Author: Staff Writer

Huge Group announced in October 2022 its intention to combine Huge Telecom and Huge Networks into a single and significantly enlarged telecommunications, networks and services business. The combining of these two businesses will commence on 1 March 2023, and will serve new and existing customers under the brand name ‘Huge TNS – with the TNS acronym denoting Telecoms, Networks, and Services. The strategy was to combine the commercial and go-to-market strengths and distribution capabilities of Huge Telecom with the products, services, and technical capabilities of Huge Networks to create a more relevant, stronger, larger and more capable entity. “The convergence…

MTN Group and Huawei today signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen strategic cooperation in environmental, social and governance matters. The MoU, signed at MWC Barcelona, is aligned with MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy and Huawei’s Corporate Sustainability Development strategy, including its TECH4ALL initiative. “Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress can only be achieved through the power of partnerships,” said MTN Group Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer Nompilo Morafo. “Working with companies like Huawei, we can pool our technologies and expertise to drive greater access to connectivity, digital skills and greener and more sustainable solutions to the benefit of all.”…

Huawei has unveiled the HUAWEI XMAGE Trend Report 2023 during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. This is the first trend report since the launch of HUAWEI XMAGE in 2022, a new mobile imagery brand which clearly defined the structure of Huawei’s Mobile Imagery Strategy: technology innovation, consumer experience and culture exploration. Images have become the common language of today, and mobile phones plays an increasingly important role in this new trend, said Li Changzhu, Vice President of Strategy Marketing, Huawei Consumer BG, as well as judge of HUAWEI NEXT IMAGE Awards. Li announced the launch of the report at the…

Huawei’s Carrier BG President Li Peng spoke today at Huawei’s MWC Barcelona 2023 Day 0 Forum on how 5G was opening the door to an intelligent world, and how the leap to 5.5G would be a key milestone along this journey. Li emphasized that the industry had to work together to move faster towards an ultra-broadband, green, and intelligent world, and that Huawei’s GUIDE business blueprint could help lay the foundation for this important achievement. The physical and digital worlds seem to be growing ever closer as the effects of digital and intelligent transformation become increasingly apparent in our workplaces,…

The Huawei Green ICT Summit was held in Barcelona today. Peng Song, President of ICT Strategy & Marketing of Huawei, delivered a keynote speech entitled “Green & Development, Choosing Not to Choose”. Peng pointed out that An AI Big Bang is underway. AI brings new benefits and opportunities to operators. However, it also requires better ICT infrastructure, due to higher bandwidth and increased computing power leading to a rapid increase in network energy consumption. ” The ICT industry seems to be faced with the tough choice to either go green or develop. However, we believe the industry can choose not…

Huawei announced it has joined the UNESCO Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL) today as part of the company’s lead up to the Mobile World Congress 2023. The announcement was made at a Digital Talent Summit co-hosted by Huawei and the Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) which serves as the Secretariat of the GAL. At the Summit, Huawei and the UIL agreed to jointly promote the use of technology to raise literacy. The two parties also signed a cooperation agreement under which Huawei will fund an expansion of the UIL’s current initiatives to enhance educators’ use of technology in developing countries.…

After four years of development work, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicle and development project is entering its critical next phase. The fleet of under 100 vehicles will then be employed internationally for demonstration and trial purposes for various target groups. This active driving experience will therefore be the first chance for people not involved in the development process to gain a direct impression of what the BMW iX5 Hydrogen has to offer. “Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play in the energy transition process and therefore in climate protection. After all, it is one…

Innovative equity crowdfunding platform GoGetta has listed its first two businesses outside of South Africa.  Scorefam is a sports gaming business which makes it easy for betting fans to deposit and withdraw earnings via its crypto-enabled app. Quiver is a crypto-based savings and loans provider which caters for Africans in the informal sector. Both businesses are based in Nigeria. Sthembiso Zwane, co-founder of GoGetta says, “After successfully raising over R6m for two businesses in just six weeks, we’re delighted to offer these innovative African businesses to global investors. This signifies an important step in our growing reputation as a trusted…

Black female owned private equity investor Moshe Capital has acquired a 20% stake in Pragma, which is an engineering services business that specialises in delivering enterprise asset management services and solutions using proprietary technology. The R50 million deal was funded by FNB and takes black ownership of Pragma to 56.8%. “Moshe Capital partners with African businesses that can compete internationally, so Pragma is an excellent fit for our investment portfolio of mining and related businesses that transform the sector and have potential for growth. It is a homegrown business with a global footprint including an office in Europe, representation in…

Eskom announced that Stage 4 loadshedding will continue to be implemented until 16:00 on Monday afternoon, whereafter Stage 5 loadshedding will be implemented at 16:00 – 05:00 on Tuesday morning. The power utility added that loadshedding will then be reduced to Stage 3 at 05:00 – 16:00 on both Tuesday and Wednesday, while Stage 4 will be implemented during 16:00 – 05:00 on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Eskom will publish another update as soon as any significant changes occur. Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit each at the Arnot, Grootvlei, Kendal, Medupi and Tutuka power stations were returned…

Senzo Mbhele, currently Head of Innovation and Employee Experience at Tarsus Technology Group, has been appointed Managing Director of Tarsus On Demand (TOD) effective 1 March 2023. This follows the resignation of Anton Herbst, former CEO of TOD and Tarsus Technology Group (TTG), who departs both roles at the end of February 2023. Having previously held various roles at technology and consulting firms, Senzo joined TTG in 2016, leading proactive approaches to employee well-being in the organisation. Mbhele’s role as Head of Innovation and Employee Experience ensured that the group’s strategy filtered through to divisions and teams, and has seen…

Global technology brand HONOR today announced the launch of the HONOR X7a in South Africa is right around the corner. Featuring a long-lasting 6,000mAh battery[1], a 50MP Ultra-clear Quad Camera system, 128GB[2] storage, and a stunning 6.74-inch[3] HONOR FullView Display, the new HONOR X7a smartphone comes with extraordinary battery life that lasts for 3 days of typical use on a single charge, and powerful hardware to offer a well-rounded use experience throughout the day, and more – all at an affordable price. Slim Body, Large Battery Embedded in HONOR X7a’s slim and chic body, the 6,000mAh battery delivers extraordinary battery…

AKA’s new album, Mass Country, due to be released on global streaming platform Spotify tomorrow, is both a parting gift to his fans and a love letter to South Africa. Mass Country was produced and completed before South African rapper Kiernan Forbes’ untimely death. With a mix of local sounds, and features from a host of South Africa’s hottest Hip Hop talent including Khuli Chana, Blxckie, Nadia Nakai, Emtee, Yanga Chief, Sjava and more, there is no mistaking that this one was for his South African fans. In a video taken while he was in the studio, AKA is heard…

Umbiie (pronounced Um-bee) has launched a first-of-its-kind skills and experience matching platform for legal professionals globally. By uberising the workforce, Umbiie eliminates costly inefficiencies and deficits in the recruitment process to perfectly align legal professionals with jobs, consultants with projects, and practice lawyers with new clients. Marking a 180-degree pivot for the recruitment industry, Umbiie is powered by a shared revenue model that rewards all stakeholders in the resourcing and recruitment process, from the candidate to the client. The gig economy Umbiie comes in response to the fast-changing recruitment landscape which puts more power into the hands of job seekers.…

This note sets out the basic characteristics and requirements for the solar panel incentive announced by the Minister of Finance on 22 February 2023. This is meant to help individuals in their immediate decision making, rather than postponing any solar installation until the legislative process can be finalised. WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE INCENTIVE? Government proposes this programme to encourage households to invest in clean electricity generation capacity which can supplement electricity supply. The incentive will only be available for 1 year to encourage investment as soon as possible. WHO CAN CLAIM THE INCENTIVE? Individuals who pay personal income…

TFG’s new fashion and lifestyle shopping platform, bash, made a standout official debut this week, becoming the most downloaded app within six hours of its launch to customers. The platform, available on desktop and mobile web, as well as the IOS, Android and Huawei App stores, was the most popular app both within the shopping category and across all categories. Bash already boasts over 150 brands across 15 TFG store brands. Combined, this showcases an unrivalled selection of SA’s most-loved retail brands, augmented by the TFG rewards programme and TFGMoney. “We always knew that TFG had the ideal pillars to…

Naspers-backed car subscription company Planet42 has raised $100 million or R1.8 billion in combined equity and debt funding. The $15 million or R275 millionequity round was co-led by Naspers and ARS Holdings, with participation from existing and new shareholders, including Rivonia Road Capital, who also provided a $75 million  or R1.3 billion credit facility. Private investors contributed a further $10 million or R183 million in debt financing. The funds will enable Planet42 to rapidly scale its business and meet its ambition of providing 1 million cars worldwide. The car subscription startup addressing transport inequality by putting cars in the hands…

Shoprite is the first South African retailer to introduce an exclusive private label product range primarily sourced from local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The Homegrown label creates opportunities for emerging enterprises to thrive in the retail space. With access to market via Shoprite’s 534 supermarkets nationwide, it enables SMMEs to get their products onto shelves, increase turnover, and impact their local community by creating more jobs. This comes only months after the launch of Shoprite Next Capital, a business division dedicated to giving small suppliers access to its consumer market. ‘Homegrown’ speaks to the products within the new…

MTN SA has announced the appointment of Rami Farah to the position of Executive for Network and Nomthi Nelwamondo as Executive for Information Technology (IT). Farah joined MTN SA on 01 January 2023 from MTN Iran while Nelwamondo’s appointment is effective from 01 May 2023. The appointments are a deliberate move from MTN to ensure its ongoing evolution from telco to techco as the company works towards delivering its Ambition 2025 strategy. The Executive for Network role is a new role within MTN’s technology business and will support MTN in delivering its next-generation network aspirations. “We have faced some of…

inDrive, a global platform for mobility and urban services that has recently expanded its footprint in Africa to seven countries, has announced that it has raised $150 million or R2.7 billion from General Catalyst in an innovative hybrid instrument to fund marketing spend. This includes user acquisition and retention costs.   inDrive will benefit from increased financial flexibility thanks to this new funding, which will also help the business to continue its rapid expansion. Earlier, in the year 2021, General Catalyst took part in inDrive’s $150 million Series C investment round, which was headed by Insight Partners. Arsen Tomsky, inDrive founder…

Balwin Properties will list its shares for trade on A2X Markets from 28 February 2023. Balwin will be the first specialist residential property developer and the 10th company from the property sector to list on A2X, joining Attacq, Equites Property Fund, Fairvest, Growthpoint Properties, Hyprop, MAS, NEPI Rockcastle, SA Corporate Real Estate and Stor-Age. A2X is a licensed stock exchange authorised to provide a secondary listing venue for companies. It is regulated by the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority and the Prudential Authority of the South African Reserve Bank in terms of the Financial Markets Act 19 of 2012.…

Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I (Kholo Capital), has secured R870 million in commitments for long-term mezzanine debt investment in support of growth, job creation and advancement of transformation within mid-market companies with operations in Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and eSwatini). These first close commitments have been secured from leading institutional investors including the 27four Black Business Growth Fund, RisCura (on behalf of various clients), the Mineworkers Provident Fund, the National Fund for Municipal Workers and Thuso Partners, and represent a significant milestone in the mezzanine debt fund’s ambitions to reach a target final close of R1,5…

Electric mobility has been the centre of attention globally for a couple of years. The spotlights have often been turned to Tesla, which is revolutionising the automobile industry. But Africa also holds amazing potential when it comes to electric mobility (often simplified by the term “e-mobility”), especially when it comes to electric motorbikes. Indeed, mobility in Africa relies in a big part on 2-wheelers “moto taxis”. Africa hosts an estimated 27 million motorbikes, out of which 80% is estimated to be used for commercial taxi service. And all these motos have the potential to soon be riding on electricity! REM,…

MTN GlobalConnect today announced the appointment of  two Managing Director for its operations in Nigeria and Uganda. Juliet Nsubuga will take the lead as Managing Director, of MTN GlobalConnect Uganda, effective 1 April 2023, and Josephine Sarouk will assume the role of Managing Director, MTN GlobalConnect Nigeria, effective 1 March 2023. “I look forward to working closely with our newly appointed business leaders as we continue to build our business in Africa,” shares Frédéric Schepens, MTN GlobalConnect CEO. “We welcome Juliet and Josephine into the MTN GlobalConnect family and look forward to learning from their knowledge and rich experience in…

The Pretoria-based electronics company Etion Create, recently made part of South Africa’s Reunert, has just revealed its new brand identity at the IDEX 2023 exhibition in the United Arab Emirates. It is proudly showing on Stand 08-A29 at IDEX. Etion Create is now a division within the large South African industrial company’s Reunert Applied Electronics Holdings. “It was felt that the name Etion Create is well-known and firmly established in the Middle East, an important market for our defence solutions,” said Tobie van Loggerenberg, executive manager business development. “At the same time, a new identity coupled with a fresh look…