Author: Gugu Lourie
Plural, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered policy tracking platform, today announced its expansion into Africa to enable access to public policy data across various African jurisdictions starting with Nigeria and South Africa. In June 2023, Plural began collaborating with a local network organization, Afrilabs, to help refine the platform and spur the region’s economic growth, create political change, simplify increasing regulatory complexity, develop ongoing digital transformation and stimulate transparency and cross-border business expansion. Plural’s expansion into Africa comes at a crucial time, as Africa is currently implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and being met with growing calls for policy transparency, harmonization and improvements to aid free trade and economic development. Plural…
It’s truly remarkable to contemplate that Telkom’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) is commemorating its 25th anniversary. Through the CoE Programme, substantial funding and assistance are channelled into the advanced education of post-graduates (encompassing PhD, Masters, and Honours levels) within the realm of Computer Science and Engineering (CS&E). This initiative not only enhanced technical research and innovation on a significant scale in South Africa but also nurtures the growth of adept professionals in these fields. Telkom has seamlessly integrated several innovations stemming from these students, one notable example being Izwe.AI, which has been harnessed to enhance the quality of customer service.…
Telkom has reaffirmed its dedication to cultivating emerging technological skills as its Centre of Excellence (CoE) reaches its 25-year milestone. Originating as a collaborative initiative involving Telkom, the telecommunications industry, and the government, the CoE was established to advance research in communication technology and related sciences. It also aimed to offer facilities that would inspire young scientists and engineers to pursue their research passions within South Africa. The funding for CoEs was a joint effort involving Telkom, companies within the ICT industry, and the Department of Trade and Industry through the Technology and Human Resource for Industry Programme (THRIP). However,…
Telkom’s participation in the two-day Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) is significant. The overarching theme of the conference, “The Augmented Era: Navigating Artificial Intelligence in a Connected Society” is reflected in the plenary sessions and presentations, which include speakers and panellists from local and international telecommunications, software, networking and infrastructure providers. SATNAC is an annual event held under the auspices of Telkom and attracts more than 400 participants. This important gathering has become the most important ICT conference across the continent. It serves as an important platform for industry, academic and operator stakeholders to showcase their advances…
Telkom recently partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand to inaugurate the Telkom Industry Solutions Lab. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to foster collaboration between businesses and universities in the field of research and development (R&D). The establishment of this lab is a key strategic move by Telkom to strengthen innovation within the group. The partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand aims to create an environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. This venture leverages the collective expertise and resources of both Telkom Group and the university. Ahead of the upcoming Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC), which…
Telkom’s AI system called Izwe.AI is changing the way customer service works. It takes spoken words in English and local languages and turns them into written text. Izwe.AI, which means ‘nation”, is special because it can understand how people with South African accents speak. According to Dr Mmaki Jantjies, Telkom’s Innovation and Transformation Officer, Izwe.AI was developed to celebrate African languages. Most language technologies are designed for different languages and not much effort has been put into supporting the specific languages of South Africa. “So from translation perspective, it’s so important for us because a simple example: In call centres,…
Black investors in Phuthuma Nathi, the broad-based black economic empowerment arm of pay-TV operator MultiChoice, will share more than R1.3 billion in dividends. An ordinary dividend of R20.37 per share before dividend tax (R16.30 after tax) will be paid to Phuthuma Nathi shareholders in the first week of September 2023. “Despite the challenging macro-economic environment, which is also having a severe impact on our Phthuma Nathi shareholders, the board declared a dividend again this year,” Imtiaz Patel, MultiChoice SA chair, said. “We want to lend a helping hand during these trying times to our 77 000 shareholders who come from all…
Empire Partner Foundation, a distinguished philanthropic entity committed to the advancement of education and technological progress, today announce its collaborative endeavor with Midesk Global in delivering 50 Smart Desks to Mayibuye Primary School in Soweto. This charitable contribution, undertaken to enrich educational prospects and broaden student access, stands as a momentous achievement in the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to empowering marginalized communities through innovative solutions. The Smart Desks, thoughtfully equipped with a comprehensive ensemble including a school bag, desk, solar-powered light with charging port, and chair, are poised to redefine the learning experience for Mayibuye Primary School students. The seamless integration…
South Africa’s premier fintech focused on SMEs, Lulalend, has transformed into Lula, an encompassing cash-flow management and business banking solution. This rebranding signifies a pivotal shift from being solely a funding provider to an integrated cash flow management platform designed to streamline financial operations for SMEs. “Guided by our core belief that SMEs are the lifeblood of the South African economy, Lula aims to broaden our service offering to solve even more of the most common financial challenges small businesses face. To this end, we’re launching a business banking account tailor made for SMEs, complete with advanced financial management capabilities…
The Road Traffic Management Corporation, in collaboration with WeBuyCars, has unveiled a groundbreaking solution that enables the hassle-free online registration of motor vehicles and seamless transfer of ownership. This innovative initiative has been meticulously crafted to offer a streamlined and user-friendly approach for motor vehicle dealers and financial institutions. By facilitating direct online interactions with Natis, the system eliminates the need for cumbersome paperwork and visits to registration authorities. Months of meticulous development and rigorous testing alongside WeBuyCars have paved the way for this smooth and efficient introduction. This marks the latest stride in a series of technological enhancements within…