Author: Staff Writer

Vodacom Mpumalanga will invest R600 million into the network this financial year, to accelerate coverage reach and network capacity, and provide access to affordable, high-quality connectivity. This will meet the increasing demand for internet services, while driving digital inclusion throughout the region. “In the past two years, Vodacom Mpumalanga has spent R1 billion on network upgrades and solutions to support our transition from telecommunications operator to leading technology provider. Through this investment we have been able to deploy more sites, upgrade our current base stations and expand connectivity through the roll out of next generation technology and fibre, particularly to…

Standard Bank has successfully finalised a R5 billion debt finance package for MetroFibre Networx, supporting its continued fibre-optic data network rollout across South Africa. The financing will be used to expand MetroFibre’s world-class fibre connectivity into homes and businesses in underserviced communities across South Africa and is set to contribute to increasing Metrofibre’s reach by an additional 500 000 households across South Africa. “Partnerships such as these are a testament to how doing good in business is good for business, and in this case empower South Africans through digital inclusion to foster meaningful social impact.” says Nishela Ramgoolam, Executive: Structured Capital…

With the release of their new yield management tools, AgriTech business Aerobotics’ growers can now measure, manage and protect their yields directly from the Aerobotics platform. Aerobotics is pioneering the use of computer vision for the precision farming of perennial crops. Over the past seven years, Aerobotics has collected perennial crop imagery from more than 400 thousand hectares with 200+ growers to identify 195 million+ plants. Aerobotics is a subscription-based artificial intelligence (AI) company that provides intelligent tools for the agricultural industry to manage its crops. Aerobotics, founded by James Paterson and Benji Meltzer in 2014, is a leader in…

Vantage Data Centres, a large, US-headquartered data centre specialist, today announced the delivery of the first facility on its Johannesburg campus, as well as the start of construction on a second data centre on its Frankfurt II campus. Johannesburg Campus (JNB1) Positioned within the continent’s largest data centre market, Vantage opened its first data centre (JNB11) in Africa after breaking ground in 2021. The two-story facility offers 16MW of critical IT capacity across 130,000 square feet (12,000 square meters). The project was delivered in 10 months, ten days ahead of schedule, with zero lost-time incidents over 1.5 million working hours.…

The rapid advancement of technology has made our lives easier in countless ways. Unfortunately, with these advances has come an increase in cybercrime as online fraudsters adapt their strategies to reach new victims. In the past, criminals used manual processes to scam victims by mailing letters, sending faxes, and making phone calls, but modern tech has put a new spin on old fraud schemes, and today’s fraudsters are using email, messaging platforms and social media to reach targets inexpensively and easily. The tech savvy among us often think that we are safe from these types of crimes, believing that only…

In celebration of Mandela Day 2022, Huawei South Africa and the Department of Home Affairs partnered up to donate gift packs to newborn babies at Queen Nandi Regional Hospital in Empangeni, KwaZulu Natal. As well as handing over gift packs to the Madiba Day babies, Huawei and the department made a monetary donation to the hospital and hosted a special Mandela Day event. The event was part of a broader Mandela Day campaign, which included an open day for civic registration and is the latest in a series of fruitful collaborations between Huawei and the department. Also benefitting from the…

Adevinta ASA has signed an agreement for the sale of Gumtree South Africa (Gumtree SA), to Impresa Capital, majority shareholder of Ignition Group, one of Africa’s largest investors in technology, media, telecommunications and financial services. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. Gumtree SA’s operations were classified as discontinued operations and the impact on the Group’s financials is considered immaterial. “We are delighted to bring Gumtree SA back to its home roots in South Africa, and to expand on the Gumtree platform with new products and services that will benefit Gumtree customers, both consumers and businesses alike,” Sean Bergsma, Ignition…

TymeBank CEO Coen Jonker, who took over the reins on 1 July 2022, has settled on a new leadership team, picking one insider and two outsiders as the digital bank focuses on boosting its growth trajectory and unique value proposition. TymeBank, South Africa’s fastest growing digital bank, has appointment three new executive committee members, all of whom will report directly to Jonker. The latest appointments bring additional strength and diversity to TymeBank’s senior leadership team. The following people have joined TymeBank’s executive committee: Yusuf Dockrat, Chief Financial Officer Yusuf Dockrat is a qualified Chartered Accountant with 20 years of financial…

Liquid Cyber Security, a business of Cassava Technologies, today launched the first of its matrix of Cyber Security Fusion Centres in Johannesburg, South Africa. With this Fusion Centre, Liquid aims to bolster the cyber security industry in the country by managing the growing threat of cyberattacks to governments and enterprises of all sizes. For the first time, African businesses and governments will have access to Liquid’s matrix of Security Fusion Centres across key markets. These centres will provide threat intelligence and bring together the existing Liquid Cloud Operations and Liquid Network Operation Centres, ensuring customers have full support across cyber…

The Cotton On Group has long been loved for the brands and trend-driven value products it has brought to South Africa’s shores, such as Cotton On, Typo and Factorie. The retail group has increased its presence in the region by investing in a R 300 million custom-built new central office and distribution centre in Waterfall, Gauteng’s latest growth node. The new premises will demonstrate the group’s commitment to sustainability and enhance its customer experience given its strategic location. Situated in Waterfall Logistics Hub, construction of the 22 000 sqm purpose-built campus commenced in January 2021, and since June 2022, 2.2…

The South African trade union Solidarity has threatened to take legal action against Eskom if the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approves its R938 monthly tariff for solar power users. Solidarity described the Eskom application submitted to NERSA as “absurd, irrational and unlawful,” stating that if accepted, it would oppose the proposal with all legal recourse at its disposal. This comes after Eskom, in its latest application, requested that a tariff of R938 per month be levied on consumers who are generating power themselves. According to Solidarity, South Africa’s only hope of getting out of the power crisis…

Volvo Car South Africa has announced pricing for its highly anticipated XC40 P6 Recharge, billing the new single-motor model as ‘the most affordable’ all-electric luxury vehicle on the local market. The order books will officially open on Tuesday 26 July at 8am, with the XC40 P6 Recharge available exclusively online through the My Volvo website from a starting price of R1 075 000. A limited number of units will be offered, with priority given to the existing waiting list. Cars are scheduled to arrive in South Africa later in the year. Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa,…

Scatec ASA, a Norwegian renewable energy solutions provider, announced today it had started construction of three Kenhardt projects in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) after reaching financial close. Once operational the project will have a total solar capacity of 540 MW and battery storage capacity of 225MW/1,140MWh, and provide 150 MW of dispatchable power under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement to the Kenhardt region – in a country that is currently suffering from power shortages. “Achieving commercial and financial close for the Kenhardt projects shows true commitment by…

The BMW IT Hub is the fastest growing business unit in the BMW Group, aiming to provide 2,000 jobs by 2023. On its journey towards this goal, the hub is searching for new talent in South Africa. The BMW IT Hub will host #TechTalentDays from 27-28 August 2022 and invites Full Stack Developers and DevOps Specialists on Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to join. Global IT solutions for sustainability and success. Based in South Africa, the BMW IT Hub provides IT solutions for various business areas in the BMW Group. The hub focuses on innovation topics and comprehensive…

Global streaming service Netflix announced today a loss of 970 000 subscribers in the three months ending June 2022. The company said Q2 was better-than-expected in membership growth. Netflix said it had a total of 221 million subscribers and predicted to add one million new subscribers in the third quarter of 2022 compared to 4.4 million in the year-ago quarter. “Our challenge and opportunity is to accelerate our revenue and membership growth by continuing to improve our product, content, and marketing as we’ve done for the last 25 years, and to better monetize our big audience,” Netflix informed investors. “We’re…

Netflix today announced plans to acquire the Australian animation studio, Animal Logic. The company said the acquisition will support its ambitious animated film slate, building on films like Academy Award-nominated Over the Moon, Academy Award-nominated Klaus and the recently released The Sea Beast. Animal Logic has been producing award-winning design, visual effects and animation for over 30 years. Headquartered in Sydney, Animal Logic set up a second studio in Vancouver, Canada in 2015 and has worked on Hollywood blockbusters including Happy Feet, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, The LEGO Movies and Peter Rabbit 1 & 2, alongside…

Once again ‘Inspired Builds 2022’, an inter-school technology challenge bringing together Inspired students from around the world, has seen Reddford House students making great strides in the right direction as podium finishers with their entry. This year’s competition – entitled “Enabling Movement” and led by St. Louis School of Milan, Italy – invited Inspired students from schools all over the world from ages 7 to 13 to make machines that enable movement using innovative coding and creative design. The Reddford House students once again jumped at the opportunity to show their creativity and ingenuity through the use of machine technology…

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal will spend over R1 billion into the mobile network this year, to improve regional coverage reach, capacity and network resilience, and accelerate access to connectivity throughout the province, particularly in deep rural areas and townships. “This significant investment into the region’s mobile network drives our goal of building an inclusive, digital society. By increasing access to reliable, quality connectivity, such as the deployment of more sites and network upgrades, as well as continuing to deliver an exceptional network experience to our customers, we can help to ensure the benefits of digitalisation are within the reach of all communities…

Pan-African telecommunications provider SEACOM has received approval from South Africa’s Competition Commission to buy EOH Network Solutions (EOH-NS) and Hymax, divisions of iOCO and part of EOH. The Commission’s approval gives SEACOM the green light to proceed with its current integration plans, with 1 September 2022 earmarked as the first day of operations under the SEACOM banner. “Following a brief and satisfactory application process, we are happy with the Commission’s decision and are looking forward to the next stage of this process,” said Joe Vipond, SEACOM Group Business Development Officer responsible for mergers and acquisitions. SEACOM first announced its plans…

For centuries people have crossed borders to live, work, and trade. While cross-border payment systems are crucial for financial inclusion and growth in a globalised economy, cost and efficiency challenges remain, particularly in Africa. Mark Dankworth, president Business Development Africa at leading pan-African fintech enablement partner, Ukheshe Technologies says fintechs are at the forefront of improving cross-border payments on the continent. “There has been a significant increase in the movement of funds through digital platforms over the last five years. As mobile penetration continues apace in Africa, the continent is ready to take the next steps toward cross-border solutions that…

Cassava Technologies (Cassava), Africa’s first integrated tech company of continental scale, announced today that it has secured a $50 million or R855 million investment from C5 Capital (C5), a specialist venture capital firm that invests in cyber security, space, and energy security. The investment is part of a broader funding round to accelerate Cassava’s growth. The investment by C5 will contribute to the acceleration of the work that Cassava has undertaken to increase digital connectivity and inclusion on the continent. Cassava will be the go-to market partner in Africa for C5’s cutting edge portfolio companies to deliver best-in-class cyber security,…

inq., a global Edge solutions provider, has today announced an agreement with Enea AB to licence the Enea Edge Intellectual Property (IP) through a perpetual software development licence. Enea Edge is an open virtualisation and management platform for edge devices such as white box uCPEs. It provides a minimum footprint and focuses on maximum performance, specifically around networking and edge applications. “Enea Edge IP is extremely strategic for inq. We have been working steadily towards being a global edge leader and have embarked on having edge as part of our core strategy. While inq. has been mainly focusing on edge…

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) announced plans to begin regulating cryptocurrencies in 2023, treating them as financial assets rather than as currencies. News came from SARB Deputy Governor Kuben Chetty via dialogue in an online series hosted by PSG. The legislation would allow listing digital assets under FICA to regulate the sector. “One of the major benefits here? Exchanges will be compelled to collect KYC data from its users. The implementation of a KYC program is low-hanging fruit in the digital assets space. It is one of the easiest ways to make the trading of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets more…

South Africa is well-positioned to be the leading digital economy on the African continent and even in the developing world. In doing so, it can bridge many of the social and economic divides both within the country and with the rest of the world. That’s going to be crucial, especially as digital plays an increasingly large role in the global economy. But getting to that point will require extensive investment in innovation and digital skills as well as partnerships between state players, enterprise-scale corporations, and small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). Fortunately, as the speakers at Huawei’s Eco Connect 2022…

As part of its ongoing commitment to growing South Africa’s ICT talent base, and ahead of World Youth Skills Day on 15 July, Huawei, this month, announced the 2022 recipients of its Bursary Award Programme. World Youth Skills Day celebrates the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. These are all essential components that the Huawei Bursary Programme helps young people in achieving. The bursaries, which come with stringent requirements, are awarded to top-achieving students studying ICT-relevant subjects at Huawei’s partner universities and are designed to help ensure that recipients have the skills…