Southern Africa
MTN South Africa Launches New Voice and Data Deals
Sourced from TheTechieGuy (https://thetechieguy.com/) MTN South Africa has officially launched new voice and data Combo Bundles that include monthly, weekly and daily options. Here’s a closer look at the deals: Monthly bundles range from 500MB + 30min for R49 (comprising 200MB Anytime, 200MB Night, 100MB Video and 30 all-Net minutes) to 90GB + 800min for only R999 (comprising 30GB Anytime, 30GB Night, 30GB Video and 800 all-Net minutes). Weekly bundles range from 450MB + 30min for R25 (including 150MB Anytime, 150MB Night, 150MB Video and 15 all-Net minutes) to 15GB + 300min for only R229 (including 5GB Anytime, 5GB Night, 5GB Video, and 300 all-Net minutes). Daily bundles range from 100MB + 8min for only R10 (comprising 50MB Anytime, 50MB Night and 8 all-Net minutes) to 3GB + 5...
Lenovo Introduces ThinkPad X1 Fold to South Africa
Lenovo has launched the ThinkPad X1 Fold PC in South Africa. This device shifts from a compact and foldable form into a crisp 13.3-inch OLED display – weighing in at less than 1 kilogram. Co-engineered with Intel, the X1 Fold features Always Connected PC, powered by Intel Core Processors with Intel Hybrid Technology. Users requiring additional speed and connectivity can also opt for a 5G-enabled version of the device. For ease-of-use, the ThinkPad X1 Fold comes with unique mode-switching software, designed specifically for Windows 10. This technology enables the PC to seamlessly adapt to multiple use cases, depending on user preferences and their surrounding environment. As an ultra-versatile device, the ThinkPad X1 Fold enables users to leverage two independent displays to optimize e...
How COVID-19 is Shaping Financial Inclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic had forced companies and individuals to rapidly adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to remedy the unprecedented socioeconomic challenges faced by consumers. A key facet of 4IR is a shift towards digitisation, and the vulnerable communities across the globe find themselves trailing even further behind in their endeavour for financial equity as a result. Migrants and foreign nationals trapped in the cash economy, who utilise analog means of transacting funds, are the hardest hit as lack of access to cash means that they are rendered unable to support their families both locally and abroad to make ends meet. The festive season in particular is a capital intensive time for consumers. To provide for their families, many find themselves using informal meth...
Facebook Launches JoziPlug – a Community City Guide
Facebook has officially launched JoziPlug – its first Community City Guide on the African continent. The Johannesburg edition of the initiative has been compiled and co-created by local Facebook Groups featuring unique and inspiring content about the city. The JoziPlug is aimed at showcasing Johannesburg’s “hidden attractions to visitors and members of the local community whilst supporting small businesses with their economic recovery” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020, more than 1.5 million people became new members of a group related to the city of Johannesburg. The guide compiles “the best tips and recommendations to some of the city’s local attractions, known and unknown through the eyes of these locals”. Themed around exploring hidden attractions and ‘plugging’ pe...
Discovery Introduces Prepaid Healthcare Service
Image sourced from EWN Discovery is launching a prepaid health platform – available online or through WhatsApp. The service will allow users to buy vouchers towards high-quality, primary healthcare services in the private healthcare sector, at “highly competitive rates”. The first offering within the Discovery Prepaid Health range of private primary healthcare products is the R300 GP doctor consultation voucher, including the medicines dispensed by the doctor after the consultation. This voucher can be redeemed at any dispensing GP within the Discovery Prepaid Health network. “We are very excited about this platform. Discovery Prepaid Health broadens access to high-quality treatment and medicine for all people in South Africa,” explains CEO of Discovery Health, Dr Ryan Noach. “Our vision i...
MTN South Africa Launches 5G-Enabled iPhone 12
Sourced from TheTechieGuy (https://thetechieguy.com/) MTN will be launching the 5G-enabled version of the Apple iPhone 12 in South Africa – making it the only network authorised to enable 5G on the new iPhone 12, from December 2020, into early 2021. “MTN is honoured to be the only mobile network in SA enabled to support 5G on the Apple iPhone 12”, says Giovanni Chiarelli, Chief Technology & Information Officer at MTN South Africa. “We are also proud to announce the deployment of 5G at selected MTN stores in our 5G-enabled coverage areas.” MTN’s 5G strategy has been years in the making and the Apple tests confirm that MTN’s approach of building a strong foundation to grow and support its 5G ecosystem has been time well-spent. “We are now seeing the results o...
South Africans can Pay for Apple Services with Telkom
Telkom has revealed that its customers will now be able to pay for Apple content and services – like App Store apps, Apple Music, Apple TV+, movies on the Apple TV app, Apple Arcade, and iCloud storage – via carrier billing, directly from their mobile phone account. The service will be available to all Telkom customers in South Africa for postpaid and prepaid mobile plans. Using the service is simple. Telkom customers use a new or existing Apple ID and select “Mobile Phone” as their payment method in account settings on the App Store, in iCloud or within the Apple Music or Apple TV apps from their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or on iTunes from their PC. The new payment option will be configured automatically and immediately allows for one-tap purchasing from any Apple product. Telkom Sout...
Vodacom South Africa Announces Apple iPhone 12 Launch Date
Vodacom South Africa has confirmed that the Apple iPhone 12 range will be available on 18 December 2020. The telo also revealed that it will accept pre-orders from the 11th. “With a beautiful all-new design, iPhone 12 family models feature unparalleled new camera systems, edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR displays for a more immersive viewing experience, the biggest jump in durability with the Ceramic Shield front cover, and Apple-designed A14 Bionic chip, the fastest chip in a smartphone,” reads a statement from Vodacom. The full range of Apple devices includes: /* custom css */ .tdi_3_c56.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_c56.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } iPhone 12 iPhone 12 Mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max Apple iPhone 12 At first glance, the iPhone 12 looks remarkably s...
5 Things South Africans should know about Huawei Pay
Huawei, in partnership with Zapper, has officially launched its new mobile payment service – Huawei Pay – in South Africa. “We are proud to launch Huawei Pay in South Africa,” says Likun Zhao, VP at Huawei Consumer Business Group for Southern Africa. Huawei Pay users will be able to add their bank cards to the app and then pay in stores simply by scanning the Zapper QR Payment Code on the bill when they check out. “All local debit and credit cards from all local banks are supported. It’s a simple and convenient payment solution that we know will make the lives of South African consumers easier.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_6c4.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_6c4.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Here are five things you need to know about this new digital wallet from Huawei: When...
Telkom South Africa Introduces Digital Wallet
Telkom has officially launched a mobile payment solution called Telkom Pay Digital Wallet (or Telkom Pay). The platform is expected to allow users to pay others and get paid themselves using their mobile phone through the WhatsApp messaging app; to anyone on their contacts list. It also serves as a cashless Point of Sale (POS) payment option for businesses. “We are launching financial services solutions that cater to everyone and that are easy to access through one’s phone 24/7 at an affordable price for consumers and businesses. Our device insurance has been in the market for a number of years,” says Sibusiso Ngwenya, Managing Executive for Telkom Financial Services. “This year we have successfully launched funeral cover and our foray into payments further deepens our strategic intent to ...
PayFast Records Single R299 950 Purchase on Black Friday
The number of new shoppers introduced to eCommerce over lockdown boosted Black Friday weekend total online transaction volumes by 50%, compared to 2019. This is according to data released by online payment gateway PayFast. The company processed a 283% increase in total payment volumes on Black Friday alone compared to a normal busy day such as payday. “This year’s Black Friday spend surpassed the volumes we’ve seen in previous years. The rapid adoption of eCommerce over the course of 2020 has meant that we’ve seen more people shopping online, especially amid fears of a COVID-19 resurgence,” says Jonathan Smit, Founder of PayFast. The highest transaction for the day was R299 950 and online shoppers spent more per basket at R1 243, compared to the 2020 average basket value of R803. “Alongsid...
Huawei Partners with Zapper to Introduce Huawei Pay
Huawei has joined forces with Zapper to introduce Huawei Pay – its new mobile payment service. “We are proud to launch Huawei Pay in South Africa in partnership with Zapper,” says Likun Zhao, VP at Huawei Consumer Business Group for Southern Africa. Huawei Pay users will be able to add their bank cards to the app and then pay in stores simply by scanning the Zapper QR Payment Code on the bill when they check out. “All local debit and credit cards from all local banks are supported. It’s a simple and convenient payment solution that we know will make the lives of South African consumers easier.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_c54.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_c54.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Brett White, CEO of Zapper, adds, “Huawei is a favourite among a large portion of smar...
