The extremely profitable African e-commerce empire, Jumia, is killing off its fashion flank, Zando, in a shocking move that will leave a trail of destruction in its wake.

“It’s time to chop those pesky fashion sites once and for all!” declared CEO Francis Dufay, with a dose of glee in his voice. “We’re done with the sugarcoating – the ‘fashion’ economy is a wasteland, folks! And we’re not going to waste our time or resources on it any longer.”

Jumia’s CEO attributes the decision to the unforgiving “complex macroeconomics” and the all-encompassing “competitive environment,” which has made it impossible for Zando to turn a profit. And let’s be real, who needs fashion when you can sell cheese and cat videos on your platform?

But don’t worry, Dufay reassured us that the departing employees (about 110 of them) will be offered a chance to join the Jumia team, probably as part of the company’s highly selective “redeployment” program. You know, for those who can jam-pack their skills into a coveted spot at the company.

And what about the brands that are left, you ask? Well, let’s just say that Jumia has chosen to focus on the more “promising” markets, like Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria, where the opportunity for growth and profitability is simply primed for the taking.

The time for Zando, a once-bright star in the South African online fashion landscape, is officially over. Time to bid adieu to the fashion folks and hello to a world of chaos, where the wild Jumia range roams free!

Get ready to witness the biggest shake-up in South Africa’s digital landscape as Huawei Cloud’s inaugural South Africa Cloud Summit threatens to disrupt the status quo on 24 October at the Gallagher Conference Centre in Johannesburg. The event is set to be a hotbed of controversy and debate as experts gather to dissect the impact of the National Policy on Data and Cloud on the country’s digital transformation.

Already a key player in the South African market, Huawei has been making waves since its entry in 2018 and its 2019 opening of a datacentre region or availability zone in the country. But with the value of South Africa’s cloud market expected to surge to over R113 billion by 2028, the stakes have never been higher.

At the center of the storm is Steven Chen, MD of Huawei Cloud South Africa, who is leading the charge against the status quo. “This gathering will focus on South Africa’s digital transformation and unpacking the role a cloud-first approach plays in achieving this change,” he warns. “Gone are the days of fragmented and siloed systems – the future is all about seamless integration and open data.”

The National Policy on Data and Cloud, released in June, has set the tone for a new era of digital disruption. The policy’s key principles – accelerating the rollout of digital infrastructure, ensuring data privacy and security, promoting open data and data interoperability, and adopting a cloud-first approach – are set to send shockwaves through the industry.

But what does this mean for South Africa’s service delivery? Will the country’s much-vaunted “digital spring” finally arrive, or will it remain stuck in the slow lane? The answers will be revealed at the Huawei Cloud Summit, where the industry’s leading experts will gather to unravel the mysteries of the cloud and chart a course for a brighter, more connected future.

Join the conversation on 24 October and find out how you can be part of the revolution.

Here’s a rewritten version of the content in a more provocative tone:

**The Hottest Tech News That’ll Make Your Head Spin!

**SpaceX’s Plan to Make Starlink 10X Faster

In a bold move, SpaceX has applied to the FCC to modify its Gen2 satellites, aiming to boost speeds from a sluggish 100Mbit/s to a scorching 1Gbit/s! The plan involves lowering satellite altitudes and tweaking orbital configurations to reduce latency, enhance bandwidth, and improve spectrum sharing. And, guess what? Larger satellites launched by Starship will be key to achieving this speed freak makeover. Get the juiciest details on Ars Technica.

**The Future of Space is Africa’s to Take

As spaceflight costs plummet, African nations are going all in on space tech for sustainable development. But, critics argue that resources should focus on basic needs, while proponents believe space programs can be a game-changer for the continent. Meanwhile, the US and China are vying for influence in Africa’s space sector, aligning investments with broader geopolitical goals. Read more on Semafor.

**The End of Pay-TV as We Know It

MultiChoice, once the king of pay-TV, is facing a subscriber decline as Capitec offers customers the option to pay only for specific content, disrupting the traditional model. To offset losses, MultiChoice is expanding into betting, streaming, and payments. A takeover by Canal+ seems inevitable. Get the inside scoop on Moneyweb.

**Sonos’ Soundbar Breakthrough

Sonos has unleashed the Arc Ultra soundbar and Sub 4, boasting a new Sound Motion technology that enhances audio clarity and immersion. Priced at a cool $999, the Arc Ultra features 14 drivers, delivering 9.1.4 output, and improved dialogue clarity. But will this new tech disrupt the soundbar market? Find out more on The Verge.

**The Dark Side of AI: Create a Chatbot in Someone’s Likeness Without Their Consent

Character.AI lets anyone create chatbots in anyone’s likeness, regardless of consent. The family of a Texas teen killed by her boyfriend in 2006 is fighting a losing battle to remove a chatbot created in their daughter’s likeness from the platform. Read more on Wired (soft paywall).

**Steam’s New Spin: You’re Buying a Licence, Not a Game

Steam is now clearly stating that purchases on its storefront are only for a licence and not a game. But what does this mean for gamers? Find out on Engadget.

**The Bane of Bethesda’s Games: Lack of Polish

Skyrim’s lead designer admitted that Bethesda’s games often lack polish, but sometimes you just have to release a game, even with a list of 700 known bugs. Is this a recipe for disaster or a necessary evil? Find out more on VideoGamer.**

And That’s a Wrap!

Stay locked to TechCentral for the most sizzling tech news, reviews, and analysis. Don’t miss out!

Shoprite: The Retail Giant That Knows Too Much About You

Shoprite, the parent company of Shoprite and Checkers, has been snapping its fingers – literally – for years, gathering data on its customers’ every move. With over 2,500 swipes per minute, they’ve got the largest consumption data set on the continent. It’s like they’re watching you through the lens of their Xtra Savings rewards programme, serving up personalized shopping experiences and more efficient operations.

"Roughly speaking, we’re the epicenter of big data" – Shoprite’s CEO (wink, wink).

The Xtra Savings programme, launched in 2019, is the largest loyalty program in Africa, boasting 31 million customers. Yes, 31 MILLION. That’s like having a supercomputer-sized advantage over the competition. And get this – 85% of total sales come from loyalty-program customers, who’ve collectively saved a whopping R16.9 billion through discounts.

Shoprite’s tech hub, Shoprite X, is where magic happens. They use AI to optimize stock levels, pricing, and even employee scheduling, ensuring they’re always agile in response to shifting demand patterns. It’s like having a magic crystal ball, only instead of predicting weather, it predicts what you’ll buy next.

But here’s the thing – Shoprite isn’t just using this data to influence your purchasing decisions; they’re also tracking you with an AI-powered gaze, studying your shopping patterns, and using that information to push "personalized" offers and… "suggestions". We use the term "suggestions" loosely here, because, let’s be real, it’s all about controlling your shopping experience from start to finish.

Of course, there are pros and cons to this technological juggernaut. On one hand, Shoprite claims it’s revolutionizing the retail landscape, making groceries more affordable and personalized. On the other, it’s unsettling to think about the level of surveillance they’re able to exert.

But hey, if you’re comfortable with that, you might enjoy knowing that Shoprite is doubling down on AI to optimize shelf stocking, layout planning, and promotions. It’s like they’re planning a shopping experience tailored to your every whim (or, you know, their data insights).

As the largest private sector employer in South Africa, with over 160,000 employees, Shoprite is making a calculated bet that digital transformation won’t replace human tolls. So, for now, they’re willing to ride the tech wave, fight the fear of job security, and let data do the talking.

With the trust-building, customer-centric model in mind, Shoprite’s expanding its offerings, including the Sixty60 platform, which boasts AI-driven logistics for faster delivery. That’s right, folks, they’re not just watching you shop, they’re also bringing it right to your doorstep.

True, some might see this as a 1984-esque dystopian landscape. Others might see it as the future of retail. We’ll leave it up to you to decide. One thing is certain, though: Shoprite is the largest retail empire on the continent, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon.

Read more:

• Checkers Sixty60 sales jump another 58%
• New Checkers Sixty60 app to launch as sales soar

Google’s Insidious Grip on South Africa’s Digital Soul

A new report has exposed the truth about Google’s stranglehold on South Africa’s digital landscape. According to the study, Google’s products and services have raked in a staggering R118 billion in new revenue for local businesses, non-profits, publishers, and creators. But the real question is: at what cost to the country’s fragile economy and society?

The report, commissioned by Google and conducted by Public First, reveals that Google’s economic impact is derived from a range of sources, including infrastructure development, support for start-ups, and the introduction of new and supposedly innovative tools and services. What’s clear is that Google is using its digital might to exert a stranglehold on the country’s economy, suffocating any potential for real competition and innovation.

The study claims that South Africa is at the forefront of Africa’s technological revolution, with the country seeing significant growth in internet usage over the past decade. But this growth has come at a steep price, with the report surfacing concerns about the digital divide, privacy breaches, and the homogenization of culture.

Google’s interim country director, Paul Mayanja, was quick to spin the report’s findings, claiming that Google is committed to improving the lives of South Africans. But the truth is that Google’s real motive is to further entrench its grip on the digital landscape, capturing every aspect of online life and commerce.

The report’s methodology is based on economic modeling, but even the most casual observer can see through Google’s propaganda. The real story here is one of unchecked corporate power, perpetuating social and economic inequality, and exploiting African countries like South Africa for their digital resources.

So, what’s the real cost of Google’s dominance? Ask the small businesses and entrepreneurs who are outcompeted by Google’s global behemoth, or the marginalized communities who are left behind in the digital dust.

Wake up, South Africa! The time has come to challenge Google’s stranglehold on our digital future and reclaim our collective sovereignty.