Author: Staff Writer

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…

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) today announced that several of its major airports have received the Airports Council International (ACI) Public Health and Safety Readiness accreditation for the 2024/25 financial period. This prestigious recognition evaluates airports’ compliance with global public health and safety standards, ensuring they are prepared to implement industry-leading measures in times of uncertainty. As vital transport hubs, airports face high risks from transmissible diseases, making comprehensive health protocols essential. In early 2024, ACSA introduced a structured framework to guide its airports through the accreditation process, supporting its long-term goal of having all facilities accredited by 2028/29. The…

In a dynamic shift that places South Africa at the forefront of global call centre AI innovation, two homegrown technology pioneers, Saigen and Callbi, are to enable a seamless switch between languages mid-conversation across South Africa’s most commonly spoken languages, including isiZulu, Sesotho, Setswana, Afrikaans and English. For South African businesses operating in a uniquely multilingual society, there is a real need to serve customers across a wide range of languages, dialects, and cultural nuances. Traditional speech analytics tools – often built in and for monolingual English markets – simply fall short. “Calls may begin in English, but they don’t always stay there,”…

The holiday season, is a time marked by family gatherings, travel, feasts, and often, a bit of over-indulgence. In fact, data from FNB recently revealed that most South Africans, in the lead-up to and during the Easter period, tend to spend more on general shopping, flights, accommodation, home DIY, restaurants, and clothing and apparel. But the numbers can add up quickly and, when the celebrations wind down, the reality of overspending can hit hard. “Reality (after a heightened period of shopping and spending) can feel like a financial hangover. When the excitement of the season wears off, you might ask…

April in South Africa is a month filled with public holidays, extended weekends, and social gatherings—creating a prime opportunity for illicit alcohol to enter the market. The Drinks Federation of South Africa (DF-SA) is urging retailers and traders to prioritize responsibility, protect consumers, and uphold the integrity of the alcohol industry. A Time for Celebration and Responsibility “April’s public holidays and long weekends are not only a time of celebration, but also a time to reflect on the role we play in safeguarding our communities,” says the DF-SA. With festivities on the rise, retailers and traders must ensure only legitimate, safe products reach consumers to maintain trust…

South Africa faces a last-minute legal showdown over the controversial VAT hike, with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s attempt to scrap the increase now in doubt just days before its implementation. The Sunday Times reports that confusion reigns as the Democratic Alliance (DA) argues only Parliament—not the minister—can reverse the tax change. In a dramatic move, Godongwana announced Wednesday that the 0.5% VAT increase set for this week would be canceled. However, the DA challenged this in court, filing an affidavit stating: “The DA and Parliament support that position. It is the only plausible reading of section 7(4) of the VAT Act.” The dispute…

President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump have taken steps to mend strained diplomatic relations between South Africa and the United States. According to The Sunday Times, the two leaders agreed during a recent phone call to meet in person within the next three months, possibly on the sidelines of an upcoming US-Africa summit. The diplomatic rift began after Trump criticized South Africa’s land reform policies, particularly the Expropriation Act, claiming “terrible things” were happening in the country. He also offered Afrikaner farmers refuge in the US, alleging they were being forced off their land. Tensions escalated further when the…

Huawei hosted an inspiring celebration for young women and future leaders in ICT at the Huawei Campus in Johannesburg. The event was held in support of the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) global campaign for International Girls in ICT Day 2025 and the UN Women’s African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI). It brought together high-level women executives, industry leaders, and top-performing students from AGCCI and the Huawei Graduate Programme. Under the theme “Shaping the future, one connection at a time”, the event aims to create a supportive community for young women in STEM by connecting them with inspiring role models and…