Author: Gugu Lourie
By Michael Cowling & Cris Brack The idea that teachers should teach and students should listen presumes that teachers know more than their students. While this was generally true back when textbooks where a rarity, and may have been partly true since the invention of the public library, it is most likely untrue for at least many students in this era of the “active learner” (AKA “digital natives”). After all, with a smartphone in every student’s pocket and Google only a tap away, how can the humble sage expect to compete as the font of all online knowledge? The world…
By Staff Writer Solidarity Union said on Thursday that mobile phone operator Cell C recently notified its employees that it plans on embarking on a restructuring process which could lead to job losses. “The purpose of the restructuring process is to enhance the company’s effectiveness, streamline its business and avoid the duplication of functions. At this stage, some 47 positions are affected by the process. However, the company indicated that even more positions could be affected in the short term,” Solidaritty said, citing a letter dated 28 April 2015. Marius Croucamp, head of Solidarity’s Communications Industry, said Cell C is currently involved in…
By Staff Writer FNB has taken the top spot in the Columinate Internet Banking SITEisfaction Survey, which measures internet banking quality and user experience in South Africa. At an overall score of 75 points FNB emerged as the best online banking platform in 2015. “At the root of our success is ensuring that we put the customer first by viewing everything from the client’s perspective. The success of FNB Online Banking in this is survey is largely owed to our firm belief in consistently enhancing customer experience,” says Dione Sankar, Head of FNB Online Banking. With over 1.4 million active Online…
By Staff Writer South Africa’s fixed-line telephone group Telkom on Thursday announced an investment of more than R100 million in enterprise and supplier development with the launch of its FutureMakers programme. FutureMakers focuses on driving innovation in the ICT sector by growing access to technology and by offering long-term support to its beneficiaries. “We want to enable, empower and inspire entrepreneurs to stretch their ambitions and make their business visions a reality,” said Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko. “By growing entrepreneurial opportunities within ICT, we can create jobs, improve access to technology and develop a stable and competitive supply chain. FutureMakers…
By Staff Writer Low cost airline Mango this week launched its third app, this time for all devices operating Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 operating system. In celebration of the app launch, the airline has made Windows exclusive fares available from R 1 for a limited time. The R 1 sale is exclusively available through the Mango app on the Windows 8.1 platform and on sale until 31 May 2015 for travel until end June 2015. “The inclusion of the Mango app for Windows devices is an indication that our app ecosystem is growing and that Microsoft contributes significantly to local app…
By John Butler-Adam South Africa is fortunate to boast excellence in a large number of cutting-edge science and technology domains. Whether it is in nanotechnology or astronomy, laser technology or high performance computing, South Africa has made an impact in the global science area. – Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, February 2015. Pandor’s speech to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is helpful and honest, although perhaps a little one-sided. Science is not just about nanotechnology, medicine, astronomy and information technology. It is about all of those research and discovery areas – and about climate change…
“Electronic computing and communication pose some of the most complex challenges the world has ever faced. They ( cyber security threats) range from protecting the confidentiality … to preventing the scenario recently dramatized in the Bruce Willis movie “Live Free or Die Hard,” in which hackers take down the transportation system, then communications, and finally the power grid.” This is an extract from the 2015 budget vote speech by the minister of state security David Mahlobo The advent of the electronic web of information-sharing known as cyberspace has revolutionized the world. It has brought exciting opportunities in developing our economies, improving our health…
By Staff Writer South African technology group Datatec said on Wednesday its subsidiary, Logicalis has acquired Trovus, a UK Business Intelligence consultancy, for an undisclosed amount. Trovus’ analytics solutions equip its customers with rapid access to actionable business insights from existing data within their own businesses. Its offering is highly complementary to Logicalis’ Business Analytics and Information Management unit. “This acquisition of Trovus supports our strategic goal of growing annuity revenue streams within the business. Trovus has highly specialised skills. The acquisition will strengthen Logicalis’ Business Analytics and Information Management offering to existing customers and open new doors in the information insights…
By Staff Writer TechFinancials.co.za has won a 2015 African Blogger Award for Business category in the 2nd annual African Blogger Awards. WINNER for business blog is @LourieGugu for http://t.co/1YW0I4jyQ7. — AfricanBloggerAwards (@African_Blogger) May 5, 2015 “We are pleased to have our hard work recognised,” Gugu Lourie, founder of TechFinancials.co.za said. “To the community of our readers, followers on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ thank you, without your support the efforts of everyone involved would be wasted.” Entries were open in five main categories including Best African Blog, Best African YouTube Channel, Best African Instagrammer, Best African Twitter profile and…
By Craig Froome Tesla’s plans to use its new battery storage system to power homes will provide households with more opportunities to reduce bills. But it will also cause headaches for the electricity distribution companies. The company’s founder, Elon Musk, announced last week that it had developed the Powerwall batteries that could store electricity generated from solar panels. The idea is to store the energy generated during the day, when demand is relatively low, that can then be used to power a home during the evening when the demand is higher. It can also act as a backup supply during…