Author: Chris Anu

Digital transformation is no longer just a buzzword in most boardrooms, it’s essential for survival in South Africa’s rapidly changing business landscape. The pandemic, rolling loadshedding and shifting economies have all forced leaders to rethink how they operate, stay connected and compete. Vodacom Business was no exception – we, too, had to evolve and transform from a pure telco business into a “techco” that partners with customers to co-create solutions for a future defined by innovation, agility and competitive advantage. That shift is captured in our “Let’s build the extraordinary together” campaign. The idea is simple but meaningful: no company…

Nine-in-10 (91%) senior legal professionals are concerned about the threat of online intellectual property (IP) infringement, according to new research commissioned by CSC, the leading provider of global business administration and compliance solutions.While 85% report an increase in IP infringements at their firms over the past 12 months, 90% are expecting more in the year ahead with 89% predicting continued escalation over the next three years. While the most common forms of IP infringement are rated as counterfeiting, trademark abuse, and brand impersonation, all of which can erode consumer trust and inflict long-term financial and reputation damage, the threat of…

iOCO co-CEO Rhys Summerton iOCO, which is rapidly turning around its financial fortunes, will entertain blockbuster acquisitions of up to R1-billion in value as it pursues a renewed growth agenda after years of being hamstrung by a weak balance sheet and legacy governance problems. That’s the word from co-CEO Rhys Summerton, who was speaking to TechCentral in an interview following publication of the IT services group’s 2025 financial results on Monday. Investors should expect iOCO – previously EOH Holdings – to complete four or even six acquisitions in the current financial year, which ends in July 2026, he said. Most…

Fred Zhou, CEO of Honor South Africa. (Photograph by Lesley Moyo) Chinese smartphone maker Honor has introduced the Honor X7d 5G to the South African market. The device runs on the MagicOS 9.0 operating system based on Android 15, and supports Google Gemini Assistant, Circle to Search and Magic Portal.The X7d 5G features a 6 500mAh dual-cell battery, a scratch-resistant display and IP65 water resistance. In an ITWeb TV interview earlier this year, Fred Zhou, CEO of Honor South Africa, said the company achieved a 10% market share in SA during the first quarter of 2025, combining both prepaid and postpaid segments.The smartphone maker,…

Apple topped US$4-trillion in market value for the first time on Tuesday, the third Big Tech company to hit the milestone, as robust demand for its latest iPhone models allayed fears over its slow progress in the AI race. The stock was last up 0.2% at $269.20 in early trading, hitting an all-time high. Apple’s shares have gained about 13% since the new launches on 9 September in a remarkable turnaround that pushed the stock into positive territory for the first time this year. The latest smartphones, including the iPhone 17 line-up and the iPhone Air, wooed back customers “The…

Paul Divall, Dark Fibre Africa chief commercial officer. Dark Fibre Africa (DFA) has appointed Paul Divall as chief commercial officer (CCO), saying the move marks a pivotal step in its strategy to sharpen commercial execution and strengthen market engagement.In a statement, the company says Divall has served in multiple capacities within the telecommunications industry.It notes that his appointment underscores the company’s commitment to aligning its strategy, products, operations and support with customer needs.“Delivering value and making it easy for our customers to do business with us is central to how we will win in this industry,” says Divall. “Some of…

Vodacom Business recently appointed an “extraordinary business advisory board”, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen its enterprise expertise and support organisations on their digital transformation journeys. To unpack the decision to appoint the advisory board, TechCentral is joined in this episode of TCS+ by Videsha Proothveerajh, director of Vodacom Business, who explains that it’s all part of Vodacom’s shift from being a traditional telecommunications provider to a “techco”, or technology company. Watch the interview In this episodes Proothveerajh chats about: The advisory board, who it is comprised of and the purpose it is meant to serve in the business services…

SASSA believes its business intelligence initiative will improve its decision-making processes, enhance operational efficiency and improve customer experience. It’s an interesting week on National Treasury’s eTenders Portal, with the public sector targeting a wide range of requirements. It is the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), however, that takes the headline with its request for a business intelligence (BI) solution and data purification services. The agency, which has multiple challenges in addressing customer experience and combatting fraud, believes the initiative will improve its decision-making processes, enhance operational efficiency and improve customer experience. In its tender documentation, SASSA reveals it contracted…

The turnaround at iOCO – the JSE-listed technology services company previously known as EOH Holdings – continues, with the group now even considering acquisitions to help fuel growth in the years ahead. iOCO reported headline earnings per share of 40c in the 2025 financial year, which ended in July 2025, an improvement from the loss of 0.21c reported in 2024. It also generated significant cash from operations of R566.6-million, compared to R170.6-million a year ago, putting its balance sheet in the strongest position it’s been in for years. Other key highlights of the financial year included: Adjusted earnings before interest,…

From left: Communications minister Solly Malatsi, Presidency deputy minister Nonceba Mhlauli and electricity minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. Four schools in Atteridgeville have been fitted with science labs, including smart classroom boards and renewable Power-M energy storage systems.This, as part of a collaborative effort between Huawei SA and the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), to ensure uninterrupted learning and digital interactive classrooms. Hosted at the alma mater of electricity minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, the handover ceremony was also attended by communications minister Solly Malatsi and Presidency deputy minister Nonceba Mhlauli. See also According to a statement, the science labs are…