Telcos spend billions on batteries, generators to ensure customers remain connected during loadshedding

South African telecommunications operators spent billions of rands to keep communications infrastructure operational during bouts of loadshedding in the 12 months to September 30, 2023. The... 

Lowered profile, integral bogeys the answer as Condra is set to install crane in factory with limited headroom

Crane manufacturer Condra Cranes is preparing to embark on a crane installation to customer specifications in a factory that has no roof access and limited headroom. The team of Condra specialists,... 

Africa’s small businesses increasingly investing in technology to boost growth and resilience

Africa’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly investing in technology to bolster growth and enable resilience, a new report shows. The report, titled ‘Levelling the SME... 

E-waste now the fastest growing waste stream globally

Electronic waste (e-waste) has now become the fastest-growing form of waste worldwide, as consumers shed more than 50-million metric tonnes of e-waste each year – equating to about 7 kg of e-waste... 

People at the heart of South Africa’s water sector recovery

The complexity of the water sector in South Africa, along with the numerous and seemingly insurmountable challenges faced, demands a series of integrated interventions – and people are at the... 

MTN South Africa injects R10bn into network expansion

MTN South Africa deployed R10.1-billion in capital expenditure (capex), excluding leases, at an intensity of 19.5%, during 2023, to drive network capacity expansion and power resilience. This... 

Discontinuance of Africa’s 2G, 3G networks to be gradual and targeted

While there are benefits to phasing out legacy networks, such as second-generation (2G) and third-generation (3G), progress in sub-Saharan Africa will be slower and more targeted than other... 

Accessing the growth potential of tailings retreatment and rehabilitation

New research, developments in technology and advancements in equipment are unlocking significant growth opportunities in the extraction and treatment of tailings in South Africa. However, while... 

SAʼs smartphone shipments surge 29%

Smartphone shipments in South Africa in 2023 expanded 29%, driven by robust shipments in the second half of the year, intensified competition among Chinese original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs)... 

UCT research team develops ‘new set of tools’ to support mine closure planning in South Africa

A new set of tools aimed at assisting in responsible and sustainable mine closures across South Africa has been developed by a University of Cape Town (UCT) research team through a Water Research... 

Liquid C2, partners combine forces to create safer, more productive digital experience

Pan-African technology group Liquid Intelligent Technologies business Liquid C2 is collaborating with global technology leader Google Cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic to... 

MTN, Huawei sign MoU for joint innovation tech laboratory

Telecommunications giant MTN Group and information and communication technology (ICT) giant Huawei have partnered to create a Joint Innovation Technology laboratory at MTN’s Roodepoort... 

Vodacom SA awarded 5-Star Green Star certification

Telecommunications group Vodacom South Africa has been awarded 5-Star existing building performance (EPB) certifications for two of its buildings, Vodacom’s Business Park and Corporate Park, at its... 

ICT industry transitioning into intelligent economy era

The global information and communication technology (ICT) industry is undergoing a significant shift as the world transitions from a digital era into an era of the intelligence of everything. As... 

Mobile industry commits over $9bn to ITU’s call for global universal connectivity

The mobile industry committed over $9-billion in investment to extend global connectivity. The new industry commitments brings the total current value of planned investment in infrastructure,... 

Condra refurbishing Mpumalanga power station’s 39-year-old crane

Crane manufacturer Condra Cranes is refurbishing a 40 t electric overhead travelling crane that was manufactured and commissioned 39 years ago. The 21-metre-span double-girder crane is used for... 

Huawei intent on unlocking potential of networks through commercialisation of 5.5G

Following the success of fifth-generation (5G) technology over the past five years, information and communications technology (ICT) giant Huawei aims to unlock the potential of networks and create... 

Water technology firm, association ink MoU

Water technology company Xylem and the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) have embarked on an innovative partnership, formalising their strategic and cooperative collaboration... 

AI-based PCs poised to account for 60% of all PC shipments by 2027

Personal computers (PCs) installed with specific system-on-a-chip (SoC) capabilities designed to run generative artificial intelligence (AI) tasks locally are expected to account for 60% of all PC... 

Call for continued public participation in wetland protection, preservation

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has called for continued public participation in the protection and preservation of South Africa’s critical wetlands. Wetlands play a significant role... 

Nokia to support initiative to expand rural connectivity coverage in Africa

As connectivity in rural regions across Africa lag that of the more populous urban areas, technology company Nokia aims to provide support to accelerate the pace of connectivity in these harder to... 

Rand Water launches programme to rid Vaal river of invasive water lettuce

Rand Water has embarked on a programme to clear the invasive water lettuce currently overwhelming the Vaal river. The water utility, after being approached by communities, had been working with... 

South Africa urged to increase investment in innovation

South Africa needs more collective investment to boost its innovation ecosystem and ensure that the investment is translated into improving everyday lives, says Telkom Group innovation and... 

Bayobab lands 2Africa subsea cable in Ghana, Nigeria

Following its two milestone landings in South Africa in 2022, pan-African digital connectivity solutions company Bayobab has now landed the 2Africa cable in Ghana and Nigeria. The 45 000 km cable,... 

Policing forums to help MTN tackle theft, vandalism

Telecommunications giant MTN is adding another approach to its efforts in mitigating the ongoing vandalism and theft of batteries and cables at its cellphone towers across South Africa by... 

Digitalisation is the key to SME success in 2024

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to drive sustainable economic growth across South Africa in 2024, digital transformation is critical. The impact of SME digitalisation is far-reaching,... 

New task team to review municipal water, sanitation service delivery mechanisms

A new nationally coordinated task team is being established to review service delivery mechanisms for water and sanitation services in South Africa. The task team, comprising the Department of... 

Waning perceptions of drinking water quality underline need for urgent intervention

While the majority of South Africans perceive their water to be safe to drink, their confidence in water services and quality has been deteriorating over the last decade, a water services barometer... 

Competition Commission media and digital inquiry public hearings to start in March

The Competition Commission is preparing to hold the first round of public hearings on its Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI). The inquiry was officially launched in October after... 

Telkom says it has made ‘significant strides’ against vandalism, cable theft

Telecommunications group Telkom says it has made significant strides against cable theft and vandalism as various joint initiatives drive down infrastructure-related crime at its facilities. Joint... 

Installing higher efficiency motors can help address energy crisis

Energy-intensive industries, such as mining, are increasingly seeking out ways to reduce energy consumption, and the use of the latest motor and drive technology can play a significant role.... 

New Vodafone-Microsoft partnership aims to scale generative AI, digital and cloud services

Vodafone and Microsoft have entered into a new 10-year strategic partnership to scale generative artificial intelligence (AI), digital services and cloud services. The far-reaching partnership will... 

Mchunu warns of hardline approach towards nonconforming water-service authorities, municipalities

While the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is offering comprehensive and collaborative support for underperforming water services authorities (WSAs), mayors and municipalities, Water and... 

Fibre connections to South African homes up 2 400% over past seven years – Frogfoot

Globally, the connectivity and ubiquity of fibre remains a priority, with the UK set to achieve more than 80% of full fibre coverage over the next two years, on track to join countries such as... 

Condra supplies electric hoists, overhead cranes and chain blocks to Platreef mine

Cranes manufacturer Condra Cranes has delivered electric hoists, two overhead cranes and a number of chain blocks to Canada-based Ivanhoe Mines’ South African subsidiary Ivanplat’s Platreef... 

5G poised to be fastest-growing subscription type in sub-Saharan Africa

Fifth-generation (5G) is set to be the fastest-growing subscription type in sub-Saharan Africa between 2023 and 2029, when 85% of the global population will have 5G coverage access. The latest... 

Global smartphone market poised for recovery following 3.2% slump in 2023 – IDC

Global smartphone shipments declined 3.2% to 1.17-billion units in 2023, the lowest full-year volume in a decade, driven largely by macroeconomic challenges and elevated inventory early in the... 

Following several advances in 2023, LHWP Phase II moves into final construction phase

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has made much progress on the Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) after a milestone year. During 2023, the project marked many... 

MTN launches academy to equip young people with skills ‘to succeed in the digital age’

Telecommunications group MTN South Africa has launched its MTN Skills Academy to bridge the digital skills gap and equip youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the digital age.... 

Sylvania marks important milestones on ESG journey

Platinum group metals producer and developer Sylvania Platinum (Sylvania) has been advancing its various environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives since the publication of its...