Technology

Data intelligence drives safer roads across Limpopo province. (Image credit: AARIVE ALIVE)

Positioned at the centre of Southern Africa’s transport network, Limpopo carries a constant flow of traffic along key routes such as the N1, R71 and R37. These corridors are vital for linking communities, enabling regional trade and moving goods across borders

Their importance, however, also brings heightened safety risks. For the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety (LDTCS), improving road safety relies heavily on one essential factor: reliable, easy-to-use data that explains where crashes happen and what causes them.

For many years, road crash information in the province was recorded manually across different districts, without spatial mapping. This fragmented approach limited the ability of authorities to identify high-risk areas or take preventive action. Through the Limpopo Road Safety Programme (LRSP), funded by the Anglo American Foundation and delivered with support from The Impact Catalyst, Project 3 was launched to address these gaps.

In collaboration with LDTCS and the Office of the Premier (OTP), the project team developed a GIS-based incident dashboard that consolidates provincial crash data into a single, visual platform.

“Having a shared picture of where our highest-risk corridors and communities are makes all the difference,” notes Mr Stephen Matjena, LDTCS Head of Department, “because it allows us to direct limited enforcement and investment where they can have the greatest impact.”

Building a practical tool through collaboration

The initiative began with a proof-of-concept system built on ESRI technology, developed alongside the CSIR and technical partners. Early testing focused on real-world applications, including pedestrian vulnerability and ambulance response trends. As the work progressed, greater emphasis was placed on improving data accuracy and usability. Records were cleaned and structured, filters and categories refined, and terminology adjusted in close consultation with provincial officials. By 2025, the dashboard was ready for handover, giving users an intuitive way to analyse incidents by corridor, district, severity and time period. It is already informing corridor planning discussions and helping justify targeted interventions in identified high-risk zones.

“The goal was never to build a shiny system in isolation,” reflects Dr. Mari Romijn, Impact Catalyst Head of Department of Capable State. “It was to co-create something practical with provincial teams that can grow into a full road safety intelligence platform over time.”

Strengthening partnerships and future opportunities

The benefits of the dashboard are becoming increasingly clear. It has established a common evidence base for LDTCS, the Office of the Premier, the Department of Health and Roads Agency Limpopo, supporting closer coordination on enforcement priorities, strategic planning and updates to the Limpopo Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan. At the same time, the Limpopo Department of Health’s new Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system presents opportunities to integrate emergency medical services data in the future, offering deeper insight into crash severity, response times and patient outcomes.

Overall, the incident dashboard shows how practical, data-led solutions can help even resource-limited administrations move from reactive responses to a proactive, intelligence-driven approach to road safety, while gradually building the skills and systems needed for long-term ownership and innovation.

Oni-Tel launches high-speed data network.

Oni-Tel Fibre Networks, a leading fibre optic cable infrastructure provider in South Africa, has unveiled its Inter-Data Centre Fibre Network, with Digital Parks Africa (DPA) acting as the first point of presence (PoP)

This high-speed fibre backbone links all major data centres across Gauteng, delivering seamless, low-latency connectivity between facilities and opening new opportunities for enterprise and cloud infrastructure.

The launch represents a major advancement for the region’s digital infrastructure, positioning Oni-Tel to:

• Be the first provider to introduce new infrastructure access models through a purpose-built network designed for data centre interconnectivity (DCI) and external links, including Carrier Points of Presence (PoP), Carrier Hotels, and Campus Cross-Connects.

• Lead in deploying next-generation technology combined with innovative commercial frameworks.

• Act as a key disruptor in the data connectivity sector, transforming how businesses approach interconnectivity and scaling.

A new era of participation and innovation

At the official launch held at DPA’s Midrand headquarters, Oni-Tel CEO Andre Pillay said the company is moving fast, living boldly, and entering a new era of participation and innovation in the market.

“We are focused on resilient architectures, future-proof infrastructure, and intelligent monitoring platforms that transform how we manage and secure critical assets. We see a growing technical need for stability, scalability and speed, and that is why we are investing in robust infrastructure,” he explained.

“To date, we have laid over 70km of cutting-edge fibre, purpose-built for high-speed and low-latency, ready for future demands of digital connectivity. With a proactive approach, our core network is pre-provisioned to enable time-critical requirements to be met seamlessly and on schedule.”

Brady introduces durable field labelling and automated inventory solutions. (Image source: Brady Corporation)

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From self-laminating cable labels and cable flags, through sleeves and tags, up to unique engraved plate replacements and BradyGrip identification for Velcro cable ties - all these and much more you can design and print in the field with Brady mobile label printers. Check out our field installer identification solutions that enable faster interventions!

In addition, Brady offers a solution that helps ensure you have all your trusted tools with you. All of the time. Have you ever arrived at an intervention without the necessary equipment? Ever lost tools during field interventions? How much time do you spend to make sure all equipment is accounted for, and present in your vehicles? Now you can confirm vehicle inventories digitally and automatically, highlight any missing assets, and home in on misplaced items to quickly complete your vehicles. Discover the intelligent affordable solution for automated vehicle inventory checks!

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• Fast field printing: Built for speed and mobility, our tough mobile label printers print any reliable label your installation requires, anywhere.
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Brady develops and manufactures every component in its solution. Tested in in-house laboratories, each component is designed to withstand the wear and tear of field interventions, including exposure to UV, dust and moisture. Used by large telecom groups in France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, Brady labels are field-tested after having been developed in in-house laboratories, using more than a century of identification experience and expertise.

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EEU partners with Wingu Africa to strengthen digital infrastructure (Image source: Wingu)

Wingu Africa, a leading carrier-neutral data centre operator in East Africa, has announced a colocation partnership with Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) to strengthen digital infrastructure

Under the collaboration, EEU has deployed critical infrastructure within Wingu Africa’s Tier III-certified facility in Addis Ababa, ensuring greater reliability, security, and efficiency for its digital operations.

The partnership underscores the vital role that secure, high-availability data centres play in enabling national utilities and enterprises to modernise and scale their services.

The collaboration marks a step forward in EEU’s digital transformation journey.

By hosting its infrastructure within Wingu Africa’s state-of-the-art colocation environment, EEU is enhancing the resilience of its digital services and positioning itself to better serve millions of customers across Ethiopia.

“This partnership with Wingu reflects our vision to modernise the way we deliver electricity services in Ethiopia,” said Michael Debela, CIO at EEU.

“By strengthening the resilience of our digital infrastructure, we are improving the reliability of our operations and laying the foundation for smarter energy services that meet the needs of our citizens.”

Demos Kyriacou, Wingu’s deputy CEO, COO and co-founder, said the implementation was completed seamlessly, with the infrastructure now fully active and operational.

“We are honoured to support Ethiopian Electric Utility in this important milestone,” said Kyriacou.

The collaboration also underscores the growing synergy between the energy and technology sectors, a theme that is being echoed not only in Ethiopia, but across Africa and beyond.

“Hosting mission-critical infrastructure in our Tier III-certified environment ensures the highest levels of security, efficiency and uptime,” Kyriacou added.

“Together, we are building a foundation for Ethiopia’s energy and digital future.”

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