Author: Gugu Lourie
In 2023, there have been so many layoffs in the technology industry that TechCrunch labelled it a “reckoning” in its extensive list released late April. To date, across numerous organisations that include Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Dropbox and Zoom, to name but a few, there have been nearly 169,000 layoffs. Meta is expected to lay off 10,000 roles in the next few months and Disney 7,000. And yet, in cybersecurity there are still more “jobs open than people to fill them”. According to Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA, the biggest challenge facing the cybersecurity profession right…
Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced that Old Mutual has closed its on-premises data centers and migrated its entire information technology (IT) infrastructure, including its banking, insurance, and wealth management systems, to AWS. The migration represents a significant step in Old Mutual’s digital transformation. Old Mutual is using AWS’s proven, secure, and highly performant infrastructure to decrease financial transaction processing time by two-thirds, reduce downtime by 50%, streamline the development of new and more relevant insurance products, and drive innovation across its business with machine learning (ML). The full migration to AWS involved moving more than 2,000 on-premises servers, 215…
JLR has unveiled a series of subtle but long-awaited updates to the second-generation Range Rover Evoque for the 2024 model year. The new Range Rover Evoque is available to order now with prices starting at R1.25 million. Configure yours here – range-rover/range-rover-evoque Inside, Range Rover’s reductive design philosophy is amplified with a new 11.4-inch curved glass touchscreen, seemingly floating within the driver’s eyeline for improved visibility, while liberating space for interior stowage and Wireless Device Charging. Powered by Pivi Pro, with regular Software Over The Air drops, the new centre console offers clients a seamless, comfortable digital experience. The interface is…
Google for Startups (GfS) has selected three South African startups to be part of its $4 million (R73.6 million) Black Founders Fund for innovators across the continent. The Black Founders Fund, now in its third year, aims to help tackle systemic racial inequality in venture capital (VC) funding by providing equity-free grants and mentoring to early stage Black-led high-growth businesses across Europe and Africa. The selected cohort of 40 startups from Europe and Africa, includes 25 African startups that embody the diverse entrepreneurial spirit across the African continent. Startups led or co-founded by women make up 72% of the group,…
Vodacom will now offer eSIM support for smartphones across prepaid, top-up/hybrid and postpaid contract types. This means that users with selected eSIM-enabled smartphones will be able to connect to the Vodacom network and enjoy the benefits, capabilities, and flexibility that an eSIM provides. eSIMs also known as embedded SIMs are not just the next generation of SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card technology, they also help drive the eradication of the need for a physical card entirely. In addition, this also eliminates the need to manufacture and ship the associated plastic, thereby reducing carbon emissions. Traditional SIM cards contain unique identifying…
The Huawei ICT Academy is set to highlight Huawei’s ethos of diversity and inclusion by supporting Youth Month and expanding its successful Women in Tech initiative with a focus on young women. Called the Huawei Young Woman in Tech programme, the course is taking place from 21 to 28 June 2023. The course is open to all young women who are either currently studying in the ICT field or who would like to in the future. The course programmes will take place entirely online and will cover topics including artificial intelligence (AI), big data and cloud computing. The initial training…
Applications for the inaugural Tech Awards will be open from 1 July 2023. The South African Annual Tech for Innovation and Social Impact Awards, soon to become one of the premier annual ICT events in South Africa, will be hosted by the Empire Partner Foundation (EPF) in collaboration with MICT SETA. The awards gala will take place on Saturday 11 November 2023 at Montecasino Ballroom in Fourways, Johannesburg. The South African Annual Tech for Innovation and Social Impact Awards provide a platform for youth, businesses, startups and innovators to showcase their tech solutions. The aim is to promote technological innovation,…
Mobile phone operator Cell C, which is owned by JSE-listed Blue Label Telecoms, has confirmed the appointment of Jorge Mendes As CEO. His appointment is effective 1 July 2023. IT Web speculated on Wednesday that Mendes will be revealed as CEO today by Cell C. Cell C today said Mendes brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role and is widely regarded as a strategic leader with a proven track record of driving growth and profitability in the telecommunications industry. “We are thrilled to welcome Jorge Mendes to the Cell C team,” said Joe Mthimunye, Cell C Board Chairman…
Jorge Mendes, former chief consumer business officer at Vodacom South Africa, is to become Cell C’s new CEO, according to a report published by IT Web on Wednesday. According to the report, Cell C did not deny that Mendes is the new man taking control of the company when asked for comment. Instead, Cell C told the technology publication that the company will announce the appointment of its CEO tomorrow. Mendes will replace Brett Copans, chief restructuring officer, who had been interim CEO, succeeding Douglas Craigie Stevenson, who stepped down as Cell C’s chief executive in March. In January, Mendes…
Spar announced on Wednesday that it had delivered a commendable trading performance in the six months to the end of March 2023 in a challenging environment. Group revenue increased by 7,9% to R72,9 billion. It added that over the past 12 months, all regions have come under significant inflationary cost pressures. “The cost pressures, coupled with SAP software go-live challenges at the KwaZulu-Natal distribution centre (KZN DC) and subsequent loss of turnover during the latter half of the period, resulted in a decline in operating profit of 17.5%to R1,5 billion,” Spar said. “Due to rising interest rates across all geographies,…