Independent ATMs keep cash accessible in SA:
Cash continues to power everyday transactions for millions across the nation.
According to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Payments Study Report released in August 2024, South Africans use cash most often as a payment method (87%), regardless of what they buy. Only 15% use cardless payments and 8% opt for credit card, while debit card payments are ubiquitous at 75%. Cash makes up 56% of the number of payments across all categories, valued for its convenience (31%), ability to reduce bank charges (18%) and as a primary form of income for many (11%).
As South African banks reduce the number of ATMs available across the country, concerns are rising about the impact this will have on convenient access to cash for millions of citizens. According to recent media, the number of bank ATMs has reduced by more than 4 000 over the past four years, a trend that could undermine financial accessibility for a large portion of the population. Wayne Abramson, CEO of ATM Solutions, says ensuring access to cash is crucial for sustaining the South African economy, where cash still plays an indispensable role.
“Cash remains a meaningful part of the payments ecosystem, with many South Africans relying on it for everyday transactions and bill payments. While digital transactions are on the rise, the demand for cash and accessible, conveniently located ATMs is strong, and at 55%, ATMs remain the dominant point to access cash,” he continues.
Independent ATM operators, such as ATM Solutions, are stepping up to fill the gap, ensuring that cash remains within reach for under-served communities. A number of major retailers also offer cash-back at point-of-sale (POS). This is part of a broader effort to support the South African Reserve Bank’s mandate to enhance financial accessibility and inclusion.
The FinScope Consumer South Africa 2023 Survey further highlights that a significant portion of the population – 94% – withdraws cash monthly, with 34% withdrawing all deposited funds at once. For these individuals, cash offers simplicity, reliability and a tangible sense of security. Concerns about high banking fees also contribute to the preference for cash.
Cash withdrawals have become more affordable, with banks such as Standard Bank and Capitec no longer charging their clients a Saswitch network fee, so customers aren’t paying extra to withdraw from other bank ATMs. According to Standard Bank, this initiative saved their customers R245 million in penalty fees in 2023.
ATM Solutions, a Paycorp group company, plays a critical role in this ecosystem by providing over 4 500 Cash Express ATMs in under-served and key rural, urban, retail and hospitality locations across South Africa. ATM users can withdraw cash from local and international bank accounts, SASSA cards or make cardless withdrawals from mobile wallets such as Vodapay and MTN Momo and crypto wallets using the CryptoExpress app. By bridging the gap between digital wallets and cash, ATM Solutions provides consumers with more ways to transact, adapting to the evolving nature of the payment landscape.
“Many of these ATMs are strategically placed in under-served locations to provide a much-needed access to SASSA recipients,” says Abramson. “Even though many South Africans are paid or receive income digitally, they often withdraw their funds immediately so they can transact within their communities with ease.”
At the heart of this issue is consumer choice. “We’re not just advocates for cash,” Abramson continues, “we’re advocates for our customers. Our goal is to empower them with the tools they need to transact in the way that best suits their lives, whether it’s through cash, digital platforms or a combination of both.”
The focus on what consumers want underscores the critical role independent ATM and payment providers such as ATM Solutions play in keeping South Africa’s cash-driven economy alive and accessible for all.
Uganda’s ‘singing fools’ use satire to attack government:
A packed Kampala audience holds its breath as four self-styled “singing fools” in choir uniforms bound onto the stage for their latest daring satire of Ugandan politics.
The Bizonto comedy troupe recount the misadventures in a fictional village, ruled by an ageing leader and suffering from a dire lack of basic services and sky-high taxes.
The parallels with real-life Uganda — ruled for almost four decades by 80-year-old Yoweri Museveni — are not hard to spot.
The troupe’s name means “mentally unstable”, which they chose when they formed in 2020 in the hope it would provide some protection from the authorities.
But it has not diluted the sharpness of their satire.
“Our message means people know we are actually not fools,” said troupe member Maliseeri Mbambaali, 40.
The show “supports issues raised by the majority of the population,” he told AFP.
Their buffoonish front has not always protected them.
In 2020, they released a video sarcastically calling on Ugandans to pray for their leaders, including Museveni, the police chief and the head of prisons, that quickly went viral.
All four members — Mbambaali, Julius Sserwanja, 41, Tony Kyambadde, 21, and Joshua Ssekabembe, 19 — ended up in jail, charged with “promoting sectarianism” and facing up to five years’ imprisonment.
The government was on edge at the time ahead of 2021 elections, with singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine galvanising youthful opposition to Museveni’s regime.
With a comedian’s exaggeration, Sserwanja describes how “50 men armed with 70 guns, helicopters and sub-machine guns” swarmed to arrest the quartet at a radio station.
But their time in jail was not so funny.
“I thought a lot about whether we’re ever going to leave the cells — what’s going to happen to us?” Mbambaali said.
They didn’t know that outside, #FreeBizonto was trending on social media.
“We gained energy and followers… our fan base grew,” Mbambaali said.
The pressure helped ensure the charges were eventually dropped, but the episode still carried a dark warning.
“It gave a signal that whatever we do, the government will be monitoring us,” said Mbambaali, who vowed to take a more “coded” approach to future satires.
‘We never gave up’
Bizonto’s audience stretches across the generations. In the crowd at a recent show were 72-year-old widow Miria Kawuma and her granddaughter Christine Nabaata Kamwesi, 29.
“The performers capture what Ugandans are going through like corruption, bad roads, drugs lacking in hospitals,” Kawuma said.
“We pay higher taxes but they are stolen by officials,” she added.
Uganda ranks a lowly 141 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption index.
Young people, infuriated by a string of scandals, took to the streets earlier this year, only to be met with a heavy-handed police response.
At the Bizonto show, cheers, shouts, and ululations make it clear that the comedians’ message is striking home.
Their time in prison may have shaken them, but the troupe remains undeterred.
“We never gave up. We never stepped back,” Mbambaali said. “We knew we were on the right path.”
© Agence France-Presse
South Africa’s gaming market, roulette games, and an overview of Lora’s AI:
In the vast South African gambling market, new AI technologies can further enhance the popularity of live games to target localised audiences
The South African gaming landscape is at its highest expectations. With the market projected to grow from USD 2.14 billion in 2024 to USD 3.72 billion by 2029, the increased adoption of mobile technology and expanding internet connectivity are key drivers behind this surge. In this fast-paced environment, the introduction of AI tools focused on data collection and analytics could be the catalyst for optimising gaming strategies, enhancing user engagement, and driving growth across the industry.
Mobile gaming is at the forefront of Africa’s gaming landscape. The steady increase in mobile subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa has brought digital gaming to millions of consumers, particularly in countries like Nigeria and Ethiopia. By 2030, it is projected that sub-Saharan Africa will have 700 million unique mobile subscribers, with 50% mobile penetration.
As estimated by Techweez in June, 2024, the most popular games in Africa right now are:
- Fortnite
- PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds)
- Grand Theft Auto V
- EA FC 24
- Call of Duty series
- Counter-Strike
- Free Fire
- DOTA 2
- Overwatch
- Valorant
This condensed list highlights the gaming trends in Africa across various platforms. However, we can see that shooters (FPS) are Africa’s favourites. With South Africa’s internet penetration expected to reach 97.38% by 2029, a region-wide trend of increasing digital connectivity may increase the continent’s participation in the global gaming scene. These innovations are helping gamers access premium experiences at a more affordable price, further pushing market growth.
Slots and roulette are also becoming increasingly popular, particularly in the online space. A prime example is the recent partnership between playTSOGO and Pragmatic Play, a renowned global game provider. Pragmatic Play’s extensive portfolio of slots and live roulette games consistently leads in emerging markets. This is evident from data provided by KTO, a major casino operator in Brazil, which highlights Pragmatic Play as a leading provider of online roulette games.
However, the South African gaming market still has much room to evolve and can be further enhanced with the recent introduction of 4Play “Lora”, the first AI-powered casino expert. Lora is designed to help operators make data-driven decisions by analysing player behaviour, game performance, and operational data. This innovation can significantly impact the African gaming market by helping casino platforms optimise their strategies in real time, improving both customer retention and profitability.
By analysing betting patterns, Lora can enhance fraud detection and risk management as well as customer service, such as optimising promotions and adjusting bonuses based on player behaviour. For the African market, where regulatory frameworks are still evolving, this tool provides operators with a competitive edge in ensuring compliance and maximising player engagement.
Furthermore, the rise of AI-driven gaming platforms could lead to the creation of more interactive and engaging versions of traditional live dealer games, such as roulette and game shows, making them even more appealing to African gamers. Lora’s ability to detect underperforming markets and adjust strategies based on real-time data could lead to more personalised and localised experiences, catering to the preferences of the diverse African player base.
By leveraging AI and other emerging technologies, South Africa’s gaming operators are well-positioned to capitalise on the booming market, creating more tailored and immersive experiences for the region’s growing gaming community.
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