Author: Staff Writer

Huawei Cloud will take its mission of building an equal, diversified, and prosperous digital South Africa to the next level, when it hosts its first ever South Africa Cloud Summit in Johannesburg. This landmark occasion will see over 600 industry leaders from a broad range of sectors meet at the Gallagher Convention Centre on the 24th of October for discussions, speeches and product showcases that will shape the future of South Africa’s digital industries. From being the first international vendor to host a local hyperscale cloud data centre in South Africa, Huawei Cloud has consistently shown its commitment to introducing…

Electrified vehicles (EVs) remain a rare sight on South African roads. Still, an increasing number of consumers are interested in battery-electric vehicles, traditional hybrids, and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), according to the 2024 AutoTrader New Energy Vehicle Report. And it’s not hard to see why. Lower running costs, superior refinement, and, of course, the environmental benefits are all draw cards. Despite this, 94% of survey respondents said they have not owned an NEV. Among those who have previously owned an NEV (6%), 73% of NEV owners said they have owned hybrids, while 21% had owned electric vehicles. 6% of these respondents have…

The Chief Operations Officer of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), Dr Gavin Isaacs, has been dismissed with immediate effect. Both the SAIPA (former) Chief Executive (CE), Shahied Daniels and Isaacs, faced disciplinary hearings chaired by independent chairpersons. The CE was dismissed two weeks ago. Both processes have now been concluded. FOUR CHARGES AGAINST ISAACS Isaacs faced four charges, summarised as contravening the Institute’s rules, policies, codes, processes, procedures and amounting to gross negligence, misconduct and serious governance breaches by: Being directly involved in the improper procurement of the services of an international company; Issuing instructions for the establishment of a company in Switzerland without…

A new generation of tech pioneers have been recognised as winners of the SATNAC 2024 Industry Solutions Challenge, which invited postgraduate and undergraduate students who are passionate about innovation to address real-world problems. They were required to propose cutting-edge solutions, across five key categories: Energy and Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Customer Experience and User Experience, and Networking Technologies. This allows students to translate academic knowledge and research into practical, industry-ready innovations. Under the theme “The AI-driven hyperconnected future; Co-creating shared value,” the competition attracted more than 300 students from 13 academic institutions, including from Malawi, Lesotho and Eswatini.…

Old Mutual has launched a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) service known as Old Mutual Connect. “The launch of the MVNO service which will be known as Old Mutual Connect is a part of our Integrated Financial Services (IFS) strategy to deliver tangible value-added services to our customers”, says Clarence Nethengwe, Managing Director of Old Mutual Mass Foundation cluster and CEO designate of the OM Bank. “Affordable data and reliable connectivity is critical for our customers in the Mass Market to fully participate in the mainstream economy. It is also an important enabler for our customers to interact with the…

Locally, digital solutions play a pivotal role particularly for underserved populations. As the digital landscape evolves and expands, many startups across South Africa are emerging as powerful catalysts for change, driving innovation in both urban and township economies. Among these pioneering ventures, there are certain companies that are making significant strides in addressing the unique challenges faced by South African consumers and small businesses. Here are some standout examples of small businesses that are leading the pack in their respective industries. Cloudy Deliveries Cloudy Deliveries was founded by Colin Mkosi in 2020. A delivery service similar to Uber Eats, this…

Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) today confirmed the attendance of  Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications & Digital Technologies, highlighting the conference’s pivotal role in shaping telecommunications across the region. Also, the speaker lineup, will be joined by keynote speaker Professor Benjamin Rosman, a pioneer in artificial intelligence. As a Director of the Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand and Chief Science Officer at Lelapa AI, Professor Rosman’s work has significantly advanced AI and machine learning, with a strong focus on African innovation. His expertise in reinforcement learning and decision-making in…

Today the Shoprite Group opened its 100th Petshop Science store, with the opening of its newest location in Glen Marais, Kempton Park. It became the first local retailer to launch standalone pet shops in April 2021 in response to the country’s booming pet economy. With over 22 million pets in South Africa, consumers spend an estimated R8 billion on pet food and accessories annually, a number which is expected to increase by 2.5% by 2026. “Petshop Science’s rapid expansion accentuates the increased demand for specialised pet care, complemented by expert advice from knowledgeable employees,” comments Willem Hunlun, Chief Operating Officer…

Airtel, a leading telecommunications provider, is celebrating Customer Service Week with a renewed commitment to delivering exceptional customer experience. The weeklong annual celebration highlights Airtel’s dedication to recognizing and appreciating its customers, who are at the heart of the company’s operations. Speaking at the launch of Customer Service Week, during a groupwide Employee Townhall, Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing superior experience and enhancing the customer journey across all touchpoints. “At Airtel, our customers are at the heart of everything we do; they are the reason we exist. Our commitment to delivering excellence in customer…

Comic Con Africa 2024 wrapped up on a high note, and  AXE, South Africa’s leading male fragrance brand, delivered a show-stopping experience that left fans buzzing with excitement. The AXE activation, which ran from Thursday, 26 September to Sunday, 29 September at the Joburg Expo Centre (NASREC), proved to be a highlight of the convention. Attendees were captivated by a blend of live performances, immersive VR zones, and a star appearance by AXE’s ambassador, Robot Boii (Mzwakhe Mbuli Jr.). Feedback from the activation has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees expressing their enjoyment of the dynamic, multi-sensory “Axe-pierance.” Robot Boii’s live…