Author: Gugu Lourie

Imagine waking up one day to find your words are no longer your own. Mid-sentence, your mouth hijacked by corporate algorithms, spouting ads for insurance, meal kits, or worse political propaganda. This isn’t a dystopian fantasy. It’s the premise of Netflix’s Black Mirror’s latest episode, “Common People”, where a woman named Amanda becomes a literal advertising billboard for the medtech company keeping her alive. But let’s stop pretending this is just fiction. When Subscriptions Become Extortion In the episode, Rivermind offers a brutal bargain: pay escalating fees to sustain Amanda’s digitised consciousness or be downgraded to a walking ad space. Sound familiar?…

As South Africa faces escalating water scarcity – driven by climate change, crumbling infrastructure, and systemic inequities – three powerhouse institutions are uniting to drive solutions. The Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), Ferguson Media (919FM), and the Empire Partner Foundation (EPF) are launching a high-impact campaign under the Problem-Solving Methodology, kicking off with a pivotal dialogue on 30 April 2025: “Water Scarcity, Resource Management, and Future Planning in South Africa” This isn’t just another discussion: it’s a catalyst for action. With 100+ in-person and virtual attendees and a projected digital reach of 10,000+, the session will mobilise policymakers, engineers, activists and innovators to confront…

The following note from Lip-Bu Tan was emailed to all Intel Corporation employees on April 24, 2025: Team, Today we reported our Q1 2025 results. It was a step in the right direction as we delivered revenue, gross margin and EPS (earnings per share) above our guidance, driven by Dave and Michelle’s leadership. I want to thank them both, and all of you, for the good execution. We need to build on this progress — and it won’t be easy. We are navigating an increasingly volatile and uncertain macroeconomic environment, which is reflected in our Q2 outlook. On top of that,…

Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong has pledged that the telecom giant will intervene to ensure South Africa avoids “digital loadshedding” if the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) fails. Speaking at the 45th Southern African Telecommunications Association (SATA) Annual Conference, Taukobong stated that Telkom, through its subsidiaries BCX, Openserve, and Telkom Consumer, is ready to step in and stabilise the country’s digital infrastructure. SITA Crisis Sparks Government Clash SITA has become a contentious issue between Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi and Portfolio Committee Chairperson Khusela Diko. Malatsi has proposed new regulations allowing government departments to bypass SITA for IT procurement, arguing…

In a passionate call to action at the 45th Southern African Telecommunications Association (SATA) Annual Conference, Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong challenged African leaders to seize the moment: “Africa’s time is now. “We have the networks, the fibre, the youth – what’s stopping us? We must invest beyond just profitability.” The urgent declaration came during a high-level panel discussion in Sandton, where business and tech leaders mapped out Africa’s priorities for the B20 and G20 summits that South Africa will host in 2025. The SATA conference is hosted by Telkom and Openserve. Taukobong emphasised Africa’s unique ability to innovate with limited resources. “Africa…

As Africa experiences the world’s fastest growth in international bandwidth (44% CAGR, 2019–2023), Openserve, Telkom’s infrastructure arm, is pioneering a borderless digital ecosystem across Southern Africa. Through strategic submarine cable investments, terrestrial fibre expansion, and regional partnerships, Openserve is transforming the SADC region into a globally competitive digital hub. The Connectivity Imperative: Why Africa’s Internet Boom Matters “We’re holding the internet in our pockets, yet millions remain unconnected,” said Motlalepula Ramaisa, Openserve’s representative at the 45th SATA Annual Conference. Ramaisa outlined Openserve’s mission to close this gap, not just with access, but with quality connectivity that doesn’t buffer when you need it most. Openserve’s…

Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet), the state-owned wholesale telecommunications infrastructure provider, is modernizing its network to improve digital connectivity and affordability across the region. The company recently announced a P100 million (R136 million) investment to upgrade Botswana’s internet gateway, addressing the country’s surging demand for high-speed, reliable internet. BoFiNet’s Commitment to Regional Connectivity Speaking at the 45th Southern African Telecommunications Association (SATA) Annual Conference in Johannesburg, Keabetswe Segole, BoFiNet’s Commercial Executive, emphasised the company’s mission to position Botswana as a digital hub. “Your transit to the heart of Africa, this is more than just a message at our company store. It is a commitment to facilitating…

Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong has championed the creation of a borderless fibre network ecosystem across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, linking all 14 member states from South Africa to Angola. Speaking at the 45th Southern African Telecommunications Association (SATA) Annual Conference, Taukobong outlined Telkom’s bold vision for regional digital transformation during its tenure as SATA Chair (2025-2026). “Our mission is clear: to make SATA the most dynamic, value-adding ICT regional organisation, fostering a prosperous information society for SADC,” declared Taukobong. “This requires bold action—starting with a seamless fibre network, a Tier 4 data centre hub, and One SADC Roaming Flat Tariff.” Telkom’s 3-Pillar Plan for…

At the 45th Southern African Telecommunication Association (SATA) Annual Conference, South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, delivered a powerful call for regional collaboration, affordable connectivity, and inclusive digital transformation. Hosted by Telkom Group and Openserve, the conference brings together key stakeholders to advance ICT infrastructure and service delivery across Southern Africa. A Historic Moment for Africa Minister Malatsi highlighted the significance of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, emphasizing its role in amplifying Africa’s voice in global digital policy.  “This year marks a historic milestone—not just for South Africa, but for the entire continent. As the first African…

At Auto Shanghai, Intel unveiled its second-generation AI-enhanced software-defined vehicle (SDV) SoC—the first multi-node chiplet architecture for the automotive industry. Designed for intelligent, connected vehicles, this breakthrough SoC delivers scalable performance, cutting-edge AI, and cost efficiency for automakers. Intel also announced strategic partnerships with ModelBest and Black Sesame Technologies, accelerating innovation in AI-powered cockpits, ADAS, and energy-efficient vehicle computing. Why Intel’s Chiplet Tech is Revolutionizing Automotive The second-gen SDV SoC is a game-changer, offering: 10X AI performance boost for generative & multimodal AI 3X graphics power for immersive in-car experiences 12 camera lanes for enhanced image processing Scalable, cost-efficient design for faster time-to-market New Collaborations Driving the Future of Mobility ModelBest – Integrates on-device LLM with Intel’s SDV SoC,…