Author: Staff Writer

inq., a Convergence Partners company, has announced the launch of an extensive Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and the Edgedock data insights value proposition to transform business operations across various sectors. The integrated offering combines edge computing with AI to bring real-time data processing and intelligent decision-making to the forefront of South African businesses.  The inq. Edge AI & IoT suite includes: Vision AI: To provide advanced video analytics powered by AI and machine learning. Video AI Platform: Leveraging AI for advanced video analytics, improving security and customer insights. Video AI Compliance as a Service: This empowers organisations to easily convert…

Huawei has officially announced the local availability in South Africa of its latest laptop, the Huawei MateBook D 16, featuring a High-Performance 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H processor. The new iteration of the Huawei Matebook D16 laptop delivers an immersive viewing experience and excellent performance in a slim and lightweight design at an attractive price. An expansive 16-inch display with ultra-narrow bezels delivers an incredible 90% screen-to-body ratio. Its large screen in no way adds to its weight, the Huawei MateBook D 16 weighs just 1.68kg. It also features Huawei Metaline technology, delivering stronger and more stable WiFi connections of…

TymeBank, one of the world’s fastest growing digital banks, today announced that it reached its first month of profitability in December 2023, less than five years since launching in February 2019. This makes it the first digital bank to break even in South Africa and on the continent. This milestone marks a pivotal moment for South Africa’s only black-controlled bank, making it one of the fastest growing digital banks globally, and the first African digital bank ever, to reach this milestone. “We are extremely proud of our achievement, particularly when you consider that globally, less than half of the top…

Microsoft is introducing Copilot Pro, a new premium subscription for individuals that provides a higher tier of service for AI capabilities, brings Copilot AI capabilities to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers, and new capabilities, such as the ability to create Copilot GPTs. Copilot app is now widely accessible for iOS and Android phones. Additionally, Microsoft is extending the availability of Copilot for Microsoft 365 to a broader range of commercial customers, encompassing businesses of all sizes, including small- and medium-sized enterprises, effective immediately. You can subscribe to Copilot Pro today for $20 per month/per user. Copilot Pro provides: A single AI…

The last-mile delivery market is going through the roof – not just here in South Africa but all over the world. How can courier companies deliver the goods reliably while, at the same time, treading lightly on the planet? Responsible companies are eyeing futuristic technologies that will propel deliveries into the next decade… Courier companies across the globe are exploring various tech tools to streamline the delivery process, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency. Robots, for instance, can undertake a number of tasks very efficiently – from picking, packing, and sorting packages to navigating pavements and delivering parcels directly to…

The much anticipated public hearings on South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza will be heard at The Hague on Thursday morning. The Israeli Defence Forces have killed more than 23 000 Palestinians in retaliation to the October 7 surprise attack in which Hamas killed 1 139 Israelis and took over 200 hostages. To follow the matter live simply click here: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k11/k11gf661b3 

EIB Global reveals a $30 million commitment to Seedstars Africa Ventures I, a venture capital fund dedicated to supporting innovative entrepreneurs across Africa. The fund will invest in companies developing and implementing  digital technologies, in particular those addressing basic needs such as education, healthcare and utilities,  or enhancing goods, services and value-chain efficiency.  “Encouraging and promoting innovation and digitalisation is crucial to developing strong and sustainable  economies,” said EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. “African entrepreneurs hold the key to the  continent’s future, creating jobs, reducing inequality and improving quality of life. The EIB, as part of Team  Europe, is committed to…

The last century saw few changes to trucks; their appearances were unchanged, and they were all powered by internal combustion engines fuelled by diesel. However, this century has witnessed impressive change! The transport industry is enjoying one innovation following the next; anything and everything from electric trucks to those with fuel cells and even those without drivers. But which of these innovations can you expect to see on South African roads in 2024? Electric trucks While South Africa is trailing some other markets when it comes to the rollout of electric commercial vehicles – China, for instance, saw an impressive…

The Eskom Board today announced the appointment of the Board of Directors of the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA). The appointment of the NTCSA Board constitutes one of the most important pillars of Eskom’s legal separation into three entities, namely Generation, Distribution and Transmission which is the key aspect of Eskom’s Turnaround Plan envisaged in the Department of Public Enterprises’ “Roadmap for Eskom in a reformed electricity supply industry.” Transmission is first of the Eskom’s three divisions to achieve legal separation, with the NTCSA already registered and received approval for the requisite licenses from the National Energy Regulator…

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) on Thursday called for the resignation of Higher Education and Training Minister Dr. Blade Nzimande and Ernest Khosa, chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board. “If they don’t resign, we call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire them immediately,” Rudie Heyneke, OUTA Investigations Manager, declared in a lengthy statement posted on “X”, formerly known as Twitter. Watch video below of Nzimande responding to OUTA: Also read: OUTA Calls For Minister Blade Nzimande To Resign Over NSFAS Bribe Allegations The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) on Thursday called for the resignation of…

Ralph Mupita of MTN, Sim Tshabalala of Standard Bank, and the renowned DJ Black Coffee are among the distinguished individuals recognised in the 2023 edition of New African magazine’s annual compilation of the 100 Most Influential Africans. This curated list applauds the noteworthy accomplishments and positive contributions of Africans hailing from diverse fields and sectors, acknowledging their impact both on the continent and globally. Comprising an eclectic mix of exceptional men and women, the list showcases individuals who have exhibited excellence, innovation, leadership, resilience, and vision in their respective domains. Encompassing politicians, entrepreneurs, industrialists, environmentalists, creatives, scientists, educators, sports personalities,…

Software development and digital solutions company Mpilo Technologies today announced the appointment of Alok Goswami as the Chief Information Officer (CIO). Goswami joins Mpilo Technologies with over 22 years of experience, boasting a diverse background across an impressive spectrum of IT-focused functions. His proficiency in best practice-based IT Governance, Strategy, Business Transformation, and Business Process Re-Engineering has consistently propelled organizations toward greater efficiency and profitability. Notably, Goswami has been an internationally recognised figure in fostering innovation and excellence, spearheading improvements across Project Management, Development, Operations, and Service Delivery functions for various organisations across multiple countries. Goswami’s educational background, including an…

SuperSport is reportedly not expected to air the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) set to commence in Ivory Coast on January 13, according to TimesLive. The newspaper said a circulating statement, seemingly from SuperSport and bearing the MultiChoice letterhead, has been extensively shared on social media, indicating that the pay channel has no plans to broadcast the tournament. The statement, if it is real, may have been leaked before the channel could release it. “SuperSport will not broadcast the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 scheduled for January 13 to February 11 2024 because the channel has not secured the rights to…

Megan Fox has been named to have the most iconic engagement ring, with 17,000 searches per month worldwide for her Ring  Meghan Markle’s engagement ring is second on the list, with an average of 12,000 monthly global searches.    Kate Middleton, Kourtney Kardashian and Blake Lively also own some of the most searched-for engagement rings.    A new study has revealed that Megan Fox has the most iconic engagement ring, with worldwide interest in her ring surpassing 17,000 searches per month on average.    The study conducted by customised jewellery experts at Glamira unveiled the most popular and iconic celebrity engagement rings…

Xiaomi, the renowned Chinese smartphone company, has unveiled its inaugural electric vehicle, a sleek sedan named the SU7, poised to rival automotive titans such as Tesla and Porsche. Positioned as a “full-size high-performance eco-technology sedan,” Xiaomi SU7 aims to push the limits of performance, ecosystem, and mobile smart space. Quoting a sentence of Chinese poetry, “with firm strides we are crossing its summit.” Lei Jun, founder, chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi Group, stated that Xiaomi’s entry into the automotive industry marks a significant leap from the smartphone industry and a crucial step toward closing the loop of the Human x…

The Financial Intelligence Unit, an Indian government agency responsible for examining financial transactions, announced on Thursday that nine global cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance, Bitstamp, Kraken, Kucoin, Gate.io and Mexc, are operating “illegally” in the country. These exchanges are reported to be in violation of the local anti-money laundering act. In response to this, the Financial Intelligence Unit has requested the Ministry of Information Technology to take action by blocking the websites of these exchanges. As part of compliance action against the offshore entities, Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU IND) has issued compliance Show Cause Notices to following nine offshore Virtual…

On Saturday, 30 December 2023, Koeberg Nuclear Power Station will be performing a full load rejection test on Unit 1. This is the final test that needs to be performed following the installation of the new steam generators. “The purpose of the full load rejection test is to verify and demonstrate the ability of the unit to supply its auxiliary load and return to steady state conditions following a sudden disconnection from the national grid,” said Eskom. “The South African Grid Code (SAGC) requires that units be tested if modifications are made that could impact their capability to meet the…

As the holiday season draws near, it’s time to hit the stores and surprise your loved ones. Whether it’s the gift of love and appreciation during Christmas, or a good luck present to help someone special start a brand New Year, we all want to present a gift that’s practical in function yet also trendy in design. Oftentimes, it’s a struggle to find a gift that ticks both boxes, which is why we’ve put together a gift guide for those shoppers who need a little inspiration, starting with the latest trends in Lifestyle Tech. Accessorising with Tech: Fashionable Tech WearablesAs…

In recent years, South Africa has witnessed a concerning rise in cybercrime. The figures are alarming: according to Sophos’ The State of Ransomware in South Africa 2023 report, 78% of South African organisations fell victim to a ransomware attack last year. Ransomware isn’t a passing cybersecurity threat. Instead, it’s currently the biggest danger to organisational data and operations. These malicious attacks are evolving, becoming more evasive and dangerous. But there is a way to regain control. By leveraging NAKIVO’s ability to protect and restore data, businesses have not only slashed recovery costs by half but also ensured minimal recovery time and business…

More than 42 excellent students and lecturers affiliated with the Huawei ICT Academy programme in South Africa were honoured for their outstanding achievements in 2023 at the annual Huawei ICT Academy Awards Ceremony, held in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg. The top performing academies for 2023 were from; Majuba TVET College (Kwa Zulu-Natal), Cape Peninsula University of Technology, University of Venda, Walter Sisulu University and Durban University of Technology. Winning students and lecturers walked away with incentive prizes and certificates to mark their accomplishments in an event which highlighted the transformative power of ICT education in bridging the digital divide.  Kian Chen,…

Picture this:  you’ve meticulously planned your dream holiday – visas, flights, hotels, all set. Your heart races with excitement, but in the midst of it all, you’ve missed a vital detail: how are you going to stay connected on your epic global adventure?  If you’re thinking of figuring it out when you land, brace yourself for a nightmare.  You’ll either queue for ages to buy an overpriced local tourist SIM or be slapped with astronomical roaming charges from your current network operator. But what if we told you there’s a smarter and simpler way? Next Travel Connect is here to rewrite…

MTN South Africa today announced price increases for postpaid contracts that will take effect from 1 February 2024. The price increases come at a time when the company continues to invest in network resilience to ensure that customers enjoy a high-quality network experience, despite continued national power cuts, ongoing crime at sites and a weaker rand against the dollar.  The adjustment encompasses an average increase of 4.3% on customers’ total monthly bills (which include all elements such as insurance, device fees, out-of-bundle spend, itemised billing etc). According to Monetary Policy Committee statement of November 2023, the South African Reserve Bank…

Sanlam, the largest non-banking financial services group in Africa, has recently launched its cutting-edge fintech business cluster. Led by a globally competitive exco team, Sanlam Fintech represents a strategic move within the Sanlam Group to expand its existing fintech offerings and ensure that all aspects of the $8-billion (R143-billion) listed corporation’s services are digitally-driven.  The overarching goal is to use tech to accelerate access to financial services for all Africans, delivering on the group’s purpose: to help Africans live with financial confidence. The cluster will be led by a powerful group of heavy hitters, headed up by Riaan van Dyk as…

A new year is upon us! It’s a time for relaxation, reflection, and making plans for the next twelve months. We might do some cleaning, clearing out the previous year’s clutter, and get our thoughts in order for when we return to our offices, dorms, and classrooms.  Take some of that time to attend to your computer. Laptops and PCs become slower as they accumulate clutter, such as files and browser tabs. Your workflow might also struggle with disorganised files, emails, and bookmarks. A little housekeeping can do wonders for your and your computer’s performance.  “Excessive digital clutter can hinder…

Cost-Benefit Analyses are showing that Private 5G networks offer a compelling – and continually growing – value proposition for mines.  This is according to Gary Woolley, Executive: Private Networks at Comsol, who says that while Private 5G is still cutting-edge technology just starting to make its presence known in mining, it is already demonstrating clear value. An Ericsson report found that a 5G-enabled smart mining can deliver an ROI of 207% in ten years in surface mines, and 256% ROI in underground mines. With five high-value use cases deployed simultaneously, complete payback was achieved in just three years. Woolley says Comsol, with a track…