Author: Staff Writer

Once the domain of elite spies and con artists, social engineering is now in the hands of anyone with an internet connection – and AI is the accomplice. Supercharged by generative tools and deepfake technology, today’s social engineering attacks are no longer sloppy phishing attempts. They’re targeted, psychologically precise, and frighteningly scalable. Welcome to Social Engineering 2.0, where the manipulators don’t need to know you personally. Their AI already does. Deception at machine levels Social engineering works because it bypasses firewalls and technical defences. It attacks human trust. From fake bank alerts to long-lost Nigerian princes, these scams have traditionally…

As South Africa weighs the promise of satellite internet, telecommunications experts are warning that it could widen, instead of close, the digital divide. Despite global praise for services like Starlink, critics say the technology is too expensive, too limited, and too disconnected from the realities of rural life in South Africa. Among them is Sean Shipalana, a leading voice in infrastructure development, who warns that the excitement around satellite risks overshadowing real, workable solutions. “Satellite internet is not a solution for the rural poor. It’s a solution for the wealthy, for remote tourist lodges, and for niche cases. We cannot…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has exposed shocking revelations that the South African Police Service (SAPS) spent R131.5 million on salaries for 618 officers on paid sick leave for over six months during the 2023/2024 financial year. The party is demanding immediate action from Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to investigate this misuse of public funds. In response to a parliamentary question, Minister Mchunu confirmed the staggering costs of extended sick leave within SAPS. The DA warns this irresponsible expenditure comes at a time when the police service faces severe operational challenges and rising crime rates, diverting critical resources from frontline policing.…

Diversified financial services group Alexforbes has established a R5 billion fund to invest in critical South African infrastructure projects, aiming to generate strong returns while supporting economic growth, reports the Sunday Times. The initiative comes as the government plans to spend over R1 trillion on infrastructure over the next three years to revitalize key sectors. Gyongyi King, Chief Investment Officer at Alexforbes Investments, told the Sunday Times that the fund will target renewable energy, affordable housing, water, transport, and ICT infrastructure. “Without good ports, stable electricity, water, housing, and roads, we cannot grow,” she said. The company has already committed…

South Africa’s newly approved National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP), which proposes quotas limiting foreign workers in certain sectors, is likely to face legal challenges, with experts warning that similar measures have previously been ruled unconstitutional, reports the Sunday Times. The policy, approved by Cabinet last month, aims to enforce stricter controls on foreign employment but may clash with existing constitutional protections. Labour law specialists argue that imposing employment quotas has already been deemed unlawful by the Constitutional Court. Imraan Mohamed, Director of Employment Law at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH), noted that while the government avoids calling them “quotas” under employment…

MultiChoice is testing weekly subscription plans in Uganda, aiming to ease financial pressure on customers struggling with monthly payments. If successful, the pay-TV giant may expand the model to other African markets as it fights to retain subscribers amid economic challenges, according to the Sunday Times. The company, which operates in 16 African countries, has seen its subscriber base shrink by 1.2 million in the past year, dropping to 14.5 million. Half of those losses came from South Africa, where high unemployment and rising living costs have forced households to cut discretionary spending, including DStv subscriptions. MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo…

South African mobile operators have told Parliament they would welcome Elon Musk’s Starlink as a competitor if the satellite internet provider enters the local market. However, they emphasized the need for regulatory fairness and highlighted ongoing industry challenges such as load-shedding, vandalism, and policy uncertainty, according to the Sunday Times. During a briefing with Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications and digital technologies, major players including Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, and Rain discussed the state of the telecommunications sector. MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi confirmed that the company already partners with Starlink in other African markets and sees satellite providers…

Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa has been selected as the exclusive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner for the Palabora Mining Company (PMC) solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project, a flagship initiative led by the Mzansi Energy Consortium and Journey 2 Green (J2G). The agreement was formalised at a signing ceremony at the 2025 SNEC Expo in Shanghai. The Mzansi Energy Consortium, led by Journey 2 Green, is the project development entity established to design, finance, and deliver the PMC renewable energy project with key technology and infrastructure partners. This landmark energy initiative will deliver South Africa’s first utility-scale…

Groblersdal Mall in Limpopo is undergoing a significant redevelopment, poised to become a modern, shopper-friendly destination that grows alongside its community. The project, led by Twin City in partnership with Patricio & Sons, will see the 37,000sqm mall fully refurbished by November 2025. Key upgrades include a redesigned food court, an enhanced tenant mix, and a refreshed brand identity that honors the region’s agricultural roots. This redevelopment marks a major investment in the area, creating new permanent jobs while sustaining over 1,000 existing positions. Construction began in February 2025. “Our investment builds on the excellent foundation of an extremely popular…

Huawei’s sixth annual Editors Xchange in Johannesburg brought delegates together under the theme “Ecosystems That Scale the Future” to explore how intelligent, integrated platforms are advancing South Africa’s digital development. Speakers from Huawei, government and business unpacked the shift from infrastructure as hardware to infrastructure as an enabler, where cloud, AI and collaborative platforms become the backbone of inclusive growth. In his opening address, Huawei South Africa Deputy CEO Charles Cheng emphasised the human purpose behind technology. “Digital ecosystems matter insofar as they enable a better, more fulfilling life,” he said. “They must be interconnected, adaptive and built to scale.”…