Author: Staff Writer

A South African team has taken a top spot in the annual Huawei Global ICT Competition. The winning team included students and graduates from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), and the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN). They progressed to the Global Final, held in Shenzhen, China, after competing among tens of thousands of students from across Sub Saharan Africa and globally. At the Grand Final, they were one of 146 teams from 36 countries and regions competing in the major prize categories. The Huawei ICT Competition is one of the largest ICT events in the world and is aimed at…

Everybody’s talking about ChatGPT, which is the fastest growing consumer app ever unleashed in the world. It took two months for this incredible app to reach more than 100 million users—and there are few signs that its growth is slowing down. It’s an example of a technology called generative artificial intelligence (AI), which has the potential to change our working and personal lives as much as the internet did. Ahead of Youth Day (June 16), TCL discusses four things that young people should know about generative AI. What is generative AI? Generative AI enables machines to generate original content such…

Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has batted away suggestions that South Africa may be hit with international sanctions due to its non-aligned stance regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Magwenya was addressing the media at the Union Buildings on Monday. Government has repeatedly described its stance as one supporting the emergence of peace between the two countries through negotiation and talks. “We are a little bit surprised at this talk of sanctions, which we regard as reckless and as very damaging to our already ailing and struggling economy. We find this talk of sanctions as being purely alarmist and we find it to…

South African consumers are finding ways to cope with the tough economic times and using loyalty/reward programmes is one of them. TrendER/infoQuest, a South African online research company recently conducted a survey, asking consumers which loyalty programmes they belong to, which they use most often and which are their favourite loyalty programmes. This research was conducted during May 2023 and 300 consumers were interviewed. On average, consumers belong to 8 loyalty programmes In terms of age groups, those in the 35–49 age category belong to the most loyalty programmes at 10, while the younger generation, those aged 18–24, belong to…

Unemployed and unskilled South African youth (aged 18 to 34) are now invited to apply for specialist training and educational programmes at the Shoprite Group throughout the year.    With youth unemployment at a staggering 63.9%, the Group’s talent attraction and development strategy places a strong focus on offering early careers to unemployed youth.    Through its Retail Readiness Programme, the Group has invested over R586 million into more than 32 000 learners since 2016. Arguably the largest and most successful skills development initiative undertaken by a South African retailer, the seven-week programme equips unemployed youth with the basic skills required to work in a retail environment or to start their…

Liquid Dataport, a business of Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid), a pan-African technology group, and Angola Telecom, a fixed network operator in Angola, announced a new terrestrial fibre route between Luanda, Angola to Johannesburg, South Africa, via DRC, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The addition of this route to Liquid’s regional fibre backbone is a significant addition to its existing 110,000 km network, providing its regional customers’ access to high-speed connectivity at affordable costs. Hon. Mário Oliveira, Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication, said, “We have made significant investments in our telecommunications sector over the last 25 years, which includes terrestrial,…

South Africa’s Telkom confirm on Monday that it is engaged in exploratory talks with consortium led by Sipho Maseko (Afrifund Investments) and comprising Axian Telecom and the Government Employees Pension Fund, managed by the Public Investment Corporation. Telkom said the consirtium wants to acquire a controlling stake in a partial state-owned company. “The company confirms that it has received an unsolicited non-binding indicative letter from the consortium for the acquisition of a controlling stake in Telkom, the merits of which are being assessed by the Telkom board,” said the company in a statement. “In this regard, the company has requested…

FTSE-listed tech firm Network International (NI) today announce that it has been appointed as a digital payments technology partner to Vodacom Financial and Digital Lifestyle Services. This means it will provide a fully managed service offering. The NI omni-channel digital payment capabilities will allow card holders to pay anywhere in multiple ways, while enjoying seamless and secure payments, with end-to-end tokenization. The deal sees NI providing managed services card issuing, and acquirer processing services transaction switching capabilities, as well as other value added services and related back-office support functions. The solution will mean merchants can offer a range of payment…

JSE-listed Alexforbes has appointed Kuseni Dlamini as chair-Designate. His appointement is effective 1 July 2023. Subject to regulatory approval, Dlamini will also serve in the nominations committee and member of the Mergers and Acquisitions and Remuneration committees. Dlamini currently serves as the Chair of Massmart, Aspen Pharmacare, Sandvik Mining Southern Africa Holdings and Fedgroup Holdings and Tennant Group. He is the Lead Independent Director of the JSE-listed fintech, Capital Appreciation Limited. In the non-profit space, he serves as co-Chair of the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), Chair of the University of Pretoria Council and is a member of the…

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…