Author: Chris Anu

Eskom does not expect any load shedding this summer, according to energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. The so-called “unplanned capability loss factor” for summer has increased by 2GW to 15GW. Ahead of winter, the utility had warned if it was above 13GW, there would be a return to load shedding. “We are very bullish about the outlook,” the minister told reporters on Friday. We are very clear around this: it is single-digit tariffs we are playing around with The utility outlined the details of its summer plan and how it performed over winter. Eskom CEO Dan Marokane said that for the…

Edward van Niekerk, cluster head: Business Science, Belgium Campus ITversity. Private higher education institution Belgium Campus ITversity has announced key developments in creating sign language for Deaf computer science students.This, as September is observed as International Month for Deaf People, to promote awareness of the rights of Deaf persons around the world.Belgium Campus ITversity says it has developed a dictionary containing nearly 100 sign language words related to computer science. Educators and linguists face complex and multifaceted challenges in developing such terminology, where the development of sign language terminology remains a significant barrier, it notes.“The tertiary institute’s approach to developing…

MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita MTN Group has signalled a big change in strategy as it shifts focus to the connected home to drive revenue and profit growth between now and 2030. This will form one of several key focus areas CEO Ralph Mupita said the group has identified as it moves beyond its Ambition 2025 strategy that has driven its focus in recent years. They are: connectivity, fintech and digital infrastructure. The connected home buildout will be driven by a twin focus on fibre-to-the-home broadband and fixed-wireless access (FWA) using 5G technology, helped by planned spectrum auctions in the…

SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is calling on social media influencers to declare their earnings, warning that income received in cash, products or services is taxable under the Income Tax Act (ITA).This comes as the country sees a surge in influencers, driven by expanding digital connectivity and the rise of platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.Brands are increasingly turning to influencer marketing as a cost-effective way to reach targeted audiences, boosting the size and visibility of the sector.In a statement issued today, SARS says it has taken note of the public debate around the…

MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita has denied a report that the pan-African telecommunications operator is in any form of discussion about a potential acquisition of Telkom Group. Speaking at a media event in Johannesburg on Friday, Mupita said that although discussions between the two operators and advisors have taken place in the past, there are no talks between the parties or their advisors taking place currently. “There are no discussions going on between MTN and Telkom — and neither are the parties in discussion over a possible deal,” said Mupita. You cannot rule out anything in the future, and it…

Mmamoloko Kubayi, minister in the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. While corporate SA is said to be leading the charge in artificial intelligence (AI) integration, South African government departments are taking notes in hopes of following suit. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCD) is working with the SA Law Reform Commission and other agencies to assess how AI will impact South African laws.Additionally, the aim is to determine how the technology can enhance the work of the DJCD, according to minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, speaking during a webinar yesterday on intellectual property, AI, justice and rights.“This [process] will…

OpenAI is set to produce its first artificial intelligence chip next year in partnership with US semiconductor giant Broadcom, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. OpenAI plans to put the chip to use internally rather than make it available to external customers, the FT report said, citing one person close to the project. OpenAI and Broadcom did not immediately respond to requests for comment after regular business hours. OpenAI relies on substantial computing power to train and run its systems OpenAI, which helped commercialise generative AI capable of producing human-like responses to queries, relies…

Powerful cloud data architecture. An investment and service company with international reach partnered with Keyrus to transform its client’s analytical capabilities through a bespoke data architecture design. As this forward-thinking company provides high quality management and director services to portfolio companies, it sought a technology solution that establishes a scalable, efficient and governance-compliant data architecture to empower business intelligence across this enterprise.One of its prominent and fast-growing portfolio companies faced a critical challenge: navigating increasingly complex data landscapes while scaling its operations and maintaining agility. Its existing data framework was fragmented, leading to inefficiencies in reporting, difficulties with governance and…

A Telkom communications tower in Pretoria MTN Group is considering renewing talks, previously abandoned, to acquire rival Telkom, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation. “The two companies could begin negotiations before the end of the year, though there’s no guarantee that these talks would lead to a deal,” the newswire reported (paywall). It provided no further details about the possible renewed discussions between the two South African telecommunications giants. The last time MTN hinted that it was still interested in a transaction to buy all of Telkom was in June 2023 Telkom Group CEO…

Each smart meter installed under the National Treasury programme costs it R7 500. (Photograph by Nicola Mawson) As National Treasury sets a target of installing 250 000 smart electricity meters by the end of the 2027 financial year, it is facing pushback from communities that have not been adequately educated on the programme’s purpose and process.The government-funded meters are being installed to make it possible for municipalities to pay debt due to Eskom, which is approaching the R100 billion mark.So far, under National Treasury’s R2 billion RT29 transversal programme, 67 000 meters have been installed at a total cost of…