South African Tech
IoT is One of Medicine’s Biggest Tools – Also Its Weakest Security Link
Image sourced from HP Consultant. /* custom css */ .tdi_4_0e2.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_0e2.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Healthcare has always been on the cutting edge, with hospitals and healthcare providers typically quick to embrace any innovation that will translate into better, more efficient, more affordable care. From microscopic pill cameras and implantable devices to laser surgery and advanced monitoring techniques, medical technology is all about creating the best possible patient outcome. But when it comes to the latest wave of innovative products, powered by always-on, always-connected internet of things (IoT) technology, there are growing concerns that security issues may eventually harm medical institutions or the patients themselves. /* custom css */...
Ramaphosa, Macron Announce “Landmark” Plan to Produce mRNA Vaccines in South Africa
French President Emmanuel Macron and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Image sourced from The Sowetan. /* custom css */ .tdi_4_eed.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_eed.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } South Africa is set to build a new hub for manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines, announces President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa addressed a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday. The conference was facilitated by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Macron, who referred to Ramaphosa as “my friend”, said that the partnership was the result of his state visit to South Africa at the end of last month. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_7dd.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_7dd.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } The WHO issued a call for Expression...
New Renewables Offer Energy Security for SA’s Beleaguered Economy
Sourced from Saur Energy. /* custom css */ .tdi_4_bb6.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_bb6.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } In a bold move last year, the South African government launched an emergency energy procurement plan with a view to relieve the current energy crisis and limit load-shedding. The shortfalls are currently partially alleviated, however at great expense, as there is extensive use of diesel-based open cycle gas turbines. Such fossil-fuel-based contingencies undermine our ability to reduce carbon emissions, curb global warming, and achieve sustainable development. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_b0f.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_b0f.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Dubbed the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (RMIPPPP), t...
Is Cybersecurity as Necessary as Electricity?
Sourced from Travellers Cybersecurity has become as much a business necessity as having electricity says South African financial services and insurance company, Sanlam. Threat actors are constantly evolving and relentlessly hunting for vulnerabilities, cybercrime has become so profitable that exploitation is their business priority, and regulation is increasingly complex to navigate and manage. For Sanlam, cybersecurity has always been more than plugging holes and filling gaps, it’s a priority that has to be embedded within business foundations while managing cost, growth, customer experience, data analytics and regulatory controls. “Developing a comprehensive and holistic cybersecurity solution is a mandate for us, one that we must meet to ensure customer, stakeholder and industry trust. ...
SA Schools May Face Penalties for PoPIA Non-Compliance
Image sourced from Business Tech. /* custom css */ .tdi_4_b41.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_b41.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } With the third wave of COVID-19 crashing upon South Africans and amidst increasing calls for schooling to be temporarily suspended, it could prove helpful for educational institutions across the country to use the time away from teaching to put some focus into protecting their data privacy. Schools and other tertiary institutions store and process more personal information than most other organisations, they are by far the most affected by the Protection of Personal Information Act, No 4 of 2012 (PoPIA), which comes into effect on 1 July 2021. PoPIA Applies to Schools, Universities /* custom css */ .tdi_3_cab.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi...
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Launches Multi-Cloud Data Centre Solution in South Africa
Sourced from Silicon Angle /* custom css */ .tdi_4_b63.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_b63.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has brought a new multi-cloud Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) data centre solution to the South African market. This powerful multi-cloud data centre model is all about leveraging the cloud to define the customer experience, while underpinned by HPE’s GreenLake platform. This unique multi-cloud offering is the latest culmination of a long-standing partnership between HPE and Datacentrix, and the infrastructure power of Teraco – Africa’s largest data centre ecosystem. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_66b.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_66b.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } “With their expertise and knowledge of cloud ho...
E-Livestock and Mastercard Launch Blockchain-Based Solution to Aid Farmers in Zimbabwe
Image sourced from Feed Navigator. E-Livestock Global today launched a first-of-its-kind solution powered by Mastercard’s blockchain-based Provenance solution, empowering Zimbabwean farmers to prove the origin and health records of their cattle, while reducing risks to buyers. First-of-its-Kind A first in the Middle East and Africa, the solution brings new hope to Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector after an outbreak of tick-borne disease in 2018 led to the death of 50,000 cattle. The lack of a traceability system has seen Zimbabwe unable to export beef to lucrative markets in Europe and the Middle East in recent years, reducing export earnings from beef, which are important to the country’s economy. The E-Livestock Global solution brings end-to-end visibility to the cattle supply chain. Commer...
6 Urgent Steps Companies Need to Take to Ensure POPIA Compliance
Sourced from Europa EU. The eleventh hour is upon businesses who are not POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) compliant. The effective date of 1 July is upon us. Your business should have already started its compliance journey, as it will at least help lessen the risk of cybersecurity breaches. Securing your data will help your business be in good standing with local and international partners. This will also enhance the reputation of your business and exempt you from fines and non-compliance. Here are six steps your business can take before 01 July to be POPIA compliant: 1. Encrypt Everything One of the major requirements under POPIA is to ensure that you apply Generally Accepted Information Security Protocols. While these requirements are not the same for all organisations, som...
MultiChoice Sees Surge in Earnings Amidst Subscriber Boom
Image sourced from The Vanguard Nigeria /* custom css */ .tdi_4_dc2.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_dc2.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } South African broadcasting conglomerate MultiChoice Group reports that it has added 1.4-million 90-day active subscribers to its services between the beginning of 2021 to 31 March. MultiChoice also reports that earnings were exceedingly robust despite the ongoing pandemic. This is partly due to the 7% growth year-on-year of its subscribers. The Johannesburg-based corporation ended 2020 with 20.9-million subscribers – 43% from South Africa, while a further 57% of subscribers from the rest of the continent. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_d36.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_d36.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Growth in the Face of COV...
SA Government Loses Majority Stake in South African Airways
Sourced from The African Report. /* custom css */ .tdi_4_700.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_700.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } The South African government has lost the majority stake of its ailing airline, South African Airways (SAA) through a deal with its new strategic partner Takatso Consortium. Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced the news that the government has reached an agreement with Takatso Consortium, a private company, that will now own 51% of the airline, with the government remaining with a minority stake at 49%. “Government and the ANC [have] indicated over some time the intention to restructure SAA. The airline was placed into business rescue in December 2019 and since then our objective has been to ensure a viable and competitive airli...
SA President Ramaphosa Finally Gives Greenlight for Private Companies to Boost Country’s Power Grid
Image sourced from SAFA /* custom css */ .tdi_4_c82.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_c82.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the SA government will finally lift the threshold for embedded generating electricity capacity from 1 MW to 100 MW in South Africa. This move will allow private households and businesses to self-generate power on a larger scale. Ramaphosa says that the increase in embedded generating capacity threshold is vital in creating new ambitious, bold and urgent responses to aid with the country’s ongoing energy crisis. “We are today announcing a significant new step in further reforming our electricity sector towards achieving a stable and secure supply of energy,” the President says. /* custom css */ .tdi...
Sony Announces New Truly Wireless Headphones in South Africa
/* custom css */ .tdi_4_cd5.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_4_cd5.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Sony today announces the launch of WF-1000XM4 – its latest truly wireless model in the acclaimed 1000X series. The WF-1000XM4 headphones take industry-leading noise cancelling and audio quality to the next level. Made to fit every ear, offering a personalised experience suitable for every situation. Clearer Sound, Less Noice The WF-1000XM4 provides industry-leading noise cancellation. The newly designed Integrated Processor V1 provides even better noise cancellation. Specially developed by Sony, the Integrated Processor V1 takes the noise cancellation performance of Sony’s acclaimed QN1e chip and goes even further. Improved noise-cancelling performance and Bluetooth ‘System on Ch...
