Author: Staff Writer

Former National Assembly Speaker was on Thursday granted bail of R50 000 in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where she appeared on 12 charges of corruption and money laundering. In pleading for bail, Kerr-Phillips the lawyer for the 67-year-old graft accused revealed that she was the mother of two sons, suffers from hypertension, and lives in a house valued at R7 million – with a bond balance of R2 million. The former Speaker’s husband, the ex-safety and security minister, Charles Nqakula was in attendance at the court. Also in her favour was the fact that she handed herself to authorities at…

A survey by Media.com, a pioneering online network providing source information, underscores a strong public preference for the identities of social media users to be verified as a way to curb misinformation, especially leading up to the 2024 election. The Media.com study indicates that 60% of social media users advocate for mandatory user identity verification to deter the spread of fake news by imposters and automated bots. Additionally, 67% are more likely to trust platforms that require proof of identity for verified users. “Although some social media companies such as X (formerly Twitter) offer a form of profile verification for users…

The Shoprite Group has surpassed the R500 million mark in payouts to eligible employees following the fifth distribution payment since the Shoprite Employee Trust was formed almost two years ago. The Trust was established to recognise the important role the Group’s people play in the retailer’s growth and success, and to maintain an engaged and loyal employee base.  Valued at R8.9 billion following the conclusion of the transaction in May 2022, the Trust was established on a non-vesting, evergreen basis with 40 million Shoprite Checkers shares.  Since then, it has yielded positive financial results in excess of R500 million for more…

The visceral, sporting performance of Range Rover Sport is unmistakable in the new Range Rover Sport with optional Stealth Pack – a dark and dramatic theme. Meticulously designed to enhance the stealthy exterior, an inky, sophisticated Carpathian Grey premium metallic paint with a satin protective wrap contrasts against an extended black pack, featuring Narvik Black Gloss bonnet vents, lettering, lower front and rear bumpers and side sills. Its sporting, muscular stance is further enhanced by 23-inch Gloss Black wheels2 with black brake calipers, privacy glass and a Narvik Black Gloss contrast roof. The exterior features a Satin Protective Film for…

Tarsus Distribution today announced that it’s signed a distribution agreement with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd signifying a noteworthy milestone in its growth strategy. This partnership will facilitate the distribution of products under Samsung’s Brand Memory and LCD Monitor portfolio, enhancing accessibility for customers across Southern Africa. Mark Campbell, Product Executive at Tarsus Distribution, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are excited to rejoin forces with Samsung to bring their world-class display and storage solutions to our channel partners. This partnership underscores our dedication to providing cutting-edge technology and exceptional service, empowering partners, businesses and individuals to thrive in today’s…

The extent of personal data collected by tech giants like Google is staggering. From your browsing history to your location data and personal preferences, Google gathers a plethora of information to tailor your online experience. Trevor Cooke, the online privacy expert at EarthWeb, sheds light on the types of user data Google collects and offers insights on how to manage your data footprint responsibly. What User Data Is Collected by Google? Google’s data collection spans various aspects of users’ online activities, including: Browsing History ‘Google meticulously tracks the websites you visit using its search engine, Chrome browser, and other Google…

Separately, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are already driving significant development in industries like manufacturing and banking, but in tandem, the two technologies present powerful opportunities in a wide range of sectors. IoT, which creates a network of connected devices which communicate with each other in real time, has become a trillion dollar industry, with Statista estimating it will reach over $1.3 trillion in revenue in 2024. Artificial Intelligence meanwhile has experienced massive growth since the release of consumer facing generative AI programs like OpenAi’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Bloomberg Intelligence data estimates that the generative…

 SC Ventures, Standard Chartered’s innovation, fintech investment and ventures arm, and NEXT176, the venture building and investment arm of Old Mutual, a Pan-African financial services group, have joined forces to launch an inclusive financial wellness platform. With a shared vision to address financial inclusion, and improve access to budgeting and financial planning tools, this strategic partnership will merge two ventures: SC Ventures-backed Autumn, a financial goals and wealth planning app that was incubated in Singapore; and NEXT176-backed 22seven, a budget aggregation and tracking app based in South Africa. This inclusive wealth management platform will aim to bring simple, affordable, AI-led and…

Nearly 70% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa invested in technology in the past 12 months to help boost growth and resilience – an indication that SMEs are embracing the positive impact of technology. There are numerous opportunities that unlock the full potential of digitalisation for these businesses and the continent, which means addressing barriers, such as infrastructure, connectivity, and the high cost of implementing technology, and developing best practice frameworks for better collaboration. These are findings from a new report, titled ‘Levelling the SME Playing Field’, jointly launched by Vodacom Group, Vodafone Group and Safaricom. The report…

The Mercedes‑Benz GLS and Mercedes‑Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC are now also appearing in updated form. Several design, technology and equipment changes take the comfort, connectivity, and ambience of this flagship SUV model to the next level. Mercedes-Benz GLS Pricing: Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 d R 2 304 700 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 R 2 840 600 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 R 4 500 000 All pricing includes a 5 year/100 000km Service Plan and Maintenance Plan Mercedes-Benz GLS: visual enhancement and functional off-road features The latest Mercedes‑Benz GLS models can be recognised by the even more striking radiator grille. The four louvres are…

As our lives are increasingly intertwined with the digital realm, the threat of online identity theft looms larger than ever. From ordinary citizens to high-profile celebrities, no one is immune to the perils of cybercrime. Trevor Cooke, the online privacy expert at EarthWeb, examines several notable personalities, including tech moguls and former First Ladies, who have fallen victim to the nefarious tactics of cybercriminals. The Famous Victims Celebrity Details Mark Zuckerberg The Facebook CEO had his social media accounts hacked Michelle Obama The Former First Lady’s personal data was compromised Elon Musk The Tesla CEO’s Twitter account was hijacked for…

Six South African young scientists who presented their innovative research projects at international science fairs in Tunisia and Beijing have returned home triumphant, each securing medals in their respective categories. I-FEST2 Keerthana Kishor Nair (Grade 12 learner at Bryanston High School) and Alexia Hilton Smedmor (Grade 10 learner at Parktown High School for Girls), competed at the International Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology in Tunisia (I-FEST2) from 22 to 28 March 2024, following their award-winning performance at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF) in 2023. Nair placed in the top 10 of the best performers,…

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today announced its preliminary revenue collection outcome for the 2023/24 fiscal year. SARS tax revenue collections have increased from R114 billion in 1994/95, at a compounded annual growth rate of 9.9% and an average tax-to-GDP ratio of 22.2%. To put this in perspective, our collections over the last 4 business days this fiscal year amounted to R114 billion or the total collected in 1995 for the entire year. As at the end of March 2024, SARS collected a record gross amount of R2.155 trillion, year on-year 4.2% against the nominal GDP of 4.9%. SARS…

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…