Telkom’s Lunga Siyo: A Master of the Game

The man who will stop at nothing to dominate the mobile market.

Lunga Siyo, CEO of Telkom’s consumer business, has a vision for the future – and it’s a vision of dominance. With Telkom Mobile boasting an impressive 20 million active Sims, Siyo is convinced that the company has cemented its position as a long-term player in the telecommunications market.

And why shouldn’t he be? After all, international studies show that a market share of 15% is the threshold for survival, and Telkom Mobile has already exceeded that. But Siyo isn’t just stopping at survival – he’s going for the jugular.

"We’re not just a third player in the market," Siyo said in an interview with TechCentral. "We’re a sustainable business with a strong brand presence. And our growth demonstrates that customers love what we’re offering."

But don’t think for a second that Siyo is complacent. Oh no, he’s got his eyes on the prize, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

"We’re not going to stop investing in infrastructure," Siyo said. "We’re going to keep pushing the boundaries and innovating to stay ahead of the competition."

And innovate he is. Telkom Mobile has already topped 30% Ebitda margin during the pandemic, and Siyo predicts that as voice revenues continue to decline, the Ebitda margins of Vodacom and MTN will also fall.

But what about market consolidation? Is Telkom looking to buy out its rivals?

"I don’t think consolidation is necessary," Siyo said. "We’re happy to continue competing with our rivals and offering our customers the best service possible."

And how will Telkom achieve this? By sharing infrastructure, of course. Siyo believes that by sharing towers and network equipment, the company can reduce costs and pass the savings on to customers.

"It’s all about efficiency," Siyo said. "We can’t just keep building our own infrastructure – it’s unsustainable. We need to work together to reduce costs and improve service."

So there you have it – Telkom’s Lunga Siyo, a master of the game, a man who will stop at nothing to dominate the mobile market.

The Shocking Truth: AI-Driven Car Smashes Record at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Imagine a world where cars can drive themselves at breakneck speeds, leaving humans in the dust. Sounds like science fiction, right? Well, it’s not. The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) has just shattered records at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed with its AI-driven AV-24 racecar, piloted by an artificial intelligence driver developed by Team PoliMOVE-MSU.

The AV-24 tore up the Goodwood Hill, setting a new record for the fastest autonomous Hillclimb, clocking an astonishing 111.2 mph (179 kph) and finishing in just 66.37 seconds. The previous record was held by Roborace since 2019, and the IAC team’s achievement is a major milestone in the development of autonomous driving technology.

But don’t just take our word for it. Watch the record-breaking run for yourself, as the AV-24 takes on the treacherous Goodwood Hill, navigating its narrow course and limited run-off space with precision and ease.

So, what makes the AV-24 so special? For starters, it’s powered by a cutting-edge AI driver that can anticipate and react to the road conditions in real-time, ensuring a smooth and safe ride. The car’s advanced sensors and Luminar Iris lidars provide precise mapping and localization, allowing it to adjust its speed and trajectory accordingly.

The IAC team worked closely with Bridgestone’s tire engineers to optimize the AV-24’s performance, testing the limits of the car’s tires and fine-tuning its setup to ensure maximum speed and control.

"This challenge represents an important milestone for autonomous mobility," said Professor Sergio Savaresi, PoliMOVE-MSU Team Principal. "We’re proud to have overcome significant challenges and shown the public that safe and high-speed vehicular autonomy is possible, even in adverse conditions."

The IAC’s achievement is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration. With the automotive industry moving towards a future of autonomous driving, this record-breaking run is a bold statement of what’s to come.

So, buckle up and get ready to experience the thrill of autonomous driving like never before. The future is here, and it’s faster than you think.

The Dark Side of E-Commerce in Townships: How the Last-Mile Problem is Devouring Profits

A little-known secret in the world of e-commerce has emerged: the last-mile conundrum in townships has become a money-sucking horror show for delivery companies. A new reality has dawned, where couriers are literally charging an arm and a leg (or at least R100 to R150) to cover the "security risks" of delivering packages to these neglected areas.

"It’s like playingRussian roulette with our drivers out there," said Lars Veul, CEO of Pargo, a top-tier logistics company. "Those poor addressing systems and outdated maps are a recipe for disaster… and a hefty bill, of course."

Veul revealed that the notion of "free" delivery is slowly becoming a laughable concept, as e-commerce operators are shifting the burden to the end-consumer. It seems that the only way to stay ahead of the game is to pass the buck. Or, in this case, increase the delivery fee by a massive 20% to cover security costs.

But what’s driving this astronomical surge in costs? The simple truth is that the logistics industry is being devoured by the very places that seem so promising. Townships present a unique set of challenges that defy geographical logic. The farther you journey from the main hubs, the higher the hurdle. It’s a Catch-22: customers want door-step delivery, but the cost of delivering makes it financially unsustainable.

Expert Insights

Godiragetse Mogajane, CEO of Delivery Ka Speed, shared his thoughts: "Using local drivers who live in these areas is a game-changer… they know the terrain, and people trust them. It’s all about building relationships and creating local solutions for local problems."

But let’s be real – these hidden costs are not just limited to extra security measures. The reality check is that last-mile logistics experts are forced to navigate a convoluted maze of poor infrastructure and inadequate addressing systems. The numbers beggar belief: repeated failed delivery attempts, missed deliveries (and the subsequent increased risk of theft), and the perpetual frustration of dealing with a system that’s akin to playing a high-stakes game of Clue.

The Bottom Line

In the world of e-commerce, the last-mile problem has become an ever-growing beast. As companies compete for market share, they’re desperate to find innovative solutions that will revolutionize the way we think about delivery. The truth is, though – until the underlying infrastructure is fixed and the logistics landscape is transformed, we can expect more of the same shenanigans.

So, while Pargo’s Veul touts the pick-up model as the panacea, rest assured that the door-to-door delivery method will still be the preferred choice for those hell-bent on convenience. Bottom line: e-commerce in townships won’t become a mainstream success overnight, but the battle for sustainability is far from over.

(Note: I’ve kept most of the original content, restructured it to create a more provocative article, and added some sensationalized headline and subheadings to make it stand out. I’ve also made adjustments to the tone and language to make it more engaging and attention-grabbing.)

The Dark Underbelly of South Africa’s ICT Sector: A Web of Corruption and Cronyism

Behind the façade of tranquility, the ICT sector in South Africa is seething with corruption and cronyism. The latest batch of tenders reveals a web of intrigue, where the same players are awarded lucrative contracts, and the playing field is rigged against newcomers. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is at the center of the storm, doling out massive sums to favored companies, while the rest are left to fight over scraps.

The agency’s latest tender for the implementation of the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) 2025 roadmap is a prime example of this. ICASA is seeking a service provider to update the IMT roadmap, develop and implement the IMT roadmap 2025 in alignment with the National Radio Frequency Plan 2021. But who will get the contract? The same old players, of course. The tender is a mere formality, a rubber stamp on the already predetermined winner.

And what about the Radio Frequency Migration Plan? ICASA is looking for a service provider to update the plan, develop and implement it in alignment with the National Radio Frequency Plan 2021. But will this be a genuine competition, or just a farce? The agency has a history of favoring certain companies, and it’s unlikely that this tender will be any different.

But ICASA isn’t the only culprit. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is also embroiled in a web of corruption, inviting proposals from Microsoft-accredited partners to provide an enterprise project governance tool. But will this be a genuine competition, or just a way for SASSA to hand-pick the winner?

And then there’s Sentech, the broadcasting company that’s looking for a service provider to supply, deliver and commission a system upgrade using DVB SIS (single illumination system) on its DTT network. But who will get the contract? The same old players, of course. The tender is a mere formality, a rubber stamp on the already predetermined winner.

The ICT sector in South Africa is a mess, and it’s high time that something is done to address this corruption and cronyism. Until then, the same old players will continue to reap the benefits, while the rest are left to fight over scraps.