Author: Contributor
By Mervin Miemoukanda, senior research analyst: Software and Market Intelligence in Africa at International Data Corporation While businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa have steadily been adopting 3rd Platform technologies such as cloud, mobility, big data analytics and social business, there has now been a shift in focus towards the uptake of innovation accelerators. These innovation accelerators are disruptive technologies that enable companies to enhance the way they engage with customers and deliver services and experience, as they move to transform their business operations. At IDC, we define the core innovation accelerators as the Internet of Things (IoT), cognitive systems, 3D printing, robotics,…
By News Agency Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo says South Africa’s media space can no longer afford to be dominated by only a few big players and that more emerging media players need to be supported to ensure diversity. Government would do everything possible to throw its weight behind small media companies and new entrants in the industry,” the Minister said on Wednesday night. She was speaking at the launch of a new opinions and news analysis online publication called Real Politik. The publication, started by former journalists, is wholy black-owned and will give a chance to the “unheard voices” in…
By Brian Richardson, CEO and Co-Founder, WIZZIT International In Africa, banking the unbanked remains a pressing need. Roughly 700 million people in Africa are financially excluded – denied economic citizenship. Discussions on the issue beg the same question, time and again: why aren’t traditional banks offering mobile solutions to potential customers who desperately need it? The American Bankers Association claims it costs between $150 USD and $250 USD to open an individual bank account through tradition channels. Over more than a decade, around the world, it’s been proven that alternative, disruptive technology such as mobile and branchless banking can reduce…
By Staff Writer South Africa’s banking group FNB announced on Thursday that customers who use its award winning banking app will no longer need data to access it via their smartphones from 1 July 2017. This follows an agreement with all major mobile network operators in South Africa to zero rate access to the FNB Banking App allowing all customers to use it at no cost. The bank already offers free access to its app to all FNB Connect customers, and offers free WiFi in most FNB branches for customers to download the app. Giuseppe Virgillito, FNB Digital spokesperson,…
By Staff Writer Aston Martin has unveiled an all-electric RapidE vehicle that will enter production in 2019. Originally unveiled as a concept in 2015, the RapidE is set for a limited production run of 155 cars. The RapidE will deliver four-door sports car looks and dynamics of the Rapide S powered by an all-electric powertrain replacing the six-litre V12 engine. The instantaneous delivery characteristics of electric motors means the RapidE will offer a unique driving experience of a kind not experienced before in an Aston Martin. “Having unveiled the RapidE Concept back in October 2015 we reach another milestone with…
by Ben Dickson Are we living in a simulation? This laughed-at notion is becoming increasingly acceptable as technological advances are blurring the boundaries between reality and illusion. There is now not one but three different flavors of synthetic reality: Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). But there’s a lot of confusion about what each version of reality is. This is something that is akin to evolving technologies. For instance, after decades, there’s still debate over what is artificial intelligence (AI). So while we know that the content we’ll be posting here might be subject to change…
By News Agency With South Africa’s cybercrime attacks on the rise, government is set to collaborate with France in order to boost the cyber and digital skills capacities which are key in investigating such crimes. The two countries will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will result in the capacity building of 350 forensic investigators being trained in cyber forensic investigations with the support of a French International Technical expert regional advisor on cybercrime. The MoU will be signed on Wednesday by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the French Embassy, together with the Public Service Sector Education and…
By Staff Writer South Africa’s mobile phone operator Cell Cannounced on Tuesday it has appointed Tyrone Soondarjee as its new Chief Financial Officer. He will be taking over the position from Robert Pasley who will return to his original role as chief strategy officer. Soondarjee brings 30 years of experience in the financial services industry to Cell C. He was most recently the Financial Director at the Sasfin Group, a position he held since 2010. His decade of distinguished service at the business started in 2007, when he was appointed as the Group’s Chief Financial Officer. Throughout his tenure, Soondarjee…
By Staff Writer South Africa’s Blue Label announced on Tuesday that it is buying 3G Mobile for R1.9 billion. The firm said it will buy 100% of 3G Mobile from its shareholders that consists of Wild Rose Capital, Newshelf 1312, Malewell Investments, Investec Bank, Jonathan Beare and DBF Capital Partners. The transaction will be facilitated by the initial acquisition of 47.37% of the issued share capital of 3G Mobile for R900 million. The acquisition of the remaining 52.63% for R1 billion is subject to regulatory approvals and the first acquisition becoming unconditional. 3G Mobile is one of Africa’s largest distributors,…
By Keith Fenner, vice-president, Sage Enterprise Africa & Middle East Machine learning, which used to be something only computer scientists in server rooms discussed, has become a hot topic, along with big data and artificial intelligence (AI). Machines develop algorithms that allow them to make predictions, such as the shows you might want to watch on Showmax or Netflix, to use a simple example. Machines will also update their models as new data is received, without human intervention. Advances in machine learning have caused many to fear that machines will replace human jobs. However, I’d like to argue that it…