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“Shake the Foundations of Africa’s Energy System with R160 Million injection

In a bold move that could shake the very foundations of Africa’s energy sector, Solarise Africa has landed a whopping R160 million investment from Mergence Investment Managers. This behemoth injection will turbocharge the company’s push to install and expand solar energy systems for commercial and industrial clients across the continent, driving a new era of sustainability and economic growth.

Solarise Africa, the brainchild of CEO Jan Albert Valk, has a single-minded mission to transform the way African businesses source their energy. And this investment is the proof that Mergence Investment Managers is backing this vision with its own weight and substance.

According to Valk, the injection of capital will allow Solarise Africa to “accelerate its growth” and “reach more businesses in need of reliable, clean energy solutions.” In a bold statement, he declares: “The C&I solar market in South Africa continues to thrive, and businesses will keep investing in renewable energy solutions until the grid is fixed.”

Valk’s comments are nothing short of revolutionary, casting a critical eye on the reliability of Africa’s energy infrastructure and daring to predict a future where businesses will opt for clean energy over the fragile grid.

But Mosa Molebatsi, senior investment associate at Mergence Investment Managers, is already convinced. “This investment is a testament to the growing confidence in renewable energy in South Africa and our role in this transformative journey,” he says.

And to add some more firepower to Solarise Africa’s arsenal, PSG Capital and Viruni Capital Partners have weighed in to advise on the acquisition. For Khaya Hlophe-Kunene, director at PSG Capital, this is all about supporting innovative energy solutions and making a difference on the African continent.

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The Home Affairs Ministry: A Hotbed of Corruption and Inefficiency

Leon Schreiber, the new home affairs minister, has finally spoken out about the elephant in the room: the corrupt and outdated paper-based systems that are facilitating identity fraud and allowing officials to get away with manipulating the system. It’s time to call out the status quo and demand change.

The Stench of Corruption

Schreiber’s words are like a punch to the gut: "How does it work that one individual can process 192 fake passports? The answer is very clear to me: we have way too much discretion of humans to intervene in the system." The truth is, our paper-based systems are a breeding ground for corruption, and it’s time to put an end to it.

The Digital Revolution

Schreiber is calling for a digital overhaul of the home affairs department, and it’s about time. The South African Revenue Service has already shown us the way, moving from paper-based systems to a "watertight" online system that has dramatically enhanced efficiency and reduced corruption. It’s time for home affairs to follow suit.

The Consequences of Inaction

The consequences of inaction are dire. The recent case of the mother of former Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina, who was under investigation for suspicion of identity fraud, is just the tip of the iceberg. Schreiber has called for a full investigation, but the damage has already been done. It’s time to get to the bottom of this mess and put an end to the corruption once and for all.

The Way Forward

Schreiber has outlined a clear plan for change: digitize the system, eliminate human discretion, and make it impossible for corrupt officials to manipulate the system. It’s time to take action and put the interests of the people above the interests of corrupt officials.

The Clock is Ticking

The time for change is now. Schreiber has given us a clear roadmap for reform, and it’s up to us to hold him accountable. Let’s make sure that the home affairs department is transformed into a modern, efficient, and corruption-free institution that serves the people of South Africa.

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The Secret to Unlocking South Africa’s ICT Potential: Online Learning and Huawei’s Academy

Buti Manamela, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, has a plan to revolutionize the way we learn in South Africa. And it’s not just about brick-and-mortar classrooms. Manamela believes that information and communications technology (ICT) tools are the key to delivering education to the masses, and Huawei’s ICT Academy is leading the charge.

A Nation of Tech-Savvy Learners

In a recent address, Manamela highlighted the importance of ICT skills development in the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). He emphasized that South Africa needs to produce a workforce that is equipped to adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscape. And that’s where Huawei’s ICT Academy comes in.

The Huawei ICT Academy: A Game-Changer

The Huawei ICT Academy is a partnership between Huawei and the Department of Higher Education and Training. The program trains, develops, and certifies the best ICT talent in the country, with a focus on developing skills in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and the internet of things.

Numbers Don’t Lie

The numbers are staggering. Over 300 instructors have participated in the instructor training program, and more than 2,400 students have taken part in online and offline Huawei training programs. By July, the program aims to have trained over 5,000 students.

The Future of Education is Online

Manamela believes that online learning is the future of education in South Africa. He wants to see a nation of tech-savvy learners who are equipped to take on the challenges of the 4IR. And Huawei’s ICT Academy is leading the way.

A Partnership for Success

The Huawei ICT Academy is a model of collaboration between Huawei and South African universities. Huawei provides course authorization, instructor enablement, and learning resources, while universities prepare for the teaching plans, lab environments, and certified instructors. The resources are then channeled to students, allowing them to gain ICT competency, practical experience, career certifications, and job opportunities.

The Road Ahead

As South Africa continues to evolve in the digital age, the demand for skilled ICT professionals will only continue to grow. Manamela and Huawei are leading the charge, and their partnership is a beacon of hope for a brighter future. The question is, will you join them on this journey to the future?

MTN’s Fintech Frenzy: The Telco’s Desperate Attempt to Stay Relevant

In a shocking turn of events, MTN Group, the struggling South African telecommunications giant, has announced that its fintech business is flying high, despite the company’s core business struggling to stay afloat.

Red Ink Galore

In its latest results, MTN revealed that its traditional voice service revenues continue to decline, while its fintech business is growing rapidly. But that’s not all – the company’s core business is also bleeding red ink due to the crashing naira in Nigeria and the devastating effects of the civil war in Sudan.

Fintech Frenzy

So, what’s driving MTN’s fintech success? According to the company, its fintech revenue increased by 27.2% year on year, with strong performances in Ghana, Uganda, and Cameroon. But that’s not all – the company’s MoMo mobile money application is a real game-changer, with 66 million active users and a growth rate of 9.1% in the past six months.

Remittances on the Rise

But that’s not all – MTN’s remittance business is also booming, with a growth rate of 42.4% year on year to US$1.9 billion. And it’s not just the numbers that are impressive – the company’s remittance service is also a major player in the African market, with 174 outbound corridors and 577 inbound corridors.

Bank-Tech Bonanza

And then there’s the company’s bank-tech offering, which has seen a staggering 73% growth in loans to $731.6 million. It’s no wonder that MTN’s CEO, Ralph Mupita, is touting the company’s fintech business as the key to its future success.

Commoditization of Network Services

But why is MTN investing so heavily in fintech? The answer lies in the company’s "Ambition 2025" diversification and growth strategy, which aims to combat the commoditization of network services by diversifying into new areas such as fintech, media, gaming, and the internet of things.

Vodacom’s Fintech Foe

And MTN is not the only telco that’s jumping on the fintech bandwagon. Rival Vodacom, for example, has its own M-Pesa service, which is a major player in the African market. But MTN is determined to stay ahead of the competition, with a focus on scaling its fintech business through sequential launches of commercial initiatives with Mastercard across various markets.

The Bottom Line

In the end, it’s clear that MTN’s fintech business is the company’s best hope for staying relevant in a rapidly changing market. And with its focus on fintech, remittances, and bank-tech, it’s clear that MTN is committed to becoming a major player in the African fintech landscape. But can the company’s fintech frenzy be enough to save it from its struggling core business? Only time will tell.

MTN’s Descent into Chaos: A Recipe for Disaster

As the dust settles on MTN’s latest financial report, one thing is clear: the mobile giant is in a world of trouble. With a 20.8% decline in group service revenue and a 41.2% drop in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), it’s a wonder the company is still standing.

But what’s behind this catastrophic collapse? According to MTN’s CEO, Ralph Mupita, it’s all about the macro environment. In other words, the company is blaming the economy for its woes. But is that really the whole story?

Let’s take a closer look at the numbers. MTN’s revenue decline is staggering, with a 20.8% drop in just six months. That’s like losing a fifth of your business in a single quarter. And it’s not just revenue that’s suffering – EBITDA is down by 41.2%, a decline that’s almost as steep as the revenue drop.

But what about the company’s customer base? You’d think that with 288 million customers, MTN would be sitting pretty. But no, even that’s not immune to the chaos. The company’s active data subscribers are up 9.2%, but that’s largely due to the growth of mobile money services, which are up 10.6%. In other words, MTN is making money off of its customers, but it’s not translating into revenue growth.

And then there’s the company’s balance sheet. With a leverage ratio of 1.6x, MTN is sitting on a mountain of debt. That’s not exactly a recipe for stability, especially when you consider that the company’s debt is largely denominated in US dollars, which is vulnerable to currency fluctuations.

So what’s the future looking like for MTN? According to Mupita, the company is "executing on its Ambition 2025 strategy to drive growth and unlock value for all stakeholders over the medium-term." But with the company’s financials in shambles, it’s hard to see how that’s going to happen.

In the end, MTN’s financial report is a stark reminder of the dangers of complacency and the importance of staying focused on the fundamentals. With its revenue and earnings in free fall, the company needs to get its house in order – and fast – if it wants to avoid becoming the next big casualty of the telecom industry.

The Unholy Trinity of Public Sector IT: Cloud, Security, and High Costs

In the midst of South Africa’s public sector’s quest for digital transformation, a sinister trinity has emerged: cloud migration, security concerns, and high costs. It’s a toxic cocktail that has left even the most well-intentioned organizations stuck in a state of technological limbo.

At the recent ITWeb Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Executive Forum, the company’s executives revealed the stark reality: 57% of public sector respondents reported having over 51% of their workloads on-premises. It’s a staggering statistic that highlights the public sector’s reluctance to adopt cloud-first strategies due to security concerns and high costs.

The Hybrid Cloud Conundrum

But what’s the solution? The answer lies in the hybrid cloud services model. This approach allows public organizations to adopt a cloud-first and secure approach, minimizing the risks associated with cloud migration. It’s a delicate balancing act that requires careful consideration of multi-generational IT, data sovereignty, compliance latency, and data cost and control.

The Dark Horse of Data Analysis

HPE’s research revealed a demand for tools that can enable and enhance data analysis – a critical component of digital transformation. The public sector recognizes the value of data and is eager to harness its power. However, security and sovereignty remain top of mind, with organizations prioritizing the protection of their data assets.

John Bosco Arends: The Hybrid Cloud Warrior

John Bosco Arends, chairperson of the Chartered CIO Council at the City of Johannesburg municipality, is leading the charge towards hybrid cloud adoption. With 13 entities under its umbrella, the organization is working towards a centralized resource that can provide services on any platform, at any time. Arends emphasized the importance of identifying the customer and developing an engagement strategy that meets their needs.

Challenges Abound

The road to hybrid cloud adoption is not without its challenges. Arends cited bandwidth and skills availability as key hurdles that the municipality has faced. HPE’s research echoed these concerns, highlighting the need for organizations to carefully assess which services are suitable for the public cloud and which require on-premise solutions.

The Power of Democratized AI

HPE is committed to democratizing AI, making the technology accessible, practical, and understandable to a broader market. The company’s focus on emerging trends and services has positioned it as a leading provider of AI solutions. With its hybrid cloud capabilities, HPE is helping organizations accelerate their digital transformation journeys.

The Bottom Line

As Arends so aptly put it, "Cloud is not a destination, it’s a capability." The public sector must prioritize data sovereignty, security, and cost control when adopting hybrid cloud strategies. By doing so, they can unlock the full potential of digital transformation and reap the benefits of a cloud-first approach. The question is, will they take the leap of faith and join the hybrid cloud revolution? Only time will tell.