Author: Staff Writer
Pace Car Rental has raised sizeable debt on the JSE Private Placements (JPP) platform to refinance the business at a more favourable rate, while also investing in further fleet assets. JSE Private Placements – a subsidiary of JSE Limited – is an innovative way of raising private capital. To date, JPP has onboarded 36 deals raising over R6.1bn and investors who have over R18bn of capital to deploy. “JPP is an alternative way for companies and infrastructure projects to raise capital or attract investment. With this platform, we’re building a future fit capital market that pairs up private debt and…
As South Africa’s industrial hub, Gauteng Province steps up its fight against climate change amid concerns of environmental impact. Recognising its significant role in environmental degradation due to its heavy reliance on carbon-intensive energy, Gauteng Province is redoubling its efforts to combat climate change. To enhance these efforts, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment (GDARDE) has announced the appointment of an expert environmental consultancy firm, specialising in this field, to craft a comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory. This inventory system will provide essential insights into the carbon footprint resulting from the province’s economic activities. The consulting firm…
Secha Capital today announced a first close of its second fund, with R300 million in investments from blue-chip investors. RMB Ventures, 27four Investment Managers, The SA SME Fund and Caleo Capital. Founders of Sechaba Capital are Nombuso Nkambule, Brendan Mullen and Rushil Vallabh who started Secha Capital in 2017. This first close of the R650 million fund enables the team to deploy its unique Operator-Investor model. The fund invests in traditional companies across sectors in Southern Africa that are making the tech-enabled transition into the green economy. “We invest in companies at an inflection point in their growth trajectory. Most…
Pan-African telco and network services provider, Paratus Group today announced that it has entered an agreement as a distributor for Starlink’s high-speed services across the African continent. This agreement will allow Paratus to provide Starlink to its customers across Africa, as operating licenses are awarded to Starlink in those countries. Initially, and with immediate effect, Starlink will be available from Paratus in Mozambique, Kenya, Rwanda & Nigeria before being rolled out to more countries. Starlink recognises Paratus Group as a key African distributor. Starlink provides high speed, broadband internet using a simple, scalable hardware platform that can be easily distributed…
Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal is investing over R1 billion this financial year into the region’s network to increase capacity and resilience and accelerate access to connectivity throughout the province, particularly in deep rural areas. “In pursuing our aim of creating an inclusive digital society, we are making a significant investment into the region’s network. By expanding access to reliable, quality connectivity through the deployment of more sites and network upgrades, we aim to provide an exceptional network experience to our customers. With this effort, we hope to bring the benefits of digitalisation to all communities we serve,” says Imran Khan, Managing Executive,…
The number of used cars sold in August grew by a sizeable 12% month-on-month to 34,725 from 30,978 in July. And the cumulative value of used cars sold to date has now reached over R14 billion reflecting a year-on-year growth of 10.5%, reports AutoTrader. “While new car sales dipped in August, in the used car sphere the opposite happened. This could be attributed to the value benefit pre-owned cars offer buyers, which makes pre-owned cars an attractive option,” says George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. During the month of August, on average consumers paid R403,203 for models with a 2018 average…
Vodacom Financial and Digital Lifestyle Services has partnered with Bidvest Bank to power the VodaPay Wallet. This partnership enables millions of South African consumers to seamlessly transact within VodaPay, which offers customers a platform by which money can be transferred into their digital wallets. The VodaPay Wallet gives consumers full control of their lifestyle directly from their smartphones. It is like carrying a digital wallet around in a digital mall, allowing customers to deposit money for free, send money, shop at their favourite retailers, order food, and even pay bills and traffic fines at no extra charge all from one…
Truecaller today announced a corporate rebranding and launch of a brand new app icon that will be instantly recognisable on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The timing of the new brand identity aligns with a significant transformation taking place in the digital space. At the heart of this rebranding is Truecaller’s renewed sense of purpose, energy and enthusiasm. “We are excited to unveil our new brand identity and logo. It signifies our continued commitment to our users and our focus to constantly evolve and improve, every day,” Alan Mamedi, Co-founder and CEO, Truecaller said. “Our mission, to…
The future of technology belongs to thought leaders, trailblazers and trendsetters. If that’s your world, don’t miss this year’s Dell Technologies Forum on 9 November. It’s the best opportunity to immerse yourself in the latest technology products and solutions, connect with industry pioneers and experts and explore technical sessions customised just for you. The hot topics at this year’s event include Generative AI (GenAI), multicloud and As-a-Service, modern data infrastructure and edge, security and the Future of Work. Attendees will learn more about AI readiness and digital fluency; the future of ethics and economies and what to expect from machine…
Panda Health believes that individuals should invest proactively in their mental health just as they do with their physical health. To encourage this, Panda Health has launched a rewards programme that offers users discounts on a wide range of products. Through the Panda mobile app, users can now earn points and rewards by engaging with various features. “When we launched Panda, we identified three barriers hindering access to mental health care in South Africa: stigma, cost, and lack of triage. What wasn’t immediately obvious to us was the potential lack of motivation among individuals to prioritise their mental well-being. This…
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) announced its Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The diploma aims for graduates and third-year students in engineering, science, and health sciences to become catalysts for business ownership and job creation. Apply for the PG Dip in Innovation and Entrepreneurship before 30 November 2023. Professor Christo Doherty, the course coordinator says: “We particularly encourage candidates who are contemplating pursuing a Master’s or PhD in any of these fields, so they can embark on advanced degrees armed with the knowledge of how to commercialise their research. Graduates of this programme will have a wealth of…
Vodacom today announced “Enhance” a first-in-the-market, allowing customers the ability to add their personal touch and augment their contracts – giving them the choice and control to build their world of connectivity, entertainment, and gaming, all in one. The simplified value proposition brings convenience for customers and is designed to transform the way they experience their mobile contracts. Enhance is more than a traditional contract– it affords customers the ability to personalise their package to reflect their lifestyle, whether they are a gamer or a fitness enthusiast. “We are cognisant of the fact that in today’s fast-paced world, consumers seek…
Google has today revealed that searches for artificial intelligence, or AI, are at an all-time high in South Africa. Search trends show that people have searched for AI more than ever in 2023 so far, with interest rising 230% since last year – and 700% over the last five years. Searches for “what is AI technology? (+1,700%), “how to invest in AI?” (+950%), “who created AI?” (+650%) and “how does artificial intelligence work?” (+500%) are all trending this year. Google, which released their conversational AI service Bard in South Africa in March, sees AI as having huge potential to help…
MTN South Africa has announced a new partnership with Eseye, a global provider of IoT services. The partnership will see Eseye’s IoT solutions deployed in South Africa, with the aim of expanding the solution to eighteen MTN operating companies across Africa. This involves integration with MTN’s current infrastructure, utilising Eseye’s deep engineering expertise and experience in deploying rapid IoT solutions to meet MTN’s global needs, and supporting customers with IoT deployments pan-Africa. Lawrence Juku, Head of IoT Solutions at MTN Business, said: “Our partnership with Eseye is a major milestone in our journey to become Africa’s leading digital platform.…
MTN South Africa has announced the launch of its SIM-only online offering, MTN SuperFlex. This product aims to transform the way customers experience mobile plans by putting the power of customisation, simplicity, and control into their hands. In today’s ever-evolving mobile landscape, consumers are seeking not just connectivity, but solutions that provide both the latest technology and value for their money. MTN SuperFlex does just this – giving customers the power to craft their ideal mobile plans offering unparalleled value including large data options, unlimited minutes and unlimited SMSs from only R299 per month. MTN SuperFlex gives customers the flexibility…
Jonathan Oppenheimer and the South African Future Trust today announced that the Trust will be broadening its efforts to focus on job creation and SMME development. The Trust, which was established in March 2020 with a R1 billion donation from the Oppenheimer Generations Foundation, was initially set up to champion, support and enable small, medium and micro enterprises through the Covid crisis. Now that the crisis has passed, it intends to redirect its resources towards empowering and enabling SMMEs. To herald this evolution, it has announced that it will be hosting a two-day summit for up-and-coming entrepreneurs. The inaugural South…
According to a new Kaspersky survey¹, 51% of employees surveyed in South Africa feel the need for better digital skills in their work with computers and other digital equipment. Over a third (35%) are afraid of losing their jobs because of the lack of IT competencies. Some believe it could happen as soon as in the next 5 years (16%), others suppose it might happen at some point later (19%). Only 20% are sure they are not at risk of losing their job because of poor IT knowledge. Among those who think they are most likely to lose their job…
As part of Jaguar’s transition to become a leading provider of luxury experiences, it has announced an exclusive mobility scheme for residents of high-end apartments in major cities. The initial scheme will provide residents in two cities the opportunity to use the all-electric I-PACE on demand. The future of urban car ownership is set to change as new generations embrace the sharing economy in the quest for a more convenient approach to transport. The car-sharing pilot will offer the opportunity to experience a luxury, all-electric lifestyle on demand, something Jaguar will continue to develop as the brand grows beyond its…
Sage, a leader in cloud business management solutions, today announced that it has added functionality to its Sage 50 and Sage Business Cloud Accounting software that makes it simple for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to comply with domestic reverse charge (DRC) regulations (as published by the National Treasury) for VAT on valuable metals. This aligns with Sage’s commitment to helping businesses streamline their operations through automation, ensuring seamless adherence to tax regulations and actively combatting widespread VAT fraud and avoidance prevalent in the gold trade. The Regulations are an anti-abuse measure aimed at foreclosing schemes and malpractices to claim…
Naspers-owned Prosus today announced the launch of PlusOne.io, a new all-in-one AI team member that is accelerating the performance of its global network of portfolio businesses, across fintech, food delivery, classifieds and edtech. PlusOne is the signature tool of Prosus AI Lab and is already delivering a unique and differentiated advantage for our network of over 800 data scientists working across the 80+ companies within our Ecommerce portfolio. While many companies are just embarking on their AI journey, we’re building on a strong foundation, Prosus said. “We’ve dedicated over five years to developing our Prosus AI Lab, an industry-leading applied…
Dell Technologies has appointed Alexandre Brousse as EMEA Channel Lead, effective October 1. Brousse will work with the EMEA Channel team to deliver a customer-centric and partner-empowered ecosystem that drives growth and innovation in the region. “With today’s leadership announcements we demonstrate our commitment to growth and creating market opportunities for both our customers and partners.,” said Diego Majdalani, President, Global Channel Sales, Dell Technologies. “Brousse is a highly experienced, respected leader and will be an asset to my leadership team and our broader EMEA partner ecosystem, while Anwar brings a great channel perspective, relationships, and a deep understanding of…
Volvo Car South Africa today announced that it led the sales charge in the local market’s fully electric premium C-SUV segment in the first half of 2023, far outselling every single rival in this space. According to figures released by industry representative body naamsa, local sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in the opening half of 2023 grew 145% year on year to 502 units. For the record, that figure matches the market’s total EV sales effort for the entirety of 2022. The Swedish luxury firm was at the very forefront of this year-on-year growth in H1 2023, with the XC40…
Fibre network operators (FNOs) can be a stumbling block for consumers trying to change ISPs, according to the Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA). Many FNOs have inadequate procedures for fibre customers to change from one ISP to another, causing them to experience billing problems or extended periods without internet access. “Many fibre customers already have limited choices because only one fibre network operates in their area,” said ISPA chair, Sasha Booth-Beharilal. “This makes it even more important for FNOs to ensure that customers have a choice of ISP and can seamlessly move between ISPs should they choose to do so.”…
Bayobab Group (Formerly MTN GlobalConnect) today announced that it has been awarded an International Network Licence in Zambia, authorising the transit of capacity across borders. This milestone achievement marks a significant breakthrough for its subsidiary in Zambia, opening new doors and strengthening its position as a land-locked country in transforming Zambia into the digital hub of Southern Africa. The connectivity landscape in Zambia has been undergoing significant transformations, playing a crucial role in shaping how its people access information, conduct business and engage in various aspects of modern life. With a population exceeding 19 million, Zambia has witnessed a notable…
On September 11, 2023, Johannesburg is set to become the venue for the grand inauguration of the “Centre for Open Education.” This landmark initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between the Russian Biotechnological University (BIOTECH) and the Empire Partner Foundation, aimed at advancing the objectives outlined in the federal project “Scientific, methodological, and personnel support for the teaching of Russian and languages of the Russian Federation.” This project is under the auspices of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. This Russian initiative is aimed at consolidating the efforts of representatives of Russian and foreign educational, scientific…