johannesburg High Court, sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court. The arrests are a culmination of…

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Newly released research by TransUnion shows South African consumers are now more uncertain about the future of their finances through the COVID-19 crisis than they were at the beginning of April, with the number of consumers who have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic continuing to increase. The ongoing research by the information and insights company to better understand the financial impact of COVID-19 on consumers showed that 16% of respondents financially impacted by COVID-19 have lost their jobs, up from 10% in the first week of April when the first survey was conducted in South Africa.…

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Gold-backed ETFs are some of the easiest ways to invest in gold. You’re able to use the price of the commodity to your advantage by trading alongside it. A gold-backed ETF will often trade at one-tenth of the spot price of gold. So, at any one time, your investment will go up or down in tandem with the gold price. This is a proportional relationship that protects you as the investor. You’re protected because you’re only tracking the price of gold, so even when it goes down, you have limited exposure. Limited exposure equals limited risk. Gold ETFs are performing…

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The V&A Waterfront is partnering with one of South Africa’s leading Click and Collect service providers, to offer an alternative for shoppers who want to avoid possible exposure to COVID-19 by queuing in shops, but who still want to collect their own goods. The new Click and Collect Drive Through service will allow customers to place online orders with multiple V&A Waterfront stores, and then to collect their parcels themselves. The drive through facility will be positioned at the Entrance One of Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre nearest The Table Bay Hotel. The Kiosk itself will be situated outside, in front…

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South Africa has recorded a further 88 COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total number nationally to 1 568. “Regrettably, we report a further 88 COVID-19 related deaths: 73 from the Western Cape, nine from the Eastern Cape and six from Gauteng. We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank healthcare workers who treated the deceased,” Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize said on Monday. The Minister also announced that there is a total of 73 533 COVID-19 cases. The provincial breakdown of COVID-19 cases is as follows: Western Cape 44 143; Eastern Cape 10 597; Gauteng 12 193; KwaZulu-Natal 3 959; North…

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has encouraged the youth to work with the government in creating an inclusive economy that will rid South Africa of inequality, poverty and unemployment. “There has to be life beyond COVID-19. We are looking forward to creativity, innovation and new ideas from young people and we want young people who are going to speak out and step forward,” the President said. President Ramaphosa on Tuesday participated in an interactive panel session with young people as part of the virtual Youth Day commemorations. Youth Day pays tribute to the school pupils who lost their lives during the 16…

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The South African economy has suffered tremendously due to the global and national COVID-19 epidemic. As we gradually move back to ‘normal’, many consumers are taking advantage of incredibly low-interest rates to secure new vehicle purchases. Discovery Insure CEO, Anton Ossip, announced the launch of a new product in their offering, providing vehicle warranty cover to its clients. The new product, available exclusively to Discovery Insure clients, comprises comprehensive and market-leading mechanical breakdown and electrical failure cover for 36 critical vehicle components, with no cover limits. According to Ossip, “Our driving behaviour technology allows us to collect telematics data for…

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In South Africa, manufacturers experience significant challenges. From the stuttering economy to the lack of skills development, there are obstacles that prevent industries from pushing forward into a new era of automation and robotic solutions. Due to the effects of COVID-19, many businesses might not have a choice but to rapidly adopt this technology – especially if they wish to survive in this new contactless society. Automation is no longer a subpoint in a five-year roadmap, but an item of critical importance. Stringent health and safety measures have always been a massive concern for manufacturers, but many organisations will need…

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As the number of COVID-19 infection cases in the country continues to rise, with the national death toll now at 1080, President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered his condolences to the families of COVID-19 victims, who have succumbed to the virus. “Each one of these deaths is a tragedy. Each one represents a unique life: a parent, a child, a sibling or a friend. Each one leaves behind a family and a community in mourning. “I would like to offer my condolences to all South Africans who have lost someone they love, and wish them strength, courage and hope in the…

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