Telkom walks away from merger talks

JSE-listed Telkom has ended talks with the consortium comprising Afrifund Investments, Axian Telecom and the Government Employees Pension Fund, managed by the Public Investment Corporation, for the... 

Pumps company targets expansion, bolsters skills training

As pumping applications solutions provider Integrated Pump Technology continues its growth story across the African continent, part of its success is attributed to the empowering of its local... 

Cell C completes migration to third-party networks ahead of end-of-2023 target date

Communications group Cell C has completed its network migration ahead of schedule, opening access to about 14 000 towers countrywide, 12 000 sites of which are fourth-generation and long-term... 

Final analogue switch-off postponed to end of 2024

The final switch off date for South Africa’s analogue frequencies has now been set for December 24, 2024. A two-step approach has been adopted for the long-delayed transition from analogue to... 

5G reaches 35% global penetration

As the adoption of fifth-generation (5G) technology accelerates, 5G population coverage has reached 35% globally, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility report. However, there are large regional... 

SA energy crisis opening up opportunities for innovation

As South Africa’s ongoing energy challenges unveils opportunities for innovations and solutions, small businesses have a major role to play in South Africa’s transition to renewable energy and... 

Rand Water weighed down by municipalities, electricity

Despite all efforts, Rand Water remains challenged by the nonpayment of municipalities for water provided and the ongoing power outages and loadshedding. While South Africa's national grid is... 

AfWASA restructures its Scientific and Technical Council

The African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA), which rebranded from the African Water Association in February 2023 to include sanitation utilities and other related organisations, has... 

Sita unveils new innovation centre for SMMEs

A new innovation centre aimed at enhancing innovation within the small, medium-sized and microenterprise (SMME) space has been launched at State Information Technology Agency’s (Sita’s) Centurion... 

Partnership to bring affordable Internet services to township youth

Local viral consumer rewards application Maholla and Internet service provider (ISP) ikeja have partnered to deliver high quality, cost-effective Internet services to youth across South Africa’s... 

Microsoft Airband to connect nearly 40m to the Internet in Africa and Latin America

Microsoft has entered into new, and expanded existing, Airband partnerships to provide high-speed Internet access to nearly 40-million people across Africa and Latin America. The partnerships in... 

Namibia joins UN Water Convention

Namibia has become the first Southern African country, and the eighth in Africa, to accede to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. Namibia... 

USAid commits $3m to African Water Facility

The United States Agency for International Development (USAid) has committed $3-million to the African Water Facility to help accelerate the preparation of water and sanitation investment projects... 

Cape Town to complete 28km sewer upgrade by 2025

The City of Cape Town is on track to complete the full 28 km of pipeline rehabilitation, under the R715-million Cape Flats Bulk Sewer upgrade, by 2025. The rehabilitation will benefit 300 000... 

FNB, MTN in network partnership

Banking group FNB is leveraging telecommunications group MTN’s network to accelerate access to reliable telecommunications and Internet services for mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) FNB... 

MTN SA deploys ‘five-generation’ technology in IPP efforts

Telecommunications giant MTN South Africa is deploying multiple generation technologies, including solar, gas and battery energy systems, in one plant at its head office in Fairlands, Johannesburg,... 

EAIF commits $30m to Eastcastle Infrastructure

The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) has committed $30-million to shared telecom tower infrastructure owner, operator and developer Eastcastle Infrastructure to enable the purchase and... 

Reconfiguration of Umgeni and Mhlathuze Water continues

Mhlathuze Water, in KwaZulu-Natal,  is set to be disestablished on June 30, as the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) progresses the reconfiguration of its various water boards. Mhlathuze... 

MTN’s emissions reduction targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative

JSE-listed MTN Group’s company-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets have been validated by the independent Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Deemed an important recognition... 

Reports highlight continuing deterioration in South Africa’s water sector

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has published the Green, Blue and No Drop “Watch Reports”, precursors to the full and interim reports to be released later this year, revealing that... 

New Luanda-Joburg fibre route established

Pan-African technology group Liquid Intelligent Technologies subsidiary Liquid Dataport and fixed network operator Angola Telecom have established a new terrestrial fibre route from Luanda, in... 

Body calls for immediate measures to arrest collapse of SA’s water treatment facilities

The Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) is recommending several urgent measures to prevent a widening collapse of South Africa’s water treatment facilities amid a cholera outbreak.... 

Digital platforms can significantly promote trade in Africa – YouTube executive

Digital platforms can play a significant role in promoting trade and commerce in Africa, says YouTube Europe, Middle East and Africa emerging markets MD Alex Okosi. Digital trade can transform... 

Seacom secures $207m loan package from IFC to boost digital connectivity in seven Africa countries

Global development institution IFC is providing a $207-million long-term loan package to digital infrastructure and information technology (IT) services company Seacom in a partnership aimed at... 

South Africa’s Information Regulator elected to serve on international commission

The Information Regulator of South Africa was nominated and has been elected to serve as a member of the executive committee of the International Conference for Information Commissioners (ICIC).... 

Cell C completes network migration

Communications group Cell C has completed its network migration ahead of schedule, opening access to about 14 000 towers countrywide, 12 000 sites of which are fourth-generation and long-term... 

Final analogue switch-off now tabled for end 2024

Analogue services above 694 MHz will be switched off effective July 31, 2023, as the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) progresses towards a final switch off date of... 

Liquid’s new subsea cable enhances connectivity between Mauritius and South Africa

The successful deployment of the Mauritius Telecom T3 subsea cable is set to enhance connectivity between Mauritius and South Africa. The subsea cable, deployed at pan-African technology group... 

USAID commits $3m for water and sanitation investment projects in Africa

In an effort to accelerate preparation of water and sanitation investment projects in Africa, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed $3-million to the African... 

Municipalities owe Rand Water nearly R5bn

Municipalities across Gauteng owe water utility provider Rand Water just under R5-billion for water. While some municipalities have responded to Rand Water’s call for them to pay for the water... 

New AI industry association launched in South Africa

A new industry body focused on promoting the advancement of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) in South Africa has been launched. The South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA)... 

Long-awaited R4bn Rooiwal wastewater plant rehab to start in September

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and the City of Tshwane (CoT) have embarked on a partnership that will see the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) implement the urgent upgrade... 

Telecoms companies rank last in customer sentiment for third consecutive year

South Africa’s telecommunications industry has ranked last for consumer sentiment for the third consecutive year. The latest PwC South African Telecommunications Sentiment Index for 2022, conducted... 

DWS imposes restrictions on Bloemfontein water supply

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has imposed an 18% restriction on the Greater Bloemfontein Water Supply System following confirmation by a yearly operating analysis that restrictions... 

Jorge Mendes appointed as Cell C CEO

Telecommunications group Cell C has appointed Jorge Mendes as its new CEO, effective July 1, 2023. Mendes’ appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company with increasing competition in the... 

Cell C appoints two new directors

Telecommunications group Cell C has appointed Maya Makanjee and Godfrey Motsa to its board of directors as the company focuses on accelerating growth and fuelling investor confidence. The... 

No need for a knight in shining armour – Telkom CEO

Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong on Tuesday said that the struggling group does not need a “knight in shining armour” to save it. “In the past few days there has been a lot of communication in the... 

Equiano cable activated in Namibia

Google’s 12 fibre pair, 144 Tb/s Equiano cable has been activated in Namibia, marking a milestone in the delivery of enhanced connectivity to Namibia and the broader Southern African Development... 

JRA launches second phase of major stormwater project

The second phase of the Klein Jukskei bond stream bulk stormwater project in Ferndale, in Johannesburg, is set to get underway on June 20, with completion expected to be completed by mid-September... 

Liquid Dataport, Angola Telecom establish new Angola, Johannesburg fibre route

Pan-African technology group Liquid Intelligent Technologies subsidiary Liquid Dataport and fixed network operator Angola Telecom have established a new terrestrial fibre route from Luanda, in...