Author: Staff Writer
In a South African grocery retail first, Checkers has taken to the skies in a specially branded aeroplane. Emblazoned with “Sixty60” on its sides and “Checkers” on its belly, the plane was first spotted at the OR Tambo International airport on Thursday, 24 October. In collaboration with award-winning airline LIFT, the teal Airbus A320 conducted its maiden flight between Johannesburg and Cape Town at 10am on Thursday, 24 October. It will continue to operate on regularly scheduled flights between Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town this summer. Aviation enthusiasts and plane spotters can track the aircraft, operated by LIFT, online via…
Huawei Cloud, a top three cloud vendor in South Africa, today pledged to accelerate the digital transformation for local industries over the next five years to support the implementation of South Africa’s National Digital and Cloud Policy, thus driving the growth of the country’s digital economy. The inaugural Huawei Cloud Summit brought together public and private sector stakeholders with Huawei executives and Huawei Cloud ecosystem partners to align on strategies for better cloud infrastructure and digitisation in South Africa. Huawei Cloud has been in South Africa since 2019 and in this time its public cloud business has grown more than…
South Africa’s new Transport Safety Lab was unveiled by the Hon. Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Prof Blade Nzimande at CSIR in Pretoria on 24 October 2024. The lab features a stationary driving simulator housed on the CSIR’s Scientia campus in Pretoria, as well as a vehicle equipped with sensors to collect data on driver behaviour and the environment on the road. Dr Sandile Malinga, CSIR Smart Society Group Executive, says the lab will collect and analyse road safety data from the real-world and simulations, which can be used to improve transport safety policies and products. “This dual approach gives the CSIR Transport Safety…
The Media Information Communication and Technologies Sector Education Training Authority (MICT SETA) and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) are set to host the inaugural 4IR Research Symposium and Expo, marking a pivotal moment for South Africa’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) research landscape. Scheduled for 25-26 October 2024 at VUT’s Vanderbijlpark Campus, the event will also launch the MICT SETA-VUT 4IR Research Chair. The two-day symposium, under the theme “Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Future Skills,” aims to significantly enhance South Africa’s 4IR scientific research and innovation capacity. It will bring together leading scholars, industry professionals, and government representatives…
Telkom and the National Research Foundation (NRF) have announced the launch of the Future Technologies (FutureTech) programme, a new initiative to co-fund technology research grants and the studies of postgraduate students and postdoctoral Fellows, to help drive innovation. The FutureTech programme will support local universities in the research and development of future innovations, solutions and technologies. This will improve competitiveness in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector and other related fields. Commenting on the partnership, CEO of Openserve, Althon Beukes, said the company was pleased to contribute. ‘’Through the Futuretech programme we are investing in the future of South Africa’s…
VisionAI, an artificial intelligence and computer vision solutions provider, has announced an investment from Kalon Venture Partners. This funding will fuel VisionAI’s growth as it continues to transform not only the manufacturing and supply chain sectors but also a wide array of industries through its innovative AI-driven technology. VisionAI has been making waves by helping manufacturing and supply chain operations leverage their existing CCTV camera feeds with visual AI to track business critical metrics that lead to increased productivity, cost savings and reduced operational risk. The partnership with Kalon Venture Partners will further empower VisionAI to redefine the use of…
Huge Group, an investment entity listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, announces that Douglas (Doug) Reed has recently joined the team to take on the company’s growth and innovation portfolio, and that he will be working closely with the investment companies in its investment portfolio. With over 30 years of experience in the telecoms sector, Doug is recognised for, amongst his many accomplishments, his leadership in transforming Vox Telecom from a small ISP into a major industry player. His industry knowledge and hands-on approach will support Huge Group’s portfolio investment companies with their growth aspirations, with an immediate focus on…
The Johannesburg Interbank Average Rate (JIBAR) – one of the most widely used interest rate benchmarks by banks in South Africa – will be replaced by an Alternative Reference Rate (ARR). The Market Practitioner’s Group (MPG) has designated the South African Rand Overnight Index Average interest rate benchmark or ZARONIA as the successor rate to replace Jibar. RMB is actively involved in the industry working groups which include the regulator, the central bank, industry bodies and forums. RMB supports the transition to ARRs and has launched a South African Rates Reform Programme to help clients navigate the many challenges resulting…
Proudly South African fuel brand, Sasol, is rolling out Tipped, a digital tipping solution, to make it easy and convenient for customers at its fuel stations nationwide to tip petrol attendants straight from their smartphones. The move reflects Sasol’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and empowering customers to show gratitude for good service by tipping forecourt staff. “Partnering with Tipped aligns with our strategy at a time when our customers are embracing digital payments. We are pleased to be supporting an innovative, local female owned technology startup, following successful pilots of the solution at selected sites, said Zanele Hadebe,…
Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a business of Cassava Technologies, a leading pan-African technology group, has announced the opening of a fully equipped, state-of-the-art computer centre, kitted with high-speed connectivity and a full-time assistant, at Sempapa Secondary School in the Makapanstad region of the North-West Province. With the additional sponsorship of 50 computers, learners from four schools in the community will now have access to basic digital and computer literacy skills and courses. “The launch of the first digital centre in the North-West Province not only reaffirms Liquid South Africa’s commitment to the province and the region; it reflects our commitment to…
A novel sensor system has been developed to help datacentres optimise the energy efficiency and sustainability of their operations. In the following article, Anu Kätkä from the measurement technology company Vaisala describes the development of a modular daisy-chain temperature/humidity sensor configuration, which has dramatically reduced cabling requirements and lowered the carbon footprint of building management systems (BMS). Background The global demand for datacentres is being driven by cloud-based services, AI, automation and digitisation. These data handling facilities house large amounts of IT infrastructure and require high levels of power to run the equipment and to cool it. The latest servers…
After years of restricted movement, the conversation around travel has regained momentum, particularly for South Africans who are increasingly seeking ways to balance work, life, and mental well-being. For millennials and Gen Z, incorporating travel into a sustainable lifestyle rhythm has emerged as a key priority. However, the challenge for many remains how to make travel more affordable, especially in the face of rising living costs and constrained budgets. It’s the Journey, Not Just the Destination One of the primary hurdles in realising a dream holiday is determining how to afford it. For many South Africans, this is where aspirations often lose momentum. Everyday spending typically does little to help build a travel fund, which is why loyalty programmes are proving to…
In recognition of the invaluable work being done by non-profits and small businesses to shape a better South Africa, local digital transformation business Obami is launching a Tech in Kind initiative. As a token of appreciation for their efforts, Obami is offering up to R1 million in pro bono digital transformation services to selected organisations. With close on 75% of South Africans now online, the opportunity for digital engagement is too big to ignore. Yet only 42% of our SMEs have a website or social media presence, with countless more lacking the appropriate digital infrastructure needed for their teams to operate efficiently. Similarly, nonprofits struggle…
Vodacom South Africa is excited to announce the launch of its new RED VIP flagship plans, designed to offer customers additional value and a host of new features and benefits. These plans are tailored to meet the evolving needs of our customers, ensuring they stay connected on South Africa’s most reliable network. Vodacom launched these RED VIP plans to provide customers with additional value to meet the growing demand for cost efficiency, particularly in response to the challenges posed by the tough economic times where consumers are seeking more for less. “We are excited to offer customers a portfolio of…
It’s been an interesting month for used car sales in South Africa, with the latest data from AutoTrader revealing that used car sales have fallen by -9.6% year-on-year and -10.3% compared to last month. While overall sales have taken a dive, several models saw growth in September 2024. Overall, September used car sales totalled 28,609, with a combined value of just under R11.6 billion. This represents a year-on-year decrease of -8.7% in accumulative sales value. It’s no surprise that Toyota, Volkswagen, and Ford retained their top three positions, with 4,964, 4,134, and 2,962 units sold, respectively. Toyota experienced a modest -2% decline…
Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have signed an agreement to improve access to financing for Singaporean companies looking to expand into Africa. This marks the first partnership between EnterpriseSG and a multilateral development bank, under the Enterprise Financing Scheme – Multilateral Development Banks (EFS-MDB). The partnership will allow Singaporean businesses to tap into new financing options from one of Africa’s key lenders as they venture into the continent. Through the EFS-MDB, EnterpriseSG offers risk-sharing of up to 50% to support lending from partner multilateral development banks. The partnership will cover financing needs such as working capital,…
Terra Firma, a South-African independent power producer (IPP) and renewable energy company, has announced a new R1.3-billion utility-scale solar energy build programme that will deliver a combined 110MWp of wheeled energy services once completed. Grant Berndsen, CEO at Terra Firma, says the project will provide improved cost savings and sustainability benefits to customers throughout the country. “Commercial and industrial customers specifically in the manufacturing, extractive and digital infrastructure sectors with power purchasing agreements (PPAs) in place will benefit from cost-effective renewable energy delivered via Eskom’s grid. We believe wheeling will be a vital part of South Africa’s rapidly evolving energy…
SA-founded B2B software-as-a-service fleet management company GoMetro, now headquartered in London, has been selected as a recipient of a £147,000 or R3.2 million grant from the UK Freight Innovation Fund. This comes within months of GoMetro announcing its Series A funding of £9 million ($11.4 million), led by Zenobē Energy and Futuregrowth Asset Management. “The grant will be used to finance a six-month trial with leading UK logistics companies Maritime Transport and Welch’s Transport to implement GoMetro’s EV-FIT solution for electric vehicle (EV) fleet transformation and the GoMetro Bridge fleet management software platform,” says Group CEO and founder of GoMetro…
Huawei Cloud will take its mission of building an equal, diversified, and prosperous digital South Africa to the next level, when it hosts its first ever South Africa Cloud Summit in Johannesburg. This landmark occasion will see over 600 industry leaders from a broad range of sectors meet at the Gallagher Convention Centre on the 24th of October for discussions, speeches and product showcases that will shape the future of South Africa’s digital industries. From being the first international vendor to host a local hyperscale cloud data centre in South Africa, Huawei Cloud has consistently shown its commitment to introducing…
Electrified vehicles (EVs) remain a rare sight on South African roads. Still, an increasing number of consumers are interested in battery-electric vehicles, traditional hybrids, and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), according to the 2024 AutoTrader New Energy Vehicle Report. And it’s not hard to see why. Lower running costs, superior refinement, and, of course, the environmental benefits are all draw cards. Despite this, 94% of survey respondents said they have not owned an NEV. Among those who have previously owned an NEV (6%), 73% of NEV owners said they have owned hybrids, while 21% had owned electric vehicles. 6% of these respondents have…
The Chief Operations Officer of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), Dr Gavin Isaacs, has been dismissed with immediate effect. Both the SAIPA (former) Chief Executive (CE), Shahied Daniels and Isaacs, faced disciplinary hearings chaired by independent chairpersons. The CE was dismissed two weeks ago. Both processes have now been concluded. FOUR CHARGES AGAINST ISAACS Isaacs faced four charges, summarised as contravening the Institute’s rules, policies, codes, processes, procedures and amounting to gross negligence, misconduct and serious governance breaches by: Being directly involved in the improper procurement of the services of an international company; Issuing instructions for the establishment of a company in Switzerland without…
A new generation of tech pioneers have been recognised as winners of the SATNAC 2024 Industry Solutions Challenge, which invited postgraduate and undergraduate students who are passionate about innovation to address real-world problems. They were required to propose cutting-edge solutions, across five key categories: Energy and Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Customer Experience and User Experience, and Networking Technologies. This allows students to translate academic knowledge and research into practical, industry-ready innovations. Under the theme “The AI-driven hyperconnected future; Co-creating shared value,” the competition attracted more than 300 students from 13 academic institutions, including from Malawi, Lesotho and Eswatini.…
Old Mutual has launched a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) service known as Old Mutual Connect. “The launch of the MVNO service which will be known as Old Mutual Connect is a part of our Integrated Financial Services (IFS) strategy to deliver tangible value-added services to our customers”, says Clarence Nethengwe, Managing Director of Old Mutual Mass Foundation cluster and CEO designate of the OM Bank. “Affordable data and reliable connectivity is critical for our customers in the Mass Market to fully participate in the mainstream economy. It is also an important enabler for our customers to interact with the…
Locally, digital solutions play a pivotal role particularly for underserved populations. As the digital landscape evolves and expands, many startups across South Africa are emerging as powerful catalysts for change, driving innovation in both urban and township economies. Among these pioneering ventures, there are certain companies that are making significant strides in addressing the unique challenges faced by South African consumers and small businesses. Here are some standout examples of small businesses that are leading the pack in their respective industries. Cloudy Deliveries Cloudy Deliveries was founded by Colin Mkosi in 2020. A delivery service similar to Uber Eats, this…
Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) today confirmed the attendance of Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications & Digital Technologies, highlighting the conference’s pivotal role in shaping telecommunications across the region. Also, the speaker lineup, will be joined by keynote speaker Professor Benjamin Rosman, a pioneer in artificial intelligence. As a Director of the Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand and Chief Science Officer at Lelapa AI, Professor Rosman’s work has significantly advanced AI and machine learning, with a strong focus on African innovation. His expertise in reinforcement learning and decision-making in…