This week, The Bank of Namibia unveiled newly upgraded coins – the country’s first major redesign since independence – and introduced next-generation polymer banknotes. Branded under the theme ‘Our Currency, Our Heritage, Our Pride’, the new money represents progress: improved durability, enhanced security and a celebration of national identity. But beneath this symbolic leap forward…
A top South African diplomat said on Tuesday that US demands on domestic affirmative action policies were complicating efforts to secure a trade deal, days before a 30% tariff on South African exports to the US takes effect. South Africa has tried for months to persuade US President Donald Trump’s administration to lower the tariff…
Multinational payment authorization giant Visa officially launched its first data centre in South Africa on Wednesday. This new infrastructure forms a key part of Visa’s R1 billion commitment to investments across Africa. Read: Bandwidth Blog & Smile 90.4FM Tech Tuesday: Nvidia passes $4 trillion valuation Located in Johannesburg, the data centre aims to enhance Visa’s…
Stellantis is set to launch the Leapmotor brand in South Africa this September, with the C10 electric SUV leading the charge. The C10 features a petrol engine that acts purely as a battery charger, extending its range. More Leapmotor models, including fully electric options, are expected to follow next year, according to Mike Whitfield, MD…
A roof-mounted Project Kuiper terminal. Image: Amazon Regulatory hurdles in the way of Starlink’s pursuit of a local operating licence could see the SpaceX subsidiary losing the first-mover advantage it has enjoyed in most markets. This as competitor, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, looks to enter the local market. Kuiper in April began launching its satellites into…
Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania el-Mashat said Egypt welcomes coordination with South Africa within the framework of its presidency of the G20 to push forward restructuring the Global Financial System (GFS) and achieve tangible progress in development financing, highlighting the joint role that Egypt and South Africa play as “cornerstones” of…
South Africa’s entrepreneurs and SMEs sit at the heart of our economy, contributing over 30% to GDP and employing between 50% and 60% of the country’s workforce. They’re the corner bakeries, the growing logistics firms, the niche manufacturers, the consultancies with 10 or 50 people quietly powering supply chains that feed larger industries. But for…
The author, President Cyril Ramaphosa. Image: GCIS South Africa has a well-established car manufacturing industry that’s more than a century old. It has proven to be one of the most resilient sectors of our economy. Since the first assembly plants were established in the Eastern Cape in the 1920s, the automotive industry has grown to…
We’re at an inflection point. Around the world, we’re seeing artificial intelligence and the internet of things come together – what many are calling AIoT – to reshape completely how industries operate. And while mainstream news often focuses on shiny ideas like flying drones or autonomous cities, I’m more interested in how these technologies are…
Netflix has launched an on-the-job training initiative in South Africa aimed at nurturing talent in the country’s television and film production industry. The US streaming giant said the ScreenCraft Pathway programme has been developed in partnership with the Gauteng Film Commission and the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority. It will be administered by Tshikululu Social…
