Author: Gugu Lourie
Former communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda was reportedly hijacked in Rooihuskraal, Centurion on Tuesday night, ANC spokesperson Keith Khoza said. By Mpho Rabrife Khoza had written a post on his Facebook account asking people to be on the lookout for three black men driving a blue Porche Panamera in Centurion. “The person that was robbed is General Siphiwe ‘Gebhuza’ Nyanda. The suspects took the Johannesburg route,” he added. SA police spokesperson Mack Mngomezulu was not aware of the hijacking and said he could only verify the information at a later stage. Khoza told News24 he had been notified by friends that…
Nuclear power generation has turned into an expensive operation, even when the machines are amortised, said nuclear expert Mycle Schneider. By Matthew le Cordeur Schneider, author of the World Nuclear Industry Status Report, told Fin24 on Monday that he questioned whether nuclear power can be seen as an alternative to a whole range of other energy options. Schneider’s 2015 report, which was released in South Africa this month, concluded that “the promise that Generation III+ designs would be simpler and therefore easier to build appears not to have been fulfilled”. “Real costs have increased significantly compared to their predecessors suggesting…
As more local developers rush to build applications, South African law takes a dim view on apps that play loose and fast with personal data. By Duncan Alfreds While it is becoming easier to build mobile applications, local developers may face serious legal hurdles to ensure their apps comply with the law, according to Alec Veitch, senior associate and Jonathan Salant, candidate attorney at Schindlers Attorneys. Here are the laws that affect mobile application services: Consumer Protection Act (CPA) The CPA governs advertising as well as the selling of goods and services. “Accordingly, a person who is launching a mobile…
Wesgro, in partnership with the Cape Town Partnership, is proud to pilot the Isabelo Smart Bench – a stand-alone, entirely solar-powered free Wi-Fi hotspot for public use complete with USB charging points, night lighting and easy seating – on the corner of Adderley and Wale St in the Cape Town CBD. A first for the continent, the bench was initially launched last September at The Grove Square in Braamfontein. It is designed as a stand-alone entirely solar powered, free Wi-Fi hotspot, complete with USB charging points and easy seating that can help attract and bring life back into public spaces. The City…
Technology keeps families in a state of interruption and having a smart device-free time is a challenge. To reshape the meaning of family time in the digital age, a new app called TimeWize enables parents to remotely control their children’s usage of their smart devices from their smartphone. By Gugu Lourie The TimeWize Parent App and the TimeWize Child App is available for download on the Google Play Store. The child app can only be installed on Android tablets or phones. With TimeWize installed, parents are able to set permissions on their kid’s smart devices. This is done by offering parents the…
Anti e-toll group Outa said on Monday that it has “plenty of evidence” indicating the Gauteng tolling equipment is unreliable. This comes after roads agency Sanral warned high value corporate e-toll defaulters on Monday that they would be issued summonses this week. It announced that the first set of civil summonses to individuals is being delivered by sheriffs in different jurisdictions in Gauteng. “The summonses will also include higher value summonses of mostly companies. Due to the amount owed in these cases, the summons has to be managed by the High Court,” said Alex van Niekerk, project manager for the…
Apple today introduced the all-new 9.7-inch iPad Pro — at just under one pound it features a new pro Retina display with greater brightness, wider color gamut, lower reflectivity, Night Shift mode and introduces new True Tone display technology to dynamically adjust white balance. “iPad Pro is a new generation of iPad that is indispensable and immersive, enabling people to be more productive and more creative. It’s incredibly fast, extremely portable, and completely natural to use with your fingers, Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. And now it comes in two sizes,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide…
Apple today introduced iPhone SE, a four-inch display, in a beloved compact aluminum design that has been updated with matte-chamfered edges, a color-matched stainless steel Apple logo, and four gorgeous metallic finishes, including rose gold. iPhone SE takes a beloved iPhone design and reinvents it from the inside out, giving customers a powerful, full-featured iPhone no matter which model they choose. The 64-bit A9 chip, introduced in iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, offers iPhone SE customers two times faster CPU and three times faster GPU performance compared to iPhone 5s, all with gains in energy efficiency for improved battery life. iPhone SE users…
Road users who have persistently refused to settle their Gauteng e-toll debt may receive civil summonses from SANRAL over the next few days. The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited announced that the first set of civil summonses to individuals is being delivered by sheriffs in different jurisdictions in Gauteng. “The summonses will also include higher value summonses of mostly companies. Due to the amount owed in these cases, the summons has to be managed by the High Court,” says Alex van Niekerk, Project Manager for the GFIP. The decision to issue summonses comes at the end of an extensive…
Over the past few weeks the #unfairandlovely campaign started by black photographer Pax Jones and sisters Mirusha and Yanusha Yogarajah, from the University of Texas, has taken off on social media. It has set Twitter, Instagram and Facebook abuzz. By Vashna Jagarnath The first women to be featured in the campaign were of Indian origin. But dark skinned women from across the world quickly took to social media to affirm their beauty against the dominant mantra that fair is lovely. According to Jones the campaign emerged organically out of a series of photographs that she took with a view to…
South Africa is the hub of private banking in Africa with holdings worth about $72bn, according to a recent report. By Memory Mataranyika A Research and Markets report entitled The Africa 2016 Wealth Report identifies South Africa – mainly Johannesburg – as the continent’s biggest centre for private banking. The country is the continent’s second-largest economy after Nigeria, but has witnessed currency weakness in the past few months. Its financial sector is anchored by strong banks such as Barclays Africa, Standard Bank and Nedbank among others that have spread their tentacles further into African markets. As these South African firms…
Millennials have become cyborgs. So it should be no wonder that, in addition to social and professional online existence, they also express their sexuality via technology. By Melissa Isabella Meyer Millennials have become cyborgs. They exist far beyond biology and through a variety of technological devices which don’t function as external entities but as a platform and backdrop to their daily lives. They were born between 1980 and 2000, and are regarded by researchers as an open-minded, responsive and liberal generation who believe that “useful is the new cool”. They’ve grown up in an “always-on” digital era: the online world…
The range and number of “things” connected to the internet is truly astounding, including security cameras, ovens, alarm systems, baby monitors and cars. They’re are all going online, so they can be remotely monitored and controlled over the internet. By Patryk Szewczyk and Nikolai Hampton Internet of Things (IoT) devices typically incorporate sensors, switches and logging capabilities that collect and transmit data across the internet. Some devices may be used for monitoring, using the internet to provide real-time status updates. Devices like air conditioners or door locks allow you to interact and control them remotely. Most people have a limited understanding…
The ANC national executive committee on Sunday reaffirmed that it had confidence in President Jacob Zuma, despite allegations that the politically connected Gupta family were influencing Cabinet appointments. By Genevieve Quintal, NewsAgency This follows a difficult week where allegations surfaced that the family, said to be close to Zuma, had been offering Cabinet positions. “The appointment of ministers and deputy ministers is the sole prerogative of the President of the Republic, in line with the Constitution,” ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe told reporters in Pretoria. “To this end, the ANC continues to confirm its full confidence in our President.” He…
The ANC national executive committee (NEC) has described Gupta-owned media’s coverage of the party this week as “reckless journalism”. By Genevieve Quintal “The NEC expressed its utmost disgust at the arrogance, disrespect and reckless journalism displayed by the New Age newspaper [March 18, 19 2016], ANN7 news channel [March 16-18 2016] and representatives of the Gupta-family,” secretary general Gwede Mantashe told reporters in Pretoria on Sunday. “They have characterised the ANC as a group of factions for and against President [Jacob] Zuma.” The New Age and ANN7 reported about an alleged plot involving high level ANC members to topple President…
Bravado gaming has come out victorious in the Telkom DGL Masters series, held at the rAge Expo in Cape Town, after beating Aperture Gaming in an intense battle that lasted just two rounds. Bravado Gaming were seeded first at the start of this tournament with Aperture Gaming seen as the underdog going into this match. After barely beating Aperture in the first round with a score of 19-17 Bravado Gaming rallied to almost make a clean sweep of the second with a score of 16-2. Bravado Gaming take home the first cash prize of R40 000. In second place Aperture Gaming win…
Three foundations have called on the ANC’s National Executive Committee to take decisive responsibility by implementing urgent “corrective” actions in the interests of all South Africans this weekend. By Mpho Raborife, NewsAgency The letter was reportedly handed over to ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe at the NEC meeting in Pretoria on Saturday. Its signatories include Dr Frene Ginwala, chairperson of the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, Professor Njabulo Ndebele, chairperson of the board of trustees of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom, acting on behalf of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. In the letter the three foundations expressed…
The final of the Telkom DGL Masters series, kicking off shortly, held at rAge Expo in Cape Town, will be between Aperture Gaming and Bravado Gaming. This comes after an intense semi-final battle in which Bravado Gaming beat Carbon eSports 16-11 and 19-17 in overtime. Shortly after the match team manager Daniel “Spoof” van Wyk expressed his happiness with his team’s performance despite the loss. “I am very happy with the result. Because we are a relatively new team we didn’t expect to do this well so I see getting into the semis as a major achievement for the team. We…
The Presidency refuted a newspaper report on Sunday that Jacob Zuma will reshuffle his Cabinet – but did not clarify the position of Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas. “The report is mischievous and is clearly designed to sow divisions, uncertainty and confusion,” said presidential spokesman Bongani Majola on Sunday in response to a Sunday Independent article.“The Presidency wishes to refute the story.” The Sunday Independent story claimed that Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimade, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe, Economic Development Minister Ebraham Patel and Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas were allegedly under threat…
The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Friday that it is shocked by and totally condemns the decision by the SA Reserve Bank’s (Sarb’s) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to increase the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps). By Carin Smith Cosatu regards the latest rate hike as a reckless decision that will cause “untold harm to the beleaguered workers and the poor majority”. In the federation’s opinion this move will further slow economic growth and stifle any chances of employment creation. “Workers are battling to make ends meet and provide for their families and the economy is…
In the second game of the Telkom DGL Masters series held today at rAge Expo in Cape Town, Flipsid3 Tactics were no match for the fourth seeded Carbon eSport. After only two rounds of a best of three Carbon eSports beat Flipsid3 Tactics 16-6 in two straight games. Team leader Rikus “ZipZipZa” Klue was naturally despondent after the loss. “We have had some recent changes to the team so we are still finding our feet when it comes to roles and responsibilities during a match. These are challenges that we will overcome with time. Hopefully by October we will stand a…
Cell C on Friday revealed new mobile data rates that provide its subscribers with more data and lower prices. South Africa’s third bigegst mobile phone operator has cut the price of its home and office broadband LTE offerings by up to 64%. The telco, which is still in talks with Blue Telecom, reduced the cost of eight of its most popular data offers – six contract and two prepaid options – with discounts ranging between 33% and 64%. On the prepaid side, Cell C will be offering its popular 100GB data deal, which is valid for 1 year for R999…
One decision that will push the rating agencies to downgrade South Africa to “junk status” is the approval of the nuclear procurement programme, according to emerging markets economist Peter Montalto of Nomura. By Matthew le Cordeur South Africa is currently placed one notch above “junk status”, officially known as non-investment grade. The next step down is of huge concern to economists, wary of the resultant increase in inflation and interest rates as well as lower growth and, ultimately, job losses. “Taking on the nuclear build programme contingent liabilities under the Department of Energy (Doe) and the ANCs preferred vendor financing…
New digital museum guide supports personalised, interactive tours of permanent and temporary exhibitions. It will be available free of charge from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from January 2016 – in seven languages. With the new BMW Museum App, the BMW Museum in Munich is presenting its vision for the future of self-guided, interactive tours through the history of “sheer driving pleasure”. For the first time, this app allows smartphone and tablet users to preview highlights from the history of BMW and its products before they make their trip, while intelligent interactive technology allows them to engage…