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Huawei becomes member of the Global Alliance for Literacy
On Sunday, March 26, 2023, Huawei joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO's) Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL). It is the first private firm to join the GAL as an associate member. Huawei and the Unesco Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) have pledged to use technology to improve literacy in 30 countries.
Kusile chimney collapse was caused by Eskom administrators overruling engineers
The decision by Eskom management to boost the load on Kusile Power Station Unit 1 to full capacity, despite the advise of its experts, resulted in the tragic collapse of a duct, which has contributed about two phases of load-shedding since late October 2022. According to an internal study obtained by the Sunday Times from
Pointers for potential South African home buyers In 2023
South Africa's property market is now in a seller's market, according to property analyst Grant Smee, and putting down a substantial deposit and factoring in interest rate rises is critical for prospective house buyers in 2023. Purchasing a home at a period of high inflation can be difficult, particularly in South Africa, where interest rates
These are the most dependable car brands in 2023
According to the JD Power US Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) for 2023, the Toyota C-HR and Lexus RX are tied for the most dependable vehicles. JD Power's VDS, currently in its 34th year, examines how 2020 model-year cars perform in terms of component replacement, attractiveness, and quality, including vehicles equipped with innovative technologies. The VDS
South Africa has officially been greylisted
South Africa has been added to a global financial watchdog's so-called grey list, which identifies countries with deficiencies in combating illegal financial flows, a decision that will tarnish the country's worldwide reputation and may increase costs for banks and asset managers. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced the judgement on Friday. Nigeria, Africa's largest
André de Ruyter's allegations of Eskom tender corruption
Former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter claims that design criteria for systems at the Kusile power station were modified in order enable ANC-connected Hitachi Power Africa to win the project. He further blamed South Africa's energy issue on the endemic ANC-supported corruption at Eskom, and "evidence suggests" the ANC was exploiting the state-owned power firm
Microsoft is integrating its Bing AI chatbot into mobile apps and Skype
According to a blog post, Microsoft is extending its Bing AI chatbot to the Edge and Bing mobile applications, as well as Skype. Individuals who have access to the tool's preview may now access it via their Microsoft account on the Edge and Bing mobile applications, and talk with it one-on-one or in a group
Netflix has reduced its rates in over 100 countries by up to 60%
Netflix has reduced its fees in over 100 countries or territories, but not in South Africa. The reductions are being offered in five key regions: Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East and North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia Pacific. Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines
January PPI inflation for final manufactured goods eased slightly more than expected in January
Stats SA yesterday reported the PPI data for January based on revised weights. Producer inflation for final manufactured goods fell for the third consecutive month to a ten-month low of 12.7% y/y in January from 13.5% in December. This result was somewhat lower than our prediction of 12.9% year on year and the Thomson Reuters
Google Maps' dominance is being investigated
According to three individuals familiar with the inquiry, the US Justice Department is looking at Google's mapping dominance, renewing a strand of its long-running antitrust investigation into the search engine. Department attorneys have been collecting information and re-interviewing prospective witnesses, according to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing
R15.5 billion funding for South Africa's law enforcement and defence force
South Africa is beefing up its security and prosecutorial agencies in an effort to combat chronic crime and corruption, which has sparked public fury and damaged the country's reputation among investors. The national budget, which was published in Cape Town on Wednesday, gives an additional R7.8 billion to the police force over the next three
MTN increases contract fees
MTN has stated that the monthly subscription prices on its consumer cellular contracts would be increased by an average of 5.1% beginning April 1, 2023. The rises were prompted by a "challenging market environment placing pressure on the industry," according to the mobile network provider. “The impact of the inflationary environment has resulted in increased
South Africa's new retirement system raises concerns
According to financial services firm Alexforbes, South Africans are failing to efficiently save for retirement, particularly when changing professions, and the new planned 'two-pot' retirement scheme does not account for all potential savings increases. According to the organisation, just 9% of its members save their retirement funds when they change employment. According to Alexforbes, the
This is why Eskom has implemented Stage 6 load shedding throughout the day, every day 'until further notice'
Eskom says it has been forced to initiate Stage 6 load shedding due to the failure of 11 units since Tuesday morning. Eskom said in a statement on Wednesday that the breakdowns total over 5 084MW of power, severely lowering available capacity and forcing a rise in load shedding phases. “Stage 6 load shedding will
WhatsApp developing newsletter feature
WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will allow users to create and receive newsletters in the same way that bulk email providers do. WABetaInfo discovered code in the mobile app pointing to a "Newsletter" function. The magazine deduced from its study of the code that it was a one-to-many mechanism for disseminating information. It
Even a R254-billion Eskom bailout would not be sufficient to end load shedding this year
A 254 billion-rand ($14 billion) state bailout for South Africa's cash-strapped power provider will help stabilise its finances, but it will not instantly enhance its operations or ease the country's acute electricity shortage. Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.'s three-year debt-relief plan, outlined in Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's budget address on Wednesday, is conditional on the firm
Ramaphosa expected to approve new election laws
At its virtual plenary on Thursday, the National Assembly (NA) enacted the Electoral Reform Bill and accepted the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, as well as revisions submitted by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). On October 20, 2022, the National Assembly adopted the Electoral Reform Bill and forwarded it to the
The exorbitant price of AI-powered search engines
According to Ars Technica, the AI-powered language models Google and Microsoft are implementing into their search engines will come at a large cost to the firms because the technology takes far more computer resources per query than traditional search engines. According to Morgan Stanley, Google's expenses might rise by $6 billion (R110 billion) if ChatGPT-like
South Africa's 2023 fibre pricing war, Openserve destroyed
Due to recent modifications in South African fibre network operator (FNO) speeds and price, Openserve is now the most costly residential fibre provider across practically all line speed categories. This is a significant departure from the previous two years. In 2021, Openserve's speed enhancements and pricing reduction made it the cheapest provider, setting the tone
High-tech licence plates are being developed for Johannesburg and Pretoria
The Gauteng Provincial Government intends to reform the province's number plate system as part of its attempts to address the region's endemic crime. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi stated at his State of the Province address on Monday, 20 February 2023, that vehicles are a frequent denominator in violent crimes. “In order to strengthen our fight