Chris Badenhorst, Head of Azure Core Services at Braintree, discusses the importance of identifying a cloud strategy that will ensure artificial intelligence integration is more than just a nod to hype The artificial intelligence (AI) rise to fame tracks as spectacularly as that of a freshly discovered celebrity. Appearing on every talk show and in every headline, the technology has, as McKinsey puts it, seen surging interesting since it burst into mainstream media early 2023. The technology remains in the media because it is relentlessly proving its value across multiple use cases and industries. As a study commissioned by Microsoftand undertaken by IDC found,…
Author: Staff Writer
It might surprise you to learn that even the top financial officers in the country indulge in their own guilty pleasures and have downtime activities just like anyone else. From playing with LEGO bricks to sneaking in some reality TV when no one is watching, CFOs have their own ways of relaxing and unwinding. “It might also surprise people to learn that CFOs have ways of working, destressing, and even goal setting that are not a lot unlike the ordinary person on the street. Behind every number is a person, as they say, and even the most successful CFOs have…
Cloudy Deliveries has been named the 2024 IWISA No 1 Community Champion for the Western Cape. Colin Mkosi, the social entrepreneur behind this Khayelitsha-based bicycle food delivery service, will return to his community with R30 000 in prize money. The funds will be used to further his mission of making a significant impact on the lives of those his social enterprise serves. At the IWISA No 1 Community Champions event in Cape Town on Friday, Colin Mkosi of Cloudy Deliveries, Ncumisa Mkabile of Mamcube Fresh Produce, and Thobinceba (Thobey) Qambela of Fierce Creative Academy were announced as the top three…
We had a conversation with Lisa Sebogodi, the founder and director of Batsumi Travel. Established in 2010, Batsumi Travel specialises in corporate travel, shuttle services, and MICE. With over 24 years of experience in the travel industry, Lisa’s leadership has earned Batsumi multiple awards, including Best Full-Service Corporate & Leisure Travel Company in 2024. Lisa is dedicated to continuous learning and uplifting South African youth through initiatives like the Batsumi Travel Township Tourism Development, which empowers high school students with practical tourism skills. What inspired you to start Batsumi Travel, and what drives your passion for the industry? My love…
Africa leads the world in the proportion of female entrepreneurs, with South Africa exemplifying this trend. The continent’s female entrepreneurship rate has climbed to 25.9%, meaning one in four women is running a business. This rise in female entrepreneurship is driven by economic necessity, cultural roles, and women’s significant involvement in the informal economy. Many women turn to entrepreneurship out of necessity, seeking to support their families and achieve financial independence. In South Africa, where 40% of children are raised in single-parent households, women often become primary breadwinners, driven by resilience, innovation, and determination. Faced with limited formal employment opportunities…
Africa is currently facing critical challenges due to climate change, with rising vulnerability to extreme weather conditions. In South Africa, key environmental issues include water scarcity, severe weather events, and the transition to sustainable energy sources. Coastal erosion from rising sea levels and storms is impacting the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal regions, posing threats to properties, ecosystems, and infrastructure. This situation highlights the urgent need for better coastal management and climate adaptation strategies. “The need for innovative climate solutions is urgent, and climate tech offers a path towards resilience and sustainability. The South African government has recognised this need, and…
In the start-up world you will find many views on whether men or women bring the most value. There is more consensus on the fact that diversity is where the magic happens, where 1+1=3, in the words of Audrey Verhaeghe, CEO of ANZA Capital, a female-led investment firm that is addressing the funding gap for early-stage businesses in Africa. It is well known that inequality holds the whole ecosystem back from reaching its full potential, yet men and women continue to experience different opportunities in life and in work. From heavier responsibilities at home to lower pay at work, gender inequality…
The Department of Communications & Digital Technologies has unveiled a national policy framework for artificial intelligence and is seeking input from the ICT sector and other stakeholders. This framework represents the initial step towards developing a comprehensive national AI policy for South Africa. Once finalized, the AI policy will form the “foundational basis” for establishing AI regulations and possibly an AI Act. The department’s statement noted that the policy framework was developed after “extensive international benchmarking,” which highlighted key strategic areas for AI policy development. The department is now moving towards “formal consultations” with stakeholders, aiming to complete this process…
Ford has issued a critical reminder about defective Takata airbags still present in a significant number of vehicles. Today, the automaker announced a do-not-drive advisory affecting approximately 765,000 cars globally, with 374,300 of those in the United States. The affected vehicles are equipped with potentially hazardous old airbags that need immediate replacement. The recall includes a range of models, from mainstream vehicles like the Ford Fusion and Edge to specialty cars like the first-generation Ford GT. Specifically, the recall covers: Driver and Passenger Airbags: Passenger Airbags: Mazda has also issued a do-not-drive advisory, identifying approximately 83,000 vehicles in the United…
At Ford’s Silverton Manufacturing Plant, the door assembly line has been significantly upgraded with the addition of two collaborative robots, or cobots, tasked with installing weatherproof shields in Ranger doors. These UR10e cobots work in tandem with human operators, improving efficiency without replacing jobs. They facilitate the precise application of weatherproof liners, using a roller attached to their ‘wrist’ to apply a consistent force of up to 5 kilograms. “The cobots know exactly how much force to apply and can apply that force more easily and precisely than we can,” explained Suresh Babu, Plant Manager of Silverton Vehicle Operations. “They…