Author: Staff Writer
The City of Cape Town’s Health Department has piloted an online appointment portal, where clinic clients can schedule clinic visits to suit their needs and schedule. The portal is a step up from the existing appointment system, which until now has allowed clinic staff to make appointments on behalf of clients. However, by accessing the portal, clients can now decide when exactly they want to visit the clinic, and where. The portal also allows them to cancel and reschedule bookings – all from their cellphone. ‘This pilot project aims to put clients in control – they can choose their preferred…
Following a notice issued on 2 July 2024 to the National Treasury and Emfuleni Municipality, Emfuleni has been removed as a beneficiary of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) 124 Debt Relief program due to multiple breaches. As a result, the Sheriff of the Court has attached Emfuleni’s four bank accounts, ensuring that funds collected for electricity are paid directly to Eskom. The municipality failed to comply with the debt relief program’s requirements, prompting this action. The account attachment guarantees Eskom receives payment for the electricity it supplies, ensuring uninterrupted service to Emfuleni’s customers. Eskom said in a statement today…
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has received a total 161,607 tax directive applications for in two-pot system. This includes the directives which have been cancelled. 159, 853 relates to Savings Withdrawal Benefits, which is 98.9% of the total number of applications received from Sunday 1 to 10 September 2024, which means SARS received an average of 17,964 tax directive applications a day. Gross amount of the lumpsums for the applications received totals R4.1 billion. SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said contributions made to a pension or retirement fund were not taxed at the time of payment to the fund but…
The uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) has taken centre stage as the most viable means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions around the world. In South Africa, the race to shrink the transport industry’s carbon footprint is no different. However, the local automotive ecosystem’s sluggish transition to low-emission alternatives means its sizable contribution to GDP hangs in the balance, says GoMetro CEO, Justin Coetzee. His view is that commercial players and government bodies can both do more to safeguard the industry. In 2023, 75.5% of vehicles produced in SA were exported to the UK and EU, according to the Automotive Business…
With the festive season fast approaching, road safety concerns are on the rise. This year, the Department of Transport reported a staggering 1,184 fatalities over the 2023/24 festive period. Aligned with its mission to challenge injustice, inDrive announced today the introduction of a new in-app call feature, alongside other innovative safety measures, aimed at ensuring a safer e-hailing experience this festive season. Expanding its reach, inDrive recently launched in seven additional cities across South Africa, bringing the total to 16, with new operations in Bloemfontein, Mahikeng, Emalahleni (Witbank), Kimberley, George, Vereeniging, and Potchefstroom. These safety upgrades come at the perfect…
During the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Huawei and Standard Bank South Africa (SBSA) signed a strategic cooperation agreement, to accelerate digital transformation of the financial sector and enhance South Africa’s ability to continue growing its digital industries. Jason Cao, CEO of Huawei Digital Finance BU, gave the welcoming address which set the scene for the day’s discussions. He spoke about the established relationship between Huawei and SBSA, Africa’s largest bank, in several countries. He said, “We are signing an agreement for the future because we share a common goal of achieving excellence. Huawei’s cutting-edge technologies and…
As Apple prepares to launch the iPhone 16, cybercriminals are already exploiting the hype with scams targeting eager fans. Widely regarded as the most anticipated tech event of the year, the release has fans poised to acquire the latest high-tech gadget. However, Kaspersky researchers have discovered that threat actors are luring users with fake pre-orders, early-adopter offers, and bogus technical support — all packaged in convincing websites that lead only to financial losses and disappointment. The new iPhone 16 is set to be unveiled during the “Glowtime” event on Monday, September 9, 2024, with official invites for the event sent…
South Africa faces a stark reality: a significant literacy gap hinders the nation’s progress. With eight out of ten children unable to read proficiently by age ten, the path forward demands innovative solutions and unwavering commitment to learning. Literacy is more than just the ability to decipher words on a page; it is the bedrock upon which individuals, communities, and nations are built. It is the key that unlocks a world of opportunity, empowering people to pursue their dreams, engage critically with the world around them, and contribute meaningfully to society. The consequences of illiteracy are far-reaching and devastating. Without…
Under Armour is all in on running, pushing the limits with cutting-edge tech and athlete-driven designs to fuel performance. Firm believers in getting in the trenches with athletes, this year is no different as Under Armour is announced as 2024’s OUTsurance Gun Run technical sponsor, with the official OUTsurance Gun Run shoe being the Under Armour Infinite Elite. An athletes aim for victory depends on more than just preparation and determination, it also relies on the technology on the soles of their feet. Over the last decade, there’s been a technological revolution in running, powered by shoe technology that can…
Nasdaq-listed Align Technology has partnered with the University of Pretoria’s School of Dentistry to introduce South Africa’s first university academic programme focused on clear aligners and digital dentistry. This collaboration aims to advance dental education and equip future professionals with cutting-edge skills in orthodontic treatment and digital technology. For over 25 years, Align Technology has been at the forefront of supporting universities, students, and doctors worldwide in the orthodontics and dental fields. Align supports the development of educational resources, including dedicated events and research grants. “This collaboration with the University of Pretoria represents a major milestone for dental education in…
Telkom’s enterprise and supplier development initiative, FutureMakers, as well as the Telkom Consumer and Small Business (CSB) Retail, announced today that they have strengthened their relationship with Delivery Ka Speed. Delivery Ka Speed is a 100% black youth-owned and township-based delivery service SME, by donating bikes to 10 drivers and investing further in the SME. It is an innovative township delivery platform that connects customers with local restaurants and merchants, is a strategic partner to bolstering Telkom’s job creation mandate. Initially, Delivery Ka Speed operated the 10 delivery bikes provided by Telkom in the Hammanskraal and Pretoria areas. The bikes,…
Herbert Theledi, a property development entrepreneur with over two decades of experience, has launched a new venture called Jeqe Management, where he will serve as Group CEO. Announcing the new entity, Theledi described Jeqe Management as a significant step towards innovation and growth in the South African property sector. “I believe the time is right to establish a new structure to pursue property asset management opportunities. This is a natural move to diversify our property interests,” said Theledi. Jeqe Management provides property management services for Nthoese Development and Shenge Property Group, with plans to expand and explore additional opportunities. Currently,…
In South Africa, it’s estimated 70% of travel sales revenue will come from online purchases by 2028. In this growing and competitive market, online travel agents (OTAs) that innovate to offer people new ways to book and pay for their holidays will come out on top, says Rahul Jain, CEO of Peach Payments. He believes new payment trends provide insight into what OTAs should consider when it comes to the path-to-purchase in their sector. Trend #1: Upfront payments It wasn’t until a few years ago that many OTAs and travel aggregators started managing prepayments. “It used to be that a…
Changa Energy is thrilled to announce the launch of its cutting-edge 1MW solar plant system which went live at the BT Industrial Group site in Benoni recently. This innovative project, which marks a significant milestone in Changa Energy’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions has been developed in collaboration with client, BT Industrial Group, partners Nuvo Africa and Candi Solar. The project not only underscores the dedication to environmental stewardship by BT Industrial but also aims to ensure energy security that cushions the client against the increasing cost of energy supply which ultimately impacts the increase in cost of production. In…
Huawei Cloud has moved to help South African businesses overcome soaring costs and licensing challenges in the virtualisation space, offering secure, seamless and highly cost-effective alternatives to legacy virtualisation solutions. A roadshow staged in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban recently highlighted Huawei Cloud’s compelling offerings for local businesses caught in a virtualisation ‘dead end’, beset with high costs and inflexible infrastructure. Steven Chen, Managing Director of Huawei Cloud South Africa, said: “Unlike service providers that focus primarily on virtualisation, Huawei Cloud offers freedom and flexibility with a wider range of services, including container orchestration and serverless computing.” Chen noted that…
The fully electric Volvo EX90 is ready and on the road in initial markets. The first batch of our flagship SUV is being shipped to retailers in the United States and Europe right now, and the first customers in these markets will receive their cars before the end of September 2024. We will ramp up deliveries, including to more markets, between the fourth quarter of this year and the first quarter of 2025. On that note, Volvo Car South Africa expects the new EX90 to launch locally early 2025, with the first customer vehicles scheduled to arrive in South Africa…
Daniel Mtimkulu, a former engineer at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of fraud and forging his qualifications. Mtimkulu, who held a prominent position within the agency, was exposed for fabricating his engineering credentials, leading to his conviction and the severe sentence. His case highlights significant issues within PRASA and raises concerns about the vetting processes for key positions within the organisation. Mtimkulu (49) was sentenced today in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, following his conviction on January 31, 2022. The court found Mtimkulu guilty…
30 women entrepreneurs and government leaders have now completed a course in advanced technologies, as part of the Huawei Women in Tech Digital Skills Training Programme. Not only did these tech-curious women get to upgrade their technical knowledge and work on their leadership skills, but they also built strong networks and camaraderie at the first in-person edition of the programme. Huawei Women in Tech, now in its fourth year, has established itself as a modern incubator that accelerates the progress of tech curious women entrepreneurs, over 300 of whom have participated in the programme since its launch in 2021. This…
This week, the Telkom Foundation hosted a technology-focused career expo at Kgola Thuto Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State, specifically aimed at empowering female learners in Grades 8 and 9. The event sought to tackle South Africa’s widening digital skills gap by inspiring more young women to explore careers in technology. It also offered a valuable opportunity for these students to connect with female leaders in the tech industry and discover educational resources that can support their pursuit of STEM-related careers. “The tech world needs more women. Their perspectives, ideas, and problem-solving skills are essential to building a future that…
ISPA says smart young South Africans aspiring to careers in the ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) industry can submit their applications for consideration for the fifth instalment of the ISPA Inspires educational sponsorship from Monday, 2 September 2024. ISPA is South Africa’s official internet Industry Representative Body (IRB) and the ISPA Inspires sponsorship opportunity helps showcase promising future ICT sector entrants to ISPA’s 235 members while creating industry access points for young people with a passion for ICT. “South Africa’s most forward-thinking tech and telecoms firms are very likely to be ISPA members and this membership base remains dedicated to…
Sungrow, a global leader in PV inverters and energy storage solutions, has unveiled its latest Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Energy Storage System (ESS), the PowerStack 200CS, at Intersolar Europe. This innovation comes at a crucial time for South Africa, where energy reliability and efficiency are top priorities. Addressing South Africa’s Energy Challenges South Africa faces significant energy challenges, including frequent load shedding, an unstable grid, and the need for increased renewable energy integration. The PowerStack 200CS is designed to address these challenges directly by providing a robust, efficient energy storage solution that can help stabilize the grid and enhance energy…
An impressive 21 used car searches took place every second in South Africa during the first half of 2024. This is one of many fascinating insights to emerge from the 2024 AutoTrader Mid-Year Car Industry Report. The theme of this year’s report is #RethinkAutoSales, and – as George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader, explains – traditional car selling methods are becoming outdated. “Hence, new data points and innovative strategies are needed. Successful dealers have embraced the #RethinkAutoSales strategy. They are creating efficiencies, emphasising transparency, and meeting consumer needs by utilising market intelligence, which is available thanks to AutoTrader technology and data analytics,”…
Vukile Property Fund, a significant player both in South Africa and on the international stage, continues to set the benchmark in the listed property sector with its data-driven approach. Attracting 220 million shopper visits annually across its properties in South Africa and Spain, Vukile leverages advanced data analytics to enhance the shopping experience, support tenant success, and deliver sustained growth for all its stakeholders. Pioneering data-driven retail management Over the past 20 years, Vukile Property Fund has established itself as a leader in South Africa’s retail property sector. The key to Vukile’s success lies in its innovative use of data…
“A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.” This quote by Rosabeth Moss Kanter encapsulates the driving force behind Buhle Goslar’s journey in the fintech world, challenging long-held notions of the financial sphere as a ‘boys club’ and offering an inspirational vision of hope for the future. Goslar’s deep understanding of how capital allocation and technology drove economic inclusivity enabled her to rise to prominence in business and perfectly positioned her for the role as chairperson at SME services provider Lula. Her journey…
The Volkswagen AG is partnering with the gaming platform AirConsole to bring its unique in-car gaming experience to its drivers and passengers. In parallel to the ID.7, ID.5, ID.4 and ID.3 product lines (from ID. software 4.0), AirConsole will also be available for the new Passat, the new Tiguan, the new Golf and the new Golf Estate. The AirConsole gaming platform will provide enjoyable entertainment to people on the road, for example, when charging or during a break. The new games of the AirConsole gaming platform are available on the infotainment display, which is transformed into a games console. The…