Author: Contributor
Huawei’s mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected intelligent world but it also believes there are ten challenges ahead of us ranging from understanding the world to energy and healthcare. An intelligent world needs new networks and new computing Through discussions with academia and industry partners, including scientists and customers it has identified two key areas as we move towards an intelligent world: new networks and new computing. Dr. Zhou Hong, President of the Institute of Strategic Research outlined the challenges as he addressed Huawei Analyst Summit 2023 explaining “Communications networks are…
At Huawei’s 20th Global Analyst Conference Meng Wanzhou, Vice Chairwoman, Rotating Chairwoman, and CFO, shared how digitalization is a common opportunity for industry, but emphasized that the strategic objectives of industry should drive digital transformation, rather than the technology itself. Blue Ocean for Industry She opened the event with a keynote speech saying that “In this new era of digital transformation, the ways in which people understand the world and create are changing” and continued “This is having a deep impact on industrial innovation and economic development” “Digitalisation is a new blue ocean for the whole ICT value chain. Enterprises…
By Mzukisi Kota, Partner, Lubumba Kamukwamba, Senior Associate& Lize-Mari Doubell, Candidate Attorney from Webber Wentzel The declaration of South Africa’s energy crisis as a National State of Disaster may be open to court challenge, as there is already sufficient legislation in place to deal with it During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 9 February 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa’s energy crisis “and its impact” had been declared a State of Disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (the DMA). The declaration, which was published by the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional…
Despite varying challenges, during the Covid-19 pandemic years and in periods before, there has been an impressive upsurge in women entrepreneurs in South Africa. In fact, a study by Heavy Chef revealed that women are leading the charge behind the current E-commerce boom in the country. According to the report, over 60% of the country’s E-commerce companies were founded and are headed up by women. As a panel of experts at the recent Global Startup Awards Africa concluded, “women are #winning”. In a number of ways,” says Regan Adams, CEO of RCS – the consumer finance arm of international banking…
Regardless of their income bracket, South Africans have always been savvy about getting their content fix. Enter what has been dubbed the Great Streaming Boom; a mass move to video on demand (VOD) services. And while not exactly catalysed by the pandemic, this shift certainly accelerated during Covid-19, with viewers signing up to VOD bigwigs like Netflix, Showmax and Viu at speeds that rivalled the emergence of new coronavirus cases. While South Africa is in no way unique in its mushrooming streaming status – which is very much a global phenomenon – Sales Director at Reach Africa Leslie Adams says…
The first of July 2022 marks the one-year anniversary of the compliance deadline of the Protection of Personal Information Act No 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”) for all organisations. While the operational provisions of this Act became effective on 1 July 2020, a one-year grace period was granted to allow businesses to effect the necessary changes. This resulted in a compliance drive to bring various information practices in line. Compliance with this Act requires ongoing vigilance. At this stage, it is imperative that organisations understand the implications of their personal information practices and put in place systems and measures to manage…
South Africa is a beautiful country with diverse cultures, wildlife, and some breathtaking landscapes. However beautiful, South Africa is today considered the most unequal country in the world. Stats SA reports that South Africa’s Gini Coefficient is typically above 0,6. The high unemployment rate is the biggest contributing factor to this issue which then leads to income inequality. While the high inequality levels remain a problem for government to solve, it also presents an opportunity for organisations to look at and analyse their payroll information and remuneration policies. A well thought out pay equity analysis is a step in the…
Crypto assets have revolutionised the FinTech market due to the cryptography technology of blockchain. Cryptocurrencies are becoming more mainstream and a word known by many financial buffs. However, the new buzzword in recent months is NFTs. NFTs – Non-fungible tokens – can be bought and sold using cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum or Bitcoin. The most that a digital art piece has been auctioned for is a record-breaking $91 800 000. Is it not mind-boggling, that digital art, which is mere pixels on a screen, can be a millionaire-making investment asset? Further, in what way should the legal market take note of this…
Reading like Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’, a recent Labour Court judgment wades through muddied water to reiterate the crystal-clear effect of an employee’s resignation in Mohlwaadibona v Dr JS Moroka Municipality (J718/21) [2022] ZALCJHB 91. While the events of this matter unfolded, the employer, Dr JS Moroka Municipality, was under administration and the appointed administrator, Mr Mhlanga, dealt with the matter. The employee was suffering from a mysterious illness which resulted in his resignation with immediate effect on 1 April 2021. Fifteen days later, by a stroke of miraculous good fortune, his health condition improved, and he wrote a letter to…
Securing meaningful, sustainable growth in Africa requires a precise skillset with an airtight strategy, the right product fit with a tailored understanding of the market, and crucially, forward-looking leadership. On the back of two high profile customer wins in the financial services sector, Marilyn Moodley, Country Leader for South Africa and West, East, Central Africa at SoftwareONE, says accelerated digital transformation presents exciting new opportunities for growth that are finally being shaped by and for African people and reflects on the five ways IT companies can grow in Africa. Build a network of partnerships Partnerships are extremely important in…
