Author: Chris Anu

Trade minister Parks Tau. Leah Millis/Reuters South Africa has softened its competition regulations to allow firms battling high power costs to jointly build energy infrastructure and collectively negotiate supply contracts. Trade minister Parks Tau said in a government notice on Wednesday that the new measures were meant to assist distressed industries. Electricity costs in South Africa have risen by more than 900% since 2008, the country’s Minerals Council says. Smelters and steelmakers are struggling to survive the impact of high power prices, compounded by competition mainly from China, whose industry enjoys significantly lower electricity costs. Electricity costs in South Africa…

NSFAS board acting chairperson Dr Mugwena Maluleke. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is in the process of robust upgrades to its accommodation portal, it has revealed.This, as student accommodation has become a contentious issue over the years, with some students often left stranded at various points during the academic year.The accommodation hurdle has formed part of the instability and “deep” administrative challenges the scheme has faced over the course of its history.On Tuesday, NSFAS provided insight into preparations for the 2026 academic year, including the disbursement of funds and student accommodation arrangements.NSFAS board acting chairperson Dr Mugwena Maluleke…

Transport minister Barbara Creecy. Image: GCIS South Africa’s long-delayed plan to modernise its driving licence card system has been thrown back into uncertainty. This follows the high court in Pretoria overturning a multimillion-rand tender awarded to French technology company Idemia. It declared the tender irregular, invalid and unenforceable. The ruling was welcomed by transport minister Barbara Creecy on Wednesday. She said that pending the appointment of the successful service provider, the department has been allowed by the court to outsource the printing of the cards to the department of home affairs. South Africa’s card licensing system collapsed due to a…

Ashmita Singh has been appointed WeThinkCode CEO. Software development academy WeThinkCode has appointed Ashmita Singh as its next CEO, in line with a leadership transition.The move sees former CEO Nyari Samushonga, who has led the organisation since 2019, step into the role of executive chairperson of the board, effective 1 January.In a statement, the organisation highlights that during Samushonga’s tenure, it has expanded its footprint and training capacity, training around 600 learners a year across seven campuses, including five run in partnership with TVET colleges.Furthermore, its funding base has increased, supported by corporate, philanthropic and public sector partners, and the…

South Africa’s long-awaited e-hailing regulations are finally nearing enforcement, with end-March set as the deadline by the national transport department for their implementation. But the industry is concerned that doesn’t leave sufficient time for them to prepare. The e-hailing sector has expanded rapidly, outpacing regulatory oversight rules. This has coincided with rising reports of assaults, robberies and intimidation involving criminals, metered taxi operators and longstanding taxi industry conflicts – often rooted in route disputes – that have increasingly drawn in e-hailing drivers. At the same time, concerns have emerged over drivers’ working conditions, alongside accusations of weak oversight, limited accountability…

Mark Walker to pursue interests in a new tech-focused consultancy called T4i. Following a tenure of 30 years at market research and analysis firm IDC, Mark Walker, the company’s former VP of data and analytics for the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa, and MD of IDC South Africa, has left the company. He told ITWeb he will pursue interests in a new tech-focused consultancy called T4i.Walker said as a director of T4i, he would continue to focus on regional ICT market trends, analysis, policy and strategy development.According to Walker, T4i is a consultancy that focuses on technology, connectivity and commercial…

For 50 years, television in South Africa has been shaped as much by technology as by culture. From the country’s late but ambitious leap straight into colour broadcasting in 1976, to the arrival of satellite TV, high-definition production, digital terrestrial standards and today’s streaming-first world, there have been major technical shifts. This is the third in a series of articles TechCentral is publishing this week to mark the anniversary of the launch of television broadcasting in South Africa on 5 January 1976. Visit our front page for more. This timeline traces the tech and broadcast milestones that transformed how South…

The GDE urges parents to remain patient while it ensures that every grade one and grade eight learner is placed for the 2026 academic year. Just under 5 000 grade one and eight learners remain without school placement for the upcoming academic year, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has announced.These unique applicants refer to individual grade one and grade eight learners whose school applications were done via the 2026 online admissions process facilitated by the provincial education department.The 2026 academic year for public schools across the country will kick-off on 14 January, with parents and guardians preparing for the…

Heinrich Marnitz and Dorianne Berry in an undated photograph from the 1970s. The two presenters were the first to appear on SABC television on 5 January 1976 and became household names From the first black-and-white broadcast to today’s world of high-definition streaming and smart screens, the introduction of television on 5 January 1976 marked more than a media milestone – it redefined how a nation saw itself. This is the second in a series of articles TechCentral is publishing this week to mark the anniversary of the launch of television broadcasting in South Africa on 5 January 1976. Read the…

Andre Eksteen, senior product manager – FTTB at Vox. Internet and communications firm Vox is confident its latest partner programme, launched in November 2025, will help niche ISPs in SA bypass barriers to entry – including the need for substantial capital investment – by providing access to extensive network infrastructure, peering agreements and technical expertise.According to Vox, ISPs must source high-quality network equipment as well as business support and operations support systems at competitive prices, and build a skilled technical team to manage complex networks.The company adds that these service providers must also deal with high interconnect costs and negotiate…