Author: Staff Writer

Capitec, has leveraged WhatsApp’s rapidly evolving messaging technology to introduce an innovative chatbot education solution called MoneyUp Chat. The solution makes financial education available for free, in a fun format, on South Africa’s most widely used messaging platform. Jean Rossouw, Head of Social Responsibility at Capitec, says the solution is part of Capitec’s digitally led approach to providing financial education to South Africans. “MoneyUp Chat makes essential financial education widely accessible on an easy and familiar platform.” It delivers free conversational learning through interactive short courses and challenges. Users interact with ‘Moola’, a friendly chatbot, to learn more about topics…

Huawei South Africa has lent its support to a pioneering fibre optic technologies skills training programme targeting young women from three Johannesburg townships. The cohort of 19 selected participants, who all have a background in maths and science, spent a day at Huawei’s flagship Customer Solutions Innovation Centre in Woodmead, Johannesburg. Here the students were introduced to technology solutions in 5G networks, Cloud/AI, and big data among others and learned about digital solutions for specific business verticals.  They also had a formal training session relating to fibre deployment and a typical fibre project was unpacked and evaluated from start to finish.…

Property development partners, JSE listed Attacq Limited (Attacq) and Tricolt today host the grand opening of The Luna Cub, an exclusive multi-concept lifestyle destination for its residents with premium wellness, fine dining, business and leisure services. The Luna Club boasts retailers that include well-known fine dining restaurant, Olives and Plates, offering creative food concepts and exceptional services. Life Day Spa Waterfall and Trifit Wellness, are also set to open in the precinct. The lifestyle club further emphasises the excellent value Ellipse Waterfall has offered its investors leading to R 2.3 billion in sales to date. In 2020, the joint partners…

Telecommunications operator rain has announced that it has entered the mobile market for the first time. They are launching a new 4G mobile network, with high definition voice calls, data, SMS and national 4G mobile coverage. Up to now rain has primarily focused on the home internet market. rain began by launching South Africa’s first 4G data only network in 2018, and South Africa’s first commercial 5G network in 2019. Their 5G network has since expanded from metros to smaller towns and regions, covering over 7 million households. This makes one of the largest 5G network in the country and…

Eskom said due to lower weekend demand and the return to service of some generating units, Stage 3 and 4 loadshedding will be implemented this weekend. Please refer to the loadshedding table below: Eskom said it will publish a further update as soon as any significant changes occur. Breakdowns are currently at 17 245MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 4 468MW. Since yesterday morning, a generating unit each at Hendrina, Lethabo and Tutuka power stations have returned to service. “Over the past 24 hours a generation unit each at Camden, Kendal,…

Huawei has called on players across the solar industry to come together to develop high-quality solar PV benchmarks. The call, which was issued by Mr. Xia Hesheng, President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa’s Digital Power Business at Solar Show Africa 2023, comes at a pivotal time for the industry. With Africa home to 60% of the world’s best solar resources, solar PV has the potential to be a game-changer in providing affordable, clean energy to households, enterprises, and the wider electric grid. As Hesheng pointed out in his keynote speech at the conference, carbon neutrality, energy independence and business value are…

The Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) phenomenon is sweeping the local retail industry, with customer numbers surging as South Africans discover the joy of spreading the cost of their purchases across three months of interest and fee free, while receiving the goods immediately. But who’s using BNPL? And what are they buying with it? Interestingly, BNPL is not only used by lower income consumers, says PayJustNow CEO Craig Newborn. Around 4 in every 10 users are at least above average earners, if not high-income earners. They’re using it as a tool for improving their buying power, with many seeing it…

BuildRSA chat platform is a technology initiative that aims to give South Africans a chance to air their views on developmental issues facing the country and provide tangible solutions to resolving them before they cause degenerative damage. BuildRSA is about taking action by harnessing one’s personal agency and saying “what can I do to fix the problems in our country?” The platform gives users an opportunity to collectively and constructively problem solve through dialogue to tackle South Africa’s myriad of challenges and move the country forward. It aims to promote active citizenry, develop winning mindsets and create a culture of…

In a boost for business and for the growth and development of the Eastern Cape Internet ecosystem, the Nelson Mandela Bay Internet Exchange Point (NMBINX) is the newest addition to INX-ZA’s community-run Internet Exchange Point (IXP) services. INX-ZA operates SA’s only community-run Internet exchanges in Cape Town (CINX), Durban (DINX), Johannesburg (JINX) – and now Nelson Mandela Bay (NMBINX) – since JINX was launched in 1996 as a project of the country’s Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA). The first node of NMBINX is located in the city of Gqeberha, at the Dimension Data facility in Newton Park, and will be…

Local venture builder and business incubator Aions Creative Technology has launched a micro-investment platform that will allow the person in the street to invest in rapidly growing start-ups for as little as R50 a month, contributing to what the company calls the ‘democratising of wealth’ in South Africa. The new platform, Aions Exchange (AEX), will create a unique offering to start-ups seeking funding as well as South Africans looking to build wealth. AEX will allow investors to own a fractional share in one of the business currently being mentored by Aions, and to share in the profits when the business…

E-commerce shoppers have been promised a frictionless checkout for years, but new moves by the card schemes will take South African consumers a step closer. Soon, local merchants will be able to offer online shoppers a faster checkout experience giving them a seamless experience, much like the ones already available on Amazon and other global marketplaces. “South Africa is globally recognised for its sophisticated banking sector. However, payments still suffer a good deal of friction to ensure more secure experiences. Visa and Mastercard’s new standards will soon be rolled out with the express purpose of significantly reducing unnecessary payment friction…

GRGBanking, a Chinese company, has named Datacentrix, a hybrid ICT systems integrator and managed services provider, as its new local partner for South Africa. GRGBanking provides holistic hardware and software products and solutions to the financial services market, including ATMs, VTMs (Virtual Teller Machines), STMs (Smart Teller Machines), cash recyclers, cash depositors, cash sorters, and branch transformation solutions. “Datacentrix is always on the lookout for new markets within which to extend our offering, and we’re seeing an impressive emergence of digital transformation within Africa’s financial services market, as well as an ongoing requirement for physical infrastructure – like ATMs – across the continent,” says…

Eskom said on Thursday afternoon that Stage 6 loadshedding will be implemented from 16:00  today until 05:00 on Thursday. Thereafter, various stages of loadshedding will be implemented as per the loadshedding table below: Eskom will publish a further update as soon as any significant changes occur. Breakdowns are currently at 18 972MW of generating capacity while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 3 222MW. Over the past 24 hours a generation unit each at Camden and Tutuka power stations were taken out of service due to breakdowns. The delay in returning units to service at Arnot,…

Nasdaq-listed Align Technology, a global medical device company, today announced the launch of direct operations in South Africa. The direct operations further strengthen Align’s local footprint in the country, support awareness and adoption of the Invisalign System – the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, used by over 15 million Invisalign patients globally, and provide local clinical and commercial support, education and dedicated clinical events to orthodontists and dentists in South Africa. “We see enormous potential in South Africa, with a growing demand for Invisalign clear aligners,” said Markus Sebastian, senior vice president EMEA at Align Technology. “As…

Acer today announced it has worked with Bethesda Softworks and Microsoft to bring the much-anticipated action title Redfall to all new Acer Predator Windows 11 gaming laptop and desktop owners via a free, one-month offer of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Redfall is an open-world, single player and co-op FPS from Arkane Austin, the award-winning team behind Prey and Dishonored, that brings the studio’s signature gameplay to this story-driven, action shooter and will be available on Predator gaming PCs beginning May 2, 2023, through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Players will be able to experience Arkane’s stunning take on a Massachusetts island…

Microsoft is deepening its commitment to accelerating customer transformation in Africa with two key leadership appointments. Lillian Barnard has been named president for Microsoft Africa, dedicated to unlocking opportunities for African organisations by providing them with the technology they need to elevate and expand their businesses. Kalane Rampai will succeed Barnard as Managing Director of Microsoft South Africa, helping strengthen the country’s role as a key contributor to Africa’s growth through broadscale digital innovation. The new appointments are an important milestone in Microsoft’s ongoing effort to drive impact in Africa at scale. The company was the first hyperscale cloud provider…

Mediclinic is now offering safe, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for expectant parents as part of their DNA-based diagnostic and clinical interpretation services. This is a recent addition to the product offering, following the launch of Mediclinic Ancestry testing earlier this year. Mediclinic Precise NIPT screens for common chromosomal conditions in the foetus, such as Down syndrome, Patau syndrome, Edwards syndrome, sex chromosome aneuploidies (chromosomal conditions caused by the loss or gain of a sex chromosome) and optional screening for up to five microdeletion syndromes which may be missed during routine prenatal screening. According to Dr Liani Smit, a medical…

Eagle Intelligent Health, a new telehealth app that provides “access to quality healthcare”, has launched in South Africa to connect local skilled doctors and specialists with individuals in need of healthcare. Made possible through a partnership with MediBüddy, a subsidiary of BüddyCentral Group – a South African-based financial services group – the Eagle Intelligent Health app enables users access to telehealth services, regardless of their location. Telehealth is a growing global trend that has accelerated over the past three years and continues to do so. It has become increasingly popular in South Africa, where access to quality healthcare remains a…

A leading technology training and skills provider warns that South Africa’s (SA’s) job creation strategy must adapt or risk leaving millions behind in the global digital transformation opportunity boom. Industries across the globe are rapidly being digitised, evolving their labour requirements to allow for far more opportunities for young people to break into the digitalised world of work. “SA’s young workforce are at risk of being left behind in this digital paradigm shift because of a stagnant labour force pipeline that has yet to adequately address the needs of the economy,” says Divesh Sooka, General Manager ALX South Africa. Committed…

Conversations around diversity and inclusion have become a  common topic in boardrooms across the world. With many multinational technology companies making headlines over the past few months, it is no surprise then that the momentum around issues concerning women and girls in STEM fields has once again risen to the fore. On Thursday, 27th January, International Girls in ICT day was celebrated with the central theme focusing on ‘Digital Skills for Life’. However, this should be advocated for on an ongoing basis if sustained change is to be seen.  Ultimately, organisations must reach common goals that encapsulate encouraging girls and…

As the world celebrates International Girls in ICT Day on 27 April, it’s important to put the spotlight on those young women who are building ICT careers for themselves even in the face of major challenges. One such young woman is 22-year-old Rumaanah Khan who, having spent her life striving for excellence and working to make her close- knit family proud, is now reaping the rewards of hard work and making the most of the opportunities made available to her. Rumaanah is all the more remarkable as she suffers from fibromyalgia, a condition which causes musculoskeletal pain, accompanied by extreme…

Huawei Digital Power has held its FusionSolar 2023 Channel Partner Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, during which the tech giant released its latest sustainable energy solutions for residential and industrial applications. Xia Hesheng, President of Huawei Digital Power Sub-Saharan Africa Region, spoke of the global importance of achieving carbon neutrality, and of countries’ pursuit of energy sovereignty. He outlined the huge commercial value of the PV industry which is driving the accelerated development of clean energy. Xia believes that businesses can choose to focus on short term targets, but this isn’t always a winning strategy. If you want to do…

Huawei has successfully held the Fusion Solar Forum 2023 at the sidelines of the Solar Show Africa 2023 this week in Johannesburg. Industry associations, sector organisations, industry leaders and experts gathered to share industry trends and insights and presented innovative solutions and best practices which will contribute to the development of the industry on the continent. Leo Chen, President of Huawei Sub Saharan Africa, said that the quest for global carbon neutrality, energy security, and commercial value are driving the rapid development of a new international energy industry. The urgency of Africa’s own transition is being accelerated by power shortages…

Bridgestone’s trusted fleet management solution, Webfleet, is launching its third African presence in Botswana, by partnering with Kgare Digital. This expansion it is set to bring high-end tech skills, much-needed investment and jobs in the country. Webfleet’s partnership in Botswana joins the company’s presence in South Africa and Namibia, the first two African markets where Webfleet started to conduct business in order to improve logistics client business efficiency, while contributing to the safety of road users. “Being part of Bridgestone, we recognised the opportunity to leverage the companies’ large African presence to expand the telematics and connected vehicle solutions we…

Convergence Partners has announced the acquisition of a strategic stake in 42Markets Group, an incubator, investor and builder of high-growth specialist businesses in the financial and capital markets sector. The introduction of Convergence Partners as new investors will enable the 42Markets Group to accelerate growth through the buildout of its product set and further geographic expansion. The investment is through its Convergence Partners Digital Infrastructure Fund (CPDIF), a $296m private equity fund focused on investing in digital infrastructure opportunities across sub-Saharan Africa. 42Markets Group is focused on the digital transformation and improved efficiency of capital markets in Africa. The business…