African e-commerce company Jumia Technologies has drawn takeover interest from telecommunications company Axian Telecom, people familiar with the matter said. Axian, which is based in Mauritius and primarily offers telecommunications services in Africa, raised US$600-million this week to refinance its debt and help fund a possible takeover of Jumia, the people said, asking not to…
The Department of Basic Education is taking steps to improve the number of students taking and passing mathematics. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has pushed back against criticism that learners are being discouraged from studying mathematics in high school. Former statistician-general of South Africa Dr Pali Lehohla has described the lack of mathematics at…
Despite widespread smartphone ownership, the lack of dependable fixed broadband in rural communities continues to entrench disparities in education, healthcare and economic opportunity. Yet solutions already exist: government-funded, locally developed innovations that can deliver affordable, high-impact connectivity while keeping ownership and expertise right here at home. It’s time to shift from inventing technology to deliberately…
Digital tools help Famous Brands adapt to changing consumer needs in a connected market. JSE-listed restaurant franchisor Famous Brands is ramping up its investment in consumer-facing technologies, with a focus on digital ordering, payment integration, loyalty platforms and delivery enhancements. According to its latest annual report, the company’s adoption of digital tools is helping its…
Absa CEO Kenny Fihla Absa Group’s new head is aiming to turn the bank’s retail unit into the biggest in South Africa, revamp its regional operations and bring stability to a firm that has seen six top managers in as many years. CEO Kenny Fihla, who was poached from larger rival Standard Bank Group, also…
Civic technology came into focus at the Social Media Summit for Government. Civic technology solutions tend to be “vanity projects” that result in millions of public funds spent on tech that does not solve existing challenges. This was one of the takeaways during a panel discussion at the 2025 Social Media Summit for Government, convened…
Cybercriminals and malicious hacker groups that successfully breached the IT systems of South African companies in the past year raised their ransom demands nearly sixfold in the same period. According to The State of Ransomware in South Africa Report 2025 by cybersecurity firm Sophos, the median ransom demanded rose shot up from US$165 000 (R2.9-million) in…
SAPS has started the e-recruitment process for 5 500 aspiring police officers to join its ranks. The South African Police Service’s (SAPS’s) e-recruitment system is live. Announced in June, the portal’s launch is part of the national police service’s shift from archaic paper-based applications, marking a first for the organisation. The portal also features a…
The author, TymeBank chief commercial officer Cheslyn Jacobs When the South African government introduced the social relief of distress (SRD) grant in 2020, it was more than a pandemic lifeline. It became a stress test for the country’s financial and digital infrastructure. Millions of previously unbanked citizens suddenly needed a secure, reliable way to receive…
AI in agriculture is rapidly shifting from being a distant concept to a practical, transformative tool. But amid all the hype, the real story that has emerged doesn’t focus on the technology itself but on the people using it. Source: Supplied Farming data should be like farming land Like any other entrepreneur, farmers operate on…
