Author: Staff Writer

Local automotive intelligence has found that criminals are now using sophisticated technology to target high-end and luxury vehicles featuring keyless or smart entry systems and emergency start capabilities. The rise in these crimes has partly been attributed to increased vehicle usage since businesses re-opened after the COVID-19-induced lockdown, as well as a new modus operandi on the part of criminals and syndicates, such as keyless access theft. While this phenomenon affects automotive brands across the board – as well as all makes of cars – Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) confirms that it has been proactively conducting extensive research and…

MTN SA has introduced its new Bonus Bonanza price plan for prepaid customers, effective immediately. The Bonus Bonanza price plan offers customers double bonus airtime value every time they recharge with R5 or more. The bonus airtime can be used for voice calls, data and SMS. Existing customers on any MTN prepaid plan can migrate to the new Bonus Bonanza price plan for free by dialling *136*4*1# or through the MTN App. New customers joining MTN from 9 December 2022 will by default be enrolled into the Bonus Bonanza price plan. All MTN customers benefit from personalised bundle offers via…

Business email compromise (BEC), where criminals steal money by simply ‘asking for it’, is on the rise. According to an Interpol report, BEC is one of the top five digital threats in Africa – and South Africa is the most likely target, shouldering 34% of the continent’s attacks. Ryan Mer, CEO of eftsure Africa, a Know Your Payee (KYP) platform provider, says these attacks can take many forms, but are typically orchestrated through emails that appear to come from legitimate sources. “In many cases, criminals intercept email accounts or pose as known clients or suppliers of an organisation and request the…

MTN GlobalConnect is honoured to have been awarded Best Fibre Infrastructure Deployment – Africa, Best Regional Diversity and Inclusion programme, and Best Smart Africa Infrastructure Solution at the prestigious Telecom Review Awards hosted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. MTN’s GlobalConnect CEO, Frédéric Schepens, received the Africa CEO Merit leader of the year for operator’s award in recognition of his contribution to the Industry and visionary initiatives driven to unlock connectivity in Africa. Telecom Review Excellence Awards recognises industry leaders and businesses, celebrating innovation, vision, and excellence awarding the industry’s best companies, projects, and partnerships. The awards received are reflective of…

Huawei and OPPO have announced the signing of a global patent cross-licensing agreement, which covers cellular standard essential patents, including 5G. “After more than 20 years of continuous innovation, Huawei has developed multiple high-value patent portfolios in the global marketplace in domains like 5G, Wi-Fi, and audio/video codecs,” said Alan Fan, Head of Huawei’s Intellectual Property Department. “We are delighted to have reached a cross-licensing agreement with OPPO. The mutual recognition of intellectual property value between companies is a major step towards fostering a positive cycle of innovation and research in high-value standards: investing, receiving returns from investment, and then…

While e-commerce drove payments in LatAm, digital payments will drive African e-commerce  Like in LatAm, alternative payment methods in Africa are key to driving financial inclusion  EBANX, a fintech company that specializes in international payments in rising markets, released its annual Beyond Borders 2022/2023 report. For the first time, the bellwether research study on the latest megatrends and consumer behaviors tied to e-commerce, payments, and emerging global business opportunities includes a detailed analysis of African countries, in addition to Latin America.    “Africa is the next digital frontier,” said Paula Bellizia, President of Global Payments at EBANX. “While it’s still…

Eskom and Hyosung Heavy Industries, one of the appointed service providers for the Eskom Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, yesterday marked the beginning of construction of the first energy storage facility under Eskom’s flagship BESS project. The sod-turning ceremony was held at the Elandskop BESS site, located within Msunduzi and Impendle Local Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. Construction will take between seven and twelve months and the batteries on the site will be charged from the main grid via Eskom’s Elandskop substation. The facility will have a capacity of 8MW, equivalent to 32MWh of distributed electricity, enough to power a town…

BMW Group South Africa announces the appointment of Thilosh Moodally to General Manager: Group Communications and External Affairs, effective 1 January 2023. Moodally, currently the General Manager of Customer and Brand for BMW, has held several key roles over 20 years in BMW Group South Africa. Previously the Head of MINI South Africa, Moodally joined BMW South Africa in 2003 as a Chartered Accountant CA(SA) in the Finance Department at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn. Her experience spans the Finance, Customer Support, and Dealer Development areas within BMW Group South Africa. Said Moodally upon her appointment: “I have had the privilege…

Huawei this week further cemented South Africa’s reputation as a leading destination for data centres on the African continent, announcing new updates to its data centre facility channel partnership plan. These updates will improve continuity between Huawei Digital Power and its distributors and partners, focusing on the key areas of protection, profitability, simplicity, and growth. Speaking at the Huawei Data Centre Facility Ecosystem Strategy Launch this week, Mr. Xia Hesheng, President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa’s Digital Power Business, highlighted the growing importance of data centres, pointing out that in the coming decades, we can expect to see 10x growth in…

Ukheshe International, the UK-headquartered division of digital-first, Banking as a Service (BAAS) enabler Ukheshe Group (Ukheshe), today announced the conclusion of an investment agreement that will help accelerate its international expansion. The investment will be led by ADP III, a fund advised by Development Partners International (DPI), a premier, Africa-focused investment firm with $3 billion in assets under management and co-investment, alongside funds advised by Fireball Capital, a leading South African venture capital firm. The deal, which is subject to customary closing conditions, reinforces Ukheshe’s strategy and will support its long-term growth as the business continues to drive forward its…