Latest news with #Takealot
The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Ring introduces the high-resolution Outdoor Cam Plus
Ring's award-winning smart home security product line offers consumers affordable whole-home security. Building on the success of its home security range, Ring has now launched the formidable Outdoor Cam Plus in South Africa. Powered by Ring Vision, this cam is the first to offer 2k resolution and a wider field of view. The high pixel count provides users with the highest resolution and full-colour picture of their homes. You can effortlessly tap into the brilliant 2k live feed video on your phone via the Ring app to check on the security of your property, even in low light. This cam offers the previous features that Ring fans have come to expect, including two-way talk, motion detectors, and a remote-activated siren. Ring's intuitive mobile app allows you to monitor your home, receive instant alerts, and, if necessary, act, all with just a few taps on your smartphone. Picture: Supplied South African consumers have enjoyed the convenience and protection of having 'eyes' around their homes with the versatile Ring cams, which can easily be positioned according to your property's unique layout. Ring products are easy to install and can be powered by battery packs, solar panels, or plug-in adapters. The Outdoor Cam Plus joins the group of their most versatile products – weather resistant and can be mounted anywhere, including gardens, perimeter walls or driveways. The Outdoor Cam Plus's new development in picture quality ensures that even after dark, the video quality of the property remains very detailed, and all recorded 24/7. Picture: Supplied Ring's award-winning smart home security product line offers consumers affordable whole-home security. The Outdoor Cam Plus illustrates how Ring continues to innovate with products that offer peace of mind to its users. The Outdoor Cam Plus is officially available in South Africa for R2 199 through: Takealot, Incredible Connection, Hirsch's and Computer Mania at a variety of costs to suit your budget needs.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Takealot challenges Post Office's monopoly on small parcel deliveries
Takealot Group is challenging SAPO's exclusive rights to deliver parcels under 1 k. Image: File E-commerce retailer Takealot has filed "a notice of intention to amend the notice of motion" in the marathon legal battle by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) and SA Post Office (Sapo) to maintain a monopoly for Sapo in the delivery of sub-1 kilogram parcels. This comes as the pleading stage in the matter continues until mid-August, according to confirmation by the Acting Sapo CEO Fathima Gany and the Business Rescue Practitioners after an update to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies. The monopoly, as outlined in the Postal Services Act, has been challenged and was extended to April 1, 2025. This comes as the private sector capitalises on Sapo's inability to enforce the monopoly due to its ongoing financial difficulties. Gany told Parliament that there had been ongoing meetings with Takealot, which has now filed a notice of intention to amend its legal position in the sub-1 kg dispute. Sapo, supported by Icasa initially took PostNet and the South African Express Parcel Association (Saepa) to court in 2018. The objective was to uphold the law and prevent these private players from delivering small parcels. However, the private courier firms won that round, especially after larger operators like Takealot joined the legal battle. Joint Business Rescue Practitioner of Sapo Anoosh Rooplal told Business Report, "The Post Office currently still has the exclusive licence to deliver sub-1 kg parcels, but this is being encroached upon by the private sector. The case is still pending, and the regulator, Icasa, is currently at the pleading stage, which is scheduled to conclude on 14 August 2025, as per the latest request. The Post Office supports Icasa in this case and will ultimately benefit if their arguments to preserve the monopoly are upheld." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The case, led by Icasa as the regulator, is up against the courier sector, represented by Saepa, which is challenging Sapo's exclusive rights to deliver packages under 1 kg - a competitive advantage in the growing e-commerce and rural logistics markets. Sapo has acknowledged in its Corporate Plan to 2030 that it faces increasing competition from more agile and technologically advanced private courier services. Without a major overhaul of its digital capabilities, Sapo risks losing even more market share to these competitors, particularly in urban areas. "PostNet is our competition. It has our service offering. That is what a Sapo branch is - or should be. A futuristic Sapo branch is where you can walk in and get an array of services: internet café, access to Hotmail to look for jobs, anything that you want to do that you cannot do at home. You can walk in and collect our parcels. It's a central hub," Gany said. Meanwhile, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has indicated its intention to review Sapo's monopoly on certain postal services, including the delivery of parcels weighing less than 1 kg. According to Sapo, the South African Courier, Express, and Parcel market was valued at R48 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach R78bn by 2030. This growth is attributed largely to the e-commerce sector, which is expected to grow at an annual rate of between 10% and 15% over the next three years. BUSINESS REPORT
Reuters
03-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Amazon South Africa expands into groceries, pet food and health supplements
JOHANNESBURG, June 3 (Reuters) - Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab has expanded its product offering in South Africa, launching non-perishable groceries, pet food and health supplements in hopes of winning over more customers. Amazon, which has been selling in South Africa for a year, hopes its expanded offering will make it a one-stop shopping destination. owned by tech investor Naspers (NPNJn.J), opens new tab, is the current e-commerce leader in South Africa and it already sells those products. In a statement on Tuesday, Amazon said the product expansion marked a major milestone for its growth in South Africa, addressing some of the most frequently requested product types. The new selection includes both international favourites such as Nestle, Red Bull and Starbucks and local brands including Beacon, Simba and Koo, it added. "Since our launch, we've been listening closely to customer feedback, and groceries, pet supplies and health supplements have consistently been among their top requests," said Robert Koen, Amazon Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. The initial customer response to the change has been "extremely positive", particularly for the retailer's bulk buying options and multipack savings across all three categories, said Philile Mabolloane, Retail Head for Consumables at Amazon South Africa.
IOL News
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Converting the Ford Ranger bakkie to make it work even harder
The Ford Ranger dropside forms part of their new Ford Pro Converter (FPC) programme that transforms vehicles for the commercial market. Image: Supplied When we think of bakkies, mostly our attention is focused on double cabs ranging from the super luxurious to entry-level versions. However, there's an entire industry out there that exclusively uses single cabs purely as workhorses to transport goods. Look at Takealot, courier companies, builders, agriculture, FMCG companies, mining, and add conversions like emergency services, mobile workshops and fridges to understand the versatility. Base model It's not often that we get a base model single cab on test, never mind a converted dropside, which was the case with the converted Ford Ranger in the driveway. It forms part of their new Ford Pro Converter (FPC) programme that transforms vehicles for the commercial market. It's not restricted to the Ranger and also includes the Everest SUV and Transit van. On the bakkie, the conversion is done using a chassis cab to change it to whatever the customer specifies. A chassis cab means the chassis is left open behind the passenger cab to provide a platform for the desired conversion. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Different applications The Ranger dropside we had on test would be perfect for pawn shops, furniture transportation and garden services, to name a few. With the wheel arches removed, it provides a larger flat surface, and with all four sides 'dropping' down, it makes for easy access while also allowing forklift access. A friend in the construction industry commented that it would be a great addition to his range of bakkies, especially for carrying wider loads stacked on pallets. The conversions to the Ford Ranger range from the dropside we had on test to mobile workshops. Image: Supplied
The South African
23-04-2025
- Business
- The South African
Emerging AI Trends Shaping South Africa's Tech Landscape
In South Africa, the adoption of AI is accelerating, presenting both immense opportunities and significant challenges for the nation's burgeoning tech landscape. From transforming business operations to addressing unique local issues, AI is poised to play a pivotal role in the country's digital future. The integration of AI is becoming increasingly mainstream, moving from experimental phases to practical, results-driven applications across various sectors. South African businesses across multiple sectors are increasingly recognizing AI as a strategic imperative. In the financial services industry, AI is being deployed for sophisticated risk assessment, fraud detection, and personalized customer service. Banks like Capitec utilize AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants to offer 24/7 support, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. Similarly, Nedbank employs AI for improved security and risk management. The retail sector also sees significant AI integration. E-commerce giant Takealot leverages AI for logistics optimization, managing inventory in real-time, forecasting demand, and ensuring faster deliveries through automated fulfillment centers. Retailers like SPAR are using AI tools, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, to automate administrative tasks, freeing up employees for higher-value activities. AI-driven automation is a major trend, streamlining operations like data entry, scheduling, and customer support, leading to cost reductions and efficiency gains. Furthermore, AI's capacity for data analysis empowers businesses to make smarter, data-driven decisions, identify market trends, and personalize marketing efforts. Startups like DataProphet are providing AI solutions tailored for manufacturing, helping businesses improve processes and efficiency. This broad adoption indicates a shift towards leveraging AI not just for peripheral tasks but for core business functions, enhancing competitiveness and driving innovation. Beyond corporate applications, AI holds significant potential for addressing some of South Africa's unique socio-economic challenges and fostering homegrown innovation. There's a growing interest in how AI can bridge gaps in access to essential services like healthcare, education, and financial services, promoting greater inclusion. Local AI startups are playing a crucial role in this arena. Companies like Aerobotics use drone technology combined with AI analytics to help farmers manage crops more efficiently, potentially boosting the agricultural sector. Lelapa AI is focused on building resource-efficient, Africa-centric AI, including natural language processing for local languages, aiming to counteract biases present in models developed elsewhere. Envisionit Deep AI applies artificial intelligence to medical imaging diagnosis, improving speed and accuracy, particularly in underserved areas. The AI landscape is also seeing diversification into more niche areas reflecting varied human needs and interactions. For instance, platforms offering AI companion chatbots, such as HeraHaven, which allows users to design customized AI girlfriends or boyfriends for conversation and interaction, demonstrate the expanding scope of AI development into social and personal spheres. This burgeoning ecosystem, supported by institutions and government initiatives, highlights a drive to harness AI not only for economic growth but also for societal benefit and tailored solutions. The rapid advancement and adoption of AI in South Africa are not without significant hurdles. A major challenge is the AI skills gap – a shortage of professionals equipped with the necessary technical expertise in areas like machine learning and data science, as well as understanding AI's business and ethical implications. Estimates suggest a large portion of the workforce will require reskilling due to AI integration. Educational institutions and companies face pressure to update training programs and curricula to meet this demand. Furthermore, ethical considerations are paramount. Ensuring AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly, addressing issues like fairness, accountability, transparency, and potential biases, is critical. Concerns about data privacy and the potential for AI to perpetuate existing inequalities need careful management. South Africa is actively working on frameworks, like the National AI Policy Framework, to guide ethical AI development and governance, ensuring alignment with human rights and public interest. There are also ongoing debates about the potential impact of AI on employment, with concerns about job displacement balanced against the potential for AI to augment human capabilities and create new roles. Addressing these challenges through strategic policy, investment in skills development, and fostering public trust will be crucial for realising AI's full potential responsibly. In conclusion, Artificial Intelligence is undeniably a transformative force within South Africa's technology sector and beyond. Its ability to drive business efficiency, foster innovation tailored to local contexts, and potentially address deep-seated societal challenges is immense. South African companies are increasingly integrating AI into their operations, while a vibrant startup scene is exploring novel applications. However, navigating the path forward requires careful attention to developing the necessary skills pipeline and establishing robust ethical guidelines to ensure AI benefits all South Africans inclusively and equitably. As the nation continues its digital transformation journey, harnessing AI strategically and responsibly will be key to unlocking sustainable growth and a competitive edge in the global digital economy.
