Author: Staff Writer

Founders Factory Africa, an early-stage venture capital firm, has rebranded as 54 Collective, with a focus on supporting African start-ups using a R3 billion investment fund. 54 Collective, builds on its track record of investing in and scaling early-stage ventures in Africa. The new name, 54 Collective, reflects the firm’s ambitious pan-African vision, aspiring to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses to serve all 54 African countries. “Our catalytic capital and value-add support to founders, through our Venture Success Platform, signifies our evolution and ongoing mission to support entrepreneurs across Africa and enable them to build without boundaries to drive commercial…

Huawei Cloud successfully hosted the Database Innovation Forum 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. The theme of the forum was “GaussDB: A Better Way to Database”. In collaboration with local customers and partners, Huawei introduced its GaussDB solutions to enable various public and private industries in the country to access distributed database technologies and accelerate digitalisation. GaussDB is a trustworthy data foundation for mission-critical workloads because it ensures high availability, performance, security, scalability, and intelligence. At this forum Huawei Cloud also launched its GaussDB Pioneer Programme to promote innovation and further adoption of database technologies in the country. Huawei Cloud…

Aleph is announcing a sales partnership that will expand Pinterest’s digital advertising solutions to 11 new markets across LATAM, Asia, the Middle East and Africa: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Israel, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, South Africa and Turkey. “South Africa’s social media landscape is one of most vibrant and diverse on the continent with the estimated 26 million users gravitating to an average of eight platforms per person. The growing popularity of Pinterest among local users – nearly half of social media users turn to the platform for inspiration each month – presents a unique opportunity for brands.…

During major sporting events, concerns about safety and crowd management reach new heights. In this context, effective video surveillance, including effective smart video storage and analytics, becomes an essential tool to guarantee the safety of participants, public and infrastructure. The challenges : capacity and endurance Modern smart video surveillance faces several challenges, primarily the fact that cameras must be able to operate 24/7 to ensure uninterrupted coverage. Storage solutions must therefore offer high capacity and exceptional endurance to handle high-resolution video streams. Western Digital’s WD Purple Pro hard drives, for example, are specifically designed for these requirements, supporting capacities of…

Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT), the country’s real estate investment trust (REIT), is set to transform the commercial real estate landscape by introducing a clean, green energy benefit scheme called e-CO2 at 10 of its properties in Sandton, Johannesburg. With all major elements already in place for the scheme to debut in July 2025, Growthpoint will deliver the first green energy to its office buildings through wheeling, reducing carbon footprints and generating Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for tenants using the latest blockchain technology. The Growthpoint e-CO2 green energy benefit scheme (e-CO2 is short for electricity minus carbon dioxide and pronounced “eco…

Irvine Partners, independent creative communications agency in Africa, today announced the opening of its second European office in Stuttgart, Germany. This expansion coincides with the launch of a dedicated travel and tourism division within the agency. Established in South Africa in 2010, Irvine Partners has grown its pan-African network, with wholly owned offices in Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria. In late 2020, the agency expanded its international reach with the opening of its London office, which is now the group’s headquarters. The decision to launch the German office alongside a dedicated travel and tourism division is a natural evolution for Irvine…

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing client experience, inq., a global leader in Edge solutions, has directed its efforts on better servicing clients through South Africa, a key region with a significant presence of multinational corporations. This aligns with the new group-level strategy to leverage South Africa’s robust market landscape, ensuring that its diverse client base expectations are exceeded through the concentration of efforts in the region. “Along with this move, the Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Network Operations Centre (NOC) will be located in South Africa covering Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana and Mozambique” says Andile Ngcaba, Executive Chairman at…

From ‘Yahoo Boys’ who operate online to the seemingly innocent man or woman on the street, scammers are everywhere, and their tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Dave Barber from Walking with Winners says, “You wouldn’t be able to spot a scammer in the street. They don’t have a distinct appearance, like being covered in tattoos and wearing thick gold chains, while offering you a brilliant investment opportunity. Scams are also not chance encounters. Scammers do their best to fit into society and in this way are able to gain your confidence.” According to the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS),…

Telkom welcomed the Competition Commission’s recommendation to the Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) to approve the proposed transaction to sell 100% of Swiftnet, with conditions. Telkom obtained shareholder approval on 24 May 2024 for the sale of the masts and towers business housed in Swiftnet for R6.75 billion to an infrastructure fund managed by a subsidiary of Actis LLP with Royal Bafokeng Holdings as its B-BBEE partner. This decision remains pivotal to Telkom’s goal of unlocking shareholder value and streamlining our focus on core operations and strategic initiatives. The disposal is now been referred to the Tribunal for their final decision. The…

Melon Mobile, Africa’s first truly digital telco, has launched a campaign inviting all South Africans to experience their fully customisable and super flexible mobile network — for free. This is the first time a mobile company in SA has allowed customers to sign up with the option to later opt out, putting the power of experience in the hands of those it belongs to, the customer. In a move that challenges the traditional business model, Melon Mobile is offering a 14-day free trial with 5GB Data plus unlimited Calls & Texts, allowing consumers to take their service for a test…

The DA notes reports that beneficiaries of South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants are struggling to verify their identities with SASSA’s new biometric identification system. The new system requires beneficiaries who have been identified by SASSA for identity verification or those that need to change their contact details to be supplied with a verification link from the Department of Home Affairs via SMS in order to submit a photo of their face. “There are however numerous beneficiaries who have not received this link due systems allegedly being down at Home Affairs at the…

Developing Markets technology systems integrator Cassava Technologies (Cassava) has announced that its AI activities will now operate as a separate business unit, Cassava AI. Since the advent of Generative AI, Cassava has forged strategic partnerships with industry giants such as Microsoft, Google, AWS, Anthropic, Oracle, Atlas AI, Cerebras and Palo Alto Networks. These partnerships enable it to offer superior systems integration and support to enterprise customers across strategic international markets. Cassava already provides services such as Data Centres, Cloud, Cyber Security, Fibre Connectivity, and Renewable Energy to large multinational and local companies. The organisation has already trained and deployed more…

Google today announced the 8th cohort of its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme. This year’s cohort features ten innovative startups from Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa, selected from nearly 1,000 applications, highlighting the remarkable talent and creativity in the African tech ecosystem. Startups play a pivotal role in driving economic development and technological innovation in Africa. By addressing local challenges with tailored solutions, these startups are not only creating jobs but also enhancing the quality of life across the continent. Despite the current “funding winter” in Sub-Saharan Africa, where investment flows have slowed, the resilience and ingenuity of…

IBM today released its annual Cost of a Data Breach Report revealing the average cost of a data breach in South Africa reached R53.10 million in 2024, as breaches grow more disruptive and further expand demands on cyber teams. Globally, 70% of breached organizations reported that the breach caused significant or very significant disruption. Lost business and post-breach customer and third-party response costs drove the year-over-year cost spike worldwide, as the collateral damage from data breaches has only intensified. The disruptive effects data breaches are having on businesses are not only driving up costs but are also extending the after-effect…

Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC), a 100% black-owned broad-based investment holding company, announced a partnership with Grindstone, a global growth-engineer, respected for the pivotal role it plays in creating impact through engineering growth for startups. With a total of sixteen cohorts completed to date, Grindstone continues to expand its impact footprint and is excited about this next cohort in collaboration with MIC. This strategic collaboration marks the initiation of a new chapter of GrindstoneX, a specialised accelerator programme that fosters the growth of high-growth, innovation-driven, woman-owned startups. From the first cohort to the sixteenth, Grindstone’s alumni companies have raised over R2.2…

Shoprite Group’s Checkers Sixty60 on-demand delivery service has maintained its leading position in the South African market, showcasing an impressive 58.1% growth in the 2024 financial year, as reported on Tuesday. Checkers and Checkers Hyper reported sales growth of 12.3% with online sales from our Checkers Sixty60 on-demand platform increasing by 58.1%.. Shoprite and Usave reported sales growth of 10.7% and LiquorShop sales increased by 20%. Shoprite also reported that supermarkets RSA opened a net 201 stores versus 301 stores  in 2023 including the stores acquired from Massmart) during the year to total 2 322 stores. Of these net new…

Residential estates with high-end fibre connectivity are valued by owners and tenants alike. This is especially true of estates with open access fibre infrastructure that provides a neutral platform for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to compete with each other. “First prize should be competition at the fibre infrastructure level that allows for non-exclusive fibre connectivity,” says Sasha Booth-Beharilal, chair of ISPA, South Africa’s official internet Industry Representative Body (IRB). “More than one fibre provider is ideal. At the very least, homeowners’ associations, body corporates and property developers should reject any potential fibre installation that does not allow for multiple Internet…

Cape Town will host an important gathering on digital identity initiatives and innovation in the SADC region at the end of September. Local digital identity start-up, DIDx is proud to announce that they, together with the renowned Internet Identity Workshop (IIW), will host DID:UNCONF AFRICA, a groundbreaking event set to revolutionise the digital identity landscape in the SADC region. This two-day open space ‘unconference’ will take place on 25 to 26 September at the Hasso Plattner Design School at UCT, following in the footsteps of its inspiration, the Internet Identity Workshop (IIW), held twice a year in Silicon Valley since…

Volvo Car South Africa is pleased to announce the arrival of a limited number of new XC60 Black Edition units, each boasting an eye-catching all-black design. With just 23 examples set aside for South Africa, the distinctive new Black Edition versions of Volvo’s popular luxury midsize SUV will reward their lucky owners with not just a fresh take on the brand’s understated Scandinavian design but also an extremely high level of exclusivity. The Black Edition treatment combines a stealthy Onyx Black exterior paint finish – a deep metallic hue with a brilliant sparkle in strong daylight and a solid darkness…

Growthpoint Properties has commenced construction on a green office refurbishment of its 36 Hans Strijdom Building, the Cape Town headquarters of Ninety One, in a move that reinforces both companies’ commitment to the Cape Town CBD and to sustainability. Ninety One, a global investment manager with South African roots, has been based at the Growthpoint-owned building in the Cape Town Foreshore for over two decades. Ninety One evaluated a number of options for its offices, including new construction, as its co-tenant in the building prepared to move to new premises. Its decision to remain at 36 Hans Strijdom was strongly…

HONOR has disrupted the South African smartphone industry once more with the official launch of its latest addition to the Number Series – the HONOR 200 Series, comprising the HONOR 200 Lite, HONOR 200, and HONOR 200 Pro. This is an accessible mid-range lineup that delivers flagship-level performance and an unrivalled studio-level portrait photography experience. HONOR hosted an exclusive launch event unveiling the devices to a host of media, stakeholders, and friends of the brand. During the launch event, the brand made landmark announcements of partnerships and collaborations it has pursued for the HONOR 200 Series campaign with much loved…

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) advises the public to act with caution if they intend to conduct financial services business with Durban Forex Group. The FSCA has received information that may indicate that the Durban Forex Group is possibly providing financial services to members of the public without being authorised to do so. Without making or communicating any finding in this regard, the FSCA points out that Durban Forex Group is not authorised in terms of any financial sector law to provide financial products or render financial services. The FSCA endeavoured to contact the Durban Forex Group, but it…

SEACOM, Africa’s leading telecommunications and managed services provider, today celebrated its 15th corporate anniversary by spotlighting the group’s impact on the continent’s ICT and connectivity journey. “15 years ago today, Africa’s trajectory was forever changed with the introduction of fibre connectivity. In that time, the SEACOM group has evolved to become not just a leading connectivity provider, but an industry leader in the provision of IT and enterprise managed services. We owe these achievements to the hard work and commitment of all our SEACOM colleagues, and the ongoing loyalty and support of our clients, partners, and stakeholders,” said Alpheus Mangale,…

June 2024 was a challenging month for South Africa’s automotive sector, with declines in both new and used car sales. According to AutoTrader, the used vehicle market – at 27,750 units – contracted by -6.4% versus the same month last year. The accumulated value of used car sales also declined in June 2024 – by -6% – to R11.312 billion. The accumulated value of the used car market in June 2023 was R12.029 billion. According to naamsa | The Automotive Business Council, the June 2024 new passenger car market – at 26,928 units – declined by -9.0% versus June 2023.…

The South African startup ecosystem ended 2023 on a high note. Demonstrating the resilience that has become a hallmark of the industry, the venture capital (VC) sector’s performance defied the downward trend in annual deals observed since 2020. The local information and communication technology (ICT) sector once again captured investor interest, underscoring its leading role in economic development and innovation. These insights were highlighted in this year’s SAVCA VC Survey Launch 2024, an annual research initiative by the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA). The survey was unveiled last week at an event held at the Westin…