Author: Staff Writer
As South Africa braces for winter, Sungrow renews its dedication to delivering reliable and sustainable energy solutions along with top-notch aftersales services. With a well-established product lineup trusted by the market, Sungrow is prepared to help households across the country achieve energy independence. Sungrow’s residential solutions are designed to meet backup needs at every stage of load shedding, ensuring a continuous power supply when it’s needed most. These solutions are optimised to enhance PV investments, offering seamless transitions and noise-free operation, thereby providing a superior power usage experience for South African homes. “Our mission at Sungrow is to empower every…
The Media Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) today announced the opening of the Discretionary Grant application window for the 2025/26 financial year. “We invite all eligible stakeholders within the Media, Information and Communication Technologies sub-sectors to apply for funding aimed at addressing sectoral skills needs as outlined in the Sector Skills Plan (SSP), Strategic Plan, and the National Skills Development Plan,” MICT SETA said in a statement. The Discretionary Grant is designed to fund programmes and projects that enhance the supply of qualified individuals for scarce and critical skills, support enterprise development, and provide…
Transnet SOC Limited (Transnet), through its division Transnet Pipelines, is responsible for transporting crude oil from Durban to the Natref refinery in Sasolburg. This refinery is co-owned by Sasol Oil (Pty) Ltd (Sasol Oil) and TotalEnergies Marketing (Pty) Ltd (TotalEnergies), holding 63.64% and 36.36% shares respectively. In 2017, Sasol Oil initiated legal action against Transnet, following TotalEnergies’ lead, due to Transnet’s failure to set pipeline tariffs in accordance with a 1991 agreement. This breach resulted in Transnet overcharging Sasol Oil for crude oil transportation over several years. The legal battle has spanned multiple courts, including the High Court, Supreme Court…
The highly anticipated fourth-generation BMW X3 manufactured in South Africa affirms the BMW Group’s commitment to electrification. Delivered also with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the global best-seller embarks on a new era. The BMW X3 30e xDrive will be produced at the iconic BMW Group Plant Rosslyn for worldwide export. Last year, BMW Group South Africa announced the BMW Group’s R4.2 investment in the electrification and digitalisation of the plant. The infrastructural upgrade represents the largest in the plant’s history. It secures BMW Group Plant Rosslyn’s future as well as the livelihoods of over 20,000 direct and indirect employees, reflecting…
Each July, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) hosts Wimbledon, the premier tournament in tennis. For over three decades, IBM has collaborated with the Club to enhance The Championships’ coverage and engage fans through detailed data-driven insights. This year, IBM’S watsonx, an enterprise-ready generative AI platform, will help tell some of the tournament’s most compelling stories. IBM and the AELTC have announced a new digital feature for Wimbledon that leverages match data and generative AI from IBM’s watsonx platform to keep fans updated on top players as they progress through The Championships. The new ‘Catch Me Up’ feature offers…
May 2024 wasn’t the best month for new or used car sales in South Africa, with both markets declining by over -10%. According to used car sales data released by AutoTrader, the used car market – at 27,729 units in May 2024 – declined by -10.5% versus the 30,977 used cars sold in May 2023. On the other hand, naamsa | The Automotive Business Council revealed that the new passenger car market – at 24,367 in May 2024 – registered a decrease of 3,212 cars, or a decline of -11.7%, compared to the 27,579 new cars sold in May 2023.…
Seeds for the Future, Huawei’s globally-recognised CSR flagship programme is now open for 2024 applications in South Africa. The annual programme provides training opportunities for outstanding students, including a cross-cultural exchange and advanced training in technologies such as 5G, Cloud, AI and IoT. This year 15 South African students will be chosen and will be welcomed back to China for the first time since the Covid 19 pandemic. “We are excited to once again be hosting outstanding tertiary students studying ICT-related subjects back in China this year,” says Charles Cheng, Huawei South Africa’s deputy CEO. “This is a unique opportunity…
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…