Author: Staff Writer
The Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge Twin has been named the best New Energy Vehicle at the 2023 Old Mutual Insure South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition. Now in its 37th year, the SA COTY 2023 competition included 21 finalists meticulously selected from a pool of 55 qualifying vehicles competing across eight categories. The Swedish luxury automaker’s first-ever fully electric car was judged the best vehicle in the all-important New Energy Category, with Volvo Car South Africa representatives accepting the coveted award at a glittering gala dinner in Johannesburg. The XC40 P8 Recharge Twin – which is endowed with…
As South Africa prepares to celebrate Youth Day, a significant milestone in the nation’s history, Job Crystal, an online recruitment platform committed to empowering the youth of the country through contributing to hiring opportunities, facilitating quick hiring, and investing in targeted outreach initiatives. Youth Day, observed annually on June 16th, commemorates the bravery and sacrifice of the youth of 1976 who fought against the oppressive apartheid regime. It serves as a reminder of the importance of youth empowerment and the need to create a bright future for the next generation. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by young job…
inq., a leading-edge computing company under Convergence Partners, announced the launch of its subsidiary, Edgedock, during the Securex Expo event held this week at Gallagher Estate Johannesburg. Edgedock aims to innovate Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions and accelerate clients’ digital transformation through channel partners. This exciting development will revolutionise the AI landscape by developing cutting-edge solutions and empowering clients’ digital transformation journeys. Andile Ngcaba, Executive Chairman of inq., stated, “At Edgedock, we forge shared-purpose partnerships that offer each partner profitable revenue growth opportunities, delivering client and business relevant solutions that foster enhanced client intimacy, as well as market, segment and industry…
South Africa’s energy crisis has created opportunities for innovation, especially given Africa’s abundant natural resources which can be harnessed for renewable energy supply, according to Muhammed Ismail Seedat, Huawei’s Senior Systems Architect, Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa Region, who gave the keynote address at the 2023 edition of Huawei’s ICT Editors Xchange. With the theme Energy Resilience: the future of energy reimagined, a panel of experts in technology, energy, finance and academia came together for the annual event, which was hosted at Huawei’s Innovation Centre in Johannesburg, to discuss the issues of energy security and sustainability, and the growth of small…
McKinsey & Company today announced the expansion of QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey, to its offices in Johannesburg, Casablanca, Lagos, and Cairo and to serve as hubs for its global QuantumBlack network. While McKinsey has always served clients in Africa on data and analytics, QuantumBlack has been an accelerating force for McKinsey, blending powerful AI and technology with deep strategic thinking and domain expertise to help clients unlock substantial growth. McKinsey acquired QuantumBlack, a London-based company with roots in Formula 1 motor racing, in 2015. “The breakneck pace at which AI is changing and evolving is challenging investors and business leaders…
More than R10 million has been paid out to community members and over 10 million kilograms of waste diverted from landfill by Packa-Ching, a Polyco recycling initiative supported by Shoprite. With mobile units operating in low-income areas where recycling infrastructure is hard to come by, Packa-Ching incentivises communities to collect and recycle waste. Recyclable packaging materials, including plastic, glass, cans, and paper, are weighed, and community members are paid instantly via a cashless eWallet system. The funds can be used at any participating retailer or can be withdrawn or transferred to anyone in South Africa. Packa-Ching launched its first mobile…
The mission of Google’s first AI research centre in Africa is to push the boundaries of AI while solving pressing problems affecting millions of people both locally and globally, like mapping buildings in remote locations to provide better electricity. The centre was opened in 2018. Here are six AI projects the Accra research centre is working on and how they are hoping they’ll make a difference. Mapping buildings Even with satellite imagery, it can be difficult to map buildings in remote locations. When these buildings go unmapped, it can make things like planning infrastructure difficult. Our Open Buildings dataset project, launched…
Fraud, identity theft and impersonation are three of the most significant risks South Africans face in an already stressful environment caused by the country’s energy crisis, a growing cost of living/unemployment crisis, and constant news about political instability. Dalene Deale, Executive Head of Secure Citizen, points out that the desperation South Africans face daily has made them prime targets for fraudsters. “Unfortunately, human beings only have one emotional bucket, which can be rapidly depleted when dealing with fraud, identity theft and impersonation. Resolving the issue becomes all-consuming as they face an uphill battle to reclaim what is rightfully theirs,” says…
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter today announced the appointment of 3 Deputy CommissionerS to strengthen his executive team. This follows an extensive executive search which resulted in the appointment of one internal candidate and two from private sector. The appointment of Deputies is also one of the recommendations in the final report of the Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by SARS headed by Judge Robert Nugent. Commissioner Kieswetter says: “I am delighted with these appointments. The Deputy Commissioners will provide valuable support to build on the work we commenced 4 years ago in the rebuilding program. To enhance…
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is accelerating its social employment efforts as part of its portfolio of job creation and livelihood support interventions under the Presidential Employment Stimulus. The Social Employment Fund, launched under the Presidential Employment Stimulus, is contributing to sustainable job creation by creating 50 000 new job opportunities in its first phase. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has established a Social Employment Fund, which is managed by the IDC. To date, a total amount of R800 million has been invested through 28 strategic implementing partners tasked with creating 50 000 temporary jobs. Speaking during the…
South Africa’s healthtech player, Kena Health, has closed $2 million in seed extension funding from NEXT176, the innovation subsidiary of African financial services giant Old Mutual, and a further $100 000 from US-based frontier market investor Tofino Capital. Launched in March 2022, this start-up based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has quickly gained market traction and investor attention for its unique healthcare offering. The Kena Health App allows customers to consult with a doctor, nurse, or mental health professional from their smartphone. This full-stack solution of expert clinical teams and technology work together to deliver seamless, quality healthcare, while lowering the…
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) recently announced the winners of its first hackathon, which aims to promote entrepreneurship and innovation among South African youth African youth. The winning team, Tech Busters, dominated the competition and took home R20 000. They have also been given the opportunity to work with FSCA’s ICT department to further develop their winning idea. “We built a smartphone game that will make entrepreneurship entertaining and simpler for individuals who need help starting a business and those who are already running Small Medium and Micro Enterprises ( SMMEs ) and are stuck and need direction. We…
The Shoprite Group has reduced its electricity consumption by 11.8% following the installation of 1 001 932 energy-efficient LED lightbulbs across 1 647 of its supermarkets and distribution centres nationwide. This has eased pressure on the national electricity grid as well as generated savings of 164 million kWh and R346 million in electricity costs for the Group during its 2022/2023 financial year. “By taking a proactive stance in energy planning, the Shoprite Group has bolstered its stores’ energy resilience to withstand both anticipated and unforeseen disruptions in energy supply and electricity tariffs,” said Sanjeev Raghubir, Sustainability Manager for the Shoprite…
The SA BRICS Business Council is looking for South Africa’s best up-and-coming tech gurus to represent the country in the BRICS Future Skills Challenge. This year’s future skills Olympics will help solve problems that BRICS (South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India and China) face around energy, water and health. This major event is being hosted in person and virtually by South Africa in Johannesburg from 12 – 15 September 2023 and hundreds of competitors are expected. 120 South African participants are sought and their travel expenses will be covered. Those selected to participate will solve real-world problems in their specific skill…
Liquid Dataport, a business of Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid), a pan-African technology group, has launched its newest fibre route connecting Mombasa, Kenya, to Muanda on the west coast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). This is the shortest route connecting East to West Africa, reducing data transmission latency by 20 milliseconds. The much anticipated 3,800km route marks a new era in East-West connectivity on the continent, adding to Liquid’s One Africa Digital Network, which now spans 110,000 km. The fibre route connects Kenya and DRC, passing through Uganda and Rwanda and bringing more reliable and affordable broadband connectivity…
Digital healthcare platform EMGuidance has launched a new digital prescription tool that promises to transform the way prescriptions are managed and shared in South Africa. The new tool, PrescriBIT, will reduce workflows for healthcare providers and pharmacies, while making medication safer, more cost-effective and easier to collect for patients. The tool will allow doctors to quickly generate digital prescriptions from an app or a PC. This offers them a host of benefits, including improved accuracy, time-saving, improved patient safety and compliance, and increased efficiency. Pharmacists will benefit through scripts having a trackable history, more efficient workflows and a decrease in dispensing…
The global artificial intelligence (AI) market is expected to top $300 billion by 2026, with retail and banking expected to be the two major sectors driving growth. With the technology maturing so fast, small and medium retailers should be looking at how they can use AI and automation to get ahead of the game and increase their competitiveness. That’s according to Steven Heilbron, CEO of Capital Connect, a fintech company that offers business funding to South African retailers. He says that AI technologies are becoming more accessible to even smaller retailers, thanks to platforms such as ChatGPT, creating opportunities for agile companies…
Shoprite and Checkers’ private label products scooped first place in nine categories – including best Mild Cheddar Cheese, Buffalo Milk Mozzarella, Chunky Cottage Cheese and Dairy Dessert – at the 190th South African Dairy Awards. A total of 52 products were submitted under seven of the supermarkets’ different private labels: Housebrand, Ritebrand, Crystal Valley, Royale, Simple Truth, Oh My Goodness, and Forage & Feast. The following products achieved the SA Champion Award as winners in their respective categories: Crystal Valley Cheddar – Lancewood Forage & Feast Mozzarella Di Bufala – Zandam Cheese Crystal Valley Low Fat Chunky Chives Cottage Cheese…
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has established a Council Committee to determine the impact of the current state of load-shedding on the electronic communications, broadcasting, and postal services sectors. On 5 April 2023, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) terminated the National State of Disaster on the Impact of Severe Electricity Supply Constraints. Consequently, all Regulations and Directions made in terms of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002, pursuant to the declaration of the National State of Disaster, were repealed with immediate effect. Following the decision by the Minister of COGTA to…
MultiChoice Group, Rapyd and General Catalyst today announced a joint venture aimed at developing an integrated payment platform for Africa to operate under a new company, called Moment. Multichoice owns DStv, Supersport, and other media assets. Moment offers expanded payment infrastructure for businesses across Africa to help them collect and make payments easier, quicker, and more affordable in any manner that their buyers or suppliers prefer. Moment will also offer additional options for consumers to spend and save money more wisely. The aim is to transform the African payments landscape by making digital payments more accessible and reliable for domestic,…
inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, is strengthening its B2B segment offering by introducing new solutions in inDrive.Freight and inDrive.Couriers delivery verticals. inDrive will broaden its offering through expanding the team and the acquisition of new tech solutions. The company recently completed a transaction with Master Delivery (MD), a SaaS platform for last-mile delivery, whereas, MD’s team in charge of global expansion, will be joining inDrive to strengthen its capacity for segment development. The transaction also covers inDrive’s acquisition of MD’s exclusive technology and its integration into its existing offering to the B2B segment. The team joining inDrive…
MFS Africa, a pan-African fintech company, is thrilled to announce that it has been crowned FinTech of the Year at a ceremony held last night, 24 May, in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. This prestigious accolade recognises the company’s outstanding contributions to the fintech industry in Africa and beyond through payment solutions that make borders matter less for millions of Africans. The Fintech of the Year award is a testament to MFS Africa’s dedication to transforming the financial landscape in Africa through its network of networks that connects mobile money providers, banks, fintech, money transfer operators and enterprises, enabling seamless…
Angola Cables and Orange have reached an agreement to share infrastructure on the West African Djoliba Network. The agreement provides customers with direct access to Francophone markets in West Africa and gives both companies the opportunity to expand their respective global connectivity by sharing domestic networks as well as Angola Cables’ submarine cable network and backbone infrastructure. Angola Cables and Orange offer seamless connectivity to Djoliba Network and other global destinations Rui Faria, Global Commercial Director of Angola Cables, says: “Getting access to efficient and secure digital and cloud services is an essential requirement for any business in today’s gigabyte…
Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology, announces a series of innovative updates to Sage Intacct to help businesses across the world simplify financial consolidations, streamline operations and improve financial planning. “Midsize businesses require speed and agility in the finance and accounting workflows that underpin every facet of their operations,” said Dan Miller, EVP Sage Intacct. “We’re helping them modernize their financial management systems to streamline processes and gain insights, enabling them to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and prepare for rapid growth.” Partial Ownership through Tiered Consolidations This innovative feature streamlines the consolidation process at an entity…
Banking as a Service (BaaS) and embedded finance enabler Ukheshe has recently launched a new innovation hub, Ukheshe Labs, to focus on research and development in the digital payments market. Jason Penton, Ukheshe Co-Founder and Head of Ukheshe Labs, says such an endeavour should be a priority for any company operating in the tech sphere. “As a company grows, there is often a very structured process for business as usual. When that happens, it’s easy to become stuck in mundane processes, leaving product development by the wayside. The idea behind Ukheshe Labs is to prevent this by bringing together highly…