A Thriving Black Market for Medicines Has Emerged in Johannesburg
Immigrants shunned by clinics resort to buying unregulated medicines from illegal vendors
customer
Gautrain looks to adapt to evolving ridership environment
Gautrain looks to adapt to evolving ridership environment
In response to the changing ridership patterns post-COVID-19, the Gautrain is identifying underserved customer groups and their specific needs and will be adapting its products and services to make travel more accessible for a diverse range of passengers.
The pandemic drastically and permanently altered the transit industry. Former frequent commuters continue to work from home in hybrid or remote positions.
“The days of a predictable 9-to-5, Monday through Friday commute are over. Passengers are demanding that we run a frequent service throughout the day and offer dynamic pricing to suit their hybrid work schedules. And with the rising cost of living, cost is increasingly becoming the sole determinant when choosing a mode of transport,” Gautrain Management Agency CEO, Tshepo Kgobe, said on Thursday.
Across the world, rail operators continue to adjust to changing ridership patterns by adapting their service offerings accordingly.
The Gautrain recently commissioned a brand study, which found that the rapid rail link has maintained its brand positioning as a safe, efficient, clean, and convenient service.
However, there is an indication that the brand is perceived as inaccessible to some market segments.
“This presents an opportunity to respond innovatively to changing customer needs, preferences and patterns,” Kgobe said.
In November 2023, the Gautrain kick-started the process to appoint a new delivery partner who will operate, maintain, modernise, innovate, and upgrade the Gautrain system when the current Gautrain concession agreement comes to an end in March 2026.
“A new Public-Private Partnership agreement presents an opportunity to rethink the Gautrain business model, ensuring financial sustainability and operational excellence. Under the new agreement, we will be able to consider a range of fare policies and pricing incentives, introduce products and services that address the needs of a diverse range of passengers, and advance equity in transportation.
“Public transport systems such as the Gautrain should indeed be inclusive, ensuring accessibility and ease of movement for diverse market segments. We are resilient and adaptable, this is an opportune time to rethink, redesign, renew, and build on a highly functional, world-class system,” the CEO said.
Gauteng, South Africa's most populous province, faces significant road congestion due to high traffic volumes and a rapidly growing population, impacting economic activity and daily commutes.
Kgobe said the rapid rail extensions from current Gautrain stations, mostly in the suburbs, to other economic nodes and townships like Soweto and Mamelodi, will significantly increase the customer base, boost ridership, and enable inclusive transport connectivity.
“As part of the diversification strategy, we have already introduced vehicle licensing services at Gautrain stations, and we will be transforming Gautrain stations into hubs for business, retail, and social activities.
“Gauteng, with its diverse attractions, is also an entertainment playground, so we are striving to position the Gautrain as the mobility of choice for large-scale social, sport and lifestyle events, and places of fun and entertainment,” he said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 03/27/2025 - 13:28
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Johannesburg Shows How People and Planet Gain From Greener Cities
The sun has set in Johannesburg, South Africa and Nntuthuzelo Ndwandwa, 39, is returning home from her job as a customer care consultant. When once she would have glanced nervously into the shadows, now she walks through a complex illuminated by solar-powered lights and enters her home, where a solar-powered heater doles out warm water for washing up.
“We are safe during load shedding because the external lights are on solar,” says Ndwandwa. “I'm also guaranteed hot water in the morning. It has made my life so much easier.”
This may sound like a humdrum, everyday moment, but for Ndwandwa and the other hundreds of residents of the Tshedzani Phase 3 social housing project, these basics are a revelation. They were provided through a project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) that installed solar-powered equipment in public housing units across South Africa's biggest city. The effort, implemented by the City of Johannesburg, was designed to improve the quality of life of urban dwellers and fight climate change.
Residents of the social housing project say they now feel more secure, are saving money and have more job opportunities.
“Before the project, we had load shedding, and outside, it was dark […] we would not go outside as we were scared,” says resident Catherine Gugulethe Mbuyisa, 55. “Cars would be hijacked, washing would be stolen. But since the installation of solar power, we haven't experienced any of those problems and I've saved a lot in terms of electricity.”
Cities at the centre of climate action
Johannesburg is one of a growing number of global cities racing to lower their greenhouse gas emissions through better urban planning, which experts say can be a quick and easy way to reach climate targets. But such work also has a host of other benefits – from providing access to energy to protecting residents from the health hazards of open dumping.
“Action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions doesn't just make a difference at a global level – it invariably makes a positive difference to people's lives,” says Martin Krause, Director of the UN Environment Programme's Climate Change Division. “This is particularly obvious in cities, where the concentration of people means rapid gains for people and planet are possible.”
Today, some 56 per cent per cent of the world's population live in cities. Almost 1.2 billion of these people already face a bevy of climate-related risks, including rising seas and heatwaves. At the same time, urban areas consume around 75 per cent of the world's energy and produce around 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, reports the International Energy Agency. Urbanization is occurring rapidly, increasing the impact of cities on the environment and economy.
But cities are also hotbeds of climate solutions. And experts say how they are designed, built and managed will significantly impact global emissions, resource consumption and resilience to climate change. That is why successful projects, such as the one in Johannesburg, are considered so important.
“By adopting integrated approaches to support green, affordable housing, waste management and clean energy access for communities thriving amidst verdant natural spaces, cities like Johannesburg are leading the way to a sustainable urban future that benefits people, natural ecosystems and the global environment,” says Fred Boltz, Manager of GEF's Programming Division.
Multiple benefits
Kicked off in 2020, the GEF project focused on five key areas, including retrofitting social housing, increasing food resilience through sustainable urban farming, boosting biodegradable waste management and increasing evidence-based planning.
As part of this work, 172 units in Roodepoort Tshedzani 3 social housing have been fitted with solar water heaters, solar panels and lithium-ion batteries, energy-saving lighting and water-saving components.
To boost organic peri-urban farming in other areas, seeds, fertilizer and tools have been provided to farmers, alongside boreholes at four sites. Some 8,000 square metres of land is now under organic production and waiting for certification. Residents were also trained in many aspects of sustainability, including recycling, and a biodigester plant is under construction to turn waste into energy.
These additional benefits have brought opportunities to many residents, such as Voneen Trompeter, an unemployed single mother looking for ways to support her two children.
“This project has made me feel more worthy of being in a community, and I have learned a lot about business and recycling,” she says. “My hope for the future is to get a permanent position within the recycling programme, as it will be beneficial to me and my family.”
While the project is set to end later in 2025, its legacy will continue—not just in the infrastructure set up for residents. Standards and guidelines are being prepared to make it easier for such initiatives to take root in other parts of Johannesburg.
“We are excited to see the results of the GEF project coming together,” says Liana Strydom, Assistant Director, Regional Planning, City Transformation and Spatial Planning Directorate in the City of Johannesburg. “It creates momentum to mainstream our initiatives and creates hope for broader impact across many different aspects of the city's resilience and our citizens' ability to navigate climate shifts.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Home visits for incapacitated SASSA beneficiaries underway
Home visits for incapacitated SASSA beneficiaries underway
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Postbank have announced that a home visits program is underway for bedridden SASSA beneficiaries to replace their SASSA Gold Cards with Postbank Black Cards.
Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe announced this during a join media briefing by Postbank and SASSA on Monday in Pretoria.
Through the home visits program, SASSA and Postbank teams attend to beneficiaries from their places of residence, such as residential homes and nursing homes, and provide them grant access enabling services.
“We advise social grant beneficiaries and the public to be fully aware that home visits are available only for qualifying beneficiaries, and every request will be assessed on its merits applying strict criteria,” the CEO said.
The minimum criteria for a home visit request are as follows:
▪ Illness that may be considered to have rendered the beneficiary incapacitated in movements;
▪ People with incapacitating disability.
Beneficiaries are reminded that a note from a medical doctor, a social services worker official or a clinic’s medical report confirming the illness and complete incapacitation must accompany the request.
Bookings for home visits need to be made beforehand and they can be made directly through SASSA at any SASSA local offices, or telephonically through the SASSA Customer Care Centre on 0800 60 10 11 or the Postbank Call Centre on 0800 53 54 55.
Bookings for home visits can be made by a beneficiary directly or a person close to the beneficiary in terms of their movement and support. This person need not have any family relations with the beneficiary.
A beneficiary’s ID number, residential details and contact details will be required, and the beneficiary’s ID number shall be used as a reference number for any follow up enquiries.
“The home visits will be used to enable the beneficiaries to nominate a trusted individual to give authority over their account by signing a Postbank Account Access Authority letter.
“Postbank and SASSA plead with grant beneficiaries and the public that they must make home visits requests only where it is genuinely necessary, and the beneficiary meets the set criteria. To prevent abuse of the home visits system, any home visit requests for unqualifying beneficiaries will attract a R250 fine,” the CEO said.
The CEO urged beneficiaries to be on guard and not misled.
“We would like to warn beneficiaries not to be duped into changing banks without their [full understanding]. The only replacement bank for the gold card to the black card is Postbank.
“Only Postbank is running this process of swapping the SASSA gold card. Please be careful not to allow other people to confuse you to change banks without your consent,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 03/17/2025 - 14:50
174 views
Access Bank’s Africa Trade Conference Ignites New Era of Intra-Africa Commerce
Access Bank PLC (www.AccessBankPLC.com) successfully hosted the inaugural Africa Trade Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and trade experts to drive solutions for accelerating intra-African trade and unlocking the continent's economic potential. The conference tackled critical challenges, including limited access to capital, market information gaps, trust deficits between trading partners, and the urgent need for modernised trade infrastructure.
Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank, delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone for discussions by highlighting the critical barriers hindering trade across Africa. He emphasised the urgent need for financial sector collaboration to facilitate seamless access to capital and foster a business environment where African enterprises can scale and compete globally.
“We must invest in the initiatives that ensure that we can bring businesses together, forge trust, and create the connections necessary for trade. In doing so, we must stamp out the narrative that 'Made in Africa' is inferior to any product made anywhere else in the world. We must buy Africa, be proud to wear Africa, and invest in Africa because that is what the continent needs to leap forward into the next generation,” Ogbonna stated.
With Africa's population projected to surge to 2.5 billion by 2050 from 1.2 billion, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) stands as the most significant free trade initiative since the formation of the World Trade Organisation. By fostering economic integration, AfCFTA has the potential to reshape trade dynamics across the continent, creating a unified market that enhances industrialisation, boosts employment, and strengthens Africa's global competitiveness. Recognising this transformative opportunity, H.E. Wamkele K. Mene, Secretary-General of AfCFTA, emphasised the urgency of fully implementing the agreement to unlock its immense benefits.
"The AfCFTA is not just a trade agreement; it is an instrument for Africa's industrialisation and economic sovereignty. It is a tool that will enable us to break down historic trade barriers and build an Africa that is self-sufficient, competitive, and prosperous. But for this to happen, we must commit to operationalising the agreement fully, ensuring that businesses, particularly SMEs and women-led enterprises, have access to the information, capital, and platforms they need to thrive,” Mene stated.
Also, Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, emphasised the importance of financing mechanisms that support African businesses in their expansion across borders. She reaffirmed Afreximbank's commitment to championing trade finance solutions and infrastructure investments that will unlock Africa's trade potential.
“At Afreximbank, we understand that trade finance is the lifeblood of economic development. Without it, businesses cannot scale, industries cannot innovate, and Africa cannot fully realise its trade potential. This is why we have developed instruments such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to facilitate seamless transactions across borders, reducing reliance on foreign currencies and strengthening intra-African trade,” Awani remarked.
The conference featured an insightful testimonial from Nathalie Louat, Global Director at the IFC/World Bank Group, who pointed out the pivotal role of trade finance in enabling cross-border transactions and supporting financial inclusion. She underscored the long-standing partnership between IFC and Access Bank in fostering Africa's economic resilience.
Several high-level panel discussions explored strategies to overcome trade barriers and enhance market access through innovative solutions. Experts from leading institutions, including Deutsche Bank, Traydstream, OWP Partners, Fiducia International, and more, examined how infrastructure improvements, digital solutions, and policy harmonisation could drive economic growth and boost intra-African trade.
Dr. Marc Auboin from the World Trade Organization (WTO) shared key insights on how digital transformation is reshaping Africa's supply chain landscape, creating efficiency and unlocking new global market opportunities. Tanya Dos Santos-Ford from GIBS Business School also led a session on sustainable trade practices, emphasising the need for environmentally responsible economic growth strategies.
The event culminated in an awards ceremony recognising outstanding contributions to intra-African trade and economic transformation. Tradepass Commodities Limited (Ghana), Chemaf International FZE (DR Congo), and Harvest Group of Companies (Zambia) were honoured for their impact on SMEs and women-led trade enterprises. Bulkstream Limited (Kenya) and Electricidade de Moçambique (Mozambique) received awards for advancing intra-African trade, while Tennant Metals South Africa Pty Ltd was recognised as an Emerging Leader in Trade.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) was awarded the Climate Finance Leadership Award, while Afreximbank received the Champion of Intra-African Trade Award. The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) were celebrated for their roles in economic transformation and infrastructure finance, respectively. The prestigious African Icon Award was presented to IHS Group, Dangote Industries Limited, and MTN Group Limited for their significant contributions to Africa's economic progress.
As the conference ended, Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director, African Subsidiaries at Access Bank, reaffirmed the institution's commitment to supporting trade finance, fostering regional integration, and championing policies that create an enabling environment for businesses across Africa.
For inquiries:
- Olakunle Aderinokun
olakunle.aderinokun@theaccesscorporation.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Access Bank PLC.
About Access Bank PLC:
Access Bank PLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings PLC, is a leading full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning three continents, 24 countries and over 60 million customers. The Bank employs over 28,000 people in its operations in Africa and Europe, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the UAE.
Access Bank's parent company, Access Holdings PLC, has been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1998 (now Nigerian Exchange (NGX)). The Bank is a diversified financial institution which combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities. The Bank services its various markets through three key business segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Retail Banking. The Bank has enjoyed what is Africa's most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 20 years, becoming one of the continent's largest retail banks.
As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.
Minister Tolashe assures smooth transition to Postbank Black Cards for grant beneficiaries
Minister Tolashe assures smooth transition to Postbank Black Cards for grant beneficiaries
Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has assured social grant beneficiaries that her department, in collaboration with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), is working tirelessly to resolve any challenges they may encounter while swapping their SASSA Gold Cards for the new Postbank Black Cards.
In a video posted by SASSA on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday, Tolashe reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring an efficient and secure social security system for all beneficiaries.
“As a department of Social Development and SASSA, we want to assure you that our commitment to provide efficient social security system is still our top priority. We are doing everything in our power to resolve all the concerns and difficulties that you have,” she said.
The Minister emphasised that efforts are being made to assist all beneficiaries using the SASSA Gold Card before its expiry on 20 March 2025. She urged recipients to replace their cards with the Postbank Black Card, or switch to a bank of their choice to avoid any disruptions in receiving their grants.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that all our beneficiaries currently using the SASSA Gold Card are assisted speedily, efficiently and with dignity,” Tolashe stated.
She also reassured beneficiaries that the department is strengthening and monitoring its systems to prevent cyberattacks and safeguard personal information.
“Despite the challenges that we face today, we care about your wellbeing, and it is our responsibility to serve you with dignity and respect, as we continue to pay the right social grant to the right person at the right time and place, always,” she said.
To ensure that no one is left behind and all beneficiaries that need to replace their cards are reached, Postbank announced in a statement on 27 February 2025 that it has increased the number of tellers servicing all the existing sites across the country.
Postbank has also added more places to replace cards. Postbank black cards can be obtained from select outlets of major retailers that include Pick n Pay, Boxer, Usave, Shoprite and Checkers.
In addition, Postbank has started rolling out Spar stores nationwide to replace cards, providing an additional 234 places for beneficiaries to get cards.
A shortened USSD number which beneficiaries can use to look up sites has been introduced to improve their customer experience. To look up sites, beneficiaries can follow this process:
- Dial *120*355#
- Reply with (1) to continue
- Reply with the province number (numbers 1 to 9 representing all provinces)
- Reply with the number of the municipality. Then all the card replacement sites under that municipality will appear. - SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 03/07/2025 - 12:35
452 views
KwaMagxaki customer care centre reopens after four-year closure
KwaMagxaki customer care centre reopens after four-year closure
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s KwaMagxaki customer care centre has officially reopened its doors following a four-year closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During its non-operational period, the centre suffered significant damage from vandalism, which affected the building structure, including electrical cables and other vital equipment.
This forced ratepayers from KwaMagxaki, KwaDwesi, Veeplas, Zwide, Joe Slovo and KwaDwesi Extension to travel to other areas for assistance with their accounts, assistance with applications and general inquiries.
Speaking at the official re-opening of the centre on Monday, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, said the current administration is committed to ensuring efficient service delivery.
"We are happy that the people will no longer have to pay for transport to go pay their rates or inquire about our services, especially the indigent and the elderly. We have brought the service to their doorstep,” Lobishe said.
Lobishe said the metro is making it easier for residents to receive services and pay for them.
"For us to balance the service we offer and the payment of such service, it is critical that the centres... are where people are. We call upon our people to work with us in protecting this centre against vandals.”
Services to be offered at the centre include 'assistance to the poor (ATTP)' applications, debt repayment arrangements, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) registration, water rebate applications, Estate Late Project (free property transfer for surviving ATTP beneficiaries) and opening of service accounts.
The centre will also assist with property valuation certificates, copies of municipal statements, and account balance enquiries.
Mayoral Committee Member for Budget and Treasury, Khanya Ngqisha, said the directorate is working towards providing a hassle-free service that is cost effective for ratepayers.
"We are excited, as this will serve our residents efficiently. We encourage our people to come and receive the services that have been tailor-made for them,” Ngqisha said.
One of the residents from KwaMaxgaki, Zoleka Jonas, said she was pleased that the centre has been opened.
"We will no longer spend money to go to town for services. It will just be a walk-in, and your enquiries will be solved. We are grateful to our ward councillor and the mayor for this service,” said Jonas. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 03/04/2025 - 14:07
178 views
Meet Deel Local Payroll, Powered by Payspace: The Next Evolution in Payroll Innovation
PaySpace by Deel is now Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace (www.PaySpace.com)! One year after being acquired by Deel, PaySpace by Deel has officially transitioned into Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace. This milestone isn't just about a name change—it's about why Deel acquired PaySpace in the first place.
PaySpace customers can expect the same powerful payroll platform, now under Deel's global brand. Deel customers can utilise real-time payroll, which means real-time G2N (Gross-to-Net) calculations, shorter cut-off times, and less overall pressure and stress when running payroll across multiple countries.
Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace, formerly known as PaySpace by Deel, is a market leader in payroll technology, with more than 20 years of payroll and HR experience. Its flexible solutions cater to a wide range of clients, including small businesses, enterprises, and payroll service providers. The company has built the most technologically advanced native payroll engine, serving clients in 44 countries across Africa and the Middle East. It has over 15,000 customers, including big brands like Heineken, Coca-Cola, and Puma Sports.
Deel is a trailblazer in global employee and payroll management, enabling its customers to operate in different territories and simplify the complexities of managing employees according to regional financial and legal requirements. With global operations in over 150 countries, Deel simplifies the complexities of international payroll and HR, enabling companies to manage their global workforce efficiently and compliantly. Founded in 2018, Deel is the fastest-growing unicorn in history (a unicorn is a privately owned startup valued at over US$1 billion—Deel is currently valued at over $12 billion), helping businesses hire anyone, anywhere.
PaySpace is now Deel Local Payroll: New Brand, Same Team and Innovation
The acquisition, concluded in 2024, aligns the award-winning Deel Local Payroll team and cloud-native PaySpace platform with Deel's global operations. Deel Local Payroll is an independent subsidiary and a payroll product sold as a self-service option alongside Deel's global payroll product. Deel customers benefit through enhanced, innovative, and more flexible payroll tools for their teams.
The PaySpace calculation engine is now Deel's calculation engine, onto which Deel has localised its Employer Of Record (EOR) and Global Payroll (GP) products across numerous countries, including the UK, South Africa, Canada, and the UAE. Deel will keep localising countries onto this single engine—a unique competitive offering in the payroll market.
Under the Deel brand, Deel Local Payroll will continue to provide the same excellent payroll software and dedicated team that its customers have come to rely on, with the same management team, employees, support, channels, and logistics—only the name has changed. This seamless transition ensures no disruption to existing customer contracts, systems, or processes.
Deel Local Payroll's core cloud-native platform is now the PaySpace platform, an intrinsic part of how Deel delivers payroll services at grassroots levels to customers across the globe.
The PaySpace platform includes groundbreaking features:
- Automatic legislative updates that are pushed directly to customers.
- Robust integration with dozens of business applications and data sources.
- Extensive automation features to remove pressure on payroll teams.
- Powerful scale and flexibility that supports changing business requirements.
- Secure anywhere, anytime access for multiple users and devices.
- Pacey, a WhatsApp employee self-service bot for payroll slips and other information.
"When we founded PaySpace, we set out to create world-class payroll management that served all markets. Taking inspiration and lessons from our customers in Africa and leveraging cutting-edge cloud technologies, we built a true 21st-century payroll service that evolves with the needs of modern companies and their workforces. The rebranding from PaySpace to Deel Local Payroll allows for deeper integration with Deel, positioning us for continued success and growth. It's a positive move, building on the strong foundation we've already established," says Bruce van Wyk, CEO at Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace.
Deel's acquisition of Payspace, now Deel Local Payroll, and the PaySpace platform is a significant win for customers. It also serves as a testament to the resilience and flexibility of African tech. Deel, Deel Local Payroll, and the PaySpace platform are building bright futures for their customers as they continue to innovate and provide world-class payroll solutions built to simplify and enhance payroll at every level.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PaySpace.
Media contact:
Victoria Lindsay
victoria@innocomm.co.za
About Deel Local Payroll:
Deel Local Payroll, powered by PaySpace, revolutionises payroll management. It offers online, multi-country payroll and HR management for businesses from start-ups through to enterprise in over 40 African countries, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Brazil.
Cloud-native, Deel Local Payroll, is scalable, configurable, highly secure, and easy-to-use—delivering anytime, anywhere access. It features payroll automation, self-service features, automatic legislation and feature updates, customised reporting, and more.
Since 2024, Deel Local Payroll has been part of Deel, operating as an independent subsidiary, serving its customers through the PaySpace platform.
More than 716 900 SASSA beneficiaries transition to Black Cards
More than 716 900 SASSA beneficiaries transition to Black Cards
Over 716 900 South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries have transitioned to the Postbank Black Cards from the previous SASSA Gold Cards, Cabinet said on Thursday.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said card distribution sites have been increased around the country to ensure that beneficiaries are assisted before the 20 March 2025 deadline.
“More than 716 900 beneficiaries have transitioned to the Postbank black cards and card distribution sites have been increased around the country to mitigate the queues so that every beneficiary receives the new card near where they live.
“Postbank has also increased the number of tellers in the card replacement sites from 2 tellers to up to 5 tellers depending on the business of the site,” the Minister said at a post-Cabinet briefing in Cape Town.
Cabinet also encouraged beneficiaries to visit their nearest Checkers, Shoprite, Pick ‘n Pay, Usave, or Boxer stores to collect their new Postbank Black Card.
READ | Grant beneficiaries urged to replace expiring SASSA Gold Cards
Steps to take
A valid South African identity document (ID) or temporary ID is required. Mobile offices will also be available in rural areas to assist beneficiaries.
Additionally, Postbank has partnered with the Spar Group, which will designate 200 of its stores as service sites across the country.
“Cabinet reminds beneficiaries that the old SASSA Gold Card will stop working on 20 March 2025 and beneficiaries who have not exchanged their cards by then will need to visit their nearest Post Office branch to access their funds,” the Minister said.
SASSA had previously said that Postbank has also made it easy for beneficiaries to locate the nearest place in every province where they can collect their Postbank Black Cards.
All they need to do from the comfort of their homes is to use their cellphone and:
• Dial: *120*218*3#
• To continue, reply by pressing number: 1; and
• reply with the number representing the province they live in.
To get the new Postbank Black Cards, beneficiaries are required to have a valid South African ID, or a temporary ID. Beneficiaries are urged to be aware that no card will be issued without these documents.
Ensuring that minimum documentation is required to get the new Postbank Black Cards is in line with SASSA and Postbank's ongoing commitment to continuously improve the customer experience of all social grant beneficiaries.
The Postbank Black Cards will be issued free of charge. For further enquiries, beneficiaries can contact Postbank on 0800 53 54 55 or SASSA on 0800 60 10 11.
Government previously moved the initial deadline from 28 February deadline to 20 March 2025. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 02/27/2025 - 13:14
838 views
inDrive’s Unstoppable Growth Across Africa
inDrive (www.inDrive.com), the ride-hailing app known for its transparent and fair pricing model, has secured its position as the second most downloaded app in its category globally, and it continues to make waves in Africa, where it ranks as the third-largest ride-hailing service in South Africa, second in Nigeria, and number one in Zimbabwe and Botswana and North African countries.
inDrive's success story in Africa reflects its remarkable growth trajectory, driven by its unique approach to mobility. With an innovative, peer-to-peer pricing model and a mission to challenge the traditional fare structures in the ride-hailing industry, inDrive is setting new standards in customer-centric mobility.
The inDrive Advantage: Why It's the Most Downloaded Ride-Hailing App
What sets inDrive apart is its unwavering commitment to creating an ecosystem that benefits both riders and drivers. Unlike other ride-hailing platforms, inDrive empowers users by allowing them to negotiate the fare before confirming the ride, giving both drivers and passengers the freedom to agree on a price that works for them. This model fosters trust, increases satisfaction, and has contributed to record-breaking app downloads in 2025.
InDrive's approach goes beyond just competitive pricing; it has built an environment where driver welfare is prioritized. The company operates with the lowest commission structure in the market, enabling drivers to keep more of what they earn, which in turn has fostered strong loyalty from local drivers across Africa.
Record Growth in Africa: inDrive's Expanding Footprint
- South Africa: Ranked as the third-largest ride-hailing app in the country, inDrive's innovative model has gained a dedicated user base. Its growth has been accelerated by its focus on affordability, transparency, and safety, catering to the needs of both urban commuters and those in smaller towns. As competition intensifies, inDrive is proving that a user-focused approach is the key to long-term success.
- Nigeria: Holding the second spot in the market, inDrive's rapid expansion has been fueled by its distinctive no-commission fare model in most cities, creating better earning opportunities for drivers while providing affordable rides for passengers. Nigeria's diverse population and urban landscape have proven to be a strong foundation for inDrive's sustained success.
- Zimbabwe & Botswana: inDrive's number-one ranking in both countries is a testament to its ability to create localized solutions tailored to meet the unique challenges of each market. By providing access to its services where traditional public transport falls short, inDrive bridges crucial mobility gaps, ensuring more people can commute conveniently. With a strong focus on job creation, affordable transportation, and social impact, inDrive has quickly become the go-to ride-hailing app for millions.
Why Africa Chooses inDrive
inDrive's approach is rooted in equity and inclusivity. The app's growth in Africa is not just a result of its innovative pricing structure, but also its deep understanding of the diverse needs of African consumers and drivers. As the most downloaded ride-hailing app globally, inDrive's popularity is fueled by its customer-centric model, empowered drivers, and fair pricing system.
By offering a solution that works for everyone, inDrive is reshaping the future of mobility across the African continent. Whether it's ensuring driver safety, fair compensation, or increased access to affordable transportation, inDrive is positioning itself as the most reliable, convenient, and transparent ride-hailing option in Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of inDrive.
Press Contact:
Public Relations Manager - inDrive Africa
Lineo Thakhisi
Phone: +2781 3636 872
Email: lineo.thakhisi@indriver.com
About inDrive:
inDrive is a global mobility and urban services platform. The inDrive app has been downloaded over 240 million times, and was the second most downloaded mobility app in 2022 and 2023. In addition to ride-hailing, inDrive provides an expanding list of urban services, including intercity transportation and delivery. In 2023, inDrive launched New Ventures, a venture and M&A arm.
inDrive operates in 888 cities in 48 countries. Driven by its mission of challenging social injustice, the company is committed to having a positive impact on the lives of one billion people by 2030. It pursues this goal both through its core business, which supports local communities via a fair pricing model; and through the work of inVision, its non-profit arm. inVision's community empowerment programs help to advance education, sports, arts and sciences, gender equality and other vital initiatives.
For more information visit www.inDrive.com
Grant beneficiaries urged to replace expiring SASSA Gold Cards
Grant beneficiaries urged to replace expiring SASSA Gold Cards
Cabinet has called on all social grant beneficiaries to replace their South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Gold Cards with the new Postbank Black Cards by the 20 March 2025 deadline.
In a statement on Friday, Cabinet said this is to ensure that beneficiaries continue to access their SASSA grant payments without disruption.
“Social grant beneficiaries can go to their nearest Postbank site located at retailers such as Checkers, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Usave, and Boxer to get their Postbank Black Card," Cabinet said.
After the 20 March 2025 deadline - which was extended from the initial 28 February deadline - SASSA Gold Cards will no longer function at ATMs and retailers.
The call follows concerns among grant recipients about the looming expiry of the SASSA Gold Cards and potential payment delays.
Postbank, which administers the social grant payment system, has however assured beneficiaries that the transition to the new Postbank Black Card is simple and free of charge.
The move is part of Postbank’s broader efforts to modernise and secure the grant payment system, following past disruptions caused by fraud, card cloning, and system failures.
By migrating to the new cards, beneficiaries can expect improved security and reliability when accessing their grants.
Postbank has deployed additional support at designated retailers and SASSA offices to assist with the replacement process, urging beneficiaries to make the switch before the deadline to avoid any inconvenience.
The agency has previously said that Postbank has also made it easy for beneficiaries to locate the nearest place in every province where they can collect their Postbank Black Cards.
All they need to do from the comfort of their homes is to use their cellphone and:
- Dial: *120*218*3#
- To continue, reply by pressing number: 1; and
- Reply with the number representing the province they live in.
To get the new Postbank Black Cards, beneficiaries are required to have a valid South African ID, or a temporary ID. Beneficiaries are urged to be aware that no card will be issued without these documents.
Ensuring that minimum documentation is required to get the new Postbank Black Cards is in line with SASSA and Postbank's ongoing commitment to continuously improve the customer experience of all social grant beneficiaries.
The Postbank Black Cards will be issued free of charge. For further enquiries, beneficiaries can contact Postbank on 0800 53 54 55 or SASSA on 0800 60 10 11. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 02/21/2025 - 11:21
324 views
TNPA to use cutting edge technology to improve its dredging capacity
TNPA to use cutting edge technology to improve its dredging capacity
The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is set to improve its dredging capacity with the installation of a new marine excavator on the Italeni, a Grab Hopper Dredger.
It is used by the ports authority to maintain the promulgated depth of port berths, basin and entrance channels necessary for the safe navigation of vessels in the ports.
The installation of this cutting-edge technology will boost dredging volumes and increase efficiency at South Africa’s commercial seaports.
A marine excavator is a specialised technological machinery that is used to improve dredging operations while ensuring safe and sustainable practises of marine and coastal environments.
With an investment value of R76 million, the newly installed excavator is designed to grab dredged material weighing up to 2000kg at a radius of at least 20 meters.
The upgrade will enable the Italeni to efficiently handle dredged volumes of 150 000 cubic meters (m³), a significantly increase from its annual capacity from 94 000 m³.
The upgrade replaces the excavator fitted in 2014 that has reached its operational lifespan. This feature bolsters berth availability to meet the increasing demand of larger vessels calling into South African ports.
"The Italeni upgrade enables TNPA’s strategic intent of creating a smart port system through harnessing innovation and technology.
“Coupled with enhancing the dredger’s capability to dredge the ports to the required depth, the new marine excavator will ensure that our waterside infrastructure remains competitive by improving TNPA’s customer service offering," said Phyllis Difeto Acting TNPA Chief Executive.
Italeni is the only dredging vessel in South Africa capable of accessing confined berths and quay walls, distinguishing the craft from the rest of TNPA’s dredging fleet necessary for maintenance work.
Through its Dredging Services business unit, TNPA is actively optimising port depth to ensure the provision of commercially viable berths to its shipping and terminal operation customers.
The installed machinery adheres to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) regulations and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) legislation regarding carbon emissions. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 02/18/2025 - 10:13
2 views
President signs four proclamations authorising corruption investigations
President signs four proclamations authorising corruption investigations
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed four new proclamations authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of maladministration and corruption at Ithala Development Finance Corporation, the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality, Llepele-Nkumpi Local Municipality and Greater North Transport.
Ithala Development Finance Corporation
Proclamation 243 of 2025 authorises the SIU to investigate serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of the Ithala Development Finance Corporation situated in KwaZulu-Natal, focusing on tendering for the supply, implementation, and maintenance of an integrated banking solution.
The probe will determine if contract payments adhered to national treasury guidelines were irregular, wasteful, or led to financial losses for the department or state.
The SIU will also investigate any unlawful conduct by Ithala employees or officials that may have resulted in improper benefits.
“Furthermore, the investigation will assess whether fraudulent actions occurred, identify any resultant losses or damages, and examine any irregular or unlawful behaviour by Ithala employees or other entities.
“The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 January 2017 and 31 January 2025, as well as any related activities before 1 January 2017 and after the date of the Proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities, or contracts,” said the SIU.
Greater Kokstad Local Municipality
Proclamation 244 of 2025 directs the SIU to probe two tenders by the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. These tenders are:
- For the appointment of a service provider to supply and renew software licences for three years.
- For the appointment of a service provider to supply customer care and IT service desk solutions.
The SIU said the probe will examine whether the procurement and contracting were made in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, or cost-effective or in violation of applicable legislation, guidelines, or instructions from the National or Provincial Treasury.
This includes the municipality or the state’s unauthorised, irregular, or wasteful expenditure.
The probe will also look at any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials or employees of the municipality, its suppliers or service providers, or any other person or entity implicated.
The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 January 2022 and 31 January 2025, as well as any related activities before 1 January 2022 and after the date of the Proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities, or contracts.
Llepele-Nkumpi Local Municipality
Proclamation 243 of 2025 mandates the SIU to investigate serious maladministration in the affairs of Llepele-Nkumpi Local Municipality in Limpopo Province regarding procuring and contracting for goods, works or services for six contracts. The contracts under investigation are:
- Tender relating to professional services for the closure and rehabilitation plan of the old dumping site in Zone A.
- The award of contracts in or about August 2015 for the electrification of Rakgoatha Village Extension, Mapatjakeng Village Extension and Motserereng Village Extension.
- The award of a contract in or about June 2016 for upgrading the access road from Units S to Q.
- The award of a contract in or about June 2016 for constructing the Madisha Ditoro small access bridge and upgrading internal streets and stormwater drains (phase 1) in Rakgoatha.
- The award of a contract in or about April 2016 for tarring 9 km of internal streets in Rockville and Unit S, Lebowakgomo.
The contract was awarded in or about December 2013 for refurbishing the Lebowakgomo Civic Centre.
- The contract was awarded in or about December 2013 for refurbishing the Lebowakgomo Civic Centre.
Greater North Transport
Proclamation 246 of 2025 authorises the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption in eight contracts and maladministration in six contracts at the Greater North Transport (GNT) in Limpopo Province.
The SIU will investigate the allegations of corruption of board members, officials or employees of the GNT or contractors, suppliers or service providers for the following tenders:
- Appointment of Raletjena Technologies and Trading (Pty) Ltd.
- extension of a contract between the GNT and Group 4 Security (Fidelity Cash Management) (Pty) Ltd.
- Appointment of Scania South Africa (Pty) Ltd to provide repair and maintenance services to the GNT.
- Procurement of 150 busses from Mercedes Benz South Africa (Pty) Ltd
- Procurement of 87 80-seater busses from MAN Truck and Bus South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
- Appointment of BB Truck and Tractor Services (Pty) Ltd to provide repair and maintenance services to the GNT.
- Procurement of legal services.
- Procurement of a fleet management system.
Furthermore, the SIU will also probe allegations of maladministration in the affairs of the GNT and any losses or prejudice suffered by the GNT or the State as a result of such maladministration concerning:
- Fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the GNT as a result of interest payments made to Africa Oil (Pty) Ltd;
- A settlement agreement concluded with Umvuzo Energy (Pty) Ltd
- The mismanagement of diesel supplies.
- The failure to collect the debt that was due and owing to the GNT
- An agreement was entered into between the GNT and emerging bus operators.
The probe will also examine whether the payments for these contracts adhered to national treasury guidelines and ascertain whether the payments were irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditures or financial losses for the department or the state.
Furthermore, the SIU will seek to establish if there was unlawful or improper conduct by the department employees, officials, agents, and any other person or entity to corruptly or unduly benefit themselves or others.
The investigation will also at whether fraudulent conduct occurred, including the causes of such maladministration, any losses, damages, or prejudice actually or potentially suffered by the department or the state, and any irregular, improper, or unlawful conduct by employees or officials of the department or any other person or entity.
The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 January 2002 and 31 January 2025, as well as any related activities before 1 January 2002 and after the date of the proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities, or contracts.
Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption, and fraud, the SIU said it was committed to identifying systemic failures and recommending measures to prevent future losses.
In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.
Under the SIU Act, the SIU is also authorised to initiate a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 02/04/2025 - 10:12
42 views
Langa township residents receive government services ahead of SONA in Cape Town
Langa township residents receive government services ahead of SONA in Cape Town
Washington Street in Langa, Cape Town, bustled with activity as the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) hosted pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) outreach activities on Monday.
Gazebos, banners, buses and cars lined the streets, as various government departments provided services to the community.
The Guga S’Thebe Cultural Centre and the Langa Civic Hall were filled with hundreds of community members.
Some walked, while others took taxis, all eager for essential services, such as applying for identity documents (IDs).
Young people lined up at the Employment and Labour Department’s mobile bus to register on the job seekers' database.
The outreach activities aim to involve all South Africans in the SONA, which will be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, 6 February, at 7 pm.
This will be the President’s first SONA as the Head of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in the seventh administration.
Some of the participants were the City of Cape Town officials, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Western Cape Department of Social Development, the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), the Human Rights Commission, Postbank, the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC), and the Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA).
Acting Director of Public Employment Services, Nokulunga Zazaza, expressed satisfaction in connecting with the community, especially in registering unemployed youth on their database.
The team also offered career counselling to help equip the youth with job hunting and interview skills.
“We also have a programme where we go around to engage with employers and opportunity providers to check if there are opportunities available in their organisation. If they do, they give us the requirements and registration credentials, and we’ll use those to match it with the unemployed who meet the criteria,” she explained.
Although there are Labour Centres located throughout the province, Zazaza stressed that her department aims to connect more closely with local communities.
She expressed a desire for people to secure permanent employment, as most of the companies that reach out to them mostly offer temporary contracts and training services.
“We always want as many people as possible to find employment because our target is unemployed persons, as our department’s focus is employment and labour. We want to do anything that will assist with unemployment.”
Research Officer for the Human Rights Commission, Advocate Tammy Carter, told SAnews that many individuals she encountered in communities were unaware of their rights, even though the country boasts one of the best constitutions in the world.
“One of the primary functions, in terms of the Constitution for the Human Rights Commission, is to promote human rights and human rights culture.
“If people don’t even know their rights, how are they going to even assert those rights?
“For us, it’s important to be invited to events like this, so that we can educate people about their rights.”
She said Chapter 9 bodies had been created to support democracy by being enforcers of human rights.
Most of the people she has been attending to have been raising issues about education, access to water and sanitation, environmental concerns such as littering, which seems to be a big deal in Langa, and access to services such as SASSA and Home Affairs.
“People in Langa have to travel to Athlone to access these services and it costs them a lot of money,” Carter said, adding that was important for the Chapter 9 institutions to come together to help these communities.
Customer Care Assistant from the Western Social Development Department, Siphosihle Qingana, said together with his colleague, he has been providing information about their services since this morning.
These include childcare protection programmes, support for the elderly, substance abuse assistance, and registration of non-profit organisations (NPOs).
“People need help or advice about child protection. Some children don’t have birth certificates. Other people were seeking funding for their NPOs and asking about registering NPOs,” Qingana told SAnews.
Ministries and departments will continue to hold various public engagement activities for the remainder of the week.
According to the GCIS, these events aim to encourage South Africans to familiarise themselves with the content of SONA, enabling them to contribute to discussions and proposals for economic growth and development.
South Africans are encouraged to tune it and participate in this important national milestone. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Mon, 02/03/2025 - 15:16
119 views
VFS Global’s new Indonesia e-Visa on Arrival official platform goes live for 97 nationalities, including South Africa
- Dedicated website https://IndonesiaVoA.VFSeVisa.id/ to complete the Indonesia e-VoA application
- Simple to use end-to-end online platform accessible from desktop and mobile
- Significant reduction in wait times at immigration upon arrival in Indonesia
VFS Global (www.VFSGlobal.com), the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, has launched its new user-friendly and efficient online platform to make Indonesia's Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) application process seamless for travellers, promote inbound tourism, and enhance overall customer experience. The platform is in line with Indonesian government's ongoing efforts to enhance its tourism infrastructure and services to welcome 14 million visitors in 2025.
VFS Global's new e-VoA platform, is available for nationals of all the 97 countries eligible for e-VoA (http://apo-opa.co/40si4qG), including South Africa. Travellers can now enjoy a quicker and smoother visa application journey through VFS Global by completing the entire process online and receiving a pre-approved e-VoA before departure.
Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development, VFS Global, said,
“As a company, we are constantly working towards innovations which provide a seamless visa application submission experience to our customers. The launch of this innovative, secure, and user-friendly digital e-Visa on Arrival platform for Indonesia will undoubtedly streamline the visa application process, making it faster, easier, and more convenient. With Indonesia being a globally sought-after destination, we are honoured to assist visitors from 97 countries by facilitating their entry into this incredible country through this platform.”
Here are the four simple steps to apply for Indonesia e-VoA:
- Visit https://IndonesiaVoA.VFSeVisa.id/
- Submit all the required documents
- Pay the necessary fees
- Receive a pre-approved e-VoA on email before departure
With the payment having been made online, travellers can enjoy a smoother and faster entry experience through E-gates or immigration counters.
VFS Global's new e-VoA platform will ensure all the documents applicants submit are complete and error-free. It also offers OCR technology which will enable applicant details to be auto populated, thereby saving time and effort for applicants. The new platform will also provide group booking facility which could be beneficials for travel trade and conventions.
Travellers applying for Indonesia e-VoA via VFS Global will get a dedicated email and live support in seven languages - English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, German, and French – to help them with their queries. VFS Global will add more language support in due course of time for key markets.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VFS Global.
Media Contact:
George Cherian
Corporate Communications
georgec@vfsglobal.com
communications@vfsglobal.com
About VFS Global:
As the world's leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.
With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 69 client governments. Operating over 3,400 Application Centres in 152 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 303 million applications since 2001.
Headquartered in Zurich and majority owned through investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc, along with the Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, VFS Global is committed to creating value for all stakeholders and leading in responsible, innovative solutions making government services more effective and efficient.
Nelson Mandela Bay kicks-off academic year on a high note
Nelson Mandela Bay kicks-off academic year on a high note
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has kickstarted the 2025 academic year on a high note, as the municipality's councillors and officials handed over essential resources, to ensure that learners are well equipped for a successful school year ahead.
The municipality’s mayor, Babalwa Lobishe marked the opening of the new school year by launching a Back-to-School campaign at Gqeberha City Hall, on Wednesday.
Lobishe is spearheading a Back-to-School campaign to provide essential resources, including sanitary towels, school shoes, and maths and science books.
The mayor said the campaign seeks to scrap the underprivilege identity among pupils in Nelson Mandela Bay, as thousands of learners returned to school.
"We have launched this campaign with the aim of making sure that no child goes to school and finds themselves feeling under privileged. We have noticed that there are kids who are still experiencing extreme means of living in poverty, so we want to address this scourge, and ensure that every learner gets assistance.”
Lobishe has also invited all residents, including, businesses, councillors and employees, who want to make a difference to end period poverty in the metro, to come forward and assist with essential resources.
“It is not only the physical stuff that we appeal to our residents to donate, but also their time by volunteering hours to provide learner support in areas, such as homework, and providing tutorials to those in need, which will make a difference in improving learner academic performance.”
"We make this call to everyone in our city to come and donate their time, funds and essential academic resources, for the betterment of the future of our children in the city,” Lobishe explained.
The mayor also used the opportunity to congratulate the class of 2024 Matriculants, who have made the municipality proud with impressive results.
The Eastern Cape’s Class of 2024 set a new record of 84.9% pass rate, a notable shift from the 76.5% in 2019 to 84.9% in 2024, representing a 4.17% shift over the term.
“We still believe in the saying that ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and understand that positive results at Matric level are a culmination of work and support that started from Grade 1.
Donations for essential resources can be dropped off at any Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Building, including City Hall in Gqeberha, metro customer care centres, and operational libraries around the metro. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 01/16/2025 - 11:16
66 views
FNB Closes Bank Accounts of Dodgy Lottery-Funded “Activist”
Tebogo Sithathu is under investigation by the SIU over a series of multimillion-rand grants
Mukuru Launches Mobile Wallet in Zimbabwe to Bolster Financial Inclusion
Building on Mukuru's trusted capabilities, which support more than three-million Zimbabwean customers, the wallet has several benefits, including its standout features: two pockets that allow users to send and receive money locally and internationally from mobile phones, safe storage of funds as well as a free cashout on international transfers.
Marc Carrie-Wilson, Send Money Home Zimbabwe CEO says: “The Mukuru Wallet is a significant development in the country because we have built a reputable brand by consistently ensuring cash availability when needed. To avoid disappointing people who travel long distances to receive their remittances which they use for food, school fees and other essential services, we now have 250 of our own service points. With a network stretching across urban and rural areas, we can reach more people than ever, providing constant cash availability and valuable digital solutions, such as the Mukuru Wallet, to the underserved communities.”
Mukuru Zimbabwe Financial Services CEO, Doug Tait-Knight, says: “Mukuru takes its role as a fintech driving financial inclusion seriously. With this wallet, we tap into our strength which lies in our robust network and technology, as well as our crispy notes that are always available, making this an exciting moment in our evolution in Zimbabwe.
“The wallet environment enables us to start providing additional value such as allowing more affordable domestic money transfers, supporting safety by eliminating the need for customers to walk around with large sums of money, and providing convenience and cost savings, such as paying for electricity, buying airtime, settling DSTV bills and paying for insurance from their couch. Our use of multiple channels also ensures accessibility for our customers,” explains Tait-Knight.
While currently focusing on private end users, soon organisations will be able to partner with Mukuru to make use of its local capabilities and global footprint to facilitate payments, such as distributing money to farmers, supporting payroll for small businesses and securing traceable aid distributions. Various organisations such as Cottco and the United Nations, through the World Food Programme, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) already partner with Mukuru.
Kevin Nyakotyo, Mukuru's Enterprise Sales Manager for Zimbabwe and Zambia, added, “Our success in the end-user sector has enabled us to set in motion plans to enter the business sector. Whether it is for tobacco or cotton, payments made to farmers are often large sums of money. The Mukuru Wallet will make receiving these large sums of money far safer because beneficiaries won't need to draw all their cash at the same time.
“We have a mandate to educate the market based on trends we see, and with this wallet, we are reaching out to both organisations and individuals and giving them peace of mind to know their funds will be safe and can be collected at any time. They can draw an amount that suits them with full confidence the cash will be available wherever they are, whenever they need it,” says Nyakotyo.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mukuru.
Notes to Editor:
Mukuru is a leading next generation financial services platform in Southern Africa that offers affordable and reliable financial services to a customer base of over 17 million+ across Africa, Asia and Europe.
With over 100 million transactions to date, our core was built providing international money transfers and from this base, we've developed a set of services to address the broader financial needs of our customers. We now operate in over 60 countries and across over 500 remittance corridors.
We are a business that puts the customer at the centre of everything we do, and for that reason, we serve clients across physical and digital channels, by various payment methods (cash, card, wallet) as well as a range of engagement platforms including WhatsApp, USSD, contact centre, App, website, agents and a branch and booth network.
Mukuru has, for the fifth consecutive year, been listed as one of the top 100 Cross Border Payments businesses in the world in the 2024 FXC Intelligence Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies (https://apo-opa.co/3PCjAkY), one of only six African companies to receive this accolade.
In 2023, Mukuru officially ranked sixth on the LinkedIn Top Companies List in South Africa.
Mukuru was celebrated for innovation and excellence at the 2023 Africa Tech Festival Awards, receiving the Fintech Innovation of the Year Award - an acknowledgment of the transformative power of financial technology in driving economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital transformation. Visit www.Mukuru.com to learn more.
Media Enquiries:
Ammaarah Kootbodien
ammaarah@duomarketing.co.za
(+27) 071 529 6449
Kgomotso Hlakudi
kgomotso.hlakudi@mukuru.com
(+27) 073 333 1672
Mthokozisi Dube
mtho.dube@lalataucomms.co.za
(+27) 81 790 2070
A Booming Continent Needs a New Payment Infrastructure
Africa is an exciting, vibrant and creative place to do business. But make no mistake, it has its challenges. Currency devaluation, political instability, and service disruptions are endemic. Africa is not for sissies, as the saying goes.
In navigating those challenges, relationships matter. It's not so much about throwing money at a problem, it's about investing time, building trust, meeting with partners and regulators, and understanding each other's needs.
Africa offers an enormous upside for those prepared to make this time investment. The continent's population is set to reach 2.5 billion (http://apo-opa.co/3W7Kp4w) by 2050, and Africa's people are embracing digital technology, as the World Bank (http://apo-opa.co/3Waln4F) confirms. They are leveraging digital connectivity to improve their lives, educate themselves, send remittances, and start small enterprises. There is value in investing in that level of human development.
The payments opportunity
Running through this African growth trajectory is a particular business thread: payments (http://apo-opa.co/3WawLxk). There are opportunities for anyone who can simplify, rationalise and standardise payments for the continent's dynamic financial economy.
An organisation in just such a position is MultiChoice (www.Multichoice.com/), the leading pan-African video entertainment provider for almost 40 years. In building a pay-TV network across the continent, with up to 23.5 million (http://apo-opa.co/3WawOJw) customers across 50+ markets, and 100 million+ monthly viewers, MultiChoice also built relationships across the continent to collect payments, for DStv, GOtv, and Showmax – potentially the only large enterprise to need such enormous breadth.
The Group has converted the opportunity that this represents, partnering with global venture-capital firm General Catalyst and payments company Rapyd to launch Moment (http://apo-opa.co/4ad1H5N), which aims to be the broadest, deepest payment network across Africa.
Launching with Showmax and DStv as initial clients, Moment started processing payments for parts of the group in January 2024. By November 2024 MultiChoice was already collecting around 35% of its revenue through Moment rails, and those numbers are rising quickly. Services to other enterprises were rolled out in August.
Moment already collects and disburses across 44 African countries, accepting 200+ local payment methods – spanning in-person payments at over 1 million store and agent locations, mobile money, credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and digital wallets.
Enabling consumers and businesses to move from cash to digital, Moment and its network offers users access to better financial opportunities, lower prices, higher quality goods and services, and full access to the digitally enabled economy.
Expanding the ecosystem
To access the initial target market of large enterprises that will benefit from the reach, breadth, and high performance needed by MultiChoice, Moment has built out a fully cloud-native infrastructure. The platform can deliver on the high daily and weekly loads needed for one of the largest billing bases on the continent, and also smoothly deal with the potential for network outages, power cuts, and other disruptions.
In order to ensure businesses have access to the daily cash flow they need, Moment has built a robust financial reconciliation and settlement system capable of automating and simplifying the daily reconciliation process for enterprises and enabling them to spend tight staffing budgets efficiently, while getting fast, accurate financial reporting and access to their receivables.
To help these enterprise customers expand their customer bases, Moment opens up the largest mass-market suite of payment channels through its network, enabling businesses to fully tap into the mass market's buying power for the first time with a single API connection – providing access to more than a million in-person payment locations across spaza shops, modern retail locations, and a host of online payment options tuned to the needs of each local market.
To ensure that Moment's clients and the market are ready for the future, Moment is building a “coalition” around real-time payments, to educate consumers on the benefits of PayShap and other real-time payment methods that can significantly reduce cost and increase payment speed. DStv and Moment launched PayShap payments in South Africa as the first “consumer to business” real-time payment option built on South Africa's RPP payments system. Moment has developed partnerships with similar systems in the SADC countries and Nigeria to expand real-time payments as the market evolves.
Simplifying the process
One of the reasons MultiChoice first looked at the payments space was precisely because it is a complex environment, characterised by multiple service agreements, commission rates and exchange rates. It made sense to try to simplify the payments landscape, for everyone's benefit.
Africa is a challenging territory, but Africans are agile and innovative. Trends and new solutions emerge constantly. Any platform entering this space must recognise that there isn't one answer; there are many. By partnering with MultiChoice, Moment has built out technology with the flexibility to configure the right solution for each market.
The upsides of building for the challenging scale of MultiChoice as a launch client are significant – other enterprises Moment is working with have built unwieldy daily financial operations to manage their own complexity. Anecdotally, one merchant maintains a staff of 75 people doing reconciliations for their business – operations that can be automated and streamlined leveraging the Moment platform. Moment presents a vast opportunity in simplifying that process, automating it, while enabling customers to focus on their core business and customer relationships.
Africa is the largest single opportunity in the world. As our population booms over the next 20 years, many new business foundations will need to be laid across the continent – especially in the area of payments.
Payments are the lifeblood of Africa's economy. Enabling them efficiently and cost-effectively, across the continent, ensures Africa performs to its full potential. Through the partnership with MultiChoice, Moment is well positioned to be at the core of this transformation for decades to come.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group.
City of Cape Town calls on residents to make use of e-services this festive season
City of Cape Town calls on residents to make use of e-services this festive season
The City of Cape Town has urged residents to make use of convenient online booking options to pay their municipal accounts and renew their licence discs to save time and get ahead of the queue this busy December.
In a statement on Friday, the city said that its Customer Interaction Centres are usually busier over the festive period as many residents choose this period to pay their municipal accounts, renew licence discs and attend to other urgent business.
The city reminded residents that the upcoming public holidays will impact operating hours, with some of the City’s Customer Interaction Centres, closed during this time.
“As we approach the busier customer office days this December, we remind residents to use our e-Services options and to make an online booking when visiting a Customer Office in person.
“Municipal customer offices, including payment, account enquiries, motor vehicle licensing offices, driving licence testing centres, municipal courts and Human Settlements offices will be closed on several days this festive period.
“Residents are encouraged to check the City's website or to phone before visiting their nearest office,” the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi said.
Mbandezi added that residents can also settle their municipal accounts using one of the convenient online options during this period for an accurate, efficient and secure payment process.
Customer offices and municipal courts will be closed on these days:
• Tuesday, 24 December 2024 (closes at 12:30 pm)
• Wednesday, 25 December 2024
• Thursday, 26 December 2024
• Tuesday, 31 December 2024 (closes at 12:30 pm)
• Wednesday, 1 January 2025
Residents were further urged to note that the Revenue Department’s payment, account enquiries and motor vehicle registration and licensing offices situated at Liberty Promenade Mall, Table Bay Mall and Lansdowne Corner Mall will also be closed on the above dates but will be operational on the weekends.
“Remember you can pay your municipal accounts (excluding motor vehicle licences) at any Shoprite, Checkers, USave, Pick n Pay, PEP, Ackermans, Lewis, Top It Up, Woolworths and Spar shops, online at www.easypay.co.za or www.powertime.co.za as well as via your internet banking facility: select the City of Cape Town as a bank-listed beneficiary on your bank’s website and use only your nine-digit municipal account number as reference,” Mbandezi reminded residents.
Payment for the renewal of motor vehicle licences may be made online at www.capetown.gov.za/vehiclelicensing. Payment of pre-due date traffic fines may be made at selected Spar shops or online at www.paythat.co.za.
For payment arrangements residents can email payment.arrangements@capetown.gov.za, for indigent applications they can email indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za.
For more information on QR code payments, residents are urged to check the user’s guide here: https://bit.ly/3MhZXgT - SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 11:19
155 views
Have your say on anti-money laundering draft bill
Have your say on anti-money laundering draft bill
The National Treasury has published two key Acts aimed to strengthen South Africa’s system of Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system.
The draft General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Bill, 2024, was published in the Government Gazette No. 51772 Notice 5683, on 13 December 2024, for public comment.
“The draft Amendment Bill aims to demonstrate South Africa’s commitment to strengthening its Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system, by addressing the remaining deficiencies identified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) mutual evaluation in 2021 and during the remedial process to exit the FATF greylist, and to better prepare South Africa for the next mutual evaluation to be conducted in 2026/27,” National Treasury said on Tuesday.
The draft Amendment Bill was developed together with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Department of Social Development, and Financial Intelligence Centre.
It proposes amendments to four pieces of legislation that fall under the administrative responsibilities of different Ministers, including:
- The Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001: Minister of Finance;
- The Financial Sector Regulation Act, 2017: Minister of Finance;
- The Companies Act, 2008: Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition; and
- The Nonprofit Organisations Act, 1997: Minister of Social Development.
The sections of the above laws that would be amended in the draft Amendment Bill, if enacted, include the following:
- Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Act to deal with minor deficiencies relating to targeted financial sanctions in sections 26A, 26B, 28A and 51A;
- Section 42 of the FIC Act to address minor deficiencies identified with respect to new technologies;
- Section 46 of the FIC Act to address a deficiency relating to customer due diligence measures for anonymous clients;
- Section 30 of the Nonprofit Organisations Act to specify the maximum amount of the fine and years of imprisonment in respect of an offence in terms of the Act;
- Sections 82 and 175 of the Companies Act, 2008 to address deficiencies related to the application of remedial actions and/or dissuasive and proportionate sanctions for non-compliance with beneficial ownership obligations;
- Sections 2, 3, 58, 106, 108, 111, 131 and 135 of the Financial Sector Regulation Act to close gaps in the protection of financial sector customers, and licensing and regulations for market conduct and anti-money laundering, and to strengthen licensing and enforcement powers; and
- Other technical amendments related to strengthening the country's anti-money laundering and anti-corruption laws.
“Upon the receipt of written comments, the National Treasury, in collaboration with the Department of Social Development and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition will engage with stakeholders on selected issues.
“This engagement will occur through public workshops designed to facilitate discussions regarding the written comments on the draft Amendment Bill, prior to its submission to Cabinet. Subsequently, the updated draft Amendment Bill will be presented to Cabinet for consideration and eventually, for tabling in Parliament,” National Treasury explained.
Interested parties are invited to submit their written comments to the National Treasury at Commentdraftlegislation@treasury.gov.za by close of business on 6 February 2025.
The General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Bill, 2024 is accessible on the National Treasury website www.treasury.gov.za - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Thu, 12/19/2024 - 11:48
242 views
Presidency clarifies simplified visa process for Nigerian nationals
Presidency clarifies simplified visa process for Nigerian nationals
The Presidency has addressed a misunderstanding regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s remarks at the SA-Nigeria Bi-National Commission on Tuesday, clarifying changes to the visa application process for Nigerian nationals.
South Africa has implemented modernised and streamlined visa application procedures as part of ongoing visa reforms to enhance economic activity, boost tourism and protect national security. These reforms aim to improve efficiency and convenience, without compromising the integrity of the visa system.
According to the Presidency, South African missions in Nigeria have introduced measures that simplify the process for prospective travellers. This forms part of the work underway to modernise and streamline visa application processes worldwide.
Applicants are no longer required to submit their physical passports at the time of application. Instead, they only need to provide certified copies of their passport biopage for initial processing. However, applicants must present their physical passports during the application process for verification and confirmation.
“Prospective travellers can apply for their visas without submitting their passports, along with their applications. At the time of application, they are only required to submit certified copies of the biopage of their passports, and their actual passports should also be availed during the application process for verification and confirmation.
“Once a visa has been approved, they are required to submit their passports for the process to be completed and for the visa to be affixed in the passport,” The Presidency explained.
The Presidency further explained that these changes have improved the customer experience, while ensuring the security and integrity of the overall visa application process. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 12/04/2024 - 11:32
90 views
From Caps to Needles: Durban’s Whoonga Drug Culture Is Changing
People who use heroin in Durban are increasingly switching from smoking to injecting, causing public health concerns
How Mukuru Is Reshaping Aid Disbursements, Payroll and Bulk Commercial Payments in Malawi and Zimbabwe
Mukuru (www.Mukuru.com) is a leading next-generation financial services platform that offers affordable and reliable financial services to a customer base of over 16-million people across Africa, Asia and Europe. The company, dedicated to continuously building a strong, reliable and resilient financial payments infrastructure to allow its customers to access new physical and digital services that add value, is also transforming the landscape of commercial and aid payments through its Enterprise Payments Platform (EPP).
EPP is a secure, efficient, safe and cost-effective solution for collections and bulk payments and is built off the successful use case of Mukuru's widely known remittance services.
This case study explores how Mukuru's EPP is addressing the challenges associated with aid disbursements, payroll, and commercial transactions in underserved communities, including limited financial infrastructure, high transaction costs and issues regarding security, speed and regulations.
It examines how EPP is revolutionising bulk payments in these critical sectors, with a focus on Malawi and Zimbabwe, by tackling the difficulties businesses and aid organisations encounter when serving remote areas.
The challenge
Tererai Mare, Enterprise Market Development Manager at Mukuru, explains that before EPP, businesses and nonprofits had to rely on traditional methods such as mobile money and banks to facilitate bulk payments. “These methods presented limitations — high transaction and encashment fees, delays, and limited reach in rural areas,” Mare says. “These issues hindered the efficient distribution of aid and management of payroll, especially in vulnerable communities.”
Aid organisations faced significant hurdles in making bulk payments, while remote communities had limited access to affordable and convenient financial services. This created delays in aid reaching those in need and added financial pressure on businesses.
The solution
EPP was built on Mukuru's extensive person-to-person physical and digital payment infrastructure across Africa. The platform, known for its reach and liquidity, has many benefits, explains Mare.
These include:
- Instant payouts: Funds reach beneficiaries instantly through cash collection points or digital wallets.
- Traceability: The platform offers full transaction tracking, which enhances transparency. This is vital for aid agencies for financial reporting to secure ongoing funding.
- Competitive fees: Lower costs benefit both businesses and nonprofits.
- Extensive network: Mukuru's branches, booths and mobile disbursement teams, alongside a rich network of partner locations, provide exceptional reach across southern and eastern Africa.
- Security: The best technology and processes ensure secure transactions.
- Flexibility: EPP caters to aid, commercial, and social grant distribution needs.
Aid Agency Applications:
Malawi
Chiyembekezo Ken Ndala, Enterprise Sales Manager for Malawi at Mukuru, shares that the company partnered with CADECOM National Office for emergency flood relief in the aftermath of a recent cyclone. “CADECOM used the Mukuru platform to reach 4,520 households across several underserved areas.,” Ndala says. The timely distribution of funds allowed families to recover quickly and have their basic needs met.
Mukuru also partners with Yamba Malawi, which provides monthly stipends to teenage mothers. “Yamba Malawi supports teen mothers, each receiving $20 per month for 12 months, with an additional $100 as seed capital after six months. This funding helps them care for their children and start small businesses to break the cycle of poverty,” Ndala explains. As an ongoing project, Mukuru has disbursed over $100,000 (MK183,600,000) to these beneficiaries.
Zimbabwe
Michael Scott, Group Head of Commercial at Mukuru, says that Mukuru has built extensive partnerships with United Nations agencies, including UNICEF, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
“Mukuru was awarded a contract by WFP to distribute monthly cash grants to refugees at the Tongogara Refugee Camp. The EPP platform enables efficient delivery and end-to-end traceability of essential emergency funds to this vulnerable community” Scott explains.
Scott explains that Mukuru has been awarded prestigious Long-Term Agreements by both UNICEF and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), underscoring its capability and reliability in delivering essential financial services across Africa. Under these agreements, Mukuru has facilitated payments to beneficiaries under emergency social cash transfer programming in Zimbabwe, alongside the provision of payroll services and payments to vendors and workshop participants.
International NGOs, like Action Contre la Faim, have partnered with Mukuru to deliver cash transfers to remote households via Mukuru's mobile disbursement service. Mukuru's mobile teams schedule trips to these hard-to-reach areas and provide regular access to financial services, supporting a base level of financial inclusion and social upliftment otherwise not possible.
Payroll and Commercial Applications:
Mare explains that Mukuru also serves the varying needs of businesses needing to make payments to their employees, customers or smaller suppliers, who may not have bank accounts. “Many workers earn low salaries, making bank accounts unaffordable due to high transaction and maintenance fees. The EPP platform helps these workers receive payments efficiently, without encashment or ongoing account fee, addressing a major financial inclusion gap.”
On the commercial side, Mukuru partners with the likes of Cottco and Premier Tobacco Auction Floors, heavyweights in Zimbabwe's cotton and tobacco industries, to facilitate payments to small-scale farmers. “These farmers often don't have bank accounts and come from far and wide to sell or auction their goods. Mukuru's EPP ensures they receive payments securely and swiftly. A Mukuru cash voucher is as trusted as the USD cash for which it can be exchanged, but safer to travel with on long journeys to and from the auction floors,” Mare adds.
Conclusion
Mukuru's EPP platform has redefined bulk payments and aid distribution for organisations struggling with traditional methods. Whether payroll or commercial settlement for businesses, or emergency aid for vulnerable communities, Mukuru offers efficiency, transparency, and security.
With its vast network and proven ability to reach even the most remote areas, Mukuru continues to drive financial inclusion while streamlining bulk payments, reducing transaction costs, improving traceability and accountability, and minimising delays — critical when delivering aid.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mukuru.
Notes to Editor:
Mukuru is a leading next generation financial services platform in Southern Africa that offers affordable and reliable financial services to a customer base of over 16 million across Africa, Asia and Europe.
With over 100 million transactions to date, our core was built providing international money transfers and from this base, we've developed a set of services to address the broader financial needs of our customers. We now operate in over 60 countries and across over 500 remittance corridors.
We are a business that puts the customer at the centre of everything we do, and for that reason, we serve clients across physical and digital channels, by various payment methods (cash, card, wallet) as well as a range of engagement platforms including WhatsApp, USSD, contact centre, App, website, agents and a branch and booth network.
Mukuru has, for the fifth consecutive year, been listed as one of the top 100 Cross Border Payments businesses in the world in the 2024 FXC Intelligence Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies (https://apo-opa.co/41825jC), one of only six African companies to receive this accolade.
In 2023, Mukuru officially ranked sixth on the LinkedIn Top Companies List in South Africa.
Mukuru was celebrated for innovation and excellence at the 2023 Africa Tech Festival Awards, receiving the Fintech Innovation of the Year Award - an acknowledgment of the transformative power of financial technology in driving economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital transformation.
In 2024, Mukuru won the IAMTN Payments Network Customers Experience Excellence Award for setting a high bar in exceptional customer satisfaction in cross-border payment services. Additionally, Mukuru was officially accredited as a 2024 Top Employer in South Africa by the Top Employers Institute.
Further information can be found at https://www.Mukuru.com.
Media Enquiries:
Ammaarah Kootbodien:
ammaarah@duomarketing.co.za
(+27) 71 529 6449
Kgomotso Hlakudi:
kgomotso.hlakudi@mukuru.com
(+27) 73 333 1672
Mthokozisi Dube:
mthokodube09@gmail.com