South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has announced a new partnership with two major banks, Capitec and FNB, to help people apply for Smart IDs and passports more easily. This initiative will let customers use their banking apps to apply for these official documents, making the process faster and more convenient. Home Affairs has already teamed up with five banks to offer these services at selected branches. Currently, 30 branches are participating, but the department plans to increase this to 1,000 branches by 2029. This expansion aims to make it easier for people in both city and rural areas to…
Author: Staff Writer
Nombasa Tsengwa, the former CEO of Exxaro Resources, has spoken publicly for the first time since her sudden departure earlier this year. Despite her exit being surrounded by controversy, she says her career with the mining company was very rewarding and she remains proud of her achievements. Tsengwa took over as CEO in 2023, after working for the company for more than twenty years. She initially joined when it was known as Kumba, before it was unbundled in 2006. She credits Exxaro with helping her grow professionally and praised the company’s careful succession planning, which allowed her to reach the…
Patrice Motsepe’s investment company, African Rainbow Capital (ARC), is now in a legal battle worth R3.4 billion with a US-based firm, Pula Group. The dispute started when Pula Group, led by a former US ambassador’s daughter, accused Motsepe and his companies of breaking a confidentiality agreement related to a graphite mining project in Tanzania. The case began in Tanzania in 2023, where Pula Group claimed that Motsepe’s companies breached a deal made in 2019. The dispute is linked to investments in a graphite project called Pula Graphite, which is a competitor to another project called Chilalo. Pula Group owns half…
This year, the Innovator Trust Women in Tech Awards (WIT) honours the ingenuity and brilliance of South African female-owned SMME’s at the forefront of innovation in technology. The Innovator Trust, established by Vodacom more than a decade ago, has actively contributed to the development of black-owned ICT SMME’s in South Africa. The WIT platform remains one of its most impactful initiatives, dedicated to amplifying the achievements of women in technology who lead with intent and influence.The Innovator Trust WIT 2025 Awards will take place on 20 November 2025 over one day at Vodacom World (Midrand), gathering an influential audience of…
The Board of Directors of Growthpoint Properties Limited (JSE: GRT) is pleased to announce planned leadership appointments as part of the company’s long-term succession strategy. Estienne de Klerk will be appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 July 2026, and José Snyders will step into the role of Group Chief Financial Officer effective 1 January 2026. Well planned leadership transition Growthpoint plans leadership changes well in advance to ensure stable, experienced leadership and a strong, embedded culture to deliver sustainable long-term value to its stakeholders. In 2022, Growthpoint reported that the current Group CEO Norbert Sasse would retire from…
Recent discussions with treasury leaders across South Africa revealed a clear message: artificial intelligence isn’t just automating treasury operations – it’s fundamentally reshaping the function’s strategic value. No longer simply a back‐office guardian of liquidity, the modern treasury function is evolving into a strategic driver of enterprise value. How treasuries are using AI Today’s treasury teams are leveraging AI and embracing digital technologies—AI, cloud-based systems, real-time APIs, and blockchain—to forge an agile, forward-looking approach in managing cash and risks. Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models are dramatically improving cash flow forecasting accuracy and working capital optimization. Natural language processing (NLP) tools…
The head of South Africa’s Revenue Service (SARS), Edward Kieswetter, has started discussions about leaving the organisation as his current term draws to an end. Preparations are now underway to ensure a smooth leadership change. Kieswetter was first appointed as SARS Commissioner in 2019. In 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his term by another two years. His appointment came during a difficult period for SARS, which was struggling after a turbulent era under his predecessor, Tom Moyane, who was linked to issues of state capture. Since taking over, Kieswetter has led SARS on a journey of recovery. Under his leadership,…
Vodacom South Africa has made history by successfully completing the country’s first native voice call on 5G, known as Voice over New Radio (VoNR). This breakthrough was achieved on Vodacom’s test network and marks an important step toward launching full 5G voice services on the live network. Beverly Ngwenya, Vodacom’s Technology Director, emphasized the significance of this milestone. She said, “This achievement reflects our commitment to technological innovation and pioneering next-generation connectivity solutions. In an era of AI and digital transformation, reliable and fast connectivity is essential. This moment showcases the strength of our network and the dedication of our…
Huawei South Africa is calling on tech-savvy women entrepreneurs to apply for its highly regarded Women in Tech digital skills training programme for 2025. Now in its fourth year, this three-day intensive aims to equip women with the latest knowledge in emerging technologies and leadership skills to boost their businesses. Applications are officially open for the training, which will take place from August 27 to 29 in Johannesburg. The first two days will be hosted at Huawei’s Johannesburg campus, where participants will explore how cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G can solve real-world business challenges. The final day,…
South Africa’s newly formed Digital News Transformation (DNT) Fund has appointed its first-ever board, tasked with steering a R114 million initiative aimed at supporting small, independent publishers. The diverse group of media leaders will provide strategic direction, ensure transparent governance, and uphold the fund’s public interest mandate. The eight-member board includes notable figures such as ICT expert and Broadband CEO Vincent Maher, who serves as co-chair alongside publisher Anetta Mangxaba. Mangxaba, CEO of Dizindaba Media, emphasized the importance of independent publishers in fostering democracy and community development, especially in rural and diverse language settings. “The backbone of local democracy and…