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AI has advanced at breakneck speed in the last few years, with most knowledge workers using the technology to enhance their work in some shape or form. Most of this computing has been happening in the cloud. However, the advent of the neural processing unit, or NPU, has made it possible to move AI computation to the edge, which not only improves speeds but also protects personal and company data. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, we were on location at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton where HP recently hosted its 2025 Future of Work event. The event brings together industry leaders, decision-makers and innovators and explores the evolving landscape of work in the age of artificial intelligence. Ertug Ayik, vice president and MD for Middle East and Africa at HP, connects the dots between the company’s new AI-infused product line and broader concepts shaping the way in which work is being done. Ayik delves into: • HP’s shift from a product focused company to a solutions and services outfit; • Why on-device AI processing capability has become a priority for HP; • The advantages on-device AI have for performance, security and power efficiency; • HP’s strategy for South Africa and the African continent; • Key initiatives HP is driving across Africa; and • What to expect from HP in the coming years. Don’t miss the conversation! TechCentral

Paratus Group executive chairman Barney Harmse joins the TechCentral Show to share the story of the telecommunications group’s rise from small beginnings in Angola and Namibia more than 20 years ago and how it became one of Southern Africa’s biggest ICT infrastructure players. Paratus started life in Angola in 2003, evolving from a local internet service provider into a pan‑African telecoms powerhouse. Co-founded by Harmse with Schalk Erasmus, Rolf Mendelsohn, Martin Boese and Miles October, it grew rapidly and now has infrastructure across the region, including in Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, the DRC and Namibia. This week, it officially launched the first privately owned mobile network operator in Namibia, which will compete directly with the state-owned incumbents. Today the business works closely with the likes of Starlink, Google and Meta Platforms and plays a significant role in long-distance, metropolitan and access networks across the region. It also helped landed Google’s Equiano cable on the Namibian coast. In this lively interview with TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod, Harmse unpacks the Paratus story, touching on: • What building telecoms infrastructure across the vast reaches of Southern Africa has entailed, including memorable moments along the way; • The company’s financial backers, and its capital-raising plans – including a possible future listing in New York; • Why it built a network of long-distance fibre across Southern Africa; • Paratus’s relationship with Elon Musk’s Starlink, and why it’s a key role player in the launch of the low-Earth orbit satellite provider’s offering across the region; • The launch of the mobile network in Namibia and why it’s a significant development in the Paratus story; and • The opportunities still ahead for Paratus Group. Don’t miss a great interview! TechCentral

Maziv, the company that owns Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa, plans to spend R12-billion over the next five years as its ramps its deployment of fibre infrastructure across South Africa. Poised for a big injection of cash and assets from Vodacom, which is buying a 30% co-controlling stake in the business, it has unveiled big plans to deploy fibre in townships and other underserved parts of the country. In this exclusive podcast interview, CEO Dietlof Mare unpacks Maziv’s ambitious plans with the TechCentral Show, telling TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about: • The painful three-and-a-half years it took to get the deal over the line with the competition authorities and how these delays undermined investment in new fibre builds in South Africa; • Why regulators need to reflect on the time it took to conclude the transaction, and why they need to be quicker in adjudicating M&A activity to grow the economy; • How the merging parties eventually secured the approval of the Competition Commission, which had initially recommended that the transaction be blocked on competition grounds; • Vumatel’s deployment plans – where it’s going to focus next with its new fibre builds and why; • The economics of rolling out fibre into townships and into low-income communities, a key focus for the business over the next five years; • What the conclusion of the deal means for the sector, including the potential for further consolidation of fibre network operators; • The policy and regulatory changes Maziv would like to see to help it speed up the deployment of fibre in South Africa; and • How the Maziv business is expected to change in the coming years. Don’t miss a great discussion about the future of broadband internet infrastructure in South Africa! TechCentral

What does it really take to defend a business in an era of AI-driven attacks? In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ ,Clare Loveridge, vice president and GM for Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea), and Johnny Ellis, senior director of Emea channel sales, both at Arctic Wolf, go beyond the buzzwords to confront the uncomfortable truth: despite billions spent on security tools, cyber losses are still mounting. Arctic Wolf’s answer is a different model, one that combines its artificial intelligence-powered Aurora Platform with human expertise in a concierge delivery approach. It’s a strategy that tackles the industry’s “effectiveness gap” head-on by integrating people, processes and platforms to deliver outcomes, not just alerts. The conversation is blunt about the shifting threat landscape: AI has overtaken ransomware as the top emerging risk, and no single tool can fix it. What organisations need is visibility at every layer – from endpoints and cloud to people. Equally compelling is Arctic Wolf’s commitment to channel-first partnerships in South Africa, ensuring trusted local expertise underpins global innovation. From the acquisition of Cylance Endpoint to the launch of Incident Response 360, the company is pushing to redefine what operationalised security means. But the biggest takeaway is simple: cyberattacks are no longer an “if” but a “when” – and every organisation needs a plan. Watch or listen to the full discussion to explore why Arctic Wolf believes security must move beyond tools to become a living, breathing business function – and how leaders can finally start sleeping better at night. TechCentral

Nedbank announced last week that it was acquiring Durban-based fintech iKhokha in a R1.65-billion deal that could signal the start of further consolidation in the payments industry in South Africa. Nedbank described the deal as a “significant milestone” in its strategy to target small and medium enterprises. iKhokha co-founder and CEO Matt Putman is TechCentral’s guest in this episode of the TechCentral Show. He unpacks the deal with TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod, explaining how it came about and what it means for the company’s further growth. Founded in Durban in 2012, iKhokha provides mobile point-of-sale solutions to SMEs. Its products include card machines and a mobile app that allows merchants to accept card payments, with added business management tools. It was founded by Putman, Ramsay Daly and Putman’s father Clive. Putman tells the TechCentral Show about: • How the deal with Nedbank happened; • The origins of iKhokha and its growth over the past 13 years, leading to the sale to Nedbank – a deal that is still subject to regulatory approval; • How iKhokha will work with Nedbank (it will remain an independent brand within the banking group), including a possible expansion into new markets in Africa; and • The exit of iKhokha’s backers, including Crossfin Technology Holdings, Apis Partners and the International Finance Corporation. Don’t miss a great discussion! TechCentral

Fintechs choose cloud technologies in the hopes that the efficiency and scalability of cloud computing will give them a competitive advantage. But cloud adoption is no silver bullet. If done incorrectly, a migration to the cloud can cause costs to balloon instead of decreasing them, leading to frustration and even lost revenue. Kinetic Skunk is an Amazon Web Services-certified partner offering cloud solutions with a specialisation in fintech start-ups. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Donovan Mulder, CEO at Kinetic Skunk, explains the ins and outs of cloud adoption for fintech companies. Mulder delves into: • The importance of timing when it comes to cloud adoption and when the best time is to plan for a migration into the cloud. • Common errors fintechs that have already migrated to the cloud make that can cause costs to balloon out of control. • Why developers are often not the right people to handle cloud infrastructure architecting and provisioning (hint: it’s a completely different skill set). • How gaps in cloud infrastructure architecture can lead to security holes. • The cost optimisation tools available in the AWS cloud environment. • How tools such as the AWS well-architected framework help fintech’s comply with regulations such as Popia and Fica. • Advice for South African fintechs before their next cloud bill arrives. Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral

Alan Knott-Craig’s new fibre internet business has been flying below the radar for some time now, but the serial telecommunications entrepreneur has finally unpacked his plans for the business. Speaking to the TechCentral Show this week, Knott-Craig – who has led a range of well-known tech businesses, including Mxit, World of Avatar, Project Isizwe and iBurst – talks about why he believes there’s money to be made in wiring up townships with fibre and how Fibertime (stylised as “fibertime”) hopes to reach millions of data-poor South Africans who, until now, have had to rely on expensive mobile data for connectivity. In the interview, with TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod, Knott-Craig also chats about: • What’s been involved in building Fibertime; • The Fibertime business model and the economics of township fibre; • The network’s footprint and where the company plans to build next (it is currently deploying infrastructure in Alexandra in Johannesburg); • Why fibre beats wireless for township internet services; • The difficulties of working in township settings, including the threat posed by crime; • Plans to list the business, possibly in 2027; and • The recently approved Vodacom/Maziv deal, and what that means for the telecoms sector. Don’t miss a fascinating interview! TechCentral

Although Shoprite Group stole a march on many of South Africa’s retailers in on-demand online grocery delivery during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Pick n Pay has a clear plan to make up lost ground and compete aggressively for market share. Enrico Ferigolli, who co-founded the liquor delivery app Bottles – which was later acquired by Pick n Pay to form the basis of its online shopping push with asap! – joins the TechCentral Show to unpack the journey Pick n Pay is on, and how the e-commerce market is likely to develop in the coming years. Ferigolli tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about: * Why and how technology has become fundamental to modern retail; * The launch of Bottles and what led to the Pick n Pay acquisition; * The dynamics of on-demand delivery and what it takes to be a successful player; * How Pick n Pay is working to convince people to try asap! for their grocery needs; * The role of AI (and AI agents) in future omnichannel retail environments; How online shopping is likely to change the way Pick n Pay designs its physical stores; * Pick n Pay’s relationship with Takealot Group, and where that alliance is headed; * Pick n Pay’s plans to expand into townships and other underserved markets with on-demand deliveries; and * The threat posed by international e-commerce companies that don’t have a presence in South Africa but which ship goods to local consumers. It’s a great interview about the future of e-commerce in South Africa – be sure not to miss it! TechCentral

In this episode of TCS+, Adil El Youssefi, newly appointed CEO of the colocation business at Cassava Technologies and CEO of Africa Data Centres, chats about the challenges and opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa. El Youssefi delves into: • His background prior to being appointed into the role and how it has influenced his career as a technologist; • His personal connection to the African continent and why growing its digital economy excites him; • The data traffic boom taking place in Africa and the drivers behind it; • The industries fuelling the demand for data centre capacity on the continent; • The infrastructural challenges dampening data centre growth and the different ways they are being surmounted; and • What the future of data centres looks like in sub-Saharan Africa; Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral

The Dongfeng Box electric city runabout has landed in South Africa, and Watts & Wheels has taken the vehicle – one of the cheapest electric cars currently on sale in the country – for a test drive. One of China’s biggest and oldest motoring manufacturers, the state-owned Dongfeng Motor Corporation has identified South Africa as a key export market and, through E Auto Motor, has launched the brand in South Africa – starting with the Dongfeng Box, whose pricing begins at R460 000. Watts & Wheels hosts William Kelly and Duncan McLeod take the Box for a drive around Johannesburg and share their thoughts on this intriguing and relatively low-cost hatchback designed for urban and city driving. Also in this final episode of the three-part pilot season of Watts & Wheel, William and Duncan get animated about: • The state of the EV charging infrastructure market in South Africa – and is it getting overtraded?; • A new report on EV sales in South Africa over the next five years; • Chery’s reporting plans to build a car plant in South Africa; • The challenges at Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s East London production plant, especially in the light of US President Donald Trump’s tariff wars; • Tesla’s challenge to the like of Waymo – a look at Elon Musk’s determination to win in autonomous ride-hailing services; • Xiaomi’s beautiful YU7 and how it’s going toe-to-toe with Tesla in China; • What’s happening at Porsche; and • Christian Horner’s exit at Red Bull Racing. Don’t miss this episode. TechCentral

Enviro Automotive has launched the Riddara RD6, South Africa’s first fully electric 4x4 bakkie – and Watts & Wheels has taken it for a test drive. In episode 2 of Watts & Wheels – the brand-new South Africa motoring show from TechCentral (subscribe on YouTube) – hosts William Kelly and Duncan McLeod throw the Riddara around some corners and chat with Enviro Automotive’s Francois Malan about why the company has introduced the Geely Auto-owned brand in South Africa. If you miss Ep 1 of Watts & Wheels, catch it here. Also in this week’s episode of Watts & Wheels: • Ford’s beastly new Ranger Raptor vs BYD’s Shark 6 sprint to the chequered flag (can you guess which one won?); • What to expect at SA Auto Week in Gqeberha in October amid immense pressure on the local motor manufacturing industry; • Why William thinks Ashok Leyland’s new “no-frills” EV truck could prove to be a big hit in South Africa; • Huawei’s new supercar, the Maextro S800, developed in collaboration with JAC Group, and why we’re excited about it; • Why Xiaomi’s new SU7 Ultra sportscar should have Porsche and even Rimac concerned; and • The flying cars are here (well, kind of). Subscribe to the channel on YouTube and never miss an episode! TechCentral

Folding phones are advancing at light speed. For consumers, the appeal is self-evident: on one hand, folding phones give them the option to have a larger, tablet-like interface that offers enhanced productivity and a better user experience. On the other hand, the fit-in-your-pocket design when folded maintains easy portability. Samsung pioneered the folding phone category in South Africa with the first-generation Galaxy Fold in 2019. The Z Fold series is now in its seventh generation, with the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 launched earlier this month. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Zahir Cajee, mobile experience lead for product and commercial services at Samsung South Africa, talks through the design elements and software features in the newest foldables. Cajee delves into: • What smartphone manufacturers like Samsung are trying to achieve with foldable phones; • The market segments Samsung’s Z Fold and Z Flip phones appeal to; • The latest features in the new Z Fold7 and Z Flip7; • The Z Fold7’s new 200-megapixel camera; • Samsung’s thinking behind the introduction of the lower-cost Samsung Flip7 FE; • The AI features in the new Galaxy Watch8; and • When the new devices are going to be available and how much they’ll cost. Don’t miss the discussion. TechCentral

When Nedbank realised early last year that its mammoth core banking overhaul and modernisation programme was going awry, it turned to Marijke Guest for help. Guest, CIO of Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) and payments and a veteran of the financial services group, tells TechCentral’s Meet the CIO about how the bank realised it was headed for trouble, and what it took to get the project back on track and delivered – all in little under a year. According to Nedbank, the project was thought to be 80% complete, but when it was reassessed in January 2024, it became clear that only around 20% of the actual scope had been delivered. “Designs were incomplete,” the bank said. “Engineering practices were out of date. Key components, such as the liability rates engine, product lifecycle workflows and real-time processing, were either broken or unbuilt. The programme was years behind its intended outcomes, and the bank’s reputation was at stake.” Guest, who has worked at Nedbank for the past 25 years, tells Meet the CIO’s Duncan McLeod about: • When and why Nedbank first decided it needed to modernise its core banking systems and what the project would entail; • What’s involved in an undertaking like this, and why there’s potential for things to go wrong that could lead to huge cost overruns – as has happened at other South African banks that have embarked on similar modernisation programmes; • What Nedbank’s core banking modernisation project aimed to achieve, and why it was at risk of being derailed; • What she did to get it back on track and motivate the IT teams involved; • What it took to get everyone to start pulling in the same direction and ensure the project was delivered on time with zero reputational impact to the bank; • How she coped with the immense pressure she and her teams were under from the board and top management to get the project done right, on time and within budget; • What Nedbank can do now that it couldn’t do before, and how that positions it next to its rivals – both the traditional banks and the new digital bank challengers that have emerged in recent years; and • What CIOs who are embarking on similarly complex IT projects can learn from Nedbank’s project – including the pitfalls they should watch out for, and what areas they should be careful not to neglect. Guest was ultimately awarded Nedbank’s Chief Executive Award for her leadership of the project. No one involved in IT management should miss this fascinating discussion! TechCentral

A recent management buyout of Britehouse from NTT Data – previously Dimension Data – has put the software development house on a new trajectory. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Duncan McLeod chats to Britehouse executive chairman Graham Parker about the MBO of Britehouse Mobility and what it means for the future of the business. Dimension Data acquired the 60% of Britehouse it didn’t already own in a 2015 transaction, buying out shareholders that included Remgro and Convergence Partners. The IT group had held a 40% stake since 2007 before buying out other shareholders eight years later. “Britehouse is embarking on a new era of innovation and independence following a management buyout transaction that effectively acquired the business from NTT Data,” a statement at the time said. “The acquisition from NTT Data marks a pivotal moment in Britehouse’s journey.” Following the deal, Britehouse Mobility will operate as a fully independent company. The Britehouse brand will cease to exist inside NTT Data, but the latter will retain the enterprise applications business, with specific focus on SAP and Microsoft, it said. “After several successful years of operating as part of the global NTT Data group, Britehouse is excited to return to its roots as an independent, South African-led business,” said Parker at the time. Parker tells the TechCentral Show about: • His history with Dimension Data and Britehouse; • The story of Britehouse; and • What the business looks like today, and management’s plans for growth. Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral

This is Watts & Wheels, a new motoring show hosted by motoring journalist (and “buzzhead” – or is that “electronhead”?) William Kelly and TechCentral editor (and wannabe EV owner) Duncan McLeod. With a focus on the shift to electric motoring, the pilot season of Watts & Wheels consists of three episodes. The focus of the show is the “lived EV experience”, with the aim of helping “dispel some of the misconceptions” about owning and driving an EV in South Africa. What else can you expect from Watts & Wheels? We’ll look at the latest EV models – from mild hybrids to plug-in hybrids and full battery-electric vehicles – making their way to South African shores. We’ll also test drive many of them for the show. We’ll also look at the business of motoring, and the challenges and opportunities facing the local industry amid the tectonic shifts that are remaking the global automotive sector, including the rapid rise of Chinese EV brands. Whether you’re pondering your first EV purchase, are keen to understand the nuances of local charging networks or are simply fascinated by the future of sustainable transport, let Watts & Wheels be your guide. In episode 1, William and Duncan dive into: • The different types of new energy vehicles available in South Africa, explaining terms like EV, BEV, HEV, PHEV and REEV. What do they all mean, and how are prospective buyers to choose between these technologies? • Should consumers really be worried about long-term battery health in EVs? Spoiler alert: no! In fact, the data now shows battery endurance in EVs has been vastly underestimated. • The power of VTOL, or vehicle-to-load, technology and how it can be used to power everything from a kettle to your house. • The electrification of bakkies, including a look at BYD’s exciting new Shark 6 PHEV (and whether it can beat the monstrous 3l Ford Raptor from a standing start to 100km/h); Nissan’s sexy Frontier PHEV (not confirmed for South Africa); and Ford’s new PHEV Ranger (made in Silverton in Pretoria). • The controversial Jaguar Type 00 – and why William thinks why the critics have it completely wrong. If you like what you see, please subscribe to Watts & Wheels on YouTube – and share the word with family and friends. It’s also available as an audio podcast in your favourite podcasting app. In episode 2, out next week, look out for an exclusive look at – and first media test drive of – South Africa’s first 4x4 fully electric bakkie. TechCentral

IT security breaches are on the rise in South Africa and worldwide, and with AI tools at their disposal, criminals are scaling up their attacks. With the risk of attack so high, organisations are forced to look beyond beefing up security – they must prepare for the unfortunate event where their systems are, in fact, breached. One way to do this is to learn from those organisations whose systems have been breached in the past. This episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, the third in a series of three with First Distribution on how to manage cyber crises – watch episodes 1 and 2 here – sees Microsoft portfolio manager at First Distribution Kejen Pillay back to share more insight on this topic. Pillay discusses various lessons from: - The TransUnion breach of March 2022, where 5.2 million records were compromised and a US$15-million ransom demanded; - The CIPC hack of February 2024 and the media furore that ensued; and - The National Health Laboratory Services breach of June 2024. Don’t miss this important discussion. TechCentral

In cybersecurity, prevention is always better than cure. However, organisations have to prepare for the worst-case scenario, one where their systems are breached by cybercriminals. This is the second in a series of three podcasts on how to manage cyber crises effectively when they happen. The first episode – watch it here – centred on defining what a cyber crisis is and the different ways cybercriminals exploit an organisation. In episode 2, Kejen Pillay, portfolio manager for Microsoft at First Distribution, discusses the strategies and tools organisations use to craft an effective crisis response plan. Pillay delves into: • The elements of an effective crisis response plan; • The Microsoft tools businesses can use to prepare for a cyber crisis; • Backups and other tools that aid in the speedy recovery of operations following a cyber crisis; • The importance of training non-IT staff on what to do in a cyber crisis; • How AI tools can help protect organisations; and • Advice for organisations wanting to begin crafting their cyber crisis response plan. Don’t miss the discussion. TechCentral

In today's hyperconnected society, a cybersecurity crisis isn’t just a technical glitch; it's a profound disruption that can bring businesses, governments and even entire countries to a halt. For organisations to protect themselves effectively, they must understand what cybercriminals are capable of, where the vulnerabilities in their own systems are and – most importantly – be prepared for the worst-case scenario where their systems are breached. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Kejen Pillay, Microsoft portfolio manager at First Distribution, discusses the anatomy of a cyber crisis and how businesses should prepare for it. Pillay delves into: • The difference between a cyberthreat and a cyber crisis; • How cybercriminals are using AI tools to develop increasingly sophisticated methods of attack; • How organisations can keep pace with the rapid changes in the threat landscape to keep their systems secure; • The difference between a crisis management plan and an incident response plan; • Some common errors businesses make when responding to a cyber crisis; and • What South Africa’s leading organisations are doing to prepare for a cyber crisis. This informative show is not to be missed. * TCS+ episodes are sponsored TechCentral

Data is like oxygen in the digital era, and people are using more of it. In 2025 alone, global mobile data usage is projected to reach 200 exabytes per month. That is 200 billion gigabytes of data consumed monthly by everything from high-definition video streaming to online gaming and IoT. This trend has implications for infrastructure – in the home, in business and even in shared outdoor spaces. For the people consuming the data, connecting with ease as they migrate between different environments is paramount; but so is the privacy and integrity of their personal data. In this episode of TCS+, Vox Wi-Fi product manager Craig Blignaut discusses the trends in data consumption, their drivers and how Wi-Fi technology is evolving to meet people’s needs. Blignaut delves into: • Why data has become the lifeblood of modern society; • How newer technologies like generative AI are shaping trends in data consumption; • The different ways people gain access to the internet; • How Wi-Fi has contributed to making the internet cheaper and more accessible; • How an enterprise’s Wi-Fi experience contributes to how visitors experience a company’s brand; and • The role is AI playing in enhancing network connectivity. Don’t miss an informative discussion. TechCentral

Samsung Electronics recently launched the latest line-up of its popular Galaxy A-series of midtier smartphones, with the A26, A36 and A56 replacing the older A25, A35 and A55 models. One of the most notable new features of the A-series is a curated artificial intelligence module, dubbed Awesome Intelligence, that brings powerful AI features previously exclusive to its top-tier Galaxy S-series phones to its midrange devices for the first time. Unique to the A-series is a new safety feature called Samsung SOS+, a free-to-use, 24/7 subscription service exclusive to owners of the new Galaxy A56, A36 and A26 devices. In an emergency situation – and on-demand – the service immediately geolocates the user and sends private security and medical emergency services to their location at the press of a button. In this episode of TCS+, Justin Hume, vice president for mobile at Samsung Electronics South Africa, tells TechCentral about how SOS+ works in the new Galaxy A-series line-up. Hume delves into: • The inspiration behind SOS+ and why Samsung has chosen the A series to pilot the service; • How the service works and its benefits for A-series smartphone users; • Why the service is currently limited to users of the A56, A36 and A26 devices and Samsung’s plans for expanded roll-out; • Key features that set the SOS+ service apart; and • Why Samsung has chosen Aura as its partner in providing the SOS+ service. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion! TechCentral