Author: Staff Writer

Two budding SA young scientists have received awards at the 2024 Taiwan International Science Fair (TISF), after successfully showcasing their research projects to judges and their peers at the National Taiwan Science Education Centre in Taipei. Johannes Jacobus (Jaco) Deysel, a Grade 11 learner at Hoërskool Jim Fouché in the Free State’s Bloemfontein region was awarded the Third Award in the Computer Science and Information Engineering category; while Lethabo Molobi, a Grade 12 learner at Zinniaville Secondary School in the North West’s Bojanala region, was awarded the Fourth Award and the Viewer’s Choice Award in the Behavioural and Social Sciences…

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Starting today, Google is introducing a fresh mobile experience for Gemini and Gemini Advanced (formerly Google Bard). This entails the launch of a dedicated Gemini app on Android and integration within the Google app on iOS. Initially available exclusively in English within the US, this update will extend to South Africa in English starting next week. With Gemini on your phone, you can type, talk or add an image for all kinds of help while you’re on the go: take a picture of your flat tyre and ask for instructions, generate a custom image for your dinner party invitation or…

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The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) has brought about an insight on the e-commerce and this in turn has also created a platform for criminals to target unsuspecting victims, especially those using e-hailing services and selling or buying products on social media, particularly “Facebook Marketplace”. This trend has become a point of concern for some time, especially in Loate and Rietgat policing precincts. In an effort to address this criminal trend, a task team of detectives was established in Tshwane District to deal with these cases. The team has continued to make inroads in arresting suspects in connection to this robberies…

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Impact Amplifier, with the financial support of Google.org, today launched its African Online Safety Platform (AOSP). The Africa Online Safety Platform is an Africa-wide project and part of Impact Amplifier’s broader intention to address African Online Safety at a systemic level. The African internet safety ecosystem is hindered by several issues, key among them is the lack of a central repository of all the online safety research that has been conducted on a broad spectrum of issues in Africa; lack of a central repository for education material for the plethora of online safety challenges relevant for African users; the absence…

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The Shoprite Group invites high-performing students keen to join the retail industry to apply for its comprehensive bursary programme. Students enrolled for degree studies in Accounting, Biological Sciences, Criminology, Information Technology, Logistics and Supply Chain, Retail Business Management, Food Sciences as well as Agricultural Sciences can apply for funding between 1 February and 30 April 2024.  The comprehensive bursary covers tuition and accommodation. Employment after graduation is guaranteed, giving beneficiaries a seamless entry into the business allowing them to learn from the industry’s top talent, experts and mentors. In addition, bursary holders receive a monthly grocery allowance and enjoy access to…

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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is looking to attract “modern investors” to develop its $24 trillion of untapped mineral deposits in partnership with Congolese companies, the leader of its private sector regulatory body told the mining industry at the 30th annual Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa. Miguel Kashal Katemb, Director General of the Regulatory Authority for Subcontracting in the Private Sector (ARSP), told a packed auditorium that the “DRC is open to all investors” but is looking to partner with “modern investors” who can support the country’s economic development. With a responsible approach, Miguel Katemb assured the…

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Mobile networks must not be complacent about SIM swap fraud and they need to prioritise the protection of customers. This is according to Gur Geva, Founder and CEO of iiDENTIFii.  “Although SABRIC has noted a slight decline in reported SIM swap fraud in its latest report, mobile service providers still need to tighten up their data security to protect against fraudsters using false identities and SIM swap scams,” says Geva. This is particularly relevant as telecommunications and banking industries become increasingly intertwined. Banks now offer mobile services, while mobile network operators provide financial services, and so there is a convergence…

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The Coega Development Corporation (Coega) takes immense pride in its role as a leading public entity rendering Infrastructure Media Release Implementing Agency (IA) services, and responsible for multi-billion rand infrastructure development and maintenance projects in South Africa.  Coega has 24 years of expertise in infrastructure development and maintenance, including the development of Africa’s leading 9003ha Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), in Gqeberha, in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, says Dr. Ayanda Vilakazi, Coega’s Head of Marketing, Brand and Communications. To effectively execute its services across the country, Coega has offices in the provinces of the Eastern Cape (Gqeberha, East London…

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Maltento is transforming South Africa’s recycling landscape by breeding Black Soldier Flies to convert agro-processing waste, including spent grains from the beer industry, into high-performance, nutrient-dense proteins, and oils for pet and aquaculture feed. Based in Cape Town, the Maltento team offers a true testament to the quality of South Africa’s highly skilled scientists and engineers, leading sustainability practices, and world-renowned innovation in the insect biotechnology space. After winning the Startup Club ZA award in November last year, and having recently secured a substantial R12 million grant from the German Development Bank, Maltento is carving its path as a key…

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The recent assessment of working conditions within the platform economy, conducted by Oxford University’s   Fairwork, unveils significant safety concerns and instances of discrimination encountered by South African platform workers in their daily routines. This unsettling reality is compounded by mounting uncertainty regarding remuneration, as take-home earnings have markedly dwindled. Despite the absence of official recognition from unions and associations, workers are increasingly mobilizing in response to these challenges. The study represents the latest phase of Fairwork’s ongoing examination of working conditions across digital labour platforms in South Africa, scrutinising the ride-hailing, food delivery, home maintenance, and domestic services sectors. Five…

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