Technology

31 August 2023

Call for swift arrest of suspects behind councillors’ murders

Location: News

Call for swift arrest of suspects behind councillors’ murders

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has called on the police to leave no stone unturned to catch the attackers and killers of councillors in the province.

The call follows the recent attack of National Freedom Party (NFP) councillor Mphathiseni Manqele from Ward 4 in KwaNongoma, who was attacked by a suspected hitman.

The suspect was apprehended by the community who handed him over to the police.

Manqele’s attack was followed hot on the heels by the murder of an African National Congress (ANC) Msunduzi Local Municipality Councillor, Mabhungu Mkhize, who was killed last Friday.

Speaking at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature hybrid sitting on Thursday, Dube-Ncube said drastic measures need to be taken to curb the murder and attack of councillors in the province.

“The killings of councillors are senseless and barbaric, and have no place in our society. As government [we] are not going to tolerate such violence and will do all in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We call on the police to work swiftly so that the perpetrators are brought to justice. We also urge the communities to work with law enforcement authorities to prevent such crimes from happening,” Dube-Ncube said.

Dube-Ncube has conveyed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mkhize, and wished Manqele a speedy recovery.

Multi-stakeholder crime summit

Giving an update on the outcomes of the multi-stakeholder crime summit, held on Tuesday to discuss crime fighting strategies, Dube-Ncube reported that various crime issues were discussed, with participants highlighting how crime chase away investors from the province.

The summit, which was convened by the Department of Community Safety and Liaison, in collaboration with the Office of the Premier, was attended by representatives from government, the private security sector, civil society, and religious organisations.

Dube-Ncube said, the summit participants also considered ways to improve community safety and to build trust between the police and the public.

The summit was a follow-up on the commitments made during the State of the Province Address, where provincial government pledged that each provincial department will set aside R10 million, earmarked to curb and conquer crime in the province.

“One of the key collaborative areas with the private security sector emphasising the effective use of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) as a pivotal link between the community and the police, involving the KwaZulu-Natal Crime Prevention Association (KZN CCPA), an organisation formed by amalgamating community-initiated associations with a shared goal of combating crime, and also to use technology used by the private security sector,” Dube-Ncube said.

Condolences to Gauteng fire victims' families

Meanwhile, Dube-Ncube has send her deepest condolences to the people of Gauteng for the tragic fire that engulfed a Johannesburg building in the early hours of the morning, and reported to have claimed 73 lives with several others injured.

“We are saddened and we will continue to pray for all the survivors and wish them a speedy recovery,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 14:58

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31 August 2023

Accenture Song Named Digital & Direct Agency Of Record For Telkom

Location: MyPR

Accenture Song has been appointed digital and direct agency partner for Telkom – one of South Africa’s providers of communication services, following a competitive pitch process. This win holds notable significance as it marks the first piece of business for the newly positioned tech-powered creative group, firmly establishing its credentials as a new breed of …

31 August 2023

Recognising women in science and technology

Location: News

Recognising women in science and technology

By Dimpho Mogale

The South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA), which recognises and rewards excellence by women in science and technology, will take place in September.

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) will host a two-day celebration from 8 September in Durban.

Themed, ‘Harnessing technological change and innovation to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls,’ the awards recognises younger women who are starting their careers as researchers and scientists, as well as registered master's and PhD students.

Participants will be awarded in the following categories:

Distinguished Woman Researchers: winner receives R90 000, first runner-up: R65 000, second runner-up: R40 000;
Distinguished Young Woman Researchers: winner receives R80 000, first runner-up: R55 000, second runner-up: R30 000;
DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowship: six participants will receive R70 000 for a master’s degree and six participants will receive R90 000 for a PhD degree.

The category DSI Fellowships was renamed to DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowships in honour of Mcunu’s memory and legacy as a young brilliant scientist and phenomenal woman.

The late Mcunu was one of South Africa's leading young scientists in climate change, a social entrepreneur, and the founder of Black Women in Science (BWIS).

BWIS has provided developmental training to over 400 postgraduate fellows in business, entrepreneurship and research skills, scientific writing, project leadership, science communication skills and research career preparation.

During her lifetime Mcunu achieved numerous accolades including being named a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow, receiving an honorary award at the KZN Young Achievers Awards in the Science Research and Entrepreneurship category, winning the Gagasi FM Shero award in the Science and Technology category and recognised as one of the 40 under-40 African Leaders for Climate Resilience in 2019.

The DSI and 2023 SAWiSA has 26 finalists and one of the finalists selected is Gizelle Roque Van Niekerk from the University of Pretoria, who is a second year MSc student.

In 2022, she attended the 14th Green Chemistry Postgraduate Summer School (GCPSS) in Venice, Italy.

“I am grateful to Pietro Tundo for seeing potential in me as a young scientist by selecting me to attend the in-person event on scholarship.

“The 14th Green Chemistry Summer School was a life-changing experience and instrumental to my future career as a chemist. It was an honour to present my research at such a prestigious international summer school.

“The opportunity reinforced my belief that green chemistry solutions are a fundamental course of action for sustainable development in the Global South,” Van Niekerk said in a statement.

She said it was a privilege to engage with postgraduate students from a broad spectrum of countries and found the talks given by highly influential scientists very inspiring.

Networking with people who share the same common goal encouraged her to fervently continue the ground-taking field of green chemistry. – SAnews.gov.za

seshnee
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 14:14

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31 August 2023

The Importance of Professional Answering Services in Today’s Business World

Location: MyPR

In the age of instant gratification and 24/7 availability, businesses can’t afford to miss a beat. Whether it’s a potential lead, a long-term client, or even a dissatisfied customer, every call counts. That’s where professional answering services come into play. These services are more than just a modern convenience; they are a crucial component for …

31 August 2023

Telkom shines a spotlight on 10 Phenomenal Women in Tech

Location: MyPR

31 August 2023, Johannesburg: Telkom Introduces the “Phenomenal 10,” a distinguished selection of women from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector who embody the epitome of women’s potential, transcending adversity to achieve greatness. These women were carefully chosen and recognized as exceptional women who have demonstrated remarkable prowess. As Women’s Month draws to an …

31 August 2023

COVID-19 Taxi Relief Fund disbursement extended

Location: News

COVID-19 Taxi Relief Fund disbursement extended

Cabinet has approved the extension period for the payment of the Taxi Relief Fund for another 12 months.

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, explained during a Post Cabinet briefing that the fund was established to assist minibus taxis, cabs and e-hailing drivers who experienced a financial knock during the COVID-19 hard lockdowns, in line with stipulated criteria.

“The extension will provide the Department of Transport sufficient time to assist the many taxi operators who are yet to receive the relief funds,” the Minister said on Thursday.

To date, she said 88 580 taxi operators have been assisted.

Ntshavheni was briefing the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

Tourism

Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved the publication of the Green Paper on the Development of Tourism in South Africa for public comment.

“The policy seeks to develop and promote tourism in South Africa, and address barriers to tourism growth.”

The policy will promote rural and peri-urban tourism by encouraging the profiling and visibility of rural products.

“Policy proposals also focus on tourism governance and cooperation, safety and security management, transformation, and embracing technology, amongst others.”

Members of the public have 90 days to make comments on the policy and the Green Paper is available on www.tourism.gov.za.

National Policy on Theatre and Dance

In addition, the Executive said it also approved the National Policy on Theatre and Dance.

“The policy seeks to address the historically institutionalised inequalities and disparities, which follow racial and economic access lines in theatre and dance.

“The policy aims to set a vision and practical policies, strategies, implementation mechanisms and time frames that will result in a sustainable and vibrant theatre and dance sector in all nine provinces, with South African dance and theatre makers representing the country with pride continentally and globally.” – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Thu, 08/31/2023 - 11:30

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30 August 2023

PRASA promises full service on Cape Town’s Northern Line by December

Location: News

“Our people have suffered enough since trains have stopped working” says unionist

30 August 2023

SA records more than 4 million tourist arrivals

Location: News

SA records more than 4 million tourist arrivals

South Africa’s tourism sector continues to show strong recovery with the first half of 2023 recording more than four million tourist arrivals.

“Our arrival numbers for 2023 are looking good, demonstrating that South Africa is still a favourable tourist destination and we are eager to welcome more tourists as we head into the busy summer season,” said Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille.

She said the arrivals demonstrate that South Africa is still a favourable tourist destination.

“South Africa’s tourism sector continues to exhibit strong recovery with the first half of 2023 recording more than 4 million tourist arrivals, according to the latest data from Statistics South Africa [Stats SA]. This is a significant increase from the 2, 3 million tourist arrivals between January and June 2022.

The total number of tourist arrivals to South Africa between January and June 2023 showed a sizable 78.2% surge in the first half of 2023 when compared to the same period in 2022.

The Minister on Tuesday held the second National Tourism Safety Forum meeting in Cape Town with various stakeholders in the tourism sector.

De Lille said South Africa receives millions of tourists per year, and the vast majority of visitors return home without any issues and a memorable experience of the country.

The Africa region continues to bring the largest share of tourist arrivals to South Africa with more than three million arrivals from the rest of the African continent in the first six months of 2023.

“This is a testament to the marketing efforts that we have implemented to attract tourists from this region. Africa remains a key source market for us, and we are committed to collaborating as a tourism sector to make sure we welcome visitors from this region and that we cater for their needs and preferences.

Beyond the African continent, South Africa has welcomed more visitors from other regions too. The Asia region almost doubled its figures with a 99.5% growth compared to 2022.

“This year, Europe, the largest source of visitors outside Africa, also experienced solid growth of 66.8.1%, when compared to the same period in 2022. These robust figures showcase South Africa’s charm and attractiveness as well as the work that we are doing in marketing South Africa as a tourist destination of choice.”

North America, Central & South America, and the Middle East also demonstrated strong growth trends with rates of 70.6%, 74.4%, and 75.8% respectively.

“These robust figures showcase South Africa’s charm and attractiveness as well as the work that we are doing in marketing South Africa as a tourist destination of choice.”

Meanwhile, the department is gearing up for the summer season and will be launching the Summer Campaign in two weeks’ time in the Eastern Cape.

Safety

She said the previous meeting of the forum held in May saw all representatives agreed on clear actions to address tourism safety.

”While the latest statistics from StatsSA reveal an upward trend in tourist arrivals, issues of safety are an obstacle in converting would-be tourists to visit our country. As I said after the previous National Tourism Safety Forum meeting, crime is a matter which affects tourism in many parts of the world.”

This was echoed by several tourism ministers from all over the world.

“South Africa is no different and across the world, countries are grappling with these issues with instability and wars in some countries. While it is the mandate of the SAPS to keep our citizens and visitors safe, we all have a role to play.”

She said progress was made since the last meeting.

In a bid to ensure the safety of tourists in the country, the Department of Tourism will be deploying tourism monitors to all provinces at top tourist attractions and national parks.

The key responsibilities of the appointed tourism monitors include patrolling within the identified attractions and site/ areas, raising tourism awareness and provide information to tourists and report any crime incidents to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other relevant enforcement agencies.

The monitors will be deployed towards the end of October or early November 2023, in time for the summer tourist season.

The department has reviewed the training curriculum for tourism monitors with the departmental budget at R174.5 million, to train more than 2 200 tourism monitors across the country for this financial year.

The key responsibilities of the appointed Tourism Monitors include patrolling within the identified attractions and site/ areas, raising tourism awareness and provide information to tourists and report any crime incidents to SAPS and other relevant enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, an update from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on the C-More tracking device and how best this technology can be incorporated into the Secura app that has been set up by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, was received.

“Through the use of technology, we are enhancing the tourist experience by offering technology and tourism monitors that assist tourists in various attractions as well as on-demand requests through an app.”

She said the app is now up and running and the operations centre will be launched in Sandton on Thursday.

“The Secura App is already being used by tourists and aims to enhance the visitor experience and assist in many ways including roadside assistance and directing those who are lost,” said the Minister. –SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 10:11

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30 August 2023

MANCOSA shows its value as the South African tertiary education landscape navigates a value debate

Location: MyPR

The South African tertiary education system is currently the subject of significant scrutiny, with the future value proposition offered by its tertiary education providers taking centre stage in many household debates and family discussions. Paresh Soni, the Director of the MANCOSA School of Information and Digital Technology (SIDT), points out that this debate started during …

30 August 2023

SA’s payments gold mine: The alchemy of data into growth

Location: MyPR

The African payments industry, by furnishing diverse, robust and user-friendly platforms, is catalysing entrepreneurship and financial independence, while also enhancing income for entrepreneurs. Over the past five years, mobile payments have seen tremendous growth in South Africa. As of 2023, the South African mobile payments market is estimated to be worth $25 billion, with a …

30 August 2023

Behind Apple’s Strong Results And What The Future May Hold

Location: MyPR

Johannesburg, 30 August 2023: Apple’s meteoric rise to prominence is nothing short of exceptional, with its impressive performance in 2022 carrying over to 2023. Fred Razak, Chief Trading Strategist at CMTrading, delves into the factors underpinning this sustained success and the road ahead. A Resilient Position “Apple’s unrivalled streak of non-negative quarters since 2009, spanning …

30 August 2023

Uber Eats rolls out recent safety initiatives for delivery people

Location: MyPR

At a recent event, Uber Eats reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of delivery people with two new initiatives. As part of this, Big Boy Fourways, have agreed to provide delivery people with helmets at a 50% discounted rate. “Our relationship with delivery people is of the utmost importance,” says Charles Mhango, Head of Operations, …

30 August 2023

President Ramaphosa meets with SOE chairpersons and CEOs

Location: News

President Ramaphosa meets with SOE chairpersons and CEOs

Implementing reforms will serve to enhance the ability of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) not only to adapt to industry developments but also to serve South Africans into the future.

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who met with chairpersons and chief executives of SOEs on Tuesday.

“It is quite clear that the success of our economic recovery relies on the effective functioning of state-owned entities. We are implementing reforms to ensure that SOEs are able to adapt to new economic conditions, including rapid developments in technology, their respective operating environments and changing global trends, and to serve the country well into the future,” President Ramaphosa said.

In a statement, the Presidency said the meeting sought to “discuss the implementation of measures to stabilise their financial and operational performance and harness their economic potential”.

“Government has, since 2018, embarked on a process of reform to address the legacy of state capture in SOEs, including through the appointment of capable leadership, the recovery of stolen assets and the pursuit of those responsible for perpetrating acts of corruption.

“In addition, as part of Operation Vulindlela, fundamental reforms are being implemented in the energy, logistics and water sectors to address structural challenges and reposition SOEs for the future.

“President Ramaphosa called on the management and boards of SOEs to accelerate this reform agenda and fulfil their developmental mandate. He emphasised the importance of SOEs, as strategic national assets, in driving inclusive growth, investing in infrastructure, and creating jobs. President Ramaphosa will continue to prioritise the turnaround of South Africa’s SOEs in order to drive economic growth and transformation,” the statement read.

Also at the meeting, the Presidential State Owned Enterprises Council tabled a report while the National Treasury presented an update on its review of the procurement system of SOEs.

“Since its establishment, the Council has undertaken in-depth analyses at 21 SOEs to inform its recommendations. It has proposed changes to the governance framework and shareholder ownership model to enhance oversight, separate the ownership, policy and regulatory functions of the state, and leverage the combined balance sheet of SOEs.

“In addition, the National Treasury provided an update on its review of the procurement system to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture while enabling SOEs to operate in an efficient and competitive manner. Legislative and regulatory reforms are underway to strike an effective balance between preventing corruption and abuse and allowing innovation, agility and responsiveness in procurement,” the Presidency said. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Wed, 08/30/2023 - 09:38

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29 August 2023

Nzimande calls for BRICS commitment implementation

Location: News

Nzimande calls for BRICS commitment implementation

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, says he would like to see implementation of the BRICS TVET Cooperation Alliance Charter.

Nzimande said the recent and highly successful BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit held in South Africa last week, placed the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system at the centre of skills development co-operation by members states.

Addressing the TVET Curriculum Transformation and Innovation Summit, currently underway at Vodaworld Dome in Midrand, Nzimande noted that BRICS had committed to strengthen collaboration in TVET amongst BRICS Member States through the hosting of a seminar to provide an overview of the TVET education systems and foster closer collaboration.

“BRICS emphasise that the TVET programmes and projects should be coordinated by relevant BRICS senior TVET officials and focal points assigned by their respective Ministries. This places TVET education at the centre of the developmental agenda of governments, supporting initiatives and interventions to revive and enhance the economy.

“As a result, TVET curriculum transformation is a crucial step towards unlocking skills development for the modern economy. As industries evolve and technology advances at an unprecedented rate, it becomes essential for TVET institutions to adapt their curricula to meet the changing needs of the job market,” Nzimande said.

The Minister argued that the traditional approach to TVET education, which focused solely on providing students with specific trade skills, is no longer sufficient in today's dynamic and globalised economy.

Therefore, he said, to bridge the skills gap and equip individuals with the competencies required for the modern workforce, a comprehensive curriculum transformation is necessary.

“This transformation involves a shift from a narrow focus on technical skills to 21st century skills which advocates for a broader emphasis on critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and adaptability.

“By integrating these 21st century skills into TVET curricula, students will be better prepared to navigate the complexities of the modern economy, where job roles are constantly evolving, and cross-disciplinary expertise is highly valued,” Nzimande said.

He said the inclusion of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and data analytics in TVET curricula, will further equip students with the necessary digital skills.

Having regular curriculum reviews of TVET programs and qualifications aligned with the current needs of industry and society, was among the resolutions taken at the TVET Imbizo held in 2017.

Nzimande emphasised that the focus is on updating the content of current programs, by introducing modern delivery methods, integrating digital skills, and rationalizing outdated programs that no longer serve their intended purposes.

“In line with this objective, over 70 subjects in the NATED (National Accredited Technical Education Diploma) Report 191 programs have been reviewed since 2018. Additionally, in January this year, we introduced a new NCV (National Certificate Vocational) program in IT (Information Technology) and Computer Science focusing on Programming and Robotics.

“Ten of our TVET colleges are currently offering this program and more of our colleges are planning to offer this program from 2024. As a department, we are collaborating with the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) in reconstructing curricula for Engineering Studies to align with the rapidly changing industry needs and professional standards,” Nzimande highlighted.

He added that the prioritised fields currently undergoing reconstruction, include Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering.

The Minister also announced that the NATED N1 to N3 programs will be phased out from January 2024. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 13:22

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29 August 2023

CSIR appoints industry advisory panel to assist steer digital transformation

Location: News

CSIR appoints industry advisory panel to help steer digital transformation

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has announced the appointment of an industry advisory panel in the digital transformation space.

“This signifies the organisation’s efforts to align with industry-specific priorities in the quest to achieve digitalisation for greater societal and industrial impact.

“Utilising its robust science, engineering and technology capabilities, the organisation seeks to establish a balance between scientific and industrial development,” the organisation said on Monday.

Meanwhile, CSIR believes that a greater understanding of industry needs is vital to achieving these strategic objectives.

The Executive Cluster Manager of CSIR NextGen Enterprises and Institutions, Dr Lulama Wakaba, explained the purpose of the industry advisory panel, which is to provide advice on strategic issues to the cluster’s leadership and researchers in the digitalisation domain.

“It is guided by the CSIR’s mandate of contributing to improving the quality of life of the people of South Africa through directed multidisciplinary research and technological innovation. All clusters of the CSIR have important contributions to make to this mandate,” Wakaba added.

He also noted that the panel members bring a wealth of experience, which will be invaluable in gaining insight into market operations.

The panel comprises 12 members and Mamello Selamolela, who has been appointed Chairperson to lead the team.

The other members include Bronwyn Williams, Nomso Kana, Dawood Patel, Paul Mashegoane, Envir Fraser, Wakaba, Dr Ntsibane Ntlatlapa and Anne Gabathuse.

Group Executive for CSIR Smart Society, Dr Sandile Malinga, said he was looking forward to innovative insights and approaches based on the panel’s extensive experience and exposure.

“The newly established industry advisory panel not only strengthens the CSIR’s commitment to achieving strategic objectives but also underscores its dedication towards fostering industrial development and digital transformation within government, public institutions and the industry at large.”

The panel’s view, according to CSIR, is that the cluster’s impact ought to reflect the important pillars of society understanding the core of national societal needs and ensuring that the response harnesses digitalisation for the benefit of South Africa.

The CSIR, an entity of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa.

CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research and technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development to improve the quality of life of all South Africans. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Tue, 08/29/2023 - 09:33

433 views

29 August 2023

How financial institutions can safeguard against deepfakes

Location: News

In a matter of seconds, it is possible to hold your phone up to your face and see what you will look like in 40 years. Or you could fuse the image of your face with that of a celebrity. You could even record a birthday song for a friend in the voice of their favourite artist. With deepfake technology, it is simple and possible to edit a person's facial and vocal likeness with alarming accuracy. For the most part, this can be seen as harmless entertainment. But what if your likeness was used to drain your savings or commit fraud? As the technology to create deepfakes becomes easier and cheaper, the need to guard against these cybercrimes have come to the forefront.

A deepfake is a video, visual, or audio recording that has been distorted, manipulated, or synthetically created using deep learning techniques to present an individual, or a hybrid of several people, saying or doing something that they did not say or do. These deepfakes are often used in digital injection attacks which are sophisticated, highly scalable, and replicable cyberattacks that bypass the camera on a device or are injected into a data stream.

Murray Collyer, Chief Operating Officer of iiDENTIFii (http://www.iiDENTIFii.com/), says, “Digital injection attacks present the highest threat to financial services, as the AI technology behind it is affordable, and the attacks are rapidly scalable. In fact, a recent digital security report by our technology partner, iProov (http://www.iProov.com/), illustrates how, in an indiscriminate attempt to bypass an organisation's security systems, some 200-300 attacks were launched globally from the same location within a 24-hour period. As more and more South Africans embrace digital banking, deepfake technology is a serious threat.”

Recent research (https://apo-opa.info/3L09o3T) by Discovery Bank and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) into the future of retail banking in South Africa found that most (86%) South Africans are ready to do all their banking digitally, particularly via an app. Much of this trend stems from previously unbanked people. The Covid-19 pandemic naturally accelerated the trend.

As more South Africans set up digital accounts and do their banking online, financial crime and cybercrime have become more inextricably linked than ever before. Interpol states that financial and cybercrimes are the world's leading crime threats and are projected to increase the most.

Collyer adds, “Deepfake technology is one of the most rapidly growing threats within financial services, yet not all verification technologies are resilient to it. Password-based systems, for example, are highly susceptible to fraud. South Africa needs to strengthen their technology to outwit cyber criminals.”

While deepfakes are a severe threat, the technology and processes exist to safeguard financial services companies against this method of fraud.

A growing percentage of face biometric technology incorporates some form of liveness checks - such as wink and blink - to verify and authenticate customers. Liveness detection uses biometric technology to determine whether the individual presenting is a real human being, not a presented artefact. Therefore, this technology can detect a deepfake if it were to be played on a device and presented to the camera.

While many liveness detection technologies can determine if someone is conducting fraud by holding up a physical image (for example, a printed picture or mask of the person transacting) to the screen, many solutions cannot detect digital injection attacks.

Collyer says, “Specialised technology is required to combat deepfakes. Within iiDENTIFii, we have seen success with the use of sophisticated yet accessible 4D liveness technology, which includes a timestamp and is further verified through a three-step process where the user's selfie and ID document data are checked with relevant government databases. This enables us to accurately authenticate someone's identity.”

Collyer will be part of the speaker panel that will present to delegates at the 8th instalment of the AML, Financial Crime Southern Africa Conference (https://apo-opa.info/3KYm7Ec), that also includes representatives of companies such as Financial Intelligence Centre South Africa, Investec, Sanlam, Stanlib, Albaraka Bank, Standard Bank Mozambique, iiDENTIFii, Nice Actimize, SABRIC, Rand Merchant Bank, S & P Global Intelligence, FirstRand Namibia, Corruption Watch and many more.

The high-level conference will be hosted on 6 & 7 September at the Indaba Hotel Fourways South Africa and is attended annually by professionals from banks, insurance and investment companies, service providers, government, and MLCO's from non-designated financial service providers.

“With the right technology, it is not only possible to protect consumers and businesses against deepfake financial crimes but also create a user experience that is simple, accessible and safe for all,” Collyer concludes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of iiDENTIFii.

About iiDENTIFii:
iiDENTIFii is a world-leading remote face authentication and automated onboarding technology platform. It fulfills the needs of customer-focused organisations that are required to authenticate and onboard customers. Using a frictionless and non-invasive automated proven process that meets customer intelligence and risk and compliance goals, iiDENTIFii ticks all the boxes from a governance and legislative perspective. https://iiDENTIFii.com/

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29 August 2023

Inextrix Technologies Unveils Cutting-Edge VoIP Solution Development Services

Location: MyPR

Catering to Global Businesses, Inextrix Technologies Sets New Industry Standards with Innovative VoIP Solutions Inextrix Technologies Pvt. Ltd, a trailblazer in the unified communication development landscape, proudly announces the expansion of its service portfolio with the introduction of state-of-the-art VoIP Solution Development services. With a rich history dating back to 2010, Inextrix Technologies has consistently …

28 August 2023

Meat without slaughter – Advance up to the lab and see what’s on the slab

Location: MyPR

Worried about population growth and the pressures of feeding a hungry planet? Don’t have a cow, cultivate one rather says, Maxcine Kater, marine biologist and environmental officer at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Johannesburg – August 2023: The global human population is expected to top 9.8 billion by 2050 (from the current …

28 August 2023

What to expect: FAME Week Africa wizardry and a galaxy of industry innovators

Location: Entertainment, MyPR

Cape Town, August 2023 – FAME Week Africa has carved its place as the preeminent event for African creatives, providing a platform for their deep-rooted talent; their ancient and contemporary stories; and their ingrained culture to flourish. By bringing together collaborative events focusing on the major creative economies – these being film, television, animation as …

28 August 2023

Rebuttal issued to Daily Investor article on agreements signed by Minister of Electricity

Location: News

The Presidency: Republic of South Africa
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The article published on 27 August 2023 by Daily Investor titled “Ramokgopa accused of misleading South Africa” is in itself misleading.

The Ministry of Electricity has noted numerous inaccuracies in the article that qualify the article as misleading.

It states that Minister Ramokgopa signed a joint memorandum of understanding with eight Chinese companies during the 15th BRICS Summit to ensure that all public health facilities, schools, and police stations in South Africa have alternative sources of energy.

This is factually incorrect as the Memorandum of Cooperation signed with eight Chinese companies focuses on enhancing South Africa's energy security through infrastructure and technology development, human capital development, and research amongst other objectives.

The substance of the agreement that Daily Investor is reporting about, instead, relates to the Exchange of Letters and resultant Technical Assistance Programme, under which the emergency equipment will be donated by the Chinese Government to South Africa.

This agreement, unlike what the Daily Investor incorrectly reported, was signed during the People's Republic of China's Head of State Visit to South Africa at the Union Buildings on 22 August 2023, not in Johannesburg.

Under the programme the first shipment of equipment will include 450 petrol generators, which will be deployed to critical facilities, including hospitals and clinics.

The Minister has been consistent in stating that the facilities will be identified by Provinces.

Furthermore, the details and potential benefits of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed with the eight Chinese companies were not in any way scanty, as purported by Hilton Trollip in the article, instead the substance and details of the agreement were openly presented during an open signing ceremony attended by media.

Mr Trollip's misleading inaccuracies, as expressed in the article, could have been countered with facts, had the Daily Investor given the Ministry a right to reply before publishing a one sided article.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency: Republic of South Africa.

27 August 2023

Agreements to aid energy solutions

Location: News

Agreements to aid energy solutions

Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has emphasised that the agreements signed in the past week with Chinese state owned entities and the donation by the People's Republic of China are to address this country’s emergency energy solutions.

South Africa concluded a significant amount of agreements with Chinese state owned entities (SOEs) with the signing of two overarching memoranda that were witnessed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Xi Jinping.

South Africa hosted the 15th BRICS Summit last week and the country also hosted President Xi on his fourth State Visit to South Africa ahead of the Summit.

Addressing the media on the Energy Action Plan on Sunday, Ramokgopa explained that the two agreements include amongst others, addressing issues of green energy solutions, exploitations of renewable energy sources and the use of modern technology.

“The two agreements – the first one addresses issues around green energy solutions- the partnership agreement we will be entering in relation to the exploitation of renewable energy sources in our country; the use of modern technology and the degree to which we are able to connect renewable energy onto the grid.

“The rationale for entering with the Chinese in this regard is because they are a dominant player on the renewable energy space. They have 688 gigawatts of installed capacity of renewables, a combination of PV and wind. They have done one of the biggest expansions of transmission and they have also worked on the kind of transmission modernisation required to be able to accommodate the intermittency of renewable sources,” the Minister said.

In regards to the donation by the People's Republic of China, the Minister said this is aimed at addressing South Africa’s emergency energy solutions, which is targeted at key public facilities such as police stations, health institutions and correctional centres.

Minister Ramokgopa emphasised that provincial departments will play a role in identifying the key public areas.

“The second one, was an exchange of letters in relation to a donation that we are receiving from the People’s Republic of China that is meant to help us in addressing the emergency energy solution in the country.

“I did indicate that it’s likely going to be targeted in key public facilities such as hospitals, clinics, correctional services, and police stations. In this regard, we will be working with the nine provincial governments for them to be able to identify sites that are suitable for this.

“We already have a technical capacity that is supporting us in relation to the appropriateness of the technology solutions that are given to us and those that have been agreed upfront,” he said.

Ramokgopa further announced that the first shipment of the technology solutions by China is en route and an announcement will be made when it arrives in the country, having left Chinese shores on 14 August.

“We will announce at the right time when the first shipment lands and give an indication of the first public facilities that will benefit from this generous donation.”

Turning to the performance of the system for the past week, the Minister said that the available capacity has come down.

“I did indicate that we are beginning to normalise being above 28 000 megawatts on average. We have kept close to that most of the week and the average is about 27 561 megawatts,” he said.

“We did indicate that we were going to slow down planned outages and once we get out of a very difficult winter we are going to ramp up because we need to protect these machines, generation and units to ensure their sustainability and reliability going into the future.

“We still remain above 15 000 megawatts in relation to unplanned capacity lost factor. I made a point that we want to bring it down,” the Minister said.

Load shedding

On load shedding, Ramokgopa said government was confident the system was stabilising and the country will continue to have lower stages of load shedding as the system recovers.

“On the issue of performance, we are more that satisfied. We have shown where we moved from a historic low of 48% of energy availability factor. We have been averaging 60% energy availability factor.

“When we went to the winter period, the worst case scenario was Stage 8. We only had 30 hours of Stage 6. You can see the intensity of load shedding is coming down. The issues of outage slips, I have shown to you, they have come down from a high of 3 300 megawatts to 766 megawatts,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Sun, 08/27/2023 - 13:07

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25 August 2023

President Xi Jinping and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa Co-chair China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue

Location: News

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
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On the evening of August 24 local time, President Xi Jinping and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa co-chaired the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in Johannesburg.

President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech entitled “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Create a Great Future for China and Africa”. (Full text of the speech was released separately.)

President Xi Jinping pointed out that it was his 10th visit to the continent. In 2013, he was there in Africa for his first foreign visit after becoming Chinese President and announced the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China's Africa policy. Over the past 10 years, China has stayed committed to this principle. Together with the African friends and drawing strength from the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, the two sides have pressed ahead on the path of solidarity and cooperation, stood for justice amid shifting global dynamics, and looked out for each other in face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The two sides have taken China-Africa relations to new heights and entered the new stage of jointly building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that China is pursuing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. Africa is making all-out efforts to build a new Africa that enjoys peace, unity, prosperity and strength. China and Africa must work together to create a sound environment for realizing their respective development visions; to promote a just and equitable international order, unequivocally oppose vestiges of colonialism and hegemonism in all forms, firmly support each other in defending core interests, and stand strong by the just calls of developing countries; to safeguard a peaceful and secure global environment, implement the new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, advocate the resolution of differences and disputes through dialogue and cooperation, facilitate the political settlement of international and regional hotspot issues, safeguard world peace and stability, and protect the security of the global eco-environment; to build an open and inclusive world economy and an open world economy where developing countries are better involved in the international division of labor and share the fruits of economic globalization, and to overcome estrangement between civilizations through exchanges and promote inclusiveness and mutual learning between civilizations.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that there are various paths leading to modernization. The African people have the most say on which path suits Africa best. Advancing modernization through integration is the independent choice made by African countries and people. On this path to modernization, China has all along been a firm supporter, and walking side by side with Africa. Looking ahead, China will work with Africa to enhance the synergy of their development strategies and continue to support Africa in speaking with one voice on international affairs and continuously elevating its international standing. China will work actively to support the AU's full membership in the G20. China supports making special arrangements on the U.N. Security Council reform to meet Africa's aspiration as a priority. China will call on multilateral financial institutions to enhance the say of African countries.

To chart the course for China-Africa practical cooperation in the next stage and assist in Africa's integration and modernization, President Xi Jinping made the following three proposals:

First, China will launch the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization. China will better harness its resources for cooperation with Africa and the initiative of businesses to support Africa in growing its manufacturing sector and realizing industrialization and economic diversification. In implementing the nine programs under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China will channel more resources of assistance, investment and financing toward programs for industrialization.

Second, China will launch the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization. China will help Africa expand grain plantation, encourage Chinese companies to increase agricultural investment in Africa, and enhance cooperation with Africa on seed and other areas of agro-technology, to support Africa in transforming and upgrading its agricultural sector. China will host the second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture in Hainan this November and will provide additional emergency food assistance to some African countries in need.

Third, China will launch the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. China plans to train 500 principals and high-caliber teachers of vocational colleges, and 10,000 technical personnel with both Chinese language and vocational skills for Africa every year. China will invite 20,000 government officials and technicians of African countries to participate in workshops and seminars. To support Africa in strengthening education and innovation, China will launch the China-Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan and 10 pilot exchange programs of China-Africa partner institutes.

President Xi Jinping noted that the world today is undergoing transformation and turmoil, and changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. At this point of history, all countries face the tasks of how to address the deficit in development, overcome security challenges and increase mutual learning between civilizations. China and Africa, through their creative explorations for modernization, are giving answers to the questions of the times, and making joint efforts to advance the great endeavors of win-win cooperation, harmonious coexistence and shared prosperity of civilizations.

President Xi Jinping highlighted that next year, China will host the FOCAC meeting, where China and Africa may come together again and draw up new plans for development. He expressed confidence that China and Africa will carry forward the traditional friendship, strengthen solidarity and coordination, and bolster cooperation across the board. As China and Africa join hands to advance modernization, they will deliver a better future for the Chinese and African people, and set a fine example in the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The African leaders spoke highly of the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue co-hosted by China and South Africa, and thanked China for supporting African integration and assisting African countries in times of need. Africa-China relations are based on solidarity, friendship and mutual respect. Chinese investment in and cooperation with African countries has played an important role in boosting Africa's development, and China is Africa's indispensable cooperation partner in its quest for modernization. The African side highly commended and welcomed the new initiatives put forth by President Xi Jinping, namely, the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. These three proposals once again show that China is a genuine friend and partner who always bears in mind Africa's concerns and needs. The African side spoke highly of and expressed full support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping, and expressed readiness to build a strong synergy between the AU's Agenda 2063, the national development strategies of African countries and the BRI. The FOCAC is an efficient platform for South-South cooperation, and the African side is ready to work with China to continue advancing the forum's institutional development. The African side is firmly committed to the one-China policy. Africa and China will firmly support each other in upholding their sovereignty, security and development interests, strengthen collaboration in international affairs and on multilateral occasions, raise the representation and voice of developing countries, and uphold the common interests of the developing world.

The meeting adopted and issued the Joint Statement of the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue. The Chinese side released the Initiative on Supporting Africa's Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa's Agricultural Modernization, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development.

Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present at the Dialogue.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.

25 August 2023

SA working to accelerate water and sanitation access by 2030

Location: News

SA working to accelerate water and sanitation access by 2030

South Africa is working to expedite the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030, paying special attention to the needs of women, girls, and people in vulnerable situations, said Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Judith Tshabalala.

In line with the country’s Constitution, South Africa has developed the National Sanitation Policy that endorses the national sanitation targets, as outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, aims to achieve universal access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030, and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.

Tshabalala, together with African Ministers of Water and Sanitation from Egypt, Prof Dr Hani Sewilam and Carl Hermann Schlewein, participated at the Africa Focus Session held during World Water Week Conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Africa Focus Session aimed at fostering partnerships for translating water and sanitation commitments into tangible improvements in the lives of all in Africa and beyond.

The outcomes of deliberations will inform ongoing efforts to accelerate the achievement of water and sanitation goals in Africa.

Tshabalala said the department manages water resources in a balanced approach to ensure their sustainability and economic growth in the country.

“Our water resources determine how South Africa experience and respond to climate change. The climate challenge has brought innovative approaches to water services, such as looking at water infrastructure and sources from a multiple water-use perspective.

“The recent water shortages attributed to climate change, saw innovation through partnerships and the use of technology to optimise the use of available water resources and access to new water sources.”

The discussions around Africa Focus Day will foster alliances that transcend beyond borders and also map a trajectory toward a future where sanitation and hygiene are universally attainable, regardless of socioeconomic standing or geographical location.

The resolutions will be endorsed and adopted by the African Union and African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW), as a Ministerial council that engages on all initiatives that will take Africa’s water sector forward, reaffirming the departmental mantra that says “Sanitation is Dignity”.

The Deputy Minister led a South African delegation to the conference, hosted by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).

The conference, which ended on Thursday, focused on innovation, particularly at a time of unprecedented challenges facing water security around the world.

The 2023 annual gathering of the World Water Week happened when Africa is at its highest, in rolling out the Africa Investments Programme (AIP), which is led by the International High Panel on Water Investment, comprised of sitting Head of States, UN entities and African Union entities. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 08/25/2023 - 10:07

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25 August 2023

Taxi strike cost Western Cape R5-billion MEC tells Parliament

Location: News

The strike was called without notice and badly affected businesses, learners, clinics and government services