Author: Staff Writer
Vodacom today announced that customers will receive 30% more airtime when they recharge through the VodaPay super app. This value-added airtime lasts 365 days – keeping customers connected for longer. Customers can use this airtime to make calls, buy voice bundles, SMSs or convert it into data bundles to access the internet. “We are excited to give customers additional value in the form of airtime, particularly at a time when the cost of living is high with South Africans facing persistent price pressures. Our goal is to exceed customer expectations by providing value and convenience. With the 30% more airtime,…
MTN South Africa has unveiled MyMTN Prepaid Funeral Khava, aimed at offering South Africans an accessible and budget-friendly insurance coverage when they may need it most. South Africans can now protect their families from financial burdens after a loss for as little as R75 per year. Under its new Khava brand, MTN’s prepaid funeral insurance is the first of a range of insurance products designed for the local market. Backed by Sanlam and facilitated by aYo Intermediaries South Africa, the funeral insurance offering aims to cater to the unique needs of the SA market. MyMTN Prepaid Funeral Khava offers a…
Retail Capital, a division of TymeBank, recently announced the launch of ChatSME, a Large Language Model (LLM) designed to empower and revolutionise how South African entrepreneurs grow their businesses. This generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) model aims to provide easy access to valuable knowledge and resources, fostering growth and success in the vibrant, and crucially important SME (small medium enterprises) community. In a world inundated with search engines, online learning platforms, and digital tools, accessing business information has become easier, but not necessarily safer. For many business owners, concerns about the risks associated with OpenAI platforms and potential leaks of proprietary…
In an age where digital natives dominate the tech scene, two Boomers, Pieter Geldenhuys and Johan Pretorius, are proving that it’s never too late to innovate. Drawing upon their life experiences, the duo has launched an AI business that promises to revolutionize email communication. It is called AgentZero. Born from the need to save time and streamline processes, AgentZero uses voice dictation in tandem with advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to transmute raw ideas into polished, professional emails. In a world where time is the most precious commodity, AgentZero is here to be the digital magician in everyone’s pocket. Geldenhuys and…
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has partnered with Wykes Engineering Ltd, a leader in the renewable energy sector, to develop one of the largest energy storage systems in the UK to harness solar and wind power using second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries. A single Wykes Engineering BESS utilises 30 second-life I-PACE batteries, and can store up to 2.5MWh of energy at full capacity. The batteries supplied have been taken from prototype and engineering test vehicles, and JLR aims to supply enough batteries to store a total of 7.5MWh of energy – enough to power 750 homes for a day – by the…
Xero, the global small business platform, has opened applications for its inaugural Xero Beautiful Business Fund, designed to celebrate small businesses and accelerate their growth. The initiative is now open for submissions with more than R8,000,000 in funding available globally. Four South African Xero small business customers will each win R250,000, with an additional R545,000 available in each category should a South African winner receive a global prize. The Xero Beautiful Business Fund is open to Xero small business customers in South Africa, Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, and the US and will recognise companies who…
Cape Town-headquartered venture capital (VC) firm HAVAÍC has announced a further investment in RapidDeploy following its participation in a bridge round in October last year. The VC firm has bolstered its stake with a second investment as part of RapidDeploy’s Series C equity round. Founded in 2016, RapidDeploy is the leading cloud-native platform for public safety, delivering next-generation solutions and intelligent mission-critical data to 911 agencies across the United States. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the Cape Town-born business is helping to reduce response times, enhance situational awareness, and drive better outcomes. RapidDeploy also empowers public safety leaders with data insights…
Google today unveiled the “Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First”, an initiative aimed at supporting African startups looking to use artificial intelligence to solve local challenges. This program recognises the transformative role that AI is playing across the world, innovating industries and reimagining the realms of possibilities. It also highlights the significant contributions of African startups in addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges through the use of AI. The ‘AI First’ program is aimed at supporting startups keen on delving into AI’s possibilities. It draws learnings from past initiatives such as the Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa, The…
In an increasingly interconnected world, cybersecurity is paramount. One emerging threat is cyber extortion – a form of online blackmail wherein cybercriminals exploit digital resources for monetary gain. Cyber extortion involves unauthorised access to sensitive data or computing services, followed by threats of disclosure or disruption unless a ransom is paid. This crime can severely disrupt businesses and individuals alike, leading to substantial financial and reputational damage. “Cyber extortionists come with many faces but the same harmful intent,” warns Nolwazi Nzama, Deputy Chief Risk Officer at African Bank. “Whether it’s through ransomware, DDoS threats, sextortion, or data breach threats, the…
On a mission to #DareToStandOut, Huawei has launched the innovative Huawei nova 11 Series, a bold and stylish line made with portrait photography in mind. Catering to the fashion forward and trendsetters, the series offers a smarter, more convenient user experience, making a significant splash in the nova Star universe. Building on the Huawei nova brand’s legacy, the Huawei nova 11 Pro introduces XD Portrait and an upgraded Huawei Multi-Vision Photography, capturing extraordinary portraits. The Super Star Orbit Ring design flawlessly incorporates aesthetics into the lenses. The ultra-durable Kunlun Glass ensures ultimate reliability, while combined with SuperCharge Turbo, the phone…