Author: Staff Writer
South African tech startups are making it big in global markets as they expand their solutions. Explore, a South African data science startup, wants to position itself as a global player in data science over the next five years. In early 2019, Explore AI, Explore’s consulting arm, was appointed by Thames Water to deliver the analytics involved in monitoring the water levels of over 150 000 kilometres of water, waste and collection piping. The information will enable the utility to pre-empt blockages that result from flooding or pollution. Thames Water supplies over 15 million customers within London and the greater…
Pricing for a new Jaguar F-TYPE ready to seduce South Africa has been revealed. Available in both Coupé and Convertible form, the two-seat sports car has evolved from its World Car Design-winning predecessor’s form with new super-slim pixel LED headlights featuring subtly revised ‘Calligraphy’ J signature daytime running lights. Three engine options are available to South African customers, starting with a 221kW/400Nm Ingenium 2.0-litre 4-cylinder P300. This model dashes from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 250km/h, with an average combined fuel consumption of 7.2l/100km. An ever-popular supercharged 3.0-litre V6 P380 with 280kW and 460Nm…
Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has picked a fight with the SA Post Office (SAPO). At the centre of the battle is the payment of the R350 COVID-19 relief grants, according to the City Press report. The newspaper said the SAPO board does not want the organisation to be involved in the distribution of the R350 COVID-19 grants. However, Ndabeni-Abrahams is in favour of the SAPO paying and distributing the R350 COVID-19 grants. SA Post Office spokesperson Bongani Diako dismissed the alleged rift between Ndabeni-Abrahams and the SAPO board as non-existent. “All the allegations by faceless individuals are denied and dismissed…
World Cup-winning Springbok star, Bryan Habana, has announced the first two months of traction achieved with his award-winning creative team’s MatchKit.co, an innovative platform that gives athletes a ground-breaking solution for commercialising their digital brand. The two-month milestone also comes with the announcement of a ground-breaking partnership with the JVW Football Club (JVW FC), owned by Banyana Banyana Captain, Janine van Wyk. JVW FC focuses on the development of female football players and along with Matchkit.co, gives the athletes the platform to reach higher levels in the sport. Van Wyk says the partnership will continue to elevate the status of her developing athletes: “I am so glad…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to place 4IR at the centre of South Africa’s economic recovery. This is to enable the country to emerge from the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “South Africa must be a more technologically driven country that finds solutions that move us forward, with 4IR as a pivot for economic recovery,” said President Ramaphosa. The President said digital transformation has to be harnessed “to change the way we live, learn, work and govern.” President Ramaphosa made the remarks, when he received the recommendations contained in the…
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) today announced that it will improve the delivery of a fully blended and fully online learning experience to more than 64 000 students. Despite previously working with another learning provider for more than 23 years, TUT wanted to improve the quality of learning content delivery and increase its options for blended and fully online learning. This is underpinned by an ambitious strategy that will see the university adopt digital and smart technologies to enhance student-learning experiences, facilitate knowledge creation, increase engagement, and accelerate technology transfer. In the long term, TUT’s objective is to become South Africa’s first truly…
The South African restaurant industry has been hard hit by COVID-19. It is under huge pressure to adjust to continuous changes in regulations while still trying keep customers satisfied and safe. But Nando’s has used the Lockdown to bring ideas to life that would not otherwise have been priorities in pre-pandemic times. Nando’s embraced South African Lockdown as an opportunity to drive some technological innovation and adaptation, becoming the first restaurant in South Africa to launch Kerbside collection as well as enhancing the way the brand interacted with customers through technology. Darren Hampton, GM of Digital Marketing says, “No matter what moment you find yourself in…
Standard Bank announced on Thursday that its successful virtual card has now been launched in other African markets including Zambia. Ethel Nyembe, Head, Card and Payments, Standard Bank, said this would make it easier and safer for more everyday Africans to make purchases online. In 2018, Standard Bank launched Africa’s first prepaid and co-branded virtual card that can be loaded in real-time from any account that a customer has with Standard Bank. The card is accessible on the Standard Bank mobile app, where it can be created – at no extra charge – and topped up on a regular basis.…
When considering investing in a home, factors such as safety, health and proximity to amenities are priority concerns. And, while these are influential factors when deciding on a retirement home, it’s the investment’s value for money that will determine the lifestyle retirees will enjoy. “When it comes to mature lifestyle estates, it’s important to ensure you are getting value for money,” explained Phil Barker of Renishaw Property Developments. “Often coastal developments are able to inflate prices simply because of location, but retirees need to consider getting the most out of their money while still enjoying that ‘holiday lifestyle’ afforded by…
Absa Bank has launched a partnership with e-hailing service Bolt in a significant expansion of the bank’s rewards programme in South Africa. As of 1 August 2020, Absa Rewards customers will earn up to 30% cashback on rides booked through the Bolt app nationwide, and up to 30% cashback on food orders booked on the Bolt Food app. The partnership is also the first time that Bolt has partnered with a bank rewards programme – in South Africa or anywhere else in the world. Absa believes that the partnership with Bolt complements the other Absa Rewards offerings, which include travel,…