Author: Staff Writer
The latest Cost of Living Report by the Competition Commission paints a sobering picture of the pressures South African households face. For township entrepreneurs, the crisis is even more acute because it affects both their homes and their businesses. Key findings from the report: Food and non-alcoholic beverages account for 40% of spending in the poorest households. Over the past five years, electricity prices rose 68% and water prices 50%, both far above inflation. Transport costs, driven by taxi fare increase, continue to erode disposable income. Education costs have risen 37-42%, while internet access- now a basic business tool -…
Vodacom Eastern Cape region is investing more than R400 million in network infrastructure this financial year, underscoring its commitment to expanding coverage, enhancing capacity, and empowering deep rural communities across the province. This investment will drive the rollout of advanced technologies, including 4G and 5G, and extend connectivity to underserved rural areas. Of the total spend, over R38 million is allocated to network modernisation to enable 4G and 5G technologies, with more than R87 million dedicated to network capacity expansion. Over R8 million will go towards core network upgrades to support network infrastructure needs. Transmission infrastructure investment for the 2025…
Huawei South Africa and Henley Business School Africa have completed the fourth edition of the Women in Tech Digital Skills Training Programme with 40 women entrepreneurs and government leaders, preparing them to scale in a rapidly digitising economy. Launched in 2021, Huawei Women in Tech has become a modern incubator for tech-curious women. More than 300 participants have now taken part in the programme, which combines practical leadership development with exposure to cutting-edge digital technologies. This year’s cohort included entrepreneurs and senior women managers from the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) and the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD),…
Following a highly successful registration season, Vodacom Business and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) are celebrating the positive outcomes delivered by the upgraded Online Admissions platform for the 2026 school year. The new system provided a smarter, simpler, and more transparent admissions experience for parents and department officials alike. “Vodacom Business has been a longstanding technology partner to the GDE,” says Videsha Proothveerajh, Vodacom Business Director. “The project gave us the opportunity to provide our digital expertise to enhance the country’s education system. For parents, applying to schools can be an incredibly stressful process. Our aim for the platform…
The new Volvo XC70 SUV is Volvo Cars’ first long-range plug-in hybrid, offering an all-electric driving range of over 200km under the CLTC testing cycle – the longest of any Volvo plug-in hybrid to date. Blending the latest technology, advanced safety and Scandinavian design, the new XC70 is a perfect choice for families seeking a more comfortable and relaxed lifestyle without compromising on performance or capability. Built on Volvo Cars’ new Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA) platform for long-range plug-in hybrids, the new XC70 represents an important addition to the company’s product lineup. It is designed to meet growing demand for…
AutoTrader data shows sales of Chinese vehicles jumped 89% in the first half of 2025. Once the underdogs of the automotive world, Chinese automakers have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with, giving many established players in South Africa’s car market cause for concern. New car sales for Chinese brands have skyrocketed, and the same trends are evident in the used car market, with AutoTrader’s latest Mid-Year Report revealing sales of Chinese brands rose by 89% in the first half of 2025, led by BYD (+637%), Omoda (+99%), and Jaecoo (+168%). While these percentages are striking,…
If you do the maths, South Africans spend more than 16 days a year commuting, according to a study conducted by the University of Cape Town¹. That’s over two weeks of our lives stuck in traffic, rushing to school drop-offs, or inching towards the office. With that much time on the road, it’s no wonder our cars have quietly transformed into more than just a way of getting from A to B. They’re private stages, snack havens, and sometimes, the backdrop to life’s most unexpected moments. As part of AutoTrader’s ‘Find Your Happy Place’ campaign, AutoTrader surveyed 3,483 local drivers…
Following the success of its initial media literacy campaign, Legit.ng, a top Nigerian digital media outlet, has launched a free, edutainment-style fact-checking course. The initiative is a direct response to research conducted by the team earlier this year. It reveals a trend among Gen Z audiences across the continent (including South Africa): while their interest in politics and educational content can be unpredictable, they are consistently drawn to compelling human-interest stories and engaging entertainment. By framing the course in an engaging, creative way, Legit.ng aims to hold the attention of young Africans while reminding them to be sharp about…
S.MAB Group, a pioneering business that began with S.MAB Agency, founded in 1999 by a black female entrepreneur who was later joined by her daughter after completing her degree, is entering a new chapter of growth with the appointment of Glad Dibetso as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This marks an exciting phase of expansion across the Group’s diverse businesses, which span healthcare, training, property, and design. With over 26 years of impact across multiple sectors, S.MAB has built a reputation for empowerment, excellence, and innovation. The Group remains majority female-owned and female-led, with founder Snoekie Mabena-Saleh continuing as…
Huawei South Africa, in partnership with three government departments, Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), Employment and Labour (DoEL), and Small Business Development (DSBD), has celebrated the fourth edition of the Women in Tech Digital Skills Training programme, bringing together 40 women from government and business for hands-on technology learning and practical leadership development. The goal is to equip women to lead with confidence in South Africa’s growing digital economy and to position them at the centre of the country’s economic transformation. The three-day programme combines technical training with Huawei specialists in 5G, Cloud and AI, along with leadership development from…