Author: Staff Writer
In a resolute response to the challenges faced by Township communities, the Empire Partner Foundation (EPF), in collaboration with Township Distribution Model (TDM) and with generous sponsorship from the Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA), today announced the successful recruitment, selection and onboarding of 50 previously unemployed youth onto EPF’s self-employment initiative. This pivotal EPF initiative stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of community-driven economic development, which as its foundation, creates a circular economy of nurturing local talent to provide direct services to the community, while creating self-employment opportunities in that community. The…
TechCrunch, American global online newspaper focusing on high tech and startup companies, have selected Omnisient, the South African data analytics fintech that is accelerating financial inclusion, as one of 200 early-stage tech start-ups that are most likely to have a positive impact on the world. TechCrunch reviewed close to 3,000 nominated early-stage startups from around the world to choose the final 200 to participate in their Startup Battlefield 200 competition at the annual TechCrunch Disrupt event in San Fransisco, USA. The Startup Battlefield 200, is the world’s preeminent startup competition where 200 startups are trained and invited to pitch in…
MTN SA’s business activities in 2021, which include capital infrastructure investments, operating expenses, and tax revenue contribution to the country, contributed to GDP and have been pivotal in driving economic growth. “These contributions resulted in the creation of approximately 146 487 direct, indirect, and induced jobs across the ICT value chain and other sectors,” according to KPMG study published last week. The recent True Value assessment, conducted by KPMG, underscores MTN’s commitment to our nation. According to the report, the measurable Social Value of Jobs stood at an encouraging R1.9 billion, which refers to quantified impact of jobs created beyond…
With ecommerce in South Africa breaching the R55 billion a year barrier, home delivery has become a way of life for the country’s consumers. Yet delivery isn’t the right fit for every retailer’s customer base or business model. Each merchant should balance the potential revenue gains against the costs and drawbacks of home delivery. That’s according to Gerhard Le Roux, head of capital growth at Capital Connect, a fintech that offers fast and flexible business funding to South African retailers. He says that fleets of delivery bakkies and scooters have changed the shape of fast-food and grocery retail since the pandemic, contributing…
Meltwater in partnership with Absa Bank, is delighted to announce the opening of applications for the highly anticipated MEST Africa Challenge Startup Pitch Competition. Early-stage technology startups operational in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa are invited to participate in this prestigious competition to showcase their innovative businesses and entrepreneurial prowess. The application period begins today and will close on 9th October 2023. The MEST Africa Challenge offers exceptional benefits to participating startups. The winner will receive a substantial equity investment of USD 50,000, providing crucial financial support to accelerate their business growth. In addition, the winner and other…
For a couple of remarkable young women, exposure to sought-after technological skills isn’t just a chance to improve their own career prospects – it also allows them to act as role models and bring about positive change in their communities. Two young women, Ntombifuthi Mwale and Samukelisiwe Dube, are both beneficiaries of Huawei’s bursary programme which offers students, from disadvantaged backgrounds, an opportunity to flourish and accomplish their aspirations and academic goals while also ensuring they are equipped to enter the workplace. The programme is open to second, third, and fourth-year students studying across a broad range of fields, including…
Members of the South African team which took a top spot in the 2022-2023 Huawei Global ICT Competition held in Shenzhen, China recently are still riding high following their success. The two University of KwaZulu Natal graduates, Lutho Sigidi and Nqubeko Asanda Shabalala and University of Johannesburg graduate Terry-Anne Fredericks have all been employed by Huawei and, recently were singled out for praise by South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa when he visited the Huawei Campus. The remarks came during President Ramaphosa’s official opening of the Huawei Innovation Centre, which showcases Huawei’s latest and most innovative digital technologies and solutions such…
MTN SA has announced the expansion of its innovative eSIM functionality to prepaid customers, a game-changing feature that enhances the way customers connect and communicate. The eSIM, which is a digital version of the physical SIM card, is now available to all customers and will provide seamless connectivity and linkability to a range of devices. With the expansion of the eSIM functionality, MTN is reinforcing its commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and staying at the forefront of digital innovation in the telecommunications industry. This advanced technology eliminates the need for physical SIM cards and unlocks a host of benefits…
Transformation in the workplace, specifically as it pertains to gender equality, has been an ongoing issue in South Africa. As August is national women’s month, TrendER/infoQuest, a leading online South African research supplier, conducted a survey with working women to assess their perceptions of the progress made in this regard. The research was conducted at the beginning of August 2023 and 160 employed women were interviewed across all industries and all job levels. Decision-making in the workplace One in two (51%) women believe that the decision-making power of women in the workplace has improved, while 64% claim that in their…
Vodacom today announced that customers will receive 30% more airtime when they recharge through the VodaPay super app. This value-added airtime lasts 365 days – keeping customers connected for longer. Customers can use this airtime to make calls, buy voice bundles, SMSs or convert it into data bundles to access the internet. “We are excited to give customers additional value in the form of airtime, particularly at a time when the cost of living is high with South Africans facing persistent price pressures. Our goal is to exceed customer expectations by providing value and convenience. With the 30% more airtime,…
MTN South Africa has unveiled MyMTN Prepaid Funeral Khava, aimed at offering South Africans an accessible and budget-friendly insurance coverage when they may need it most. South Africans can now protect their families from financial burdens after a loss for as little as R75 per year. Under its new Khava brand, MTN’s prepaid funeral insurance is the first of a range of insurance products designed for the local market. Backed by Sanlam and facilitated by aYo Intermediaries South Africa, the funeral insurance offering aims to cater to the unique needs of the SA market. MyMTN Prepaid Funeral Khava offers a…
Retail Capital, a division of TymeBank, recently announced the launch of ChatSME, a Large Language Model (LLM) designed to empower and revolutionise how South African entrepreneurs grow their businesses. This generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) model aims to provide easy access to valuable knowledge and resources, fostering growth and success in the vibrant, and crucially important SME (small medium enterprises) community. In a world inundated with search engines, online learning platforms, and digital tools, accessing business information has become easier, but not necessarily safer. For many business owners, concerns about the risks associated with OpenAI platforms and potential leaks of proprietary…
In an age where digital natives dominate the tech scene, two Boomers, Pieter Geldenhuys and Johan Pretorius, are proving that it’s never too late to innovate. Drawing upon their life experiences, the duo has launched an AI business that promises to revolutionize email communication. It is called AgentZero. Born from the need to save time and streamline processes, AgentZero uses voice dictation in tandem with advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to transmute raw ideas into polished, professional emails. In a world where time is the most precious commodity, AgentZero is here to be the digital magician in everyone’s pocket. Geldenhuys and…
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has partnered with Wykes Engineering Ltd, a leader in the renewable energy sector, to develop one of the largest energy storage systems in the UK to harness solar and wind power using second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries. A single Wykes Engineering BESS utilises 30 second-life I-PACE batteries, and can store up to 2.5MWh of energy at full capacity. The batteries supplied have been taken from prototype and engineering test vehicles, and JLR aims to supply enough batteries to store a total of 7.5MWh of energy – enough to power 750 homes for a day – by the…
Xero, the global small business platform, has opened applications for its inaugural Xero Beautiful Business Fund, designed to celebrate small businesses and accelerate their growth. The initiative is now open for submissions with more than R8,000,000 in funding available globally. Four South African Xero small business customers will each win R250,000, with an additional R545,000 available in each category should a South African winner receive a global prize. The Xero Beautiful Business Fund is open to Xero small business customers in South Africa, Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, and the US and will recognise companies who…
Cape Town-headquartered venture capital (VC) firm HAVAÍC has announced a further investment in RapidDeploy following its participation in a bridge round in October last year. The VC firm has bolstered its stake with a second investment as part of RapidDeploy’s Series C equity round. Founded in 2016, RapidDeploy is the leading cloud-native platform for public safety, delivering next-generation solutions and intelligent mission-critical data to 911 agencies across the United States. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the Cape Town-born business is helping to reduce response times, enhance situational awareness, and drive better outcomes. RapidDeploy also empowers public safety leaders with data insights…
Google today unveiled the “Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First”, an initiative aimed at supporting African startups looking to use artificial intelligence to solve local challenges. This program recognises the transformative role that AI is playing across the world, innovating industries and reimagining the realms of possibilities. It also highlights the significant contributions of African startups in addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges through the use of AI. The ‘AI First’ program is aimed at supporting startups keen on delving into AI’s possibilities. It draws learnings from past initiatives such as the Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa, The…
In an increasingly interconnected world, cybersecurity is paramount. One emerging threat is cyber extortion – a form of online blackmail wherein cybercriminals exploit digital resources for monetary gain. Cyber extortion involves unauthorised access to sensitive data or computing services, followed by threats of disclosure or disruption unless a ransom is paid. This crime can severely disrupt businesses and individuals alike, leading to substantial financial and reputational damage. “Cyber extortionists come with many faces but the same harmful intent,” warns Nolwazi Nzama, Deputy Chief Risk Officer at African Bank. “Whether it’s through ransomware, DDoS threats, sextortion, or data breach threats, the…
On a mission to #DareToStandOut, Huawei has launched the innovative Huawei nova 11 Series, a bold and stylish line made with portrait photography in mind. Catering to the fashion forward and trendsetters, the series offers a smarter, more convenient user experience, making a significant splash in the nova Star universe. Building on the Huawei nova brand’s legacy, the Huawei nova 11 Pro introduces XD Portrait and an upgraded Huawei Multi-Vision Photography, capturing extraordinary portraits. The Super Star Orbit Ring design flawlessly incorporates aesthetics into the lenses. The ultra-durable Kunlun Glass ensures ultimate reliability, while combined with SuperCharge Turbo, the phone…
Which used cars have the highest demand in South Africa in 2023? Which is the most in demand brand? And how many car searches happen every second? The 2023 AutoTrader Mid-Year Car Industry Report reveals the answers to these questions. This report – which covers the first six months of 2023 – delves into used car sales data, providing several interesting local in-market car shopping insights. Toyota is the leading brand in the local used car market in 2023, selling an impressive 28,061 passenger cars and achieving a 17% share of the used car market.Theaverage price of the sold Toyota…
Banking as a Service (BaaS) and embedded finance enabler Ukheshe has partnered with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) to provide an innovative BaaS platform in East Africa. BaaS, the provision of banking products and services through third-party distributors, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of a whopping 25% in some markets, and this new partnership will see both parties get ahead of this rapid growth curve. Mark Dankworth, President of Business Development at Ukheshe Africa, says Ukheshe is thrilled to partner with DTB as a progressive bank that shares Ukheshe’s vision for BaaS. “Ukheshe had been looking…
Today, Amazon Web Services (AWS) opened its first international AWS Skills Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, continuing on a mission to remove the barriers of access to cloud skills training. AWS Skills Centres are Amazon’s dedicated, in-person cloud learning spaces designed for anyone who is curious about cloud computing, career possibilities in the industry. Anyone in the local community—regardless of background, education level, or social status— can explore how cloud computing technology is powering everything from weather predictions to smart homes. Members of Parliament joined AWS executives in highlighting the value of cloud skills training to prepare South Africa’s…
Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), today announced it has received ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification in South Africa. The ISO/IEC 27001 standard provides companies with guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving information security management systems. The standard is published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), the world’s largest developer of voluntary international standards, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The certification confirms that Sage South Africa has put in place further systems to manage risks related to data security and that the system respects the rigorous best practices enshrined…
South African women are emerging as trailblazers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They are breaking new ground and helping to inspire the next generation of female scientists, technologists, and leaders. TCL celebrates some of the country’s top female STEM professionals and founders for Women’s Month. Sarah Collins Sarah Collins developed the Wonderbag in 2008 as a solution to the South African energy shortage forcing blackouts across the country. The Wonderbag is a non-electric slow cooker that uses heat-retention technology to continue cooking once a pan has been removed from the heat source.…
Junaid Munshi has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at MAZIV, the parent company of Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa (DFA). Dietlof Mare, Chief Executive Officer of Vumatel, DFA and MAZIV has announced Junaid Munshi as Group Chief Commercial Officer. Mushi will report to Mare and will be responsible for sustaining the remarkable growth that the company has achieved in the competitive market. Since starting in 2014, Vumatel has connected nearly two million homes in South Africa and provided free, unlimited 1gbps fibre connections to over 700 schools. DFA is the leading provider of enterprise fibre to major telecom…