Author: Chris Anu

Bank Zero will join forces with fintech group Lesaka Technologies. Fintech group Lesaka Technologies will acquire 100% of the issued ordinary shares of Bank Zero, subject to regulatory approvals. Formerly known as Net1 UEPS Technologies, Lesaka is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq. Based on a zero-fee banking model, Bank Zero launched to the public in August 2021. It is co-founded by seven investors, including former First National Bank CEO Michael Jordaan and banking innovator Yatin Narsai.In a statement issued this morning, Lesaka says the acquisition will be settled through a combination of newly-issued shares − such…

With Windows 10 support ending on 14 October 2025, Windows 11 Pro is set to become the standard for modern business environments. After this date, devices running Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates, increasing vulnerability to cyberthreats and operational risks. While the upgrade to Windows 11 Pro is free for eligible Windows 10 devices, compatible hardware is required to take full advantage of its improved security, performance and productivity features. Visit axizcloud.com for more information Depending on individual circumstances such as budget, timeline, existing IT infrastructure and user readiness, businesses must strike a balance between stabilising current operations…

AI adoption in the workplace increasing, but job fears and shadow AI remain concerns. Organisations across the Global South are rapidly integrating AI into the workplace, with widespread adoption reported even as concerns about job displacement intensify, particularly among frontline workers.This is according to the third edition of Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) annual AI at Work 2025: Momentum Builds, But Gaps Remain survey (based on responses from over 10 600 employees in 11 countries, including 509 from SA), which reveals that 72% of South African employees use AI at least several times a week – matching the global average. India (92%)…

Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun introduces the Chinese smartphone maker’s electric SUV YU7 at a launch event in Beijing in May. Florence Lo/Reuters Exceptionally strong initial orders for Xiaomi’s YU7 electric sport utility vehicle sent shares in the automotive newcomer to a record high on Friday and fanned speculation that Tesla may have to cut prices to fight back. The company received 289 000 orders for the YU7 — only its second vehicle and one that undercuts Tesla’s Model Y in price by 4% — in its first hour on sale, according to CEO Lei Jun. That was more…

Local telcos punt eSIMs as an environmentally-friendly alternative to physical SIM cards. Reducing the number of SIM cards distributed in South Africa each year could lead to an annual reduction of almost 190 tonnes of plastic waste.This is according to a calculation from Securi-Tech, a firm that provides encoding, personalisation and security of SIM cards.It notes that an estimated 200 million SIM cards are distributed each year by local telecoms companies − almost four per adult per year.According to the company, many of these are used just once – often by prepaid users taking advantage of free airtime deals –…

Two years after Nvidia made history by becoming the first chip maker to achieve a US$1-trillion market capitalisation, an even more remarkable milestone is within its grasp: becoming the first company to reach $4-trillion. After the emergence of China’s DeepSeek sent the stock plunging earlier this year and stoked concerns that outlays on artificial intelligence infrastructure were set to slow, Nvidia shares have rallied back to a record. Its biggest customers remain full steam ahead on spending, much of which is flowing to its computing systems. A 64% gain from an April low has pushed its market capitalisation to $3.78-trillion,…

In this episode of ITWeb TV, news editor Admire Moyo speaks to Lyle Horsley, head of fintech at the South African Reserve Bank, about the upcoming G20 Techsprint hackathon. She also discusses some of the biggest fintech trends the central bank is observing in South Africa. #SARB #Fintech #Cryptocurrency #Payments #HackathonThe South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is looking for best-in-class technological solutions to help central banks and financial sector regulators to solve policy problems.It hopes the G20 Techsprint global hackathon will spur innovations in this arena.In this episode of ITWeb TV, Lyle Horsley, head of fintech at SARB, discusses what…

Made from more than 1 100 images captured by NSF-DOE Vera C Rubin Observatory, this image contains an immense variety of objects, demonstrating the broad range of science Rubin will transform with its 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time. The image includes about 10 million galaxies, roughly 0.05% of the approximately 20 billion galaxies Rubin Observatory will capture over the next decade. Credit: NSF–DOE Vera C Rubin Observatory The Vera C Rubin Observatory, which boasts the world’s largest digital camera, has begun displaying its first images of the cosmos, allowing astronomers to figure out how the solar system formed and…

Schools of Specialisation students during the Corporate Social Responsibility Youth Empowerment Day 2025, at ABB in Johannesburg. As Youth Month draws to a close, Swiss tech giant ABB yesterday hosted an event in Johannesburg to inspire matriculants from some of Gauteng’s Schools of Specialisation (SOS), offering insights and guidance as they transition to higher education and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.SOS is a Gauteng Department of Education initiative, which focuses on providing specialised, modern and dynamic curricula in specific fields. The schools aim to nurture talent in areas like STEM, sports, commerce and the arts,…

The Competition Tribunal’s decision to block the proposed acquisition by Vodacom of an up-to-a-40% co-controlling stake in fibre operator Maziv was in part influenced by the competition regulator being unconvinced of the mobile operator’s claims that it would not influence Maziv’s strategic and operational direction post-merger. At the tribunal’s marathon hearings into the matter, Vodacom presented the deal as a strategic financial investment – valued at R14-billion – that would unshackle Maziv from its large debt burden and allow for further infrastructure investment in fibre, including in underserviced areas. This implied the merged entity would not behave in ways that…