Here’s a rewritten version with a more provocative tone:

The Rise of TymeBank’s Dark Horse CTO

You think banking is boring? Meet Bruce Paveley, the CTO who’s shaking the status quo. His journey from corporate IT to disrupting the digital banking scene is the stuff of legend.

Paveley reveals the shocking truth: "You go from a sea of suits to a tiny office with a handful of pioneers, and you wonder, ‘Is this even a bank?’ And we’re talking about a bank that’s now South Africa’s most successful digital startup!"

But Paveley’s not your average tech guy. He got his start playing with ancient computers as a kid. Little did he know, his love for technology would become a force for disruption.

Fast forward to TymeBank, where Paveley is leading a team of rebels in building the underpinnings of a modern digital bank. It’s a war zone, with established players circling for the kill. Paveley shares the inside scoop on what’s working, what’s not, and what’s driving TymeBank’s meteoric rise.

What Paveley reveals in this exclusive interview:

• The mainframe era that shaped his tech sensibilities
• His wild ride at Standard Bank, including that massive SAP project
• Why he joined TymeBank and what it was like to work with a team of 20 to build a bank
• TymeBank’s tech stack, and why the bank ditched the old way of doing things for the cloud
• Plans for international expansion and the role tech plays in that quest
• His approach to cybersecurity in a world gone mad
• And what keeps him up at 3 AM, wondering how he’s going to change the world.

Join the conversation and get ahead of the curve. Listen to this exclusive episode of Meet the CIO now!

Here is a rewritten version of the content in a provocative manner:

MTN Group Shakes Up West Africa Operations, Appoints Controversial Leaders

MTN Group, the African mobile giant, has made some bold moves in its West African operations, appointing Ayham Moussa as the new Chief Operations Officer (COO) of MTN Nigeria and Mohammed Rufai as the CEO of MTN Congo-Brazzaville.

Moussa, a seasoned tech executive with a reputation for being a digital disruptor, joins MTN Nigeria from MTN Congo-Brazzaville, where he previously served as CEO. His appointment is seen as a move to shake things up in the Nigerian market, where MTN has faced intense competition from local players.

Rufai, on the other hand, is a seasoned ICT professional with over 24 years of experience in the telecoms industry. His appointment as CEO of MTN Congo-Brazzaville is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the company’s presence in the Central African region.

But not everyone is celebrating these appointments. Critics are questioning Moussa’s track record in MTN Congo-Brazzaville, where he was accused of being too aggressive in his pursuit of market share, leading to a backlash from local operators. And Rufai’s appointment has been met with skepticism, given his lack of experience in the region.

Meanwhile, two long-serving executives, Hassan Jabber and Djibril Ouattara, have bid farewell to MTN. Jabber, who served as COO of MTN Nigeria, is leaving the company after 22 years of service. Ouattara, who was CEO of MTN Côte d’Ivoire, has retired after nearly nine years at the helm.

The appointments and departures come as MTN Group struggles to maintain its dominance in the African mobile market, where it faces intense competition from local and international players. Will these changes be enough to turn things around for the struggling telecom giant? Only time will tell.

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

The End of an Era: Telkom Sells Off Its Towers – But at What Cost?

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the telecoms industry, the Competition Commission has given the green light for Telkom’s massive mast and tower business, Swiftnet, to be sold to a consortium led by Actis – but only after imposing certain "conditions" on the deal.

Telkom’s Golden Handshake

Shareholders, including the government of South Africa, which owns a whopping 40.5% of Telkom, voted overwhelmingly in favour of the sale in May, despite not a single vote being cast against the deal. The government’s significant stake in Telkom raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the motivations behind the sale.

A Towering Failure?

The sale of Swiftnet to Actis and Royal Bafokeng Holdings has sparked concerns about the impact on competition in the market. The commission’s lukewarm approval of the deal raises eyebrows, especially given the potential risks to consumers and the telecoms sector as a whole.

The Bottom Line

The real question is, what’s in it for Telkom? CEO Serame Taukobong claims the sale will enable the company to "unlock shareholder value and streamline its focus on core business operations," but is this just a veiled attempt to dump a loss-making asset and shift the blame to others?

The Consortium’s Gameplan

Actis and Royal Bafokeng Holdings plan to fund the purchase of Swiftnet through a combination of equity and third-party debt. But what does this mean for the future of the telecoms industry, and are these players truly committed to benefiting the South African economy or is this just a cynical play to extract profits?

Stay Tuned

The fate of Telkom’s Swiftnet is far from sealed. The company still needs to get the thumbs up from the Competition Tribunal, and only then can the deal be officially done. Will the Tribunal see through the fine print and block the sale, or will Telkom get its way? Only time will tell.

The Towering Deal: Swiftnet’s Towering Heights

In a move that could change the game for South Africa’s telecommunications industry, the Competition Commission has approved a whopping R6.75 billion deal between TowerCo and Telkom to acquire Swiftnet, the latter’s tower and mast business.

Swiftnet, the prized jewel of Telkom’s portfolio, boasts an impressive 6,200 installations across the country, providing co-location space to major mobile network operators. But why would Telkom want to unload its golden goose? The answer lies in shareholder value and a focus on core business operations.

The deal, pending approval from the Competition Tribunal, will see TowerCo, a newly formed company controlled by Actis Ohio Fund and Royal Bafokeng Infrastructure Investments, take the reins of Swiftnet. But what does this mean for competition in the market?

Competition Concerns Allayed

According to the CompCom, the proposed transaction is unlikely to substantially lessen or prevent competition in any market. TowerCo, the primary acquiring firm, was established specifically for this purpose, ensuring a level playing field.

Actis Group, a global investor, brings its expertise in energy infrastructure, real estate, and private equity to the table. Meanwhile, Royal Bafokeng Group, an investment holding company, contributes its diversified portfolio of interests across various sectors and geographies.

Public Interest Commitments

To address public interest concerns, the merger parties have committed to procuring services from small/medium enterprises and firms owned by historically disadvantaged persons for a period of five years from the merger implementation date. This move aims to promote socioeconomic development and empower marginalized communities.

The proposed deal is a significant milestone in South Africa’s telecommunications landscape, with far-reaching implications for the industry. Will it shake things up or maintain the status quo? Only time will tell.

The Future of Tech: A Wake-Up Call for Africa’s Business Elite

Get ready for the most anticipated event in the African tech calendar – Datacentrix Showcase 2024! On August 22nd, the who’s who of the business and tech world will converge at Montecasino in Johannesburg to explore the latest innovations that will shape the future of African business.

The Ultimate Game-Changer: Artificial Intelligence

The event kicks off with a bang, featuring a keynote address by the enigmatic Andile Ngcaba, chairman and founding partner at Convergence Partners, who will delve into the world of sovereign artificial intelligence. This is not just a buzzword – AI is the key to unlocking sustainable growth and success in the data-driven world we live in.

The Future of Football: How Tech is Revolutionizing the Beautiful Game

Next up, Sanjeev Katwa, technology director at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, will join President Ntuli, MD of HPE South Africa, for a riveting discussion on how HPE solutions have transformed the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into a technological wonderland. From fan engagement to stadium operations, this is a must-see for anyone who loves football or is interested in the impact of tech on sports.

The Economics of Digitalization: A Wake-Up Call for Africa’s Business Leaders

Azar Jammine, director and chief economist of Econometrix, will deliver a thought-provoking presentation on the impact of digitalization on South Africa’s economic growth. This is a critical topic that will have far-reaching implications for business leaders and policymakers alike.

Breakaway Sessions: Unleashing the Power of Tech

The afternoon is packed with 20-minute breakaway sessions, covering topics such as AI, data challenge, digitalization, security, and more. This is your chance to dive deeper into the technologies that will shape the future of African business.

The Innovation Festival: Where Tech Meets Fun

The event culminates in an "Innovation Festival" featuring a Digital Experience Lab, sponsor exhibition areas, local food truck market, networking pockets, prizes, and entertainment. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and learn about the latest innovations in the tech space.

The Datacentrix Difference

At the heart of Datacentrix Showcase 2024 is the company’s commitment to client success. As Ahmed Mahomed, CEO of Datacentrix, puts it, "Our end goal is to create sustainable business growth and success for our clients in this new AI, data-driven world." This is more than just a tagline – it’s a promise that Datacentrix is committed to delivering.

Don’t Miss Out!

The Datacentrix Showcase 2024 is an event that will change the way you think about tech and its impact on African business. Register now and join the conversation!

Get Ready for the Most Explosive and Thrilling Start-up Saga in Africa!

In a jaw-dropping move, Google has revealed the top 10 African start-ups to join the coveted Google for Start-ups Accelerator Africa programme – and one of them is a game-changing South African mobile mechanics platform that’s about to shake the industry!

Meet Fixxr, a trailblazing start-up that’s putting car owners and businesses in the driver’s seat with its revolutionary on-location vehicle maintenance and repair services. But that’s just the beginning. This 10-week equity-free accelerator programme is packed with incredible opportunities, including access to Google’s AI expertise, technical resources, mentorship from industry giants, and networking opportunities that will connect them with the who’s who of African tech.

But what makes this programme truly explosive is that it’s not just about the tech; it’s about the people. The selected start-ups represent the future of African innovation, harnessing the power of technology to solve real-world problems and uplift their communities. And Folarin Aiyegbusi, head of start-ups programmes for Google in Africa, says it best: “These start-ups represent the future of African innovation… We are committed to supporting these founders by providing them with the resources and mentorship they need to succeed and scale their solutions.”

From July 29 to September 20, these 10 start-ups will engage in intense technical workshops, business strategy sessions, and leadership development training to refine their products and elevate their game. And when they’re done, they’ll be battle-ready to secure funding from Google’s global network of investors. The future of African tech is brighter than ever, and these start-ups are leading the charge!

So, meet the 10 start-ups that are about to take the African tech scene by storm:

1. Fixxr (South Africa): Revolutionizing the auto industry with on-location vehicle maintenance and repair services.
2. CDIAL AI (Nigeria): Transforming multilingual communication with artificial and collective intelligence.
3. Earthbond (Nigeria): Empowering renewable energy solutions and carbon accounting for Africa.
4. Lifesten Health (Rwanda): Innovating health and wellness through digital screening and incentive-based programmes.
5. MyAIFactchecker (Nigeria): Unleashing an AI-powered tool to combat misinformation and promote informed decision-making.
6. Nakili (Kenya): Bridging the gap between salons, barbershops, and spas with a mobile-based app for streamlined management.
7. NextCounsel (Nigeria): Supercharging attorneys’ productivity with AI-powered contract management and solicitor engagement.
8. Nobuk Africa (Kenya): Simplifying financial management for groups and collectives across Africa with seamless payment solutions.
9. Rana Energy (Nigeria): Providing clean, reliable energy solutions to SMEs and communities through data-driven innovation.
10. Triply (Kenya): Building Africa’s travel operating system and connecting travellers with seamless booking experiences.

Get ready for the most electrifying start-up saga in Africa!