Author: Staff Writer

Huawei opened the doors of its state-of-the-art innovation centre in Johannesburg recently to its interns looking to learn and network in a career development workshop. This workshop is a key component of Huawei’s 12-month partnership programme with the Department of Labour and Employment (DOEL), now in its second year of implementation. Employment-seeking matriculants and higher education graduates are recruited from the DOEL’s online database. Once selected, interns receive rigorous on the job training on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). They are assigned a mentor who works closely with them, with the aim of upskilling and gaining formal employment within the…

Eskom today announced that loadshedding continues to remain suspended until further notice, due to the continued improvement in the reliability and stability of the generation coal fleet. Loadshedding has currently been suspended for 79 consecutive days. The last time South Africa experienced such an extended suspension of loadshedding was the period between 23 July 2021 and 06 October 2021. Our generation performance continues to surpass the winter forecast for this year. The current unplanned outages average is at 12 000MW. Managing morning and evening peaks With the ongoing colder weather, Eskom will strategically utilise, as planned in its winter outlook, its…

Both the new car market and used car market hit the skids in May. New car passenger sales fell by -11.7% year-on-year while used car sales were not that far behind, falling by -10.5% year-on-year and -3% month-on-month. “While the drop in sales is indicative of a market that is coming under pressure, one must be cognizant of consumer uncertainty surrounding the elections, which impacted May car sales,” states George Mienie, AutoTrader CEO. In May, sales in the used car market contracted by -996 units resulting in 27,729 used cars sold. The cumulative value of used cars sold amounted to…

Mining companies, along with other businesses, need to make the fundamental shift towards realising that corporate sustainability is dependent on the ecosystems in which they operate. So says Thabisile Phumo, Executive vice president: Stakeholder Relations at Sibanye-Stillwater. Phumo was part of a panel discussing the topic of “Successful integration of the S into ESG in the South African Context” at a hybrid webinar event hosted by Tshikululu Social Investments in Johannesburg last week. “Our view is that we are not separate from the issues and the context of the environments in which we operate. If there is no South Africa,…

Cilo Cybin Holdings has made history by becoming the first cannabis company to receive approval for a listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). This milestone marks a significant step forward for the cannabis industry in South Africa, opening new opportunities for growth and investment in the burgeoning sector. The JSE’s approval signals growing acceptance and recognition of the potential of cannabis businesses in mainstream financial markets. Cilo Cybin Holdings is to be listed on the AltX market of the JSE on Tuesday, 25 June 2024. Earlier, the company achieved a significant milestone with its Initial Public Offering (IPO), raising…

This Youth Month, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) is cautioning young people about the dangers of gambling, which can lead to addiction and have devastating financial consequences for families. The South African betting industry, which includes sports betting and online casinos, has seen its revenue soar from R8.8 billion in the 2019/20 financial year to R23.7 billion in 2022/23. This surge in profits comes amidst rising unemployment rates—50% of which affect the youth—and an increasing cost of living for South Africans. Although gambling can be a legitimate form of entertainment, its rapid growth and the potential negative impacts on South…

Competition amongst local couriers has increased dramatically with the emergence of e-commerce giants, like Amazon, Temu and Shein into the South African market impacting both the micro and macro environments and leading to a greater demand and delivery volume. South Africa’s e-commerce market is expected to reach US$16.3 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 15%, according to a RationalStat report.[1] Another factor contributing to this exponential growth of online shopping is the surge in Gen Z’s shopping habits: with a whopping 98%[2] of tech-savvy Gen Z owning smartphones, 32% of them shop online at least once daily…

Under Armour proudly unveils its latest campaign, “To the greatest team the world has never seen,” a stirring tribute to the unsung heroes of sport – the teams and individuals whose grit and determination often go unnoticed. This campaign paints a vivid picture of the extraordinary journey of those who defy the odds, echoing the spirit of resilience and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From its inception, Under Armour has been driven by a commitment to innovation and a deep understanding of athletes’ needs. The brand’s pioneering product, the HeatGear Baselayer, revolutionised athletic wear by providing a lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric…

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has appointed Yolanda Cuba as a non-executive director on their Board of Management. Effective from June 1, 2024, Cuba also serves as the Vice President for the Southern and East Africa regions at the MTN Group. With over 20 years of experience in various African markets and across multiple industries, including telecommunications, manufacturing, and investment, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. A chartered accountant by profession, Cuba holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Statistics from the University of Cape Town, a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree in Accounting from the University of…

MTN South Africa and Huawei co-hosted the IP Day Summit themed “Net5.5G Network Development.” The summit brought together top experts from MTN’s network planning and Huawei’s data communications teams. They discussed global network construction concepts, latest innovative technologies, and business insights in the IP field, aiming to further improve MTN’s network resilience and service experience. At the summit, MTN and Huawei signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for strategic cooperation on Net5.5G. Through this MoU, they will jointly promote the large-scale application of key capabilities of Net5.5G, such as 400GE, SRv6, slicing, and the Network Digital Map, to continuously improve…

South African retail has experienced profound transformation over the past few years, with digital platforms and ecommerce reshaping consumer expectations. However, we are just in the earliest phases of digital transformation and SME retailers will need to be agile to keep up with emerging customer demands and new competitors. Steven Heilbron, CEO of Capital Connect, a fintech that offers fast and flexible business funding to South African retailers, outlines five trends that are shifting the retail landscape:   Ecommerce giants enter the market Ecommerce continues to reshape retail in South Africa, with a study from World Wide Worx showing that online…

Building on its commitment to fostering a global community passionate about using #TikTokforGood, TikTok has officially launched the TikTok Change Makers Programme. This initiative marks the platform’s first-ever global social impact creator elevation initiative, spotlighting creators and non-profits who drive meaningful change in their communities through TikTok. The program aims to showcase its global community’s diverse voices and strengths as it educates, advocates, and inspires communities to drive meaningful, positive, and lasting change. The six-month program will support selected creators worldwide in building engaged communities, reaching new audiences, and unlocking real-world opportunities. This will be achieved through dedicated tools, resources, and…

iStore has launched free “RightNow” One Hour and Scheduled deliveries in Sandton and Cape Town CBD on Apple products and other technology accessories purchased from www.istore.co.za. iStore’s “RightNow” One Hour deliveries allows you to get your new Apple products and favourite accessories delivered to you within one hour. What’s more, there is no minimum spend or minimum cart value that applies. Free delivery actually means Free delivery, no matter the delivery option chosen. For iStore, customer service excellence has always been the most important part of the Apple shopping experience, and for customers convenience has become more important, particularly when it comes to online orders. It…

Eskom today announced that loadshedding continues to remain suspended until further notice, due to further incremental improvement in the reliability of the generation fleet. Loadshedding has currently been suspended for 72 consecutive days. The last time South Africa experienced such an extended suspension of loadshedding was the period between 05 December 2021 and 02 February 2022. The strategic move as part of the Generation Operational Recovery Plan to improve the reliability of our generation fleet for winter 2024 through increased planned maintenance during the summer months of 2023/24 to an average of 8 000MW and between December 2023 and January…

The 19th Annual Security Summit on Security Strategies Against Advanced Cyber Threats in a Hyper Convergence Infrastructure Environment concluded this week, leaving attendees equipped with cutting-edge knowledge and actionable strategies for navigating the complex world of cloud security. Over two information-packed days, the summit brought together leading cybersecurity experts, industry pioneers, and IT professionals to delve into the evolving threat landscape and explore best practises for securing cloud-based infrastructure, with a particular focus on hyperconverged environments. The summit featured a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers, each offering unique perspectives and insights on the theme of “Managing Security in a Rapidly…

Liquid C2, a business of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a leading pan-African technology group, is pleased to announce that it has become the first Google Cloud Interconnect provider on the continent. This strategic partnership with global hyperscaler Google Cloud adds significant capacity to the cloud solutions that Liquid C2 already offers its customers across Africa through its Cloud Connect portfolio. “Being the first Google Cloud Interconnect provider on the continent is a significant milestone on our journey to becoming the leading provider of cloud solutions in Africa. By partnering with Google Cloud, we can leverage the strengths of both organisations to…

Westcon-Comstor, a global technology provider and specialist distributor, today announced the promotion of Callum McGregor to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as the company targets continued growth. Originally from South Africa and now based in the New York area in the US, Callum joined Westcon-Comstor in 2015 and became CFO in 2021 – a position he retains following his promotion. Callum’s new, expanded role of COO and CFO sees him assume leadership for IT, supply chain operations and ESG globally, in addition to his existing responsibilities for finance, legal and data & analytics.…

At its annual SAP Sapphire conference, SAP unveiled generative AI innovations and strategic partnerships, demonstrating how the company is advancing business to new heights in the AI era by integrating Business AI across its enterprise cloud portfolio and collaborating with leading-edge AI companies to ignite a new wave of global business insight and ingenuity. “The Business AI innovations we’re announcing at SAP Sapphire in 2024 will redefine the way businesses run,” says Christian Klein, CEO and member of the Executive Board of SAP SE. “Today’s AI announcements and partnerships build on our commitment to deliver revolutionary technology that drives real-world…

“With our relentless efforts and commitment, OPPO aims to make AI phones accessible to everyone, ” said Billy Zhang, President of Overseas MKT, Sales and Service at OPPO. “For the first time in the industry, OPPO is bringing generative AI to all product lines. By the end of this year, we expect to bring generative AI features to about 50 million users.” With its large global reach, advanced connectivity, and multimodal capabilities, smartphones are well-positioned as the most important personal AI device. Despite the ubiquity of smartphones, however, OPPO believes that AI should not remain exclusive to just flagship phones…

SAP and WalkMe announced today that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which the German software firm will acquire the digital adoption platforms (DAPs). WalkMe’s solutions help organisations navigate constant technology change by providing users with advanced guidance and automation features that enable them to execute workflows seamlessly across any number of applications. This results in higher adoption of the underlying application and as such drives value realisation. The Executive and Supervisory Boards of SAP SE and the board of directors of WalkMe have approved the transaction for $14.00 per share in an all-cash transaction, representing an…

Canada has committed C$269 million (R3.7 billion) over eight years to support the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, a collaborative effort between South Africa and Australia. The National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre will oversee this investment and work with Canadian industrial partners to deliver key observatory systems. The NRC will represent Canada in the SKAO Council. “Canada has been a long-standing leader in astronomy and the exploration of the universe, and Canada’s membership in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory will give Canadian researchers access to the world’s most powerful radio-telescope,” said François-Phillipe Champagne,…

Since 2007, Vodacom Foundation has proudly partnered with the Smile Foundation to support Smile Week, an initiative that provides life-changing reconstructive surgery to children with treatable facial anomalies. Smile Week not only addresses the physical challenges faced by these young people but also alleviates the emotional distress associated with feeling different, enabling them to embrace their lives to the fullest. “As we mark Vodacom’s 30th anniversary this year, it’s a good time to reflect on the dramatic change in the countries in which we operate, in terms of bringing connectivity to people. What we are also particularly proud of is…

In line with the EX30’s futuristic design and focus on disrupting the electric car market, Thea and Lasizwe proved to be the perfect fit as EX30 Champions. Volvo Car South Africa is excited to welcome Lasizwe Dambuza and Thea Booysen to the Volvo family as EX30 Champions in celebration of Volvo’s most affordable electric car, the EX30. Multi-award-winning YouTuber and reality TV star Lasizwe Dambuza has over recent years seen his star rise in the South African social media landscape. At the same time, his hit show Awkward Dates has proven popular among his fans. Currently studying towards her Masters…

Vodacom has opened applications to its Early Careers programmes for the 2025 intake. The initiative is part of Vodacom’s commitment to supporting youth development in South Africa, whilst creating an inclusive digital society by nurturing emerging talent in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through employment and education opportunities. “As Vodacom celebrates connecting South Africans over the past three decades, we are also looking towards the future and how we can continue to use our capabilities in building an inclusive digital society. Supporting digital skills development and diversity in STEM is critical to this ambition, especially among our youth, who…

After weeks of anticipation the Huawei Pura 70 Series is finally in South Africa. Ranked by DXOMark, the No 1 Smartphone Camera, this bold new flagship series, packs a punch in design, photography and performance, showcasing that Huawei is clearly aiming high with the new range of smartphones. The Huawei Pura 70 Series is now available starting from R19 999.00 with promotional gifts valued at R7 796.00 on the HUAWEI online store, (Ts & Cs apply) or at any Huawei Authorised Experience Stores. The Series is also available in mobile phone operator stores starting from R699 PM on 36 months…