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Absa launches cloud skills incubator with AWS
Absa Group said on Thursday that it is launching a skills incubator in partnership with Amazon Web Services to train employees in cloud computing skills. The “AWS Skills Guild” agreement is the first such initiative in Africa, the banking giant said in a statement. Skills training will take place across Absa’s operations on the continent. “As
Global chip shortage hits iPad and MacBook production
Production of some of Apple’s MacBooks and iPads has been postponed due to a global component shortage, the Nikkei reported on Thursday. Chip shortages have caused delays in a key step in MacBook production, the report said, adding that some iPad assembly was postponed because of a shortage of displays and display components. As a result of the
Rectron expands point of sale offering with Newland ID
Rectron (PTY) Ltd, one of South Africa’s leading distributors of IT products, continues to strengthen its enterprise offering with the addition of Newland ID, a manufacturer of barcode scanners, to its portfolio. In the agreement, Rectron will be distributing the full Newland ID range, comprising (wireless) handheld scanners, stationary scanners, mobile computers, tablets, micro kiosks, and OEM
Nigerian fintech launches feature to empower SMEs in region
Uzoma Dozie, founder and CEO of Sparkle explains that the launch of the new feature is integral to supporting SMEs in the region. “SMEs are the largest employer of labour in Nigeria but are lacking access to basic services that will help their businesses. We have introduced Sparkle Business as a one-stop-shop, to help individuals
Joining hands with businesses to scale up climate conscious agriculture
Why implementing a systems-wide approach and boosting private sector engagement in agriculture and land-use is part of the climate solution. While responsible for two thirds of global agricultural GDP (Gross Domestic Product), Asian agriculture is one of the most vulnerable economic sectors in the world to climate change. With its diverse landscape and livelihoods, sheepherders
Google AI manager Samy Bengio resigns
A Google researcher manager has resigned following the controversial firings of two female leaders in his organization. Samy Bengio, who oversaw the ethical AI team prior to a reorganization in February, is leaving to pursue other opportunities, according to Bloomberg. His last day will be April 28th. Bengio was a strong advocate of star AI
The financial impact of double-digit electricity increases on entry and middle-income households
07 April 2021: In the wake of the 15% increase in electricity tariffs for 2021/22, many households will have to review their already stretched budgets to keep the lights on. According to FNB insights, electricity spend is one of the largest spend categories for entry to middle income customers. As a result, these customers need
Three steps to take control of your finances
With the turmoil of 2020 behind us and a return to something approaching normal in the first quarter of 2021, now is a good time to take stock of your finances. Benay Sager, head of DebtBusters, South Africa’s leading and largest debt counsellor, says consecutive lockdowns affected most people’s finances. “Perhaps predictably, the consequences were
Three words that saved a life: Vodacom-backed technology what3words used in successful Western Cape emergency call-outs
The technology used by 14,620 Vodacom subscribers of callouts over the past year, including a Covid-19 patient struggling to breathe, a seriously injured construction worker and a collapsed elderly woman what3words has divided the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and given each square a unique 3 word address. For example,///blizzard.friendlier.bailing will
Eskom in a heated contractual dispute with US technology giant Oracle
Eskom said on Monday that it has put “contingency measures” in place to reduce the risk of its reliance on software from US technology giant Oracle, with which it is in a heated contractual dispute. The state-owned electricity utility said Oracle is contracted to provide several technical services but the company, which is based in Austin,
Yahoo Answers is shutting down in May
Yahoo Answers, one of the longest-running and most storied web Q&A platforms in the history of the internet, is shutting down on May 4th. That’s the day the Yahoo Answers website will start redirecting to the Yahoo homepage, and all of the platform’s archives will apparently cease to exist. The platform has been operating since
FNB reports a 46% increase in secondary property purchases in 2020
06 April 2021: FNB has revealed that they’ve seen a 46% increase in the total number of buyers who purchased their secondary properties in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. A considerable amount of the property purchases were made in lower priced rental properties, with 20.6% of the purchases made
Vodacom empowers over 146 youth with digital skills, commits to training another 1,750 by 2025
JOHANNESBURG – Today, Vodacom is celebrating the achievements of 146 youth, including 89 women who graduated with certified ICT certificates from the mobile operator’s Youth Academy programme at a virtual graduation ceremony. The graduates spent 12 demanding months training through the Vodacom Youth Academy, whose sole purpose is empowering unemployed youth from impoverished backgrounds with
Sony to announce its next Xperia phone on April 14th
Sony has, in a very low-key way, just announced that its upcoming Xperia event will be on April 14th (via Droid Life). The news comes from the Xperia YouTube channel’s banner, where it lays out that there will be a new product announcement happening at 4:30PM Japan Standard Time — that’s 3:30AM EST, or 12:30AM PT (if
Vodacom reduces 1GB data price to R85
Vodacom has reduced the price of a gigabyte of data, bought on an ad hoc basis, by 14%, from R99 to R85, and adjusted several other data tariffs. The adjustments pertain specifically to 30-data bundles. “As part of these price adjustments, Vodacom is also giving greater value to customers by allocating up to 33% more data
Dimension Data acquires Amazon cloud specialist Acacia
Dimension Data said on Thursday that it has acquired Acacia Cloud Solutions, a cloud implementation specialist that works closely with Amazon Web Services (AWS). It’s the first deal to be announced by newly appointed Dimension Data CEO Werner Kapp, who recently replaced Grant Bodley in the hot seat at the IT services group. The value of
Mastercard to invest R1.5-billion into Airtel Africa’s fintech unit
Mastercard will pump US$100-million (R1.5-billion) in Airtel Africa’s mobile money operations, valuing the business at $2.65-billion (R39.2-billion), the London-listed company said on Thursday. Mastercard will hold a minority stake in Airtel Mobile Commerce, in line with Airtel Africa’s plan to monetise the mobile money business by selling up to a 25% stake in the unit, the
Mayo women urged to apply in time for business awards
Network Ireland is calling on members in Mayo and across the country to apply for their prestigious Businesswoman of the Year awards ahead of the deadline on April 16. The annual programme highlights the achievements of women who understand business, who are passionate about their career, and show a determination to succeed no matter what
PPC removes DRC millstone
PPC's shares rose as much as 26% yesterday after it postponed a possible rights issue after reaching a deal to restructure debt at its PPC Barnet business in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and as it reported improved sales. It has also made good progress with the sale of its PPC Lime business. In
Vodacom RT15 contract with government extended for another five years as part of RT15-2021
Four years after the Mobile Communication Services contract was established and awarded to Vodacom Business in 2016, National Treasury has chosen to retain the services of Vodacom, awarding the company with a new mobile communication services contract. This after government technology expenditure had been significantly reduced, using innovative digital solutions within several departments and municipalities