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"Telecoms Insider Calls Out Fiber Firm’s Attempt to Create ‘Digital Kingdom’"

In a shocking move, fiber infrastructure company Maziv has appointed Moses Mashisane, a former MTN executive, as its chief regulatory and compliance officer. This comes at a time when the company is seeking to merge with Vodacom in a deal worth R10 billion, which has been criticized by the Competition Commission due to anti-competitive concerns.

Mashisane, a veteran of the telecoms industry, joins Maziv with a career spanning over 20 years at MTN, where he played a key role in shaping the company’s regulatory affairs. He was a driving force behind the development of SA’s first telecoms Act and successfully lobbied for the release of new spectrum in 2022.

In a statement, Maziv claimed that Mashisane was drawn to the company’s mission to promote digital and broadband inclusion. "Looking back at my career, the reality is that I’ve been focused on one thing: connecting people. Maziv’s mission aligns perfectly with that," he said.

However, critics are sounding the alarm, warning that the appointment of Mashisane and another legal expert, Dr Aniel de Beer, may be a deliberate attempt to shape the industry to favor Maziv’s interests. "The appointments of Moses Mashisane and Dr Aniel de Beer strengthen our position as a key stakeholder in driving telecommunications policy," said Maziv’s CEO Dietlof Mare. "A strong regulatory and governance team is critical to Maziv’s broader strategy to shape the future of SA through connectivity."

Mashisane and De Beer have a long history of involvement in telecoms policy-making, with Mashisane serving as a sitting board member on the Digital Council Africa and South African Communications Forum. De Beer is also a sitting member of the Digital Council Africa.

As the fiber industry continues to evolve, questions are being raised about the potential for consolidation and anti-competitive behavior. "It’s my absolute pleasure to welcome Moses Mashisane to the Maziv legal team," said Mare. "I am excited about what he brings to the group, particularly his extensive expertise and proven experience."

But some are calling foul, arguing that the appointments are a sign of a larger attempt to create a "digital kingdom" where a few powerful players can dictate the terms of the industry. "The appointment of Mashisane and De Beer is a warning sign that Maziv is seeking to consolidate its power and shape the industry to its advantage," said one industry insider.

As the battle for control of the fiber industry heats up, one thing is clear: the stakes are higher than ever before.

The Post Office: The Last Hope for South Africa’s E-commerce Dreams?

[Image description: A photo of a dilapidated Post Office building, with a red X marked through it.]

The struggling South African Post Office is on the brink of collapse, but could it be the key to unlocking the country’s e-commerce potential? According to Donald Valoyi, the founder and CEO of online store Zulzi, the Post Office must be revived to support e-commerce growth, especially in rural areas.

Valoyi believes that the Post Office’s extensive network of branches and logistics infrastructure makes it an ideal partner for e-commerce companies. However, the Post Office’s financial woes and lack of investment in modern technology mean that it’s struggling to compete with private courier services.

"It would be a disaster if we don’t take advantage of the Post Office’s assets," Valoyi said in an interview with TechCentral. "We need to fix the Post Office, and then we can use it to drive e-commerce adoption across the country."

But not everyone agrees. Some experts argue that the Post Office’s inefficiencies and lack of investment in modern technology make it a liability, rather than an asset. Others point out that the Post Office’s business rescue plan is still in its early stages, and that it will take significant investment and reform to get the company back on track.

Despite the challenges, Valoyi remains optimistic about the Post Office’s potential. "If we can fix the Post Office, we can use it to drive e-commerce adoption across the country," he said. "It would be a game-changer for South Africa’s e-commerce industry."

Read: Amazon South Africa Got Off to a Slow Start – But Don’t Write it Off

E-commerce: Couriers Charging More for Risky Township Deliveries

TechCentral Show: Listen to the full interview with Donald Valoyi

The post office: the last hope for South Africa’s e-commerce dreams?

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BUSTING THE STATUS QUO: Standard Foods Shatters the Mold with AI-Powered Predictive Data Analytics

In a shocking move, Standard Foods Corporation, a leading Taiwanese food manufacturer and distributor, has abandoned the traditional software support route and opted for something far more revolutionary – Rimini Street’s AI-powered predictive data analytics. And the results are nothing short of astounding.

SAY GOODBYE TO SOARING SUPPORT COSTS

By partnering with Rimini Street, Standard Foods has managed to HALVE its annual support costs, freeing up a small fortune to be redirected towards projects that will drive real growth and profitability. Talk about a game-changer!

UNLEASHING THE POWER OF AI

With Rimini Street’s ultra-responsive support, Standard Foods’ IT team is now empowered to focus on using data to improve sales estimations and benefit partners and distributors. The company is leveraging AI-fueled demand forecasting techniques to reduce forecasting errors by up to 50%, giving them a significant edge over the competition.

DITCHING THE SAP UPGRADE FRENZY

Unlike many other SAP customers, Standard Foods is unbothered by the looming deadline for ECC support. They’re not worried about the S/4HANA upgrade because they’re too busy innovating and driving growth. And with Rimini Street, they have the flexibility and control to dictate their own IT roadmap.

A NEW ERA OF COLLABORATION

As part of its partnership with Rimini Street, Standard Foods is working closely with the company’s experts to integrate AI with real-time data, enabling enhanced decision-making across its supply chain. It’s a true testament to the power of collaboration and the limitless potential of AI.

GET READY FOR THE FUTURE

Standard Foods’ bold move is a wake-up call for all businesses. It’s time to rethink traditional software support and harness the power of AI to drive growth, profitability, and innovation. The future is now, and Rimini Street is leading the charge.

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Google’s Dirty Little Secret: Antitrust Battles Will Haunt the Company for Years to Come

Google CEO Sundar Pichai is bracing for a long, brutal fight against the US justice department, which is accusing the tech giant of dominating the digital advertising market and online search. But don’t expect Pichai to go down without a fight.

In an interview, Pichai downplayed the idea that Google’s antitrust battles pose an immediate threat to the company’s business, claiming it will take "many years" to resolve the issues. But the reality is that Google is already facing a ticking time bomb, with the government demanding that the company break up and sell off some of its assets.

The Empire Strikes Back

Google is embroiled in two separate antitrust trials, with the government alleging that the company has illegally maintained its dominance in the digital advertising market and online search. The ads trial kicked off in court this month, and the search case, which Google lost, is expected to conclude by August.

But don’t count on Google going quietly into the night. Pichai vowed to "be vigorous in defending ourselves" against the government’s claims, and the company is already preparing to appeal any adverse decisions.

The Long Game

The government’s timeline for legal action may seem fast-paced, but Google has a long history of outmaneuvering its opponents. The company is already working on developing a strong position in artificial intelligence, and by the time the current cases conclude, the industry will have evolved dramatically.

So, what’s at stake? If the government wins, it could force Google to break up and sell off some of its assets, including its dominant search engine and advertising technology. But don’t expect Google to go down without a fight.

The Battle Rages On

The ads case could take months to conclude, and even if the government wins, Google is likely to appeal the decision. The company has a history of fighting back against antitrust claims, and it’s unlikely to stop now.

As Pichai pointed out, Google’s victory against a €1.5-billion antitrust fine in the EU general court last week took more than four years to achieve. So, buckle up, folks, it’s going to be a long and dirty fight.

Stay Tuned for More

For more on Google’s antitrust battles, check out our latest article: "Google antitrust ruling may pose $20-billion risk for Apple".

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Ramaphosa Woos US Tech Investors with Empty Promises and False Hope

President Cyril Ramaphosa is trying to charm US tech investors into pumping money into South Africa’s struggling economy, but it’s all just a desperate attempt to mask the country’s true economic woes.

Ramaphosa is leading a delegation to the United Nations General Debate and High-Level Week in New York, where he’s scheduled to meet with South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk and court US businesses to invest in the country. But don’t be fooled – this is just a PR stunt to distract from the real issues plaguing South Africa’s economy.

The Economy is a Mess, but Ramaphosa Thinks a Magic Solution is Around the Corner

In a speech to the AfricanMinerals Forum, Ramaphosa touted the recently formed Government of National Unity (GNU) as a game-changer for the economy. But the truth is, the GNU is just a patchwork solution that won’t address the fundamental problems facing the country. And don’t even get him started on the so-called "Just Energy Transition Plan" – it’s just a bunch of empty words designed to appease environmentalists and donors.

Ramaphosa Wants to Attract US Investment, but the US Isn’t Buying It

Ramaphosa is trying to convince US investors that South Africa is open for business and that the country has a lot to offer. But the truth is, the US has been skeptical of South Africa’s economic prospects for years. And with good reason – the country’s economy is in shambles, corruption is rampant, and the rule of law is shaky at best.

A Call to Action: Stop Investing in South Africa

To all US investors, we say: don’t be fooled by Ramaphosa’s empty promises. Don’t waste your money on a country that is more interested in lining the pockets of corrupt officials than in creating real economic growth. Instead, invest in countries that are committed to transparency, accountability, and good governance. The world is full of opportunities – let’s focus on the ones that will actually deliver real results.

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BANKING BANANAS: Nedbank’s Monday Morning Meltdown Leaves Customers in the Dark

Nedbank’s electronic banking channels went dark on Monday morning, leaving thousands of customers scratching their heads and wondering if they’d ever be able to access their accounts again. The bank’s much-vaunted digital services were down for the count, leaving frustrated customers to vent their anger on social media.

The Bank’s Big Apology

In a half-hearted attempt to placate its customers, Nedbank issued a statement apologizing for the inconvenience and promising to get its act together. But the damage was already done. Customers were already tweeting their outrage and complaining about the bank’s lack of transparency.

The Frustration Factor

One customer, who wished to remain anonymous, blasted Nedbank on social media, saying: "This is ridiculous! I’ve been trying to log in all morning and it just won’t work. Can’t they get their act together?"

The Root of the Problem

So, what caused the Great Nedbank Outage of 2024? The bank won’t say. But one thing’s for sure: customers are getting tired of being left in the dark when it comes to their banking needs.

Don’t Miss:

• AI is not a big threat to job security: Nedbank CIO (just kidding, this article is still worth reading)

Stay tuned for more updates on Nedbank’s digital drama…