Author: Chris Anu

Government has proposed that no ad valorem excise duty be applied on entry-level smartphones from 1 April. The state’s move to propose that smartphones below R2 500 have no excise duty applied when exported to SA bodes well for the ICT ecosystem, but further action is needed to “maximise” impact for digital inclusion.This is according to industry commentators, expressing their opinions on the required next steps towards creating a digitally-inclusive South African society.National Treasury yesterday revealed government’s proposal for the removal of ad valorem excise duty on lower value (less than R2 500) smartphones from 1 April. Ad valorem duties…

MultiChoice Group has reversed course on its decision to limit DStv Stream to only one device at a time, a move that led to criticism from consumers when the restriction was first imposed. The change, which is with immediate effect, will allow customers to stream content from DStv concurrently on two devices, including smart TVs. The broadcaster said the decision to allow for two concurrent streams is in response to “changing viewing habits” where “more families now stream individually on personal devices”. It’s the right time to bring back the second stream to supplement our overall value proposition MultiChoice previously…

Graphic: Xsolla Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, announces its participation at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025, taking place from March 17–21 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. Xsolla will showcase new and enhanced solutions designed to help developers fund, market, launch, and monetize their games effectively as part of its We Bring Opportunities Together initiative. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250313264636/en/“At Xsolla, we’re focused on breaking down the barriers that prevent developers from transforming their ideas into successful businesses,” said Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy Officer at Xsolla. “GDC is…

Shaun Maidment crossed South Africa in an electric car, a BMW i3, before there was a network of charging infrastructure along the national routes – and he has a heck of a story to tell about his adventure. Charging infrastructure along South Africa’s national routes is now so commonplace that a cross-country trip in an EV is a daily occurrence. But this was not always the case, and drivers in the early days of EVs in South Africa often had to rely on their wits and the kindness of strangers to keep their batteries charged on long-distance trips. Maidment is…

DStv says its update offers customers flexibility. Pay-TV service DStv has relaxed its clampdown on concurrent streaming, which it put the brakes on in 2022.The company has announced that from today, all DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact customers will have access to two concurrent streams as part of their subscription, giving them the freedom to watch on any device, including smart TVs, laptops or smartphones.According to DStv, the update offers greater flexibility, making it easier for customers to watch what they want, when they want.DStv Stream standalone customers will benefit from an additional concurrent stream on any device, it…

ACT CEO Nomvuyiso Batyi South Africa’s major telecommunications operators have lauded finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s announcement that luxury duties on basic smartphones will be scrapped. The decision, which was championed by communications minister Solly Malatsi, is aimed at bridging the digital divide and making it easier for lower-income consumers to move to 4G and even 5G devices ahead of the planned shutdown of 2G and 3G networks in South Africa. Currently, ad valorem excite duties on all smartphones are imposed at a rate of 9% of the cost of the device. For the digital economy to be successful, South Africans…

Graphic: Xsolla Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, introduces significant updates to the Xsolla Partner Network, an advanced affiliate marketing engine designed to connect game developers with content creators. These updates enhance the experience for both developers and creators by introducing new interaction tools, expanded data accessibility, and deeper integrations with the Xsolla Rainmaker platform. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250312640811/en/The growing influence of content creators on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok has reshaped game marketing strategies. Developers increasingly seek streamlined ways to discover, manage, and measure creator partnerships. The Xsolla Partner…

Government is set to review the Post Office’s monopoly over delivering sub-1kg items, a rule that is already widely ignored by the logistics industry. The department of communications & digital technologies has invited public participation in a planned review of “reserved postal services” as defined in the Postal Services Act. These are the services that only the Post Office has a legal right to provide in South Africa. The rationale behind reserving certain services is to protect revenues for the Post Office, providing the bankrupt state-owned entity with a monopoly that will help subsidise its mandate to rural and outlying…

Government proposes no ad valorem excise duty on lower value smartphones, in a move to help boost connectivity. Budget 2025: Government has proposed “no ad valorem excise duty on lower value smartphones” be applied, as of 1 April. This was highlighted in the South African Revenue Service tax pocket guide, which provides a summary of the most important information relating to taxes, duties and levies for 2025/26.Ad valorem duties are the taxes levied on commodities as a certain percentage of their value, as defined in the National Treasury budget review document.Such a move means smartphones with a price tag less…

Finance minister Enoch Godongwana Government will remove the luxury excise duty on smartphones worth less than R2 500 from 1 April to support digital adoption for low-income households, national treasury said on Wednesday. Currently, so called ad valorem excise duties on smartphones are charged at a rate of 9%. “Government proposes that as of 1 April 2025 this duty rate be applied only to smartphones with a price paid greater than R2 500 at the time of export to South Africa,” treasury said in its budget statement. The move comes as South Africa plans a total shutdown of 2G and…