Author: Staff Writer
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…
Get ready to unleash your inner gamer and embrace the thrilling world of esports at the most anticipated event of the year! Telkom VS Gaming today announced its collaboration with Comic Con Africa to once again, bring you an unparalleled gaming experience at the Telkom VS Gaming next gen village from the 22nd to 25th September 2023. Level-up your Comic Con adventure and prepare to embark on an epic journey as Telkom VS Gaming and Comic Con Africa unite to offer you an unforgettable assortment of gaming and pop culture. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a casual enthusiast, this…
MTN South Africa has taken a bold step forward today by introducing MTN Xlerator, an innovative Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme that is set to reshape local supply chains, stimulate economic growth, and champion inclusivity. MTN said this launch represents a significant milestone in its deliberate journey to support black-owned enterprises, aligning with the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) pillar of its Ambition 2025 strategy. It builds upon the substantial progress the company has already made in the ESD arena. In 2021 alone, MTN dedicated over R220 million to various initiatives, in addition to nearly R100 million allocated for…
There is no better way to celebrate World EV Day on 9th September than with South Africa’s accelerating sales of new and used electric vehicles (EVs). It’s quite the about-turn from the somewhat lacklustre adoption of EVs in past years. In the first half of 2023 new EV sales amounted to 501 matching total sales for 2022¹. An expanding range of EVs on the used car platform has also brought brisker trading. In the half-year of 2023, 131 used EVs made their way to environmentally-conscious buyers, according to AutoTrader. “Affordability, limited choice and education have been major factors stalling the…
Volvo Car South Africa has revealed that early demand for its new fully electric EX30 has been incredibly strong, with the local market ranking in the top ten for pre-orders in the broader Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The news fittingly comes just ahead of World EV Day 2023 on 9 September, the fourth instalment of a global celebration dedicated to highlighting the benefits of battery-powered cars and raising awareness around the need to transition to more sustainable methods of transport. The EX30 – which is positioned as one of the most affordable full-size electric vehicles in South…
Yesterday, 6th September 2023 marked the conclusion of the Uganda-SA Investment and Trade Summit in which MTN Group convened key companies in the South African private sector with operations in Uganda to Accelerate Investments and Trade between Uganda and South Africa. The Summit which was convened in line with MTN’s commitment to partnerships in driving sustainable development was [presided over] by Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni. Speaking at the Summit, MTN Group Chairman Mcebisi Jonas, noted the importance of working together and paying focused attention on the growth and development of the various countries that MTN has operations in and in…
Bayobab Group (formerly MTN GlobalConnect) today announced Florent Guede as Managing Director of Bayobab Cote d’Ivoire. “Florent is no stranger to the Bayobab Family, having joined the Bayobab Group 4 years ago. He is a valued member of our team, and we are thrilled to announce his promotion. We are confident he will continue to add value to Bayobab and deliver next-gen digital solutions through our Bayobab Fibre and Communication Platforms across Cote d’Ivoire.” Shares Frédéric Schepens, Bayobab Group CEO. Florent will be responsible for leading and bringing Bayobab’s Cote d’Ivoire to position its operations at the forefront and advance…
Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), today confirmed that its near-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Sage is committed to a 50% reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2030 against a 2019 baseline, in line with the goals of the Paris agreement of 2015. As of the issuing of this press release, there were only 3200 companies globally with approved science-based targets. Fewer than 11% of those represented the software sector, making Sage an early responder…
MTN South Africa has announced the appointment of Tumi Chamayou, as Chief Enterprise Business Officer for South Africa, effective 1 October 2023, and Ernest Galelekile as the new Executive: Channels in Commercial Operations, effective 01 September 2023. Chamayou is currently the Group Executive for MTN’s Enterprise Business Unit (GEBU) having joined that team in 2018, as General Manager for Large Enterprise Sales. During her Group tenure, she has added immense value, overseeing growth, first in the Multinational and Large Enterprise segments. She later added the SME client segment teams, as well as driving the overall strategy and operational alignment,…
RMB Ventures, a private equity subsidiary of RMB, announced today it has entered a partnership with pan-African company Africa Climate Ventures (ACV) to help its existing and future portfolio companies achieve a greater level of sustainability while improving profitability. ACV focuses on combating the effects of climate change by building and investing in businesses which undertake to remove carbon from the atmosphere or significantly avoid future emissions. ACV has a track record of building new businesses focused on scaling climate-positive technologies, and investing to add climate-positive business lines to existing businesses. Says Andrew Aiken, Head of RMB Ventures: “We are…
Zoho, a global software-as-a-service company, today announced that it is serving 100 million users across its 55+ business applications. Zoho is the first bootstrapped SaaS company to reach this milestone. This growth comes on the heels of the company reaching 1 billion USD in annual revenue last year. Consistently providing accessible technology while promoting sustainable growth, Zoho has steadily increased its traction from 1 million users in 2008 to 100 million 15 years later—with the last 50 million users added within the past five years. Zoho is profoundly grateful for the enduring support of its more than 700,000 customers across 150+ countries.…
Armoured Mobility, a leading name in vehicle armour protection, is making waves with a provocative billboard campaign that’s grabbing the attention of travellers along the N3 Highway in South Africa. This unconventional marketing initiative boldly proclaims, “Fear Fokol,” and it’s making motorists do a double-take. The “Fear Fokol” billboard, strategically placed near the Van Buuren off-ramp, heading towards Gillooly’s interchange and the OR Tambo Airport, is not your typical advertisement. Instead, it serves as a stark and unconventional message meant to shock and stimulate thought among its audience. “Fokol,” an Afrikaans slang term, signifies a sense of nothingness or emptiness.…
Google today announced that Alex Okosi, currently Managing Director for YouTube in EMEA Emerging Markets, will take on the role of Managing Director for Google in Africa. In his new role, Okosi will be responsible for Google’s operations in Africa including programs to help businesses and economies on the continent to grow, as well as expanding access and providing tools to help the next billion users get more from the Web. “Alex is a proven leader with a wealth of experience in the media and technology industries. He has a deep understanding of African countries and a passion for using…
Vodacom Group CEO, Shameel Joosub, was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Management Sciences by the Central University of Technology at its annual Chancellor’s Doctorandi Dinner on Friday night. In its citation at the official ceremony, the Bloemfontein, Free State, University said: “Shameel’s business acumen and astute business administration skills have not only positioned the Vodacom Group ahead of its competitors, but also allowed it to stay clear of economic challenges facing many established enterprises.” The University added that Shameel had been a critical figure in Vodacom’s transformation since 2012 and that he is “committed to driving change…