Wednesday, 4 December 2024: Two South African learners from Eskom Expo for Young Scientist International Science Fair were awarded medals after successfully showcasing their research projects at this year’s İzmir International Innovation Science Energy Engineering Fair (IISEEF) in Türkiye. Wound Healing Solution a Winner Thiedu Du Preez, 17, from Vredenburg High School on the West Coast, was awarded a Silver medal for his project, ‘Seal to Heal: Economical natural alternatives for wound healing’. The objective of the project was to identify a formulation of natural products that can serve as a viable alternative to chemical solutions for sealing wounds and…
Author: Staff Writer
By Prof. Amit Kumar Mishra, Professor at the Engineering and Built Environment Faculty, and partner to the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at UCT South Africa’s recent 1.4% decrease in the unemployment rate has offered a glimmer of hope, yet the country continues to grapple with persistently low employment levels. This challenge is particularly pressing as AI-driven transformations reshape industries and redefine work across sectors. While AI has unlocked new possibilities for creativity and innovation, it has also raised critical questions about its impact on employment, especially in creative spaces. A primary concern is the potential for job losses across the…
Kazang, the prepaid value-added services (VAS) and card acquiring business within JSE-listed fintech Lesaka Technologies, has introduced EasyPay Voucher to make it safe and easy for cash-based South Africans to take their money online. EasyPay Voucher is a generic voucher that consumers can spend with a range of gaming, communication, and entertainment providers. Already used by around 100,000 Customers South Africans, EasyPay Voucher enables customers to top up a range of prepaid services and pay for a selection of value-added products without needing multiple payment methods or vouchers. The voucher allows customers without a bank account or card to pay…
This is Part 2 – If you missed Part 1 you can read it here: https://www.businesstechafrica.co.za/business/2024/11/20/how-businesses-can-proactivity-combat-the-scourge-of-the-construction-mafia/ By Lionel van Tonder, Director, Inge Swanepoel, Consultant, Martin Versfeld, Partner, and Tyron Theessen, Partner at Webber Wentzel Part 1 Recap In part 1 of this article, we provided a background to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) in the construction industry. While the PPPFA arguably created an unintended foothold for the construction mafia, we, fortunately, have the benefit of other legislation (including foreign frameworks), which (if enforced and/or adopted) can provide a strong foundation for combatting extortion, corruption and organised crimes. The…
Article By: Lionel van Tonder, Director, Inge Swanepoel, Consultant, Martin Versfeld, Partner, and Tyron Theessen, Partner, Webber Wentzel In 2023, we published an article titled Construction Mafia – Remedies and Prevention in which we sought to unpack what the “construction mafia” actually is and we observed that the term is a mischaracterisation of its nebulous nature. The issue of extortionist rackets impacting construction projects has escalated to such a degree that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has name-checked the construction mafia several times in public since his appointment in July 2024, making it a priority for the current administration. Following the…
Finance and accounting professionals can play a crucial role championing the adoption of AI across their organisations By Andrew Harding FCMA, CGMA, Chief Executive – Management Accounting at AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants When it comes to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools in business, almost every profession and industry have moved from asking “should we do this?” to “how do we do this?”. The finance and accounting profession is no exception. Finance professionals are being presented with two choices: repeat old patterns, clinging to traditional models and risk being left behind, or evolve…
Mozilla Festival House is opening its doors in Zambia on November 20 to 21, at Lusaka International Convention Center. The event explores the power of AI, data, building community-centered tech alternatives, social justice in tech.This gathering will see a collection of technologists, artists, activists, funders, policymakers, and researchers, under the theme of “Collective Action for Trustworthy AI.” They will be exploring the power of collective action aimed at co-creating a more responsible, trustworthy, and inclusive digital future.Momoe Ikeda-Chełmińska, MozFest Director comments: “What makes MozFest unique is our ability to connect technology with activism and art, a formula that’s rare but…
African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), a subsidiary of Old Mutual Alternative Investments (OMAI), has completed the sale of its 12.67% indirect stake in the Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concession (BPCC) via its African Infrastructure Investment Fund 2 (AIIF2) yesterday (5 Nov) The transaction transfers the interest to Gaia Fund Managers, a specialist asset manager facilitating institutional and pension fund investment in Africa’s emerging infrastructure asset class. “This exit represents a critical milestone for AIIM, affirming our ability to deliver long-term value to investors,” said Moritz Thompson, Investment Director at AIIM. “This move reflects AIIM’s proactive approach in aligning its investment strategy…
Business Tech Africa have launched a new Annual Award program that seeks to acknowledge the superb Tech advances and innovations that they see each year. The initial awards will be announced in November and will be awarded in various categories of Tech innovations, as well as an overall winner also to be announced. The Award Categories are: Business Tech Commits to Acknowledge African Achievements Daisy Mulenga, Director of Imizamo Media (Business Tech Africa’s holding company) says that “We see the potential to develop a meaningful acknowledgement of the wonderful Tech innovations happening in Africa that don’t always get the recognition…
Article written by Lerato Lamola, Partner at Webber Wentzel Regulations in South Africa Around Crypto Need Finalisation As of June 2024, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has issued 138 crypto asset service provider (CASP) licences. With the rolling out of licences, the discussion around the crypto industry moves from whether crypto assets should be regulated, to more detailed topics around “what should be regulated?” and “how should it be regulated?” There are currently two pieces of legislation in relation to crypto assets that require some form of registration or approval. On the one hand, you have CASP financial service…
