Smartphones: The Luxury Tax Trap That’s Keeping Africa Behind

As the world moves further into the digital age, the importance of smartphones in bridging the economic gap cannot be overstated. But what’s holding Africa back? It’s not just the lack of infrastructure, but also the crippling luxury taxes imposed on these devices.

The Stranglehold of Ad Valorem Taxes

The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has been milking the cellphone industry for billions of rand in ad valorem taxes, a staggering 9% of the device’s value, plus 15% VAT. For a citizen aiming for the cheapest 4G phone available in South Africa today, this means the price could be reduced from R1 000 to as little as R600, making it significantly more affordable. But will the government listen?

The Industry’s Plea for Mercy

Industry lobby group the Association of Comms & Technology, representing the country’s six largest telecommunications operators, has been begging the government to reconsider these taxes. Even the planned meeting between Communications Minister Solly Malatsi and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana may not be enough to break the deadlock.

The Cost of Exclusion

The consequences of not making smartphones more affordable are dire. The South African economy is already struggling to stay afloat, and the exclusion of significant portions of the population from the digital economy is only exacerbating the problem. It’s time for the government to take a closer look at the impact of these taxes and make a change.

The Bottom Line

The ad valorem tax on cellphones is a luxury that South Africa can no longer afford. It’s time for the government to listen to the pleas of the industry and the people and take action to make smartphones more accessible. The future of Africa’s digital economy depends on it.

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Telkom’s Latest Power Play: Meet Mpho McNamee, the New Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

In a bold move, Telkom has appointed Mpho McNamee as its new chief corporate affairs officer, a role that will leave no stone unturned in strengthening the company’s reputation and stakeholder engagement.

The 18-year veteran of the corporate affairs game, McNamee comes to Telkom from Sappi Southern Africa, where she successfully managed the company’s reputation and relationships with its stakeholders. But don’t be fooled – she’s not just a PR expert; she’s a master strategist who has worked with some of the biggest brands in the country, including Deloitte Africa, Life Healthcare, and Nedbank.

The Real Deal

Telkom’s CEO, Serame Taukobong, is thrilled to welcome McNamee to the team, acknowledging that her extensive experience and proven track record will be invaluable in navigating the ever-changing landscape of the telecommunications industry.

But here’s the thing: McNamee’s appointment is not just about maintaining a squeaky-clean reputation; it’s about shaping the narrative of Telkom’s success. With her at the helm, Telkom’s corporate communications, public relations, brand management, and regulatory affairs will be amplified to new heights.

The Perfect Storm

As the telecommunications landscape continues to evolve, Telkom faces stiff competition from new entrants and traditional players alike. With McNamee at the helm, Telkom will be well-equipped to fend off the competition and emerge victorious. Her expertise in stakeholder relations, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability communication will help the company build strong relationships with its customers, employees, and the broader community.

The Future is Now

In a statement that exudes confidence, McNamee has announced her excitement to join Telkom and contribute her expertise to advancing the company’s mission. "I am incredibly excited to join Telkom at such a pivotal time for the telecommunications industry," she said. "Telkom plays a vital role in connecting South Africans, and I am eager to contribute my experience in building strong relationships with stakeholders and communicating effectively to advance the group’s mission."

Get ready for a new era of bold and fearless leadership at Telkom, folks. With Mpho McNamee at the helm, the future is looking bright indeed!

Google’s Latest Power Play: A Marker of Monopoly

In a move that’s being hailed as a victory for South African businesses, Google has introduced a label that identifies local companies in organic search results. But is this just a clever ploy to maintain its stranglehold on the search market?

The "ZA South African" marker, which has been applied to the search results of several local e-commerce websites, is part of Google’s efforts to comply with the Competition Commission’s remedial actions. But will it actually help smaller businesses compete with the tech giant’s dominance?

According to the Competition Commission’s report, Google’s search engine is a de facto monopoly, accounting for over 90% of all general search across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. And with its strong incentives to engage in self-preferencing behavior, it’s no wonder that smaller businesses struggle to get noticed.

But Google is quick to point out that its new marker is all about giving South African businesses a leg up. "We are introducing new local filter optionality for South African travel and shopping platforms on our search page and dedicated local curation for apps published on the Play store by South African developers," a Google spokesman said.

But will this really make a difference? Or is it just a token gesture to appease the Competition Commission while Google continues to maintain its grip on the market?

The remedial actions recommended by the Competition Commission include introducing a new carousel to give smaller South African platforms more visibility, as well as providing advertising credits and technical training to help them compete. But will these measures be enough to level the playing field?

As the tech giant continues to wield its influence, it’s clear that the battle for online supremacy is far from over. But one thing is certain: Google’s latest move is just the latest chapter in its ongoing struggle for dominance.

Bolt’s Latest Attempt to Keep You Alive: Rider Verification and More Safety Features

Are you tired of getting ripped off or worse, by the people you’re picking up from? Well, Bolt’s got a new trick up its sleeve – Rider Verification. The e-hailing app is rolling out a new feature that requires riders to upload a selfie before they can place an order. Because, who doesn’t love a good selfie?

But that’s not all. Bolt’s also introducing Trip Count and Driver Alerts to keep you safe on the roads. Trip Count gives you an idea of how many trips the rider has taken on the platform, while Driver Alerts flag areas where high volumes of safety incidents have been reported.

But let’s get real, folks. These features are just Band-Aids on a bullet wound. We need real change, real accountability, and real consequences for those who don’t play by the rules.

Bolt’s acting head of regulatory and policy, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, says the new features are part of the company’s ongoing investment in safety features. But we all know that safety is just a PR stunt until there are real consequences for those who break the rules.

So, the next time you’re picking up a ride, remember: you’re not just hailing a taxi, you’re putting your life in the hands of a stranger. Stay safe out there, folks!

The Unconscionable Invasion that Shook Ronnie Apteker’s World

February 24th, 2022, was a day Ronnie Apteker will never forget, nor should anyone. That morning, millions of his adopted compatriots in Ukraine awoke to the ominous sounds of war – the result of a ruthless dictator’s maniacal plan to redraw the region’s maps.

The Digital Maverick’s Descent into Chaos

Apteker, a trailblazer in South Africa’s internet landscape, had thought his life was already a remarkable chapter. As a pioneer in internet service provision and a prolific producer of movies, his story would have been complete were it not for his fascination with Ukraine’s innovative tech scene. The discovery of this tantalizing landscape brought him to the ravaged city, and he soon established a new life. He even married a local, Marta, with whom he shared a precious son – now a refugee, seeking safety in Poland along with Marta.

Putin’s Endless Nightmare for Apteker

But Putin’s bellicose schemes had a different script for the Aptekers. With Russia’s annexation, the family found themselves face-to-face with the abyss. War became an unwelcome acquaintance, and survival a constant gamble. Apteker’s life, like many Ukrainians’, evolved into an erratic dance between Poland, Ukraine, and Poland again. Despite this turmoil, Apteker maintains friendships and tech interests in the sector that continue to propel him forward, like an unrelenting force countering Putin’s aggression.

Diving Deeper into the Rubble of War

Today, as Apteker and his family grapple with the horrors of war, our conversation is not shrouded by the darkness that grips them, but illuminated by a defiant light – a light that Apteker never extinguished. He candidly shares tales of living on the edge of devastation, of confronting loss, of the resilience needed to face the new reality.

The audio recording of this unforgettable story will be released by 2pm. Subscribe below to receive our episodes instantaneously.

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“NSFAS Just Threw a Tantrum in Court: Fintech Frenzy Continues!”

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has decided to throw its toys out of the pram and appeal a High Court ruling that basically told them to stop trying to control how student allowances are disbursed. Because, you know, giving students direct access to their own money is just too scary for the powers that be.

The drama began when NSFAS filed an appeal with the Western Cape High Court, claiming that the original judgment was somehow “wrong” (code for “we didn’t get our way”). And just like that, the scheme announced that it would continue to allow students to receive their allowances directly, without interference from the powers that be.

But here’s the thing: the ruling didn’t just benefit the students. It also gave a lifeline to the fintech partners who had been wrongly accused of corruption. Yep, you heard that right – NSFAS was so desperate to shut down the competition that they accused three innocent companies of being corrupt. And then they had the nerve to appeal when they lost in court!

Meanwhile, the Department of Higher Education and Training (which oversees NSFAS) has been dealing with systemic governance issues for years. IT system failures, mismanagement, and corruption have all been plaguing the scheme. And yet, instead of fixing the problems, they’ve decided to throw more money at the problem by awarding a R47 billion contract to four fintech companies (without even bothering to open it up to competition).

The question on everyone’s mind is: what’s going on at NSFAS? Are they really that desperate to control the narrative and keep students in the dark? Or are they just trying to hide something? Whatever the case, it’s clear that the scheme needs to get its act together before things get even more out of hand.

The Schemes of the Self-Proclaimed “Bitcoin President”

In a bold attempt to curry favor with the crypto community, Donald Trump, the self-proclaimed “bitcoin president,” took the stage at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, Tennessee, to tout his pro-crypto stance. But is his advocacy genuine, or just another of his many schemes to get re-elected?

Trump’s plan to dominate the cryptocurrency sector is as shady as his business dealings. He proposes creating a national “stockpile” of bitcoin, using government-held assets that were seized in law enforcement actions. This move would undoubtedly give him a stranglehold over the cryptocurrency market, allowing him to dictate the narrative and manipulate prices to suit his agenda.

But what about his earlier dismissal of bitcoin as a “scam”? Trump’s about-face on the issue is as opportunistic as his claims of making “the best deals” while serving as president. It seems his interest in cryptocurrency is solely to line his own pockets and further his re-election campaign.

Trump’s “pro-crypto” stance is also supported by Jack Mallers, CEO of Strike, a global bitcoin app. In an interview, Mallers described Trump’s proposal to create a strategic bitcoin reserve as an “unbelievable vote of confidence.” But is it? Or is it just a shallow attempt to appease the crypto community, as Trump has done with so many other groups throughout his career?

The implications of Trump’s plan are far-reaching and devastating. By creating a national “stockpile” of bitcoin, he would undermine the decentralized nature of cryptocurrency, creating a centralized authority that could dictate the value and flow of digital assets. This would essentially turn bitcoin into a controlled instrument of the government, rather than a revolutionary technology that empowers individuals and nations.

As the election approaches, it’s essential to scrutinize Trump’s record on cryptocurrency and his plans for the future. His advocacy may be a clever ploy to win over the crypto community, but his actions will have far-reaching consequences for the industry and the world.

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