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SIU collects evidence in Makana Local Municipality maladministration allegations

Location: News

SIU collects evidence in Makana Local Municipality maladministration allegations

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has searched and collected evidence related to allegations of serious maladministration at the Makana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

This after it obtained a warrant to search the premises of the municipality on Thursday.

“At 9 am on Friday, 01 November, the SIU, assisted by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, entered the municipality's premises to collect evidence that is in line with Proclamation 207 of 2024 authorised the SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration,” the unit said in a statement.

The SIU and Hawks collected documentation and equipment required for audit or compliance purposes concerning successful tenders from 1 January 2019 to 18 October 2024, as stipulated in Proclamation 207 of 2024. 

“This includes comprehensive records such as company registration documents, all forms of payment documentation (invoices, purchase orders, remittance advice), and devices—such as laptops, mobile devices, external storage, or media used by relevant committees, officials, or employees. 

“The documentation also extends to any electronic data stored on these devices, including emails and cloud storage, covering current and outdated devices associated with specific personnel and posts.”

The warrant was granted by the Grahamstown Magistrate Court.

The application for a search and seizure followed the signing of Proclamation 207 of 2024 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which authorised the SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration in the affairs of the Makana Local Municipality involving seven tenders, which was gazetted two weeks ago. 

The SIU’s investigation will look into the:

• Makana Bulk Sewer Upgrade Phase 1.
• Professional Engineering services for groundwater development project.
• Implementing agents for water conservation and demand management.
• Re-appointment of MBB Consulting for water conservation and demand management.
• Electrification of the greater Makana and surrounding areas 11KV line project.
• Host municipal emails and provide internet services.
• Operate and manage the Makana burning landfill site for six months.

“The SIU has reason to believe that a normal route of requesting information and documents would not have yielded positive results. Hence, it was deemed necessary to approach the Grahamstown Magistrate Court for a search warrant to seize documents and computers to assist with the ongoing investigation.

"Upon the receipt of the allegations, the SIU engaged the municipality seeking documents that would help assess the merit of the allegations and help prepare a motivation for a proclamation.

“However, the municipality did not cooperate with the SIU’s request. The SIU engaged the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), as the office was auditing the municipality at the time. The AGSA indicated that the municipality failed to furnish it with documents.”

The SIU is empowered by the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act) to subpoena bank statements and cell phone records, search and seize evidence, and interrogate witnesses under oath to thoroughly investigate allegations brought before it. 

The SIU is also empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration. In line with the SIU Act, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action. -SAnews.gov.za
 

Edwin
Fri, 11/01/2024 - 10:35

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Weather warnings for Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal 

Location: News

Weather warnings for Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal 

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued alerts for heavy rain and flooding over parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Due to a cut off low pressure system, these conditions are expected from Sunday to Tuesday.

“Some areas in the summer rainfall region recently experienced their first Spring thunderstorms, but much of South Africa experienced calm weather conditions over the last few days. This is set to change with the arrival of a cut-off low pressure system, which will impact the southern, central, and eastern provinces from Sunday until Tuesday, 20 to 22 October 2024,” the SAWS said in a statement.

It added that cut-off low-pressure systems are notorious for resulting in severe weather during the Spring months, including heavy rainfall that can lead to flooding, as well as intense thunderstorms accompanied by hail and damaging winds. 

“This system is expected to result in widespread and disruptive rainfall along the coastal regions and adjacent areas of the Eastern Cape and the southern and central coast of KwaZulu-Natal, which may result in minor to significant flooding in some areas.”

Additionally, isolated severe thunderstorms are also possible over the eastern and central interior regions, affecting areas such as the Free State, Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal during this period.

The cut-off low will develop over the south-western parts of the country on Sunday, while a stationary surface high-pressure system will bring moisture to the southern and south-eastern regions. 

“These systems will lead to widespread rainfall over parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal mainly from Sunday to Tuesday. Some Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models suggest that accumulated rainfall could reach 100 to 200 mm along the coastal areas of the Eastern Cape and the central and southern coast of KwaZulu-Natal during this period.”

The SAWS has issued the following impact-based warnings: 

•    Orange Level 6 Warning: Disruptive rain leading to flooding of settlements, roads, damage to property and infrastructure is expected along the coast and adjacent interior between Port Alfred and Mtunzini from Sunday into Monday. 

•    Yellow Level 4 Warning: Disruptive rain leading to localised flooding of settlement, roads, damage to property and infrastructure for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Kouga, Sundays River Valley, Makana and Mdlambe Local Municipality as well Ngqushwa are expected from Sunday into Monday and likely to persist until Tuesday.

•    Yellow Level 4 Warning: Severe thunderstorms with heavy downpour leading to localised flooding of settlements, low lying areas, resulting in closure of some bridges and roads, large amounts of small hail and damaging wind to informal/formal houses or structures and vehicles are expected over most parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the extreme eastern Free State and extreme southern Highveld of Mpumalanga from Sunday into Monday. 

•    Yellow level 2 Warning: Severe storms with heavy downpour leading to localised susceptible roads, low lying areas and bridges, large amounts of small hail that will result in localised damage to vehicles, houses and structures as well as localised damage to informal houses due to strong damaging wind are expected over the eastern parts of both North West and the Free State, Gauteng, the Mpumalanga Highveld and extreme northeast of KwaZulu-Natal as well as over the extreme south-west of Limpopo on Sunday into Monday.

•    Yellow Level 2 Warning: Disruptive rain leading to localised flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges are expected south of escarpment of the eastern parts of the Eastern Cape from Sunday into Monday.

Calm weather conditions 

Meanwhile, most parts of the country will experience warm to hot temperatures during this period, though cool to cold conditions can be anticipated in parts of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and southern KwaZulu-Natal due to extensive cloud cover and rainfall. 

Calm weather conditions are expected to return on Wednesday as the cut-off low moves eastward, away from the south-eastern coast. -SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 12:05

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Europe’s Network and Information Security (NIS2) directive raises the stakes for African businesses to comply with European Union’s (EU) cyber security standards

Location: News
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

The European Union's NIS2 cyber security  directive has significant implications for African businesses trading with the continent.  This is according to Check Point Software Technologies (www.CheckPoint.com), a leading AI-powered cloud-delivered cyber security provider, which urges African businesses with strong ties to the EU to take steps to comply with this new, stringent cyber security regulation.

Download document: https://apo-opa.co/3UgCQYj

The European Union's NIS2 Directive, came into effect this month and requires member states to amend their national legislation. The NIS2 Directive imposes strict cyber security requirements, including enhanced management liability, reporting to authorities, risk management, and business continuity planning, placing African companies trading with the EU under increased scrutiny.

The NIS2 Directive builds upon the original NIS1 Directive introduced in 2016, expanding its scope to cover a wider range of sectors including Energy, Banking, Transport, Digital Infrastructure, Healthcare, Food Production, and Research. More than 80% of European enterprises are now within the scope of this legislation, which extends to global supply chain partners—including many businesses in Africa.

Collins Emadau, Check Point Partner and Director at Westcon, explains, “Europe is still Africa's leading trading partner. African businesses, particularly in leading economies such as South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, need to understand the far-reaching impact of NIS2. Compliance is not just about meeting EU standards—it's about securing their future in a globalised market. Failure to comply will result in not only heavy fines but also the potential loss of critical trade partnerships with EU member states."

What's at Stake for African Businesses?

The EU remains the largest trading partner for Africa, with over 18 Economic Partnership Agreements and trade worth billions annually. African businesses, especially in sectors like Energy, Banking, Transport, and Manufacturing, are key partners in the EU's supply chains. To continue doing business with EU companies, African organisations must comply with NIS2, which mandates strict cyber security measures to protect critical infrastructure and supply chains.

Issam El Haddioui, Head of Security Sales Engineering:  Africa, Check Point Software Technologies, says, "NIS2 sets a new standard for cyber security, and African businesses must act now. Many organisations are unaware of the depth of these requirements, which go beyond local regulations. Compliance is essential not only for maintaining business relationships with the EU but also for enhancing the overall resilience of African economies against cyber threats."

Compliance will exact a cost for African organisations, which according to Interpol's 2021 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report, spends an average of only 0.05% of their revenue on cyber security, far below the global average of 0.3-0.5%.  The Report also estimated the financial impact of cyber crime in the region at over $4 billion USD, representing about 10 percent of Africa's total GDP.

Tougher Penalties and Personal Responsibility

NIS2 introduces personal liability for business leaders in the event of a cyber attack, meaning that executives themselves can be held financially accountable for breaches. Penalties include fines of up to EUR 7 million or 1.4% of a company's global annual turnover, whichever is higher. This goes beyond the GDPR, placing even more responsibility on corporate leadership to ensure robust cyber security practices are in place.

NIS2 mandates that organisations must report cyber incidents to authorities promptly and inform their stakeholders, suppliers, and customers. Therefore, African businesses must ensure they have a comprehensive incident response plan in place, along with regular cyber security training for both IT and leadership teams.

Steps for African Businesses to Ensure Compliance

To successfully implement NIS2 and avoid devastating penalties, Check Point recommends the following four steps for African businesses:

  1. Knowledge: Business leaders must gain a basic understanding of cyber security to effectively communicate with their IT teams and ensure sound decision-making.
  2. People: Establish an agile IT security department, including key roles such as a Data Protection Officer (DPO) and a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), to manage and distribute responsibilities efficiently.
  3. Audit: Conduct regular risk assessments and audits to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities. Continuous monitoring is essential to stay compliant with evolving threats.
  4. Incident Management: Develop clear procedures for responding to cyber incidents, including swift reporting to national authorities, suppliers, and stakeholders.

Long-Term Commitment to Cyber Security

Compliance with NIS2 is not a one-time process; it requires a long-term commitment to cyber security. From 2028, organisations will be required to annually document their NIS2-compliant IT infrastructure and demonstrate that their cyber security measures are aligned with the latest technological advancements.

“African countries, especially economic leaders like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, should also consider using the NIS2 framework as a model for strengthening their own national cyber security regulations. By improving cyber-readiness, African businesses can not only comply with international standards but also protect their data, operations, and reputations from evolving threats,” El Haddioui continues.

El Haddioui, concludes, "The NIS2 Directive marks a significant shift in the cyber security landscape. African business leaders must recognise that cyber security is now a matter of survival, not just compliance. By taking proactive measures, they can safeguard their future, avoid heavy penalties, and ensure their organisations thrive in an increasingly interconnected global economy."

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd..

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About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.:
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.CheckPoint.com) is a leading AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider protecting over 100,000 organisations worldwide. Check Point leverages the power of AI everywhere to enhance cyber security efficiency and accuracy through its Infinity Platform, with industry-leading catch rates enabling proactive threat anticipation and smarter, faster response times. The comprehensive platform includes cloud-delivered technologies consisting of Check Point Harmony to secure the workspace, Check Point CloudGuard to secure the cloud, Check Point Quantum to secure the network, and Check Point Infinity Core Services for collaborative security operations and services.

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Maximising ROI in Education: Aligning Employee Learning Paths with Corporate Strategy

Location: MyPR

By Dr Ridwaan Asvat (Director Student Services – Regent Business School) Investing in employee education is no longer just about personal development; it’s a powerful way to advance a company’s goals. HR managers are increasingly tasked with ensuring these investments align with the company’s strategic objectives. By tailoring learning paths to support business strategies, companies …

Read moreMaximising ROI in Education: Aligning Employee Learning Paths with Corporate Strategy

SA Department of Communications and Digital Technologies Partners With Africa Tech Festival 2024, Hosts Exclusive Ministerial Summit

Location: News

Africa Tech Festival
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Informa Tech, organisers of the 27th annual Africa Tech Festival (www.AfricaTechFestival.com)  2024, are pleased to announce that the South African Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) will be an official partner of this year's event, taking place from 12 to 14 November in Cape Town. 

Incorporating AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town, Africa Tech Festival 2024 will welcome 15,000 visitors, over 400 speakers, and more than 300 exhibitors. Topics include enterprise tech innovation and disruption across key sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud and data centres, and green ICT.  

“Africa Tech Festival is the largest and most influential telecoms and technology event in Africa, with an audience that spans the entire ICT ecosystem, including trade and other ministries. The partnership with the DCDT is a clear indication of the South African government's commitment to engaging with these key stakeholders from across the continent, opening dialogue, sharing insights, and working together to advance Africa's digital transformation journey,” said Informa's James Williams, Event Director of Africa Tech Festival.   

One of the highlights of the partnership is the AfricaCom 2024 Ministerial Summit, a closed-door VIP event bringing together close to a dozen African and international ministers from across critical sectors such as ICT, innovation, trade, finance, education, and enterprise. The Ministerial Summit will provide government leaders with a platform that facilitates discussion, collaboration, and sharing of learnings on how progressive policy is nurturing tech ecosystems, building efficient workforces, unlocking technological innovation across public and enterprise sectors, and driving Africa's socioeconomic development.  

Another initiative that forms part of the partnership is an exclusive government pavilion at which a small group of top South African businesses, SMEs, and startups will be hosted, again reflecting top-tier support for businesses that are contributing to the country's technology-driven agenda.  

“The importance of collaborative efforts and partnerships in realising our goal of a connected and digitally transformed society cannot be overemphasised. The Africa Tech Festival presents such platform for different innovative minds to come together to explore and exchange tech solutions for Africa and the rest of the world. This global platform will not only afford us an opportunity to learn best practices but also afford our SMEs to market their innovative solutions to the more than 15 000 visitors from across the globe. We are committed to ensuring that Africa does not become a mere consumer of digital solutions developed elsewhere but a meaningful participant in the digital economy by being a supplier of solutions and infrastructure that are tried and tested in our shores. We are looking forward to welcoming the world to our shores.” said Ms Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, Director-General of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. 

The introduction of the Ministerial Summit, along with the official endorsement of the event by the DCDT, add significantly to the depth of Africa Tech Festival. In addition to showcasing the immensely innovative nature of the industry, the event is also a targeted networking platform for tech leaders, role-players, and investors to make a positive contribution to Africa's successful navigation of a tech-driven future. 

Confirmed Africa Tech Festival 2024 speakers include: 

  • Faith Burn, Chief Information Officer, Eskom Holdings SOC  
  • Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne  
  • Kerissa Varma, CISO, Vodacom Group  
  • Leo Skarlatos, CEO, AT (formerly Airtel Tigo)  
  • Mary Mahuma, CIO, Southern Africa, Philip Morris  
  • Motunrayo Opayinka, Founder and CEO, Womenovate  
  • Nollie Maoto, Chief Data and Analytics Officer – Merchant Services, FNB South Africa  
  • Norbert Prihoda, Deputy CEO, Tunisie Telecom 
  • Prasanna Kumar Burri, Group Chief Information Officer, Dangote Group  
  • Samwel Magesa, Chief Data Officer, NBC Bank  
  • Simbah Mutasa, Managing Director, Bank of America  
  • Sithembile Songo, CISO, Eskom Holdings SOC  
  • Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister, Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies, The Republic of South Africa 
  • Hon. Rose Pola Pricemou, Minister, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Republic of Guinea 
  • Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, CEO, M-Pesa 
  • Brelotte Ba, Deputy CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, Orange 
  • Hazem Metwally, CEO, e& Egypt (etisalat) 
  • Christian Bombrun, Group CEO: Digital Platforms, MTN Group 
  • Faith Burn, Chief Information Officer, Eskom Holdings SOC 
  • Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne  
  • Thomas Dohmke, CEO, GitHub 
  • Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Africa, Google 
  • Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO, Cassava Technologies 
  • Morgane Imbert, CEO (South Africa), Jumia 

Register now to secure your spot and join us in shaping the future of technology in Africa: https://AfricaTechFestival.com/ 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

About Africa Tech Festival:  
Africa Tech Festival, including anchor events AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town is part of the Informa Tech Connecting Africa event series.  

A vibrant celebration of Africa's diverse community of tech champions, Africa Tech Festival is the largest tech and digital connectivity conference and exhibition in Africa, attracting hundreds of exhibitors, more than 400 speakers and more than 15,000 delegates.  

Read moreSA Department of Communications and Digital Technologies Partners With Africa Tech Festival 2024, Hosts Exclusive Ministerial Summit

South African Mother of Four Conquers Seven African Peaks in an Epic 14-Day Expedition

Location: MyPR

Wilderness, Garden Route, South Africa – September 9, 2024 : Love Botha, a South African mother of four, has achieved an extraordinary feat by summiting seven of Africa’s highest peaks in just 14 days. Her journey through the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda is not only a testament to remarkable endurance and resilience but also a profound …

Read moreSouth African Mother of Four Conquers Seven African Peaks in an Epic 14-Day Expedition

The Evolution of Software Development and Managed Services

Location: MyPR

Software Development and Innovation Software development has grown significantly, playing a critical role in driving digital innovation across industries. Software development companies have become central to this evolution, creating cutting-edge solutions that streamline processes, enhance customer experiences, and promote efficiency. Whether it’s a small business or a large corporation, partnering with the right software development …

Read moreThe Evolution of Software Development and Managed Services

Sungrow Unveils Latest Powerstack 200CS: A Game-Changer Now Available in South Africa’s Energy Sector

Location: MyPR

Sungrow Unveils Latest PowerStack 200CS: A Game-Changer now available in South Africa’s Energy Sector South Africa, Johannesburg 22 August 2024: Sungrow, a global leader in PV inverters and energy storage solutions, has unveiled its latest Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Energy Storage System (ESS), the PowerStack 200CS, at Intersolar Europe. This innovation comes at a crucial …

Read moreSungrow Unveils Latest Powerstack 200CS: A Game-Changer Now Available in South Africa’s Energy Sector

What Is a Managed Service Provider?

Location: MyPR

SevenC, a top managed service provider in South Africa, delves into the critical responsibilities and roles of MSPs in the region, highlighting their importance in optimising IT solutions for diverse businesses. Imagine a world where your business operations run smoothly, your IT systems are always up-to-date, and technical hiccups are a thing of the past. …

Read moreWhat Is a Managed Service Provider?

5 Game-Changing Sales Tools to Eliminate Pain Points and Explode Sales Growth

Location: MyPR

AI and other Tech are fast becoming the biggest sales enablers on the block Sales is a pressure game. You’re juggling leads, chasing targets, and dealing with the endless cycle of follow-ups. But high-performers don’t just work harder—they work smarter by leveraging tech that delivers results. Jacqueline van Rooijen, Owner and Business Growth Consultant at …

Read more5 Game-Changing Sales Tools to Eliminate Pain Points and Explode Sales Growth

Transport Management System

Location: MyPR

Integrated Transport Management and Fleet Management Software for South Africa You are with Fleataable The Best Fleet and Transport Management Software Thousands of customers recognized Fleataable as the best transport & fleet management software. The digitalization of the transport industry has resulted in the invention of online interface platform transportation management software With Fleataable, we …

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SA is a primary target for cyber-attacks. What are the best practices for managing your threat landscape?

Location: MyPR

Carte Blanche, this past Sunday, covered the NHLS cyber-attack. This attack highlights the continued threat to South Africa, it’s businesses and institutions – with our country being one of the most targeted for cyber-attacks in the world. Graeme Millar, MD of SevenC, a home-grown South African Managed IT Services company highlights the best practices for …

Read moreSA is a primary target for cyber-attacks. What are the best practices for managing your threat landscape?

Africa Tech Festival 2024 Showcases Women Tech and Telecoms Leaders, Aims to Positively Impact Africa’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Gender Gap

Location: News

Africa Tech Festival
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When the 27th edition of Africa Tech Festival (https://AfricaTechFestival.com) kicks off on 12 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa, the spotlight will be on the exceptional women shaping the future of technology and telecoms in Africa. With August marking the celebration of Women's Month in the host country, the event will proudly showcase many of the women leaders driving growth and innovation across the sector.

Taking place from 12 to 14 November, Africa Tech Festival 2024 incorporates AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town, which will welcome a cumulative 15,000 visitors, more than 400 speakers, and over 300 exhibitors as it explores enterprise tech innovation and disruption across key sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud and data centres, and green ICT.

As the continent's leading platform for technology innovators, specialists, and thought leaders, Africa Tech Festival 2024's agenda includes several prominent female leaders who are making a significant contribution to the industry. Their expertise and insights will provide invaluable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within the sector.

Key speakers include:

“Africa Tech Festival provides the continent's tech ecosystems with a unique platform from which to collaborate and drive positive change. Building a more inclusive, sustainable world means uniting the world's most inspirational founders, business leaders, policymakers, investors, and rising stars, so we are delighted to see so many inspirational female tech executives featured in this year's speaker line-up. As we celebrate Women's Month, we look forward to their unique insights and contributions,” said Informa's James Williams, Event Director of Africa Tech Festival.  

Organisers are confident that the presence of these female industry leaders at Africa Tech Festival will provide impetus to efforts by the industry to be more inclusive, highlighting the opportunities available to women in various sectors, providing insights for women wishing to embark on tech and telecoms careers, and showcasing the successes and contributions of women making their mark within the industry.

“Events such as Africa Tech Festival provide a platform for women to network and to gain exposure to more accomplished women in tech. These role models provide inspiration to women starting out in their careers that they can break the glass ceiling,” said Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne, who will be participating in the ‘Big Tech and Telcos: Collaborating on Digital Infrastructure Investment' keynote panel.

Speaking on the importance of mentorship for women entering the industry, Mary Mahuma, CIO, Southern Africa, Philip Morris said, “As a female industry leader, I see mentorship as a necessary reminder of our social responsibility to be empathetic, driven, inclusive, and resilient leaders. I am fortunate to have a female mentor who has significantly influenced my leadership style, thinking, and understanding of corporate dynamics and culture.” Mary will be a panellist on the ‘Nurturing Talent and Bridging Skills Gap: Building a Future-Ready Workforce in the Age of AI' panel.

“Women's contributions are significantly transforming the telecoms and technology landscape in Africa through innovation, leadership, and advocacy. Their contributions are not only advancing the industry but also driving social and economic development across the continent. By fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and advocating for inclusive policies, these women are transforming the tech landscape in Africa,” added Motunrayo Opayinka, Founder and CEO, Womenovate. Motunrayo will share her insights on the ‘Educational Equity Through AI: Tools for Advancing Education in Underserved Areas' panel. 

In addition, EQL:LOUNGE creates a space for women in tech to connect directly, and engage in meaningful dialogue, with high-calibre speakers in intimate settings hosting panel discussions, keynote addresses, and fireside chats. Taking place the evening before the event opens, InspiringFifty Africa is a prestigious awards ceremony focusing on recognising the top fifty women making significant strides within the African tech ecosystem.

Register now to secure your spot and join us in shaping the future of technology in Africa: https://AfricaTechFestival.com

In a special Women's Day offer, Africa Tech Festival is offering a 15% discount on Platinum Passes until midnight on 16 August. Passes can be purchased via this link, using the code NWD15 - https://apo-opa.co/3SAYyFh

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

About Africa Tech Festival: 
Africa Tech Festival, including anchor events AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite & The AI Summit Cape Town is part of the Informa Tech Connecting Africa event series.  

A vibrant celebration of Africa's diverse community of tech champions, Africa Tech Festival is the largest tech and digital connectivity conference and exhibition in Africa, attracting hundreds of exhibitors, more than 400 speakers and more than 15,000 delegates. 

Read moreAfrica Tech Festival 2024 Showcases Women Tech and Telecoms Leaders, Aims to Positively Impact Africa’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Gender Gap

Unlocking The Potential Of Ai And Machine Learning For South African Companies

Location: MyPR

SevenC, a leading IT infrastructure and network service provider striving to identify and make available the best possible ICT strategies for its clients’ unique needs, explores the value of artificial intelligence and machine learning for South African companies. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are not just buzzwords; they are transformative technologies reshaping industries …

Read moreUnlocking The Potential Of Ai And Machine Learning For South African Companies

Africa Data Centres announces additional 6MW capacity now live in Cape Town

Location: News
Africa Data Centres

Africa Data Centres (www.AfricaDataCentres.com), a business of Cassava Technologies, a pan-African technology group, has announced it is expanding its CPT1 facility in Cape Town.

This expansion shows the data centre giant adding three new state-of-the-art halls in new areas on the campus and adds another 6MW of IT load, effectively doubling its current capacity. The new expansion was implemented with support from the United States through an up to $300 million loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to Africa Data Centres.

According to Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO of Cassava, “This expansion by Africa Data Centres is in response to the increasing demand for co-location capacity in South Africa. Not only is Cape Town the second largest economy in South Africa, but it is also the de facto software and technology hub in Southern Africa.”

The company is seeing tremendous growth in the data centre market in South Africa generally, as both national and international cloud and IT service providers seek to expand their footprints in the region.

In terms of size, the expansion adds 1000 racks of white space or the space available for customers to lease, although the physical site is significantly larger than that. It is made up of two more colocation data halls and one hyperscale hall.

The additional halls are built in the cutting-edge modular design pioneered by Africa Data Centres, which enables rapid scalability and a modern design that allows the facility to be populated as and when required to suit the needs of the customer.

Pemhiwa says this would not have been possible without the support of the Ministry of ICT, Western Cape Provincial Government and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development. “I would like to acknowledge their ongoing support, as we expand our data centre facilities in South Africa.”

The new halls feature the same cutting-edge security standards and focus on the elements that matter most to clients, including scalability, flexibility, and energy efficiency, to bring world-class, affordable solutions to all its clients in the area. This data centre is highly flexible and designed to accommodate different and evolving customer demands.

Additionally, this data centre boasts hybrid cooling technology capable of handling both air cooling and liquid cooling. Despite its versatility, no compromises were made on efficiency. It is one of the most efficient and sustainable data centres ever built in South Africa. It is powered by renewable energy, boasts a Water Usage Effectiveness of 0 due to no water consumption for the IT infrastructure, and has an impressive Power Usage Effectiveness rating as well.

The Africa Data Centres' CPT1 facility is at the forefront of pioneering the use of wheeled solar power in the market. This innovation is enabled through a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed in March last year with Distributed Power Africa, part of the Cassava Technologies group. Africa Data Centres is the first company to successfully implement this groundbreaking technology in Africa, marking it the continent's first project of its kind.

“The introduction of wheeled solar power at the CPT1 facility offers significant benefits to our' customers, providing a truly sustainable data centre solution. As the demand for data continues to skyrocket across Africa, a continent where power supply is often intermittent, the need for reliable, cost-effective, and green power has never been more critical,” said Finhai Munzara, Interim CEO of Africa Data Centres.

By harnessing renewable energy, he says the CPT1 facility not only ensures consistent power supply but also supports sustainable operations, helping customers achieve their environmental goals. “Our state-of-the-art facility reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources, setting a new standard for sustainability in the data centre industry.”

Munzara adds that Cape Town is an excellent location for colocation facilities as it is a stone's throw away from all the submarine cable landing stations. In addition, the Cape Town facility houses the Cape Town Internet Exchange (CINX), which makes multi-region peering more accessible, efficient, and easy to manage. This also facilitates direct connections between networks, enabling data to flow more efficiently and reducing latency, giving our users a faster, more responsive online experience.

In ending, Munzara says the expansion increases the capacity of the company's data centres in South Africa and it is an integral part of its investment plans to deliver several additional data facilities across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Data Centres.

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About Africa Data Centres: 
Africa Data Centres owns and operates Africa's largest network of interconnected, carrier and cloud-neutral data centre facilities. Bringing international experts to the pan-African market, Africa Data Centres is a trusted partner for rapid and secure data centre services and interconnections across Africa. Strategically located in South, East and West Africa our world-class data centre facilities provide a home for all business-critical data for Africa's small, medium and large enterprises and global hyper scale customers. https://www.AfricaDataCentres.com/

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Scaling Your Business With Managed IT Services And Smart IT Consulting

Location: MyPR

SevenC, a leading IT infrastructure and network service provider striving to identify and make available the best possible ICT strategies for its clients’ unique needs, explores how managed IT services and IT consulting can help entrepreneurs scale their operations. “Combining managed IT services and IT consulting can significantly help your business grow,” says Graeme Millar, …

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