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The Amazon Book Sale is here! Bookmark these savings and shop now

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Amazon
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The Amazon Book Sale is here! Bookmark these savings and shop now

From the hottest reads to hidden treasures, shop deals worth every page from best-selling authors like Mpoomy Ledwaba, Rebecca Yarros and James Clear.

CAPE TOWN – 24 April 2025 – Read more, spend less: the Amazon Book Sale is here, bringing deals on thousands of must-read page-turners across genres through to Monday 28th April. Enjoy up to 50% off print books, with personalised deal recommendations based on your unique reading taste, our book suggestions will make it easier for you to find your next can’t-put-down read.

 

Grow your TBR (to be read) list with incredible deals available throughout the Amazon Book Sale. Head to Amazon.co.za and start saving on these top finds:

Trending titles for your next book club

Stay ahead of the literary curve with these popular titles that will have your book club talking long after the final page.

Handpicked favorites from Amazon Books Editors

Check out hundreds of handpicked books from the Amazon Books Editors, with up to 50% off on print picks. From indie gems to award winners, these Editor-approved selections take the guesswork out of what to read next.

Popular picks and surprise finds: Savings across genres

Dive into gripping thrillers, heartfelt memoirs, cozy cookbooks, and epic fantasy sagas. No matter your reading mood, you’ll find both familiar favorites and exciting discoveries at prices worth celebrating.

South African customers can shop from thousands of items eligible for free standard same-day and next-day delivery on items shipped by Amazon. For customers who prefer to pick up their packages when it’s convenient for them, Amazon has over 4,000 pickup points strategically located around the country, offering customers a safe and secure way to receive Amazon packages near them. To further ensure a convenient and trusted shopping experience, customer support is provided 24/7 via phone, email, and live chat.

Visit Amazon.co.za daily to discover new deals, and exclusive picks. With free, fast delivery of physical books on qualifying orders, your next great read is just a click away.

Westcon-Comstor launches managed SOC solution for Cisco partners

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LnT Desk
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Westcon-Comstor launches managed SOC solution for Cisco partners
Dorio Bowes, Comstor Director at Westcon-Comstor Southern Africa

Westcon-Comstor, a global technology provider and specialist distributor, has announced that its Cisco-focused Comstor arm has launched a managed SOC (Security Operations Centre) offering that enables partners to tap into the fast-growing cybersecurity services market while avoiding the cost and complexity of building their own solution.

Powered by Cisco XDR (Extended Detection and Response) and created in response to partner demand, the white-labelled Comstor solution allows partners across EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) to quickly and easily launch a SOC offering under their own brand.

It’s the first managed SOC offering launched by Westcon-Comstor and the first to utilise Cisco XDR.

Establishing a SOC involves significant initial investment and ongoing annualised costs. By deploying the managed XDR SOC from Comstor, partners can save on these costs while sidestepping the technical and operational challenges associated with SOC development and maintenance.

The Comstor solution enables partners to build new recurring revenue streams through subscription-based models and ongoing service contracts. End-users will benefit from proactive protection, increased operational efficiency and enhanced resilience against evolving threats.

Cisco XDR harnesses multiple security layers (network, endpoint, server, and cloud) and applies advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning to detect, investigate, and respond to cyber threats in real time. Built to be flexible, it integrates seamlessly with existing security architectures, including non-Cisco solutions, and can scale to meet the needs of organisations of all sizes.

With the Managed XDR SOC from Comstor, partners have access to a single dashboard for efficient and centralised management, plus 24×7 support and monitoring from certified Comstor analysts and engineers, along with access to Cisco expertise.

Continuous, around-the-clock monitoring and superior visibility across security layers provides enhanced threat detection and faster response times, empowering partners to guide and support customers through new regulations such as the EU’s NIS2 cybersecurity directive and Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA).

Amid the expanding regulatory framework, the managed XDR market is set to be worth between $8 billion and $10 billion by 2030 in EMEA alone, as end-user businesses seek more comprehensive threat detection and response solutions to ensure compliance while handling an increasing volume of security alerts and growing attack surfaces.

“Our managed SOC offering enables partners to expand their service portfolio and provide comprehensive security solutions to end-users, unlocking new growth opportunities and increasing customer retention and loyalty,” said Dorio Bowes, Comstor Director at Westcon-Comstor Southern Africa. “By leveraging our solution, partners will be able to build stronger relationships with customers through addressing their security needs and ensuring continuous, agile protection. At the same they can avoid the costs involved in establishing and maintaining a SOC, which can typically run to millions of dollars. We believe this solution represents a clear point of differentiation for partners and equips them with a competitive advantage. We couldn’t be more excited to bring it to market.”

  • Partners can find out more about the managed XDR SOC solution from Comstor, and register for a webinar taking place on 29 April, by following this link

Make Sense of the Mad World with Real Time with Bill Maher on M-Net

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M-Net
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Make Sense of the Mad World with Real Time with Bill Maher on M-Net
Markets are up, tariffs are in, markets are down, tariffs are out and the Gulf of Mexico is now the Gulf of America. The world’s gone mad – but luckily there are still rational voices out there to help us keep up with the latest round of madness, like America’s favourite Agony Uncle, Bill Maher. M-Net (DStv Channel 101) will be broadcasting Season 23 of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher Express from the US from Saturday, 26 April at 9pm.
In the award-winning show, Maher offers his unique perspective on contemporary issues with a cutting opening monologue, pertinent one-on-one interviews with notable guests, roundtable discussions with panellists and its signature “New Rule’ segment.
Real Time with Bill Maher joins the ever-popular Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on the M-Net schedule, which already has a dedicated viewership in the 11pm slot, every Monday. Apart from his breathless dissections of news, Oliver has developed a cult following for his satirical, insightful and meticulously researched look at current events in the U.S. and around the globe. His hilarious and expertly honed perspective on today’s pressing political, social and cultural issues – along with insights into lesser-reported topics continue to inform and entertain
“Maher and Oliver are unmissable for anyone wanting to attempt to follow events in America and how it affects the rest of us right now,” says Waldimar Pelser, Channel Director: Premium Channels at MultiChoice Group. “The sentiment that ‘when America sneezes, the world catches a cold’ is as relevant now as it was when it was coined during the Great Depression in 1929. Oliver and Maher may both have their roots in comedy, but they also know that what’s going on is no joke. Neither of these giants of late-night TV are afraid to boldly explore global affairs, making sense of this wild rollercoaster ride. Most importantly, they are often hilarious, and never dull!”
Don’t miss Real Time with Bill Maher, Express from the US on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) from Saturday, 26 April at 9pm. The political comedy talk show kicks off with episode 13, with episodes 1-12 available on DStv Catch Up. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is also Express from the US every Monday at 11pm on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) and available on DStv Catch Up.
For more, visit the M-Net Website and join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

Beyond retail media: SA’s biggest digital opportunity is hiding in plain sight

By
Flow
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Beyond retail media: SA’s biggest digital opportunity is hiding in plain sight
Daniel Levy Flow’s Co-Founder and Co-CEO

You’ve probably heard the term commerce media – but what is it really? And why should South African businesses across sectors start paying attention?

Simply put, it’s advertising that lets retailers build a media business out of their first party data by connecting consumers with their products and services at every step of the shopping journey.

Think: sponsored listings on e-commerce sites, personalised offers in your banking app, or shoppable links on your favourite social media platforms. It’s a fast-evolving space, and South Africa is only just beginning to tap into its potential.

“Retailers may have lit the spark,” says Daniel Levy, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Flow, “but the most exciting growth is now happening beyond the realms of retail. That’s because commerce media isn’t limited to retail and e-commerce platforms. Banks, insurers, telcos, publishers, even marketplaces – anyone with first-party data – can get in the game.”

Why now – and why South Africa?

Globally, commerce media is on a tear, with mobile advertising spend expected to hit $1.3 trillion by 2030 and the global social commerce market projected to reach $8.5 trillion by 2030, according to GlobeNewsWire. Here’s the kicker: non-retail sectors in the US are now growing their commerce media spend at more than double the rate of retail – 34.1% versus 16.2%.

This shift signals something big: commerce media has moved into a new phase – one where any platform with rich first-party data can play, and win. With South Africa’s e-commerce market projected to reach approximately $7.32 billion by 2025, and digital retail expanding rapidly, the time is now.

“What many businesses don’t realise is they’re already sitting on this first-party data – and with the right tech and strategy, they can monetise it in ways that drive real business results,” says Levy. “Retailers and e-commerce players in South Africa are especially well-positioned to lead this charge – but they need to act fast to capture their share of the opportunity.”

Commerce Media 2.0: It’s bigger than retail

Originally, commerce media lived mostly on retailer and e-commerce websites – sponsored product ads, brand placements, in-platform deals. But Commerce Media 2.0 goes much further, because:

  • It’s not just for big retailers: Any business can monetise its transactional or behavioural first party data.
  • It’s off-site: Ads can now appear beyond your own site – on apps, content platforms, social media, or across the open web.
  • It’s non-endemic: This means you don’t have to sell your product on a commerce platform to reach its audience. Non-endemic advertising lets brands promote products or services that aren’t sold by the platform but are still relevant to the shopper’s journey – like a bank advertising home loans on a property site. This unlocks new revenue for data-rich platforms and helps brands tap into high-intent audiences.
  • Precision targeting: Targeting is audience-optimised, not only optimised for placement.
  • Full-funnel measurement: Because commerce media uses first-party data, you can see the full customer journey, from the first ad view to the final purchase. This end-to-end gives you a closed loop measurement so you can really see how your digital marketing performs.

Many of these off-site ads are delivered through programmatic environments – digital spaces where ads are bought and placed automatically using data and technology. This allows brands to reach specific audiences in real time, across a wide range of websites and platforms, with content that’s more relevant and more likely to convert.

In other words, you don’t have to be a retailer to benefit. You just need to understand your audience, have first-party data, and activate it in a way that connects brands to buyers wherever they are.

5 quick-fire facts every SA business should know

  1. Commerce media isn’t retail media. Retail media is a subset. Commerce media is the bigger ecosystem – covering all the ways ads can drive transactions across platforms and industries.
  2. First-party data is your superpower. If you’re a publisher, a financial service provider, or even a telco – you already have the key ingredient: first-party data. Commerce media turns that into a revenue-generating engine.
  3. It works across the funnel. Unlike old-school display ads, commerce media connects with people wherever they are in the buying cycle. That means better targeting, higher ROI, and clear attribution.
  4. It’s growing fast. With reliance on third-party cookies disappearing and data privacy tightening, brands are hungry for high-intent, privacy-compliant audiences. Commerce media answers that call.
  5. South African businesses are already doing it. Flow is already working with local businesses beyond retail to unlock this opportunity, with businesses as varied as insurers to property managers and FMCGs (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) making their data available.

Ready to unlock your first-party data’s potential?

If you’ve got first-party data, you’ve got gold. And commerce media helps you turn that value into measurable business impact – whether that’s new revenue streams, better customer experience, or simply better use of your own data.

“Commerce media is no longer something to watch – it’s something to build,” says Levy. “And the most successful businesses in the next five years will be those that learn to monetise attention, not just content.”

South Africa doesn’t have to play catch-up. In fact, with our mobile-first economy, data-rich platforms, and rising demand for better ROI, we could leapfrog into the next phase of digital advertising.

The takeaway

Commerce media isn’t just for retailers. It’s for any business with a user base and valuable data. And in South Africa, that includes banks, insurers, telcos, publishers, and platforms of all shapes and sizes. The opportunity is massive – and it’s just getting started.

Building funding ready B2B businesses – Applications are now open for the SME Advancer Programme

By
LnT Desk
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Building funding ready B2B businesses - Applications are now open for the SME Advancer Programme
Duduzani Sibanda from Young Peers - SME Advancer Programme success story

There is no question about the crucial role that SMEs play in the South African economy. SMEs that offer products or services directly to other businesses (B2B enterprises) further strengthen the business ecosystem, drive innovation, and contribute significantly to job creation and regional development.

The SME Advancer Programme, in partnership with FNB and small business development specialists Edge Growth, supports B2B enterprises by enhancing business growth, improving funding readiness, and providing access to innovative funding opportunities. Many SMEs miss out on funding due to a range of challenges – this programme is designed to help them overcome those barriers.

Applications are now open for the 2025 intake, with submissions closing on Sunday, 27 April 2025.

A total of 30 entrepreneurs across five key industries will be selected to participate in this 18-month programme. Delivered in a hybrid format (digital and in-person sessions), it is designed to maximise flexibility while optimising learning and impact. More than just a business development initiative, the SME Advancer Programme’s core objective is to attract investment and secure funding for SMEs. To this end, it places strong emphasis on financial management and funding readiness. The programme also aims to support growth opportunities, improve operational efficiency, and promote sustainable business practices – all while helping SMEs navigate and apply for appropriate funding channels.

Qualifying Criteria:

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a 51% black-owned and managed B2B enterprise (as defined in the BBBEE Act). Operate within the manufacturing and engineering, food processing and supply chain, service delivery, technology hardware and supply, or retail and wholesale sectors

Young Peers – SME Advancer Programme success story
  • Have an annual turnover between R1 million and R10 million
  • Have been in operation for over one year
  • Be SARS compliant and not undergoing business rescue or liquidation
  • Demonstrate a growth mindset and a commitment to fully participate in the 18-month programme
  • Entrepreneurs will undergo a six-stage application process, with only those who meet the requirements at each stage advancing to the next.
  • Programme Features
  • Starting in June 2025, the programme provides a comprehensive support structure aimed at helping entrepreneurs strengthen financial and operational systems to confidently pursue funding.
  • Key programme elements include:
  • Business diagnostic assessments to identify strengths, weaknesses, and growth opportunities
  • Financial health assessments to evaluate profitability, cash flow, and funding potential
  • One-on-one financial and business mentorship to implement tailored growth strategies
  • Specialist project support targeted to each enterprise’s specific challenges
  • Participants will also have the opportunity to apply for innovative funding solutions as an outcome of their improved financial and operational foundations.

Advancer Programme Success Stories:

Young Peers, a civils and construction business, excelled in project execution but lacked key business skills in marketing, operations, and management. Through the programme, the business achieved major improvements in operational efficiency and transformed the founder from a technical expert into a well-rounded entrepreneur with critical business management skills.

Coalition Energy, owned by Mariam Diedericks and based in Cape Town, faced challenges with inconsistent cash flow, outdated operations, and low client engagement. With the help of the programme, a clear sales and marketing strategy was developed. Sales training transformed the team’s confidence and effectiveness, helping unlock new potential. The business is now focusing on expanding its client base, launching new services in the Renewable Energy Sector and Green Economy, and further optimising its operations.

Mariam Diedericks – Coalition Energy, SME Advancer Programme success story

Star Centre George, owned by Kubeshnie Naidu, operates in the automotive sector. Despite having over 20 years’ experience in motor body repair, Kubeshnie lacked formal business education, resulting in operational inefficiencies, stagnant revenue, and limited growth. Through the programme, interventions such as regular mentorship, performance assessments, SOP development, financial literacy training, and implementation of an OHS plan significantly improved strategic decision-making, financial management, staff productivity, and business sustainability.

Interested in joining the SME Advancer Programme?

Applications open Monday, 7 April 2025, and close on Sunday, 27 April 2025. Apply here!

For general programme queries, contact the Edge Growth team at [email protected] .

Redefining Success: A New Paradigm for Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa

By
Shireen Motara, Founder & CEO of The Next Chapter Studio
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Redefining Success: A New Paradigm for Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa
The Next Chapter Studio
In South Africa’s fast-paced entrepreneurial landscape, success has long been measured by conventional markers: profit margins, growth trajectories, and investor rounds. However, for a growing number of women entrepreneurs, including myself, these measures feel one-dimensional and misaligned with the complex and nuanced reality of what it means to build something meaningful in today’s world.
As women, our motivations for launching businesses often run deeper than financial reward. Many of us are driven by a sense of purpose. By a desire for impact. By the need to rewrite our personal and professional stories on our own terms. And while the challenges we face are real access to capital, systemic bias, work-life imbalance what’s more powerful is how we are redefining success to reflect what truly matters.
At The Next Chapter Studio, our work is anchored in helping women navigate transitions whether that’s shifting careers, launching new ventures, or rediscovering themselves after significant life changes. We believe that success begins within, rooted in self-awareness, self-leadership, and overall well-being. These aren’t buzzwords; they’re the backbone of sustainable, impactful leadership.
When a woman is supported holistically, she’s empowered to build a business that aligns with her values, nurtures her personal life, and contributes meaningfully to her community. This is the new currency of success, one that values depth over scale, intention over hustle, and purpose over pressure.
We see this shift in the rise of women-led ecosystems that prioritise collaboration over competition. In this way women are using business to create safe spaces, support networks, and platforms for others. We see it in how success now includes taking rest seriously, choosing clients with care, and building revenue models that allow for freedom, not burnout.
It’s time for our national narrative around entrepreneurship to evolve and reflect this. Celebrating women founders shouldn’t only happen when they’ve hit the million-rand mark. It should also honour the woman who started her first side hustle at 45. The single mother who built a brand during maternity leave. The founder who chose to stay small to stay sane. These stories are equally valid. Equally powerful. Equally successful.
As we look ahead to 2025, I believe the future of entrepreneurship in South Africa lies in redefining success, not just for women but through the leadership of women. It’s about rewriting the rules, reclaiming our pace, and leading from the inside out.
At The Next Chapter Studio, we’re proud to be part of this movement. And we invite every woman, every founder, every dreamer to define your next chapter, your way.

YouTube Celebrates 20 Years and over 20 billion videos — with South Africa

By
LnT Desk
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YouTube Celebrates 20 Years and over 20 trillion videos — with South Africa
YouTube Celebrates 20 Years

 Celebrating its 20th anniversary today, YouTube has grown from a simple 19-second video into a platform that allowed over 20 Billion videos to be uploaded. It now features myriads of videos, music clips, Shorts, and podcasts, giving voice to diverse content creators and providing opportunities to connect, learn, and entertain for viewers.

“South Africans inherently value music, dance, self-expression, and authenticity. As both users and creators, we have been integral to YouTube’s impressive journey for the last fifteen years, since YouTube was officially launched in the country, fostering a creative and dynamic community. Alongside other Sub-Saharan African nations, we have collectively amplified African voices and visibility on the platform, making Afrobeats and many more local phenomena global. We are thrilled by the significant growth and success of South African creators” — says Kabelo Makwane, Google’s Country Director in South Africa.

There is a proven deep connection between South Africans and YouTube — represented in love and trust. A whopping 89% of South Africans agree that YouTube is the video service they love the most. The same 89%  agree that YouTube creators’ content is trustworthy.

To celebrate this special occasion, YouTube is rolling out a series of festive features and fun surprises for its global community.This includes an introduction of a new, limited YouTube logo in honor of the 20th year anniversary, a subtle nod to YouTube’s Bay Area beginnings.

Users might also spot some birthday cheer on select videos with a special birthday-themed scrubber and animation when they hit that like button. And for those on their desktop, they can try typing ‘bday’ anywhere on the watch page for a quick blast from the past. Playables users will be greeted with a celebratory welcome screen, setting the perfect mood before diving into their favorite games.

For a limited time, users can even send some birthday love directly to their favorite creators with special birthday gifts, like a slice of cake or a party hat, available during livestreams. Beyond the immediate celebrations, YouTube is unveiling some new features rolling out soon. These include a new 4x playback speed for YouTube Premium members, and a refreshed TV viewing experience coming this summer. Some fun facts about YouTube’s history will also be shared, highlighting some useful, often overlooked features within the app and desktop experience.

“As YouTube embarks on its next chapter, we extend our sincere gratitude to the vibrant community in South Africa for their unwavering support, creativity, and passion. Your contributions have been invaluable to the platform’s growth and success, and we look forward to many more years of connection, innovation, and shared experiences together”, concludes Makwane

From Buildings to Belonging: Yoco & Workshop17 are Rethinking the Future of Work

By
LnT Desk
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From Buildings to Belonging: Yoco & Workshop17 are Rethinking the Future of Work
Yoco’s CEO and co-founder, Katlego Maphai

For Yoco, the fast-growing South African fintech company, the ‘where’ and ‘how’ you work are equally critical. The environment where employees work shapes not only their productivity but also the company culture and overall satisfaction. In fact, a well-designed office can increase productivity by up to 20%, while nearly 90% of job seekers consider the workplace environment a key factor when evaluating job offers1.

So, when the need for a new and larger Cape Town headquarter office arose in 2023, Yoco saw an opportunity, not just to find workspace, but rather, to create one that truly reflected their ethos. By designing a workspace that embodies their values, Yoco ensures the environment itself fuels the innovation, creating a sense of belonging among team members that drives collaboration and their success.

Rather than committing to a traditional lease or taking on the logistical challenges of fitting out a new office, Yoco turned to the workspace solution experts Workshop17, known for their beautiful, ergonomic, wellness-focused office spaces. And so, evolved the full-scale design and build of 20 Kloof by Workshop17, a workspace tailored to Yoco’s needs.

More Than a Space: A Meeting of Minds

Yoco’s CEO and co-founder, Katlego Maphai, knew that a workspace should do more than just house employees. It should inspire collaboration, attract talent, and provide an environment that enables employees to focus on meaningful work. “We didn’t want to own a building, manage utilities, Wi-Fi, or any of the countless things that come with a standalone office. We wanted a space that could keep up with us: somewhere that would evolve as our needs did,” he explains.

Workshop17, led by CEO and co-founder Paul Keursten, has built a reputation for creating spaces that do exactly that. Their approach involves repurposing existing buildings – such as banks and fire stations, extending the lifecycle of structures and reducing environmental impact. Their design approach prioritises longevity, with high-quality materials that endure rather than simply fill space. Globally, repurposing buildings can cut embodied carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to new construction – a major win in the climate-conscious economy.2

“For us, a workspace isn’t just about desks and meeting rooms; it’s about creating an environment where teams can do their best work without worrying about the mechanics of running an office,” says Keursten. “Yoco shares our belief that a well-designed space, serviced with a hospitality and people care focus, will enable their staff to be the best they can be, while feeling welcome, respected and connected.”

The Impact of a Thoughtfully Designed Workspace

The partnership has already yielded results. The Yoco team’s move into 20 Kloof has transformed their work experience. Employees walk into a space designed for them – one where materials, layout, and function all contribute to a productive atmosphere.

Workshop17_Yoco Bespoke Office Solutions

“The feedback from our team has been overwhelmingly positive,” Maphai notes. “We see it in the way people interact, the ease with which they move through the space, and the way our office reflects our brand and values. A workspace sends a signal about who you are. It’s not just aesthetic, it’s strategic. A thoughtfully designed office increases collaboration, reduces absenteeism, and makes hybrid work more effective by giving employees a compelling reason to show up. Ours says we take our work seriously, but we also want to create an environment where people enjoy coming in every day.”

Beyond productivity, the space has also become a crucial tool for talent acquisition and retention. In a competitive job market, where employees weigh remote work against office life, companies must offer more than just a desk. “People today want to work in an environment that’s inspiring and comfortable. The office needs to be a place they want to come to, not just somewhere they have to work,” Maphai adds.

A Scalable Model for Growing Companies

The Yoco-Workshop17 partnership is more than a one-off project. Yoco’s Johannesburg team already experienced What Workshop17 had to offer The Bank in Rosebank, so when it came to needing space in Cape Town, Workshop 17 was an obvious choice. This partnership represents a shift in how growing companies approach office space. Most businesses need flexibility; not the burden of long-term leases, asset management, or constant reconfigurations to meet shifting team needs.

Yoco’s ability to tap into Workshop17’s network of locations means that employees have access to spaces in other cities, ensuring continuity even as the company expands. It’s a model that supports localisation while maintaining a high standard of workspace experience.

“We’re thinking beyond just Cape Town,” Maphai says. “As we expand into Durban, and beyond, we know we have a partner that understands our needs. Workshop17 continues to provide us with a framework for growth that doesn’t tie us down but instead gives us the flexibility to adapt.”

The Future of Workspaces in Africa

The partnership between Yoco and Workshop17 isn’t just about convenience; it’s about rethinking how businesses interact with space. In Africa’s rapidly growing economies, where entrepreneurship is on the rise, flexible, serviced office spaces could become the default choice for companies, big and small.

“It makes sense,” Maphai says. “Why take on the burden of managing an office when you can partner with a team that specialises in it? The economies of scale, the expertise, and the ability to focus on your core business-it all adds up.”

Keursten agrees. “We believe workspaces should enable people to do their best work. That’s why we create spaces that are functional, sustainable, and designed to last. Yoco is exactly the kind of partner we look for-one that understands the value of a well-designed workplace and the impact it has on a company’s success.”

As businesses across Africa look for smarter, more adaptable office solutions, the Yoco-Workshop17 collaboration offers a blueprint. It’s a model that balances flexibility with stability, functionality with aesthetics, and business needs with employee well-being. And, as this partnership shows, the right workspace isn’t just a place: it’s a powerful tool for growth. For businesses ready to work smarter, not harder, Yoco’s model shows what the future of work in Africa can – and should – look like.

For more info, visit  www.workshop17.com,  email [email protected] or  call 021 205 9000

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Rising ID verification costs could stifle business growth and innovation in South Africa’s digital financial sector

By
LnT Desk
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Rising ID verification costs could stifle business growth and innovation in South Africa’s digital financial sector
Bradley Elliott, CEO of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) platform RelyComply

RelyComply, an anti-money laundering (AML) platform, and Spot Money, a South African mobile banking company, have expressed serious reservations about the news that South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) plans to increase prices on ID verification API calls by more than tenfold.

The companies believe this move could undo years of progress in South Africa’s drive for digital financial inclusion by lifting the cost of each API enquiry from less than R1 to R10. Furthermore, should the steep price increase go ahead, it will impact the rollout of a centralised electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) linked service, which relies on the DHA enquiry.

The DHA has retracted its pricing proposal. However, reinstating the price increase after the Government Gazette’s public comment period without clear explanation and proper consultation could undermine financial inclusion and competition. The grace period resulting from the act’s withdrawal is an important opportunity for fintechs, banks, and other stakeholders to advocate for fair, constructive change.

A threat to digital inclusion

“We support the intention to strengthen regulatory measures that facilitate South Africa’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist. However, the drastic increase in verification costs threatens to unravel our progress toward accessible, secure digital finance,” says Bradley Elliott, CEO at RelyComply.

“It’s not just about business margins. It could impact millions of South Africans’ access to essential financial services. The disconnection between the markup and operational costs of running eKYC processes completely challenges the business case of a cost-effective Faster Payment Network Strategy.”

Andre Hugo, CEO and Co-Founder at Spot Money, adds, “We’ve been part of the working groups that were consulted on the Faster Payment Network, which we believe will be a key element in driving financial inclusion. If participants of the Faster Payment Network cannot run KYC checks at a reasonable cost, it will impact their operating margins and return on investment.”

Elliott points out that financial institutions face high compliance costs and have no credible alternatives to the DHA’s Home Affairs API for automated ID verification and facial matching capabilities when performing KYC or eKYC checks.

The increase in the cost of DHA ID API calls may lead to higher KYC compliance costs for fintechs, banks, and payment service providers (PSPs). This could slow innovation within the fintech sector and reduce consumer choice and competition. There is also a risk that local fintechs may face increased pressure from more affordable global eKYC solutions.

Lenovo Unveils New Data Storage Solutions to Accelerate IT Modernisation for the Age of AI

By
LnT Desk
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Lenovo Unveils New Data Storage Solutions to Accelerate IT Modernisation for the Age of AI
Marco Pozzoni, Director, EMEA Storage Sales at Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group

Lenovo today announced its largest storage portfolio refresh in company history, unveiling new Lenovo Data Storage Solutions that prepare enterprise IT for the age of AI with better efficiency, performance and scalability. Ushering in a new era of AI-optimised storage that propels business transformation, the complete portfolio includes storage arrays, software-defined storage (SDI), and new AI and virtualisation innovations to flexibly address rapidly evolving data operations. Using the solutions, businesses can easily run AI and data modernisation workloads on the next generation of trusted Lenovo ThinkSystem and ThinkAgile infrastructure, unleashing data to power real-time reasoning and confidently deploying AI and data modernisation workloads at scale.

As business leaders seek tangible ROI on AI investment, EMEA IDC research commissioned by Lenovo found that data sovereignty, compliance and quality data are the most important AI implementation success factors among CIOs, while scaling AI and data quality are among the biggest obstacles. The new portfolio reflects Lenovo’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative storage solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern data centres while helping businesses get the most out of their data.

“The new Lenovo Data Storage Solutions help businesses harness AI’s transformative power with a data-driven strategy that ensures scalability, interoperability, and tangible business outcomes powered by trusted infrastructure,” said Scott Tease, Vice President and General Manager of Infrastructure Solutions Product Group at Lenovo. “The new solutions help customers achieve faster time to value no matter where they are on their IT modernisation journey with turnkey AI solutions that mitigate risk and simplify deployment.”

Marco Pozzoni, Director, EMEA Storage Sales at Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group commented, “This is a pivotal moment for our customers across EMEA. With organisations facing a range of complex challenges, our largest-ever data storage portfolio refresh delivers the performance, efficiency, and data resiliency required by Data Modernisation and Enterprise AI workloads. At a time when businesses are increasingly looking for ROI on their tech investments, these next-generation data storage solutions will empower our customers to unleash the power of their data, securely.”

Solutions for Enterprise AI, Virtualisation, and Sustainability

The portfolio spans 21 new ThinkSystem and ThinkAgile models designed with the accelerated computing and efficiency that companies need to kickstart their AI journey, supporting employee productivity and maximising value with solutions for enterprise AI, virtualisation and sustainability. Key innovations include turnkey AI Starter Kits, the industry’s first liquid-cooled HCI appliances and converged hybrid cloud and virtualisation solutions. The Data Storage Solutions are finetuned for easy deployment, faster inferencing, workload consolidation and lower total cost of ownership (TCO), delivering enhanced capabilities:

  • Lenovo ThinkAgile SDI V4 Series provides full-stack, turnkey solutions that simplify IT infrastructure and accelerate computing for data-driven reasoning and faster time to value for AI LLM inferencing workloads.
  • Engineered to put actionable data insights to work more quickly in business operations, the new Lenovo ThinkSystem Storage Arrays deliver up to 3x faster performance while reducing power consumption1, providing up to 97% energy savings and 99% density improvement over a Lenovo device featuring 10K HDDs for smaller data centre footprints and lower TCO and when upgrading legacy infrastructure2.
  • New converged Lenovo ThinkAgile and ThinkSystem hybrid cloud and virtualisation solutions deliver flexible and efficient independent scaling of compute and storage capabilities, reducing software licensing costs up to 40 percent, maximising business value3.
  • New Lenovo ThinkAgile HX Series GPT-in-a-Box solutions featuring Lenovo Neptune™ Liquid Cooling leverage the industry’s first liquid cooled HCI appliance to deliver turnkey AI inferencing that takes AI from concept to success across distributed applications, from edge to cloud, yielding up to 25% energy savings over previous generation to increase ROI and achieve data-driven breakthroughs4.
  • New AI Starter Kits for Lenovo Hybrid AI Platform deliver a validated, flexible, and easy on-ramp for enterprise inferencing and retrieval-augmented (RAG) workflows.

Kickstart the Enterprise AI Journey with Scalable, Pre-Validated Infrastructure

With AI on the rise and the challenge of supporting both legacy and modern workloads, organisations are rethinking how they approach IT. Businesses are moving to a disaggregated infrastructure model, turning compute, storage, and networking into on-demand, shared resources that can adapt to changing needs to boost scalability, efficiency, and flexibility.

The AI Starter Kits for Lenovo Hybrid AI Platform are pre-configured infrastructure solutions engineered to simplify and accelerate the adoption of enterprise AI deployments. The validated configurations, comprising compute, storage, GPUs and networking, are built to scale alongside an organisation’s needs. Configured with the AI Starter Kits, the new ThinkSystem Series Storage Arrays deliver unified file, block, and object storage to eliminate data silos and leverage high-performance SSD flash technology for faster time to insight. Additionally, the AI Starter Kits include the new AI-powered autonomous ransomware protection, encryption for greater data protection and synchronous replication with transparent failover to ensure maximum solution uptime.

Powering the New Age of Enterprise AI and Data Modernisation

Bringing accelerated computing to the source of enterprise data is critical to business success, and today’s infrastructure must evolve to meet this demand. Enterprise AI projects depend on high-performance storage systems to keep up with the pace and scale of model training, inference, and RAG.

The Lenovo ThinkAgile SDI V4 Series and new Lenovo ThinkSystem Storage Arrays deliver full-stack, turnkey AI-ready infrastructure for enterprises beginning AI implementations while delivering faster inferencing performance for LLM workloads. The offerings are purpose-built for a broad range of enterprise AI and data modernisation workloads, from databases, ERP and CRM, to virtualisation, hybrid cloud, backup and archive. Primary AI use cases include AI inferencing, RAG, and fine-tuning AI models.

Capitalising on AI while optimising virtualisation requires a major evolution of storage infrastructure to accelerate data, optimise costs, and secure data assets. New converged hybrid cloud and virtualisation solutions deliver flexible and efficient independent scaling of compute and storage capabilities. For example, the new Lenovo ThinkAgile Converged Solution for VMware brings together the enterprise-class features of ThinkAgile VX Series, such as lifecycle management and operational simplicity, with the robust data-management offered by the ThinkSystem DG Series storage arrays to provide a unified cloud platform that is flexible and supports hybrid storage workloads.

Industry-First Liquid Cooled HCI Brings GPT-in-a-Box

In addition to providing the broadest, most open set of data storage solutions, Lenovo now offers the industry’s first liquid-cooled HCI appliance as part of the ThinkAgile V4 series, improving efficiency for high-powered AI workloads and achieving up to 25 percent energy savings compared to previous generations4. Using this innovation, the new Lenovo GPT-in-a-box with Liquid Cooling full-stack generative AI solution with Lenovo ThinkAgile HX jumpstarts AI integration using a repeatable solution that lowers energy costs for faster data-powered AI reasoning that delivers faster ROI and innovation anywhere.

Driving the Future of AI Evolution with Enhanced Security and Confidence

Lenovo’s next-generation technology, combined with Lenovo Premier Enhanced Storage Support, supports IT teams with tailored expertise and rapid response times, delivering scalability, performance and reliability so organisations can deploy AI with confidence and innovate without the constraints of
outdated infrastructure.

“Innovation is embedded in OneNet’s DNA and partnering with Lenovo represents a commitment to modernizing the data centre with cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency and sustainability,” said Tony Weston, Chief Technology Officer at OneNet. “Backed by Lenovo solutions and Lenovo Premier Support, OneNet can deliver high-availability, high-performance private cloud services that our customers can depend on.”

The next generation of Lenovo ThinkSystem and ThinkAgile solutions are also designed with integrated data security and resiliency features to lower operational risk and provide greater data protection, such as tamper-proof snapshots and software-based encryption. ThinkSystem DG and DM storage arrays feature new AI-powered autonomous ransomware protection, which elevates cyber resiliency by leveraging machine learning models to proactively detect and mitigate attacks.

The Lenovo Data Storage Solutions also feature Lenovo’s XClarity systems management software support, giving businesses comprehensive security features to ensure management, encryption, compliance, and communication for all managed storage solutions.

With the next generation of AI-optimised, integrated solutions, Lenovo is empowering organisations to move quickly to modernise systems while ensuring the future-proofing of tech stacks, so customers across all industries can harness data to transform.

Explore how Lenovo is powering the future of Enterprise AI and Storage at https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/servers-storage.

 

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