Author: Staff Writer
Billionaire Elon Musk is rapidly consolidating power over key sectors of the U.S. government, fueling alarm among Democrats and constitutional experts who warn of a looming crisis. In the two weeks since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Musk—who heads the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—has aggressively reshaped federal operations with little to no oversight from Congress. His rapid moves have halted the work of the country’s main foreign aid agency, flagged millions of federal employees as redundant, gained access to classified intelligence, and seized control of the system that manages trillions in government spending. Despite wielding unprecedented authority, Musk…
Paycorp, an international payments provider has acquired Pilot Software, a provider of cutting-edge point-of-sale software and hardware solutions for the restaurant and hospitality industry. This strategic move strengthens Paycorp’s market presence and enhances its product offering, enabling businesses to benefit from a diverse range of payment solutions. Wayne Abramson of Paycorp, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Pilot Software to the Paycorp family. Their expertise in point-of-sale technology, combined with our deep-rooted presence in global payments, creates an exciting synergy. “By combining forces, we will offer restaurant and hospitality businesses seamless, efficient, and value-driven solutions that simplify operations and enhance customer experience. “This acquisition reaffirms…
A coalition of civil society organisations has strongly criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump over his unsubstantiated claims about South Africa. Trump alleged, without evidence, that the South African government is seizing land and mistreating certain groups of people. He further threatened to withdraw future U.S. funding to the country. Among the organisations condemning his remarks are the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, the Desmond Tutu Foundation, and Defend Our Democracy. They described Trump’s statements as “absurd and dangerous.” His comments prompted a swift response from the South African government and led to a significant drop in the value of the rand.
China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Tuesday that it will impose counter-tariffs on various U.S. products while also launching a trade-related investigation into Google. The new measures include a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-displacement vehicles. “The U.S.’s unilateral tariff hikes seriously violate World Trade Organization rules,” the ministry stated. “Rather than resolving its own issues, these actions disrupt normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the U.S.” The tariffs come in response to the 10% levy ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump on…
Eskom Board today announced that Leslie Mkhabela has been appointed as the Lead Independent Director, effective 31 January 2025. Mkhabela joined the Eskom Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director on 01 October 2022, when the new board was appointed by the late Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan. “In our quest to strengthen governance and leave behind an organisation with structures that have the necessary robust checks and balances, the Board deemed it necessary to appoint Mr Mkhabela as a Lead Independent Director. We are happy that Mr Leslie Mkhabela has accepted this important role which he will occupy for the…
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) wishes to announce that to date it has received 2,664 279 applications for tax directives for withdrawals from the Savings Withdrawal Benefit of the two-pot system. Of the total number of applications, 2 403 379 tax directives were approved for funds to be released. The remainder were declined for a variety of reasons, including incorrect Identity Numbers, incorrect tax numbers, amongst others. A total gross lumpsum of R 43.42 billion has been paid out to date. In line with SARS’ intent for taxpayers to use digital channels, SARS is happy to announce that the simulated…
From surging cargo volumes to sophisticated sorting tech, here’s how logistics providers are gearing up to tackle the busiest times of the year. Peak seasons in logistics bring intense activity for retailers, with delivery volumes surging significantly. As e-commerce continues to gain popularity with consumers, these busy periods demand innovative solutions to ensure smooth operations and on-time deliveries. Growth and trends Recent industry data highlights the scale of peak season activity, with logistics providers reporting significant increases in cargo volumes during periods of heightened demand. City Logistics, for example, transported 8% more cargo between September and November 2024 compared to the…
Property technology – or PropTech – is not new to South Africa, with the majority of real estate companies by now having adopted technology or software in some guise since it was first introduced in the 1990s. The post-pandemic landscape has not been without challenges for the real estate sector with high interest rates, loadshedding, escalating municipal costs and failing public infrastructure being the most prevalent issues it has had to deal with. PropTech has emerged as a critical tool for property developers and landlords as they look to enhance operational efficiency and profitability. A surge in demand for advanced…
The Volvo EX30 has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious South African Car of the Year competition sponsored by Old Mutual Insure. The all-electric crossover, which is enjoying substantial global sales success, is one of 17 finalists and the only fully electric vehicle vying for the crown in 2025. The announcement comes after the latest round of voting by the SACOTY jury. “We’re delighted to see the EX30 is a finalist in the South African Car of the Year competition sponsored by Old Mutual Insure,” commented Felipe Yagi, Head of Marketing & Communications at Volvo Car South Africa. “Having racked…
Volvo’s flagship luxury SUV, the all-electric EX90, will join the local lineup in the first half of 2025. Engineered to be the safest Volvo ever, the EX90 introduces the marque’s invisible safety shield. This innovative system combines advanced sensing technology, including cameras, radars, and LiDAR, to protect the vehicle’s occupants and other road users. These components are seamlessly integrated with the EX90’s cutting-edge vehicle computers, powered by Volvo’s proprietary software and NVIDIA DRIVE technology. The EX90 is built on Volvo’s advanced SPA2 platform and joins the brand’s growing lineup of battery-electric vehicles, which includes the EX30, C40 Recharge, and XC40…