Author: Staff Writer
The recent assessment of working conditions within the platform economy, conducted by Oxford University’s Fairwork, unveils significant safety concerns and instances of discrimination encountered by South African platform workers in their daily routines. This unsettling reality is compounded by mounting uncertainty regarding remuneration, as take-home earnings have markedly dwindled. Despite the absence of official recognition from unions and associations, workers are increasingly mobilizing in response to these challenges. The study represents the latest phase of Fairwork’s ongoing examination of working conditions across digital labour platforms in South Africa, scrutinising the ride-hailing, food delivery, home maintenance, and domestic services sectors. Five…
Over a bustling weekend of law enforcement activities, Cape Town city officials made significant confiscations, retrieving backup batteries, stolen clothing, a cache of Schedule 2 medication, and mandrax with a street value exceeding R120,000. These accomplishments contributed to the week’s enforcement endeavors, resulting in 313 arrests and the issuance of 53,614 fines. In an operation conducted by officers attached to the Law Enforcement Metal Theft Unit in Elsies River just before 09:00 on Saturday, February 3rd, a heavily loaded car drew attention. Upon inspection, officers discovered two cellphone tower backup batteries in the vehicle. Subsequently, a search led to the…
Pick n Pay has announced the recall of three peanut butter brands – No Name Smooth Peanut Butter, Eden Smooth Peanut Butter, and Eden Crunch Peanut Butter. Pick n Pay said on Saturday that all affected products had been promptly removed from store shelves. “The recall is specifically for products with an expiry date falling between the present and July 2025,” Pick n Pay said. “Customers are encouraged to return any such products to Pick n Pay for a full refund. “Additionally, the recall extends to products irrespective of their expiry date or whether they have been opened, reflecting the…
South African thermal coal producer and exporter Thungela Resources, in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of Education, unveils the Thungela Education Initiative. This programme is dedicated to enhancing access to high-quality education for students in the foundational and intermediate phases, spanning from grades R to 4, across 45 “no-fee” schools. Additionally, it aims to offer support to educators. With a dynamic five-year plan and an investment totaling R160 million, the initiative will roll out in two of Mpumalanga’s district municipalities where Thungela operations are situated. “We are proud to launch an initiative that seeks to deliver solutions to one of…
A fraudulent contractor deceived an elderly individual into providing over R500,000, purportedly for his “brother’s wedding,” his “daughter’s operation,” and his “tax debt.” The Hawks’ Gqeberha serious commercial crime investigation unit, with support from their counterparts in Bellville, Cape Town, has apprehended a second suspect linked to the scheme. The Gqeberha based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks with the assistance of Bellville Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks arrested Thembeka Bendon (47) for allegations of fraud. Bendon is the second accused to be arrested after the arrest of Thina Mpuhlu (42) who was arrested on 26 October…
Thungela, a pure-play producer and exporter of high-quality thermal coal, has been honoured with the Top Employer Certification, securing an impressive score of 87.86%. This prestigious certification reflects Thungela’s commitment to excellence in various key areas of organisational development. Showcasing excellence, Thungela achieved an impeccable 100% score in business strategy, employer branding, talent acquisition, ethics, and integrity. This accomplishment not only reinforces Thungela’s status as a leader but highlights its commitment to maintaining high standards for vital operational standards. These achievements are indicative of Thungela’s persistent efforts to promote transparency, uphold integrity, and pursue a strategic vision that aligns with…
Vumacam and NAVIC are joining forces in an alliance aimed at extending the reach and influence of the SafeCity initiative throughout South Africa. Up until now, the initiative has solely relied on Vumacam technology and cameras. This collaboration, supported by infrastructure and technology, strengthens SafeCity’s fundamental principles of community, collective accountability, and the ability to foster a safer environment for all communities, irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds. The alliance will support the SafeCity initiative and is set to immediately enhance coordinated efforts to tackle crime in South Africa. Vumacam and NAVIC will combine their technology and extensive networks to combat crime…
The Pretoria High Court on Tuesday dismissed an application by Kwaito music guru Arthur Mafokate to have his property released from a preservation order. On 21 December 2022, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) obtained an order to preserve Property 85 Carslwald Road, Midrand belonging to Mafokate, the sole member of 999 Music. FILE PHOTO: The R7.5 million guest house known as La Villa Rosa in Midrand Allegations are that Mofokate used his nonprofit organisation (NPO), the SA Arts and Development Association (SAADA), to siphon the funds, which he used to buy property. The allegations…
Huawei, the leading global vendor of digital power products and solutions, underlined the importance of energy storage and safety for residential Solar PV systems during the launch of its Fusionsolar Residential Luna 2.0 Smart PV solution into the South African market. The launch, which took place in Sandton, highlighted the growing importance of residential solar PV in addressing South Africa’s energy needs, while also showcasing its superior safety measures and their importance. Energy storage systems in particular have become increasingly vital in addressing the challenges of an unstable power grid and frequent power outages. The country faces issues of electricity…
Each year, sales of fully electric vehicles (EVs) are more than doubling, with the used car market seeing a 133% increase in EV sales in 2023 when compared to 2022 sales¹. However, South African consumers are still anxious about range, expressing specific concerns about the distance that EVs can travel on a single charge on the open road. Now in its third year, AutoTrader’s annual #ElectricCarChallenge is designed to address these concerns and set a national benchmark for electric mobility in South Africa. The intention of the #ElectricCarChallenge is to establish the distance that EVs can achieve on a single…
Cell C today announced it has appointed Darius Badenhorst to the role of Chief Growth Officer, effective February 2024. His exceptional track record and 14 years’ experience in Financial Services and Telecommunications bring a new level of ability to propel Cell C’s growth and innovation strategies. As Chief Growth Officer, Badenhorst will be responsible for overseeing crucial areas of business development, customer retention, and customer relationship management throughout the value chain and lifecycle to further accelerate growth. His extensive background in quantitative analysis and financial engineering will be instrumental in navigating the evolving telecommunications landscape . Jorge Mendes, CEO of…
The multisite Johannesburg Internet Exchange (JINX) has completed the installation of high-speed dark fibre across the span of the entire network to radically boost the exchange’s resilience and backbone capacity in 2024. “Successful digital transformation centred around the generation of e-GDP depends on the infinite bandwidth that dark fibre enables,” says INX-ZA chair, Prenesh Padayachee. Dark fibre rolled-out between the six data centres where JINX is located provides virtually unlimited future network capacity. INX-ZA can now easily enable additional capacity between sites as more peers connect to the JINX peering fabric. JINX data centre locations presently include: Dimension Data Parklands…
According to Sunday World, WideOpen Platform, headquartered in Johannesburg, has initiated the process of liquidating the well-known sneaker brand Drip Footwear due to its failure to settle debts exceeding R20 million. WideOpen Platform has lodged the necessary documents in the Johannesburg High Court, requesting the liquidation of Drip, citing its insolvency and incapacity to meet financial obligations. Furthermore, WideOpen Platform plans to pursue legal action against Drip’s owner, Lekau Sehoana, for defaulting on the debt despite having signed a surety agreement on behalf of the company. “The respondent is currently indebted to the applicant in the sum of R20 442…
In large corporations, digital transformation is impacting every customer touchpoint, yet this rapid innovation for operational advancement could be what exposes them to operational risk. The uptake of bespoke third-party software solutions is essential to enable Financial Services and Insurance companies to meet the demands of their daily business operations. But what happens if your third-party software vendor goes out of business or is unable to maintain services? Software escrow is internationally accepted as best practice to manage the risks associated with exposure from third-party software providers. It is a customised legal agreement between the software developer, the user, and the software escrow agent. This…
Chief Executive of the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Pepi Silinga has taken a leave of absence to allow investigations of alleged impropriety to proceed without the perception of interference. On Saturday, Transnet confirmed the development saying it had accepted Silinga’s offer to take a leave of absence. The struggling State-owned company, which received an R47 billion bailout – under a guarantee facility -from the Treasury, said in a statement that Advocate Phyllis Difeto will be assuming the role of Acting Chief Executive of TNPA “with immediate effect”. Transnet, which professes to have a zero-tolerance stance on corruption, and malfeasance,…
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) warns the public to be cautious when conducting financial services business with Livestock Wealth Financial Services (Pty) Ltd (Livestock FS) and Livestock Wealth (Pty) Ltd (Livestock Wealth). “It has come to the attention of the FSCA that Livestock Wealth may be unlawfully offering members of the public investment into livestock and/or agricultural product(s), offering profitable returns upon maturity of the livestock and/or agricultural product(s),” said FSCA. The Authority points out that Livestock Wealth is not authorised to render any financial services related business in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002…
Khoi Tech, a black-owned South African technology company, announced its recent acceptance as a member of the Manufacturing Group within the esteemed BRICS Business Council. This strategic alliance reflects Khoi Tech’s shared vision with the Council, emphasising its commitment to fostering economic development and innovation within the BRICS nations. The BRICS Business Council’s Manufacturing group serves as a dynamic platform for collaboration and cooperation among leading businesses in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Khoi Tech’s inclusion in this esteemed group reflects its commitment to driving economic growth and technological advancement within the South African context. As a dynamic player in the…
The International Court of Justice will deliver its order on the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa in the case South Africa v. Israel this Friday, (26 January 2024). International Relations Minister Dr. Naledi Pandor is travelling to the Hague to represent South Africa. RELATED: SA Approaches International Court Of Justice Under ‘Genocide Convention’ Over Acts Committed By Israel In Gaza – The Bulrushes
The Lexus coupe is now available as the Lexus LC 500h hybrid and benefits from a series of improvements and innovations since the previous model year sold. The result is an evolution in the model’s luxury motoring qualities, from its ride, handling and responsiveness to its comfort and multimedia functionality. At the heart of the LC 500h is its advanced hybrid powertrain, delivering an impressive blend of power and efficiency. The combination of a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an electric motor results in a thrilling driving experience with reduced environmental impact. The LC 500h features a multi-stage hybrid system that…
The foot has certainly not come off the gas in the used car market. In 2023 the number of used cars sold rose by 4.6% year-on-year. Overall, 367,075 used cars with an average selling price of R399,163 were sold, according to AutoTrader data. Sales of an additional 17,000-odd units in 2023 and increased average selling price helped drive up the total value of used cars sold by 7.7% year-on-year. Amounting to a whopping R146.5 billion, 2023’s figure outperformed the previous year’s by some R10.5 billion. The Toyota brand continued to fuel car shoppers’ passions. Like it did in 2022, the Japanese brand…
inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform operating across 46 countries globally including 9 countries in Africa has been named was the world’s second most downloaded ride-hailing app in 2023, retaining this accolade for a second consecutive year, according to data.ai. The company stated that South Africa is one of the fastest growing markets in Africa. Total downloads of the inDrive app amounted to 66.6 million in 2023, based on Google Play and App Store (China is iOS only) data.ai said. inDrive also achieved a notable milestone, ranking as the fourth most downloaded application worldwide in the Travel category.…
Most of us are used to waiting 30 minutes or more when we order something on a delivery app, but one Uber Eats user had to wait just 69 seconds for their order in 2023. The order, for a Fanta Orange, was delivered from a restaurant just 16 metres from the customer’s house. That’s just one of the insights to emerge from Uber Eats’ 2023 Annual Cravings Report released by Uber Eats. The report provides a snapshot of the most popular, the most unusual, and some of the most unique orders on the platform. The data has revealed some seriously…
MTN South Africa on Monday announced that it has accepted the resignation of independent non-executive director Thabi Leoka, effective immediately. Leoka has been embroiled in a scandal over her claim to have a PhD in economics that many media houses have failed to prove exists. The University of London, where she claimed to have received the PhD, denied giving her such a qualification in economics or even having such a programme. Leoka has blamed a mix-up in her names, which she said she changed, as the reason for the difficulty in confirming her PhD. MTN said Leoka joined the board…
Economist and entrepreneur Thabi Leoka, whose alleged fabrication of a doctorate from the London School of Economics (LSE) has stirred controversy, reportedly cost her the opportunity to be considered as a successor to Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Kuben Naidoo, according to the Sunday Times. Leoka, initially listed among potential candidates following Naidoo’s resignation, was removed early in the selection process last year after revelations surfaced about her dishonesty on her CV. This discovery occurred before Business Day exposed the questionable doctorate, dealing a significant blow to her aspirations. Business Day disclosed that Leoka became embroiled in a scandal surrounding the…
American rapper Meek Mill appears to be caught in a situation that echoes the themes found in one of his own songs, unfolding as his day unravels into an unexpected downturn. The backdrop to this sudden twist in his narrative centres around an innocuous inquiry he made on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. This widely recognised rapper, hailing from the vibrant city of Philadelphia, chose a Saturday morning to connect with his followers. His question sought to explore the extent of his global influence, with a specific focus on the African continent. In what initially seemed like a…