Airline body urges African governments to act on opening market access
‘Strategies don’t move people. Now it is time to make the difficult decisions and execute them,’ senior executive stresses.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
SA shopping centre unveils interpreting service for deaf customers
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025
Deaf and hard-of-hearing shoppers are able to scan QR codes available at key points to connect with an interpreter via video call.
South Africa’s Eastgate Shopping Centre, located just outside Johannesburg, has introduced a real-time interpreting service for its deaf shoppers.
Photo: Eastgate Shopping Centre
The project is a collaboration with Convo South Africa to improve accessibility and convenience for the hearing-impaired community. Convo claims to be the world’s largest deaf-owned business with over 500 employees serving five countries in 10 different languages.
Through this partnership, the shopping centre provides on-demand access to South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreters at customer service points located across the centre. Deaf and hard-of-hearing shoppers are able to scan QR codes displayed at these points to connect with an interpreter via video call.
According to Eastgate, the service is quick, intuitive and offered at no cost to the customer.
“Inclusivity should not be an afterthought,” says Saadiyah Kahn, the centre’s General Manager. “We’ve been looking closely at how we can better accommodate shoppers with varying needs, and this partnership with Convo is an important first move. We are committed to ensuring every customer feels seen, understood and respected.”
In a press release, Eastgate says integrating the technology into its customer-service offering “is a step towards shaping an environment where communication barriers are actively removed. The rollout also signals the need to rethink how public spaces can better serve all members of the community”.
The centre is one of the largest shopping venues in greater Johannesburg and houses 200-plus retailers and various other services.
Uganda Tourism Board partners with major European ice hockey league
UTB says its ambition is to turn the visibility into interest, bookings and more visitors choosing to explore Uganda.
Researchers explain why 10-second micro ads outperform longer spots
Short ads shown on TV increased website visits within five minutes of airing by 10-40% compared with longer advertisements.
Competition continues to grow in the Moroccan supermarket sector
Supeco’s rapid expansion shows how the discount model is becoming a bigger part of grocery retail in the North African country.
Study identifies harmful paradox behind well-meaning green efforts
Consumers reward visible eco-friendly additions such as reusable bottles, but give little credit to businesses that reduce or remove products.
President Mahama commissions expanded evaporated milk facility in Ghana
Nestlé believes Ghana will continue to play a leading role in the future of Central and West Africa.
Momentum beginning to build for 2027 ACCS gathering in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia’s marketers gather to celebrate hosting next year’s conference – but with an eye on the hard work ahead.
PwC report examines the future of African entertainment and media
Tech is creating more ways for audiences to connect, but lasting value will come from understanding the people behind those connections.
Unilever investment expands its Vaseline production capacity in Africa
The new production line at the historic Maydon Wharf facility in Durban will address growing international demand.
World MICE Awards in Jamaica honour best African and global achievers
Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and South Africa all feature in the African meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions awards.
AI won’t replace market research. But it will expose weak strategy
Much of the broader conversation around AI in market research assumes conditions that do not consistently exist across many African markets, writes Soyinka Witness.