Author: Staff Writer

Vodacom has taken its case to the Constitutional Court, aiming to overturn a judgment from the Supreme Court of Appeal regarding the “Please Call Me” dispute, which it deems “fundamentally flawed.” This move follows the dismissal by the Supreme Court of Vodacom’s application for leave to appeal against a prior High Court ruling. The Supreme Court directed Vodacom’s CEO, Shameel Joosub, to extend a new offer to Nkosana Makate, operating on the premise that Makate had an 18-year contractual relationship with the company. In 2016, the Constitutional Court recognised Makate as the inventor of the “Please Call Me” service, despite…

Covid-19 exposed the weakness of the data held by municipalities across South Africa. Lack of information about vulnerable families made it difficult to implement focused and effective disaster-management and support initiatives. That’s the challenge at the heart of a weekend hackathon in March 2024, hosted in Johannesburg by Kagiso Trust in partnership with the Empire Partner Foundation (EPF). The event, with a prize of R20,000 for the winning team, will aim to develop a tech solution to address data management in municipalities. “We are at a pivotal moment where technology can drastically improve how local government operates,” says Mankodi Moitse,…

In a strategic move aimed at reshaping the digital banking platform landscape, Dunes, a prominent Fintech platform headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to acquire a substantial stake in Be Mobile Africa. The acquisition, slated for finalisation by the close of the second quarter of 2024, represents a pivotal moment for Dunes, solidifying its position as a frontrunner among the new wave of Fintech enterprises. “The strategic sale of non-financial assets injects vital financial resources into Be Mobile Africa. These resources will be used to double down on key African markets, in line…

The electric vehicle (EV)  market in South Africa is projected to reach R612,922,375 in 2024 and the market is expected to expand at an annual growth rate of 16.93% between 2024 and 2028. Many in the automotive industry will know that electric charging barely scratches the surface of automotive possibility in 2024. By 2030, around 95% of new vehicles sold globally will be connected. Software, personalisation, and automation will define the next era of auto. “New in-vehicle experiences powered by tech will revolutionise how we and our cars interact with our environment in the coming years. However, to do this,…

South Africa’s first fully-fledged creator house, Ya Rona House, has been unveiled in Johannesburg. Positioned as the ultimate intersection between sports, entertainment and culture, Ya Rona House is attached to this year’s Nedbank Cup – South Africa’s biggest knockout football tournament. While Ya Rona House was designed in the guise of the TikTok-style creator houses seen in America and Europe, it will feature some of South Africa’s top creator talent. True to its name, which translates to ‘our house’, the space will provide guests with some of the most innovative experiences seen in local football. With an injection of gaming,…

While it’s unlikely that the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill will be tabled before Parliament rises ahead of the elections this year, market players are eagerly awaiting its enactment and the many benefits it will bring, especially when it comes to low risk, rapid innovation in the fintech space. Designed to complement the Banks Act and Insurance Acts, COFI has been drafted to consolidate thousands of pages of disparate financial legislation and create a single standard of industry conduct. It will impact all financial institutions, including banks, insurers, credit providers, and financial advisors and, importantly, non-financial institutions such as…

With more than 80% of confirmed data breaches due to stolen, weak or reused passwords*; reclaiming digital footprints by safeguarding personal information is one of the most pressing internet safety issues of 2024. This is according to the Internet Service Providers’ Association of South Africa (ISPA) as another Internet Safety Month winds down and stakeholders in South Africa and across the globe help raise awareness of a safer and better internet for all. “February with its ‘together for a better internet’ message is an opportune time to remind South African internet consumers that the safeguarding of personal information should be…

After unveiling its groundbreaking collaboration with the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) two weeks ago, Vumacam, South Africa’s premier technology-infused CCTV network, is delighted to report significant initial achievements in combating crime within the nation’s economic hub. This alliance empowers the GPG to leverage Vumacam’s expansive camera infrastructure and cutting-edge crime-deterrence solutions. By partnering with Vumacam, the GPG gains instant access to a vast network comprising over 6000 cameras across Gauteng, with additional access to partner cameras nationwide. “The power of our technology allows our partners in the public and private sector to maximise their crime fighting resources. By putting the…

This year’s Huawei Cloud Summit demonstrated how Huawei Cloud is the infrastructure of choice for AI applications. With the theme of “Accelerate Intelligence with Everything as a Service”, the 500-strong event brought together executives and experts from diverse industries, such as carrier, finance, and Internet. Huawei Cloud presented 10 AI-oriented innovations and extensive industry expertise of Pangu models. The objective is an AI-ready infrastructure tailored to each industry for a faster journey towards intelligence. Jim Lu, President of the European Region and Senior Vice President of Huawei, stated in his speech that, “Intelligence will open up new opportunities for Europe…

SEACOM, the leading converged ICT services provider in Africa, encountered a service-affecting outage on its subsea cable system on the 24th of February 2024.  The disruption is only on the segment of the cable that runs from Mombasa (Kenya) to Zafarana (Egypt).  Initial assessments suggest that the disruption to the subsea cable occurred within the vicinity of the Red Sea, and other cables in the area appear to have also been impacted. At this time, SEACOM is unable to confirm the cause of the disruption but is working with its cable repair partner to assess the feasibility of the repair…

The Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Mr Edward Kieswetter, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Finance Minister Mr Enoch Godongwana’s strategy for fiscal consolidation over the medium term. “A well-functioning tax administration within a growing economy is the most sustainable path towards improving the country’s fiscal integrity,” said the Commissioner. He said this after the Minister delivered his final Budget Speech of the 6th administration of South Africa’s democracy, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, following the historic democratic elections of April 1994. Mr. Kieswetter said that, since its inception in 1997, SARS has played a…

The recent “get to know me” trend on Instagram and TikTok may seem harmless, but cybersecurity experts have warned of the potential pitfalls of giving away too much of your personal information, particularly as it makes it easier for hackers to compromise your accounts. Alexandra Hoang, better known as @lille.hoang to her almost 82,000 followers, has no problem sharing a bit more about herself on Instagram and TikTok. The Norwegian-Vietnamese influencer, who offers interior design advice and loves couture fashion, participated in the recent “get to know me” challenge on social media. The diminutive beauty says she’s 29 years old,…

The Communication Risk Information Centre (COMRiC) and the Association of Comms and Technology (ACT) have jointly appealed to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to deliberate on the provision of diesel rebates tailored specifically for the telecommunications sector. Reliance on diesel generators to provide backup power for cell towers, especially in remote and underserved areas, is a significant operational expense. In the face of electrical outages, which are particularly common in regions with unstable power grids, diesel generators ensure network uptime, maintaining crucial communication channels for both consumers and emergency services. A rebate on diesel would not only alleviate the financial burden…

The City of Johannesburg has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing urban mobility: 200 JMPD Traffic Pointsmen. In a YouTube video released today, city officials introduce this innovative approach to alleviate traffic congestion and streamline transportation within Johannesburg. This strategic move underscores the municipality’s commitment to addressing the challenges of urban mobility and fostering efficient transportation networks for its residents. See video below:

In the affluent neighborhood of Morningside, a sprawling mega-mansion, once the pride of troubled businessman Edwin Sodi, has officially been listed on the market, beckoning potential buyers with its jaw-dropping price tag of R75 million. This lavish estate, emblematic of luxury and opulence, now stands as a testament to Sodi’s tumultuous journey, offering a glimpse into the highs and lows of the business world. As interested parties flock to explore this iconic property, its sale marks a pivotal moment in Sodi’s narrative and signals a new chapter for both the mansion and its enigmatic owner. According to a Sunday World…

A major insurance corporation has sought legal action to seize a fleet of vehicles linked to the business empire of Edwin Sodi, a figure known for controversy. The move comes after millions of rands, originally allocated by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), vanished, according to a Sunday World report. Hollard Insurance, which provided guarantees for Sodi’s enterprise to receive funds from DBSA for the advancement of a correctional facility project in Parys, Free State, has petitioned the Joburg High Court for authorization to auction off nearly 100 vehicles registered under Sodi’s NJR Projects (NJR). The application follows NJR’s…

DStv Rewards is offering members the chance to skip the queue and purchase highly-prized Springbok Test tickets this international rugby season.   Starting this week, ‘Early Bird’ tickets for all Springboks’ home test matches will be available first to DStv Rewards members, beginning with the hotly anticipated South Africa vs Ireland Test on 6 July at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.     The ‘Early Bird’ tickets will be available for purchase via the DStv Rewards tab on the MyDStv app from 20 February until 27 February 2024 while stocks last, whereafter tickets will go on sale to the general public. Tickets…

While reams of conversation about the promise that Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds for the mining sector, a robust industry first demands the development of human capital, said United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK) chief executive Malcolm Curor. Presently, Curror said, there is a skills deficit in the sector. “Mining, particularly with a view to growing demand for metals like manganese and other resource drivers of the green economy, must gear up for exponential growth over the next three decades,” he said, “And at the moment there is a marked skills shortage amongst artisans, technicians and engineers who are in demand globally.”…

Roedean School (SA) proudly confirms its ongoing collaboration with Barnato Park High School to empower children from under-resourced communities with essential swimming skills. Through the Learn-To-Swim (LTS) Programme, these children will continue to receive instruction in water safety principles, fostering both competitive swimming abilities and talent identification. Marcel Lamont, Roedean’s Head of Sport, emphasises the critical importance of addressing water-related risks hence giving the LTS Programme the priority that it deserves: “We recognise the prevalence of water-related dangers in South Africa and believe in implementing tangible solutions.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drowning ranks among the top ten…

Cryptocurrency market cap leader Bitcoin is approaching the R1.04 million all time high recorded during the 2021 bull market and is currently trading on Luno at R998,974. The milestone followed a week-long rally which saw Bitcoin up by around 20% over the week. In US dollar terms, however, Bitcoin is currently trading around $52,000 – still a way off from the dollar all-time high of $65,000. Christo de Wit, Luno’s country manager for South Africa, comments, “The difference is indicative of the rand’s devaluation against the US dollar over the last five years, and adds legitimacy to the argument by…

Boxwood Property Fund is proud to announce the appointment of Sarah Divaris as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). At the age of 29, Sarah stands as one of the youngest COOs in the sector however she brings an extraordinary depth of experience, expertise and an innovative approach. Holding a Business Science Degree in Finance and Economics along with a prestigious CFA Charterholder designation, Sarah’s combination of financial acumen, strategic mindset and creative flair have been instrumental in shaping  Boxwood’s trajectory. Sarah’s journey with Boxwood began eight years ago. At the time, Boxwood was in its early stages, lacking assets…

The strategic partnership between TymeBank, Africa’s first digital bank to reach profitability, and leading retail giant, TFG (The Foschini Group), has made significant progress since its official launch in January 2023, acquiring 1 million bank account customers in just over a year. TymeBank’s record customer growth (8.7 million total customers since the launch in 2019) has benefitted significantly from TFG’s large-scale retail ecosystem. Through the TymeBank TFG Money bank account, which can be opened at a kiosk in more than 500 TFG stores nationwide, customers have direct and convenient access to highly affordable transactional banking and the most competitive savings…

When someone is ready to open their heart to love again, the search for a meaningful connection can lead them down unexpected paths. Living in a quiet town with limited romantic opportunities, the idea of finding love online seemed like a promising option for Talitha (not her real name). However, the safety concern loomed large. “I heard horror stories of people being attacked at their first meeting or being seen simply as a sugar mommy,” she shares. In pursuit of a genuine connection that aligned with her values, Talitha joined a Christian dating app. “It gave warnings not to give…

Technology has disrupted many aspects of traditional life. When you are sitting at dinner and seeing a couple going out on a “first date”, consider that this may be their first in-person date and that they have been interacting (dating) online for months. According to global data and business intelligence platform, Statista, the number of online dating users in South Africa is expected to reach 6.7 million users by 2028. The report adds that the current user penetration rate of dating websites is believed to be 8.0% and may increase to 10.4% by 2028. This is good news for nervous…

Online dating in South Africa is experiencing a surge in popularity, with a growing number of individuals seeking connections and companionship on digital platforms. As more people venture into the virtual realm, a surge of insidious scammers has also emerged, preying on the desire for connection and turning the quest for love into a dangerous game of financial deception. Valentine’s Day, one of the most popular days for love, brings with it not only the promise of love but also the threat of romance scams. Fraudsters use romance scams to exploit individuals emotionally and financially, often resulting in heartbreaking consequences.…