Author: Staff Writer

Planning, insuring, and investing just got simpler and more rewarding with the launch of glu, a new division by the Professional Provident Society (PPS). Set to go live on 30 January 2025, glu is designed to bring the benefits of mutuality and profit-sharing to a broader audience across South Africa, redefining financial security and well-being. As a division of PPS, which primarily serves graduate professionals, glu expands access to the unique mutuality model. Unlike traditional listed companies that distribute profits to shareholders, PPS and glu share their profits with members, creating a financial ecosystem where success is collective. This innovative approach…

Eskom’s relentless execution of the Generation Recovery Plan has achieved a monumental milestone: 303 consecutive days without loadshedding since 26 March 2024. This Sunday, 26 January, marks 10 full months of uninterrupted power supply, a testament to the utility’s progress in its turnaround strategy. In addition to this remarkable achievement, Eskom has saved R16.40 billion in diesel costs year-to-date, a staggering 62.4% reduction compared to the R26.27 billion spent during the same period last year. These savings underscore Eskom’s commitment to financial prudence and operational efficiency. Summer outlook remains positive Last August, Eskom forecasted a loadshedding-free summer from 1 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, citing structural improvements…

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is set to launch four new Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), including C4IR South Africa, which will be hosted at the University of Pretoria (UP). The Forum announced the signing of agreements for the four new Centres on 23 January 2025. C4IR South Africa, which will be formally known as the South African Centre for Industry and Technology, will be run in collaboration with leading South African academic institutions and will advance the nation’s readiness for the future of global value chains and energy transition. The Centre will focus on the twin challenges…

Huawei is today proud to announce that a South African Seeds for the Future team will head to the global finals of the Huawei Tech4Good competition after an impressive showing at the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional finals held in China late last year. Cultivating the next generation of digitally skilled leaders is imperative to Huawei’s mission to strengthen digital ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its Seeds for the Future programme, exemplifies this commitment to building digitally connected societies. The winning project at the regional finals – called e-Kasi Care – uses the power of virtual medical consultations to help close the healthcare…

McDonald’s South Africa is helping customers beat the January blues with wallet-friendly menu options and an exciting new addition to its breakfast offering. Understanding the financial pinch that often comes with the start of a new year, McDonald’s is rolling out affordable value meals and sharing options designed to suit every budget. “McDonald’s SA menu features plenty of affordable choices, including fan favourites from as little as R10 on our McSaver menu and from R29,90 on our Nazo Meals, said Daniel Padiachy, Chief Marketing Officer at McDonald’s South Africa. “We ‘re also have exclusive in-app deals giving customers more ways…

Global technology brand HONOR has announced the upcoming launch of the eagerly awaited HONOR X9c, the latest addition to its acclaimed X Series line-up. Introducing the next generation of the durable and powerful HONOR X Series, the HONOR X9c arrives with exciting enhancements to user experience, blending exceptional durability with comprehensive protection, long-lasting battery life and AI photography capabilities, and advanced AI experience – all encased in a sleek and stunning design. To highlight the device’s durability, HONOR will put the HONOR X9c through a series of tests during the brand’s upcoming launch event. This elevated experience aims to offer users a unique opportunity…

Fintech service providers have a significant role to play in driving the financial inclusion national agenda. However, technology alone cannot address South Africa’s financial inclusion challenges – to create an enabling environment for financial sector innovation, stakeholders also require collaboration. According to Johan Gellatly, MD of Altron FinTech, a leading fintech that is helping to reshape the sector to enable  financial inclusion with affordable merchant and consumer cost friendly accessible  financial transacting solutions. Gellatly says financial inclusion is a key focus of the Altron strategy. “South Africa’s informal, largely cash-based, economy is estimated to be worth anything from R250 billion…

African Bank and Visa have renewed their strategic partnership for another seven years, reinforcing their commitment to innovation, security, and financial inclusion across South Africa and beyond. This renewal marks a significant milestone in their long-standing relationship, highlighting their shared goal of delivering enhanced banking experiences to customers. Through this collaboration, African Bank will continue to integrate Visa’s advanced payment technologies, ensuring secure, seamless, and efficient digital banking solutions. Visa’s expertise will support African Bank’s rebranding efforts, strengthen its market presence, and amplify its customer-focused approach. “As a bank living its purpose of advancing lives, we are excited by the…

Interest rates have been reduced, petrol prices saw multiple declines in 2024, and South Africa has achieved more than 300 consecutive days without loadshedding. These factors are contributing to a sense of optimism as 2025 begins. According to the Ipsos 2025 Predictions Survey, 84% of South Africans believe this year will be better than the last. Early indicators suggest 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point for South Africa’s economy and automotive industry. Economists speaking to Bloomberg forecast a growth rate of 1.7% for 2025, a notable improvement compared to the country’s average growth of under 1% over the past decade.…

Last year, Volvo Car South Africa revealed impressive sales figures for its electric vehicle (EV) lineup. The remarkable EX30 crossover led the charge and is converting many long-time combustion engine enthusiasts to the world of electrification. Compact, efficient, and sustainable, the EX30 is ideally suited for today’s demands and owes part of its success to a little-known electric Volvo that came decades earlier. While the XC40 Recharge marked the brand’s first electric production car, Volvo has been investing in electrification for much longer. In 1976, it debuted the Elbil concept car. In the ’70s, Volvo began experimenting with electric drivetrains,…

McDonald’s South Africa has been certified as a Top Employer for 2025 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute, highlighting the company’s exceptional HR practices and its commitment to employee development and well-being. The certification follows an independent and comprehensive evaluation of McDonald’s South Africa’s human resources policies, assessed across critical areas such as leadership, employee engagement, talent acquisition, and organizational culture. The process included an extensive review of six key HR pillars: Steer, Shape, Attract, Develop, Engage, and Unite. McDonald’s South Africa successfully completed the rigorous HR Best Practice Survey, Validation, and Audit process, meeting global benchmarks and earning the…

Eskom has reached 296 consecutive days without implementing loadshedding since 26 March last year.  On Monday 20 January at midnight, Eskom will reach 300 days of loadshedding suspension for the South African economy, a milestone not seen since June 2018. This performance has also resulted in year-to-date diesel savings of R16.42 billion (on a year-on-year basis), which is about 62.9% less than the R26.09 billion spent during the same period last year, as a result of the continued execution of the Generation Operational Recovery plan. Operational Highlights: Koeberg Unit 2: Eskom’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station has seen Unit 2 sending 930MW…

In 2024 breakthroughs in technology like AI, redefined industries and how we work. As these technologies advanced sustainability also became a core focus as the need to develop greener, more efficient solutions became clearer. These advancements laid the groundwork for a new era and 2025 promises to build on this momentum, ushering in trends that will further revolutionise industries, enhance personalisation, and simplify complexity across the board. In the new year, the technology landscape will likely be defined by a blend of regulation, innovation, resilience, and a drive for inclusivity and sustainability, addressing both the opportunities and challenges of the…

In an exciting announcement, Lesaka is thrilled to extend the deadline for submitting innovative proposals for its BEE, CSI, Enterprise, or Supplier Development initiatives to 31 January 2025. This is your golden opportunity to access a share of R10 million in funding that could breathe new life into your business or community project. “As Lesaka embarks on its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) journey, we are committed to raising awareness and supporting initiatives that align with these principles. Many of you may already be engaging in activities that fall under the ESG umbrella, even if you use different terminology. We…

Small businesses are key contributors to the South African economy – driving innovation as well as job creation. These organisations are fertile ground for skills development initiatives to take root, giving career-advancing opportunities to a diverse range of workers. Huawei works hand in hand with over 50 South African Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) suppliers and is a committed partner that empowers these organisations by providing access to everything from materials to training opportunities. Last year Huawei’s Supplier Development programme delivered over R13 million in support to selected partners. Thozama Matlhapa, Senior BEE Manager at Huawei South Africa says,…

As momentum grows in the shift towards e-invoicing, it’s clear that the benefits of adopting this technology extend far beyond simply achieving compliance with SARS’ planned rollout of its VAT modernisation programme by 2028. The growth of the e-invoicing industry itself is evidence of this, with the global sector anticipated to grow to $45.44 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.3, according to The Business Research Company E-invoicing is the process of digitally exchanging documents with a strictly structured or machine-readable data format, which means that they can be sent, received, and processed without any manual…

Vodacom and Orange have joined hands to form, a first of its kind, rural towerco partnership in Africa. Through this partnership, the companies will collaborate to build, own, and operate solar-powered mobile base stations in underserved areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The initiative will extend network coverage and enable access to telecommunications and mobile financial services to up to 19 million people in less densely populated rural communities, reinforcing their commitment to bridging the digital divide and driving inclusive growth. “With a footprint serving over 210 million customers across Africa, we have the opportunity to significantly contribute…

As TikTok faces a potential shutdown in the U.S. on January 19 due to ownership concerns, pending a Supreme Court decision, another Chinese app has started gaining significant traction.  According to TechCrunch, American users are flocking to Xiaohongshu, known in English as RedNote. The app recently climbed to the No. 1 spot on the U.S. App Store’s free apps chart and also ranks as the top Social Networking app among free iPhone downloads. The surge in popularity is being driven in part by TikTok creators promoting Xiaohongshu on their accounts, encouraging their audiences to consider it as a viable alternative.…

Life Healthcare Group, through its wholly owned UK subsidiary, Life Medical Group Limited (LMGL), has signed binding agreements to sell 100% of the issued share capital of LMI Limited and its subsidiaries, collectively known as Life Molecular Imaging (LMI). The buyer, Lantheus Neurology UK Limited, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lantheus Holdings Inc. This strategic transaction marks a significant milestone for Life Healthcare Group. The total purchase consideration for the transaction is $750 million (R13.9 billion), which includes an upfront payment of $350 million and additional earnouts totaling $400 million, contingent on achieving future sales milestones for LMI products…

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) warns the public to be cautious when conducting financial services business with CMFX Trading. It has come to the attention of the FSCA that CMFX Trading is soliciting funds from members of the public for investment purposes, while promising unrealistic returns. CMFX offers to trade in Bitcoin on behalf of members of the public and promises guaranteed profits. CMFX Trading is promising investors returns of up to R23 000 from an initial investment of R6 000 within three days. The Authority points out that trading profits cannot be guaranteed and an offer of unrealistic…

Maziv has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Phila Dube as Group Chief Commercial Officer. This appointment continues the group’s momentum of strategic appointments made over the past year. Dube brings a wealth of experience from his 26-year-long career with the Telkom group where he held various senior roles, culminating in his position as Chief Commercial Officer at Openserve. “Phila’s extensive experience in the sector and deep understanding of customer needs align perfectly with our vision for the future. Phila is the ideal candidate to drive our commercial strategies forward across our consumer, enterprise and carrier brands,” says…

Navigating the Forex Market in South Africa Exploring the Basics of Forex Trading If you’re starting your journey in the Forex market in South Africa, you’re tapping into a dynamic arena where currencies are traded in pairs, 24 hours a day. At its core, Forex trading involves buying one currency while simultaneously selling another, aiming to profit from fluctuations in their exchange rates. It’s a dance of supply and demand, steered by global economic events, where timing and strategy are key to your success. The Legal Landscape of Forex Trading In South Africa, you’re fortunate as the legal environment for…

Huawei has been ranked first in IDC’s Global Wearable Device Market Quarterly Tracking report for global shipments in the first three quarters of 2024. Renowned for its cutting-edge products that blend innovative health and fitness features with trendy designs, being ranked top in the market consistently across three quarters is a testament to Huawei’s leadership in the industry. This recognition underscores Huawei’s influential success and dedication to revolutionising the wearables technology market.  HUAWEI Leads Global Wearable Device Market The latest IDC’s Global Wearable Device Market Quarterly Tracking Report shows that despite a global decline in wrist-worn device shipments in 2024, the Chinese…

It’s .a mixed bag of results for the South African automotive industry. While used car sales slipped slightly compared to October, it’s worth noting that November was the second most successful month for used car sales and the most successful for the new passenger car segment. New car sales enjoyed notable growth, suggesting renewed consumer confidence in the market, spurred by falling interest rates and a strengthening Rand. AutoTrader’s latest industry data shows a slight decline in used car sales but strong overall performance. Last month, 32,158 used vehicles were sold, just shy of November 2023, when 32,300 used cars were…

As global e-commerce expands rapidly, the logistics industry faces rising demand for bespoke, high-end services. To stay competitive in such dynamic markets, logistics companies are increasingly adapting to meet evolving customer expectations, with a strong focus on service excellence. One significant trend emerging from this shift is the rise of white glove services—premium, tailored logistics solutions that provide meticulous attention to detail and extra care for clients. In 2022, the U.S. market for white glove services was valued at $7.84 billion, with projections indicating growth to $20.25 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7%¹. This…