MDPMI public hearings start Monday

The Competition Commission on Monday kicked off its month-long series of hybrid public hearings into its Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI), chaired by chief economist James Hodge,... 

Municipal debt escalating, Rand Water takes hardline stance

Water utility Rand Water has warned of a destabilising financial position as several municipalities fail to honour their bulk water purchase agreements and debt settlement arrangements with Rand... 

Call for continued public participation in wetland protection, preservation

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has called for continued public participation in the protection and preservation of South Africa’s critical wetlands. Wetlands play a significant role... 

Nokia to support initiative to expand rural connectivity coverage in Africa

As connectivity in rural regions across Africa lag that of the more populous urban areas, technology company Nokia aims to provide support to accelerate the pace of connectivity in these harder to... 

Rand Water launches programme to rid Vaal river of invasive water lettuce

Rand Water has embarked on a programme to clear the invasive water lettuce currently overwhelming the Vaal river. The water utility, after being approached by communities, had been working with... 

Huawei unveils National Cloud 2.0

Global digital transformation has reached a new stage of full intelligence driven by data and artificial intelligence (AI), said Huawei Hybrid Cloud VP Hu Yuhai. With this shift from moving... 

Huawei showcases AI-oriented cloud solutions

Huawei Cloud is accelerating the digital and intelligent transformation of industries as it presents cloud as the infrastructure of choice for artificial intelligence (AI). The company unveiled ten... 

Huawei starts commercialising 5.5G

Information and communications technology (ICT) giant Huawei has launched the commercialisation phase of 5.5G. Throughout 2024, the company aims to unlock the potential of networks and create new... 

South Africa urged to increase investment in innovation

South Africa needs more collective investment to boost its innovation ecosystem and ensure that the investment is translated into improving everyday lives, says Telkom Group innovation and... 

Bayobab lands 2Africa subsea cable in Ghana, Nigeria

Following its two milestone landings in South Africa in 2022, pan-African digital connectivity solutions company Bayobab has now landed the 2Africa cable in Ghana and Nigeria. The 45 000 km cable,... 

Policing forums to help MTN tackle theft, vandalism

Telecommunications giant MTN is adding another approach to its efforts in mitigating the ongoing vandalism and theft of batteries and cables at its cellphone towers across South Africa by... 

Blue Label H1 core earnings up

JSE-listed Blue Label Telecoms on Thursday posted core headline earnings of R420-million, equating to core headline earnings per share (HEPS) of 47.15c for the six months ended November 30, 2023.... 

Telkom mobile subscribers near 20m

Telecommunications group Telkom’s mobile subscriber base is nearing the 20-million mark, amid increased next generation (NGN) product uptake. In the trading update for the quarter ended December... 

DWS, DFFE to probe whether Vaal invasive vegetation clearing methods are aligned with regulations

The departments of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) are reviewing complaints and concerns in the public domain over the use of chemicals as part of a... 

Icasa reopens telecoms loadshedding inquiry comments period

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has reopened the submissions process for its inquiry into the impact of loadshedding on telecommunications operators in South... 

Digitalisation is the key to SME success in 2024

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to drive sustainable economic growth across South Africa in 2024, digital transformation is critical. The impact of SME digitalisation is far-reaching,... 

New task team to review municipal water, sanitation service delivery mechanisms

A new nationally coordinated task team is being established to review service delivery mechanisms for water and sanitation services in South Africa. The task team, comprising the Department of... 

Rand Water kicks off programme to weed out water lettuce in the Vaal river

Rand Water on Thursday released the first batch of weevils and hoppers as biocontrol agents to start eliminating the invasive water lettuce in the Vaal river. The programme, which formed part of... 

MTN South Africa’s solar project progresses net zero ambitions

MTN South Africa has switched on 5 418 out of the planned 9 000 solar panels at its 14th Avenue headquarters as it progresses its solar renewable energy project. Over 50% complete, the energisation... 

Significant progress made on R292m Sir Lowry's Pass river upgrade

Since breaking ground on the R292-million major upgrade of the Sir Lowry’s Pass river a year ago, the City of Cape Town is on track to complete the project in 2026. The upgrades, in an effort to... 

Proposed water amendments needed, but inconsistencies, enforcement need to be fixed

While some of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS’s) recently proposed water amendments, which have significant implications for water resource management and public access to water, are... 

Waning perceptions of drinking water quality underline need for urgent intervention

While the majority of South Africans perceive their water to be safe to drink, their confidence in water services and quality has been deteriorating over the last decade, a water services barometer... 

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... 

Waning perceptions of drinking water quality underline need for urgent intervention

While the majority of South Africans perceive their water to be safe to drink, their confidence in water services and quality has been deteriorating over the last decade, a water services barometer... 

MTN, JUMO launch new, expanded loan platform

Telecommunications group MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo) and banking technology company JUMO have partnered to launch Qwikloan to offer affordable, short-term loans in South Africa. The newly launched... 

MTN, Mastercard sign agreement for minority investment in MTN Group Fintech

Telecommunications group MTN and Mastercard have signed a definitive agreement for a minority investment of up to $200-million into MTN Group Fintech, at a valuation of $5.2-billion on a cash and... 

DWS, Salga, Cogta to review water service delivery mechanisms in municipalities

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Department of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and the South African Local Government Association (Salga) are establishing a... 

MTN SA, community police forums partner to tackle theft and vandalism

Telecommunications giant MTN has partnered with the Gauteng Provincial Community Police Board to support Community Policing Forums (CPFs) as the company accelerates its fight against ongoing... 

Vodacom Group customers surpass 200-million for first time

Telecommunications giant Vodacom on Friday reported that it has increased group revenue by 26.8% to R38.9-billion during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, with a positive impact from the... 

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... 

There is no substitute for economic growth, Deloitte says ahead of 2024 Budget

A tight balance is expected for this year’s National Budget as South Africa’s woes continue; however, a significant, or fundamental, raising of taxes is not expected, with a tightening hold on... 

New regional representative announced for IWMI Southern Africa

Circular economy and water innovation expert Dr Henry Roman has been appointed as the International Water Management Institute’s (IWMI’s) regional representative for Southern Africa and country... 

Telkom tackles cable theft

Telecommunications group Telkom has made strides against cable theft and vandalism as various initiatives drive down infrastructure-related crime at its facilities. Hundreds of convictions for... 

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...