Sandton and Gauteng

Openserve, has announced its hosting of the Southern Africa Telecommunications Association Annual Conference. The conference began yesterday and will end on Friday at the Sandton Convention Centre. The Annual Conference is the premier information and communications technology event in the Southern African Development Community region. It will feature panel discussions on some of the most pressing issues and opportunities, that are shaping the region’s digital future. OpenServe CEO Selby Khuzwayo: SOUND

A housing startup is tackling South Africa’s housing crisis one backyard at a time.
Bitprop builds and manages micro-apartments at no upfront cost to homeowners in underserved townships. In Cape Town, 70-year-old Nonkosi Klaas, once dependent on a modest pension, now earns above the national median income by renting out six backyard units. Klaas is one of 100 homeowners in Cape Town partnering with Bitprop, which was founded in 2019 by Swedish entrepreneur Carl Fredrik Sammeli. The initiative is helping to grow affordable housing while turning ordinary residents into successful landlords.

Hasher Family Wines has been awarded "Winery of the Year" at the prestigious 2025 London Wine Competition. The winning wine Ernest Pinot Noir is a proud achievement for South Africas winemaking on a global stage. The London Wine Competition has established itself as one of the world's most respected wine competitions. What makes this achievement particularly special is that wines aren't judged solely on taste – they're evaluated holistically based on quality, value, and packaging. SOUND

The VAT rate will remain at 15% from 1 May 2025, reversing the planned increase announced in March. This decision follows consultations and could lead to a 75 billion rand revenue shortfall. To address this, the Finance Minister will withdraw current budget bills and propose revised spending plans. New versions of the bills are expected in the coming weeks.

Director of Ferndale-based psychosocial and mental health non-profit organisation, Phola, has won three Women Changing the World Awards at a ceremony in London. Ncube-Mlilo, a world-renowned narrative therapist and psychosocial specialist, secured the People’s Choice Award for Non-Profit and Social Enterprise, as well as the Women in Therapy and Counselling Services Award.She also received the Golden Heart Award, recognizing women who serve the world with love and care. The People’s Choice Award was determined by public voting, while the other two were selected by the Women Changing the World judges.

Hasher Family Wines has been awarded "Winery of the Year" at the prestigious 2025 London Wine Competition. The winning wine Ernest Pinot Noir is a proud achievement for South Africas winemaking on a global stage. The London Wine Competition has established itself as one of the world's most respected wine competitions. What makes this achievement particularly special is that wines aren't judged solely on taste – they're evaluated holistically based on quality, value, and packaging, reflecting the real-world factors that wine lovers consider when choosing their next bottle. SOUND

Openserve, has announced its hosting of the Southern Africa Telecommunications Association Annual Conference. The conference began yesterday and will end on Friday at the Sandton Convention Centre. The Annual Conference is the premier information and communications technology event in the Southern African Development Community region. It will feature panel discussions on some of the most pressing issues and opportunities, that are shaping the region’s digital future. OpenServe CEO Selby Khuzwayo: SOUND

Although economists in the country expected inflation to slowly start increasing, in March it decreased slightly. Headline consumer inflation decreased for the first time in five months, edging lower to 2.7% in March from 3.2% in February. This was due to lower fuel prices and softer inflation for education. Statistics SA says data shows that the fuel index softened by 0.4% from February, taking the annual rate from -3.6% to -8.8%. A litre of 95-octane petrol (inland) cost R22.34 in March, down from R24.45 a year before. The average price for diesel decreased to R22.80 from R24.85 over the same period.

Kendrick Lamar leads this year’s American Music Awards nominations with a total of 10, including artist of the year, album of the year (GNX) and song of the year (“Not Like Us”). He has three of the five nominees for favorite hip-hop song: “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin, “Not Like Us,” and “Luther” with SZA. Lamar, who already has three AMA's, could tie with Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston for the most awards in a single year, should he win in all eight categories.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi will this afternoon lead the official switch-on of a new electricity transformer in Ivory Park.

The activation will take place in the John Dube Section, one of the areas hardest hit by power disruptions.

This initiative is part of the provincial government’s Transformer Replacement Program.

The program forms a central component of Gauteng’s broader Energy Response Plan.

It aims to restore and strengthen the electrical infrastructure in communities.

The newly installed transformer is expected to improve electricity supply and reduce outages in the area.

Day two of the Lesotho and South Africa Bi-National Commission is currently under way in Maseru.
The high-level meetings aim to strengthen bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries.
South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, is expected to play a key role in today’s agenda.
She will officially sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Lesotho’s Minister of Natural Resources.
The agreement focuses on advancing cooperation in water security and cross-border supply.
It also paves the way for deeper collaboration in the energy sector.
The signing signals a renewed commitment to shared resources and sustainable development.

Openserve is hosting a major telecoms conference starting today in Sandton, Johannesburg.

The event is called the Southern Africa Telecommunications Association Annual Conference.

The conference is underway at the Sandton Convention Centre.

This event is one of the biggest ICT events in the Southern African region.

Leaders in technology and communication are meeting to talk about the future of the internet and digital tools.

There will be panel talks and smaller sessions on important issues in the industry.
The focus is on how countries can grow stronger together through better digital connections.

SATA Secretary General Jacob Muwadafa says this meeting is important for Africa’s digital progress.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation hosted its inaugural legacy fundraising breakfast ealier this month, at the Baluchi Restaurant in Sandton.

The gathering brought together leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector to discuss the future of South Africa, focusing on leadership and social cohesion.

The foundation’s fundraising breakfast series will continue throughout the year, providing a platform for high-level dialogue, while mobilizing resources for programmes focused on youth leadership, public accountability and civic education.

The Southern Africa Telecommunications Association will today hold a conference to unite telecom leaders in discussing digital transformation.

The Annual Conference is the premier information and communications technology event in the Southern African Development Community region.

World Book and Copyright Day is a global observance that celebrates the transformative power of books and reading.

Held every year on the 23rd of April, the day serves as a reminder of how books connect generations, and preserve cultural heritage, while fostering understanding across borders.

Established by UNESCO in 1995, the day honours
literary giants including William Shakespeare and serves as a fitting tribute to authors whose words have shaped the world.

Openserve, has announced its hosting of the Southern Africa Telecommunications Association Annual Conference from today at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The Annual Conference is the premier information and communications technology event in the Southern African Development Community region and will feature panel discussions and breakout sessions focused on some of the most pressing issues and opportunities,
that are shaping the region’s digital future.

The City of Ekurhuleni is encouraging residents who are unable to afford basic municipal services such as water, refuse removal and electricity, to register for its Indigent Relief Programme.

Households that have a combined monthly income of less than two minimum wages, as outlined by the domestic worker wage threshold, are eligible to apply.

Residents must be officially registered with the city as indigent, in order to benefit from the programme.
Applications can be submitted at the nearest city’s customer care center.

Nigeria and South Africa have entered into a strategic agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation in the mining sector.

The Nigerian government says boosting the sector will encourage efforts to diversify its economy beyond the oil market.

Nigeria’s Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, says the partnership also includes the sharing of data and geological mappings.

Ncazeko Ncube-Milo has earned two prestigious gold medals for her groundbreaking work in mental health advocacy, at the Women Changing the World Awards in London.

The Diepsloot-based psychologist and narrative therapist was recognised for her commitment in uplifting marginalised communities through her non-profit organization PHOLA.

The global awards programme recognizes the work of incredible women, who are making a positive difference in the world, across a wide range of industries including business, health, education, innovation, and technology.

The Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has praised law enforcement officials for implementing effective road safety measures during the Easter weekend.

The Minister highlighted the rare achievement of the N1 route in Limpopo, which has not recorded any fatal crashes during the Easter holidays.
Clip 1 - Barbara Creecy

Pan-African tech firm Cassava Technologies has announced plans to build the continent’s first ‘AI factory’ in South Africa.

The move will see artificial intelligence software being deployed at the company’s data centres in South Africa from June 2025.

The firm, which was founded by Zimbabwean businessman Strive Masiyawa, says its accelerated computing platforms will play a crucial role in Africa’s AI ecosystem.

Motorists could see another drop in fuel prices in May. Mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund suggests that petrol may decrease by around 20 to 30 cents per litre, and diesel by up to 50 cents. Currently, 95 Unleaded petrol costs R20.83 at the coast and R21.62 inland, while 93 Unleaded sells for R21.51 inland.Oil prices have fallen sharply due to global uncertainty, including the US–China trade war and increased oil production by OPEC+.

Rosebank residents put on a stellar performance at the South African Sprint Championships, showcasing speed, skill, and determination. Their impressive efforts led to team selections for the national squad, set to represent South Africa at major international sprint events. The competition was fierce, but Rosebank’s athletes proved their talent on the track, earning recognition.

Not Impossible Labs have created a vest allowing deaf people to feel music. Vibrating modules compose, translate and send audio vibrations wirelessly to the users body. Not Impossible is a Vibrotextile wearable technology that translates sound onto the skin through vibration. Inspired by the deaf community, this technology provides all users a unique and nuanced music experience. SOUND

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department's By-Law Management Unit is demolishing illegal structures at the M1/M2 freeway split in Johannesburg. This operation is part of a broader initiative to ensure public safety and maintain order along key transport routes. These unauthorised structures, often linked to vagrancy, are considered hazardous and in violation of municipal regulations. SOUND

Rand Water will be conducting maintenance on the Palmiet Pump station from the 2nd to the 16th of May.The maintenance will affect water supply in several Johannesburg Water systems including Sandton, Alexandra, South Hills, Midrand and Linksfield. Rand Water will make arrangements for alternative water supply, but residents are encouraged to store water in preparation for the maintenance

A record-breaking tunnel is being built under the Baltic Sea between Denmark and Germany. This tunnel will cut travel times and improve Scandinavia's links with the rest of Europe. Running for 18km the Feemaan belt will be the world's longest pre-fabricated road and rail tunnel. Segments of the tunnel will be placed on top of the seafloor, and then joined together. The facility spans more than 500 hectares and includes a harbour and a factory.

Rand Water will be conducting maintenance on the Palmiet Pump station from the 2nd to the 16th of May.The maintenance will affect water supply in several Johannesburg Water systems including Sandton, Alexandra, South Hills, Midrand and Linksfield. Johannesburg Water Spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala, says Johannesburg Water will make arrangements for alternative water supply, but says residents are encouraged to store water in preparation for the maintenance

The Department of Employment and Labour has launched a 514-million rand program to help nearly 10,000 young people in Mpumalanga find jobs. The Labour Activation Programme will provide training and employment in sectors like agriculture, ICT, hospitality, and construction across four districts and 11 municipalities. Employment and Labour Spokesperson Teboho Thejane: SOUND

The SA Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) has partnered with American Grammy award-winning rapper Doechi in a powerful global initiative aimed at raising awareness about anxiety and mental health struggles among youth and creatives. The collaboration features the launch of the Anxiety Is Watching Me website, which is a digital resource hub. The platform offers support, tools and resources for those navigating the challenges of anxiety and panic disorders. Doechi known for her genre-bending style and raw lyrical vulnerability, said the project stems from her own experiences.