Competition Commission media and digital inquiry public hearings to start in March

The Competition Commission is preparing to hold the first round of public hearings on its Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI). The inquiry was officially launched in October after... 

Telkom says it has made ‘significant strides’ against vandalism, cable theft

Telecommunications group Telkom says it has made significant strides against cable theft and vandalism as various joint initiatives drive down infrastructure-related crime at its facilities. Joint... 

Installing higher efficiency motors can help address energy crisis

Energy-intensive industries, such as mining, are increasingly seeking out ways to reduce energy consumption, and the use of the latest motor and drive technology can play a significant role.... 

New Vodafone-Microsoft partnership aims to scale generative AI, digital and cloud services

Vodafone and Microsoft have entered into a new 10-year strategic partnership to scale generative artificial intelligence (AI), digital services and cloud services. The far-reaching partnership will... 

Mchunu warns of hardline approach towards nonconforming water-service authorities, municipalities

While the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is offering comprehensive and collaborative support for underperforming water services authorities (WSAs), mayors and municipalities, Water and... 

Fibre connections to South African homes up 2 400% over past seven years – Frogfoot

Globally, the connectivity and ubiquity of fibre remains a priority, with the UK set to achieve more than 80% of full fibre coverage over the next two years, on track to join countries such as... 

Condra supplies electric hoists, overhead cranes and chain blocks to Platreef mine

Cranes manufacturer Condra Cranes has delivered electric hoists, two overhead cranes and a number of chain blocks to Canada-based Ivanhoe Mines’ South African subsidiary Ivanplat’s Platreef... 

5G poised to be fastest-growing subscription type in sub-Saharan Africa

Fifth-generation (5G) is set to be the fastest-growing subscription type in sub-Saharan Africa between 2023 and 2029, when 85% of the global population will have 5G coverage access. The latest... 

Global smartphone market poised for recovery following 3.2% slump in 2023 – IDC

Global smartphone shipments declined 3.2% to 1.17-billion units in 2023, the lowest full-year volume in a decade, driven largely by macroeconomic challenges and elevated inventory early in the... 

Following several advances in 2023, LHWP Phase II moves into final construction phase

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has made much progress on the Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) after a milestone year. During 2023, the project marked many... 

MTN launches academy to equip young people with skills ‘to succeed in the digital age’

Telecommunications group MTN South Africa has launched its MTN Skills Academy to bridge the digital skills gap and equip youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the digital age.... 

Sylvania marks important milestones on ESG journey

Platinum group metals producer and developer Sylvania Platinum (Sylvania) has been advancing its various environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives since the publication of its... 

Small businesses using cloud technology could add R185.9bn to South Africa’s economy

The adoption of cloud computing by South Africa’s small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) can potentially unlock R185.9-billion for the country’s economy by 2030. Further, the use of the... 

Dept to launch turnaround initiatives as SA’s water quality, wastewater plants deteriorate

As South Africa’s water quality, nonrevenue water and wastewater facilities deteriorate, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is embarking on various initiatives to arrest the downward... 

TCTA reports progress on projects in preparation or under implementation, despite challenges

The various projects under the umbrella of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) are gaining traction, says TCTA CEO Percy Sechemane, outlining the projects in an update on the state of the... 

New partnership forged to support Project East2West

The Smart Africa Alliance, Bayobab and Africa50 have partnered to support the Project East2West initiative with regulatory and policy engagements as the project links landlocked African countries... 

Global 5G subscriptions forecast to surpass 5.3bn by the end of 2029

By the end of 2023, nearly one-in-five of all global mobile subscriptions will be fifth-generation (5G) subscriptions, as the growth proves resilient, despite continued economic challenges and... 

CSIR, association ink MoU to accelerate cybersecurity, telecoms and 4IR-related innovations

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Association of Communications and Technology (ACT) have entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to accelerate technological... 

Second Condra crane to be installed at Saiccor Mill’s Feed Three dryer line

Crane manufacturer Condra Cranes has completed the manufacture of a service and maintenance crane for Saiccor Mill’s Feed Three pulp dryer line at Umkomaas, in KwaZulu-Natal. The double-girder... 

Vodacom and WWF to pilot AI early warning system to help protect marine mammals

Connectivity, digital and financial services company Vodacom South Africa and independent conservation organisation World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) South Africa have joined forces to pilot... 

IDC forecasts uptick in semiconductor market in 2024

The International Data Corporation (IDC) has increased its semiconductor market revenue outlook amid an expected return to growth, as the US market is set to remain resilient from a demand... 

Liquid C2, Google Cloud in Africa ink cloud, security technologies partnership MoU

Pan-African technology group Liquid C2 and Google Cloud in Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a strategic partnership that will further enhance Liquid C2’s tailor-made cloud... 

Africa poised for fast connectivity growth rates

Digitalisation and globalisation have made the fibre infrastructure industry more important and relevant than ever, and having the right policies and ecosystems in place is key to accelerating... 

MediaTek reiterates ambition to drive 5G adoption, futuristic technologies in MEA

Global fabless semiconductor company MediaTek is continuing to expand its footprint across the smartphone and smart device ecosystem in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) regions. The company, which... 

Parliamentary committee wants water boards reconfiguration to yield efficiency, better access for communities

As the reconfiguration of South Africa’s water boards continue, the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation warned that the process should not be a “tick-box exercise to present a façade of... 

Technology company Altron CEO says company’s strategy bearing fruit

After undertaking an assessment and strategic steps to lay a strong foundation of growth, JSE-listed technology company Altron has been focused on “fixing, enhancing and repositioning”, before... 

Paratus eyes doubled revenue, expansion

As pan-African telecommunications group Paratus Group marks its twentieth anniversary, the network services provider is targeting expansion in Central and West Africa, as well as a doubling of its... 

Delayed Lesotho Highlands project key to plugging Gauteng water-supply gap

The long-anticipated second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP Phase II) broke ground this year, with ambitions of providing Gauteng and surrounds with a much-needed boost in water... 

Huawei looks to accelerate rail’s digital transformation

Information and communications technology giant Huawei is making inroads in delivering connectivity solutions that enable the digital transformation of the railway industry in the Southern African... 

Reversal of decline in SA’s ability to provide clean water, sanitation could be in sight, forum hears

South Africa’s ability to a reliable supply of clean drinking water and a functional sanitation system has been on a decline for decades. However, Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS)... 

Partnership paves way for new smart mine

Private investment company Menar, telecommunications group MTN and technology giant Huawei have once again teamed up to bring fifth-generation (5G) technology to a newly-developed mine in... 

Ericsson launches 5G Core Excellence Centre

Information and communications technology group Ericsson has launched a fifth-generation (5G) Core Excellence Centre dedicated to supporting communication service providers in the Middle East and... 

Hudaco partners with Indian firm to bring branded energy solutions to South Africa

India-based energy solutions brand Luminous Power Technologies and South Africa’s Hudaco Energy have teamed up to bring a new range of applicable energy solutions to South Africa. The official... 

Africa ‘place to be’ for electronic payments firms, with double-digit growth expected

The impact and scale of the disruption, owing to the rapid rise in integrated electronic payments solutions and value-added services, is amplified in Africa, compared with mature economies, as... 

Nearly half the world’s population now accessing mobile Internet through smartphones – report

More than half of the global population, about 54% or 4.3-billion people, own smartphones, while 4.6-billion people are now using mobile Internet. Four-billion people, or 49% of the global... 

Network International plans payment switch investment following R500m injection into on-soil platform

As Dubai-based FTSE-listed Network International’s cloud-based, integrated digital payment suite Network One onboards local banks, mobile network operators (MNOs) and fintechs, it announced an... 

GenAI solutions spend to reach $143bn – IDC

Enterprises worldwide are expected to invest about $16-billion on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) solutions in 2023, with spending predicted to increase at a compound annual growth rate... 

Sun City’s newest high-end development nears completion

Sun International’s R295-million Lefika Villas development is 85% complete and fully booked one year after breaking ground on the expansion at its iconic Sun City resort, in the North West. The... 

Scientists using AI to improve detection of respiratory-disease-causing pollen spores

South African scientists are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and classify pollen spores in real time, with two AI counters already set up in Pretoria and Kimberley, to help... 

Cloud adoption to deliver R3.9tr worth of economic benefits over the next decade

A new report commissioned by Amazon Web Services has revealed a potential R3.9-trillion economic boost by 2033 from cloud adoption in South Africa. The report, quantifying the relationship between...