Author: Staff Writer
The Volvo EX30 possesses the smallest carbon footprint of any fully electric Volvo car to date1. That’s according to the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the Volvo EX30, available here, which concludes that it has a total carbon footprint of 23 tonnes per 200,000 km – approximately 60 per cent less than the XC40 ICE (petrol)2. The carbon footprint report identifies the key contributing materials and processes to the car’s emissions. Exclusively focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the report covers the car’s life cycle, starting with the extraction and refining of raw materials and ending with the car’s end-of-life.…
World Cloud Security Day takes place tomorrow, 3rd April and serves as a reminder to businesses and individuals to relook, revaluate and strengthen digital defences. Jessica Tandy, partner at Bizmod, says that Cloud computing is increasingly becoming a necessity for all sizes of businesses especially as it helps to reduce infrastructure costs, improve accessibility, and streamline processes. Tandy says that in 2024 we will see data breaches and cyber-attacks significantly increase and as a result so too will the need for high-level cybersecurity professionals to protect systems and networks, as organisations invest in protecting their digital infrastructure. The South African…
Pepkor Holdings Limited shares become available for trade on A2X Markets today with a market cap of R68.98 billion. Pepkor has the largest retail store footprint in Southern Africa with 5 900 stores operating across nine African countries and in Brazil. Pepkor Holdings is home to many of the most trusted brands on the continent including Ackermans, PEP, Russells and HiFi Corp as well as Avenida in Brazil. The company joins other prominent retailers with a secondary listing on A2X including, Dis-Chem, Mr Price, Clicks, Truworths, Pick n Pay, Shoprite and Woolworths. Pepkor Holdings is listed on the Johannesburg Stock…
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Enterprise Infrastructure Tracker: Buyer and Cloud Deployment, spending on compute and storage infrastructure products for cloud deployments, including dedicated and shared IT environments, increased 18.5% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2023 (4Q23) to $31.8 billion. Spending on cloud infrastructure continues to outgrow the non-cloud segment with the latter growing 16.4% year over year in 4Q23 to $18.9 billion. The cloud infrastructure segment saw unit shipments decline 22.8% in the quarter with an increase in average selling prices (ASPs) mostly related to higher than usual GPU server shipments to hyperscalers.…
The Data4 group, a French operator and investor in the data centre market, and the University of Paris-Saclay, Europe’s leading university and one of the top 20 in the Shanghai rankings, started apartnership to launch a prototyping experiment to reuse some of the heat produced by data centres. This is project is the first-of-its-kind and was launched beginning of 2024 in Essonne (Paris-Region). Spearheaded by the Conseil Départemental de l’Essonne, which created the ABIOMAS Innovation Chair within the University, and the Fondation Université Paris-Saclay, the project will be run by a multi-disciplinary, multi-skilled team (biomass specialists, digital, AI, physics/chemistry, etc.),…
On March 25, 2024, during the XIII International Forum ATOMEXPO 2024, Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom and Eskom signed an action plan for the period of 2024-2026. This agreement builds upon the cooperation agreement on a human-centric approach to personnel training initially established at COP28 in Dubai, UAE. The plan encompasses various collaborative initiatives aimed at enhancing personnel development. It includes joint educational programmes for employees, the implementation of joint degree programmes in partnership with universities associated with both Rosatom and Eskom, and business education efforts. Notably, the plan incorporates a hydrogen train-the-trainers programme developed by Rosatom. Additionally, both parties have…
Surpassing a robust lineup of contenders, the EX30 proudly earned the esteemed title of 2024 World Urban Car during an event held yesterday at the prestigious New York International Auto Show. Additionally, the full electric SUV was honoured as one of the top three vehicles globally, outshining 38 other nominees on the list. “Winning this award with the EX30 is incredibly gratifying and a firm validation of our ambitious electrification strategy,” says Jim Rowan, our Chief Executive. “Customer response to the EX30 has exceeded our expectations, and it has proven to be a perfect car for today’s marketplace as a…
The ascent of artificial intelligence (AI) poses a threat to as many as eight million jobs in the UK, particularly impacting those with lower skill levels, according to Sky News. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) cautioned that the effects of generative AI are already evident, with approximately 11% of tasks performed by workers currently susceptible to automation. Sky News added that the report indicated that back-office, entry-level, and part-time positions face the greatest risk of disruption in what is termed the “first wave” of AI impact, with women and young individuals being disproportionately affected. However, further analysis suggests…
South Africa has welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution Demanding an immediate Ceasefire in Gaza “South Africa has welcomed the adoption of Resolution 2728 (2024) by the United Nations Security Council on 25 March 2024, which demands an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the Holy Month of Ramadan,” said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in a statement. Earlier on Monday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and “the urgent need to expand the flow” of aid into…
Not only is cybercrime bad for business, but employees also pay the price. Researchers have identified a correlation between the spectre of cybercrime and employee health and wellbeing. Stress, fear, and uncertainty are leading to poor health, such as burnout, hypertension, strokes, and posttraumatic stress disorder and these concerns deserve attention. This situation is not limited to security teams, even though they are under the greatest pressure. Cybersecurity responsibilities, disappointment when failing to prevent an attack, and the general uncertainty around cyber risks affect all employees across organisations. “Security teams are under tremendous pressure,” says Gerhard Swart, Chief Technology Officer…
Ogilvy South Africa and Audi teamed up to launch an exciting new campaign that introduces a new line of special edition models, tailor-made for the South African consumer market. This innovative campaign spotlights the premium and luxury features of the new Audi models – the Urban Edition and the Black Edition; blending style, sophistication, and advanced automotive technology seamlessly. The AI-led project aims to capture consumer interest prior to the vehicles arrival in South Africa, solving the business challenge of not having the vehicles physically in market during production. “I’m very excited and proud of our collaboration with Ogilvy. This…
All eyes will be on the High Court in Pretoria this morning, Monday (25 March 2024), where National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will be fighting to prevent her arrest for allegedly accepting bribes from a contractor when she was Defence Minister. The Speaker’s highly publicised “imminent arrest” for allegedly accepting kickbacks of over R2 million rand from a contractor was initially reported to take place on Friday, (22 March 2024). Mapisa-Nqakula, who denies the allegations and has taken special leave to deal with them, filed an urgent interdict to prevent her arrest. At the weekend, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson…
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has suggested a substantial reduction in mobile call termination rates. These rates, which are the fees operators levy on each other for transmitting calls across their networks, could be cut by over fifty percent by the coming year. has today published for public comment draft amendments to the Call Termination Regulations, of 2014 and 2018. These draft amendments mark the penultimate step in a process that began with the Authority’s 2021 decision to review the existing call termination rates. The central feature of the draft regulations sees a substantial reduction in wholesale…
Water, Tyla’s global hit single opened the floodgates for her career, leading to a viral dance challenge, almost 500 million streams on Spotify (so far), and a Grammy win. Now, her self-titled debut album, Tyla is out. The 14-track album which she first teased in November by releasing three songs, is already a fan favorite. Truth or Dare, the soulful R&B release with a touch of Amapiano -Tyla’s signature, has taken the spot as her second most streamed song on Spotify, just four months after its release. Butterflies and On and On are also coming in hot, with both songs…
Former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste is dead. Just a day after the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) slapped him with a hefty R475 million administrative fine, the former CEO of Steinhoff was found dead. The 63-year-old disgraced businessman was said to have shot himself on Human Rights Day, Thursday (21 March 2024). The SABC reported that the unexpected tragedy occurred at night. The FSCA had earlier indicated the Special Investigative Unit was probing Jooste. The businessman was accused of misrepresenting Steinhoff’s financial statements published between 2014 and 2017. On Wednesday the FSCA said: “Jooste and Dirk Schreiber made or published…
Mail & Guardian has reported today that Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the speaker of the National Assembly, is anticipated to face charges of corruption and money laundering exceeding R4 million following her imminent arrest, scheduled for Friday. According to Mail & Guardian, multiple senior investigators and a government official have disclosed that during her nine-year tenure as the defence and military veterans minister, Mapisa-Nqakula purportedly sought and received “gratification” from a businessman. Sources intimately connected to the investigation revealed that plans for the speaker’s apprehension were set into motion approximately three weeks ago, coinciding with her participation in the 2024 Women Speakers’…
Comsol, a provider of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) last mile connectivity and Private Networks in South Africa, has launched a 5G FWA network to meet the need for business-class broadband for SMEs, and a cost-effective, reliable redundancy option for enterprises. Iain Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer at Comsol, says its new 5G FWA offering complements Comsol’s existing FWA portfolio of broadband products. “Our wholesale partners and market trends indicated that there was a significant gap in the market for a low cost reliable, business-class broadband. Building on nearly 30 years of experience focusing exclusively on business connectivity, we have spent the…
The Hawks, representing the NPA’s Investigative Directorate, conducted an early morning raid on parliamentary speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s Johannesburg home on Tuesday, according to a report in Business Day. Allegations suggest she received and solicited over R2.3m from a former military contractor during her time as defence minister. Mapisa-Nqakula was reportedly present during the raid at her residence on Adolph Goertz Street, Bruma. The operation concluded around 11 am with the seizure of certain items. The speaker had returned from official visits to Paris and New York last week. The allegations were first published by the Sunday Times regarding the purported…
The latest PWC insight shows that a large number of CEOs have embraced the efficiencies that generative AI can bring to their business, with 51% of respondents saying they had already integrated AI into business operations. However, software development specialist, Global Kinetic, has warned that IT leaders should still exercise some caution, especially as global regulators move towards consensus. The latest 27th PWC Annual Global CEO survey shows that 70% of the 4702 respondents expect generative AI (genAI) to significantly change the way their company creates value over the next three years. However, their enthusiasm was tempered in the longer…
Sectional title sales now comprise more than half of all property sales in South Africa, with price growth for this type of asset exceeding that of freehold properties for the first time in two decades. This is according to Renier Kriek, Managing Director of Sentinel Homes. “Sectional titles made up 54% of total property sales in Q4 2023 – up from 44% in 2013. As sectional title ownership continues to gain in popularity, it may be lucrative for purchasers and investors who buy now and gain from the anticipated long-term trend,” he says. However, knowing the ins-and-outs of sectional title…
The debut of the Audi Q6 e-tron heralds a significant milestone as the inaugural production model built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), signaling Audi’s progression towards delivering premium electric mobility. Noteworthy for its exceptional driving dynamics, rapid charging capabilities, heightened efficiency, and extensive range, the Q6 e-tron represents a leap forward in Audi’s electric vehicle offerings. Embodying the distinctive styling of Audi’s SUV lineage fused with a refined e-tron design language, the Q6 e-tron exemplifies the brand’s commitment to innovative aesthetics. Inside, a new design ethos and cutting-edge technologies introduced in this model pave the way for the next…
Sungrow, a renowned global provider of PV inverters and energy storage systems, has introduced its newest advancement: the three-phase hybrid inverter tailored to meet the distinct energy requirements of South African customers. The unveiling took place at the prestigious Houghton Hotel, The Venue, highlighting this pioneering technology that provides tailored energy solutions for both residential and commercial sectors across the nation. “South Africa has long grappled with electricity challenges, from load shedding to infrastructure limitations,” remarked Ezzat Sankari, Channels Business Director for Sungrow Middle East and Africa at Sungrow. “With our latest three-phase hybrid inverter, we seize the opportunity to…
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Africa’s largest stock exchange continues on its technology enablement journey and is collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to modernise its technology, leverage edge computing infrastructure, explore AI to deliver innovative market solutions and drive operational efficiencies. This move will also revolutionise the delivery of real-time market data in the cloud and drive industry innovation leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), generative AI and blockchain technologies. The transformative journey will focus on market infrastructure and the enablement of evolutionary trading enablement technologies for seamless connectivity with clients. The JSE will start by embarking on…
Cell C today announced the appointment of Chris Lazarus as the Chief Officer: Sales, Distribution, & Regions, reporting directly to Jorge Mendes, CEO of Cell C. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services and telecommunications industries, Chris brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his new role. Chris’s distinguished career demonstrates his success in various leadership positions, including his most recent role as the Chief Enterprise Officer at Safaricom Ethiopia, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the telecoms business. The successful launch of the network in 2022 served a market of 120 million people,…
The Bolt driver convicted of rape and kidnapping female customers has been sentenced to two life terms plus 60 years. Serial rapist 30-year-old Emmanuel Mudau was registered as a driver with Bolt. Between January and February 2022, Mudau targeted women who requested transportation from Cosmo City to various destinations, using the Bolt App. This week the High Court of South Africa: Gauteng Division, Johannesburg sentenced the former e-hailing driver to two life imprisonment terms, plus 60 years for four counts of rape and kidnapping, and two cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The four complainants testified…