Most business owners don’t worry about IT

Most business owners don’t worry about IT

The author, SevenC MD Graeme Millar Most small business owners don’t think about IT as often as they do about customers, cash flow, staff, suppliers and deadlines. IT sits quietly in the background, assumed to be working. And most of the time, that assumption holds. Until it doesn’t. When something goes wrong, it’s rarely dramatic…

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South Africa’s quiet rise as a global tech talent hub

South Africa’s quiet rise as a global tech talent hub

The global competition for technology talent is intensifying. Across the US and Europe, organisations are facing longer hiring cycles, rising costs and persistent shortages in experienced software engineers. Research from firms such as Gartner and McKinsey1 continues to highlight the same challenge: demand for digital skills is growing faster than supply. As a result, companies…

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Telkom renews sponsorship of Wired4Women Awards for a third year

Telkom renews sponsorship of Wired4Women Awards for a third year

Gugu Mthembu, Chief Marketing Officer, Telkom. Since their launch in 2024, the Wired4Women Awards have promoted a more equitable, diverse and thriving tech ecosystem – strengthening the industry while supporting South Africa’s broader economic growth. From the start, Telkom has been instrumental in establishing and expanding the programme. By shining a spotlight on female leaders,…

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AI won’t replace software, says Nvidia CEO amid market rout

AI won’t replace software, says Nvidia CEO amid market rout

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Steve Marcus/Reuters Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has dismissed fears that AI will replace software and related tools, calling the idea “illogical”, after a significant selloff in global software stocks on Tuesday. The selloff, partly sparked by AI developer Anthropic’s updated chatbot release last week that heightened fears of AI-driven disruption in…

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AI, zero-rating drive SABC Plus platform expansion

AI, zero-rating drive SABC Plus platform expansion

SABC eyes three million registered SABC Plus users by January 2027. The SABC is stepping up its digital strategy with SABC Plus, introducing artificial intelligence (AI), gamification and expanding zero-rated content across the streaming platform. This is in an effort to make public broadcasting more accessible, engaging and inclusive, it says. Dr Vuyo Nyembezi, acting…

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Standard Bank branches are going cashless

Standard Bank branches are going cashless

Standard Bank’s Kabelo Makeke Standard Bank said on Tuesday that it is accelerating the shift to cashless branches as it adapts its physical network to changing customer behaviour and declining cash usage in parts of South Africa. In a statement, Standard Bank Personal and Private Banking (PPB) said more of its branches will become cashless…

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Financial institutions launch Rand-backed stablecoin

Financial institutions launch Rand-backed stablecoin

ZARU’s reserves are independently audited monthly, ensuring transparency and stability for institutional participants. (Image created using GenAI via ChatGPT) A consortium of South African financial and fintech firms has introduced ZAR Universal (ZARU), an institutional-grade stable coin pegged to the South African Rand. According to a statement, ZARU aims to modernise payments and financial infrastructure,…

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SA’s hoteliers lag on AI adoption

SA’s hoteliers lag on AI adoption

A new report highlights the low prevalence of formal AI strategies in SA hotels. (Image source: 123RF, created via GenAI) While artificial intelligence (AI) adoption has become widespread, with local enterprises leveraging AI tools, it remains in early stages across South African hotels. This is according to the inaugural Hospitality Asset Management Company (HAMAC) South…

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Xneelo breaks ground on second Samrand data centre

Xneelo breaks ground on second Samrand data centre

Xneelo has begun construction on a second data centre at Samrand in Gauteng, expanding its infrastructure footprint as it prepares for growing demand for hosting and cloud services in South Africa. The new facility will mirror Xneelo’s existing Samrand data centre, while incorporating efficiency improvements to support next-generation cloud, colocation and self-managed server products. The…

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