Author: Staff Writer
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…
Discovery Bank announced today that it has reached the milestone of one million clients, following its earlier achievement this year of surpassing two million active accounts. “This milestone of our first million clients is a special one. While it’s only the beginning for us, we are incredibly proud because it reflects the impact of our unique shared-value model that creates value as clients manage their money well and engage with our products and rewards, the ease of use and scalability of our digital banking app and platforms, and ultimately the trust that people are placing in the Bank,” Hylton Kallner,…
Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has launched Sage Intacct in Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Eswatini, helping transform the way organisations operate by providing real-time financial visibility, advanced automation and data-driven insights. Sage Intacct helps to empower financial teams from repetitive tasks, enabling them to concentrate on higher-value, high-impact strategic activities. For example, instead of spending hours manually inputting data, financial professionals can analyse market trends and create strategic financial plans, as well as implement innovative solutions like predictive analytics. This helps to continuously improve a business’s financial health and competitive…
In the dynamic world of digital education, collaboration is emerging as a key part of innovation and success. There are many innovators in the online education space, but strategic partnerships between leading educational providers can build a higher level of education opportunities, and deliver the kind of rich, diverse learning experiences that can really change lives. It has become clear that education is more than a marketplace of competing offerings, a zero-sum game where some platforms or institutions can succeed, at the expense of others. There is room for multiple offerings, each with a focus on a particular area. Given…
Ask any patient what the most pressing need is in hospitals, and they’ll probably say that the food could be better. Ask hospital managers, administrators, and IT teams though, and they’ll most likely talk about the need to protect patient privacy while at the same time effectively monitoring them to ensure patient and their data security. In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the delicate balance between privacy rights, security measures, and the delivery of quality healthcare services is crucial. With the advent of legislation like the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA; which includes the global Health Insurance Portability and…
First National Bank (FNB) has resolved the internal network connectivity issue that arose earlier today. In a post on X, FNB provided a downtime update, stating: “We can confirm that all functionality has been fully restored. We appreciate your patience and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.” Also read: Angry Customers Take To X Over FNB App Being Down Angry FNB customers took to the social media platform X on Friday to express their frustration over the banking mobile app being down and inaccessible. “We are aware that there are issues being experienced across our channels. Our IT teams are…
Under Armour might have been the sportswear underdog due to its narrow focus on training compression tops and shorts, but the tides have certainly changed. With their recent launch of UNSTOPPABLE gear (born on the pitch and made for the streets) the brand is hoping to gain market share ahead of some big streetwear players in the market. Unstoppable allows the brand to show up in a fierce new category, firmly positioning their product offering to a Gen Z target market. “We embrace the underdog mentality” says Under Armour. “Understandably, there is a pre-conceived notion that with our niche offering,…
Standard Chartered, in partnership with WomHub, announced the launch of the second Women in Tech (WiT) Incubator Programme in South Africa. Building on the success of the inaugural 2023 programme, this initiative aims to empower more women entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, and investment opportunities. Originally launched in the Americas in 2014 by Standard Chartered, the WiT Incubator Programme has significantly expanded over the past decade, uplifting female entrepreneurs across Africa and supporting women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing). The programme’s core mission is to advance gender equality and foster innovation through mentorship, education, networking, funding, and community support.…
“Huawei is excited to celebrate Women’s Month by offering this rewarding opportunity for women to use newly gained tech skills as a springboard for their participation in the digital economy,” said Vanashree Govender, Huawei South Africa’s senior Media and Communications Manager. Speaking to a crowd of business and government leaders, as well as media professionals, Govender kicked off Huawei’s first in person Women in Tech Digital Skills Training Programme for 2024. Women in tech “will not only bridge the gap in the digital landscape but promote gender equity and give women a competitive edge in their industries and the broader…
As technology skills become more democratised, and the ICT sector sees greater gender transformation, a new breed of tech engineer is emerging: a skilled, highly intelligent woman determined to use technology for the good of humanity. As the UN Women agency states, “Innovation and technology provide unprecedented opportunities to break trends and reach those who are the most likely to be left behind”. Telkom executive for research and innovation Dr Maletsabisa (Tsabi) Molapo has made it her life’s work to put human needs at the centre of technology development. She has done it in the field of natural language processing (NLP),…
July was a positive month for the automotive sector in South Africa, with new car passenger sales increasing by 6.8% year on year. It was also an upbeat month for the used sector – while sales were down -1.2% year on year, they increased by a substantial 14% month on month. According to AutoTrader, 31,707 used cars were sold in July 2024 – a marginal decline of 383 over the 32,090 vehicles sold in July 2023. According to naamsa | The Automotive Business Council, 29,934 new passenger cars were sold during July 2024 – an increase of 1,894 cars compared…
Taboola, a global leader in powering recommendations for the open web, today announced an expansion of its operations to serve advertisers and publishers in Africa. Partnering with Aleph Holdings, Taboola’s advanced AI-powered technologies and consumer reach will now be accessible to advertisers and publishers in countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and Ghana. Advertisers in Africa can now leverage Taboola’s immense reach to find quality consumers at scale, using Taboola’s advanced AI-powered offerings. Aleph is giving these advertisers exclusive access to work with Taboola in Africa, allowing them to tap into exclusive, brand-safe environments on trusted editorial destinations and grow…
Standard Bank today introduced Reach, a digital platform set to transform syndicated loan management. The banking group said Reach offers unmatched simplicity, transparency, and convenience for managing syndicated loans. Developed by Standard Bank Investment Banking, Reach automates numerous tasks, enhances communication, and provides step-by-step guidance throughout the syndicated loan process. This cloud-based platform delivers a comprehensive 360-degree view of loan information, including portfolio summaries, loan types, commitments, drawdown history, facility details, interest rates, and more. “With Reach, we are setting a new standard in the syndicated loan market,” said Kelly-Ann Myles, Head of Agency at Standard Bank. “Our platform’s ability…
Huawei welcomed instructors from some of South Africa’s top tertiary institutions, leaders from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), as well as its own executives to the company’s Johannesburg campus for the Huawei ICT Academy Instructors’ Summit 2024. The Summit is hosted annually to bring together instructors to share their experiences, knowledge, and successes as they navigate a rapidly developing industry, which is being reshaped by modern technologies. Will Meng, CEO of Huawei South Africa delivered the welcoming address for the day, and highlighted the significant role ICT instructors play as the company continues to invest in initiatives…
The SABC has secured the rights to broadcast 33 live matches from the 2024/2025 English Premier League (EPL) season, bringing top-tier soccer action to South African screens. The public broadcaster announced this major acquisition on Friday, confirming that fans will be able to watch the matches for free. Through this partnership, the SABC will air one live Premier League match every Saturday at 15:00. The 2024/2025 Premier League season kicks off today, and the SABC will begin its coverage on 17 August 2024 with the Arsenal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers match. A total of 33 live matches will be broadcast across…
Tech-savvy women entrepreneurs are invited to apply for Huawei’s Women in Tech, Digital Skills Training Programme. The 2024 edition of this annual event offers women free training in the rapidly developing fields of Cloud Computing, 5G, AI as well as Leadership Development. The programme not only seeks to upskill attendees but encourages them to build networks that will advance their careers in the ICT sector. “This year we are taking Women in Tech to new heights by partnering with the prestigious Henley Business School Africa to develop a dynamic leadership programme,” says Vanashree Govender, Media Relations and Communications Manager at…
Today, Cell C ushered in a new era with the unveiling of a bold brand identity, marking a significant evolution in the South African telco’s connection with its customers. The launch event, held at Cell C’s headquarters in Buccleuch, Johannesburg, was a vibrant celebration of this transformation. The rebrand emphasises Cell C’s unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges and driving forward with an unstoppable spirit, all while remaining dedicated to its purpose of being an ally to its customers and communities. The company emphasised that this brand refresh goes beyond a mere visual update; it is a reaffirmation of their mission…