TCS - The TechCentral Show

The pace at which artificial intelligence is reshaping the threat landscape is outstripping the ability of most organisations to defend themselves, with shadow AI, synthetic identity attacks and a looming quantum computing disruption all converging at once. That’s the view of DataGroupIT CEO Werner Lindemann, who joined Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show to unpack what business leaders should be doing about AI and information security. Lindemann, who spent more than 30 years in senior roles at BCX and Clickatell before joining the security solutions distributor, says the African threat environment is no longer a watered-down version of what is happening elsewhere. Attackers are deploying the same AI-powered tools globally, and AI-enabled phishing campaigns now achieve click-through rates that traditional defences were never designed to withstand. A bigger blind spot, he argues, is shadow AI – employees pasting sensitive data into unapproved AI tools without oversight. Lindemann says this is fast eclipsing the shadow IT problem of the past decade because the tools are free, frictionless and often invisible to security teams. The conversation also tackles the credibility crisis facing identity verification. With AI now able to clone a CEO’s voice in real time or generate synthetic profiles that pass biometric checks, Lindemann believes traditional verification methods are fundamentally flawed. A big challenge is helping boards understand the issue in business rather than technical terms. Lindemann also weighs in on the rise of the chief AI officer role, following Sanlam’s recent appointment, and on whether African organisations are equipped to adopt AI at the pace global peers are setting given the continent’s acute skills shortage. The discussion closes on quantum computing. Lindemann challenges the conventional view that the quantum threat is a decade away, and outlines what business leaders should be doing now to prepare for the post-quantum cryptography world – even if the risk still feels distant.

Award-winning South African film director Donovan Marsh has pivoted to artificial intelligence filmmaking and believes generative AI tools could fundamentally reshape how movies are made – and who gets to make them. Marsh, whose 30-year career includes directing the Hollywood submarine thriller Hunter Killer starring Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman, the Spud films and iNumber Number, is the latest guest on the TechCentral Show. The economics, he tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod, are extraordinary: a single complex scene in a traditional production requires crews, equipment, locations and days of scheduling, while AI tools collapse much of that overhead into work that can be done at a desk. But Marsh is clear that the creative work has not disappeared. He still directs shot by shot, much as he would on a conventional set, and uses a patchwork of different AI tools – no single product yet does everything. He has found that simpler prompts produce better results, saying over-prescription tends to degrade output quality. Marsh acknowledges the disruption this implies for camera operators, lighting crews, set designers and extras. But he argues that AI filmmaking could prove liberating for smaller filmmaking markets like South Africa, where the budgets to make ambitious local movies have dwindled. He has co-founded Dragon Studios AI with Ronnie Apteker and Stephen Cholerton, and is developing what he believes will be among the first AI-generated feature films. The tools are not quite there yet for a full 90-minute production, he says, but the gap is closing fast. Marsh also weighs in on where the so-called “uncanny valley” still trips up generative video, the future of the acting profession and what AI filmmaking could look like by 2029.

MTN South Africa has launched Pi, a digital-only mobile operator that runs on MTN’s network but operates as a standalone brand, offering contract-free mobile and home 5G connectivity through a single app, with no call centres, no credit checks and no lock-in. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod talks to Divyesh Joshi, chief commercial officer at MTN South Africa, about the thinking behind the launch and what it signals about the direction of the local telecommunications market. Pi’s pricing is aggressive: R79/month for 500 voice minutes and R199/month for 20GB of mobile data, for example, alongside home fixed-wireless broadband plans. McLeod asks whether Pi is essentially MTN’s fightback against Telkom, which has been quietly gaining prepaid market share with competitive data pricing – and whether the launch is also a response to mobile virtual network operators like Melon Mobile. The conversation explores what Pi means for MTN’s margins, particularly on voice, and whether the aggressive pricing on calls is an admission that voice has become a commodity in a market where many consumers have shifted to WhatsApp for calls. McLeod also asks whether Pi represents MTN’s attempt to get ahead of a structural shift in how people consume telecoms services – drawing a parallel with MultiChoice’s failure to adapt quickly enough to changing market demands in the video entertainment space. A key question is what happens to MTN’s existing SuperFlex product, which targets a similar customer base. Is Pi going to cannibalise MTN’s own subscribers? Finally, McLeod and Joshi discuss MTN’s new eSim-based roaming deals, which offer data at R12/GB in markets like China and France – though curiously, roaming in eSwatini, where MTN has a subsidiary, costs R85/GB. Don’t miss the conversation!

The South African Post Office has been in business rescue – a form of bankruptcy protection – since July 2023. Business rescue practitioners Anoosh Rooplal and Juanito Damons have made it clear to parliament that the entity will not survive liquidation unless a R3.8-billion bailout is received soon. With some 5 500 jobs on the line, the big question is: is the Post Office worth saving? Rooplal spoke to TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu and was asked that question. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Rooplal talks about: • The case for the bailout: The business rescue practitioners have already received R2.4-billion from government, while bailouts for the Post Office over the past decade amount to nearly R10-billion. Rooplal attempts to answer why this latest funding request is worth it. • The current state of the Post Office: Rooplal outlines what the R2.4-billion tranche was used for and what the R3.8-billion request would do, if provided. He also details what the future state of the entity might look like and how, without much in terms of income, salaries are currently being paid. • The need for a state-owned postal service: Even if national treasury were to agree to save the Post Office, does it have a place in a modern digital economy? • External funding and asset sales: If the business case for the Post Office’s revival is so strong, why have the businesses rescue practitioners not sold or rationalised assets or gone to the open market for funding? • Social grants and Post Bank: Rooplal explains what would happen to the many grant recipients processed via the Post Office should it not survive business rescue. • Private sector partnerships: The department of communications & digital technologies in November issued a request for information seeking private sector partnership proposals. Rooplal explains the “chicken and egg” problem at the core those discussions. • No more options: Chapter 6 of the Companies Act compels business rescue practitioners to file for liquidation if they see “no reasonable prospect” of rescue. Rooplal explains why he and his associate, Damons, are close to pulling the trigger. Don’t miss the discussion!

Artificial intelligence isn’t just changing how work gets done, it’s rewriting the rules of business. Organisations are scrambling to redefine processes and job descriptions, while employees are grappling with new tools and new ways of thinking that are transforming the way they approach their daily tasks. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Antony Makins, acting CEO at TForge and chair of the special group on AI and robotics at the Institute of IT Professionals South Africa, unpacks the skills revolution unfolding alongside the AI one. Makins delves into the patterns emerging across organisations and the broader labour market as AI adoption accelerates. He also explores the mindset shift it’s imposing on the workforce, and which roles are being hit hardest by AI-driven changes to how we work. He delves into the opportunities that exist despite the very real threat AI poses to jobs – and what government can do to create an enabling environment for workers to adapt to a labour market increasingly shaped by AI, machine learning and data analysis. Don't miss it the conversation!

The fourth episode of TechCentral’s electric motoring show, Watts & Wheels, covers a packed news agenda, two vehicle reviews and an in-depth look at the 2026 South African Car of the Year semi-finalists. The episode opens with the latest EV news, including fresh import duty statistics from Donald MacKay of XA Global Trade Advisors and a closer look at BAIC’s claims of local manufacturing – with the hosts questioning just how “made in South Africa” its vehicles really are, given a reported seven-to-one difference factor in jobs created. Also in the news segment: Zero Carbon Charge's latest fundraising efforts, the launch of Uber Go Electric – a notably affordable option powered by Valternative – and the latest developments in autonomous driving technology. The show features two review segments this week. First up is the Riddara RD6 electric bakkie, followed by a hands-on driving experience with one of Valternative’s electric Uber vehicles – Duncan McLeod plays Uber driver and gives a lift to a grumpy Prince William. The Valternative segment is complemented by an interview with the company’s CEO, Mahomed Jeewa, who discusses the firm’s ambitions in the electric ride-hailing space. A major talking point is the announcement of the 2026 Car of the Year semi-finalists. The hosts run through the full list, highlighting the growing presence of Chinese brands among the contenders – a notable shift in a competition won last year by the BMW X3. They close by pondering who might take the 2026 Car of the Year crown. The episode wraps up with the popular Hot or Not segment, in which the hosts give their verdicts on the Riddara, Uber Go Electric and the Volvo EX60, which has been confirmed for a South African launch later this year.

South Africa’s big three telecommunications operators have all reported numbers in recent weeks, and the theme is clear: competition in prepaid has intensified sharply. Telkom’s resurgence has put pressure on both MTN and Vodacom, with MTN acknowledging it has “discernibly” lost prepaid market share. This is one of the topics covered in this wide-ranging and exclusive TechCentral Show interview with MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita, who sat down earlier this week with TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod to discuss this and other major topics, including: • The impact of online gambling on the telecoms sector; • The need for further consolidation in South African telecoms, and why Mupita won’t completely rule out a deal with Telkom, provided the “stars align”; • Vodacom’s acquisition of a co-controlling stake in Vumatel parent Maziv and how MTN will respond; • The impact of low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity on the telecoms industry and how MTN plans to work with companies like SpaceX/Starlink and Amazon Leo – and whether he sees them as competitors or partners (or both); • The spectacular turnaround in Nigeria and whether it’s durable; • The future of MTN’s involvement in Iran, and the lessons learnt from the group’s exit from other Middle Eastern markets; • Plans to shift MTN Group’s focus to East Africa in the coming years; and • Why he’s fascinated by the impact that AI could have on telecoms in Africa. Don’t miss a great discussion on the future of MTN and telecoms in Africa!

Returning to the TechCentral Show is ICT regulatory expert Dominic Cull, founder of Ellipsis and regulatory advisor to the Internet Service Providers’ Association (Ispa). Cull recently attended communications minister Solly Malatsi’s policy colloquium in Pretoria – the first under a non-ANC communications minister. Cull says there is a discernibly different tone from Malatsi compared to his predecessors: more openness, more willingness to engage stakeholders and a stronger focus on evidence-based policymaking. However, while the intent is encouraging, South Africa’s ICT policy environment remains inconsistent, slow and fragmented. In the podcast, Cull discusses: • Malatsi’s policy colloquium and what came out of it • The state of ICT policy and regulation in South Africa • The biggest policy bottlenecks holding back growth in the ICT sector • Why government doesn’t fully grasp the economic impact of digital infrastructure • The latest on the next spectrum auction • The EU’s decision to hand much of the 6GHz band to mobile operators – and why South Africa shouldn’t blindly copy it • What’s needed to fix the Rica legislation • Why Starlink isn’t coming to South Africa anytime soon Cull also shares the top priority areas he’d focus on in 2026 if he was minister of communications. It’s a great discussion – don’t miss it!

South Africa’s automotive industry is in a state of flux. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, BMW Group South Africa CEO Peter van Binsbergen unpacks the challenges – and opportunities – facing a sector under pressure. He tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the future of BMW’s Rosslyn manufacturing plant in Pretoria, which was established more than half a centry ago, and the urgent need for new government policy to ensure the automotive industrial base in South Africa is future-fit and ready for the shift to electric mobility. Van Binsbergen also discusses the rise of imported vehicles in the sales mix in South Africa – including the rapid expansion of Chinese brands. China is a market he knows well, having spent three years there with BMW. In the interview, TechCentral Show viewers will also hear about: • The state of the local automotive manufacturing industry; • What South Africa needs to implement in policy reform to ensure the automotive industrial base in South Africa – and why this is urgent; • How the country must adapt to the global shift to electric mobility; • The role of BMW’s IT Hub in South Africa; • BMW’s global EV strategy, and what that means for South African EV buyers; and • BMW’s Neue Klasse vehicles, which run the company’s next-generation EV platform, and why they are significant to its future. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion!

Altron earlier this month announced that it has deployed an "AI factory" in one of Teraco’s new Johannesburg data centres. Powered by Nvidia AI infrastructure and software, the factory is has already gone live with half a dozen customers. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Altron Group chief technology officer Bongani Andy Mabaso explains the rationale for the investment, what building the factory entailed and what the anchor tenants are using the platform to do. Mabaso tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod: • What an AI factory is exactly and why Altron has decided to build one; • What’s involved in deploying AI infrastructure, especially from a power and cooling perspective – and why Altron decided to locate its AI factory at Teraco; • What companies like Lelapa AI, MathU and Dataviue are using the Altron AI Factory to do; • Why Altron partnered with Asus and HPE on the project; • How the infrastructure can be used; and • The advantages of hosting an AI factory in South Africa, as opposed to an offshore data centre – it’s not only about better network latency. Don’t miss the conversation!

The invention of the silicon transistor was fundamental to the success of the digital age, driving the core of the modern-day digital economy. The rise of generative AI has put hardware at the epicentre of the next wave of economic growth, with chip makers such as Nvidia and AMD reaching record valuations as demand for advanced chips far outstrips supply. But as AI data centres expand, so, too, does their consumption of resources, with their demand for water and electricity rising exponentially. FinalSpark is a Swiss biocomputing company exploring more efficient ways of computing – and it’s turned to human neurons as a potential solution. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Fred Jordan, co-founder and co-CEO of FinalSpark, gives insight into “wetware” (in effect, living hardware) and what it means for the future of computing. Jordan delves into: • What inspired him turn to living neurons as a means of processing; • Parallels between his training as a signal processing engineer and his work with living neurons; • Why FinalSpark uses human neurons and not any other like those from a cat on an octopus; • How skin cells are used to “create” the neurons; • How the neurons are fed, stored and kept alive; • How long the neurons live for and the sort of computations FinalSpark has made them perform; and • His views on the future of computing. Don’t miss this intriguing discussion!

Cryptocurrencies are increasingly moving beyond being seen as an investment asset as users find more real-world uses in everyday contexts. It appears that crypto is becoming more like cash – with users prepared to use it as the point of sale. Crypto payments specialist MoneyBadger recently signed a deal with fintech Scan to Pay allowing crypto wallet users pay at more than 650 000 stores nationwide. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, MoneyBadger CEO Carel van Wyk and Luno country manager for South Africa Christo de Wit tell TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu about what the partnership means for crypto platforms, their users and the broader economy. Van Wyk and De Wit delve into: • The mindset shift that happens when users move from being crypto investors to day-to-day users of digital currencies; • How crypto payments allow for immediate settlement in rands and what that means for merchants and users; • How merchants benefit by supporting crypto payments at their stores; • Why a crypto investor might want to consider using it to make payments; • The tax implications that must be considered before investing in or using crypto for payments; • The role cryptocurrencies play in promoting financial inclusion; and • The role cryptocurrencies will play as the Reserve Bank modernises the National Payment System. Don’t miss an interesting discussion!

E-commerce will soon reach an important milestone in South Africa: by January, according to World Wide Worx research, online shopping will top 10% of total retail sales for the first time. The move to 15% and then to 20% will come much quicker. That’s the view of Frederik Zietsman, CEO of Naspers-owned Takealot Group – South Africa’s largest online retailer – who was speaking to TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show. In the interview, Zietsman unpacks what’s driving the rapid adoption of online shopping in South Africa – Covid-19 was a key trigger – and what the future holds as international e-commerce giants step up their investments in the country. He also discusses: • How the competitive dynamics of the market have changed in recent years; • The impact of the entry of international giants such as Amazon and Walmart and how this will reshape the market in the coming years; • The decision to expand subsidiary Mr D’s focus from fast food to include new product categories; • The township opportunity and how Takealot is working to crack that market; • Takealot’s plans to move to electric vehicles in its logistics fleet, including a look at what’s needed to introduce electric motorbikes at scale; • The challenge of crime in the logistics chain and what’s being done to fight it; • Why Takealot is getting into the home loans business; and • What’s going to drive the company’s growth in the next few years. Don’t miss a fascinating conversation!

Seacom last week announced that it plans to build one of the highest-capacity subsea broadband cable systems the world has ever seen. Dubbed Seacom 2.0, the cable system – which will have an expected design capacity of a staggering 2 000Tbit/s – will be larger than the company’s original system, which brought high-speed connectivity to Africa’s eastern coastline when it was launched in 2009. The new system, which will include an “express route” from South Africa to Singapore and leg around South Africa to Lobito in Angola – and which will also cover much of the same East African coastline as the first system – will use the latest fibre-optic technology and 48 fibre pairs to deliver its extreme total capacity. Alpheus Mangale, CEO of Seacom, sat down with TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod for an exclusive first interview with the TechCentral Show to unpack the announcement and provide much greater detail about the deployment – including its timelines and the technology that will be used. In the interview, Mangale touches on a range of topics, including: • What’s involved in building a submarine cable system of this magnitude; • Why Seacom has chosen the routing for the cable that it has; • The need for great redundancy around the African continent, and how this fed into Seacom’s planning for Seacom 2.0; • The commercial model for the new system and what this means for the region; • The assumptions Seacom is making about future internet demand and how that feeds into its return-on-investment forecasts; • How the system will be funded and who is backing it; • The risks inherent in building telecommunications infrastructure at this scale; and • The terrestrial infrastructure that will be deployed to support Seacom 2.0, including landing stations and edge data centres. Don’t miss a fascinating interview!

South Africa’s payments ecosystem is evolving at a rapid pace. PayInc – previously BankservAfrica – sits at the core of the country’s payments infrastructure. As the builder and manager of the PayShap instant payment rails, PayInc is central to the Reserve Bank’s plans to drive digital inclusion through payment modernisation. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Stephen Linnell, CEO of PayInc, tells TechCentral’s Nkosinathi Ndlovu about the strategy behind the rebrand to PayInc and how that fits into the utility’s vision of the payments ecosystem in South Africa and the broader Southern Africa region. Linnell delves into: • PayInc’s new ownership structure with the Reserve Bank taking over 50% ownership from the private banks; • How the Reserve Bank’s participation will help PayInc achieve its goals; • An assessment of PayShap since its 2023 launch and what comes next; • What the proposed inclusion of non-bank players including fintechs, retailers and telecommunications operators in the national payments and settlements system means for the economy; • The efforts PayInc is making to implement instant payments at a regional level; and • Emerging payment technologies like central bank digital currencies and stablecoins. Don’t miss this informative discussion.

The Invigilator, the developer of a South African application that helps educational institutions monitor web-based assessments to prevent cheating, recenty secured US$11-million (R195-million) in funding to help it expand internationally. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Nicolas Riemer, co-founder and CEO of The Invigilator, joins TechCentral’s Nkosinathi Ndlovu to discuss how the start-up is going to use the cash injection to take on international markets. He also gives insight into the app’s software and the company behind it. In this episode, Riemer delves into: • How The Invigilator app got started during the Covid-19 lockdown; • The markets it plans to expand into internationally; • The challenges of developing an app like The Invigilator in the South African market and why this may have set the company up for international success; • How the app uses AI to minimise network and storage demands while improving outcomes; • Barriers to The Invigilator’s adoption, like resistance from students, and how they were overcome; and • The future technologies Riemer is most excited about in the ed-tech space. Don’t miss the conversation!

Paratus Group executive chairman Barney Harmse joins the TechCentral Show to share the story of the telecommunications group’s rise from small beginnings in Angola and Namibia more than 20 years ago and how it became one of Southern Africa’s biggest ICT infrastructure players. Paratus started life in Angola in 2003, evolving from a local internet service provider into a pan‑African telecoms powerhouse. Co-founded by Harmse with Schalk Erasmus, Rolf Mendelsohn, Martin Boese and Miles October, it grew rapidly and now has infrastructure across the region, including in Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, the DRC and Namibia. This week, it officially launched the first privately owned mobile network operator in Namibia, which will compete directly with the state-owned incumbents. Today the business works closely with the likes of Starlink, Google and Meta Platforms and plays a significant role in long-distance, metropolitan and access networks across the region. It also helped land Google’s Equiano cable on the Namibian coast. In this lively interview with TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod, Harmse unpacks the Paratus story, touching on: • What building telecoms infrastructure across the vast reaches of Southern Africa has entailed, including memorable moments along the way; • The company’s financial backers, and its capital-raising plans – including a possible future listing in New York; • Why it built a network of long-distance fibre across Southern Africa; • Paratus’s relationship with Elon Musk’s Starlink, and why it’s a key role player in the launch of the low-Earth orbit satellite provider’s offering across the region; • The launch of the mobile network in Namibia and why it’s a significant development in the Paratus story; and • The opportunities still ahead for Paratus Group. Don’t miss a great interview!

Maziv, the company that owns Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa, plans to spend R12-billion over the next five years as its ramps its deployment of fibre infrastructure across South Africa. Poised for a big injection of cash and assets from Vodacom, which is buying a 30% co-controlling stake in the business, it has unveiled big plans to deploy fibre in townships and other underserved parts of the country. In this exclusive podcast interview, CEO Dietlof Mare unpacks Maziv’s ambitious plans with the TechCentral Show, telling TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about: • The painful three-and-a-half years it took to get the deal over the line with the competition authorities and how these delays undermined investment in new fibre builds in South Africa; • Why regulators need to reflect on the time it took to conclude the transaction, and why they need to be quicker in adjudicating M&A activity to grow the economy; • How the merging parties eventually secured the approval of the Competition Commission, which had initially recommended that the transaction be blocked on competition grounds; • Vumatel’s deployment plans – where it’s going to focus next with its new fibre builds and why; • The economics of rolling out fibre into townships and into low-income communities, a key focus for the business over the next five years; • What the conclusion of the deal means for the sector, including the potential for further consolidation of fibre network operators; • The policy and regulatory changes Maziv would like to see to help it speed up the deployment of fibre in South Africa; and • How the Maziv business is expected to change in the coming years. Don’t miss a great discussion about the future of broadband internet infrastructure in South Africa!

Nedbank announced last week that it was acquiring Durban-based fintech iKhokha in a R1.65-billion deal that could signal the start of further consolidation in the payments industry in South Africa. Nedbank described the deal as a “significant milestone” in its strategy to target small and medium enterprises. iKhokha co-founder and CEO Matt Putman is TechCentral’s guest in this episode of the TechCentral Show. He unpacks the deal with TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod, explaining how it came about and what it means for the company’s further growth. Founded in Durban in 2012, iKhokha provides mobile point-of-sale solutions to SMEs. Its products include card machines and a mobile app that allows merchants to accept card payments, with added business management tools. It was founded by Putman, Ramsay Daly and Putman’s father Clive. Putman tells the TechCentral Show about: • How the deal with Nedbank happened; • The origins of iKhokha and its growth over the past 13 years, leading to the sale to Nedbank – a deal that is still subject to regulatory approval; • How iKhokha will work with Nedbank (it will remain an independent brand within the banking group), including a possible expansion into new markets in Africa; and • The exit of iKhokha’s backers, including Crossfin Technology Holdings, Apis Partners and the International Finance Corporation. Don’t miss a great discussion!

Alan Knott-Craig’s new fibre internet business has been flying below the radar for some time now, but the serial telecommunications entrepreneur has finally unpacked his plans for the business. Speaking to the TechCentral Show this week, Knott-Craig – who has led a range of well-known tech businesses, including Mxit, World of Avatar, Project Isizwe and iBurst – talks about why he believes there’s money to be made in wiring up townships with fibre and how Fibertime (stylised as “fibertime”) hopes to reach millions of data-poor South Africans who, until now, have had to rely on expensive mobile data for connectivity. In the interview, with TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod, Knott-Craig also chats about: • What’s been involved in building Fibertime; • The Fibertime business model and the economics of township fibre; • The network’s footprint and where the company plans to build next (it is currently deploying infrastructure in Alexandra in Johannesburg); • Why fibre beats wireless for township internet services; • The difficulties of working in township settings, including the threat posed by crime; • Plans to list the business, possibly in 2027; and • The recently approved Vodacom/Maziv deal, and what that means for the telecoms sector. Don’t miss a fascinating interview!

Although Shoprite Group stole a march on many of South Africa’s retailers in on-demand online grocery delivery during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Pick n Pay has a clear plan to make up lost ground and compete aggressively for market share. Enrico Ferigolli, who co-founded the liquor delivery app Bottles – which was later acquired by Pick n Pay to form the basis of its online shopping push with asap! – joins the TechCentral Show to unpack the journey Pick n Pay is on, and how the e-commerce market is likely to develop in the coming years. Ferigolli tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about: * Why and how technology has become fundamental to modern retail; * The launch of Bottles and what led to the Pick n Pay acquisition; * The dynamics of on-demand delivery and what it takes to be a successful player; * How Pick n Pay is working to convince people to try asap! for their grocery needs; * The role of AI (and AI agents) in future omnichannel retail environments; How online shopping is likely to change the way Pick n Pay designs its physical stores; * Pick n Pay’s relationship with Takealot Group, and where that alliance is headed; * Pick n Pay’s plans to expand into townships and other underserved markets with on-demand deliveries; and * The threat posed by international e-commerce companies that don’t have a presence in South Africa but which ship goods to local consumers. It’s a great interview about the future of e-commerce in South Africa – be sure not to miss it!

A recent management buyout of Britehouse from NTT Data – previously Dimension Data – has put the software development house on a new trajectory. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Duncan McLeod chats to Britehouse executive chairman Graham Parker about the MBO of Britehouse Mobility and what it means for the future of the business. Dimension Data acquired the 60% of Britehouse it didn’t already own in a 2015 transaction, buying out shareholders that included Remgro and Convergence Partners. The IT group had held a 40% stake since 2007 before buying out other shareholders eight years later. “Britehouse is embarking on a new era of innovation and independence following a management buyout transaction that effectively acquired the business from NTT Data,” a statement at the time said. “The acquisition from NTT Data marks a pivotal moment in Britehouse’s journey.” Following the deal, Britehouse Mobility will operate as a fully independent company. The Britehouse brand will cease to exist inside NTT Data, but the latter will retain the enterprise applications business, with specific focus on SAP and Microsoft, it said. “After several successful years of operating as part of the global NTT Data group, Britehouse is excited to return to its roots as an independent, South African-led business,” said Parker at the time. Parker tells the TechCentral Show about: • His history with Dimension Data and Britehouse; • The story of Britehouse; and • What the business looks like today, and management’s plans for growth. Don’t miss the discussion!

The Lekker Network is a recently launched global business platform designed to help South African expatriates find business and investment opportunities around the world, including at home. Founded by a group of well-known businesspeople, The Lekker Network was launched in March and offers members access to a business directory, a jobs portal (for employers and job seekers), a social platform with “likeminded individuals” and events around the world for people, including non-South Africans, to meet up. Renier Lombard, a co-founder of The Lekker Network, is our guest on this episode of the TechCentral Show. He said the platform, whose ambassadors include well-known journalist and speaker Bruce Whitfield and former Springbok and now businessman Bob Skinstad, is designed to “forge connections between South African businesses and businesspeople, regardless of their location”. In this episode of TCS, Lombard unpacks: • Who founded The Lekker Network and why; • Who it is aimed at and who can join; • How much it costs and what members get for the fee; • The markets where The Lekker Network is focused – not surprisingly, the attention is on countries where there are a large number of South African expats; • How (and why) non-South Africans can join the network; and • The importance of the tech sector, including start-ups, to The Lekker Network community. Don’t miss the interview!

The digitisation of social interactions has made it easier for people to maintain contact and build online communities. However, there has been a decrease in in-person interaction that has contributed to a sense of disconnect. South African-made social media platform Sociable hopes to solve this problem by combining online engagement with in-person meetups, connecting people based on shared interests. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Sociable co-founder and CEO Jason van Dyk tells TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu about the importance of community and how Sociable is helping drive its development. In the show, Van Dyk delves into: • How community builders benefit from using the Sociable platform; • The features Sociable provides to communities and their members to enhance engagement; • How meeting spaces including coffee shops, bars and restaurants benefit from the in-person component of Sociable’s community meetups; • Sociable’s approach to safety for its users; • How Sociable positions itself against large social media platforms like Facebook; • Some of the most popular communities on the platform; and • The impact of AI on the social media landscape. Don’t miss the conversation!

Spar Group is determined to play a significant role in the on-demand grocery delivery space in South Africa despite coming from behind, its omnichannel executive for Southern Africa has told TechCentral. Speaking to the TechCentral Show, Blake Raubenheimer took the publication’s editor, Duncan McLeod, through the retailer’s plan to compete directly with the likes of Shoprite Holdings’ Sixty60, which gained an early market lead during the Covid lockdowns. Spar has every intention of becoming a meaningful player in app-based on-demand deliveries, according to Raubenheimer, who unpacked the retailer’s plan to gain market share in the increasingly competitive but fast-expanding segment with Spar2U. South Africa’s grocery sector has become increasingly competitive as price-conscious consumers look for value, convenience and distinctive products. Shoprite and Woolworths are keeping their rivals on their toes as they continue to sign up customers. Pick n Pay, which is also coming from behind, is aggressively targeting the space, too. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Raubenheimer discusses: * How Spar’s business model – the vast majority of stores are run by franchisees – has complicated its move into the on-demand grocery game, and how it's working to turn this to its advantage; * How Spar is working to convince consumers to try Spar2U over other on-demand services; * The group’s broader omnichannel strategy, where the retailer is positioned in the market, where it wants to get to, and how it plans to do it; * Its focus on the township and rural markets through partnerships with companies like KasiD and Delivery Ka Speed – and why it’s important; Spar’s partnership with Uber Eats; * How Spar’s SAP enterprise software implementation in KwaZulu-Natal went awry and how it impacted the retailer; and * What Spar is working on from a technology perspective. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion about how technology is transforming the retail industry in South Africa.

What should one make of the noise surrounding the licensing (or non-licensing) of Starlink in South Africa? And what of the plans to reform the rules around black economic empowerment in the sector? To make sense of these developments – and others – TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod sat down this week with Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO of the Association for Comms & Technology (ACT), an industry body that represents South Africa’s six largest telecommunications operators: MTN, Telkom, Vodacom, Rain, Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Cell C. In the interview, for the TechCentral Show, Batyi unpacked communications minister Solly Malatsi’s draft policy directive to communications regulator Icasa on so-called “equity equivalents” and why ACT believes there needs to be fairness in the licensing process. If the new rules apply to satellite operators, she said, they should apply to all licensees in the sector equally, including the big telecoms operators ACT represents. In the show, she also discussed: • Whether Starlink – and other low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite internet companies pose a threat or an opportunity for South Africa’s network operators; • The role of LEO satellite operators in South Africa’s future telecommunications mix – and can they help bridge the digital divide?; • The latest on the planned switch-off of 2G and 3G networks in South Africa, and why 3G will be the first to go; • Whether national treasury’s recent move to cut ad valorem tax on basic smartphones goes far enough – and what other measures ACT would like to see to get smartphones in the hands of everyone in South Africa; and • What is happening regarding the next spectrum auction. Don’t miss a great discussion!

Altron Group announced last week that it was selling its Altron Nexus businesses in a management buyout led by Nexus MD Louis du Toit and BriteGaze founder and technology entrepreneur Reshaad Sha. Sha and Du Toit are our guests in this episode of the TechCentral Show, where they tell TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the acquisition and their growth plans for the business. As part of the acquisition – which is still subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, which should be concluded by the end of June – Altron Nexus will be rebranded as Sentiv, a portmanteau of “sentient” and “intuitive”. Sha will serve as Sentiv’s executive chairman while Du Toit will be CEO. “Together they will steer Sentiv’s transformation into a future-orientated technology partner offering intelligent, context-aware, mission-critical communications and industrial internet-of-things solutions,” according to a statement from the acquiring parties. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Du Toit and Sha tell McLeod about: • How the deal came about; • The assets and businesses housed in Altron Nexus; and • The plan to turn the business around. Don’t miss a great conversation!

TechCentral’s guests in this episode of the TechCentral Show believe Blue Label Telecoms and its affiliate (and soon to be subsidiary) Cell C present a compelling investment case. Philip Short, global portfolio manager at Flagship Asset Management – which counts Blue label as its sole South African investment – and Dylan Bradfield, portfolio manager at Sharenet, tell TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod that they believe the turnaround taking place at Cell C is real, and will have a meaningful impact on Blue Label shares. Blue shares, which have already rallied strongly – which have more than doubled in the past six months – could still have plenty of room to run, according to Short. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Short and Bradfield unpack: • Blue Label’s announcement earlier this month that it is considering a JSE listing for Cell C; • Why Cell C’s restructured operating model and strategy makes sense, and why that’s good news for Blue Label shareholders; • The role of Cell C CEO Jorge Mendes in the turnaround – and what the opportunity is for the mobile operator with its new “asset-light” model of running its network – management of its radio access network has effectively been outsourced to partners (and competitors) MTN and Vodacom; • Which operators would be most vulnerable to a resurgent Cell C; • The importance of Cell C’s strategy around mobile virtual network operators and the significance of its relationship with Capitec; • The move by Blue Label to sell Comm Equipment Company to Cell C – good move or not? • Whether Cell C can compete with Telkom, Vodacom and MTN in the business market, something Mendes has signalled his desire to do; • What the listing of Cell C could look like, what management’s focus should be before the listing and what kind of valuation the business could attract; and • How much more value could be unlocked for Blue Label shareholders. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion!

4Sight Holdings has turned the corner and has signalled this with a recent move from the AltX to the main board of the JSE. CEO Tertius Zitzke is our guest in this episode of the TechCentral Show. He tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the turnaround he’s leading – not to mention the mess he inherited when he took over leadership of the business in December 2019, months before Covid hit. 4Sight has been operating largely below the radar, but the investment community has begun paying attention – and, although the shares been moving sideways for the past year, over three years they have climbed by 250%. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Zitzke unpacks: • What motivated the decision to move to the JSE’s main board; • His background, including his leadership AccTech Systems, its acquisition by 4Sight and how he became CEO of the group; • Why the business was listed originally, and how its focus has changed under his leadership; • How the turnaround was achieved – and what still needs to be done; • Where 4Sight fits into the ICT market in South Africa; • The recent acquisition of XFour Group and plans for more acquisitions; and • What’s next for 4Sight. Don’t miss an interesting discussion!

One of South Africa’s responsibilities as president of the global Group of 20 (G20) nations in 2025 is to hosting the G20 TechSprint, an event that invites innovators from around the world to develop financial solutions that solve the most pressing challenges faced by central banks. The South African Reserve Bank is hosting this year’s TechSprint in collaboration with the Bank for International Settlements. Lyle Horsley, head of fintech at the Reserve Bank, joined TechCentral’s Nkosinathi Ndlovu on the TechCentral Show to talk about the competition and other initiatives spearheaded by Bank under the G20 banner. In this episode of the show, Horsley delves into: The history of the G20 TechSprint and some of the solutions developed in previous iterations of the competition; The problem statements entrants are required to centre their solutions on; How central banks balance the often-opposing concerns of innovation on one hand and strong regulation on the other; How digital identity and the principles of open finance are critical to digitised financial systems; How the global central banking community will help winners develop and scale their solutions; and Details about the format of the TechSprint, how to participate and the prizes up for grabs. Don’t miss an interesting discussion!

Boasting 1.6 million subscribers after less than three years in the market, Capitec Connect has quickly become South Africa’s largest MVNO – and it has an ambitious plan for further growth. Dalene Steyn, head of Capitec Connect, tells the TechCentral Show (TCS) that the MVNO – or mobile virtual network operator – market in South Africa is poised for further expansion as banks, retailers and other brands muscle into the mobile business through wholesale partnerships with network operators. According to Steyn, although Capitec Connect is not a loss leader for the bank, the focus for now is building a critical mass of subscribers from Capitec Bank’s customer base – Capitec Connect users must be bank clients to sign up for the service. In the interview, Steyn tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about: • Why Capitec Connect recently cut its prices, matching another MVNO, Afrihost AirMobile, as the cheapest MVNO provider in South Africa – spoiler: it’s all about building scale; • Why Capitec is pulling ahead in the MVNO market and how big the bank wants to be in mobile – and why it’s so important to its business; • Capitec Connect’s plans to introduce post-paid contracts later this year and how this aligns with its push into business banking services; • The company’s plans for device financing; • Its relationship with Cell C, whose network it uses to provide mobile services to its clients, and why it’s pleased with the relationship; and • The unconfirmed market talk that Capitec might buy a strategic equity stake in Cell C. Don’t miss the discussion!

Cape Town-based fintech start-up Stitch last month caught the attention of many people when it announced it was raising R1-billion (US$55-million) in a significant series-B funding round. Co-founder and CEO Kiaan Pillay is our guest in this episode of the TechCentral Show, where he tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the funding round, which was led by QED Investors with participation from a range of new and existing investors. The latest round brings Stitch’s total funding to date to nearly R2-billion, or $107-million. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Pillay unpacks: • His background and why and how Stitch was founded; • How well-known South African comedian Trevor Noah became one of the participating funders in the latest funding round; • What Stitch is doing differently to other fintech and payment start-ups that has allowed to raise the quantum of funding that it has; • The significance of Stitch’s recent acquisition of Exipay – and why it’s important for Stitch to be a player in the in-person payments market; • Stitch’s plans in the cryptocurrency space; and • Why the company is focused (for now) on the South African market. Don’t miss a great discussion!

Shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Tiffany Dunsdon – at the time CEO of JSE-listed Adapt IT – found herself having to fend off an unwanted takeover bid from Huge Group. Dunsdon did not feel the deal made much sense for Adapt IT – a fast-growing enterprise software services provider whose share price, like many others at the time, had been knocked lower by the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. The Huge Group approach was opportunistic, said Dunsdon. So, instead of entertaining the approach from Huge Group, she set about engineering a very different deal: one involving Canadian-listed Constellation Software: Constellation subsidiary Volaris Group would buy out Adapt IT and delist it from the JSE. Dunsdon, who was recently appointed as acquiring group leader at Omegro – a portfolio company within Volaris Group that houses Adapt IT – joins Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show for an update following the conclusion of the sale. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Dunsdon also discusses: • Adapt IT’s performance since its acquisition and delisting; • The Huge Group hostile approach and how that played out inside Adapt IT; • The timeline of events that led to the acquisition by Volaris Group; and • What’s next for Adapt IT and Omegro. Don’t miss the conversation!

New GX Capital, one of the principal investors in Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa parent CIVH, recently announced it was launching a R2.4-billion clean-tech investment fund in partnership with RMB Ventures. To unpack the details of the new fund and why it’s being established, New GX Capital founder and CEO Khudusela Pitje joined TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod in the latest episode of the TechCentral Show for a wide-ranging conversation. In the interview, Pitje chatted about the fund – called the Airnegize Capital Fund – and its plans to invest in renewable energy and water and gas infrastructure across Africa. New GX Capital and RMB Ventures have described the fund as “one of the largest of its kind on the continent”. The fund has secured R2.4-billion in initial commitments, with the companies targeting a further R1.6-billion before financial close in the coming months. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Pitje expands on: • His career background and the formation of New GX Capital; • The role his father, the late HM Pitje, a businessman and former mayor of Mamelodi, played in his life and career choices; • His role in helping build Dark Fibre Africa and CIVH; • Why he feels the decision by the competition authorities to block the acquisition by Vodacom of a 30% co-controlling stake in Maziv – a subsidiary of CIVH that houses Vumatel and DFA – was wrongheaded; • The role New GX Capital plays today, as well as its investment philosophy; • What led to the creation of the Airnegize Fund with RMB Ventures; and • The role and future of black economic empowerment in South Africa. Don’t miss a fascinating conversation!

A company with its headquarters in Pretoria has designed and built an advanced drone that can attain speeds of 250km/h, reach altitudes of up to 30 000ft and travel more than 4 000km before having to return to its base. The company, Milkor, is a South African defence equipment and cybersecurity specialist that was founded all the way back in 1981. Its newly developed Milkor 380 System unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – in essence, a giant drone – has a cruising altitude of 10 000ft, a wingspan of 18m and a maximum payload of 220kg. The drone has a flight time of up to 35 hours and can be used for border surveillance, maritime surveillance, strategic reconnaissance and information gathering operations, among other things. To talk about the UAV, Milkor communications director Daniel du Plessis sat down with Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show recently and shared more details about its capabilities. Other than the Milkor 380, the interview also covers topics including: * Milkor’s founding in the 1980s, and how the company shifted focus in the democratic era – it got its start, and may still be best known for, manufacturing the world’s first six-shot 40mm grenade launcher, which is widely used around the world; * The company’s other products – for land, air and sea operations – as well as what’s involved in conducting advanced R&D and manufacturing in a market like South Africa; * The people who work for Milkor, and the sort of skills the company is looking for (and how it’s finding them); * The role of UAVs in modern warfare and defence operations; and * Why Milkor has entered the cybersecurity space. Don’t miss a fascinating interview!

Discovery Bank CEO Hylton Kallner believes technology is fundamental to the company’s success. Kallner, an actuary who joined Discovery in its early days as a medical insurance company and who has held various senior leadership roles over the years, tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the group’s decision to launch a bank when it did. He shares how the business is doing – spoiler: it’s trending well ahead of schedule – and what comes next. He tells the TechCentral Show about: • How Discovery Bank is doing financially and how it’s tracking against its business plan; • Its client base – who they are and who the bank is targeting as its clientele (the answer may surprise you); • Why Discovery launched a bank into what was already a competitive market and what it’s doing differently to its rivals to attract people to switch; • The learnings from Discovery Health and Discovery Vitality, and how Discovery Bank has leveraged these in its products and services; • Discovery Bank’s technology stack, why it chose the IT solutions it did, and why it built much of its banking solution in-house; • What’s next from Discovery Bank in terms of solutions; and • The bank’s plans with AI – and why it believes AI could be a gamechanger. Lastly, Kallner, a prolific reader, shares two of his favourite non-fiction books with the TechCentral audience. Don’t miss a great discussion!

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 one of South Africa’s original EV enthusiasts. As the proud owner of what was once officially recognised as the highest-mileage BMW i3 in Africa – it now has 365 000km on the clock – he dared to travel across the length and breadth of South Africa long before charging infrastructure was commonplace. Maidment tells the TechCentral Show’s Nkosinathi Ndlovu about: • What inspired him in 2017 to take his first drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town in an EV; • How he planned the trip, knowing that at the time there were not enough charging stations along the way; • Some anecdotes from his travels, including the interesting people he met along the way; • What his travels have taught him about the best way to drive an EV; • How much mileage he is getting out of his i3 compared to when it was new; and • His thoughts on the future of electric mobility in South Africa. Maidment’s insights on EVs are based on years of personal experience. This episode of the show is not to be missed.

The Competition Commission is girding itself for a fight with Big Tech companies like Google and Meta Platforms after publishing its provisional findings in its investigation into the impact that Big Tech has had on the South African news media sector. To unpack the provisional report, which was published on Monday, Competition Commission senior analyst and technical lead Donnavan-John Linley joined the TechCentral Show to discuss on the findings. He chats about how the commission is attempting to assist local publishers deal with the rise of competing social media platforms owned by US tech giants and why the regulator is determined to intervene in the market to support the funding of journalism in South Africa in the digital age. Linley tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about: • Why the Competition Commission decided to initiate its probe into digital platforms and their impact these platforms are having on South Africa’s news media; • The findings contained in the provisional report and why the commission reached the conclusions it did – including its recommendation that Google pay as much as R500-million/year in “compensation” over a three- to five-year period in an effort to level the playing field; • The likely reaction from Big Tech to the commission’s proposals, and what might happen if they don’t agree to play ball; • The risk of provoking a backlash from the Donald Trump administration – already Trump has accused the EU of using antitrust fines levied on US tech companies as a form of taxation and threatened retaliation in response; • How the proposed compensation of the local news media might work, and who would be eligible to receive the funding from Google; • The impact of artificial intelligence on the South African media industry and how the commission has dealt with this in its provisional report; and • Whether the commission’s findings amount to regulatory overreach – are the proposals it has made really warranted, or is the media industry simply experiencing capitalism’s “creative destruction” that will ultimately drive innovation in news media? Don’t miss a great interview!

South Africa has a new player chasing the township fibre broadband market: Wire-Wire Networks has deployed fibre to 15 800 homes in Thembisa (previously Tembisa), a sprawling township in central Gauteng. CEO JP Schmidtke joined the TechCentral Show earlier this week to share exclusive details about the company’s growth plans and to talk about the business opportunity for fibre companies in South Africa’s vast township economy. Schmidtke said Wire-Wire Networks – like other industry players such as Vumatel, Fibertime and Frogfoot – believes townships present the next big expansion opportunity for fibre network operators, though the business model is rather different to the one used to deploy infrastructure in the suburbs. Wire-Wire is offering uncapped fibre – delivered over a meshed Wi-Fi network from fibre endpoints in each home or dwelling, starting at R5 for an hour of uncapped internet access at 100Mbit/s (limited to a single device). Other price plans, which are all uncapped and offer 100Mbit/s, include: • R9 for a one-day plan that connects one device • R39 for a one-week plan that connects one device • R119 for a one-month plan that connects one device • R449 for a one-month plan that supports eight devices • R1 120 for a one-month plan that supports 12 devices Subscribers can connect anywhere in Thembisa where Wire-Wire has coverage and so are not confined to connecting to the network in the vicinity of their own homes. There are no contracts or connection charges, and Wire-Wire provides a “free-to-use” Wi-Fi router and UPS (designed to keep the internet working even during load shedding and other power outages). The fibre is trenched, not delivered aerially, as it the case in many township deployments. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Schmidtke unpacks how Wire-Wire was formed, talks about its future plans and explains how it hopes to make low-cost fibre broadband profitable in township settings. Wire-Wire’s leadership team consists of Schmidtke as well as fibre industry expert Hendrik Opperman, head of projects (external) Succeed Bvuma, head of technical David Radebe and head of projects (internal) Susan Hattingh. Don’t miss the discussion!

South African logistics firm Bakers SA recently deployed the first electric trucks to its fleet of more than a thousand vehicles. Working with Stellenbosch-based EV charging and software company Zimi Charge, Bakers’ deployment points a potential future in South Africa in which planet-warming trucks are replaced with electric alternatives. Michael Maas, CEO of Zimi Charge, recently joined Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show to talk about the company’s solutions, its deployment for Bakers SA and its expansion plans. In this episode of the show, Maas unpacks: • The projects with Bakers SA, what Zimi Charge supplied and how it works in practice; • The background to Zimi Charge and its focus on deploying both EV charging stations and building the software stack around them; • The current state of EV charging infrastructure in South Africa and what more needs to be done to support the growing number of EVs on South African roads; and • The market opportunity for Zimi Charge. Don’t miss a great discussion!

China’s DeepSeek rocked US technology stocks last month after the company appeared to have developed an artificial intelligence model akin to OpenAI’s most advanced ChatGPT models at a tiny fraction of the cost. Stocks like Nvidia, Google and Microsoft cratered on the news as it raised serious questions about whether the tens of billions – if not hundreds of billions of dollars – that Big Tech is pouring into AI infrastructure makes sense and whether China is further ahead than many people had realised. To unpack the potential implications of DeepSeek and the rise of Chinese AI models, TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod spoke to South African AI expert and keynote speaker Dean Furman to unpack the subject is greater detail – including what it could mean in the South African context. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Furman discusses: • Whether China – and DeepSeek specifically – just upended the economics of AI; • Whether American Big Tech firms should be worried; • DeepSeek’s strengths and weaknesses in relation to AI tools from the likes of Google, Meta Platforms and OpenAI; • Chinese government censorship of DeepSeek’s results and whether this matters to users outside China; • The significance of DeepSeek’s models being released using an open-source licence and what this means for the future development of AI; and • How far the world is from AGI, or artificial general intelligence. It’s a fascinating discussion – be sure not to miss it!

We strongly recommend watching the video version of this episode of TCS. -- Enviro Automotive has launched South Africa’s most affordable electric car yet, the Dayun S5 Mini SUV – and TechCentral has taken the vehicle for a test drive. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, we are joined by Environ Automotive executives Gideon Wolvaardt and Francois Malan to unpack the new Chinese EV and why they believe the S5 Mini is a gamechanger for South Africa’s motoring industry. The four-seater compact SUV features a 31.7kWh ternary lithium battery, offering a range of about 300km and a top speed of 115km/h, making it ideal for urban commuting. The vehicle has a modern interior equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system, multifunction steering wheel and a digital instrument panel. Convenience features include central locking, electric windows and air conditioning that can be operated remotely via an app, allowing drivers to start the vehicle before entering. In this episode of TCS, TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod takes the car for a test drive and shares his views on the build and ride quality – and much more!

Adam Craker has strong views on what’s needed to turn around South Africa’s fortunes and fix its biggest city, Johannesburg, which has fallen into a state of disrepair. The CEO of iqbusiness, a digital integrator in the Reunert stable formed recently though the merger of IQbusiness and +OneX, is our guest in this episode of the TechCentral Show. Craker – whose career has seen him working for the likes of Accenture, Merchants, Dimension Data and Super Group – tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about his plans for iqbusiness post-merger, how it fits in with Reunert’s overall growth plans and why the transaction made sense. He also unpacks: • His take on the government of national unity and why he remains bullish about South Africa’s prospects; • The news that government is considering listing some of South Africa’s state-owned enterprises on the JSE; • His biggest concerns about the country’s future; and • What needs to be done to save Joburg – and the role of the Jozi My Jozi initiative. Don’t miss a great conversation!

Matric Live is a study tool to help students in grades 10-12 supplement their in-class learning with additional exercises – and even get exam practice via a digital platform. And it recently won the FNB App of the Year award amid stiff competition from the likes of Checkers Sixty60 and TFG’s Bash. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Matric Live CEO Kagisho Masae and chief technology officer Lesego Finger tell TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu about their journey as a start-up and the growth Matric Live has gone through in the last few years. They delve into: • The inspiration behind the Matric Live app and the problem it seeks to solve for students; • The journey from app idea to full-fledged live system and the challenges faced along the way; • How the application is being monetised while keeping access to the platform free for its users; • The impact Matric Live has had on South African students; • Some success stories about students who have used the app; • Upcoming features to look forward to on the application; • The vision Masae and Finger have for the future of their business; and • The significance of winning the App of the Year award. Masae and Finger tell an inspiring story of battling against the odds and succeeding at solving one of the most foundational problems confronting South African society: the dissemination of quality education to all corners of the country. Don’t miss a great conversation!

Well-known South African technology entrepreneur Stafford Masie is one of the key backers behind an audacious bid to buy a stake of up to 40% in the South African Rugby Union (Saru)-owned entity that owns the commercial rights to the Springboks brand. Masie, who chairs JSE-listed Altvest Capital – a key player in the consortium making the bid – joins the TechCentral Show with Altvest CEO Warren Wheatley to unpack the plan and what spurred it, and to explain why tech is central to the bid. The bid comes after member unions of SA Rugby last week rejected a plan to sell a 20% in the commercial rightsholder to US-based Ackerley Sports Group for US$75-million. Ackerley has until the end of the year to submit a revised offer, but Wheatley and Masie told TechCentral that they do not expect a deal with the American firm will succeed. The South African consortium is made up of Altvest as well as EasyEquities, RainFin and 27four Investment Managers. In a statement, the consortium explained that if its bid is successful, it will list the special purpose vehicle that has been created to do the deal on the JSE and allow investors to buy shares. This is not dissimilar to Altvest’s business model, which sees it taking stakes in companies on behalf of public shareholders who participate in the economic benefits thereof. “Worth thinking about for the tech community is that our platform allows for ‘crowdfunding’ in a regulated environment that allows for participation in a funding round to anybody with disposable income – from first-time users or customers, all the way through to regulated institutions and pension funds,” Wheatley explained. In this episode of TCS, Masie and Wheatley unpack: • The background to their consortium’s Springboks bid – and why the consortium members came together; • How the bidders will work with SA Rugby to commercialise the rights, assuming their bid is successful; • How the deal could affect broadcast partners; and • Why they believe the deal could be used as a platform for technology innovation in South Africa. It’s an interesting discussion – don’t miss it!

The South African Reserve Bank is working with its peers in the Southern African region to drive financial inclusion by digitising cash and making instant payments across borders an everyday reality. In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Tim Masela, head of the National Payments System department at the Reserve Bank – he has been with the Bank for the past 30 years – tells TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu about the efforts it is making to create a “cash smart” society not only in Southern Africa but across the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region. Masela unpacks: • Why the introduction of non-bank fintechs into the national and regional clearance and settlements systems is important; • The importance of designing “fit for purpose” regulations that allow fintech to remain nimble and innovative; • A detailed explanation of how the payments and settlements system worked historically, including how it has evolved in the digital era; • The efforts the Reserve Bank and its regional counterparts are undertaking to standardise financial legislation and regulation across Sadc; - The importance of the Transactions Cleared on an Immediate Basis (TCIB) platform, which facilitates PayShap-style instant payments across borders; - The challenges that currency conversion poses in facilitating instant payments across borders; - Findings from the National Payments Study conducted by the Reserve Bank and released in September; - What a “cash light” and “cash smart” society are and why the Reserve Bank believes this is desirable; and - Where the Reserve Bank stands on crypto assets and the road to their incorporation into South Africa’s National Payments System. Do not miss this insightful and informative episode.

Datafree Technologies, the company behind popular zero-rated messaging tool MoyaApp, has an ambitious plan to build a R1-billion/year business by tapping to the APN market provided by the mobile operators. In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Datafree chief commercial officer Kruben Pillay tells Duncan McLeod about the company’s plan to build a software-as-a-service-based APN – or “access point name” – to sell to businesses. An APN is a gateway that allows a mobile device to connect to the network and the internet. Datafree describes itself as a specialist in “mobile data optimisation” that “identified the opportunity to empower inclusive mobile connection by removing the data cost barrier to engage mobile audiences”. To do this, it uses reverse-billing technology for data, not dissimilar to the way toll-free numbers work for phone calls. Although many people use or are at least aware of MoyaApp, much less is known about Datafree. In this episode of TCS, Pillay tells McLeod more about the business. He also unpacks: • His history in the telecommunications industry, including his time at Vodacom and Telkom; • How MoyaApp is doing; • Datafree’s R1-billion/year APN opportunity; and • How APNs work, why companies use them (and why they sometimes run into issues) and Datafree’s APN services for business. Don’t miss the interview!

The world of telephony might not be particularly sexy, but it is an industry that has changed fundamentally in the past 20 years. And David Meintjes and Rob Lith of Telviva, a South African company specialising in cloud-based unified communications solutions for businesses, has been at the forefront of the technology changes that have swept through the industry in that time. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, the pair tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the journey from the early days of the business – when it was known as Connection Telecom – to the cloud-based telephony specialist it is today, as Telviva. In the interview, Meintjes and Lith chat about: • The evolution of Connection Telecom, its original mission, and how the business evolved into the unified communications as a service (UCaaS) provider it is today; • How the telephony market in South Africa has changed beyond recognition over the past 20 years; and • Telviva’s international expansion plans and its strategy around acquisitions. There’s plenty more in this interview with two ICT industry legends – don’t miss it.

South Africa’s rooftop solar installation industry has a bright future and is on track for its second-best year on record, despite the suspension of load shedding in March. That’s according to Andrew Middleton, co-founder and CEO of GoSolr, one of South Africa’s largest rooftop solar installation companies, who spoke to TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS) earlier this week. According to Middleton, citing figures from Eskom, 749MW of rooftop solar capacity has been installed in South Africa this year, taking the total to 5.9GW. Some 162MW of new rooftop solar was added in the third quarter, down 267MW from the same three months in 2023, when load shedding was frequently at stage 4 or higher. The figures are contained in the latest quarterly report published by GoSolr on the state of the industry. In his interview with TCS, Middleton unpacks: • The impact of the suspension of load shedding on the rooftop solar industry; • What’s driving consumers to consider solar at home today; • The impact of the adoption of electric vehicles on the demand for home solar – and what sort of solar installation consumers who own or are thinking of buying an EV need to consider; • The state of play in the municipalities around feed-in tariff structures – an update on Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Bay and more; • The future role of embedded generation systems in communities – the way forward and the hurdles that might be encountered; and • Why government was wrong to withdraw the tax rebate on solar panels and to impose higher taxes on their importation. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about the state of South Africa’s rooftop solar industry.

Nasdaq-listed Equinix has completed construction of the first phase of a new data centre in Johannesburg, part of a R7.5-billion commitment to building cloud infrastructure in South Africa and the rest of the continent over the next five years. The company’s South African MD, Sandile Dube – a former country manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and a former executive at Dimension Data (now NTT Data) – tells TechCentral Show host Duncan McLeod about the new Johannesburg data centre, which is located in Isando on the East Rand, and what type of clients it’s hoping to attract. In the interview, Dube chats about: • Equinix’s African investment plans and where it intends to build data centre facilities and why; • The Isando data centre and what it offers; • The Equinix company and its investment focus – including its investments in West Africa; • Whether there is an overbuild of data centres taking place in South Africa. Can market demand sustain the level of investment taking place?; and • How Equinix differentiates itself in an increasingly crowded market. Don’t miss a great interview!