Author: Staff Writer

MINI South Africa’s first local edition of the MINI Clubman, called the Modern African Gentlemen edition, made its stylish debut at a gala event in Johannesburg on Thursday, 27 June. It is the result of an exhaustive and comprehensive campaign to determine: “What is a modern African gentleman?” MINI South Africa then teamed up with artist Baba Tjeko, musician Langa Mavuso, and award-winning film and commercials director Tebogo Malope to help it interpret these findings into designs that could be applied to a special edition of the MINI Clubman for South Africa. Only 20 units of the MINI Clubman Modern African Gentlemen edition –…

The Nigerian court has postponed the $2 billion tax dispute between South African telecoms company MTN Group and Nigeria’s attorney general. Reuters reported today that a Nigerian judge adjourned the case until Oct. 29. The attorney general has demanded MTN pay the $2 billion in September. The company has said the tax demand is without merit and the attorney general has exceeded his powers in making the request. Lawyers for the government requested the adjournment. Late December 2018, MTN reached an agreement with Nigeria’s central bank when the $8.1 billion claim was reduced to $53 million. The South African-based telco maintains…

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a grant to Pan-African service provider, SEACOM Ltd., for a feasibility study to evaluate the market for fibre telecommunications services in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. The grant will provide SEACOM with analysis to determine where to expand infrastructure in the target countries and recommend related investments, such as fibre optic cabling and network equipment to increase and improve access to services across East Africa. The project will provide affordable, reliable high-speed connections across East Africa, enhancing business growth and spurring innovation and productivity in the region. “USTDA is pleased to…

Lulalend has raised a R93 million ($6.5 million) Series A round co-led by IFC and Quona Capital. TechCrunch reported that the South African lender will use the round to build its tech and data team and improve its ability to reach more SMEs in South Africa. “The biggest thing is strengthening our balance sheet so we can access traditional debt funding to grow our loan book,” Lulalend’s CEO Trevor Gosling told TechCrunch on a call. The company added on its Twitter page that: “We can’t wait to put this investment to work supporting SA SMEs & helping close the significant…

Avon Justine has announced that it will once again host the popular iThemba walkathon in partnership with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), Wings of Hope and Look Good…Feel Better on Sunday, 20 October 2019 at Marks Park in Johannesburg. With a record 29 000 participants, the event remains the largest breast cancer education and awareness walk in over 50 countries in which Avon operates. Now in its 14th year, the cumulative distance walked by participants over the years amounts to an incredible 7.4 million kilometres, which is equivalent to circling the earth over 10 times! Online registration for the…

In future, drivers will be able to choose whether they wish to be driven or do the driving themselves. With the BMW Vision M NEXT, the BMW Group is revealing its take on how driving pleasure might look in future for those who enjoy taking the wheel themselves. It offers a foretaste of the BMW M brand’s electrified future by placing the focus squarely on the actively engaged driver. Intelligent technologies on board provide comprehensive yet carefully targeted assistance to turn them into the ultimate driver. “The BMW Vision M NEXT provides a glimpse into the future of sporty driving,”…

Stay indoors this winter with Telkom’s home internet deal that’s sure to warm up the whole family. Get Fibre to stream your favourite 123movies, music and shows and Telkom will give you 3-months Netflix subscription for free. The UNLIMITEDhomeLite fibre package includes uncapped data with up to 10Mbps Download and 5Mbps Upload, access to voice services, router, installation, and a LIT TV Box. This is available for R649 a month x 24 months contract. If you sign up for the UNLIMITEDhomeLite fibre package, you stand a chance to win 1 of 20 oh so home-entertainment Combo prizes. The promotional competition…

Troubled JSE-listed tech firm EOH today announced the appointment of Andrew Mthembu to its board of directors. Mthembu appointed with Dr Anushka Bogdanov and Michael Bosman as independent non-executive directors with immediate effect. “These appointments are another important milestone for the EOH Group as the skill and experience brought by our incoming directors will go a long way towards enhancing and complementing our leadership capability and governance oversight,” Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi, Chairman of EOH, said. “Our Board is now also compliant with the King Code of Corporate Governance.” Mthembu was born in Swaziland and started his career in the Ministry…

Vodacom announced Friday plans to sell its  Vodacom Business Africa’s Angolan operations and assets to Internet Technologies Angola (ITA), the largest independent enterprise telecommunications provider in Angola. The company has agreed with ITA to sell its operations and assets. The two entities are in the process of concluding the required agreements, which are subject to the approvals of the regulatory authorities within these markets. The financial terms of the transaction remain confidential. The transaction supports Vodacom Group’s enterprise strategy in Africa, which has been refocused to grow and strengthen its core business. It will no longer directly service global enterprise…

Naspers Foundry, a R1.4 billion startup fund aimed at boosting the South African technology sector, has taken a R30 million bet on rising tech start-up, SweepSouth. SweepSouth is an online cleaning services platform that connects clients with trusted, reliable domestic cleaners. The investment kicks off Naspers’ commitment to supporting talented and ambitious entrepreneurs in South Africa who are using technology to improve people’s daily lives. “We are excited to announce our first Naspers Foundry investment and to welcome SweepSouth to the Naspers family. We are inspired by entrepreneurs like Aisha and Alen who use innovative technology to improve people’s lives,”…