Africa: Southern Ocean and Antarctica – Correcting the Blind Spot On SA’s Radar

Africa: Southern Ocean and Antarctica – Correcting the Blind Spot On SA’s Radar

Given its obligations in the region, South Africa is uniquely positioned to represent Africa’s interests in Antarctic governance. The Southern Ocean, encircling Antarctica and extending northwards to about 60° south latitude, contains some of the world’s richest polar marine living resources. Around 85% of the planet’s ocean biological productivity depends on nutrients from this ocean….

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WhatsApp AI companions transform SA’s Aids response

WhatsApp AI companions transform SA’s Aids response

In addition to highly effective treatments like Lenacapavir, technology is central to South Africa’s HIV/Aids response. “Technology is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ in the HIV response; it’s central. Young people live on their phones. If our solutions aren’t where they are, we are going to miss them,” said Cleo Sokhela, the chief programmes officer at…

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Time-to-productivity heightens SA’s skills crisis

Time-to-productivity heightens SA’s skills crisis

Riaz Moola, CEO and founder, HyperionDev SA. SA’s skills crisis is evolving: a hiring shortage is not the biggest problem for employers, it’s that too many new hires take too long to become productive. This is according to research presented by online education provider HyperionDev. Reflecting on the findings of the company’s Graduate Impact Report…

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SA’s Special Economic Zones pivot to digital transformation

SA’s Special Economic Zones pivot to digital transformation

Dr Chris Ettmayr, renewable energy and ICT sector manager at the East London Industrial Development Zone; Magama Makgamatho, chief knowledge and digital officer at Coega Development Corporation; and Baphelele Mhlaba, acting executive manager for economic development and sector support at the Eastern Cape Development Corporation. SA’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs), historically viewed as industrial and…

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Study reveals SA’s top 20 most common passwords

Study reveals SA’s top 20 most common passwords

Researchers have observed a significant increase in the use of special characters in passwords. This year, “admin” is the most common password in South Africa, replacing last year’s top choice of “123456”. Additionally, “admin” made the biggest leap, climbing from 20th place in South Africa last year. This is according to NordPass, together with NordStellar,…

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SA’s information watchdog takes on ‘Big Tech’

SA’s information watchdog takes on ‘Big Tech’

Advocate Pansy Tlakula, chairperson of the Information Regulator. South Africa’s Information Regulator is in a legal “battle” with Google and Meta after the tech giants refused to hand over records, claiming South African law doesn’t apply to them despite doing business in the country. This is according to advocate Pansy Tlakula, chairman of the Information…

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Google, YouTube to pour R688m into SA’s media sector

Google, YouTube to pour R688m into SA’s media sector

The Competition Commission found that Google and YouTube reproduce South African news content, but provide no remuneration to local publishers. Google and YouTube have agreed to establish a combined R688 million media support package to fund national, community and vernacular media in SA. This is one of the key recommended remedies in the Competition Commission’s…

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R16.5bn spike for SA’s cyber security market

R16.5bn spike for SA’s cyber security market

SA’s cyber security services market has been projected to hit R16.5 billion by 2029. South Africa’s cyber security services market is expected to reach R16.5 billion by 2029, with the financial services sector showing strong demand, says BMIT. This comes amid the rise of cyber crime attacks on the local front, which has seen the…

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