Author: Contributor

The delivery of life-saving blood has been taken to new heights by the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) with the launch of a new drone blood delivery service. Launched in May, the Tron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) drone, features a wing design suited for maximum efficiency and allows for long travel time with minimal power usage. The drone has a range cover of over 100km and can travel up to 180km/h but can also travel as slowly as 60km/h if necessary, the SANBS said. The drone is a highly specialised aircraft that will be used to transport blood from…

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Researchers at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have urged young people to use their technological knowledge and skills as an advantage to thrive in the digital revolution. “Nobody understands technology better than us [young people] and that is an advantage. This is the right time for youngsters to show the world that we are ready to lead. Let’s take the opportunity and make it work for us,” CSIR researcher in computer vision, Windy Mokuwe said. Mokuwe, joined by CSIR Master’s student in robotics Nomfundiso Khuma and CSIR senior researcher Dr Monnamme Tlotleng, briefed members of the media…

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by Mona Kasra It can be hard to tell whether a picture is real. Consider, as the participants in our recent research did, these two images and see whether you think neither, either or both of them has been doctored. Image A: Is it real? Mona Kasra, CC BY-ND Image B: What about this one? Mona Kasra, CC BY-ND You might have based your assessment of the images on the visual information alone, or perhaps factored in your evaluation of how reputable the source is, or the number of people who liked and shared the images. My collaborators and I…

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The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has encouraged taxpayers to submit income tax returns via the SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp when the tax season commences on 1 July 2019. Taxpayers who do not use SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp but require assistance from SARS branch staff to file their income tax returns, will only be able to do so from 1 August 2019 until 31 October 2019. “Non-provisional taxpayers who use SARS eFiling and the SARS MobiApp will have a longer period to file their returns, with a deadline of 4 December,” said SARS. The reason for…

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The price of Bitcoin has increased 42% over the last month, and 187% in three months. In early April it traded around R60 000 and at 09h00 this morning it was trading on the Luno platform at R174 401. “The prices of Bitcoin and Ethereum have risen significantly since the end of March and there was another rally this weekend. Luno is more interested though, in the long-term potential of Bitcoin forming the backbone of a new international financial system which will see long term interest in the asset,” Marius Reitz, GM: Africa, Luno says. The upward price is also in…

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ThunderBoltCoin as a spearhead against sustainability issues We live in an era in which electricity consumption is involved in problematic situations. The token presented in www.Thunderboltcoin.io challenges one of humanity’s greatest problems, sustainable life for the planet. At present, energy generation from renewable sources and recycling is scarce. Over the last few decades and increasingly, we have witnessed multiple initiatives that seek to solve the environmental problem. Sometimes through clean energy investment mechanisms, sometimes through traditional cleaning and collection initiatives (mostly local volunteerism). Also, on the web, we find campaigns and platforms that promote a stay on the planet more…

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Summerstrand in Nelson Mandela Bay has become one of the first areas in the Eastern Cape to get fibre internet infrastructure installed using an innovative process called “Micro-trenching”. The Nelson Mandela Bay council provided permission to MetroFibre Networx to install fibre infrastructure via micro-trenching in Summerstrand on a proof-of-concept basis in May 2019. The results have been a much faster, cleaner and less disruptive process for residents and the metro alike. “For residents of Summerstrand in Nelson Mandela Bay, the council’s decision to test the micro-trenching process has been an absolute win for residents.  It has saved residents untold disruption…

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Out There Media (OTM), a global leader in mobile advertising and data monetization, will participate in MTN Group’s 2019, 21 Days of ‘Y’ello Care,’ initiative. Every June, MTN employees across 21 countries and its selected partners are encouraged to get involved in social projects. This year’s theme is supporting youth skills empowerment in South Africa. OTM is joining MTN’s Digital Services department for the course of the initiative, where they will be given the opportunity to roll up their sleeves, volunteer time and make a difference. Throughout the month, participants will engage the nation’s youth in a series of events, including mentoring…

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by Marcus Swanepoel The announcement of Libra, the Facebook-initiated global cryptocurrency, is extremely important news for the entire global financial services industry. We’ve seen our fair share of crypto hypes over the past few years, including ICOs and ‘blockchain can solve everything’, but this is most certainly not one of them. In our view, this is a game changer not just for the cryptocurrency industry, but also the broader financial system. There is a very real need for a better financial system in developing economies, and how decentralised cryptocurrencies (and in particular coins pegged to real-world currencies or assets) would…

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President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation this evening where he will outline his vision for the country and announce the government’s programme of action for the next five years. The State of the Nation Address (SONA) marks the start of the work for the sixth administration as well as the democratic Parliament after the successful conclusion of the country’s National and Provincial Elections in May. President Ramaphosa is expected to reflect on the country’s political, social and economic welfare and chart the new path the country will take. In his inauguration, President Ramaphosa said: “Yes, South Africa, Thuma Mina!”…

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