Author: Chris Anu

In a potential landmark discovery, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have obtained what they call the strongest signs yet of possible life beyond our solar system, detecting in an alien planet’s atmosphere the chemical fingerprints of gases that on Earth are produced only by biological processes. The two gases — dimethyl sulphide, or DMS, and dimethyl disulphide, or DMDS — involved in Webb’s observations of the planet named K2-18 b are generated on Earth by living organisms, primarily microbial life such as marine phytoplankton. This suggests the planet may be teeming with microbial life, the researchers said. They…

Roberta Gumede Deputy CEO of Gijima. (Image: Supplied) Gijima, which positions itself as a leading Black-owned ICT powerhouse in South Africa, is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Darkies in Tech (DIT). Over the past three decades, Gijima has built a reputation as a formidable ICT company, offering world-class services and comprehensive solutions across a range of industries. The company’s strong network of international and local partners with a focus on delivering innovative technology solutions has established it as a leader in the South African ICT landscape.Partnering with purpose-led initiatives such as DIT – which is a non-profit…

In South Africa, copper cable theft isn’t just a nuisance, it’s a national crisis. From crippling municipalities to delaying trains and knocking out power, the economic and operational damage runs deep. But a powerful new partnership between G-Matrix Systems, Bidvest Protea Coin (BPC) and Sigfox South Africa is changing the game. At the centre of this shift is a smart, silent and scalable security solution: an innovative IoT-powered system that uses Sigfox South Africa’s ultra-reliable, low-power 0G network to detect and respond to cable tampering in real time. It’s not theoretical – it’s working, right now, and it’s already proving…

Andrew Cook, founder of AI-driven employee engagement platform HeadsUp. The decline of remote work and inadequate tracking of employee engagement are leading to significant staff turnover, warns Andrew Cook, founder of AI-driven employee engagement platform, HeadsUp. He believes businesses have an opportunity to leverage AI over traditional engagement tools to solicit more accurate and up-to-date employee information and prevent exorbitant bill shock to replace lost staff.According to Cook, AI is playing an increasingly important role in employee/employer relationships and sentiment among staff within a business. AI is used to analyse real-time employee feedback and behaviour patterns, identifying emerging issues before they…

The author, Binance’s Rachel Conlan Crypto is growing fast in South Africa, and with that – unfortunately – comes a rise in scams that target curious and ambitious investors. As someone who works at the heart of this industry, I’ve seen just how important it is to stay informed, sceptical and in control of your own financial journey. In a world where AI and deepfake technology can replicate real people, critical thinking and verifying information through trusted, official channels are more important than ever. Just recently, I received a message from someone claiming they were scammed by me. They sent…

SA’s electric bus sales are expected to grow by 420 buses between 2025 and 2030. The electrification of South Africa’s public transport sector has seen significant growth over the last year, boosted by increased electric bus procurement and long-term targets set by bus operators.This is according to GreenCape’s 2025 electric vehicle (EV) market report, which states the South African EV market offers several emerging opportunities for local and international investors. Four key sectors have been identified as particularly attractive for investment: electric passenger vehicles, electric buses, the electrification of freight and logistics, and the electrification of last-mile delivery.Analysing the public…

African funds raised US$4-billion (R75.5-billion) in 2024 — double the value from a year earlier — to invest in start-ups and infrastructure projects, according to the African Private Capital Association. Investors included development finance institutions, African pension funds, insurers and corporate entities, the association said in a statement on Thursday. Private equity firms also exited 63 companies, a sign of some economic improvement on the continent, it said in a statement. “The rise of African institutional investors, growing infrastructure allocation, and the rebound in exits all point to a deepening and maturing private capital market,” Abi Mustapha-Maduakor, chief executive officer…

Nvidia and AMD expect significant financial impact due to new US export restrictions on AI chips to China. The introduction of US tariffs has resulted in the stockpiling of computing memory products and devices, says market analyst firm TrendForce.It reveals that the implementation of the US “reciprocal tariffs” on 9 April – followed by a 90-day grace period for most regions – prompted buyers and suppliers to adjust their strategies in response to policy uncertainty.US president Donald Trump introduced the concept of reciprocal tariffs as part of his broader “America First” trade policy, arguing that the US should impose the…

Earlier this week, Lesotho succumbed to pressure and granted a 10-year licence to Starlink Lesotho, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. This followed an announcement by Prime Minister Samuel Matekane earlier this month that his government would remove barriers to US investment, in the midst of a tariff onslaught. On 2 April, US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on imports from Lesotho – the highest among all affected countries – threatening up to 12 000 jobs in factories that export to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). He later paused the 50% tariff for…

Start-ups are Africa’s problem-solvers, says Google. The 2025 Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa programme is now open for applications. The three-month initiative supports early-stage start-ups using artificial intelligence (AI) to address Africa’s most pressing challenges.According to a statement, the accelerator is open for seed to series A start-ups based in Africa that are building AI-first solutions. Start-ups must have a live product, at least one founder of African descent, and a clear vision for responsible AI innovation. Selected participants will receive:Dedicated technical mentorship from Google and industry experts. Up to $350 000 in Google Cloud credits.Access to a global network…