However, given the many complaints users have generally had with their AI support system systems for business accounts and ad campaign setup, many are very skeptical of how this will in actual work.

The most immediate change for users is the Meta AI support assistant. Unlike previous iterations of “Help Centers” that relied on keyword searches and static articles, this new tool is designed to take direct action within the app. Meta claims the assistant can respond to most queries in under five seconds, a significant benchmark for a platform with billions of users.

Beyond answering questions about privacy settings or new features, the assistant is being granted permission to execute account-level changes. Users can now ask the AI to reset passwords, update profile settings, and manage notification toggles directly. Crucially, it also handles the “paperwork” of moderation, allowing users to report impersonation accounts and track the status of content appeals through a conversational interface rather than a series of nested menus.

On the back end, Meta is deploying more sophisticated AI models to handle content enforcement, moving away from a primary reliance on third-party human review teams. The company shared several data points from early testing that suggest these models are outperforming human moderators in specific, high-velocity areas:

• Scam Mitigation: The AI currently identifies approximately 5,000 scam attempts per day that were previously missed by human reviewers.
• Impersonation: Meta reports an 80% reduction in user reports regarding celebrity impersonation since the AI began flagging these accounts at the point of creation.
• Contextual Awareness: The system is now capable of identifying “account takeovers” by analyzing clusters of behavior—such as a password change combined with a new login location and profile edits—that might look harmless to a human reviewer when viewed in isolation.

One of the most significant technical leaps is in language support. While previous systems covered roughly 80 languages, the new AI models are trained to understand cultural nuances, slang, and regionally specific code words across languages spoken by 98% of the online population.

The company is also targeting “spoofing” more aggressively. In one test case, the AI was able to detect fake retail sites by identifying the use of legitimate logos paired with suspicious web addresses and “unusually low” pricing. This specific application reportedly drove down views of scam-related ads by 7%.

Mzansi’s online grocery market is poised for significant growth, with the market value expected to reach R80 billion (approximately $5 billion USD) by 2026, and potentially R120 billion to R130 billion (around $7 billion to $8 billion USD) by 2029. According to Statista’s Digital Market Outlook, the number of e-commerce users in South Africa is forecast to grow from 11.7 million in 2025 to 21.52 million by 2029, reflecting the increasing shift toward online retail across the country.

The growth is being driven by several key industry trends that are reshaping the retail landscape. These trends reflect a dynamic and customer-focused approach to e-commerce, which is fueling the rapid expansion of the sector.

In a rapidly evolving online grocery landscape, Yassir stands out as a transformative force, perfectly positioned to meet the demands of modern consumers. With a strong focus on affordability, extended operating hours and swift delivery, Yassir is redefining the grocery shopping experience, ensuring convenience and budget management are at the forefront.

As the festive season approaches, Yassir is capitalising on current trends with two exciting promotions:

• Up to 30% Off on All Groceries: From now until November 30th, customers can enjoy substantial savings across all regulated categories, excluding pharmacies, vapes and infant formula. This promotion not only makes shopping more affordable but also aligns with the growing consumer demand for budget-friendly options during the holiday season.
• Fresh Produce Tuesdays: Every Tuesday, Yassir offers fresh food items at an incredible 50% discount. This initiative caters to the increasing consumer preference for fresh, high-quality produce, while also enhancing convenience for families who want to stock up on essentials.

By prioritising extended operating hours and rapid delivery, Yassir enables families to spend more quality time together, free from the stress of crowded malls and traditional shopping challenges. As consumer trends shift toward personalised, convenient and budget-conscious shopping experiences, Yassir is not just adapting; it’s leading the way as a game changer in the online grocery sector.

Navigating the Holiday Season: Tips for Shoppers

As the holiday season draws near, customers can manage their budgets while enjoying the ease of online shopping. Here are some tips to make the most of the festive promotions:

• Utilise Price Comparison Tools: Leverage online resources to compare prices across different retailers, ensuring you get the best deals.
• Take Advantage of Discounts and Promotions: Keep an eye out for special offers like those from Yassir to maximise your savings.
• Ensure Secure Transactions: Shop on platforms that offer robust security measures, such as two-factor authentication, to protect your personal and financial information.

Both consumers and entrepreneurs play pivotal roles in shaping the future of South Africa’s online retail industry. By embracing customer-centric strategies, leveraging technological advancements, and addressing existing challenges head-on, the sector is poised for sustained growth and success.

Yassir’s innovative approach exemplifies how retailers can adapt to meet evolving consumer demands. With its focus on affordability, extended operating hours, and speed, Yassir is setting a new standard in the online grocery delivery space.

Starting with the kickoff of the Betway Premiership this weekend, all PSL matches will be streamed live on Showmax. This includes major cup competitions like the Carling Knockout Cup, MTN8, and Nedbank Cup. Subscribers to the Showmax Premier League package can enjoy all this for just R69 per month, a steal (in our books) for any die-hard fan. It’s only available on mobile.

In addition, this strategic partnership opens the PSL to millions of fans across Africa, ensuring they never miss a crucial goal or a nail-biting save from their favourite teams. The league already boasts a massive viewership in South Africa and beyond.

The Betway Premiership kicks off on Saturday, September 14th, with several exciting matchups. Fans can witness Royal AM take on Cape Town City, followed by a clash between Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Marumo Gallants. The reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, will begin their title defense on Tuesday, September 17th, against SuperSport United.

This season promises to be one of the most thrilling in years. Last season’s runners-up, Orlando Pirates, will be hungry to snatch the title from Sundowns, making every game a must-watch.

The latest update introduces significant upgrades to the user interface. Live TV rows now play back channels as users browse, letting them preview content directly from the homepage, allowing them to immediately jump into live TV. The price point of R699, which is a R100 saving per month, will be available to all DStv Stream customers who take out a 12-month Premium contract. DStv Stream gives customers access to all the live and video-on-demand content available per package, no dish or decoder required – simply stream everything with the DStv app. 

Additionally, Live TV rows now display not just channels but also events, making it easier for users to see what’s happening now and what’s coming up next. This functionality makes planning the viewing experience quick and simple, particularly around major events such as sports games. 

“We know that delivering the streaming experience our customers want means we need to stay at the top of our game,” says Marc Jury, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa. “We know that delivering the streaming experience our customers want means we need to stay at the top of our game,” says Marc Jury, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa. “This latest update is a big step forward, especially for live sports fans. It’s a fantastic way to dive into everything that SuperSport has on offer.” 

Early numbers show that these updates are making a positive impact on the user experience, resulting in a 23% increase in the number of series and movies streamed on demand, a 17% increase in the number of titles that customers have added to their watchlists, and an overall 8% increase in content watched on DStv Stream compared to the previous month.   

The update also introduces several new sections on the platform, each tailored to improve content discovery: 

Channel homepages: The app now has dedicated homepages for all channels, complete with billboards and curated content, offering users an enhanced browsing experience. 

Sports tournament homepages: Dedicated pages for tournaments allow sports enthusiasts to access all relevant content, including previously played games, upcoming matches, highlights and video-on-demand content related to the tournament. Now that the new season has kicked off, the Premier League homepage is a must-visit.  

Studio homepages: The new studio pages bring users closer to their favourite studios by showcasing all the latest releases and popular titles from each studio, from Warner Bros. to Disney.  

Watch from Start: Whether they’re late to the big game, a live concert, or an important broadcast, users will no longer worry about having missed the start. This new feature allows users to go to the beginning of any live event instantly. To use this feature, simply press the “OK” button on the remote control while watching the live event. Then navigate down to the “Watch from Start” option located just above the progress bar. With one click, users will be taken straight back to the beginning of the event. 

The update also introduces eight new display types for video-on-demand rows, providing richer and more engaging previews which encourage users to explore content beyond their usual selections. The “Explore More” section offers deeper dives into genres, collections, and curated content, giving trending and niche content greater visibility. 

Updated navigation on tvOS and iOS platforms aims to make content discovery more intuitive and visually engaging. New features such as billboards and lead tiles serve to spotlight featured, new, and exclusive titles, driving immediate user engagement. 

New display formats now play trailers directly on the homepage, while live channels stream automatically upon landing on the page. These real-time experiences are designed to keep users connected to current events and make DStv Stream even better.  

This is the second in a series of DStv enhancements over the coming months that will improve user experience and platform stability. We are looking to announce the next one in a few weeks’ time.   

How to get DStv Stream for R699 on a 12-month contract

This offer is available via WhatsApp for Premium customers. “Stream Contract Deals” to 060 060 3788. 

DStv Stream is free for all decoder customers

A major highlight for DStv decoder customers is that every single customer has access to the DStv Stream app at no extra cost. Whether dealing with power cuts, travelling away from home, or simply wanting an extra viewing option, customers can download content, watch from anywhere, and enjoy their favourite shows and sports on the go. 

Showmax, which is aiming to become Africa’s leading streaming service, and Capitec, the biggest digital bank in South Africa, have joined forces to make entertainment and sport more affordable.  

• 50% discount on Showmax streaming vouchers for 12 million Capitec app users   
• Showmax Entertainment Mobile priced at R22, Showmax Entertainment all devices at R49 and Showmax Premier League mobile at R34 per month 
• Less than R1 a day for entertainment on mobile  
• Capitec clients can also get 5 GB of Capitec Connect data to stream at only R145  

“We are proud to have joined forces with Capitec to make entertainment even more accessible and affordable. We’re kicking off this partnership with incredible pricing that we believe will make customers smile, giving South Africans access to the stories they love from across South Africa, the continent, the world and live football from the Premier League. Get ready for a streaming marathon!” says Marc Jury, CEO of Showmax.  

Henk Lourens, Group Executive for Strategic Initiatives at Capitec says, “At Capitec we understand our clients’ needs and have partnered with someone that shares our proudly South African vision.  We want to make entertainment available anywhere and anytime at very affordable rates. We’ve partnered with Showmax to disrupt the entertainment landscape and create value to our clients. Our clients will have access to entertainment from less than R1 a day, and this is only the start of a very exciting journey with much more disruption to come!” 

The Showmax discounted vouchers are now available to all Capitec clients via the Capitec banking app. In the month of August, Showmax customers can enjoy nine new Showmax Originals, including Durban-based reality show The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice. International fans can look forward to hit HBO series like House of the Dragon, currently IMDb’s most popular series globally, and Talk To Me, named Best Horror Movie at the 2024 Critics Choice Super Awards. On Showmax Premier League, the new Premier League football season kicks off on Friday, 16 August and reigning champions Manchester City take on previous champions Chelsea on Sunday, 18 August.  

Check here for more info.

At the heart of the new offering is the world’s first standalone Premier League plan for mobile, with all 380 games offered live on Showmax Premier League for just R69 a month. 

“There are currently just over 450 million smartphones in the hands of individuals across Africa … and more than 250 million avid football lovers on the continent,” says Marc Jury, CEO of Showmax. “Showmax Premier League is a game-changing product that gives individuals a ticket to the football they love, wherever they are, on the device they always have with them, at a price that’s impossible not to love.”  

“Africa is incredibly important to the Premier League and our clubs; 20% of TV audiences on any given matchday come from Africa,” says Richard Masters, Premier League CEO. “We are delighted with this Showmax initiative, which puts the Premier League in your pocket at a new price point so that millions more can enjoy our fantastic competition.” 

In addition, there are two more Showmax plans available to customers in 44 African countries: Showmax Entertainment on mobile for an unbelievable R39 a month at launch, as well as the Showmax Entertainment plan, where the monthly price falls from R99 to R89 per month.  

Core to the success of Showmax’s streaming ambitions in Africa is a new technical platform that is robust and built to scale. With the launch of Showmax, the Peacock streaming platform will be active in more than 70 countries and is continually enhanced by the combined expertise of thousands of engineers. The world-class platform has brought millions of viewers popular events such as Super Bowl LVI, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final, the Olympics and WrestleMania 39. On 13 January, Peacock’s exclusive AFC Wild Card Game became the biggest live-streamed event in US history, reaching 27.6 million viewers and a record 16.3 million concurrent devices. In 2023, Comcast won a Technology and Engineering Emmy Award for its sports viewing experiences across Peacock, Sky and Xfinity.  

“Peacock’s best-in-class technology platform will deliver a world-class streaming experience to Showmax audiences,” said Patrick Miceli, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Direct-to-Consumer & International, NBCUniversal. “The Peacock platform was designed from day one to support both live and on-demand content, including the biggest live sporting events, so we look forward to extending that capability and reliability to the new Showmax.” 

Alongside the Premier League, the new Showmax also opens the door to a thrilling entertainment universe spanning a wide range of stars and stories across multiple genres. With no fewer than 21 new Showmax Originals launching in February alone, there will be more than 1 300 hours of Showmax Originals produced in the coming year, representing a significant 150% increase in production output compared to the year before. 

Showmax will also continue to draw from the likes of Paramount, including Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning and Halo S2 in February, and HBO, with new seasons of House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, True Detective, and The White Lotus on the way. 

Showmax’s content offering is further boosted by its focus on the African market and strengthened by the vast creative and commercial presence already established by MultiChoice. “Nobody understands Africa like we do. Showmax is putting the continent first with a powerful streaming service that will revolutionise streaming in Africa in 2024,” says Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice Group CEO.  

This payment ecosystem is facilitated by Moment, another MultiChoice joint venture partner. Working with more than 200 payment partners such as banks, mobile money providers, retailers and payment schemes, Moment is building the broadest pan-African payments network. In addition, DStv customers will continue to have the option of adding Showmax to their DStv bill each month and benefitting from significant discounts. Showmax will be announcing additional partnerships soon that will offer even more value to customers. 

The new Showmax app will become available in app stores from 23 January 2024 onward, as part of a staggered migration process across 44 markets. This is an ongoing process that starts next week and will be completed in February this year. Existing Showmax customers will begin receiving communication with information on how to access the new app this week and by 12 February 2024 the new Showmax will be live in all markets. 

Airbnb

Explore accommodation around the world, with homes and apartments chosen for their style, location, or nearby activities. Whether you’re looking for a cabin with views or apartments by the beach, Airbnb Categories helps you find places to stay that are right for your trip. Narrow down your choices easily with filters that help you book homes that meet your needs.

Booking.com

Find great hotel or apartment deals and book in a few minutes. You can also book flights, rental cars, and more through the app. You can filter accommodation by price, review score, Wi-Fi quality, and other things important to you. Search cheap hotels by city, attraction, landmark, or hotel name.

Citymapper

Citymapper is a public transit app and mapping service, which shows all ways of getting around the city you’re visiting, including walking, cycling, driving and public transport.

Expedia

From trip planning to booking, the Expedia app is designed to enhance your travel experience and keep you one step ahead with real-time travel alerts and the ability to view your trip details anytime, anywhere. Book flights, hotels, activities and rental cars from one app.

GetYourGuide

Whether you’re planning a vacation or looking for last-minute things to do in any destination, this app makes booking tours, day trips, and activities easier than ever. Choose from culture, food, adventure, nature, and more experiences.

Google Translate

Use Google Translate to communicate in dozens of languages using text or voice. Just need to type, write, or speak into the app or point your smartphone’s camera at a sign or menu written in a foreign language for a live translation.

Hopper

Find millions of flights, hotels, homes and rental cars – all in one app. You can watch a trip in the app and get a notification when it’s the best time to buy — recommending you book now or maybe wait a little longer.

Hotels.com

You can choose from over 500,000 properties worldwide on this app. Easily find and compare hotels, luxury resorts, B&Bs, vacation rentals, and more.  Whether you’re planning a short stay, last minute getaway, long vacation, business trip, or anything in between, there is a property for every kind of travel.

PackPoint

PackPoint is a free travel packing list organiser and packing planner for serious travel pros. PackPoint will help you organise what you need to pack in your luggage and suitcase based on length of travel, weather at your destination, and any activities planned during your trip.

Viator

A marketplace for travel activities that offers 300,000+ experiences—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures. You can use the app to modify, edit, or cancel your bookings on the go.

The new Showmax will have three plans: Showmax Entertainment, Showmax Entertainment Mobile and the exciting Showmax Premier League. Powered by SuperSport and made for mobile users, Showmax Premier League is the first standalone Premier League mobile streaming service ever to launch in Africa and will take every single match of the world’s most popular football league to every corner of sub-Saharan Africa.  

As it prepares for relaunch, Showmax released a first look at a completely refreshed logo and brand identity. “We can’t wait to share the new Showmax,” says Showmax CEO Marc Jury. “We have an incredibly powerful new technology platform, a bold brand that truly represents our driving spirit, and a content slate that is unmatched. No other streaming service in Africa can offer what Showmax is bringing to the table in the new year.” 

Showmax’s migration onto the global Peacock streaming platform means it’s ready to scale, and scale fast. The robust platform is used across the globe and is a leader in sports streaming, having successfully live-streamed the Super Bowl to more than six million users simultaneously.  

Known for its track record of setting trends with Showmax Originals, Showmax will be ramping up its content slate across the continent in December in preparation for the relaunch. The diverse lineup includes its first 2D animation, Twende, about an adorable boda-boda driving pangolin, as well as second seasons of record-breaking bromance Adulting, smash hit reality series Kwa Mam’Mkhize and Nigerian hit Wura, not to mention the reunion of The Mommy Club. And that’s not all, with launches on the way for Convict Conman, a new true-crime series (from the producers of Devilsdorp, Rosemary’s Hitlist and Steinheist); Trompoppie, a murder mystery series set in the competitive world of high school drum majorettes; Nigerian legal drama Agu; first Nigerian Original feature film, School Run, and reality series Sports Wives. Every Wednesday until 27 December, Showmax will also be releasing new episodes of their breakthrough CANAL+ co-production Spinners, the first African show ever selected for Canneseries.  

For fans of international content, the new Comcast partnership guarantees Showmax an ongoing supply of hit content, as the media giant owns the likes of Universal Pictures, NBC, Peacock, Sky, DreamWorks Animation and Telemundo. 

Viewers can expect international titles on Showmax to radically increase in the new year, with December’s lineup already including The Super Mario Bros. Movie (the biggest animated opening of all-time, and the biggest global opening of 2023), Fast X (which was the #1 international opening of 2023), Emmy®-nominated Poker Face and King Arthur epic The Winter King. Already home to the three most nominated shows at this year’s Emmys®, Showmax will continue to draw content from Banijay, BBC, eOne Fremantle, HBO, ITV, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros, among others. 

Showmax continues to go from strength to strength. It was recently named one of the RoW40 (40 Trailblazing Companies that are beating the West) by the New York based global non-profit Rest of World who said, “These emerging market pioneers are outmanoeuvring Silicon Valley.” Nigeria’s 2023 BrandCom Awards also recognised Showmax as ‘The Most Innovative On-demand Video Streaming Platform’, noting that, “The video streaming service has demonstrated exceptional creativity, originality, and innovation within the on-demand streaming industry”. 

“Streaming in Africa is about to take off and we’re ready to change the game,” says Jury. “We have all the ingredients in place to become the number one streaming service for Africa.” 

Modern storytelling, albeit in a different format, is no different. Podcasting is the medium that we are now accustomed to, and it has grown exponentially in the last five years. These tales, traditional as they are, have made their way to the modern world of podcasting, through the playwright and writer Dr. Gcina Mhlophe’s newly launched podcast, African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe narrated in isiZulu and English targeted at children. African beliefs and identity is another key part of heritage, and The Journey Kwantu delves further into this, hosted by Vusumzi Ngxande. 

It does not just stop at folktales and African spirituality, after all, when storytelling takes form in a native language, it is bound to intimately captivate its audience. The IsiXhosa podcast Epokothweni with Babalwa Nonkenge which focuses on personal finance is a perfect example.  

“When we launched Spotify for Podcasters as an all-new, first-of-its-kind platform with everything needed to create and grow a podcast, we wanted to remove the barriers that are often the hindrance when venturing into the podcast space. Removal of these barriers enables authentically South African storytelling to shine, and it is encouraging to see podcasts in different languages and with diverse content making waves on the platform”, says Ncebakazi Manzi, Podcast Manager for Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Epokothweni with Babalwa Nonkenge, African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe, and The Journey Kwantu podcasts are important in the modern world of storytelling. The modern world is often presented as the opposite of culture, the opposite of native languages, especially amongst the younger generation, the majority of whom make up the highest age group at over 32% consuming podcast content in South Africa. 

The Spotify 90 day data further reveals podcast medium grew between 2021 and 2022 by 65%, showing no signs of slowing down. The growth coincided with the After School Is After School With Sis G.U launch in 2021, one of South Africa’s top ten beloved podcasts on Spotify. As for timing, during the commute in the morning between 07:00 and 09:00 and again in the afternoon between 16:00 and 17:00 seems to be the most popular hours. It is not surprising therefore that South African listeners listen to more podcasts than any other country in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Lucky enough to also form part of the proceedings, Slikour hosted industry colleagues, media and close friends at The Venue in Melrose Arch on Tuesday, 31 May, where he officially unveiled The Unites States of Creatives, a project he’s been working on for nearly half a decade, which includes two cutting-edge financial technology platforms: SOLDistro and SOLWallet. 

SOLDistro, an online music distribution platform, enables artists to effortlessly release their songs on all major streaming platforms and stores, with unlimited free music uploads. While also introducing an artist investment fund overseen by Prowess. This platform also offers promotional and financial tools to help artists build their careers while taking only a modest royalty fee. 

Complementing SOLDistro is SOLWallet, an advanced transaction platform tailored to the needs of African creatives. Artists using international DIY distribution platforms who get paid their royalties through global fintech companies normally decide to forfeit their fees due to the tedious processes that is not built to accommodate locals. Members will also enjoy exclusive rewards and discounts, with plans to provide creator loans for creatives working with agencies  or musicians with a revenue track record from their streams in the near future. 

Slikour also unveiled ‘BlackChain’, a creator B2B marketplace connecting businesses with talented creative freelancers that have been quality checked by procurement and production teams of SA most established agencies. This platform will streamline the process of finding professional suppliers while promoting the work of creative individuals.

Celebrating this significant milestone, Slikour said, “Tonight, we didn’t launch something new. Distribution houses and financial platforms are already out there. But what we have launched is a journey for creatives to build their equity and value. These platforms are for the creators, the people who love music and the artists who create it.”

To show his appreciation for all those that helped him reach this next step of his journey, Slikour presented awards to VMLY&R, Hennessy, Coca-Cola executive Phindile Phiri and Stella Artois. 

Slikour also announced that his book, Slikour: The Life Story of a Hip-Hop Pioneer, will be turned into an adaption – taking his career to unprecedented new heights. 

For more information, visit www.slikouronlife.co.za.

Faster

The new Microsoft Teams promises faster performance and a smoother user experience. According to the announcement, the new Teams app will be up to 50% faster, allowing users to quickly switch between chats, channels, and meetings. Additionally, Microsoft has made improvements to reduce latency and improve reliability, resulting in faster and more reliable video calls and screen sharing.

Simpler

One of the biggest challenges with collaboration tools is making them easy to use and understand. With the new Microsoft Teams, Microsoft has streamlined the user interface, making it simpler and more intuitive. Users will have easy access to frequently used features and a cleaner design, reducing distractions and making it easier to focus on the task at hand.

More Flexible

Microsoft Teams has always been a flexible tool, allowing users to customize their workspace and integrate with other apps and services. The new Teams takes this flexibility to the next level, with new features that allow users to personalize their experience even further. Users can now create custom templates for meetings, share channels with external guests, and integrate with more than 300 third-party apps and services.

Smarter

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are playing an increasingly important role in collaboration and communication tools, and Microsoft Teams is no exception. The new Teams features several AI-powered enhancements, such as live captions and transcripts, real-time translation, and meeting summaries. These features not only improve accessibility but also help to reduce communication barriers and improve collaboration across diverse teams and regions.

The new Microsoft Teams promises to be faster, simpler, more flexible, and smarter than ever before. With new features that improve performance, simplify the user experience, and integrate with more third-party apps and services, Microsoft Teams is poised to continue its dominance in the collaboration and communication space. If you are a Microsoft Teams user, these updates are definitely something to look forward to.

1.      Amazon Kindle

One of the best ways to pass some time while you wait for the power to return is to snuggle up in bed with a good book. The Kindle app puts over 1.5 million books at your fingertips, plus a selection of comics and magazines.

2.      Battery Guru

There are few things worse than running out of power on your smartphone with two hours of load shedding to go. Battery Guru gives you detailed information about your battery usage, helps you monitor its health, and offers tips on how to extend its lifespan.

3.      Comixology

Comixology lets you explore over 200,000 digital comics, manga, and graphic novels from Marvel, DC, Viz, Kodansha, Dark Horse, Image, and more. Comixology titles span every genre, including superheroes, sci-fi, crime, horror, and slice-of-life.

4.      Coursera

If you want to use load shedding hours to better yourself, Coursera is the app for you. It helps you build job-relevant, in-demand skills by learning with experts from world-class companies and universities.

5.      DStv

Don’t have a battery and inverter setup to power your TV during load shedding? There’s no reason to miss the big match just because the power is out. As a DStv customer you can enjoy the shows, movies and sport you love with the DStv streaming app on your Android phone.

6.      Duolingo

If you’ve always dreamed of learning Chinese or French, why not use the hours without power to do so? Duolingo is the fun, free app for learning 35+ languages through quick, bite-sized lessons. Practice speaking, reading, listening, and writing to build your vocabulary and grammar skills.

7.      ESP EskomSePush

This app monitors loadshedding status and sends Push notifications when you’re going to be impacted. It’s makes it easy to see your slot without having to read a complicated schedule and reminds you to get ready for load shedding with 55-minute and 15-minute warnings.

8.      Google Podcasts

With Google Podcasts, you can play the latest episodes from your favourite shows, explore podcast recommendations just for you, and manage your listening activity.

9.      Mr D

Tired of firing up the braai or eating leftovers every night when the power’s out? Treat yourself to a fresh, hot meal from your favourite neighbourhood restaurant or takeaway chain. Mr D delivers hot food as well as groceries if you prefer not to brave dark streets and load shedding traffic.

10.  Tiny Flashlight

Tiny Flashlight + LED is a simple, free, torch app with LED light and several screen modes. It can come in handy when you’re looking for something in the dark.