Author: Staff Writer

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…

Huawei South Africa has handed over 79 rigging kits to 14 of its telecommunication site construction and maintenance subcontractors during a ceremony at its Woodmead campus in Johannesburg. The handover forms part of Huawei’s commitment to supplier development and supporting small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the ICT sector. In addition to the handover, the company has assisted several SMME partners with equipment donations and environment, health, and safety (EHS)-related training to support their operations. “Huawei is cognisant of its role in skills transfer and supporting small, medium and micro enterprises to benefit not only our business objectives, but…

Huawei unveiled its latest tablets, laptops, and earbuds at the Huawei Innovative Product Launch event themed “Creation of Beauty” in Dubai today. Among the new devices launched at the event were the HUAWEI FreeClip — a pair of fashionable earbuds with an open ear design, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2″ — Huawei’s largest tablet to date, a refreshed line up of the MateBook D 16 laptops, and the PaperMatte Edition of the popular MatePad Air. This latest product launch follows in the footsteps of the “Fashion Forward” event in October, which saw the unveiling of a new line up of wearable…

Humane, a clandestine startup formed by a formidable collective of former Apple personnel, led by co-founders Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, launches its mobile virtual netowk operator (MVNO) to offer wireless services for AI Pin.  Humane  has chosen Optiva’s full-stack BSS solution to help power the billing, network integration and value-added services for its users. Ai Pin’s seamless integration into daily routines will enable users to take the full power of AI everywhere, elevating your interactions with the world through its growing list of capabilities. With Ai Pin, Humane is defining a new class of devices to bring AI to…

The Anzisha Prize, the biggest award on the continent for very young entrepreneurs aged 15 to 22, has just announced the opening of applications for its upcoming funding cycle. This time, the focus is on green entrepreneurs who combine innovation and sustainability, and are passionate about making a positive impact on the environment. A green entrepreneur is an individual who identifies and develops business opportunities that address environmental challenges their communities face while also generating financial profits. They are driven by a passion for sustainability and a commitment to creating a positive impact. The category also covers a broad range…

Entersekt, the financial authentication company, today announced it has acquired the Modirum 3-D Secure software business from Modirum, a digital payment security provider for an undisclosed sum.Modirum is a leader in enabling authenticated, card-not-present payments with a history dating back 25 years. Modirum’s cloud-based 3-D Secure (3DS) technologies and services authenticate digital payment transactions globally in numerous payment systems, hundreds of issuers, and thousands of merchants, as well as enable 3DS transactions for hundreds of millions of cardholders. “Financial institutions are fighting to stay ahead of fraud threats, and are dependent on disparate, siloed authentication tools used for various banking…

The Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO) has issued an alert against eGadgets.co.za, an online retailer selling electronic goods, for failure to deliver goods that have been bought and paid for by online shoppers. Of the 32 consumer complaints lodged with the Ombuds office against eGadgets in the last 12 months, only 11 have been successfully resolved. Lee Soobrathi, Ombudsman for the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud, says that the supplier has ceased to cooperate with the CGSO, resulting in the office having to close 17 unresolved cases and referring the consumers to open new cases with the regulator. This is despite numerous attempts by the CGSO to engage with eGadgets to resolve the complaints. “When a supplier refuses to cooperate, the CGSO issues a Termination Notice, effectively closing the case, so that the consumer can escalate their concerns to the National Consumer Commission (NCC). This is because the NCC has powers of investigation and sanction, that we – as a mediation body – do not,” says Lee Soobrathi. According to the Ombudsman, eGadgets has consistently failed to fulfill customer orders within the stipulated timeframes, despite…