Author: Staff Writer
Amsterdam-based venture capital fund Two Hop Ventures has announced that it has taken a stake in Johannesburg-based Bitcoin SV (BSV) wallet and merchant payment startup Centbee. Centbee is growing globally from its base in South Africa. The deal comes after South African-based venture capital fund Paper Plane Ventures successfully exited to Two Hop. Centbee was in the news last year when it raised £1 million in a Series A round from Canadian-born billionaire entrepreneur Calvin Ayre. “Not only is Centbee one of the most used wallets in the BitcoinSV (BSV) ecosystem, it’s building products and services with a strong focus on regulatory compliance.…
Swiggy, India’s largest food delivery platform, has raised $113 million (R1.7 billion) to further develop its new lines of business, addressing visible gaps in the market. The latest round is led by existing investor Prosus N.V. and includes participation from Meituan Dianping and Wellington Management Company. Having grown beyond food delivery, Swiggy aims to use the funds to further develop its new lines of business, addressing visible gaps in the market. The company will continue to invest in new growth areas (Stores, Go and SuprDaily) as it delivers on its promise of bringing unparalleled convenience to the lives of urban…
Discerning Avon customers who have always yearned to adorn themselves with the most coveted designs by David Tlale are in for a treat following the announcement that the world’s fourth-biggest beauty company will collaborate with the internationally acclaimed couturier to launch a selection of items for the fashion-savvy customers. The announcement of this ground-breaking collaboration was made to the media and celebrities in the fashion industry at a glittering ceremony held in Johannesburg. The partnership between Avon and Tlale is the first collaboration of its kind at Avon and in the direct selling business in South Africa. In terms of…
Volkswagen has taken the first step in its journey towards electric mobility in South Africa through the launch of the e-Golf pilot project. The e-Golf pilot project will see six fully electric vehicles being tested by motoring and lifestyle media, selected dealers as well as Volkswagen employees in an effort to gain valuable consumer insights into the varying experiences of driving and living with an electric vehicle in South Africa. Through the involvement of selected Volkswagen dealers in Gauteng and Western Cape, the e-Golf pilot project seeks to drive customer awareness and education regarding electric vehicles. The e-Golfs will be…
Known as the place of peace, Polokwane has become synonymous with being a keepsake in South African history. From its untouched architecture to having more public statues per capita than any other Province, this city is more than just a capital of a Province but the food powerhouse of the country given that it produces up to 60% of local fresh produce. That’s why the launch of Uber Eats today in Polokwane is an exciting chapter for the city. “We’re excited to launch in Polokwane, bringing the convenience, affordability and reliability synonymous with the app to it’s locals. Uber Eats…
Finance minister Tito Mboweni has sparked a debate on Twitter, after he called on Mzansi citizens to debate on whether we should continue to bailout SOEs or invest the Public’s tax money on roads and other public goods. Mboweni, who is known as Tweeto Mboweni on the social media site, said: “I mean, REALLY?!! Let’s have a public debate!” Ok. I hear you. For example, what are the citizens’ views on whether we should continue to bailout SOEs or invest the Public’s tax money on roads and other public goods!? I mean, REALLY?!! Let’s have a public debate! — Tito…
The SA Post Office is losing at least R60 million a month from distributing social grants to millions of citizens, who rely on the government’s welfare net for survival, reports the City Press. The report attributes this loss to the high fees the SA Post Office must pay to cash-in-transit and security fees to ensure that hard cash delivered to pay points. The social grants deal was originally seen as a big opportunity for the struggling SA Post Office to earn more revenue. “The Sassa project won by the Post Office has proved to be a loss-making initiative that the…
The South African government is negotiating with mobile phone operators for big data price cuts and free daily data allocation for users. “The competition authorities are now working towards a resolution with the large mobile operators to secure deep cuts to data prices across pre-paid monthly bundles, additional discounts targeted at low-income households, the free daily allocation of data and free access to educational and other public interest websites,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said. Delivering his State of the Nation (SONA) Address to a Joint Sitting of Parliament on Thursday, President Ramaphosa said this is an important step to improve lives,…
The government will this year open up and regulate the commercial use of hemp products, providing opportunities for small-scale farmers, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday. Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament, President Ramaphosa said the government will formulate policy on the use of cannabis products for medicinal purposes, to “build this industry in line with global trends”. “The regulatory steps will soon be announced by the relevant ministers,” President Ramaphosa said. He reiterated that agriculture is one of the industries with the greatest potential for growth. This…
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will this year introduce Coding and Robotics in Grades R to 3, in 200 schools – with a plan to implement it fully by 2022. This is one of the steps taken by the government to improve education in the country. Government is piloting the Coding and Robotics Curriculum for Grades R – 3 in selected schools across the country to equip learners with the required skills for the 4th Industrial Revolution. Delivering the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday, President Ramaphosa said the most significant contribution government can make to inclusive…