Author: Staff Writer

Digital money transfer service WorldRemit has partnered with Vodacom Tanzania to enable nine million M-Pesa customers to receive money directly to their M-Pesa wallets from friends and family living abroad. The new service increases convenience for money transfer recipients in urban and rural areas of Tanzania as they can receive international money transfers directly to their phones, without the need for a bank account or internet connection. Using the WorldRemit app, Tanzanians living abroad in over 50 countries, including the US, UK and Canada, can send money home 24/7 in just a few taps. This saves customers time and money as…

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in South Africa were targeted with an unusually large number of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks last month with media reports attributing these cyberattacks to organised criminal syndicates. It’s not all bad news, however, as administrators at South Africa’s Internet Exchanges (INXs) are taking firm and co-ordinated action to join the global fight against DDoS attacks by creating a so-called ‘blackhole’ that will funnel identified DDoS traffic passing through the INXs into oblivion. “The South African Internet will be better protected against DDoS attacks during the course of 2020 as local ISPs peering at JINX,…

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) announced today that it has added Avon Products Inc. to their list of companies “Working for Regulatory Change”. In so doing, Avon joins a very short list of companies recognized for their demonstrated, ongoing commitment to promoting the development, validation and regulatory acceptance of non-animal methods. “We do not believe that animal testing is necessary to substantiate product safety and do not test products on animals anywhere in the world. We will continue to push for greater acceptance of alternatives.  We’re pleased and proud to receive this recognition from PETA.  We appreciate…

The historic Klaasenbosch Winery located in Constantia Upper and dating back to 1790 is looking for a new owner. It is one of the original Cape Dutch buildings which date to the early wine farms in the area and has been converted into a spectacular five-bedroomed homestead featuring one of the most unique interior designs on offer in the Cape, according to Janine Stevenson and Steven Holvec from Seeff Constantia Upper. It is set on a large plot of 2,949sqm with beautiful gardens. Features include traditional barn-doors in the entrance hall, a double-volume living room with a feature wood-burning fireplace,…

BMW is finally going to start integrating Android Auto into its cars, the German-based automaker said. The automaker is finally introducing Android Auto to its cars as of July 2020. Android Auto will allow customers to connect their Android smartphones wirelessly with their vehicle and, in doing so, enjoy access to useful information like suggested destinations and upcoming appointments just when it is needed. Android Auto is integrated directly into BMW’s fully digital cockpit, meaning that customers can view all important information not just on the central Control Display, but also in intelligently adapted form in the instrument cluster’s Info…

Following the launch of Mara’s smartphone factory in October, Vodacom announces that Mara smartphones will be available from Vodacom participating outlets from today. “Vodacom is proud to offer the ‘Made in Africa’ Mara smartphones to our customers, not only because it provides South Africans with the opportunity to connect to the things that matter most to them, but also because this supports our commitment to African innovation,” says Davide Tacchino, Terminals Managing Executive at Vodacom. “Vodacom believes that the journey into the Fourth Industrial Revolution begins with investment that leads to growth. Our end-goal is to connect all South Africans to…

The Sun Exchange equity crowdfunding campaign launched in September in partnership with Uprise.Africa, has officially come to a close. Sun Exchange, a global solar micro-leasing marketplace, said in a statement is delighted to report that over R4.2 million was invested by 288 individuals from across the world. “We’re thrilled that this community of new investors will be joining Sun Exchange on our mission to connect the world to the sun, bringing affordable and clean energy to emerging markets,” said the company. The Uprise.Africa campaign formed part of our seed funding round. To date, with the success of this latest campaign, we’ve now raised…

For nearly two decades, Africa has largely maintained real gross domestic product (GDP) growth at higher rates than the world average, which helped the region stay on a convergence path. GDP growth was mainly supported by buoyant domestic demand and investment. However, given the high population growth in most of parts of the continent, GDP per capita growth rates were modest. Unleashing the potential of the private sector is needed to create new and better jobs—the most promising pathway to poverty reduction, according to International Finance Corporation (IFC). “Transformational entrepreneurship could be at the heart of the emergence of a…

JSE-listed technology company Altron, through its Rest of Africa (ROA) operations, has partnered with Pascal Technologies to provide a seamless and integrated payment system for motorcycle public transport services in Rwanda. In terms of the deal, Altron is supplying the infrastructure comprising of payment terminals, GPS devices and mounting units, while Pascal Technologies is supplying the software application that enables mobile money transfers and tap-and-pay payments. The terminal enables payments while the GPS device calculates distance and the fee payable by motorcycle passengers. Altron ROA managing director Ike Dube said, “We will supply hard-wearing, cost-effective devices, while Pascal Technologies will provide…

A windfall of beauty and personal care products is in the offing for Avon Justine customers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and customers will have an opportunity to get discounts of up to a whopping 75% for Avon products between Friday, 27 and Saturday, 30 November. These mouth-watering deals which will enable Avon Justine customers to derive great value and augment their bouquet of personal care products at a fraction of the cost. This four-day bargain frenzy will also provide its beauty entrepreneurs with the opportunity to sell bigger volumes and provide more for their families this festive season.…