Author: Staff Writer

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies will conduct public hearings into the Draft White Paper on Audio-Visual Content Services Policy Framework. Last year, the department gazetted the Draft White Paper on Audio-Visual Content Services for public comment. The Public hearings on the Draft White Paper on Audio-Visual Content Services Policy Framework are set to start in April. The objectives of the Draft White Paper are to solicit inputs from the sector and all affected stakeholders to ensure that it covers all aspects of audio-visual content players, in preparation for the final White Paper. The draft White Paper, among others,…

Telkom has welcomed the National Treasury to its growing list of clients following a competitive pitch process after which the company was added as one of the official service providers. As part of the RT15-2021 Transversal contract, Telkom will provide government institutions with Mobile Communication Services for the period commencing 1 April 2021 and ending 31 March 2026. The Transversal Contract RT15-2021 is a 5-year tender that offers successful mobile service providers the opportunity to serve the South African government with all its mobile and enterprise solutions including hardware and software as well as accessories. “We couldn’t be prouder to…

MTN South Africa announced on Wednesday that MoMo (Mobile Money) subscribers will be able to cash-in and cash-out at 1,647 Pick n Pay stores across the country. Customers should be registered on MoMo app to use the new service. They will require an 8-digit Voucher Number and a PIN number to perform a MoMo transaction at the Pick n Pay point of sale tills. “We’re pleased to extend our relationship with Pick n Pay by offering quick and convenient cash-in and cash-out services to our 2,8 million MoMo subscribers through Pick n Pay stores,” says Felix Kamenga, MTN SA’s Chief…

TymeBank, one of South Africa’s digital banks, has reached the 3 million customer milestone. The digital bank owned by billionaire Patrice Motsepe was launched in February 2019. The bank has no monthly banking fees and in most cases, transaction costs are 30 to 50% lower than what customers would pay at other banks.  TymeBank said this is a compelling proposition for South African consumers, with the bank consistently onboarding between 100 000 and 120 000 customers each month – between 3 000 and 5 000 new customers every day. TymeBank has no branches, and its core banking technology platform is…

Lexus is planning to introduce 10 new electrified vehicles will be introduced by 2025 as part of the luxury lifestyle brand’s ‘Lexus Electrified’ vision. To symbolise the Lexus brand transformation, the Toyota Motors-owned luxury brand today introduced a new concept battery electric vehicle, known as LF-Z Electrified. Drawing from an advanced lithium-ion battery technology, the LF-Z Electrified realises a maximum 600km cruising range [WLTP] on a single charge – combined with 400kW of power, 700Nm of torque and standstill to 100km/h performance in 3.0 seconds. DIRECT4 technology The new four-wheel-drive force control technology, DIRECT4, allows the driving force of the…

Microsoft on Tuesday announced it has helped nearly 300 000 in South Africa gain access to digital skills during COVID-19.  This is why the company is extending its commitment by launching new resources to help job-seekers and 250,000 companies make skills-based hire in 2021. From laid-off factory workers to retail associates and truck drivers, millions of people turned to online learning courses from GitHub, LinkedIn and Microsoft during the pandemic to help prepare for and secure the most in-demand roles, including customer service, project management and data analysis. The announcement builds on the company’s efforts to help people by extending…

MTN SAannounced today that the National Treasury had appointed it as one of the government’s services providers. The RT15 2021 Transversal contract allows all state entities to utilise the contract for mobile communication services, which will further assist with cost containment. In 2016,  Vodacom was appointed as the sole provider of mobile telecommunication services to the government. The contract comes to an end. The new 2021 transversal contract is for sixty (60) months commencing on 01 April 2021 to 31 March 2026. It has been awarded to multiple Service Providers, including Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C. There are three…

Discovery Bank, which operates a shared-value banking model, today brings its customers Apple Pay, a safer, more secure and private way to pay that helps customers avoid handing their payment card to someone else, touching physical buttons or exchanging cash — and uses the power of iPhone to protect every transaction. Customers simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code. Apple Pay is accepted in…

The story behind the solution that assisted an estimated 10 million citizens to apply for COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grants. On 21 April, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the South African nation. He advised that additional social relief would be put in place to address the detrimental economic effects of COVID-19 through the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant. SASSA had the prodigious task of ensuring millions of individuals would be able to access their needed grants and quickly. They were determined to live up to the SASSA slogan – paying the right social grants, at the right time and…

Swedish-Swiss tech company ABB has partnered with cloud computing firm Amazon Web Services (AWS) to jointly develop a cloud-based digital solution for the real-time fleet management of electric vehicles (EVs). The platform will optimize the efficient use of EVs and speed up the electrification of transport fleets, helping operators worldwide maintain 100% business continuity as they transition to fully electric. The new platform, which is planned for roll out in the second half of 2021, will offer a tailored user experience in a single-view platform. From the EV charge point to the fleet data dashboard, it will make EV fleet…