Author: Gugu Lourie
by Evita March Online dating is an increasingly popular way for people to find love, but that also makes it an attractive target for those with less than romantic intentions. Figures from the Pew Research Centre show that since 2013 the number of 55-64 year olds using the internet to find a partner has doubled, and for 18-24 year olds the number has nearly tripled. There are many advantages of online dating, such as a wider network of potential romantic partners and the opportunity to engage in social interactions with less discomfort. But our research, published in Personality and Individual Differences,…
by Palaniappan Ramaswamy Biometrics – technology that can recognise individuals based on physical and behavioural traits such as their faces, voices or fingerprints – are becoming increasingly important to combat financial fraud and security threats. This is because traditional approaches, such as those based on PIN numbers or passwords, are proving too easily compromised. For example, Barclays has introduced TouchID, whereby customers can log onto internet banking using fingerprint scanners on mobile phones. However, this is not foolproof either – it is possible to forge such biometrics. Fingers can after all be chopped off and placed by impostors to gain fraudulent…
by Staff Writer The future is here and the Internet of Things (IoT) opens a completely amazing set of use cases to everyday objects such as chairs and tables, etc. The Bravo Group is the largest furniture and sleep products manufacturer in South Africa that specialises in renowned household names such as Grafton Everest, GommaGomma, La-Z-Boy, Sealy, Slumberland and Alpine Lounge. Wireless cellphone charger Their latest creation, called the Vision Recliner uses IoT to transform the popular chair into something that is connected to the Internet and make it a useful object or device for our digital world. The cup-holder…
MTN, the country’s second-biggest mobile phone operator, has granted R7.9 million worth of shares to the new CEO of its local unit, Godfrey Motsa. The award of the shares was disclosed on Friday in a report to investors published on the JSE. The company said the award of the shares is part of its performance share plan vesting on 28 June 2019. The Fairlands-based company said it awarded on Thursday to Motse about 66 500 shares at a market price of R120.22/share. The total value of the shares is about R7.9 million. The awarding of the shares is subject to…
The M Sport Limited Edition for the models of the BMW 6 Series paves the way to an especially exclusive form of dynamic performance that gives a distinctive touch to both outer appearance and the interior ambience. The M Sport Limited Edition is available to order in restricted numbers from April 2017 for the BMW 6 Series Coupé, the BMW 6 Series Convertible and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé. The M Sport Limited Edition also adds a distinctive touch of style on the inside.’ BMW says the driver and front passenger enjoy the characteristic driving experience on comfort seats with the Individual fine-grain Merino full leather trim…
by Chao Charity Mbogo In Africa, a continent grappling with many social ills, it’s critical that universities produce more Computer Science graduates. It’s also one that equips students with crucial skills. Computer Science graduates are problem solvers and logical thinkers who can apply their technical expertise in a range of ways – including to socioeconomic problems. For example, Dr Christopher Chepken used ICT tools to provide interventions for day labourers in a developing country’s context. Maletsabisa Molapo worked on a project that designed a tool to help rural health trainers to create digital training content for low-literate community health workers (CHWs)…
by Gugu Lourie When the departure of experienced MTN South Africa CEO Mteto Nyati was made public by his new employers, JSE-listed tech group Altron, it was anyone’s guess who would fill his shoes at the giant cellphone operator. While the appointment of Godfrey Motsa as the new MTN South Africa boss was somewhat a surprise it was, however, also an affirmation of young talented black executives. The appointment is refreshing – it is a move away from the “tried and tested” executives with the same old sterile strategies that they have used to lead corporate South Africa. Perhaps it is…
by Professor Deirdre Carabine Education has two faces in today’s world, according to a recent World Bank report. On the one hand there’s the traditional face, where learning takes place in the state-sponsored classroom. On the other are the private initiatives in which other partners take responsibility for education at all levels. Research suggests that the traditional university has seen its heyday and can no longer survive the changes in today’s world A groundbreaking Ernst and Young report concluded five years ago that … the dominant university model in Australia will prove unviable in all but a few cases over the…
by Dirk Baur In investment terms, a safe haven is exactly what it sounds like: a place of relative safety when times are tough. Traditionally, safe haven assets have been physical, such as gold and silver, the US dollar and the Swiss Franc. More recently, Bitcoin, and other intangible assets, have been entering this discussion. An example of the latter would be one of the many gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETF), which are shares of gold holdings listed on a stock exchange, a financial claim, or US and German government bonds. But can these intangible assets really replace the tangible? What…
by Staff Writer The MTN’s re-launched music streaming service, Music+ is aiming to support and empower local content and artists. The platform is not aiming to compete with iTunes, Google Music and Deezer. It aims to revolutionise and digitise music in South Africa to the benefit of consumers, local artists and upcoming musicians. The music industry in the country is in need of a serious revamp in order for the musicians to make money and promote their brands. On Tuesday, MTN reaffirmed its commitment to become a leading player in the digital and music streaming arena when it unveiled its…