Author: Staff Writer

With its BMW Concept Skytop design study, the BMW Group is once again bringing an exceptionally elegant, one-of-a-kind vehicle to this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the annual beauty contest for historic cars and motorcycles held on the shores of Lake Como. The open two-seater resembles a meticulously crafted vehicle sculpture, with a flowing, sporty elegance that complements its athletic, muscular stance. The interior and exterior of the concept car feature warm monochromatic colours, blending exclusive materials with traditional craftsmanship. “The BMW Concept Skytop is a truly unique and exotic design, in the tradition of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este,”…

With so much political uncertainty as South Africa gears up for the 2024 elections, and analysts and researchers all making such widely varying predictions, could anyone bet on the outcome? As political parties battle it out for the hearts and minds of voters each one makes election promises more outlandish than the one before. Which one will convince voters on Election Day Wednesday, 29 May? Do you want to take a bet on who the next president of South Africa will be? Or how about our next Minister of Finance who can hopefully help bring down the cost of living?…

AstraZeneca and Medsol AI Solutions have announced a partnership to launch Project Flamingo and the BHF Tintswalo initiative, a cancer care app designed to provide rapid diagnosis and personalised care for individuals in rural areas. This partnership leverages AstraZeneca’s healthcare expertise and Medsol AI Solutions’ advanced artificial intelligence technology to address the urgent need for accessible and efficient cancer care in underserved communities. Given that cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, the initiative aims to promote timely diagnosis and treatment to improve patient outcomes. It is particularly beneficial for people living in rural and remote areas who often…

South Africa’s digital landscape is evolving rapidly, with the country occupying the top spot for time spent online in the fourth quarter of 2023. Internet users in South Africa spent more than nine hours and 32 minutes online per day, ranking first among the regions worldwide. This appetite for data consumption is driven by rapid smartphone adoption. As of 2023, about 20 to 22 million South Africans use a smartphone, which accounts for about one third of the country’s population. This surge in mobile usage is not merely a technological shift, but a reflection of deeper societal and historical factors. South…

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) warns members of the public about conducting financial services related business with SpaceX Investment and SpaceX-Shares-Investment, which offers its services through Facebook. It has come to the attention of the FSCA that there are individuals who are using the Facebook pages SpaceX Investment and SpaceX-Shares-Investment to offer members of the South African public investment products whilst promising unrealistic returns. The individuals behind the Facebook pages are purporting to be associated with Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) an entity linked to Mr Elon Musk. The FSCA suspects that the individuals are using Space X’s branding…

With the explosion of digital content, people need bigger and more robust solutions to help access and preserve it all. Western Digital today is introducing a portable HDD expansion across its WD, WD_BLACK and SanDisk Professional product lineups, boasting the world’s highest storage capacity in a 2.5” portable HDD. The WD My Passport portable HDD line, WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive and SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE ArmorATD will all now be available in 6TB* capacities. “Expanding our portfolio with the world’s first 2.5” 6TB* portable hard drive is an incredible technological achievement, and it enables us to continue pushing the boundaries of…

Mpume Ncube-Daka was awarded the Woman in Mentor and Coach Category Winner for the Woman of Stature Awards South Africa 2024 at the awards evening held at Indaba Hotel on Saturday 13th April. Now in its 11th year, the esteemed Woman of Stature Awards is a prestigious platform celebrating the achievements and empowerment of female entrepreneurs and professionals in various fields across the country. Ncube-DaKA has nearly 30 years of work experience having worked for multinational and JSE-listed organisations like Unilever, Nestle, MTN, Ericsson and the Multichoice Group, where she occupied the role of a business strategist for several years before…

The Sungrow Roadshow recently embarked on a journey to highlight the innovative clean energy solutions offered by the organisation. This photostory captures the essence of the event, showcasing how Sungrow is leading the charge in sustainable energy technology. From cutting-edge solar inverters to advanced energy storage systems, the roadshow provided an insightful glimpse into the future of renewable energy. Sungrow hosted a roadshow on Monday 20 May at Willow Rock Value Canter c/o Solomon Mahlangu and Bendeman Boulevard Equestria, Pretoria. The aim of the road show was to showcase the clean energy solutions offered by the organisation. Community member who…

The RMB Latitudes Art Fair returns to Johannesburg from Friday, 24 – Sunday, 26 May for its second edition at the Shepstone Gardens with Lexus South Africa as its exclusive vehicle partner. Notably the largest online marketplace for art from Africa, the RMB Art Fair offers visitors a unique experience that brings together the art community from across the diaspora and this year will prove no different. Over the course of the Fair, visitors are in a for treat as Lexus will offer luxurious chauffeur driven experiences for all VIP guests as well as other guests in attendance.  All guests…

In a significant move to enhance the digital landscape and economic growth, Microsoft South Africa has announced a substantial investment of over R1.3 billion. This strategic investment aims to build a robust digital economy, foster entrepreneurial ventures, and drive innovation across the nation. By injecting these resources, Microsoft South Africa is committed to creating a thriving ecosystem that not only promotes technological advancement but also generates numerous job opportunities, thereby acting as a catalyst for sustainable development and prosperity in the region. The company also believes that the investment will enable SMMEs to be engines of growth and expand local industry…

TymeBank and Flash, a South African payments solutions provider, have partnered to make it possible for TymeBank customers to withdraw cash at over 172,000 spaza shops and traders across the country. As a result, the bank now offers more cash withdrawal options and locations than any other bank in South Africa. “While TymeBank supports the country’s shift to a cashless society, the reality is that cash is still used extensively in our communities and the informal market. Flash provides an accessible, convenient and easy-to-use cash-out solution, which means TymeBank customers can withdraw cash from a convenient location, reducing time and…

Technology and business leaders today met at the SAP Innovation Day in Johannesburg to discuss how businesses can shift away from stagnation and ignite a new wave of innovation and growth to drive their success. Speaking at the event, Hans-Peter Fuelle, Chief Business Officer for EMEA, SAP, said businesses today operate in an environment characterised by volatility and uncertainty, with unpredictability exerting significant pressure on revenue, profit margins and supply chains. Hype for AI’s transformative potential Interest in artificial intelligence (AI) is at an all-time high. The global AI market is expected to grow from $184-billion in 2024 to $826-billion…

Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a pan-African technology group, announces a distribution partner agreement (DPA) with Eutelsat Group that will see enterprise-grade Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services being made available in Africa. Eutelsat Group is the world’s first satellite operator with an integrated GEO-LEO infrastructure. “Liquid has always been committed to technological innovation in Africa,” said Ahmed El Beheiry, CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies. “Our collaboration with Eutelsat signifies a milestone in bringing cutting-edge LEO services to our customers across multiple countries in Africa, empowering them with high-speed solutions and unlocking new possibilities for connectivity.” The strategic integration of the OneWeb…

It was good news all round for the South African motor industry in April this year, with both new and used car sales showing growth. According to used car sales data released by AutoTrader, used car sales rose by 7% year-on-year last month, while month-on-month growth was 5%. The accumulated value of used cars sold last month – at R11.7 billion – increased by 4.01% month-on-month and 9.8% year-on-year. A total of 28,725 used cars (average price R407,849, average mileage 75,015km and average age of 6 years-old) were sold last month. This compares to 26,751 sales in April 2023 and…

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) and the Gift of the Givers Foundation have joined forces to restore and enhance Gqala Primary School in Tsholomnqa, Eastern Cape. The school, home to over 150 learners, faced displacement and educational disruptions following the aftermath of gale-force winds in 2023. The collaboration, valued at R2.5 million saw the reconstruction and refurbishment of the school premises, alongside the provision of essential learning materials and uniforms for the students. “We are honoured to have been a part of this project and see it come to life beyond a concept. For Mercedes-Benz, it is about more than building…

On a seemingly ordinary Thursday, actress KB Motsilanyane sparked intrigue and speculation as she proudly showcased her academic achievements from Regenesys Business School. Motsilanye proudly attained her Bachelor of Business Administration from Regenesys Business School, igniting a flurry of skepticism among netizens. Doubts emerged regarding the legitimacy of the institution she graduated from, prompting a closer examination of its credibility. Known for her excellent work on the former eTV show Backstage, she shared on her Instagram page that she has bagged a degree in Business Administration from Regenesys Business School. Briefly reported that the controversial blogger and gossipmonger Musa Khwula…

Paratus Group, a leading pan-African telecommunications provider, has signed with BSO – the global pioneering infrastructure and connectivity provider serving the world’s largest financial institutions – as its first customer for the recently launched Paratus Express Route. This ground-breaking fiber route provides the fastest connectivity between Johannesburg and Europe, with an impressive latency of just 123 milliseconds. BSO, known for its low-latency connectivity solutions for businesses operating in time-sensitive industries, is now able to enhance its service offering by using Paratus Express Route. Michael Ourabah, CEO at BSO, said: “We are excited – not only to be the first customer…

RMB takes a $100 million or R1.8 billion bet on Powerfleet, a global telematics business listed on the Nasdaq, with a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The entity was created from a merger between Powerfleet and Mix Telematics (Mix). The combined business aims to become a top-tier global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions that optimise the performance of mobile assets. The debt facility from RMB was tailored to cater for significant complexity in this multi-jurisdictional business. It will enable the merged Powerfleet entity to leverage the strengths of each…

South African entrepreneurs Eldrid Jordaan and Goitse Konopi have successfully listed their new technology venture, Suppple, on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The company has a market capitalisation of £200 million (about R4.6 billion) and its shares are priced at £2 each. This strategic move aims to bolster Suppple’s financial stability and enhance its attractiveness to investors, which is expected to support the company’s plans for expansion into new markets and sectors. The founders, Prof. Eldrid Jordaan and Goitse Konopi, coupled with their visionary leadership in GovChat laid the groundwork for Suppple. Under their stewardship, GovChat launched as South Africa’s official…

Based on recent research, here are the top 10 cheapest wireless fibre providers in South Africa, including their pricing, speeds, and an evaluation of their reliability. This table can help you compare the options and make an informed decision: Provider Speed Price/Month (ZAR) Reliability Reasons for Top 10 Zoom Fibre 15 Mbps R345 High Affordable, reliable, good entry-level options​ ​ Openserve 20 Mbps R299 High Very affordable, wide coverage​ ​ Vox Telecom 10 Mbps (Frogfoot Air) R289 High Low price, good for light usage​ ​ Clear Access 8 Mbps R325 Medium Low-cost, moderate reliability​ ​ ITNT 25 Mbps R425 High…

As the digital landscape in South Africa evolves, online scams have become increasingly sophisticated, posing significant risks to individuals and businesses alike. Here are ten prevalent scams to watch out for in 2024: Deepfake Impersonation Scams: Scammers use AI to create realistic fake videos or audio clips, often impersonating CEOs or family members to trick victims into transferring money. Investment Scams: Fraudulent investment schemes promise high returns. Always verify the legitimacy of the investment platform. Charity Scams: Fake charities solicit donations, especially during crises. Verify charities through reputable databases. Coronavirus Scams: Scammers exploit COVID-19 fears with fake testing kits, vaccines,…

First Battery, a long-standing name synonymous with automotive batteries, has announced the appointment of Shane Petersen as the company’s Director of Sales and Marketing. With an illustrious 93-year history deeply rooted in automotive batteries, First Battery has been a trusted provider of powering vehicles across South Africa’s varied terrain. Petersen brings to First Battery a wealth of experience from his extensive career spanning mobility, energy, and multinational enterprises. With a profound understanding of market dynamics and a track record of strategic foresight, he is poised to lead First Battery into a future where energy liberation is not just a mission…

Sungrow, the global PV inverter and energy storage system provider, has solidified its presence in South Africa’s renewable energy sector with two significant agreements recently inked. The company has forged partnerships with Herholdt’s and ARB, both prestigious distributors in South Africa. The signing ceremony marked the commencement of an official distribution agreement, whereby Sungrow is committed to providing a comprehensive range of products and services to these esteemed partners. This diverse offering comprises inverter and storage solutions tailored for residential and commercial & industrial applications. Additionally, Sungrow will offer extended support and comprehensive after-sales services to ensure smooth operations and…

ESMT Berlin and the BMW Group are partnering for the third time to offer BMW Group Change Maker Fellowships. The 10 full-tuition fellowships for the ESMT Global Online MBA will support ambitious young mathematics or technology professionals to accelerate positive and meaningful change from selected markets including South Africa. The BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship builds on the long-term partnership between ESMT and the BMW Group. After supporting displaced women from Ukraine and young professionals from Central and Eastern Europe, the 2024 edition will focus on digitalization to cultivate tech-savvy future leaders in key countries. “We at the BMW Group…

As the South African on-demand delivery industry flourishes, the concept of motorbike advertising, pioneered by MotionAds, has seen over R10 million paid to drivers who embraced the concept of advertising on their delivery boxes in the past five years. Founded in 2019 by two young local entrepreneurs who identified an opportunity to brand the thousands of delivery bikes on the road, MotionAds integrates brand exposure while empowering drivers to earn additional income by carrying third-party advertising on the top box of their bikes. This shared-value model approach has seen drivers cumulatively earning over R10 million since 2019, up from just…