TechCentral에서 제공하는 콘텐츠입니다. 에피소드, 그래픽, 팟캐스트 설명을 포함한 모든 팟캐스트 콘텐츠는 TechCentral 또는 해당 팟캐스트 플랫폼 파트너가 직접 업로드하고 제공합니다. 누군가가 귀하의 허락 없이 귀하의 저작물을 사용하고 있다고 생각되는 경우 여기에 설명된 절차를 따르실 수 있습니다 https://ko.player.fm/legal.
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In Her Ellement
1 Bringing Your Whole Self to Work with Port of Rotterdam’s Saskia Mureau 21:38
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21:38People want to feel supported and safe at work – and inspired to innovate. What can people working at large corporations do to create this kind of environment? Saskia Mureau is the Director of Customer Digital at the Port of Rotterdam where she is harnessing digital systems to reduce emissions. She is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces where psychological safety and collaboration drive meaningful change. In this episode, Kamila sits down with Suchi to talk about why she chose to work at large corporations rather than startups. Saskia also reflects on her personal experiences, including navigating IVF while at work, and discusses how organizations can foster environments where employees feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Links: Saskia Mureau on Linkedin WHO infertility research BCG 2024 report on psychological safety in the workplace Suchi Srinivasan on LinkedIn Kamila Rakhimova on LinkedIn About In Her Ellement: In Her Ellement highlights the women and allies leading the charge in digital, business, and technology innovation. Through engaging conversations, the podcast explores their journeys—celebrating successes and acknowledging the balance between work and family. Most importantly, it asks: when was the moment you realized you hadn’t just arrived—you were truly in your element? About The Hosts: Suchi Srinivasan is an expert in AI and digital transformation. Originally from India, her career includes roles at trailblazing organizations like Bell Labs and Microsoft. In 2011, she co-founded the Cleanweb Hackathon, a global initiative driving IT-powered climate solutions with over 10,000 members across 25+ countries. She also advises Women in Cloud, aiming to create $1B in economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Kamila Rakhimova is a fintech leader whose journey took her from Tajikistan to the U.S., where she built a career on her own terms. Leveraging her English proficiency and international relations expertise, she discovered the power of microfinance and moved to the U.S., eventually leading Amazon's Alexa Fund to support underrepresented founders. Subscribe to In Her Ellement on your podcast app of choice to hear meaningful conversations with women in digital, business, and technology.…
TCS | Reserve Bank’s big payments shake-up – an interview with Tim Masela
Manage episode 454953651 series 1347553
TechCentral에서 제공하는 콘텐츠입니다. 에피소드, 그래픽, 팟캐스트 설명을 포함한 모든 팟캐스트 콘텐츠는 TechCentral 또는 해당 팟캐스트 플랫폼 파트너가 직접 업로드하고 제공합니다. 누군가가 귀하의 허락 없이 귀하의 저작물을 사용하고 있다고 생각되는 경우 여기에 설명된 절차를 따르실 수 있습니다 https://ko.player.fm/legal.
The South African Reserve Bank is working with its peers in the Southern African region to drive financial inclusion by digitising cash and making instant payments across borders an everyday reality.
In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Tim Masela, head of the National Payments System department at the Reserve Bank – he has been with the Bank for the past 30 years – tells TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu about the efforts it is making to create a “cash smart” society not only in Southern Africa but across the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.
Masela unpacks:
• Why the introduction of non-bank fintechs into the national and regional clearance and settlements systems is important;
• The importance of designing “fit for purpose” regulations that allow fintech to remain nimble and innovative;
• A detailed explanation of how the payments and settlements system worked historically, including how it has evolved in the digital era;
• The efforts the Reserve Bank and its regional counterparts are undertaking to standardise financial legislation and regulation across Sadc;
- The importance of the Transactions Cleared on an Immediate Basis (TCIB) platform, which facilitates PayShap-style instant payments across borders;
- The challenges that currency conversion poses in facilitating instant payments across borders;
- Findings from the National Payments Study conducted by the Reserve Bank and released in September;
- What a “cash light” and “cash smart” society are and why the Reserve Bank believes this is desirable; and
- Where the Reserve Bank stands on crypto assets and the road to their incorporation into South Africa’s National Payments System.
Do not miss this insightful and informative episode. TechCentral
…
continue reading
In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Tim Masela, head of the National Payments System department at the Reserve Bank – he has been with the Bank for the past 30 years – tells TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu about the efforts it is making to create a “cash smart” society not only in Southern Africa but across the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.
Masela unpacks:
• Why the introduction of non-bank fintechs into the national and regional clearance and settlements systems is important;
• The importance of designing “fit for purpose” regulations that allow fintech to remain nimble and innovative;
• A detailed explanation of how the payments and settlements system worked historically, including how it has evolved in the digital era;
• The efforts the Reserve Bank and its regional counterparts are undertaking to standardise financial legislation and regulation across Sadc;
- The importance of the Transactions Cleared on an Immediate Basis (TCIB) platform, which facilitates PayShap-style instant payments across borders;
- The challenges that currency conversion poses in facilitating instant payments across borders;
- Findings from the National Payments Study conducted by the Reserve Bank and released in September;
- What a “cash light” and “cash smart” society are and why the Reserve Bank believes this is desirable; and
- Where the Reserve Bank stands on crypto assets and the road to their incorporation into South Africa’s National Payments System.
Do not miss this insightful and informative episode. TechCentral
248 에피소드
Manage episode 454953651 series 1347553
TechCentral에서 제공하는 콘텐츠입니다. 에피소드, 그래픽, 팟캐스트 설명을 포함한 모든 팟캐스트 콘텐츠는 TechCentral 또는 해당 팟캐스트 플랫폼 파트너가 직접 업로드하고 제공합니다. 누군가가 귀하의 허락 없이 귀하의 저작물을 사용하고 있다고 생각되는 경우 여기에 설명된 절차를 따르실 수 있습니다 https://ko.player.fm/legal.
The South African Reserve Bank is working with its peers in the Southern African region to drive financial inclusion by digitising cash and making instant payments across borders an everyday reality.
In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Tim Masela, head of the National Payments System department at the Reserve Bank – he has been with the Bank for the past 30 years – tells TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu about the efforts it is making to create a “cash smart” society not only in Southern Africa but across the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.
Masela unpacks:
• Why the introduction of non-bank fintechs into the national and regional clearance and settlements systems is important;
• The importance of designing “fit for purpose” regulations that allow fintech to remain nimble and innovative;
• A detailed explanation of how the payments and settlements system worked historically, including how it has evolved in the digital era;
• The efforts the Reserve Bank and its regional counterparts are undertaking to standardise financial legislation and regulation across Sadc;
- The importance of the Transactions Cleared on an Immediate Basis (TCIB) platform, which facilitates PayShap-style instant payments across borders;
- The challenges that currency conversion poses in facilitating instant payments across borders;
- Findings from the National Payments Study conducted by the Reserve Bank and released in September;
- What a “cash light” and “cash smart” society are and why the Reserve Bank believes this is desirable; and
- Where the Reserve Bank stands on crypto assets and the road to their incorporation into South Africa’s National Payments System.
Do not miss this insightful and informative episode. TechCentral
…
continue reading
In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Tim Masela, head of the National Payments System department at the Reserve Bank – he has been with the Bank for the past 30 years – tells TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu about the efforts it is making to create a “cash smart” society not only in Southern Africa but across the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.
Masela unpacks:
• Why the introduction of non-bank fintechs into the national and regional clearance and settlements systems is important;
• The importance of designing “fit for purpose” regulations that allow fintech to remain nimble and innovative;
• A detailed explanation of how the payments and settlements system worked historically, including how it has evolved in the digital era;
• The efforts the Reserve Bank and its regional counterparts are undertaking to standardise financial legislation and regulation across Sadc;
- The importance of the Transactions Cleared on an Immediate Basis (TCIB) platform, which facilitates PayShap-style instant payments across borders;
- The challenges that currency conversion poses in facilitating instant payments across borders;
- Findings from the National Payments Study conducted by the Reserve Bank and released in September;
- What a “cash light” and “cash smart” society are and why the Reserve Bank believes this is desirable; and
- Where the Reserve Bank stands on crypto assets and the road to their incorporation into South Africa’s National Payments System.
Do not miss this insightful and informative episode. TechCentral
248 에피소드
모든 에피소드
×In the second episode of this series about migrating to Microsoft Azure SQL, the focus turns to what’s involved in moving from SQL Server to Azure SQL, and First Distribution’s Preegan Chetty returns to unpack the key priority of securing databases in the cloud. If you missed episode 1 in the series, you can find it here – or dive straight into this interview. Preegan Chetty, who is Microsoft Azure product manager at First Distribution, unpacks: • What makes Azure SQL a secure choice for companies today, including features such as data encryption (when data is at rest or in transit), threat detection and firewall protection; • Why companies shouldn’t simply assume that the cloud is secure because it’s being managed by a hyperscale cloud services provider; • Azure SQL’s performance, and the optimisations that can be done to make the system fly; and • The role of AI in cloud database management. Don’t miss any of the episodes in this insightful series. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Moving from SQL Server to Azure SQL – what you need to know 14:34
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14:34Is your company thinking about modernising its IT infrastructure? Is it planning to migrate from an on-premises Microsoft SQL Server database to the cloud-based Azure SQL solution? Then this podcast is for you. In this two-part series, we delve into greater detail on what’s involved in a cloud database migration. First Distribution’s Microsoft Azure product manager Preegan Chetty is our guest in the studio for this episode. He unpacks: • The risks and opportunities involved in the migration; • What companies need to be aware of before they even embark on a migration to Azure SQL; • How Microsoft helps companies with their migration projects; and • The top motivating factors driving companies to migrate away from an on-premises SQL Server solution to Azure SQL. Don’t miss this informative discussion – and be sure to catch episode 2 in this series with First Distribution. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Meet the team behind Matric Live, South Africa’s App of the Year 27:14
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27:14Matric Live is a study tool to help students in grades 10-12 supplement their in-class learning with additional exercises – and even get exam practice via a digital platform. And it recently won the FNB App of the Year award amid stiff competition from the likes of Checkers Sixty60 and TFG’s Bash. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Matric Live CEO Kagisho Masae and chief technology officer Lesego Finger tell TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu about their journey as a start-up and the growth Matric Live has gone through in the last few years. They delve into: • The inspiration behind the Matric Live app and the problem it seeks to solve for students; • The journey from app idea to full-fledged live system and the challenges faced along the way; • How the application is being monetised while keeping access to the platform free for its users; • The impact Matric Live has had on South African students; • Some success stories about students who have used the app; • Upcoming features to look forward to on the application; • The vision Masae and Finger have for the future of their business; and • The significance of winning the App of the Year award. Masae and Finger tell an inspiring story of battling against the odds and succeeding at solving one of the most foundational problems confronting South African society: the dissemination of quality education to all corners of the country. Don’t miss a great conversation! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Bolt doubling down on safety for riders and drivers 13:23
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13:23The operating environment in South Africa for ride-hailing services like Bolt is fraught with complexity, while the country’s crime problem only contributes to the challenge of getting passengers safely from A to B. This complexity is compounded by the nuances of operating in different areas. Municipal districts have different permitting requirements, while competitive elements from other transport sector players, like taxi associations, presents further challenges. Fulfilling a ride request in the Cape Flats at 11pm is a different proposition to one in Sandton at 2pm. Simo Kalajdzic, senior operations manager at Bolt South Africa, tells TechCentral’s business technology show, TCS+, about how Bolt is approaching these challenges. He delves into: • The overall problem that Bolt is trying to solve for South Africans; • Bolt’s strategic approach to safety on the platform; • The £100-million investment into safety Bolt has pledged at a global level; • The technological solutions baked into the Bolt app for both drivers and passengers; • The industry-wide collaborations Bolt has undertaken to address safety from an ecosystem perspective; • How drivers and riders are empowered to be safe on the platform; • Feedback from a recent stakeholder engagement meeting held in Cape Town; and • Bolt’s long-term vision for safety in the South African context. This episode is not to be missed! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Springboks rugby deal: the tech plan behind the audacious bid 49:25
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49:25Well-known South African technology entrepreneur Stafford Masie is one of the key backers behind an audacious bid to buy a stake of up to 40% in the South African Rugby Union (Saru)-owned entity that owns the commercial rights to the Springboks brand. Masie, who chairs JSE-listed Altvest Capital – a key player in the consortium making the bid – joins the TechCentral Show with Altvest CEO Warren Wheatley to unpack the plan and what spurred it, and to explain why tech is central to the bid. The bid comes after member unions of SA Rugby last week rejected a plan to sell a 20% in the commercial rightsholder to US-based Ackerley Sports Group for US$75-million. Ackerley has until the end of the year to submit a revised offer, but Wheatley and Masie told TechCentral that they do not expect a deal with the American firm will succeed. The South African consortium is made up of Altvest as well as EasyEquities, RainFin and 27four Investment Managers. In a statement, the consortium explained that if its bid is successful, it will list the special purpose vehicle that has been created to do the deal on the JSE and allow investors to buy shares. This is not dissimilar to Altvest’s business model, which sees it taking stakes in companies on behalf of public shareholders who participate in the economic benefits thereof. “Worth thinking about for the tech community is that our platform allows for ‘crowdfunding’ in a regulated environment that allows for participation in a funding round to anybody with disposable income – from first-time users or customers, all the way through to regulated institutions and pension funds,” Wheatley explained. In this episode of TCS, Masie and Wheatley unpack: • The background to their consortium’s Springboks bid – and why the consortium members came together; • How the bidders will work with SA Rugby to commercialise the rights, assuming their bid is successful; • How the deal could affect broadcast partners; and • Why they believe the deal could be used as a platform for technology innovation in South Africa. It’s an interesting discussion – don’t miss it! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Reserve Bank’s big payments shake-up – an interview with Tim Masela 50:22
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50:22The South African Reserve Bank is working with its peers in the Southern African region to drive financial inclusion by digitising cash and making instant payments across borders an everyday reality. In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Tim Masela, head of the National Payments System department at the Reserve Bank – he has been with the Bank for the past 30 years – tells TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu about the efforts it is making to create a “cash smart” society not only in Southern Africa but across the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region. Masela unpacks: • Why the introduction of non-bank fintechs into the national and regional clearance and settlements systems is important; • The importance of designing “fit for purpose” regulations that allow fintech to remain nimble and innovative; • A detailed explanation of how the payments and settlements system worked historically, including how it has evolved in the digital era; • The efforts the Reserve Bank and its regional counterparts are undertaking to standardise financial legislation and regulation across Sadc; - The importance of the Transactions Cleared on an Immediate Basis (TCIB) platform, which facilitates PayShap-style instant payments across borders; - The challenges that currency conversion poses in facilitating instant payments across borders; - Findings from the National Payments Study conducted by the Reserve Bank and released in September; - What a “cash light” and “cash smart” society are and why the Reserve Bank believes this is desirable; and - Where the Reserve Bank stands on crypto assets and the road to their incorporation into South Africa’s National Payments System. Do not miss this insightful and informative episode. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Beware the Toxic Cloud Trilogy – a discussion with Tenable 22:47
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22:47Companies moving to the cloud – and those already there – need to be aware of the Toxic Cloud Trilogy, three pitfalls in cloud computing that must be avoided. Bernard Montel, technical director at exposure management company Tenable for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, recently unpacked this for TechCentral’s audience in an episode of TCS+ (watch or listen to the interview below). Montel unpacked what the three risk factors are that make up the Toxic Cloud Trilogy – critical vulnerabilities, excessive permissions and public exposure – and how to deal with each of them effectively. Tenable recently published its 2024 Tenable Cloud Risk Report, which examines findings by the Tenable Cloud Research team based on telemetry from millions of cloud resources across multiple public cloud repositories. In this episode of TCS+, Montel discusses: • Tenable, its history and its focus areas in the information security industry; • Why companies should take the Toxic Cloud Trilogy seriously, and how it amplifies risk for organisations; • The key findings in Tenable’s Cloud Risk Report and what they mean in practice, including addressing the Toxic Cloud Trilogy; and • How Tenable Cloud Security can help companies overcome the Toxic Cloud Trilogy. If you’re involved in protecting your organisation’s data and assets in the cloud, don’t miss this important discussion. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Why your company needs network monitoring as a service 33:02
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33:02Trace Network Operations, founded in 2016, provides bespoke network solutions in network management and network monitoring. Company founder Darryl Theron saw a gap in the market for a company that provides leading solutions in this space, stemming from his many years of experience in the pan-African infrastructure market. This episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology podcast, hosted by Jaydev Chiba, delves into how Trace Network Operations supports its customers in the areas of network management and network monitoring as a service (NMaaS) with Theron and his colleague, Gert van Deventer. The company’s solutions are built around a product called StableNet, a carrier-grade network management and monitoring system that is built from the ground up. Trace Network Operations also uses other technologies, including the Red Hat Ansible automation platform, Cubro, Sophos, NetWitness and FNT. The company’s solutions are designed to help businesses solve problems such as: • Lack of visibility into network activity: Many businesses lack the tools and expertise to monitor their networks effectively. This can lead to problems such as security breaches, performance issues and outages. • Difficulty in troubleshooting problems: When problems do occur, it can be difficult to identify the root cause and resolve them quickly. • Lack of automation: Many network management tasks are still performed manually, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. Trace Network Operations addresses these issues by providing a comprehensive suite of NMaaS solutions that includes: • Network monitoring: StableNet provides real-time visibility into network activity, allowing businesses to identify and resolve problems quickly. • Network management: The company’s solutions help businesses to automate many network management tasks, such as configuration management, change management and fault management. • Security monitoring: It integrates solutions such as NetWitness and Cobra to provide comprehensive security monitoring and management. Trace Network Operations offers its solutions on a flexible basis, allowing businesses to tailor the level of service that best meets their needs. The interview also includes a few case studies of how Trace Network Operations’ solutions have been used to provide value and benefits for companies. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Obsidian’s Muggie van Staden on the power of ITSM 24:57
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24:57Information technology service management (ITSM) is more than another buzzword. It’s a concept that helps organisations design and deliver IT services to customers and, when well executed, it can have a huge impact on productivity as well as customer and employee experience. But too often companies don’t do it right, leading to headaches and lost productivity. To unpack the topic, Muggie van Staden, MD at open-source enterprise software specialist Obsidian Systems, joins TechCentral’s TCS+ to discuss the latest trends in ITSM and what they mean for South African organisations. Van Staden unpacks: • The concept of ITSM and what it involves; • How successful companies utilise ITSM to better manage customer experience, free up IT resources, align IT with business goals, enhance security and risk mitigation, foster scalable growth, and accelerate digital transformation; • The emerging trends in ITSM that are shaping how organisations manage their IT services and IT infrastructure; • The role of artificial intelligence and automation in ITSM; • The shift to Agile and DevOps integration; and • Where Obsidian fits into the ITSM picture. Don’t miss a fascinating conversation with a leader in the ITSM space in South Africa. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Datafree’s plan to make R1-billion/year from ‘free data’ 24:18
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24:18Datafree Technologies, the company behind popular zero-rated messaging tool MoyaApp, has an ambitious plan to build a R1-billion/year business by tapping to the APN market provided by the mobile operators. In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Datafree chief commercial officer Kruben Pillay tells Duncan McLeod about the company’s plan to build a software-as-a-service-based APN – or “access point name” – to sell to businesses. An APN is a gateway that allows a mobile device to connect to the network and the internet. Datafree describes itself as a specialist in “mobile data optimisation” that “identified the opportunity to empower inclusive mobile connection by removing the data cost barrier to engage mobile audiences”. To do this, it uses reverse-billing technology for data, not dissimilar to the way toll-free numbers work for phone calls. Although many people use or are at least aware of MoyaApp, much less is known about Datafree. In this episode of TCS, Pillay tells McLeod more about the business. He also unpacks: • His history in the telecommunications industry, including his time at Vodacom and Telkom; • How MoyaApp is doing; • Datafree’s R1-billion/year APN opportunity; and • How APNs work, why companies use them (and why they sometimes run into issues) and Datafree’s APN services for business. Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | How to stop a data disaster – a discussion with Veeam 43:17
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43:17Veeam is helping organisations in South Africa and the rest of the African continent safeguard their most valuable asset: their data. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, four senior executives from Veeam unpack the latest trends in data resilience and protection, and explore how African organisations can better protect themselves against a data disaster. To unpack this in detail, TCS+ is joined in this two-parter episode by Veeam’s: • Mena Migally, regional vice president, Europe, the Middle East and Africa; • Brendan Widlake, regional director and country manager, Africa; • Ian Engelbrecht, head of technical sales, Africa; and • Lisa Strydom, senior manager for channel and alliances, Africa. Topics covered in the discussion include: • The unique challenges that businesses in Africa face when it comes to securing and managing their data; • The role of data resilience in helping African businesses maintain continuous availability of their data in the face of growing cyberthreats. • Securing on-premises and cloud-based environments and the challenges involved in doing so; • How Veeam works with local partners to ensure African businesses optimise their data protection strategies and build resilience; • How Veeam helps companies deal with ransomware attacks, both before and after they happen; and • The emerging trends and innovations in data resilience and protection. For more information on Veeam’s portfolio of data resilience solutions, including backup, recovery, cloud data management and disaster recovery, visit Veeam’s data resilience portfolio. TechCentral…
Eswatini is on a mission to roll out high-speed fibre broadband infrastructure for its citizens. According to Themba Khumalo, MD of The Eswatini Posts & Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), the landlocked territory will draw lessons from leaders in national fibre roll-out in other markets as it deploys infrastructure to the population. In this episode of TCS+, filmed on-site in Cape Town during Africa Tech Week, Khumalo delves into: • The role of EPTC Eswatini; • Features unique to Eswatini that make the challenge of a national fibre roll-out a little easier than it might be in other territories; • EPTC’s national fibre strategy; • How the population will benefit from the speed upgrades that a fibre roll-out will enable; • The proposed timelines for the competition of the national fibre roll-out; and • The role government will play in accelerating infrastructure roll-out. Don’t miss the conversation. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | What Google Cloud solutions mean for companies in Africa 29:59
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29:59In the final episode of a three-part interview series with TechCentral’s TCS+, Digicloud Africa executives unpack what Google Cloud’s solutions mean for end-user organisations in Africa. Digicloud Africa is Google Cloud’s enablement partner on the continent, and the company’s CEO, Gregory MacLennan, and head of technical operations Louis van Schalkwyk return to the show to chat about what Google Cloud software can do for businesses that deploy it. In episode 1 of this series, we had a look at Digicloud, what it does, and its relationship with Google. In episode 2, we looked at the company’s reseller partner model, what it involves and how it works with its reseller partners. (LINKS TO SHOWS TO BE INSERTED WHEN AVAILABLE.) In the final episode, MacLennan and Van Schalkwyk unpack: • The Google Cloud advantage relative to other cloud and enterprise software solutions; • How companies can use Google Cloud to innovate and grow their businesses; • The importance of using open IT infrastructure like Google’s – and what this means for collaboration and information security; • What Google Cloud offers in specific sectors, including education; • Examples of African enterprises and government agencies doing interesting things with Google Cloud technology; • How Digicloud Africa works with resellers to offer Google Cloud solutions to companies, educational institutions and government – and how Digicloud supports those resellers in client engagements and deployments; and • Becoming a Google Cloud reseller through Digicloud and what’s involved. Don’t miss insightful interview, and the others in this series! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Pinnacle’s Jacque Visagie – AI will transform SA business 26:38
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26:38Pinnacle, one of South Africa’s leading technology distributors, is going all-in on AI. The company, which represents some of the leading brands in the artificial intelligence space, is working closely with its vendors and channel partners to help local companies embrace the potential of the technology and expand employee productivity. Jacques Visage, GM for AI and Services at Pinnacle, is the man leading this charge, and he’s TechCentral’s guest in this episode of TCS+. He unpacks why Pinnacle sees AI as a strategic imperative and how it is positioning itself as an AI leader in the distribution space. In the discussion, Visagie chats about: • Pinnacle’s go-to-market strategy around AI and how it is working with its channel partners to provide AI solutions to businesses; • The company’s key partners and technology providers; • How conversations around AI in corporate South Africa have changed since the launch two years ago of OpenAI’s ChatGPT; • What South African companies are doing with AI – and what they want to do with it in future; and • The top-of-mind issues around AI in the C-suite and the biggest use cases we’re seeing so far in corporate South Africa. Don’t miss this important and insightful conversation! TechCentral…
1 Meet the CIO | The Capital Hotels’ José Soares – from gamer to director of IT 57:09
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57:09José Soares, director of IT at The Capital Hotels, Apartments and Resorts, fell in love with computers when his dad brought home a Sinclair ZX81. Through a series of upgrades – from the Commodore 64 to early Apple machines and eventually his first PC – Soares developed a passion for gaming and technology. Meet the CIO is presented by Wipro That passion led him to co-found a mobile gaming company and eventually to pursue a career in IT management. Our guest in the latest episode of Meet the CIO, Soares tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the journey that led him to The Capital Hotels group. Soares also discusses: • The assets owned by the group and why it’s focus is a little different to other companies in the hospitality industry; • What the group’s IT stack looks like, and the big projects Soares is leading; • How the internet and modern technology have transformed the hospitality industry; • His strategic priorities as head of IT; • The role of artificial intelligence in the hospitality industry, and how The Capital Hotel is approaching AI; • The qualities that make for a good CIO; and • The importance of developing the next generation of IT talent. Don’t miss a great conversation! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Binance on the role of cryptocurrencies in digitising money 14:35
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14:35The digitisation of money is helping drive financial inclusion and improve access to complex financial services in South Africa and the rest of the African continent. In this episode of TCS+, Hannes Wessels, GM for South Africa at Binance, explains the role cryptocurrencies are playing in the digitisation of cash as well as the potential that blockchain technology offers in enhancing the security of digital transactions. In this episode, Wessels delves into: • The trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of digital banking in South Africa; • How Binance is capitalising on the growth of mobile banking and other advancements in financial technology; • Examples of how blockchain technology can enhance transaction security; • How decentralised finance can make financial services accessible to everyone in Africa; and • How Binance is contributing to the digital cash revolution. Don’t miss this exciting episode of TCS+. TechCentral…
In the second part of a three-part interview series with TechCentral’s TCS+, Digicloud Africa executives unpack how African ICT companies can become reseller partners for Google Cloud in Africa. Digicloud is Google Cloud’s chosen enablement partner for Africa and works closely with the US technology giant to deliver its services across the continent – through a network of resellers. In this episode of TCS+, Digicloud Africa CEO Gregory MacLennan and head of technical operations Louis van Schalkwyk unpack what’s involved in becoming a reseller partner to Digicloud Africa and Google Cloud. The two men chat about: • Digicloud Africa’s role as the African enablement partner for Google Cloud; • Google Cloud’s go-to-market strategy in Africa and how it works through Digicloud Africa to support a network of resellers across the continent; • How the relationship between Google Cloud, Digicloud and its resellers partners operate in the context of serving end-user customers; • How IT companies can sign up to become Google Cloud resellers through Digicloud – the requirements and what’s involved; • How Digicloud supports specialisation by its reseller partners; and • The challenge of managing a network of resellers across a continent as vast as Africa. Don’t miss the interview, or the others in this insightful series with Digicloud Africa. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Introducing Digicloud, Google Cloud’s partner in Africa 15:32
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15:32Digicloud Africa has a big role to play in the African ICT ecosystem as Google Cloud’s enablement partner on the continent. Two of Digicloud’s top executives recently sat down for an interview with TechCentral’s TCS+ to unpack the business, its relationship with Google, and how it serves its reseller partners and their clients in adopting Google Cloud services. Gregory MacLennan, Digicloud’s CEO, and Louis van Schalkwyk, the company’s head of technical operations, tell TechCentral about the business and why Google Cloud services are seeing strong demand across Africa. In this first of a succinct three-part series with Digicloud, MacLennan and Van Schalkwyk discuss: • The history of Digicloud and how it became Google Cloud’s enablement partner for Africa; • How the partnership with Google Cloud works, and why Google chooses to work through reseller partners in smaller markets like those in Africa; • The solutions on offer from Google via Digicloud; and • How companies can become Google Cloud resellers through Digicloud Africa – and why the company is encouraging more entities to sign up and go through the process of accreditation (and what’s involved). Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Arctic Wolf – weighing up in-house vs outsourced SOCs 28:00
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28:00In this episode of TCS+, TechCentral speaks with Jason Oehley and Andre den Hond, regional sales manager and senior sales engineer, respectively, at Arctic Wolf, a company specialising in cybersecurity operations. They discuss the benefits of partnering with a cybersecurity provider versus building an in-house security operations centre (SOC). The conversation begins by focusing on the critical role of security operations in ensuring business continuity. Every organisation requires a certain level of security, which can vary based on what employees are doing and what the organisation is focused on. Security operations are about finding the right balance between the actual security level and the required level – enough to be protected but without overspending. The speakers then explore the challenges of building an in-house SOC. The biggest challenges they see with customers trying to build a SOC are skills shortages, identifying and integrating the right security tools, and a lack of comprehensive visibility across the organisation's attack surface. They find that organisations often struggle to find the right skills and tools, and even if they do, it can be difficult to retain skilled security professionals. Customers also experience alert fatigue from too many alerts from their security tools. Partnering with a provider like Arctic Wolf can help address these challenges. Arctic Wolf will work and integrate with the customer's existing security tools and team, providing 24/7 monitoring and threat detection. This removes the burden of building and managing an SOC from the customer, allowing them to focus on business risk and strategic security management. Arctic Wolf’s “concierge delivery model” helps customers continuously improve their security posture through a collaborative, partnership approach. This includes vulnerability management, security awareness training and incident response capabilities. This approach contrasts with a product-centric approach, which the speakers argue is not enough in today’s threat landscape. The speakers conclude by discussing future trends in cybersecurity. They predict a consolidation in the cybersecurity market, with smaller companies being absorbed by larger ones. They also believe that the threat landscape will become more complex as attackers leverage AI and other advanced techniques. They stress the importance of a proactive and comprehensive approach to security, and the value of partnering with a security provider that can help organisations stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape. Don’t miss this informative and important discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS | The story of Telviva, with David Meintjes and Rob Lith 41:28
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41:28The world of telephony might not be particularly sexy, but it is an industry that has changed fundamentally in the past 20 years. And David Meintjes and Rob Lith of Telviva, a South African company specialising in cloud-based unified communications solutions for businesses, has been at the forefront of the technology changes that have swept through the industry in that time. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, the pair tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the journey from the early days of the business – when it was known as Connection Telecom – to the cloud-based telephony specialist it is today, as Telviva. In the interview, Meintjes and Lith chat about: • The evolution of Connection Telecom, its original mission, and how the business evolved into the unified communications as a service (UCaaS) provider it is today; • How the telephony market in South Africa has changed beyond recognition over the past 20 years; and • Telviva’s international expansion plans and its strategy around acquisitions. There’s plenty more in this interview with two ICT industry legends – don’t miss it. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Andrew Middleton on the state of rooftop solar in South Africa 27:57
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27:57South Africa’s rooftop solar installation industry has a bright future and is on track for its second-best year on record, despite the suspension of load shedding in March. That’s according to Andrew Middleton, co-founder and CEO of GoSolr, one of South Africa’s largest rooftop solar installation companies, who spoke to TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS) earlier this week. According to Middleton, citing figures from Eskom, 749MW of rooftop solar capacity has been installed in South Africa this year, taking the total to 5.9GW. Some 162MW of new rooftop solar was added in the third quarter, down 267MW from the same three months in 2023, when load shedding was frequently at stage 4 or higher. The figures are contained in the latest quarterly report published by GoSolr on the state of the industry. In his interview with TCS, Middleton unpacks: • The impact of the suspension of load shedding on the rooftop solar industry; • What’s driving consumers to consider solar at home today; • The impact of the adoption of electric vehicles on the demand for home solar – and what sort of solar installation consumers who own or are thinking of buying an EV need to consider; • The state of play in the municipalities around feed-in tariff structures – an update on Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Bay and more; • The future role of embedded generation systems in communities – the way forward and the hurdles that might be encountered; and • Why government was wrong to withdraw the tax rebate on solar panels and to impose higher taxes on their importation. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about the state of South Africa’s rooftop solar industry. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Sandile Dube on Equinix and South Africa’s data centre boom 21:12
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21:12Nasdaq-listed Equinix has completed construction of the first phase of a new data centre in Johannesburg, part of a R7.5-billion commitment to building cloud infrastructure in South Africa and the rest of the continent over the next five years. The company’s South African MD, Sandile Dube – a former country manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and a former executive at Dimension Data (now NTT Data) – tells TechCentral Show host Duncan McLeod about the new Johannesburg data centre, which is located in Isando on the East Rand, and what type of clients it’s hoping to attract. In the interview, Dube chats about: • Equinix’s African investment plans and where it intends to build data centre facilities and why; • The Isando data centre and what it offers; • The Equinix company and its investment focus – including its investments in West Africa; • Whether there is an overbuild of data centres taking place in South Africa. Can market demand sustain the level of investment taking place?; and • How Equinix differentiates itself in an increasingly crowded market. Don’t miss a great interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Lesaka’s Lincoln Mali on the fintech opportunity in South Africa 22:16
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22:16Lincoln Mali has been at the helm of Lesaka Technologies Southern Africa, a fintech with a sizeable footprint in Southern Africa’s informal markets, since 2021. One of his main tasks has been to turn the company’s finances around by reigning in business units that were haemorrhaging cash in the past. Lesaka’s latest set of financial results suggests it’s making progress. In this episode of TechCentral Show, Mali speaks to TechCentral’s Nathi Ndlovu about: • Lesaka’s latest financial results, breaking down each of the group's key business units; • The resilience of Lesaka’s loans business; • The importance of data analytics in driving Lesaka’s merchant lending business; • The impact of the interest rate cycle on business; • How the digitisation of cash is progressing in the informal market; • Lesaka’s acquisition strategy, including the recent blockbuster purchase of Adumo; and • The rationale behind Lesaka’s primary listing on the Nasdaq in the US (it has a secondary listing on the JSE). Don’t miss this fast-paced episode of the TechCentral Show. TechCentral…
Networking equipment wholesaler Switchcom Distribution has partnered with Huawei Technologies to bring new offerings to the South African market and elsewhere in Africa. In this episode of TCS+, Lynton Brits, national sales manager at Switchcom, and Tanki Lebatla, account manager at Huawei, tell TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show about the partnership and what it means for the market. In the show, Brits and Lebatla delve into: • The networking and backup power solutions offered by Switchcom through its partnership with Huawei; • The training and implementation support Huawei provides to Switchcom and what that means for Switchcom’s reseller clients; • How the two companies are shoring up the supply chain to ensure that customers have enough stock; • The guarantees Huawei and Switchcom offer clients on the hardware, as well as the process for swap-outs and replacements; and • The hardware innovations and capabilities of Huawei’s networking and backup power products. This interview is not to be missed, especially for builders of networks or owners of large-scale infrastructure that cannot afford to be without power. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | CYBER1 Solutions on choosing a managed security service provider 48:52
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48:52In this episode of TCS+, TechCentral speaks to CYBER1 Solutions executives Jayson O’Reilly, the company’s MD, and Akeel Sayed, head of its managed services division, about the benefits and challenges of using a managed security service provider (MSSP). The conversation starts by discussing the growing complexity of cybersecurity and the financial motivations driving cybercriminals. With the underground economy expanding, MSSPs must constantly adapt to new attack methods. Early adopters of cutting-edge technology may take on higher risks, but they also build knowledge that benefits future clients, reducing their exposure to emerging threats. The proliferation of security operations centres in South Africa, now numbering more than 30, is driven by skill shortages and the need for assurance. Many organisations still lack visibility into their network environments, which the experts identify as a key issue. Understanding what’s connected to a network and which applications are in use is essential but often overlooked. MSSPs also help clients manage budget constraints and meet compliance requirements while keeping pace with fast-moving technological change. South Africa is seen as a testing ground for cybercriminals targeting the broader African market. Clients now prefer flexible, short-term investments over long-term contracts due to the evolving threat landscape. The experts stress the importance of MSSPs staying relevant by challenging vendors and adapting their offerings to new threats like artificial intelligence. A major concern is the lack of governance in many industries, especially those with strict compliance needs. Organisations are realising the need to think like attackers and continuously evolve their defences. AI is highlighted as a significant disruptor, with MSSPs now focused on securing AI algorithms and leveraging AI to enhance security operations. The podcast discussion compares MSSPs with in-house security teams, noting that MSSPs offer greater agility and a broader range of expertise. In-house teams often face resource constraints and difficulty staying up to date with new technologies. MSSPs, on the other hand, focus on governance and outcomes, allowing businesses to prioritise other critical needs. The experts underscore the need for collaboration across the cybersecurity industry. MSSPs can share anonymised insights across clients, helping create a unified defence against attackers. Ultimately, MSSPs provide value by evolving their offerings, focusing on outcomes and using collective experience to keep clients secure in an ever-changing threat landscape. Don’t miss a great discussion. TechCentral…
1 TCS | The Solly Malatsi interview – BEE, SOEs and Starlink 43:00
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43:00Communications minister Solly Malatsi, a DA MP and the first non-ANC politician to hold the key technology portfolio in the democratic era, has been in the job for three months – sufficient time to get a broad handle on the big issues. In this first interview with the TechCentral Show, TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod asks Malatsi a range of questions about the sector, including his views on how he plans to address some of the more intractable problems in his inbox. The interview, which was recorded on Friday, 4 October – shortly before he announced he was issuing a policy direction to communications regulator Icasa that could see a big change to empowerment rules governing licensing in the sector – covers a wide range of topics, from Elon Musk’s Starlink to the ongoing feud between the SABC and Sentech. Other topics covered in the interview include: • The minister’s engagements with Starlink and the recent meeting in New York between Musk and President Cyril Ramaphosa; • His views on black economic empowerment and why his top priority is reducing the cost of data and ensuring more South Africans can connect affordably to the internet and online services; • His plan for private sector participation in the Post Office, and whether the company is really worth saving; • The war between the SABC and Sentech, and how it can be resolved; • Future funding models for the SABC and the future of TV licences in South Africa; • The problems at the State IT Agency, and what the focus should be of government’s central IT procurement and services provider; • The planned merger of Sentech and Broadband Infraco and why he believes it needs to happen; • Government’s 40.5% stake in Telkom and what should happen to it; • The road to digital migration and whether there is still a need for terrestrial television in 2024; • 2G and 3G switch-off in South Africa and whether this should be mandated by the government; and • The legislative programme for the department of communications & digital technologies. Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Hypa Fibre and its aspirations for the aspirational market 8:34
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8:34Hypa Fibre is a fibre internet service provider focused on underserved markets in South Africa’s townships. John Githinji, national head of sales at Hypa, which is a subsidiary of telecommunications provider Vox, tells TechCentral’s business technology show TCS+ that the company is using its presence in underserved markets to plug gaps beyond internet services. In this episode of TCS+, Githinji delves into: • What Hypa is and its relationship with Vox; • The death and disability benefit Hypa offers free of charge to its paying customers; • Why Hypa’s customers take advantage of its death benefits instead of opting for a traditional insurance company; • Who qualifies for Hypa’s death and disability benefit; and • The costs associated with the offering. This episode of TCS+ is not to be missed! TechCentral…
1 Meet the CIO | Standard Bank Group’s Jörg Fischer – mission-critical IT 1:05:03
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1:05:03At more than R23-billion/year, Standard Bank Group has the biggest IT budget of any company in South Africa – and quite possibly in the whole of Africa. The man charged with ensuring the continent’s largest financial services provider is spending that money optimally is group CIO Jörg Fischer, who is TechCentral’s guest in this episode of Meet the CIO, the publication’s monthly interview series presented by Wipro, where, instead of focusing on the vendors of technology, we interview the end users of IT – banks, retailers, manufacturers and more – about how they’re using modern technology to grow their businesses and drive their strategic agendas. Meet the CIO is presented by Wipro In this episode of Meet the CIO, Fischer chats about the technology function at Standard Bank Group, the role of a CIO in the financial services industry, the big strategic IT projects which the bank is involved with – and much, much more. Among other topics, Fischer discusses: • The career trajectory that resulted in him becoming a top IT leader; • Why Standard Bank Group spends as much as it does on IT, and where that spending is directed; • How IT aligns with the group’s strategic focus areas; • The decision to migrate to SAP’s core banking solution, what was involved, the lessons learned and how the platform is working for the bank in 2024; • What Standard Bank’s technology stack looks like, and its investment in the cloud; • What makes a good CIO in 2024, including the skills that are important in the role; • How Standard Bank is approaching AI – and what it can actually achieve for the bank and its clients; • How technology is changing the banking industry; • Standard Bank’s approach to cybersecurity; and • How Standard Bank attracts and retains IT talent. Don’t miss a fascinating conversation that provides great insight into how IT has become mission critical in modern banking. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Network Platforms’ Warwick Ward-Cox – IP wrangler 27:58
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27:58Warwick Ward-Cox, chief technical officer at Network Platforms – a wholesale provider specialising in supporting internet service providers and IT managed service providers – is deeply immersed in the plumbing of the South African technology space, currently supporting over a 100 ISPs and MSPs. Ward-Cox, who has immersed himself in the world of technology for the past 30 years, is the guest in this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show, in which he chats about the work that Network Platforms does and how the internet landscape in South Africa has been transformed over the past 10 years. In this episode, he discusses: • Network Platforms, what it does and how and why it’s focus has shifted over time; • What internet infrastructure in South Africa looks like in 2024, including national long-distance fibre and subsea cables; • Why some terrestrial fibre routes in South Africa are “challenging”, and why submarine cables along the coastline alleviate the problem; • Why IP transit to ISPs is a critical service; • Internet peering in South Africa, how it works and why it’s important; • The outlook for peering; and • Why ISPs and managed service providers should choose Network Platforms This is a great conversation about the development and state of the internet in South Africa, what it looks like and where it may be going. Don’t miss it! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Donald Valoyi: South African on-demand e-commerce pioneer 48:53
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48:53Donald Valoyi saw the potential market for on-demand grocery delivery in South Africa early on, and his company Zulzi was a pioneer in the space. It even went on to help Shoprite Holdings launch the Checkers Sixty60 app. Zulzi was founded in 2013 as an “aggregator” of various shopping outlets to help consolidate online shopping for customers. Today the company provides support to Sixty60 and continues to operate as a separate entity through seven of its own “dark stores”, or warehouses. Zulzi founder Valoyi joins the TechCentral Show to chat about the company's journey, which began with his exit from corporate South Africa into entrepreneurship. He shares his views on the innovations reshaping the e-commerce sector and how South African businesses should equip themselves to handle competition from international players. Valoyi also chats about: • His entrepreneurial ambitions and why he chose e-commerce as his focus; • The early days of Zulzi, and how he built the business; • How Zulzi’s relationship with Shoprite and the Checkers Sixty60 app came about; • Why Valoyi believes the Post Office is key to driving e-commerce growth in South Africa; • Why the medical sector is ripe for e-commerce disruption; and • How technologies like artificial intelligence are changing the online shopping experience. Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
The Volvo EX30 is undoubtedly one of the most exciting electric cars to be launched in South Africa in 2024. The vehicle, whose price starts at R792 000, offers a combination of price, performance and luxury tweaks that has attracted considerable appeal among South African consumers interested in making the switch to electric mobility. But what is the Volvo EX30 like to drive? TechCentral recently had the opportunity to spend time with the twin-motor version of the EX30 to put it through its paces. Apart from a few minor niggles, including the quality of materials used in the dashboard, we can confidently say this is a very compelling option for those interested in buying an EV in the sub-R1-million price category. While it’s not as affordable as more entry-level EV models from the likes of China’s BYD, the vehicle offers many luxuries usually reserved for more expensive EVs, including a panoramic (non-opening) sunroof, high-end Harman Kardon audio and well-thought-out software features. It’s easy to see where Volvo has compromised to get the price down, but the decisions it has made in this regard have mostly been carefully considered. As for the driving experience, the power underfoot is extraordinary. The twin motor version TechCentral tested accelerated from 0-100km/h more quickly than a Porsche 911 – it really is a thrill to drive! This is a sentiment shared by Greg Cress, who owns the EX30 and has been driving it since March, when he took delivery from Volvo. Cress joined TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS) recently to review the vehicle and to talk about the state of the EV market more broadly in South Africa. Cress, who works for Accenture – where he is principal director of automotive and e-mobility – told TCS about his experiences with the vehicle and what he likes about it and what he doesn’t. He unpacks his experiences so far, including with the regular software updates that Volvo has issued and why he settled on the EX30 over other EV options available in the South African market. He also shares details about a recent long-distance return trip he did from Pretoria to White River in Mpumalanga and how he found utilising the charging points along South Africa’s national roads. Then, in the second part of the TCS interview, Cress shares his views on the state of the EV market in South Africa, what is hindering its wider adoption and the outlook for electric mobility in the country. Don’t miss a hugely informative interview. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | CYBER1 Solutions and iiDENTIFii on combating identity theft in 2024 40:53
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40:53Identity theft is a massive and growing problem that requires smart risk mitigation strategies. That is one of the key messages coming out of a TechCentral TCS+ interview with executives from CYBER1 Solutions and iiDENTIFii. CYBER1 Solutions security architect Christiaan Swanepoel and iiDENTIFii co-founder and chief technology officer Marco Wagener unpack the subject in greater detail in the interview. They discuss: • The background to iiDENTIFii and its relationship with CYBER1 Solutions; • The current trends in identity theft, and why this type of theft is a growing concern for businesses; • How iiDENTIFii’s software can play a big role in fighting the scourge of identity theft; • What companies are doing right and wrong in fighting the problem; • How businesses can enhance their identity verification process to mitigate against the risk of identity theft; • iiDENTIFii’s solutions, and how they integrate with existing corporate systems; and • The role that cybersecurity tools can play in protecting personal identities; Swanepoel and Wagener also share their insights into future trends in the identity verification market and how businesses can prepare themselves. This is an important discussion for anyone involved in IT, but especially for those involved in cybersecurity – don’t miss it! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Nomvuyiso Batyi on what needs fixing in SA telecoms 1:01:57
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1:01:57South Africa’s telecommunications industry is facing a barrage of threats, from crime and vandalism to power cuts and overreach by politicians. This is the word from Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO of telecommunications industry lobby group the Association for Comms & Technology (ACT) and an industry stalwart who served as a councillor at communications regulator Icasa for eight years and as special adviser to the minister of communications. She was speaking to TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (watch or listen to the interview below). ACT, which represents the six big telecoms operators in South Africa – MTN, Vodacom, Rain, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Telkom and Cell C – was founded two years ago as an interface between the industry and policymakers and regulators. In the interview, Batyi unpacks a range of issues affecting ACT members. She discusses: • Her first engagement with newly appointed communications minister Solly Malatsi, and her views on him; • What her day-to-day work involves; • Why government shouldn’t be setting deadlines for 2G and 3G switch-off in South Africa; • Import taxes on cellphones, and why luxury taxes on 4G devices should be scrapped; • How the load shedding problem has been replaced with the load reduction problem, and what the impact has been on operators; • The scourge of theft and vandalism, and why urgent action is needed to address the problem; and • South Africa’s upcoming spectrum auction, and why telecoms operators should get access to spectrum below 694MHz that has traditionally been reserved for broadcasting. Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Andy Higgins on the outlook for online shopping in South Africa 35:49
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35:49Andy Higgins, founder of e-commerce solutions company Bob Group, knows more about e-commerce in South Africa than most people. Higgins founded Bidorbuy (now Bob Shop) at the height of the dot-com boom in the late 1990s, and over the past 25 years has actively participated in the industry as it has mushroomed from those nascent beginnings. In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Higgins has a look back at the growth of the industry, and what’s likely to propel its future expansion. In the show, Higgins unpacks: • How Bob Group has done since it was created nearly two years ago through the merger of Bidorbuy and uAfrica, and what the future holds for the business; • What is driving the rapid growth in South Africa’s e-commerce industry – did Covid lockdowns give it the spark for its current rapid expansion, or is there more at play?; • The rise of on-demand deliveries in South Africa and what it means for online retailers; • The rise of Chinese competitors – how much of a threat are Shein and Temu really, and is the South African Revenue Service right to crack down?; • The Competition Commission’s intervention in the market and whether it is warranted; • Whether Amazon’s South African launch was a flop; and • What trends to look out for as the market develops further in the coming years. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Zuko Mdwaba on Salesforce and its SA and Africa growth plans 21:45
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21:45Customer relationship management software giant Salesforce recently showcased the power of its latest artificial intelligence and cloud-based solutions to customers, partners and associates at Salesforce World Tour Essentials Johannesburg, held at the Kyalami Convention Centre in Midrand. In this episode of TechCentral’s business technology show, TCS+, Zuko Mdwaba, Salesforce area vice president/Africa executive and South Africa country leader, shares highlights from the event. He also provides insight into the company’s plans for South Africa and Africa. More than 2 200 global and local leaders attended the Salesforce event in Johannesburg, demonstrating the huge interest in AI and digital transformation in South Africa, with organisations from across a range of sectors eager to learn more about new technologies that will allow them to leverage their data more fully and grow their businesses. The Salesforce ecosystem of partners in the South African region has grown 34% year on year, but the most significant improvement is in the area of certifications, with an increase of 43% in the same period. These partners, Mdwaba explains in the TCS+ interview, are helping organisations across all sectors to raise employee productivity and transform with real-time insights and new levels of customer experience. Mdwaba shares data from International Data Corp, which shows Salesforce and its partner ecosystem is being fuelled by AI- powered cloud solutions and will generate US$5.8-billion in net new business between 2022 and 2028. In the interview, Mdwaba delves into: • The economic impact that the Salesforce ecosystem is going to have on South Africa in the next few years. • How the combination of CRM, cloud, data and trust is transforming organisations. • How Salesforce is ramping up its skills development and talent programme in Africa to build the workforce that will help drive its aspirations for the continent. Finally, he speaks about some of the infrastructural challenges on the continent and where the opportunities for technological innovation and business growth lie. Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Braintree on the psychology of software purchases 23:15
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23:15Braintree’s Grant van der Westhuizen and Heath Huxtable tell TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show about how to acquire software that solves present and future business needs. This might sound simple, but software purchases are complex and expensive. For companies to get their money’s worth, properly diagnosing the problem a new piece of software ought to solve and ensuring that the solution is futureproof are key to extracting the most value from a purchase. In this episode of TCS+, Huxtable – MD at Braintree – and Van der Westhuizen, the company’s business applications sales manager, tell TCS+ about important considerations companies should take into account when looking to solve business problems through software. Huxtable and van der Westhuizen delve into: • How customers don’t really know what they want because they tend to hyperfocus on solving pain points instead of looking at the bigger picture; • Balancing short-term vs long-term thinking in purchasing decisions; • The importance of unlocking value versus thinking of software as a grudge purchase; • The flexibility provided by the Microsoft suite of business applications; • How to balance personalised solutions with maintaining a consolidated view in multi-faceted business; and • How to deal with resistance from employees in implementation projects, especially where artificial intelligence is involved. Huxtable and Van der Westhuizen are passionate about using software to drive value creation in business, and their energy comes through vividly in this interview. Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Moving to SAP S/4 HANA Cloud? What you need to know 38:49
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38:49A 2023 report by International Data Corporation (IDC) found that an astonishing 96% of CIOs in South Africa plan to modernise their ERP applications using cloud services. Yet actual implementation has stalled. To discuss this, and what’s holding South African organisations back from cloud modernisation projects, TechCentral was joined on the TCS+ business technology show by executives from NTT Data (formerly Dimension Data) and SAP: NTT Data Middle East and Africa head of enterprise applications and cloud Brent Flint and SAP Africa head of partner ecosystem (MEA South) Nazia Pillay. Reasons for slow uptake, Flint and Pillay explained, include a perception that the costs involved are exceptionally high and the dire shortage of the right IT skills to handle these types of projects. In this episode of TCS+, Pillay and Flint unpack: • The history of the relationship between SAP and NTT Data and how the two companies work together today; • Why there is a pressing need for companies to modernise their ERP systems and move to cloud-based solutions; • The benefits of and costs associated with moving to SAP S4/HANA Cloud – what the software offers that legacy ERP systems can’t, and the benefits organisations can expect when migrating; • How best to deal with the critical IT skills shortage in South Africa, especially around these types of business application modernisation projects; • The risks associated with business application modernisation and how NTT Data and SAP help their clients address those risks upfront and during project implementation; • The role SAP S/4 HANA Cloud can play in modernising enterprise IT infrastructure and help organisations stay competitive; • The best practices companies should be aware of in achieving a successful migration to S4/HANA Cloud; and • What’s coming next from S4/HANA Cloud that companies should get excited about. If you’re in any way involved in enterprise IT, you don’t want to miss this discussion. TechCentral…
A new smart payment ring has been launched in South Africa – and it’s built by South Africans for South Africans. In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod chats to VezoPay founders Jake Pinkus and Lawrence Baker about the launch of the ring – it’s available in three variants at launch – and what was behind the idea. In the interview, they not only explain why they decided to build a payment ring, but also why they’re entering what could soon become a highly competitive market globally, with both Samsung Electronics and Apple expected to launch their own smart rings later this year. Pinkus and Lawrence unpack: • How long they’ve been working on the payment ring, and where the idea came from; • How much research and development was involved, and who’s backing the innovation; • How the technology works, and what exactly is inside the ring; • The various options available at launch; • How it works without having to be charged; • How the security features work (without giving the game away); • How VezoPay is working with South African banks; • Whether the ring can be used for ticketing (concerts, Gautrain, etc); • How much it costs; • The potential competition from Samsung and Apple; and • VezoPay’s plans to expand beyond South Africa’s borders. Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | WIOCC and 2Africa: providing an alternative to national long-distance fibre 22:56
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22:56The 2Africa submarine communications cable, which will be the longest such system in the world when it’s completed, is already helping one South African internet service provider find an alternative route for its data traffic between KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. 2Africa’s eastern segment – known as 2Africa Gera – is largely complete, and traffic is already flowing across the section that connects Durban and Cape Town, thanks to a newly concluded agreement between 2Africa investor WIOCC Group and FirstNet Technology Services, an ISP in the First Technologies Group stable. To discuss this development and unpack it in more detail, TechCentral invited WIOCC director of sales for South Africa Carlos De Almeida and FirstNet GM Sean van Niekerk onto the TCS+ business technology podcast. In the show, De Almeida discusses the scale of the 180Tbit/s design capacity 2Africa cable, its state of readiness and WIOCC’s investment in the massive system, which, when completed, will stretch a staggering 45 000km and connect countries with a combined population of more than three billion people. De Almeida and Van Niekerk discuss: • Why FirstNet acquired capacity on 2Africa to carry network traffic between KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape – becoming the first company to do so; • Why routing via a subsea cable, rather than using traditional terrestrial long-distance routes, should mean far fewer service interruptions for FirstNet customers; • FirstNet’s focus as an ISP, and why it launched a brand called UrbanXConnect dedicated to the gaming community and their specific requirements around latency and network quality; • The reliability, speeds and latencies possible on the 2Africa cable, and why this is critical for FirstNet; and • Why, in WIOCC’s view, other ISPs could and should follow FirstNet’s lead in using the 2Africa cable for their national long-distance internet traffic. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion about a pioneering agreement. TechCentral…
Asokan Moodley is leading Nedbank’s drive into the world of AI – and it is already starting to have a meaningful impact on productivity in the bank. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Moodley – Nedbank Group Technology’s head of end user and communication experience, infrastructure and operations – unpacks what the bank is doing with Copilot for Microsoft 365 and the lessons learnt so far from the deployment of the technology. Nedbank, which is one of the first organisations in South Africa to deploy Copilot for Microsoft 365, has made the technology available to select employees, including senior management, ahead of a planned wider deployment. In the interview, Moodley discusses: • Why Nedbank decided to be a relatively early adopter of Copilot for Microsoft 365; • Which employees the technology has been deployed to initially and why they were chosen; • The business challenges the bank is hoping the technology will address; • The important lessons learnt so far, and how other companies should be approaching their deployments; • The potential pitfalls of using advanced AI tools in a highly regulated industry like banking; • The security concerns, and how Nedbank is addressing these; and • How the bank helped employees embrace AI tools in their day-to-day work, and the feedback they have provided regarding their use of the technology. Moodley also shares his views on whether AI tools, including Copilot for Microsoft 365, provide a competitive edge in both the short and the long term. If your organisation is thinking of deploying AI technology to its employees – and especially if it’s considering Copilot for Microsoft 365 – this is a conversation you shouldn’t miss, especially as Moodley shares his views on how leaders in other organisations who have embarked on a similar journey should approach this. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Kartik Mistry on Standard Bank Connect and SA's MVNO industry 25:21
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25:21Kartik Mistry, recently appointed head of Standard Bank Connect, believes there is still strong growth ahead for South Africa’s mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market. Standard Bank, which recently rebranded its MVNO from Standard Bank Mobile to Standard Bank Connect and shifted its network partner from Cell C to MTN South Africa, has launched a new value proposition in cellular communications for its customers. TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod is joined by Mistry on the TechCentral Show, where he explains the bank’s decision to partner with MTN and why it decided to engage directly with a mobile network operator rather than working through an “enablement” partner as it had done previously. Kartik, who has experience in both telecommunications – he has previously served as chief operating officer at Rain – and in banking, talks about the state of the MVNO market in South Africa, where Standard Bank Connect is positioning itself strategically, and why the market might be primed for consolidation. Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Yesh Surjoodeen unpacks HP’s Amplify Partner Program 37:21
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37:21HP, long been a leader in the technology space, launched the Amplify Partner Program in 2021. The programme has since gone from strength to strength. Through its dynamic nature, it stands out as one of the most powerful partner programmes in the technology space. In this episode of the TechCentral’s TCS+ series, HP Southern Africa MD Yesh Surjoodeen discusses Amplify in more detail, and explains how it is taking HP partners across the globe to new heights. Surjoodeen unpacks the origin of the programme along with the latest updates announced in Las Vegas earlier this year at HP’s Amplify Partner Conference. Additionally, he explains how the programme is helping partners drive AI readiness and technology adoption among customers, alongside empowering partners to make a positive impact in sustainability and environmental awareness. HP has set itself apart in the way it supports the channel and end-user customers. Watch or listen to the interview with Surjoodeen to learn more about HP’s Amplify Partner Program. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Telco or ISP? Tired of load shedding chaos? This is for you 16:47
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16:47Alan Kemp, director at Iris Network Systems, has a long history in South Africa’s internet service provider industry. So, he knows all too well how load shedding can play havoc with internet and telecommunications networks, and the teams employed to ensure their smooth functioning. Iris Network Systems is a specialist South African service provider that specialises in network monitoring and management, with a historical focus on ISPs and operators, and currently entering the Enterprise market. Being in this space in South Africa presents several real challenges, not least of them dealing with the chaos caused by Eskom’s rolling power cuts. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show, Kemp tells Duncan McLeod about the impact of load shedding on networking monitoring and management, and the solution Iris has developed to lessen the aggravation caused to network support teams. Kemp unpacks how Iris assists companies impacted by load shedding as well as the company’s full solution set. If you’re an ISP or network operator, you’ll not want to miss this discussion. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Check Point dissects the complexities of cloud security 21:57
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21:57Promoted | Check Point’s Rudi van Rooyen explains why cloud security is not as straightforward as organisations might assume. The software security landscape is in a constant state of flux. According to research undertaken by Check Point Software Technologies – an AI-powered, cloud-delivered cybersecurity platform provider protecting over 100 000 organisations worldwide – African organisations have been attacked on average 2 508 times a week in the last six months. This compares to 1 379 per organisation globally. Some 70% of malicious files impacting African organisations were delivered via e-mail in the last 30 days, while the most common vulnerability exploit type is “information disclosure”, impacting 75% of organisations. The race is therefore on between threat actors looking to exploit organisations and cybersecurity experts who protect sensitive organisational data. In this episode of TCS+, Rudi van Rooyen, security engineer at Check Point Software Africa, offers a deep dive into the ins and outs of software system security for organisations of any size. Van Rooyen unpacks: • Why cloud migration is not a cure-all for software security issues in an organisation, and how security in a cloud setting should be approached. • How Check Point manages to maintain a prevention-first approach to cybersecurity despite new types of attacks being developed daily. • How AI is helping the chief information security officer cope with skills shortages and overwork by simplifying security operations. • How Check Point’s virtual CISO function assists security leads in addressing their cybersecurity concerns. • Insights into how much cybercrime impacts the South African economy. • What Check Point recommends organisations do to better protect themselves against cybercriminals. Insightful, important and sometimes technical, this discussion is critical for any information security expert or business owner looking to better protect their enterprise against cyber threats. * This promoted content was paid for by the party concerned TechCentral…
1 TCS | MultiChoice declares war on piracy - the man leading the fight 30:40
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30:40MultiChoice Group has been involved in two major enforcement actions against piracy kingpins in as many weeks. Frikkie Jonker, of MultiChoice subsidiary Irdeto, is the man leading the charge against these pirate operations, and he tells the TechCentral Show (TCS) that, despite recent arrests, the broadcaster’s war on streaming piracy is just getting started. More arrests and other enforcement actions are on the cards. On 5 June, MultiChoice revealed it had succeeding in nailing the streaming piracy platform Waka TV in an operation that involved Western Cape police investigators. It described the dismantling of Waka TV as “a significant victory in the fight against internet streaming piracy”. The broadcaster said it was involved in a “meticulously planned raid” on 31 May, which led to the arrest of a “key suspect involved in one of the most extensive pirate operations in Africa”. A day later, on 6 June, the broadcaster announced that through Irdeto – and working with law enforcement agencies – it had acted against another pirate streaming operation, this one in Gauteng, where a suspect was arrested for the “illegal sale of internet streaming pirate devices that allowed individuals to access MultiChoice content”. Jonker, who is antipiracy director in broadcasting and cybersecurity at Irdeto, takes TechCentral’s audience into some detail about the two law enforcement operations and what transpired. And he explains why MultiChoice is stepping up its battle against content thieves and pirate streaming operations in South Africa and the rest of the African continent. In the interview, Jonker unpacks: • How serious content piracy has become on the continent; • Why it’s often associated with organised criminal syndicates, and why consumers are putting themselves at risk by signing up to pirate streaming platforms as well as encouraging further criminal activity; • Why MultiChoice is now warning that, in addition to targeting the pirate platform operators, it may go after consumers who sign up to these platforms, too; and • How the broadcaster is working with law enforcement authorities. Don’t miss a fascinating conversation. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | From gen AI to deepfakes – the latest infosec threats 18:34
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18:34Twice yearly, ESET publishes its Threat Report in which it unpacks the latest trends and developments in the world of information security. Adrian Stanford, group chief technology officer at ESET Southern Africa, is our guest in the latest episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, and he provides a succinct overview of the key trends identified in the latest ESET Threat Report, for the first half of 2024. Stanford provides a brief overview of the findings before delving into: • The threat posed by generative AI, including how bad actors are using the technology to break into systems and target victims; • The rise of deepfakes and the threat they pose, particularly in mobile; • The threat posed to Linux-based systems – and why there’s a misconception that malware doesn’t target Linux (or macOS); and • The latest on plug-in malware impacting WordPress-based websites. Don’t miss this informative discussion about the evolving world of cyberthreats and how they could impact you and your business. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Bruce Mellado on the tech-led fight against air pollution in South Africa 35:03
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35:03South African scientists have launched a cost-effective air-quality monitoring system built using internet of things and artificial intelligence technologies. Bruce Mellado, professor of particle physics and director of the Institute for Collider Particle Physics at Wits University, is one of the key people behind the new initiative, which is aimed at improving air quality in South Africa and eventually other markets around the world. He recently joined Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show to discuss the project. Mellado, who also director at the iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences – a unit of South Africa’s National Research Foundation – takes TechCentral through the devices, how they were built and how they’re being deployed in South Africa to detect reportable problems with air quality. “We decided to create, for the first time in South Africa, a cost-effective air-quality monitoring system based on sensors, IoT and AI. We have named this system Ai_r.,” Mellado wrote in a recent article for The Conversation and published on TechCentral. “Our team of 25 people includes more than 20 years of experience as particle physicists in working with sensors, communications and AI,” he wrote. “There are only 130 big air-quality measuring stations in South Africa. They only measure the air quality in the vicinity of the station. This is why we need cost-effective, dense networks made up of Ai_r systems set up all around these stations, to measure air quality in a much wider area. Our vision is to place tens of thousands of these devices all over South Africa.” In this episode of TCS, Mellado chats about: • The latest developments in particle physics, some of the work he is involved in and how a particle physicist got involved in an air-quality monitoring project; • Where the idea for the Ai_r device came from, its development and how it works; • The role of IoT and AI in the device, and why the development team made the technology choices it did; • The data that’s been collected so far, and what it can be used for; • How much the solution costs, and how you can buy one to monitor your air quality at home. Don’t miss a great conversation! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Rebooting Cell C: Jorge Mendes sets out his strategic plan 56:45
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56:45Jorge Mendes has been in the hot seat at Cell C for just over a year, and the turnaround at the long-troubled mobile operator is starting to gain traction. In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Mendes sits down with TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod for a detailed interview in which he provides an update on what’s happened in the past year at Cell C, paints of a picture of the state of the business today, and sets out what comes next for the mobile operator. To signal the management team’s intentions, and to declare the business is on a new strategic footing and is in the market for the long term, Cell C recently refreshed its brand identity and signalled its intention to take back market share from its bigger rivals. In this episode of TCS, Mendes tackles a range of questions, including: • Why he left what seemed to be a plum job at Vodacom to take on the difficult challenge of turning around Cell C; • What went through his mind in the first few days on the job; • Cell C’s plan to recapture the title of third largest mobile operator from Telkom – and to take the fight to MTN and Vodacom; • Why Cell C has struggled to compete, how it accumulated huge amounts of debt and why the new strategy is its best but last chance of success; • The state of Cell C’s finances – and especially its balance sheet – following the recent recapitalisation led by its largest shareholder, Blue Label Telecoms; • His relationship with Blue Label founders and co-CEOs Brett Levy and Mark Levy; • The role of regulatory support, especially in call termination; • Why Cell C handed back the spectrum it secured in the 2022 spectrum auction, and its plans for participation in future auctions; • The role of mobile virtual network operators and wholesale services in Cell C’s recovery plan; and • Cell C’s strategy to capture more of the lucrative contract market. There’s plenty more in the interview with Mendes – don’t miss the conversation! TechCentral…
1 Meet the CIO | Investec's Shabhana Thaver: 'It's not just about the tech' 56:39
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56:39Meet the CIO is presented by Wipro. --- There is much more to being a chief information officer than being an advocate of the latest technology. In fact, articulating a vision, and architecting it, is critical. That’s according to Shabhana Thaver, CIO at Investec Specialist Bank, who is the guest in the hot seat in episode 2 of TechCentral’s new interview series, Meet the CIO, which is presented by Wipro. According to Thaver, technology is changing banking and many other industries in fundamental ways, and CIOs need to play a big role in providing an holistic view to the rest of the C-suite of what those changes mean for their company and for their industry. “You have to be a risk officer, you have to be a compliance officer, you have to be a CIO, you have to understand the commercials and the revenue side of things… I'm a technologist, I love the fancy new stuff and dabbling and playing with it, but being in in a bank, which is systemic, you have to consider the impact of what you are doing, not just the change and the benefit.” In the interview, Thaver discusses: • Her career background in software development, and what led her to Johannesburg from Durban, her hometown, and then to Investec; • Her career at Investec, leading to her appointment as CIO; • The role of the CIO in a modern bank like Investec, and how the role of an IT leader differs in a bank compared to other industries; • What makes a good CIO – and the role the CIO should play in helping establish organisational strategy; • The big IT projects she is leading at Investec and the impact these will have on the bank; • Investec’s technology stack and how it compares to other banks in South Africa; • The likely impact of artificial intelligence – including generative AI – on Investec and its clients, including a look at how the bank is approaching AI; • How AI will impact the banking industry – as well as what it means for productivity and jobs; and • How else technology is changing the banking industry Don’t miss a fascinating interview. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Dominic Cull on why 'Fair Share' is a non-starter in South Africa 26:45
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26:45The big mobile network operators in South Africa “have never shown a willingness to … accommodate smaller players”, so the notion that they should be entitled to “Fair Share” is “difficult to swallow for smaller operators who have been at the end of their [unfair] business practices”. That’s the view of Dominic Cull, a leading specialist South African ICT lawyer and regulatory adviser to the Internet Service Providers’ Association (Ispa), who was speaking to the TechCentral Show (TCS) in an interview (published below). Cull’s criticism of Fair Share – at least in the form being advanced by the large telecoms operators – comes as the Association of Comms & Technology (ACT), a lobby group that represents the country’s largest telecoms providers, agitates for its adoption by policymakers in South Africa. Fair Share is an idea that has gained traction among operators in Europe, where margins have been pressured in a competitive market. They argue that so-called OTT – “over the top” – companies, which include streaming video providers such as Netflix, Disney+ and TikTok, should contribute a “fair share” to the development of broadband infrastructure. Critics have said this is simply a move by infrastructure providers, which have experienced margin compression with the move from voice to data services, to try to claw back lost profits. Speaking at last month’s Datacentrix Showcase 2024 event in Sandton, ICT industry stalwart Andile Ngcaba – who founded Convergence Partners – said the move by ACT to pressure policymakers and regulators over “Fair Share” is not needed or wanted in the South African context. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” said Ngcaba, who is a previous policymaker in South Africa and who served as director-general of communications in the Nelson Mandela administration. In the interview with TCS, Cull echoed this view and said ACT’s lobbying for Fair Share is partly aimed at “catching the ear” of newly appointed communications minister Solly Malatsi and influencing what is included in forthcoming amendments to legislation that governs the ICT sector in South Africa. In this episode of TCS, Cull chats about: • Whether ACT has a point about Fair Share; • How big content players impact smaller operators and internet service providers, and why the call for Fair Share is coming from the industry’s biggest players; • The investments by the OTT players in both terrestrial and subsea fibre infrastructure, including Google’s investment in the Equiano cable and Meta Platforms’ involvement in 2Africa; • Whether mobile network operators doomed to become low-margin “dumb pipes” like other utility industries. Can they somehow avoid that fate? Don’t miss the discussion, and if you enjoyed it, check out our December 2023 interview with Dominic Cull on Starlink in South Africa. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Robert Jorge lifts the lid on Openserve’s network 36:47
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36:47What does it take to build and maintain South Africa’s largest wholesale telecommunications network? Robert Jorge, chief network officer at Openserve, unpacks what is involved in this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+. In the latest in a five-part series of interviews with Openserve executives – you can find the other episodes in the series here – Jorge shares what is involved in building a modern telecoms network and how the company makes the technology decisions it does. Jorge unpacks: • What sets the Openserve network apart from other networks in South Africa; • What the network looks like – from fibre to the home to national backhaul routes to international subsea cables; • How Openserve’s network teams measure success – including a look at how the company measures reliability and how it achieves high availability through network design principles; • The project to remove legacy copper infrastructure – which is outdated, expensive and prone to theft – from the Openserve network; • The impact of load shedding and load reduction on the company’s infrastructure, and what it has done to cope with unreliable electricity supply; and • What advances in technology mean for the future of the Openserve network – and what this means for businesses and consumers. It is a fascinating discussion – do not miss it! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | How Betway parent Super Group profits from Workday 28:49
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28:49Super Group, the New York-listed parent of Betway and other online betting brands, has achieved significant gains in efficiency and productivity through its partnership with Workday, the cloud-based enterprise software company. The company has deployed Workday’s software, and Neil Greybe, its human resources information systems manager, tells TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show about how it has derived significant value from the investment – including in improved consistency, simplification, integration, prioritisation and change management. Greybe is joined on this episode of TCS+ by Workday South Africa MD Kiv Moodley, who expands on the relationship between the two companies. In the discussion, the two chat about: • Greybe’s role at Super Group and the company’s focus areas; • Workday’s presence in South Africa and its strategic priorities for this market; • The vision and strategy for Workday, and how that ties in with the Changemakers theme of this series of TCS+ interviews with Workday and its clients; • Greybe’s top priorities in his role at Super Group, and how these tie in with the role technology can play in supporting and growing the business; • Super Group’s relationship with Workday and how the company uses the software in its day-to-day operations; • The value that Super Group has derived from its investment in Workday; and • Workday’s role as a “trusted adviser” to its clients, including Super Group. Don’t miss a great discussion! TechCentral…
Former Britehouse CEO Scott Gibson was recently appointed as chief executive of enterprise asset management company Pragma. He is the guest in this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS). Gibson, who also previously headed Dimension Data’s (now NTT Data’s) global digital practice, tells TCS about his appointment and why he decided to join Pragma, which develops a software platform in South Africa that it exports to companies around the world. Gibson plans to step up that internationalisation effort as CEO. “Pragma’s software competes comfortably with the world’s top brands, such as SAP, Maximo and IFS Ultimo. I plan to use my experience growing software businesses to help Pragma achieve its international expansion goals,” he says. Co-founder and outgoing CEO Adriaan Scheeres, who led Pragma for 34 years, will remain a shareholder and member of the board. In the interview, Gibson chats about: • Pragma’s history and what it does; • The size of the business, and the opportunities he sees abroad for the company; • Its clients; • The trends in the enterprise software market; and • The application of artificial intelligence. Don’t miss the conversation! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | The past, present and future of Openserve, with CEO Althon Beukes 37:11
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37:11Openserve, South Africa’s biggest telecommunications infrastructure provider, has been through enormous changes in the nine years since it became a separate brand and a subsidiary of the Telkom Group in 2015. In the latest podcast in a five-part series of interviews with Openserve executives, the company’s CEO, Althon Beukes, tells TechCentral’s TCS+ about these changes and what they have meant for the company and the broader market, including its internet service provider partners. Beukes provides an overview of these changes, including the recent spinoff of Openserve into a separate subsidiary within Telkom. In the interview, Beukes reflects on: • The changing dynamics of the telecoms infrastructure market in South Africa; • Why there’s been a slowdown in the roll-out of fibre-optic networks; • How Openserve is performing considering the broader market context; • How load shedding and load reduction have impacted Openserve, and the investments it has made to overcome the challenge; • The shift away from legacy copper technologies and the big growth in next-generation services, and what’s driving that demand; • The potential for industry consolidation – and why much depends on the outcome of the ongoing Competition Tribunal investigation into Vodacom’s acquisition of up to a 40% stake in Vumatel parent company Maziv; • What Openserve would like to see flowing from the Competition Tribunal process; and • Openserve’s future plans, including where it’s headed in the coming years. Do not miss a fascinating discussion – and the rest of the interviews in the series. TechCentral…
1 TCS | ESP's Herman Maritz on Eskom's miraculous turnaround 28:32
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28:32Herman Maritz, one half of the pair that developed the ESP load shedding app (formerly known as EskomSePush), is grateful that Eskom may finally have load shedding licked – even if that means fewer people are using the app. Maritz, who returns to the TechCentral Show (TCS) – he was last a guest in 2021 – reflects on the past four-and-a-half months without load shedding, and what that’s meant for ESP – apart from giving himself and his business partner, Dan Southwood-Wells, to focus on other projects. In this episode of TCS, Maritz unpacks the impact of the suspension of load shedding, what that’s meant for advertising and subscriptions on the platform, and what’s next for ESP. He also chats about: • How ESP is helping communities with load reduction; • How they’re using generative artificial intelligence in the app; and • The opportunities to launch the software in new markets. Lastly, he reveals a few interesting statistics about ESP, including the number of times the app has been downloaded (it’s a staggering number). TechCentral…
Openserve chief digital and strategy officer Pushkar Gokhale is TechCentral’s guest in this episode of the TCS+ business technology show, where he unpacks the role of digital services on the Telkom subsidiary’s growth ambitions. Gokhale, who has worked for various telecommunications operators around the world, came to South Africa more than a decade ago and liked the country so much he decided to make it his home. In this interview – which forms part of a series of TCS+ interviews with Openserve executives – Pushkar chats about: • His career history, and what brought him to South Africa – and to Telkom and Openserve; • The highlights of his career so far, and why he is passionate about telecoms and the opportunities around digital services; • His role at Openserve and what his daily work entails; • How digital services, including Openserve’s new consumer app, are playing a role in the company’s core business as a wholesaler of infrastructure services; • The digital transformation of Openserve’s operations – what was involved and how it is changing the way it does business; and • How Openserve works with partners, both locally and globally. Don’t miss an insightful interview about one of South Africa’s most important infrastructure providers. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Angus Hay on Africa Data Centres' big Samrand expansion 32:10
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32:10In this episode of TechCentral’s business technology show TCS+, Africa Data Centres regional executive for South Africa Angus Hay discusses the significant upgrades taking place at the company’s Samrand facility in Gauteng. Africa Data Centres is in the midst of a major upgrade cycle at the facility known as JHB 2. The colocation facility, which is one of the few tier-4 data centres in Africa, was originally designed to handle 10MW of IT load. When the upgrades are completed in 2025, the facility will house an additional 20MW. VIDEO In this informative discussion, Hay delves into: - The drivers behind the upgrades at Samrand and how “hyperscalers” will benefit from them; - The security standards at the facility and the implications for highly sensitive clients such as the financial sector; - The energy redundancies that ensure continuous operations at the facility, even in the event of grid collapse; - Innovations Africa Data Centres uses to manage the efficient use of energy at the facility; and - Initiatives to minimise Africa Data Centres’ carbon footprint by investing in renewable energy sources. Don’t miss this lively discussion in which Hay provides a behind-the-scenes peek into the inner workings of state-of-the-art data centres, the powerhouses of the modern internet. TechCentral…
In this first in a series of interviews with Openserve executives, TechCentral’s TCS+ speaks to the company’s chief commercial officer, Phila Dube, about its business model, how it works with partners and why it has embraced the concept of “open access”. Openserve, which is a subsidiary of the Telkom Group, is South Africa’s biggest telecommunications infrastructure provider with more than 170 000km of national fibre footprint and fibre broadband connections into homes in all provinces across South Africa. In this episode of TCS+, Dube unpacks: • His role in Openserve, where he oversees the company’s market-facing activities such as business development, product lifecycle management, commercial economics, operations, and marketing and communications; • The changes that Openserve has been through in the past 10 years, and what these mean for the market, including the company’s internet service provider partners; • All the markets that the company is involved in, from home and business broadband to national long-distance links and subsea cables; • The advantages and challenges associated with Openserve’s chosen go-to-market model of B2B2C, or business-to-business-to-consumer; • Openserve’s plans to further expand and commercialise its network assets; and • Why the company became a champion of the open-access model. Don’t miss this opening interview in a fascinating series about one of South Africa’s most important infrastructure operators. TechCentral…
1 Meet the CIO | TymeBank’s Bruce Paveley on building a digital bank 37:31
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37:31Meet the CIO is presented by Wipro. -- Bruce Paveley says that when he moved from a senior IT role at Standard Bank in 2017 to the then-nascent start-up digital bank TymeBank, it was “a really big shock”. “You go from five buildings in the middle of Joburg, multiple floors, to an office in Rosebank that’s two floors, and that’s the bank, and you think, ‘Wow, is this really a bank? Can it work like this?” That was before TymeBank had launched its first commercial services, and long before it would go on to become South Africa’s most successful digital banking start-up with nearly 10 million customers and R6-billion in deposits and R3-billion in loans. Paveley’s love for computers started when his dad bought him a Sinclair ZX81 in the early 1980s when he was a youngster growing up in the small north coast town of Empangeni. Today, as chief technology officer at Tymebank, Paveley is leading a team that’s building the technology underpinnings (cloud-based, of course) of a modern digital bank. And it’s a fascinating story about using technology to challenge established industry incumbents. In this first episode of TechCentral’s new podcast series, Meet the CIO (presented by Wipro), Paveley chats to Duncan McLeod about what was involved in launching TymeBank from a technology perspective, the strategic choices it made and why, and what comes next in the bank’s journey. Paveley tells Meet the CIO about: • His upbringing in Empangeni and how he ended up pursuing a career in IT • The mainframe era, and his experience as a Cobol programmer • His IT career at Standard Bank, including his involvement in the bank’s big SAP project • Why he joined TymeBank • What was involved in building the new bank, and the role that technology played • TymeBank’s technology stack, and why the bank migrated from an on-premises solution to the cloud – and why it made the technology choices it did • Tyme Group’s internationalisation plans, and how technology is underpinning that expansion • How he works with the rest of the bank’s management team, and where technology fits into strategic decision-making • TymeBank’s approach to cybersecurity • What keeps him awake at night • And much, much more Meet the CIO is a new podcast series produced and published by TechCentral and published monthly. We talk to IT leaders across South Africa about the role of technology in their organisations. Don’t miss an episode by subscribing to TechCentral at youtube.com/techcentral. TechCentral…
1 TCS | The Ronnie Apteker interview - his life in Ukraine 1:19:47
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1:19:47The 24th of February 2022 is a day Ronnie Apteker – and millions of his countrymen in his adopted home of Ukraine – will never forget. Apteker woke up early that morning – as millions of others did – to the sound of bombs and missiles raining down. After months of military build-up along Ukraine’s eastern flank, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had ordered a full-scale invasion. In this special edition of the TechCentral Show, we chat to Apteker – a pioneer in South Africa’s internet industry – about his life in Ukraine amid the ongoing war. Apteker has a storied career as co-founder of Internet Solutions, one of South Africa’s first and most successful internet service providers. He is also well known as a producer and promoter of movies, including Material and Beyond the River. In 2015 Apteker bought an apartment in Kyiv and started a new life in the city, attracted by the country’s diverse tech scene and its incredibly beauty. He had established a new and promising life for himself in Ukraine – he married a local woman, Marta, with whom he has a young boy (affectionately called “the Bunster”). Both Marta and the Bunster are now refugees from the war, living in Poland. Never in a million years did Apteker expect he would be caught up in a major conflict, never mind the biggest land war in Europe since World War 2. Today his life involves moving between Poland and Kyiv, where he has friends as well as business interests in the tech sector which he continues to nurture despite the chaos caused by Putin’s aggression. In this sometimes emotionally raw interview, Apteker tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about why he left South Africa to go and live in Ukraine, how the war started (he woke up early one morning to missiles raining down on Kyiv), what it’s like to live in a warzone, and how he’s coping with the daily hardships caused by the conflict. Apteker, who is known for his wicked sense of humour – in a previous life he was even briefly a stand-up comedian – admits it’s been exceptionally difficult to stay positive about the future, but that he’s managed to keep going even us Putin’s war machine grinds on. In the interview, Apteker chats about his daily life now and what it entails; the US election, and why Ukrainians fear another Donald Trump presidency; the new documentary film about the war that he’s been working on; his passion for moviemaking; and why love is the most important thing in the world. Don’t miss the interview. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | ESET’s Adrian Stanford: how AI will transform cybersecurity 44:58
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44:58Artificial intelligence technologies will be used by both threat actors and those fighting cybercrime, and will bring about fundamental changes in the information security industry. This is the view of Adrian Stanford, group chief technology officer at ESET Southern Africa, who was speaking to TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show this week. Stanford, who is immersed in the world of infosec, unpacks how cyberattackers are using – and will expand their use of – generative AI tools to achieve their nefarious objectives, and how cybersecurity professionals can utilise the same technologies to fight back and improve defences. He unpacks: • The key trends shaping the infosec landscape in 2024, including supply-chain attacks, deepfakes and nation state involvement; • How AI factors into cybersecurity, including what threat actors are doing with the technology, and how AI will help companies like ESET fight the scourge of cybercrime; • How future developments in AI will impact the infosec field, both good and bad; and • The role of ESET in protecting internet users from harm as the AI arms race hots up. Don’t miss this important discussion on a critically important topic to all organisations – big and small – in 2024. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Pinnacle CEO on how AI is going to transform SA business 35:22
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35:22Pinnacle CEO Tim Humphreys-Davies and his management team are early adopters in South Africa of generative AI tools in the workplace. He joins TechCentral’s TCS+ to talk about the experience, and the impact the technology is likely to have on business operations. Pinnacle, which is one of South Africa’s top ICT distributors, is testing the technology with the aim of assisting its channel partners with the shift to AI tools and deploying these in end-user organisations. Humphreys-Davies explains what Pinnacle’s experience of generative AI has been to date, and he shares his views on the likely impact on productivity of deploying the technology. In the discussion, he unpacks: • Pinnacle’s objectives in using generative AI internally; • The company’s learnings so far; • The challenges encountered; and • The impediments to deploying the technology effectively, including data availability issues, the skills gap, and the risk and complexity involved. He also discusses Pinnacle’s exclusive distribution agreement with Nvidia – whose chips are fuelling the generative AI boom – and the industries which he believes will be impacted by AI to the greatest degree. Lastly, Humphreys-Davies explores where the technology might be going, and how he sees Pinnacle using it in the years ahead. TechCentral…
1 TCS Legends | Mark Todes: technologist and monopoly slayer 1:12:00
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1:12:00Mark Todes has a fascinating story to tell. The South African technologist and entrepreneur is TechCentral’s guest in the final episode of season 1 of the popular TCS Legends podcast. Todes, who is perhaps best known for helping fight Telkom’s attempts in the 1990s to extend its telecommunications monopoly to the internet, has a storied career that began in the mid-1970s in the pre-PC era of mainframes and minicomputers. In this episode of TCS Legends, Todes tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the founding of Compustat with his long-time business partner Mendel Karpul and how they went on to develop a word processor called GhostWriter (the name of which Microsoft later tried to wrestle away from them). In the show, Todes chats about: • How he and Karpul got their start selling a bureau-based accounting solution for pharmacies – and how they got their first big break. The solution was developed in Fortran using punch cards and ran on a minicomputer from Digital Equipment Corporation; • Their development of Survey 2000, a cadastral land surveying system – their first product for personal computers (developed by Hewlett-Packard, prior to the launch of the original IBM PC); • The development of GhostWriter, which became an early DOS-based competitor to the likes of MultiMate, WordStar and WordPerfect. • The launch of Internet Africa, a pioneering South African internet service provider that was later sold to Datatec (and later to Naspers); • The early days of the internet industry in South Africa, the formation of the Internet Service Providers’ Association and the existential fight with Telkom over whether the telecommunications operator’s government-sanctioned monopoly included the provision of internet services; • Working with Naspers, Mweb and the late Antonie Roux; • The launch of Korbitec (and its later sale to Naspers); and • How he and Karpul became early pioneers in the CD-ROM business. There’s much more than this to Todes’s story, making him one of the true legends of South Africa’s technology industry. Don’t miss this concluding episode of season 1 of TCS Legends. The series will return for season 2 in 2025. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Workday and Altron on leadership, and driving meaningful change 33:08
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33:08In the latest episode of Workday’s Changemakers series with TechCentral, we speak to Altron Group chief operating officer Collin Govender and Workday South Africa MD Kiv Moodley about leadership and the role of technology in modern organisations. Govender kicks off the conversation by sharing his views on the significant changes that Altron has been through in recent years. He also unpacks his new role in the organisation, and what his day-to-day role entails now. The two men then discuss their working relationship, including Altron’s use of Workday’s software and what this has allowed the JSE-listed technology firm to achieve through its business transformation. Moodley then unpacks how the role played by Govender at Altron fits into Workday’s philosophy around changemakers in South Africa. Finally, Govender turns to a passion of his, and a topic he has spoken to TechCentral about on previous occasions, namely leadership and its role not only in the success of companies but also of countries. He speaks to how technology can play a role in driving meaningful organisational change. Don’t miss a great discussion! TechCentral…
Old Mutual IT executive for employee and workplace enablement Nomsa Lewisa is the guest in this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology podcast. In the show, Lewisa – who is joined later in the discussion by Workday South Africa MD Kiv Moodley – unpacks Old Mutual’s strategic priorities and how technology is helping the company achieve its business objectives. The podcast, the latest in a series by Workday grouped under the theme of “change makers”, explores how Old Mutual is using technology – including Workday solutions – to improve its human capital management systems. In the interview, Lewisa discusses: • Her role at Old Mutual and what it entails; • The evolution of this role in the last few years, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the work-from-home mandates and the emerging world of hybrid work; • The future of work, and how it is influencing Old Mutual’s strategy around its people and their development; • The projects that are a top priority for Old Mutual; • The strategic relationship between Old Mutual and Workday and what it entails; and • What deploying Workday solutions has allowed Old Mutual to do better, including attracting and retaining scarce skills. Moodley then joins the conversation, sharing insight into Workday, the history of the company’s relationship with Old Mutual, and the impact of technology on human resources and financial leaders in South Africa. TechCentral…
1 TCS Legends | Joan Joffe on building Joffe Associates - and Vodacom 57:09
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57:09Joan Joffe, the founder of Joffe Associates who would later play a pivotal role in the launch of South Africa’s mobile industry, began her IT career writing machine code on an ICL (then ICT) mainframe. Joffe, who introduced the IBM PC to South Africa in the early 1980s (much to IBM South Africa’s chagrin), has a storied career going all the way back to the late 1950s. Indeed, one of the first projects in which she was involved was developing the very first computerised payroll system for the SA Railways (now Transnet). In this latest episode of the popular TCS Legends interview series, Joffe tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about her early career, what led to her striking out on her own with Joffe Associates, and how she eventually became marketing director for Vodacom during its start-up years. What many people might not know about Joffe is that she even had a stint as a technology journalist at one point in her career, writing a column for FinanceWeek, a now-defunct business magazine. In this episode of TCS Legends, Joffe chats about: • Her studies at Wits University; • Her early programming career; • Her time in the US, where she worked for Wells Fargo Bank and Standard Oil; • Her time as a saleswoman for HP selling pocket calculators and how that led to her securing an HP dealership and the formation of Joffe Associates; • The launch by Joffe Associates of the IBM PC in South Africa and Joffe’s clashes with local IBM management at the time; • The sale of Joffe Associates to Datakor, and why it was a disaster; • The Vodacom opportunity and what was involved in lauching South Africa’s first mobile operator; • The battle over Vodacom’s advertising agencies; • Working with Vodacom’s founding CEO, Alan Knott-Craig; • Meeting Nelson Mandela; • The early skirmishes with MTN; and • The launch of the Vodacom Foundation. Joffe, who succeeded in a male-dominated industry, went on to become a founding member of Nozala Investments. She has also served on the boards of various organisations, including the CSIR, Datacentrix and a number of non-profit organisations. Among other accolades and awards, she is a recipient of the Wits University Lifetime Award for Entrepreneurship. Don’t miss this fascinating interview with a pioneering woman in South Africa’s IT industry – and a true legend of the sector. *** TCS Legends is powered by Mitel. For all your Unified Communications and Customer Experience needs, visit Mitel.com. *** TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | InterSystems on the role of technology in SA’s healthcare industry 55:57
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55:57The healthcare industry in South Africa is in a state of flux, not least because of the introduction of the much-derided national health insurance (NHI) law. Technology can, however, play a big role in helping address the myriad complex issues facing the sector. That’s the view of Henry Adams, country manager at InterSystems South Africa and an expert on the healthcare industry, who was speaking recently in an interview with TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology talk show. Watch or listen to the episode below. In the episode, Adams succinctly unpacks: • The role played by InterSystems in the local healthcare industry, including the company’s background and focus areas; • The lack of integration of healthcare systems in South Africa, the role of electronic medical records, and why no national health insurance scheme can possibly work without addressing interoperability; • What impact the NHI will have on the sector; • The role of electronic medical records and why they are key to any reform of South Africa’s healthcare industry – plus, what’s the best way of protecting these records and ensuring compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act; • What a fully integrated system for healthcare providers and their patients might look like and what it would take to build it; • The guidelines and legislative support needed to bridge the gap between government and the healthcare industry; and • The role InterSystems believes it can play in helping address some of the challenges facing South Africa’s healthcare industry. Visit InterSystems South Africa’s website for more information – and be sure not to miss a fascinating discussion that affects all South Africans. TechCentral…
A strong and reliable Wi-Fi network is no longer a perk but a fundamental necessity. Just like access to good coffee and comfortable chairs, businesses are expected to provide a seamless Wi-Fi experience for employees, guests and tenants. A frustratingly slow or spotty connection can bring your entire operation to a crawl, hindering productivity and damaging your reputation. Wi-Fi experts at Vox Vox understands the critical role Wi-Fi plays in a successful business and how its Wi-Fi offering can be a major differentiator. The guest today in this episode of TCS+ is Craig Blignaut, product manager for Wi-Fi at Vox. Blignaut brings a wealth of knowledge about the needs of businesses and the technology that keeps them connected. Planning for success: proactive Wi-Fi solutions Blignaut discussed the importance of having a well-defined Wi-Fi strategy from the very beginning: proper planning prevents problems later. Vox takes a proactive approach by using specialised software to create virtual models of your office space. This software considers building materials like brick, glass and metal, allowing it to predict how Wi-Fi signals will travel and where obstacles might cause issues. This virtual planning isn’t just about signal strength; it also helps determine the best placement for access points and switches, as well as how to route cables in the most efficient way. It even considers factors like employee traffic patterns to optimise network performance and capacity in areas where it’s needed most. Just like any other piece of equipment, Wi-Fi needs regular check-ups to ensure optimal performance. Vox offers a comprehensive Wi-Fi audit service that includes both on-site and remote testing. This ensures your access points are delivering the data, bandwidth and capacity you need to function smoothly. The audit also considers factors that can fluctuate over time, such as the number of users on the network, peak usage times, and even changes to your building’s structure or materials. Staying secure Security is another crucial aspect of any Wi-Fi network. Outdated systems are vulnerable to breaches, leaving your business data and your users’ information at risk. As Wi-Fi technology improves, so, too, should your security protocols. Vox recommends using strong encryption like WPA3 to keep your network safe from unauthorised access and data loss. Managed Wi-Fi solutions: the power of remote support In addition to supplying enterprise-grade equipment, Vox offers a managed Wi-Fi solution that provides off-site management and remote support. This means you have a team of experts behind the scenes, constantly monitoring your network and proactively addressing any issues that may arise. Vox’s AI-powered software can even anticipate and troubleshoot potential problems before they occur, preventing disruptions before they start. The bottom line Don’t settle for a sluggish, unreliable Wi-Fi network. A poor connection can frustrate employees and guests alike, hindering productivity and creating a negative impression of your business. A Vox Wi-Fi audit can identify areas for improvement and ensure you’re getting the most out of your network. Imagine a world where your employees can download large files, stream video conferences and access cloud-based applications without a hitch. Ready to upgrade your Wi-Fi experience? Contact Craig Blignaut at Vox or your Vox account manager to discuss your options and take your business Wi-Fi to the next level. • Visit www.vox.co.za or e-mail info@vox.co.za • Book a Wi-Fi survey or audit • Guest Wi-Fi solutions from Vox This promoted content was paid for by the party concerned TechCentral…
1 TCS Legends | Ivan Epstein on building and selling Softline 46:55
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46:55Softline co-founder and former CEO Ivan Epstein is TechCentral’s guest in the latest episode of TCS Legends. Epstein, who co-founded Softline in 1988 with Alan Osrin, chats to host Duarte da Silva – who also happens to have been the first guest on TCS Legends – about the early days of Softline, its listing on the JSE and its eventual sale to Sage. It was a heady time in South Africa’s nascent IT sector, and Epstein relates interesting titbits from that time, including what was involved in the JSE listing and the eventual sale to Sage. It’s a fascinating story, not only about a successful South African business, but also the people behind it. TCS Legends is powered by Mitel. For all your Unified Communications and Customer Experience needs, visit Mitel.com. TechCentral…
1 TCS | MTN's Bradwin Roper on PayShap - and the future of mobile money 37:44
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37:44MTN South Africa last week announced that PayShap, South Africa’s rapid payments platform, is being integrated into its Mobile Money (MoMo) platform. Bradwin Roper, chief financial services officer at MTN South Africa, is the guest in the latest episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS). He unpacks the PayShap development and what it means, and explores MTN’s fintech strategy and the future of mobile money in South Africa. In this episode of TCS, Roper chats about: * The significance of MTN becoming the first non-banking platform to offer access to PayShap; * Why and how it’s working with Investec and technical service provider Electrum to deploy the solution; * What MTN customers will be able to do with PayShap; * The growth of mobile money in South Africa, and the work that MTN is doing to grow the ecosystem; and * Lessons South Africa can draw from other emerging markets, notably India and Brazil, in mobile money and rapid payments. Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
David Frankel played a pioneering role in the commercial development of the internet in South Africa as co-founder and CEO of Internet Solutions. Since then, he’s gone on to a successful investing career in the US, where he is co-founder and managing partner at Boston- and New York-based Founder Collective, a seed-stage venture capital fund whose successful investments have included Uber Technologies, Brontes (sold to 3M) and PillPack (sold to Amazon). Frankel, widely regarded as one of the most successful entrepreneurs to come out of South Africa’s technology industry, joins TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod on TCS Legends to chat about: • His career, and how the Internet Solutions opportunity came about; • What it was like in the early days of the internet in South Africa; • The fight he led, with Mark Todes, against Telkom’s attempts in the 1990s to monopolise the internet industry – and how the industry won the battle; • The cast of characters at Internet Solutions, including brothers Ronnie and Alon Apteker, that made it a special place to be at the time; • Whether he was really offered the job of CEO of Dimension Data; • His studies at Harvard Business School; • The creation of Founders Collective, and why Boston is a great place for a tech-focused venture capitalist to be; and • His views on South Africa in 2024 and his continued connection to the country. Don’t miss this insightful interview with one of South Africa’s leading entrepreneurs, exploring the role he played in the heady days of the internet in South Africa and what it took to build a successful investment career in the US. We apologise for the audio quality issues in this episode. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Meet the CHIPendales – South Africa’s biohacker duo 44:18
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44:18In this special episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS) – presented by MTN Business – Duncan McLeod chats to two South African biohackers, Daniel de Kock and Jarryd Bekker, about why they have voluntarily installed microchips in their bodies. Respectively the chief technology officer and CEO of Riot Network – the wireless broadband specialist that is building low-cost networks in underserviced areas, including Olievenhoutbosch in Gauteng – they tell TechCentral about why they chose to implant the chips and what they’re used for. The pair, who both profess a desire to receive brain implants from Elon Musk’s Neuralink, explain how they started augmenting their biological bodies with electronics, what’s involved, the information they’re able to glean from the chips, and where the fusion of human biology and electronics is headed over the coming decade. In the interview, Bekker and De Kock unpack how electronic circuitry in the human body can help detect and manage serious health issues, and the impact this could have on fighting disease and prolonging people’s lives. The two discuss a range of issues related to biohacking, including: • What’s involved when it’s time to upgrade the chips; • How one goes about having them installed; • The growing online biohacker community; • Integration with artificial intelligence; and • Much more. Don’t miss this offbeat but fascinating discussion! TechCentral…
From the internet of things (IoT) to private 5G networks, MTN Group has a lot to offer public sector organisations, according to David Behr, CEO of MTN Converged Solutions. Behr, a stalwart of the local ICT industry and a recent recruit to MTN, tells TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show about the solutions that MTN Business offers its government clients, including smart government solutions, IoT (for example, for smart metering) and private 5G (which has strong applications in areas such as healthcare and education). Although some government processes have been automated successfully and improved using technology, many areas of the public sector are still quite manual and paper-based, and modern technologies offer an opportunity to reduce administrative overheads and improve service quality for South African citizens, Behr explains in the interview. In this episode of TCS+, Behr unpacks: • The state of spending on ICT solutions in South Africa’s public sector, and where spending should be directed; • What further role technology can play in improving government’s work and the effective management of government services; • The role of private 5G networks in the public sector; • The state of cybersecurity in government and what more can be done to protect public sector systems from attack; and • The public sector opportunity in the rest of Africa. If you work in the public sector, be sure not to miss this important conversation. TechCentral…
1 TCS Legends | South African internet pioneer Mike Lawrie 1:27:45
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1:27:45TechCentral is thrilled to bring you an interview with Mike Lawrie, a pioneering figure at Rhodes University who helped bring e-mail and later the internet to South Africa. In this episode of TCS Legends – the podcast series that features interviews with (and about) some of the leading figures who helped shape South Africa’s technology sector into what it is today – TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod sat down with Lawrie to chat about the ground-breaking work that happened at Rhodes University in the early days of the internet. In this episode, Lawrie shares wonderful anecdotes about that time at Rhodes, and why the Eastern Cape university was able to achieve things its bigger rivals in the cities couldn’t – or wouldn’t – during the height of apartheid. Lawrie remembers many of his colleagues at Rhodes at the time, and the role they played in connecting South African universities to e-mail, and later to the internet. Episodes 1 and 2 of TCS Legends featured well-known investor and businessman Duarte da Silva, who reminisced about some of the business leaders that helped build South Africa’s tech industry. Episode 3, featuring Hein Engelbrecht and Carlos Vizcarra, turned the focus to the late Mustek founder David Kan. TCS Legends is a by-invitation-only, editorially driven tech show that builds on TechCentral’s credible, market-leading podcast productions. TCS Legends is powered by Mitel. For all your unified communications and customer experience needs, visit Mitel.com. TechCentral…
1 TCS | From Namibian start-up to regional powerhouse: the rapid rise of Paratus 32:45
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32:45Paratus Group is rapidly emerging as a major player in the telecommunications industry in Southern Africa. But who’s behind Paratus, and what’s its history? From landing Google’s Equiano subsea cable in Swakopmund and building a new fibre route between South Africa and Namibia – providing a new data corridor between Gauteng and the world – to working with Meta Platforms to wire up Zambia and building expansive satellite ground stations, the Namibian-born group has its eyes firmly set on becoming a significant telecoms player in the region. In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod chats to Paratus Group chief commercial officer Martin Cox about the company’s origins (although founded in Namibia, it cut its teeth in Angola), its current footprint and its future growth plans. Among other topics, Cox discusses: • The impact of the recent subsea cable breaks in West Africa and the role of diverse routes in reducing the impact; • Paratus’s new fibre route from Swakopmund to Johannesburg, which runs through Botswana – its significance and what was involved in its construction; • The group’s footprint in South Africa, including its new satellite ground station in Irene, near Pretoria; and • Paratus’s culture, and why its management team is happiest in “the trenches”; and • Whether a listing for Paratus Group could be on the cards at some point (its Namibian operation is already listed in Windhoek). Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS | The internet revolution happening in Olievenhoutbosch 1:00:51
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1:00:51A dusty township in Gauteng is the site of a South African-developed mesh network that could change everything. Read the full story at https://techcentral.co.za/internet-revolution-in-olievenhoutbosch/241698/ TechCentral
1 TCS Legends | Remembering Mustek founder David Kan 1:20:47
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1:20:47David Kan, the late founder and former CEO of Mustek, is the focus of episode 3 of TechCentral’s new podcast series, TCS Legends – powered by Mitel. In this episode, TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod is joined by Mustek CEO Hein Engelbrecht and Carlos Vizcarra, CEO of CPS Technologies, who was close friends with Kan for decades, for a wide-ranging discussion on the man’s life and achievements. Kan founded Mustek in 1987 as a technology importer and distributor, and the company quickly became known for its locally manufactured line of Mecer PCs. Today it’s one of the country’s biggest technology distributors, and is listed on the JSE. Kan, who passed away in 2022 at just 62, was born in Taipei. He worked various menial jobs in his native Taiwan, including as a dishwasher, truck driver and removal company worker. After matriculating, he left to study mechanical engineering in the US at Pittsburg State University. In 1986, he moved to South Africa where his father was working a Taiwanese diplomat. He worked for a time at a cutlery manufacturing company before attending his first PC expo in Johannesburg. It was there that he met the MD of a Taiwanese company called Mustek Corporation. The MD of that company, Owen Chen, wanted to set up a warehouse in South Africa – Mustek in South Africa was born. He went on to establish one of the first PC assembly lines in South Africa. In this episode of TCS Legends, Engelbrecht – who joined Mustek in 1997 as group fin0ancial manager – and Vizcarra, with whom Kan formed a business relationship in the early days of Mustek, pay tribute to Kan, and share personal anecdotes about the man and his life. Vizcarra discusses the origins of Mustek, the early days of the PC industry and touches on the development of the Springbok, a South African-built clone PC brand that predated Mustek’s Mecer line. In the interview, you’ll hear about: • Mustek’s early days building PCs in Garankuwa and why local assembly made sense in the era of sanctions; • How Kan and Vizcarra became close friends, despite competing with each other in business; • How Engelbrecht met Kan, and his first impressions of the man; • Vizcarra and Engelbrecht’s favourite memories of Kan; • What drove Kan, a foreigner to South Africa, to business success – and how he became to embrace his adopted country; and • What he was like to work for; This episode of TCS Legends includes special bonus content: a full audio interview that TechCentral had with Kan in June 2017. Don’t miss the episode! TCS Legends is powered by Mitel. For all your Unified Communications and Customer Experience needs, visit Mitel.com. TechCentral…
Data and identity governance should be a top-of-mind issue for business leaders in 2024. CYBER1 Solutions MD Jayson O’Reilly and senior cybersecurity architect Christiaan Swanepoel share their insights on this important topic in this episode of TechCentral’s business technology show, TCS+. They kick off the discussion with a definition of the topic, and why it’s critically important that companies get data and identity governance right in a world of significantly heightened cyber risk. It’s by no means a new focus area – indeed, many organisations have been trying to solve this for years, decades even, showing just how difficult it is to get right. O’Reilly and Swanepoel discuss how the threat landscape has evolved over time, and the risks organisations face if they overlook data governance protocols. In this TCS+ episode, they also tackle these key questions: • What are examples of the tangible consequences of disregarding data governance and the direct implications for personal security? • Identity has been a focus for many organisations for the past 10 years or longer, so why does it remain a problem to be solved and what are the roadblocks in getting it done right? • How does the mishandling of personal information compromise privacy? • In what ways do emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things complicate Identity governance efforts. • What is the impact of legislation such as South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act and Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation, and what’s next on the horizon from a regulatory perspective? Don’t miss discussion on a topic of critical importance to modern, data-driven organisations. About CYBER1 Solutions CYBER1 Solutions is a cybersecurity specialist operating in Southern Africa, East and West Africa, Dubai, and Europe. Its solutions deliver information security; IT risk management; fraud detection; governance and compliance; and a full range of managed services. It also provides bespoke security services across the spectrum, with a portfolio that ranges from the formulation of its customers’ security strategies to the daily operation of end-point security solutions. To do this, it partners with world-leading security vendors to deliver cutting-edge technologies augmented by its wide range of professional services. Its services enable organisations in every sector to prevent attacks by providing the visibility into vulnerabilities they need to detect compromises rapidly, respond to breaches and stop attacks before they become an issue. Visit www.c1-s.com for more. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | How Workday solutions are helping supercharge Adcorp 34:10
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34:10Vinolia Singh, chief people officer at JSE-listed workplace solutions provider Adcorp, joins the second episode of a series of interviews about enterprise cloud software provider Workday. In this TCS+ interview, grouped under the theme of “change makers”, Singh is joined by Kiv Moodley, MD of Workday South Africa, to unpack how the nature of work is changing, especially following the end of the Covid pandemic, but also as a new generation –with very different ideas about the nature of work – joins the workforce. In the conversation, Singh unpacks several of the trends impacting the future – and nature – of work, and how these trends are affecting Adcorp, and how her role as chief people officer is evolving. “The world of work has become boundaryless. We have to become more flexible,” she says of employers. “Companies need to become more innovation to acquire the skills they need.” Singh and Moodley tackle key themes around this topic, including: • How technology is enabling Adcorp’s business objectives; • How Workday’s solutions have allowed Adcorp to deal with challenges such as the skills shortage in South Africa; • The reception to these solutions among Adcorp employees; and • How the technology has allowed Adcorp to adapt to a rapidly shifting environment; Don’t miss this insightful interview on the future of work and the role of technology in managing change. TechCentral…
1 TCS Legends | Duarte da Silva on Alan Knott-Craig, Bill Venter, Roux Marnitz and Jens Montanana 1:00:59
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1:00:59Persetel’s Roux Marnitz, Altron’s Bill Venter, Vodacom’s Alan Knott-Craig and Datatec’s Jens Montanana are all undisputed business legends in South Africa’s ICT industry. The four – all now retired except for Datatec CEO Montanana – are the subject of episode 2 of TechCentral’s new fortnightly technology show, TCS Legends. This episode, the second part of an opening double header, features insights from investing legend Duarte da Silva about the four businessmen who had an outsized impact of the technology sector in South Africa. The show, the latest from TechCentral — the home of real technology journalism in South Africa –showcases people who achieved great things in (and for) the local tech sector. In episode 1 of TCS Legends, Da Silva – a well-known industry figure who was once the country’s top IT analyst (at Merrill Lynch) and who founded Macquarie First South – unpacked the Dimension Data story, with a focus on former CEO Jeremy Ord. Find that episode at techcentral.co.za. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Protecting company data, without impacting productivity 46:49
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46:49Protecting sensitive company information through data loss prevention (DLP) tools has become paramount for many organisations. But doing so without impacting employee productivity can be a big challenge. In this episode of TCS+, Next DLP executives Chris Denbigh-White (chief security officer) and Fallon Steyn (regional sales manager, South Africa) are joined by their customer, LRMG, to discuss this crucial topic in greater detail. LRMG’s information security officer, Nadia Veeran-Patel, unpacks how the company has used Next DLP’s technology to secure its data while ensuring workflows aren’t impacted and productivity isn’t affected. In the episode, Veeran-Patel kicks off the discussion with an overview of LRMG’s areas of focus and why they decided to engage the services of Next DLP. Denbigh-White and Steyn discuss the critical challenge of how best to harmonise user-satisfaction with securing sensitive company data, all without compromising operational efficiency. Steyn delves into a recently published piece on how Next DLP’s Reveal platform helps chief information security officers focus on their priority areas: visibility to risk, information governance and auditability. The conversation rounds off with a discussion on the positive changes LRMG has seen since implementing its information rights management programme with Next DLP and how employees have responded to the changes. If you’re in any way involved in securing your company’s data, don’t miss this important and insightful discussion. TechCentral…
South Africa has a new data consultancy. Called Calybre, it’s headed by CEO Alexa Bisschops and is positioned as “the best partner for any company’s data people”. Bisschops joins TechCentral’s TCS+ show to chat about the launch of the company, its co-founders and their backgrounds, and why the company believes the market is ripe for the launch of a “next-generation consultancy”. In the interview, Bisschops unpacks: • The background to Calybre and its market positioning; • What a next-generation consulting company does exactly, and what makes it different to traditional technology consulting firms; • The plans for Calybre’s growth in 2024 and beyond; • How Calybre works with technology companies; • What a typical client engagement looks like; • The impact of artificial intelligence in the consulting space; and • Much more besides. Don’t miss this insightful discussion about an exciting new player in the local – and global – data consultancy market. TechCentral…
1 TCS Legends | Duarte da Silva on five South African tech legends 53:46
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53:46Well-known investor and businessman Duarte da Silva joins TCS Legends to discuss Jeremy Ord, Roux Marnitz, Alan Knott-Craig, Jens Montanana and Bill Venter. -- Well-known investor and businessman Duarte da Silva is the guest in the inaugural episode of TechCentral’s TCS Legends, a new video podcast series focused on legendary figures who helped shape South Africa’s technology industry. A two-part scene setter for the rest of the limited series, Da Silva – who knows many of the individuals who built businesses in the country’s tech space after 1994 – shares his insights into the (often colourful) characters who helped define the country’s ICT sector into what it is today. TCS Legends, which is powered by Mitel, has a great line-up of guests secured over the coming months. But in episode 1 – the first of a double header with Da Silva – we delve into the people, the deals and sometimes the scandal that helped define an industry. Da Silva, an avid investor who serves on a number of company boards, is a former director of Merrill Lynch – where his hefty analyst reports on JSE-listed tech companies in the 1990s had company CEOs lapping up his insights, and more than a little fearful about what he might write about them. He also founded Macquarie First South, among other enterprising ventures, and possesses encyclopaedic knowledge of business in South Africa. A legend in his own right, Da Silva shares often-amusing tales of deals (some of which went horribly wrong), corporate shenanigans and plenty more besides with TCS Legends. In the show, he chats about many people and companies, but the primary focus is on five individuals: • Jeremy Ord at Dimension Data (now NTT Data) • Roux Marnitz at Persetel (now BCX) • Bill Venter at Altron • Jens Montanana at Datatec • Alan Knott-Craig at Vodacom The show is hosted by TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod, who said of the interview with Da Silva: “If you are, or have ever been, involved in South Africa’s IT industry, this is one show you simply do not want to miss!” Part 2 of the interview with Da Silva will be published on Monday, 4 March 2024. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Pretoria firm Hydrox Holdings in global hydrogen 'breakthrough' 49:51
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49:51South African firm Hydrox Holdings has developed a new way of extracting hydrogen for use in cars and other applications that it believes will help usher in a new era of plentiful clean energy for the world. The company, based in Pretoria, has won a number of awards and other accolades for its patented intellectual property, which involves extracting hydrogen from water using a "membrane-less" electrolyser technology that it has developed and now patented globally. Corrie de Jager, the CEO and founder of Hydrox Holdings, joins the TechCentral Show to chat about the progress the company has made in recent years in developing the technology - and why he is now looking for investors to help commercialise it. De Jager, who has been working on the technology for more than two decades, claims the technology could help move the world to non-polluting and mass-scale hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars more quickly by dramatically reducing the cost of producing hydrogen gas from water. In this episode of TCS, he unpacks: * Where the idea to build a membrane-less electrolyser came from; * The proofs of concept the company has launched; * The hurdles that Hydrox's team has had to overcome while developing the technology; * The cost and production advantages of membrane-less electrolysers; * Why hydrogen could be the next big thing in the field of energy; * What's stopping the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars; and * Where Hydrox plans to take the technology and how it intends to commercialise it. Don't miss a fascinating interview about a potentially ground-breaking South African innovation. TechCentral…
TechCentral, the publisher of South Africa’s leading business technology podcasts, is thrilled to announce the launch of TCS Legends. The new show will feature interviews with (and about) some of the leading figures who helped shape South Africa’s technology industry into what it is today. As the show’s name implies, we’ll be interviewing leading figures who achieved great things in – and for – the tech sector in South Africa. From PCs to IT services and software to telecoms, TCS Legends features some of the leading figures in the industry over the last 30 years. With season 1 launching later in February, TCS Legends is a by-invitation-only, editorially driven tech show that builds on TechCentral’s credible, market-leading multimedia productions, including the TechCentral Show (TCS) and TCS+. TCS Legends is powered by Mitel. For all your unified communications and customer experience needs, visit Mitel.com. TechCentral…
Big changes are coming to the way companies build and manage their network infrastructure. This is a key discussion point in the latest episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show, featuring subject matter experts from Dimension Data – soon to be NTT Data – and Cisco. NTT’s 2022/2023 Global Network Report found that 70% of CEOs surveyed indicated that a lack of network maturity was negatively impacting business delivery. But what’s the solution? To unpack that question in some detail, TCS+ spoke to four experts in the field: • Prashil Gareeb, vice president of MNCS, Dimension Data; • Paul Mende, director of managed networking product management, Dimension Data; • Adesh Baboolal, acting client partner director: managed services, NTT South Africa; and • Aadil Hassim, sales specialist for enterprise networking and software, Cisco South Africa. Gareeb kicks off the discussion on the brand changes taking place at Dimension Data – including the renaming of the company – and what they mean for the business and its clients. He also unpacks the longstanding relationship between both Cisco and Dimension Data and Cisco and the NTT Group. The panellists then unpack: • Why many companies have failed to pay sufficient attention to networking. Why is it important to get networking right in the modern cloud era? And what role does this play in digital transformation initiatives? • The advances in wireless networking compared to traditional cabled networks; • How Dimension Data – soon, NTT Data – can help companies with their network modernisation efforts, including a look at what Dimension Data offers the market in terms of managed network services through the NTT Spektra solution; • The relationship the Cisco and how the organisations are working together to solve customers’ problems; • The advantages – and potential pitfalls – of a network modernisation project, including a look the security considerations; and • The benefits of outsourcing network management. Don’t miss this insightful discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Datacentrix CEO Ahmed Mahomed on the Convergence Partners deal 24:34
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24:34Andile Ngcaba’s Convergence Partners last week announced it was buying storied South African IT services group Datacentrix from Alviva Holdings for an undisclosed sum. Datacentrix’s long-serving CEO, Ahmed Mahomed, joins the TechCentral Show (TCS) to discuss the acquisition, how it happened, why Alviva decided to sell and what the future holds for the company. In the show, Mahomed unpacks: • Datacentrix’s history, when it was founded, its JSE listing and the acquisition by Alviva; • The business’s key focus areas today; • What the Convergence Partners deal means for the future of Datacentrix; • How Datacentrix will work with Ngcaba; and • Whether the company might head back to the JSE at some point. Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Guardian Eye’s AVA brings affordable telemedicine to the workplace 27:22
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27:22As South Africa experiences tough economic times, employers and workforces alike can benefit from solutions like telemedicine. In a nutshell, telemedicine is the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by using ICT. This allows an individual to seek a doctor’s advice about non-emergency situations that don’t require an in-person visit. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Guardian Eye AVA specialist Justine Pillay chats to host Brendan Haskins about this powerful new combination of technology and telemedicine that is set to shake up the way primary healthcare is handled in South Africa. The solution by Guardian Eye, dubbed “AVA”, is an innovative asynchronous internet-of-things medical device and telemedicine platform that is set to bring positive change to the local healthcare industry. According to Pillay, the AVA medical device, powered by IoT, is bridging a gap in the workplace by improving access to care, cutting costs and boosting efficiency in healthcare delivery for everyone involved. The offering is aimed at companies with more than 150 employees and is a first-to-market in Africa. Collecting vital data The AVA Guardian Eye link features remote monitoring of patients by gathering and saving all historical medical data and images, and other forms of communication, allowing healthcare providers to deliver care outside traditional in-person visits. In addition, by using the "Higo Pro” connected e-health care product, AVA can be used to collect vital data from an employee who is feeling unwell. These vitals are then sent to an online healthcare professional to make an initial assessment – generally within a waiting period of only 30 minutes. All medical exams are carried out by a nurse or a trained AVA “champion operator”, with data sent to a qualified doctor for a final diagnosis. If warranted, the doctor will give the employee a prescription for medication and a sick note they can send to the HR department. Benefits for all In this way, AVA saves the employee time by reducing travel and waiting-room times. They can also save money by receiving this unlimited access to a healthcare provider as a work-sponsored benefit, rather than having to pay for their doctors when needed. For employers, Guardian Eye’s AVA can keep digital healthcare records for all members of staff, and increase motivation and morale through the provision of a quality employer benefit. Productivity is also increased, and sick leave is reduced through the provision of onsite telemedicine. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Pheello Maboea on Kena Health winning App of the Year 34:15
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34:15Kena Health took top honours at the recent MTN Business App of the Year Awards. Its chief technology officer, Pheello Maboea, tells the TechCentral Show (TCS) about the telehealth start-up’s journey so far. Founded by Saul Kornik in 2021, Kena Health aims to improve the reach of quality healthcare services by digitising access to primary healthcare professionals. The TCS interview, hosted by TechCentral’s Nkosinathi Ndlovu, delves into: • Barriers to telehealth adoption in South Africa and how new entrants are legitimising the industry; • The challenges of designing applications for two very distinct audiences – highly technical medical staff on one hand and vulnerable patients on the other; • How the company approaches talent retention and recruitment in what can be described as a seller’s market for technical skills; • How emergent technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence are going to disrupt healthcare provision; and • What winning the MTN Business App of the Year means for the start-up. Don’t miss a fascinating conversation on the future of healthcare. TechCentral…
As we approach 2024, KnowBe4’s content strategy vice president Anna Collard joins TechCentral’s TCS+ show to unpack reflections drawn from the world’s leading security events, as well as dialogues with industry leaders, academics and government representatives. TechCentral
1 TCS | Starlink in South Africa – separating fact from fiction 38:07
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38:07There has been considerable noise about the launch – or otherwise – of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service in South Africa, much of it conjecture. What’s the real story? To unpack what exactly is required of SpaceX-launched Starlink to launch in South Africa – including the rules around black economic empowerment (BEE) – the TechCentral Show spoke to Dominic Cull, a legal expert on the subject. Cull, who serves as the regulatory adviser to the Internet Service Providers’ Association (Ispa), shares some surprising insights into the process. Topics tackled by Cull in the discussion include: • Who is really to blame for Starlink’s failure to launch in South Africa so far; • What the law really says about BEE and the issuing of telecommunications licences? • What Icasa’s licensing regime looks like, and which licence types Starlink needs to apply for to launch its services in South Africa. • Why there is an artificial restriction on the issuing of new licences – and why this makes no sense anymore. • How Icasa’s “type approvals” for communications equipment work and what they’re for. • Why Ispa members are keen to work with Starlink. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion that clears up some of the misconceptions in the market about Starlink in South Africa. TechCentral…
1 TCS | GG Alcock on the digitisation of the township economy 38:02
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38:02In this episode of the TechCentral Show, author, marketer and consultant GG Alcock chats to Nkosinathi Ndlovu about how South Africa’s informal economy is being digitised. Alcock’s background as a white boy growing up in rural Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal has helped him develop a deep cultural understanding of township life and the way business is conducted there. Indeed, he has built his career as a marketer and consultant based on his intimate understanding of the township economies. In the show, Alcock shares some of his personal history, speaks about his earliest innovations and gives detailed insight into how the adoption of digital technologies has progressed in South Africa’s informal economy in recent years. The conversation delves into: • How the Covid-19 pandemic influenced the adoption of digital payments in the informal economy; • Why card payments are outpacing banking apps, third-party payment platforms like Zapper and even PayShap in townships; • Data-driven insights about what informal business owners really think about ditching cash for digital; and • The outlook for digitisation and payments in the informal economy. Don’t miss a fascinating conversation! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Revix founder Sean Sanders on the creation of Altify 52:58
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52:58TechCentral reported on Friday that South African cryptocurrency platforms Revix and BitFund are joining forces and, together with Austria’s Coinpanion, have formed a new alternative investment platform called Altify. Revix founder and now Altify CEO Sean Sanders joins Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show to unpack the merger, how it came about, and what Altify hopes to do in the alternative investment space not only in South Africa but the broader Europe, Middle East and Africa region. In its new form, Altify will continue to offer the crypto investment products that Revix, Coinpanion and BitFund became known for, including a wide selection of ETF-style crypto bundles, along with other alternative finance products. He said the recent downturn in the crypto market acted as a catalyst for the merger and accelerated Altify’s expansion into non-crypto investment options. According to Sanders, these market dynamics have also primed the environment for consolidation among retail investment platforms, especially in the crypto space. “Altify is leaning into these opportunities and is engaging with other investment platforms in the UAE, the UK and Europe who could join Altify over the coming months.” Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | OneTrust’s Joseph Byrne: privacy risk management done right 30:29
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30:29Joseph Byrne, principal solutions engineer at OneTrust, knows a lot about the topic of risk management. He joins Duncan McLeod on TechCentral’s business technology podcast, TCS+, to unpack the topic in greater detail and to discuss what it means for South African organisations. Byrne kicks off the discussion with an overview of OneTrust. Founded in 2016 by Kabir Barday, the privately held company has more than 12 000 customers around the world, including in South Africa. In the interview, Byrne unpacks: * The differences between third-party risk management and privacy risk. * How organisations can go about evaluating and selecting third-party service providers and tools to minimise privacy risk. * Which laws and regulations organisations should companies pay attention to. There are a lot of them, and organisations need to know which ones are important to them, says Byrne. * How organisations can ensure that third-party relationships are properly documented and regularly reviewed and that they are compliant with privacy regulations. * Whether there is scope for automation in this field. * What should happen when things go wrong. * The role of artificial intelligence in privacy risk management – is AI technology mature enough yet to be genuinely useful, and are new rules needed to deal with it? Don’t miss an insightful conversation about a critical issue faced not only by South African organisations but companies around the world. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Ricoh – safe and secure role in today’s digital ecosystems 24:49
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24:49In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Jaydev Chiba engages in a comprehensive discussion with Marcell Otto, digital services product manager for Ricoh South Africa, shedding light on Ricoh’s pivotal role in today’s digital ecosystems, particularly in the realm of governance, risk and compliance (GRC). The conversation delves into the dynamic landscape of global and local cybersecurity challenges, drawing attention to recent incidents such as cybersecurity breaches, which exemplify the pervasive and evolving nature of cyber threats. The dialogue unfolds with an exploration of the multifaceted consequences of cybercrime, ranging from substantial financial losses to irreparable reputational damage and intricate compliance issues. Otto underscores the intricate challenges organisations encounter in fortifying their defences against cyber threats. A focus on the aftermath of cyberattacks reveals the protracted timelines and considerable costs associated with recovery, offering a sobering perspective on the stakes involved. Otto then delves into the significance of compliance with frameworks such as King 4, emphasising the responsibility organisations bear in managing and safeguarding customer data. The discussion briefly touches upon Ricoh’s digital services pillars, positioning the company as a forward-looking provider tailored for the demands of the future workplace. Ricoh's six digital services pillars play a crucial role in shaping its strategic approach to the evolving digital landscape. These pillars include: 1. Digital workspace: Focused on the transformation of the future workplace. 2. Business process management: Streamlining and enhancing organizational processes. 3. Digital experience: Providing enriched and seamless digital experiences. 4. Graphic communications: Addressing the evolving needs of graphic and visual communication. 5. Cybersecurity: Offering robust solutions to safeguard against cyber threats. 6. Cloud and infrastructure services: Providing essential services to support cloud infrastructure. A spotlight is then cast on Ricoh's cybersecurity product, RansomCare, a groundbreaking solution designed to proactively mitigate the impact of ransomware threats in real time. Otto elaborates its distinctive approach, which focuses on the swift detection and interruption of malicious encryption, showcasing its efficacy in preventing cybersecurity incidents. As the conversation concludes, Otto extends a call to action for organisations to seek expert guidance in navigating the intricate terrain of cybersecurity. He underscores the significance of proactive measures and collaborative efforts, framing the imperative to secure digital ecosystems as a collective responsibility for the betterment of society. In essence, the discussion provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Ricoh’s strategic positioning in the digital landscape, its commitment to cybersecurity, and the broader implications for businesses operating in an increasingly complex and interconnected environment. TechCentral…
Companies may be surprised to learn that the profile of the typical cybercriminal in 2023 does not match the stereotype of tech-savvy youngsters in hoodies. Rather, modern cybercriminals are often employed by criminal syndicates and even keep office hours, according to Armand Kruger, head of cybersecurity at NEC XON, who has gone toe to toe – or is that keyboard to keyboard? – with cyber adversaries. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show, Kruger discusses: • NEC XON and its portfolio of solutions; • The company’s experience in dealing with security breaches and other cyber incidents; • How cybercriminals operate and why, including the tactics they use; • How this type of activity has become embedded in organised crime; • What businesses can do to protect themselves against ransomware attacks; • How companies should react when they have identified a possible breach; • What security solutions are instrumental to disrupting these adversaries; and • What more the IT industry and the government could be doing to help stop the ransomware scourge. Don’t miss an important and fascinating discussion. TechCentral…
1 TCS | OneCart CEO Aidan Johnson on SA’s on-demand shopping boom 39:39
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39:39Aidan Johnson, appointed by Massmart to lead on-demand delivery platform OneCart, believes South Africa is on the cusp of huge growth in online shopping – and that everything is to play for. Johnson, who joins Duncan McLeod on this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), talks about the OneCart business, why Massmart bought it and where it’s headed. The conversation delves into: • Why OneCart works with third-party retailers that compete with Walmart-owned Massmart, the parent of brands such as Makro, Builders and Game; • How OneCart fits into Massmart’s overarching e-commerce strategy for South Africa; • The state of the e-commerce market in South Africa, including the on-demand segment, and the impact that Covid has had on its development; • With the launch of Amazon.com’s retail marketplace operators in South Africa looming large, the impact this will have on the local retail industry – are local retailers ready to take on the global e-commerce giant?; • The outlook for e-commerce growth in South Africa for the rest of the 2020s and what needs to be overcome for online sales as a percentage of total retail sales to reach 15%, from 5% now. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion about online shopping in South Africa and how local retailers – including Massmart and OneCart – are preparing for significant disruption to the retail sector in the years ahead. TechCentral…
1 TCS | How ShotSpotter is fighting gun crime in Cape Town 28:05
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28:05ShotSpotter, a technology that “listens” for gunshots to help law enforcement authorities pinpoint potential criminal activity, has been deployed in high-crime parts of Cape Town for some years. In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Duncan McLeod chat to Tom Chittum, senior vice president for forensic services at SoundThinking, the company that owns the acoustic gunshot detection technology, to learn about how it’s being deployed not only in South Africa but in cities around the world. In the interview, Chittum chats about: • How ShotSpotter is being used in Cape Town; • How the technology works – its advantages and drawbacks; • How law enforcement agencies use ShotSpotter to fight crime; and • How ShotSpotter is being used in US cities to tackle gun violence. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion. TechCentral…
1 TCS + | SOC-as-a-service: CYBER1 SOC and the future of cyber security 32:26
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32:26A robust security operations centre (SOC) that is well run and equipped with the latest technologies and expertise can help bolster the security posture of any organisation. CYBER1 executives Simon Perry and Gerald Naude tell TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show about the investment and what it means for businesses. Perry, who is chief technology officer at CYBER1, kicks off the discussion with a definition of an SOC, what they do and why they are increasingly important in the business landscape. Naude, who heads the SOC, then talks about why the SOC-as-a-service model is gaining traction. Topics covered in the interview include: · What customers are looking for in an SOC; · Why SOCs should go beyond detection and response and into the realm of consultancy; · The scale of CYBER1 SOC, what it offers clients and what sets it apart from other SOCs; · How CYBER1 SOC stays current with its security knowledge – an imperative in responding to constantly evolving and emerging threats; · How the SOC will serve customers not only in South Africa but around the world; · The challenge of finding the right skills to staff an SOC; · The compliance issues associated with operating an SOC; · Why CYBER1 SOC went through the effort of ensuring it is ISO 270001 compliant and what is involved; and · CYBER1’s white-labelled SOC solutions. CYBER1 SOC offers ongoing monitoring of advanced threats across endpoints, networks, cloud environments and applications. Its services detect emerging, evolving and established threats through the latest threat intelligence and hunting. The SOC offers nimble detection and proactive response, delivering state-of-the-art automation and continuous business improvement. Visit c1soc.com for more and don’t miss a great conversation on the latest in the world of information security management. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Why your company needs Arctic Wolf to stay secure 38:12
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38:12In this episode of TCS+, TechCentral speaks to Jason Oehley and Andre den Hond, both with Arctic Wolf, to unpack the security posture of businesses in South Africa, and to learn more about what Arctic Wolf has to offer. Over the course of his career, Oehley has worked at many tech companies, including Splunk, Dell and F5, and for over a year now has been overseeing the Arctic Wolf business in South Africa. Den Hond is Arctic Wolf's sales engineer and joined around the same time. Arctic Wolf is a global security business founded in the US more than 12 years ago. Over the last three years, it has expanded its presence across Europe, the Middle East and Africa – including South Africa. South Africa’s security challenges are not unique, but local businesses do face challenges around skills and budget that expose them to a lot of risk. Arctic Wolf has a unique set of security-focused offerings that essentially plug into an organisation’s existing security tools and investments, augmenting their capabilities by providing 24/7 SOC (security operations centre) services to manage, detect and respond to threats in the business environment. For smaller organisations that don’t have the budget or staff to run a security team, Arctic Wolf can provide that as a service. In the discussion, Oehley shares his thoughts on why South Africa is among the top five countries globally targeted by cybercriminals. The attacks the country’s faces are highly sophisticated; standard tools are inadequate when it comes to defending against evolving threats and attack vectors. In fact, he says some 80% of South African companies don’t even have a security team in place. The conversation turns to cyber insurance, and here it’s interesting to note that South African insurance companies are more advanced when it comes to what they require for a customer to be covered, compared to insurers in other countries. This means local businesses must deploy a more comprehensive stack of tools to get the insurance coverage they need, and Arctic Wolf can assist businesses with this. Having the capabilities to defend from attacks is still better than depending on insurance alone, and the more enhanced a company’s security capabilities, the lower the premiums they will enjoy. Arctic Wolf is a channel-only business and relies on partner relationships to get its services to market. However, services are delivered directly to the end customer, with the partner involved to assist in improving the customer’s (and the partner’s) security posture. The success of the platform has largely been because of its model, where bills are issued per device and not based on data received. By not limiting the data that is allowed to be monitored, Arctic Wolf is able to scrape far more data and assess many more threats. This is all tied together by Arctic Wolf’s Concierge Security Team, or CST. This service gives every client access to two named resources whose role is to work strategically with clients to build out and manage their security road map and engage in activities that help to constantly improve their security posture. Perhaps the most powerful part of the offering is that Arctic Wolf plugs into every layer of an organisation’s security. This provides a total overview of the organisation’s security, 24/7, and the CST works with this data to ensure every security hole is plugged. Oehley and Den Hood discuss how even with all these capabilities, it’s still possible for a customer to be breached, and part of the service includes incident response that is geared to helping the customer manage the aftermath, mitigate what they can, and assist the business with the implementation of recovery plans. There’s plenty more in this important discussion – don’t miss it! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Kiv Moodley on Workday's big plans for South Africa 28:33
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28:33Fast-expanding Nasdaq-listed enterprise cloud software specialist Workday has big plans for its South African unit. In this episode of TCS+, Workday South Africa MD Kiv Moodley tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about Workday, its history and its areas of focus, and how the company works with clients, including those in South Africa. In the first of a series of six TCS+ interviews with Workday under the theme “change makers”, Moodley discusses: • His background, and what brought him to the Workday role; • Workday’s history – the company was co-founded by David Duffield, the entrepreneur behind software pioneer PeopleSoft; • How Workday got its start in South Africa and what its client profile looks like today, including the industries it focuses on – and why it won’t go after public sector business; • The value Workday offers its clients and how it differs from other enterprise software vendors; • The future of Workday in South Africa; and • South Africa’s leadership challenges and how to turn them around. Don’t miss an informative discussion! TechCentral…
Secure access service edge, or SASE – pronounced “sassy”, this emerging network security concept, first described four years ago by Gartner, has huge benefits for organisations, provided it’s done right. To discuss what SASE is and how South African organisations can take advantage of it, TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod is joined on the TCS+ technology show by leading experts on the topic from Dimension Data and Palo Alto Networks. Dimension Data’s Padma Naidoo, head of the company’s security practice, is joined by her colleague, Laudec McCarthy, a senior security solutions architect at Dimension Data in the Middle East Africa, as well as Ross Templeton, a system engineering manager at Palo Alto Networks in sub-Saharan Africa. The three experts tackle a range of topics around SASE, including: • The relationship between Dimension Data (soon to be NTT Data) and Palo Alto Networks. • What SASE is exactly, and why organisations should be taking it seriously. • The concept of zero-trust security and the role it plays in the SASE model. • What is involved in deploying SASE technology – what companies should expect on the journey. • The complexities and challenges involved in a SASE deployment. • Dimension Data’s solutions in the SASE space. • Palo Alto’s Prisma solution – what it is and how companies can use it. • How companies should go about evaluating the SASE options available to them. And what should they be considering when selecting a managed network services partner? There’s a ton of valuable information in this episode of TCS+. If you organisation is considering a SASE project, or even you are simply curious about what can be achieved using the SASE model, don’t miss this discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Fortinet, and the invisible tech that powers our lives 22:43
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22:43In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Fortinet’s Matthew Taljaard, subject matter expert in operational technology (OT) for Africa at Fortinet, demystifies OT, explaining what it is, how it differs from IT, the industries it powers, and much more. Watch or listen to the interview below. The distinction between OT and IT is often blurry, leading to confusion. OT is the unsung hero of many industries and plays a crucial role in enhancing efficiency, safety and reliability. So, what is OT, and how does it differ from IT? OT encompasses the hardware and software systems responsible for monitoring and controlling physical processes and industrial operations. In essence, OT manages the “things” in the internet of things (IoT). Conversely, IT focuses on processing, storing and transmitting data, predominantly utilising computers, networks and software for decision-making and business processes. While both IT and OT share similarities such as network connectivity and data exchange, their objectives and priorities diverge. IT prioritises data integrity, confidentiality and availability, while OT emphasises reliability, availability and safety of industrial processes. The primary goals of OT include: • Improving operational efficiency through automation, real-time adjustments and equipment health monitoring. • Enhancing safety by controlling processes to prevent accidents and respond to emergencies. • Increasing reliability with systems designed for harsh industrial environments. • Enabling predictive maintenance using sensors and data analytics to anticipate equipment failures. • Ensuring product or service quality by controlling production parameters to meet predefined standards. OT drives various industries, including manufacturing, energy, utilities, transportation and healthcare, ensuring efficient and safe operations. For instance, in manufacturing, OT automates production lines to optimise productivity and quality, while in healthcare, it oversees medical equipment and ensures the reliability of medical procedures. The OT field offers diverse job roles, each requiring specialised skills. OT engineers design, implement and maintain control systems and automation solutions. OT technicians troubleshoot and maintain systems. Cybersecurity specialists protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Data analysts gather and analyse data for efficiency and predictive maintenance. Control systems architects design the overall architecture of OT systems to meet specific industrial requirements, offering exciting opportunities for those with the right skills and passion for innovation. The convergence of IT and OT brings about numerous benefits but also introduces new challenges, particularly in cybersecurity. A report found that 75% of OT organisations experienced at least one intrusion in the last year. A successful cyberattack on OT can result in production disruptions, safety hazards, environmental damage and economic losses. Therefore, ensuring the security of OT systems is crucial not only for business operations but also for public safety and national interests. Robust cybersecurity measures include network segmentation, regular updates, access controls, monitoring, employee training and incident response plans. Here are some practical tips for OT security: • Implement asset inventory and segmentation and employ micro segmentation and virtual patching solutions. • Collaborate across IT, OT and production teams to assess cyber and production risks and inform the chief information security officer. • Develop a vendor and OT cybersecurity platform strategy, considering a wide portfolio of solutions. • Incorporate cybersecurity awareness education and training for all computer and mobile device users. For more, visit https://techcentral.co.za/. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Mesh.trade's Connie Bloem on the future of finance 53:23
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53:23The future of finance is on the blockchain. That’s according to Connie Bloem, co-founder and MD of Mesh.trade, who was speaking to the TechCentral Show (TCS) about alternative (AltFi) and decentralised finance (DeFi). Mesh is owned by 42Markets Group, which recently secured a R182-million funding round from technology investor Convergence Partners. Much of that funding will be used in Mesh’s expansion plans. Bloem, who lives in Paris, told TCS that Mesh is attempted to serve as a bridge between the world of traditional finance, also known as TradFi, and AltFi and DeFi. Among other topics, Bloem chats about what these changes mean for ordinary investors. Don’t miss a great discussion! TechCentral…
Earlier this month, Cape Town-based fintech Peach Payments announced it had secured US$30-million (R570-million) in a fundraising round led by Apis Partners. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Rahul Jain, co-founder of CEO of Peach Payments, tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the funding round and what the company plans to use the money to do. In the interview, Jain unpacks: * His background growing up in India and how his career brought him to South Africa; * What Peach Payments does and why; * The company’s business model; and * Its growth plans, including expansion outside South Africa. Jain also explains why Peach Payments went the private equity route with the latest funding round. Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Superbalist founders on their new venture, Bash 1:01:12
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1:01:12Luke Jedeikin and Claude Hanan are well known for founding Superbalist, the online fashion store bought in 2014 by Takealot Group. Now the pair has embarked on a new venture, launched in The Foschini Group (TFG) stable, called Bash, and they tell Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS) all about it. To start the discussion, Hanan and Jedeikin talk about the origin of Superbalist – it began life as a group-buying deals site akin to Groupon. They then chat about how the big Takealot deal happened and what it meant for Superbalist. The conversation them turns to how the TFG opportunity came about and what the JSE-listed retail group is hoping to achieve with the launch of Bash – it’s online at bash.com. They also explain why they chose the name Bash and what was involved in securing a four-letter dot-com domain. Among many other topics, Jedeikin and Hanan provide their views on: • The state of e-commerce in South Africa; • Why Bash is a mobile-first app shopping destination – it also works fine on the web; • The complexities of selling fashion online; and • The competitive landscape in South Africa and how it’s evolving. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Takealot Group CEO Mamongae Mahlare on the outlook for e-commerce 55:45
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55:45What does the future hold for e-commerce in South Africa? Takealot Group CEO Mamongae Mahlare joins the TechCentral Show (TCS) to unpack this and more. In the interview, Mahlare talks about her career background and how she came to Takealot. She also discusses: • The transformative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, how it drove up online shopping and why it’s impact is still being felt. • Takealot Group’s slowing growth – why it’s happening, and what it says about the e-commerce space in South Africa. • The impact of increased competition from traditional retailers embracing internet commerce. • The Competition Commission’s investigation into online markets, and why the authorities need to tread carefully. • The rumoured launch later this year of an Amazon marketplace in South Africa, and how this will impact the market and Takealot. • What will shape the development of e-commerce in South Africa in the coming years. • The role, if any, for the Post Office. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion. TechCentral…
Volvo Cars, part of Sweden’s Volvo Group, has seen a big growth in interest in electric vehicles from the South African motoring public – and the company hopes the introduction early next year of its most affordable EV yet, the EX30, will accelerate that. That’s according to Volvo Cars South Africa MD Greg Maruszewski, who was speaking to Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS) – watch or listen to the interview below. Volvo has been one of the most aggressive car manufacturers in pivoting from internal combustion engines to electric motors. Indeed, it said two years ago already that it intends to become a fully electric car company by 2030. In this episode of TCS, Maruszewski unpacks: • Volvo’s transition to EVs and its strategy around electro-mobility; • What South Africans think about EVs, and why they’re warming to the concept; • Where Volvo is positioned in the car market, and why some of its newer models, like the XC30, are aimed at a younger audience; • Volvo’s expectations for the EX30 compact sports utility vehicle in the local market, and more details about the new model – including performance, battery range, integrated technology and pricing, which is expected to start at about R776 000; • Volvo’s relationship with Google; • The development of charging infrastructure in South Africa; • What government could be doing to encourage greater EV adoption; and • The future of the cars – what can we expect in the coming years? Don’t miss a fascinating interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Bryan Hattingh on what’s required of leaders in 2023 1:03:12
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1:03:12Bryan Hattingh, CEO of Cycan, is well-known in South Africa’s technology industry for his leadership coaching and for helping companies find top talent. Hattingh joins Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS) to discuss what he believes is required of leadership in a post-Covid world – hint: it’s not more of the same. He discusses a range of issues in the interview, including: • How the pandemic changed what’s required of business leaders; • How companies can maintain their unique cultures in the era of remote working; • What artificial intelligence means for the modern workplace; • What works best – hybrid, remote or in-office only – and why; • Why companies might not be measuring success correctly – it should go beyond regular reporting on financial metrics such as Heps and Ebitda; • How firms can help employees find meaning and satisfaction in the workplace; and • The emigration wave in South Africa and its impact on the country. Don’t miss a great discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | FNB's Christoph Nieuwoudt on the AI revolution 1:01:11
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1:01:11First National Bank’s Christoph Nieuwoudt is one of the leading South African – and global – experts on artificial intelligence. The financial services group’s chief data and analytics offer, Nieuwoudt joins Duncan McLeod on TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show to explain why, in his view, South African organisations cannot afford to ignore the revolutionary changes that will be driven by AI in the years ahead. Nieuwoudt, who graduated with a doctorate in engineering focused on machine learning long before AI was a hot-button topic, talks about his doctoral thesis and his career history, which included co-designing the computer engineering degree at the University of Pretoria. In this episode of TCS+, Nieuwoudt unpacks: • What exactly is involved in being a chief data and analytics officer; • Why AI is critically important to the FirstRand Group and its subsidiaries, including First National Bank and Rand Merchant Bank, and what it allows the group to do differently – and better; • What it means for FirstRand and FNB/RMB customers; • The importance of generative AI in business and what it means for productivity gains; • The applications of AI in banking; • FirstRand’s AI reskilling initiative – why it’s important, and the outcomes that are expected; • Ethical, legal and reputational considerations around AI, and FirstRand’s approach to these; • The people element – and the real fear that people could lose their jobs; • The cultural and change management issues to be aware of when implementing AI-led initiatives; and • What youngsters interested in this field should be studying. Don’t miss a fascinating conversation! TechCentral…
It’s been just over 20 years since Andile Ngcaba quit his government job – he was director-general of communications – and became an investor in the technology sector. Now, in an interview with Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS), Ngcaba looks back at the past two decades, the formation of Convergence Partners, the investments the business has made and why, and its focus areas. Ngcaba, who splits his time between Africa and Silicon Valley – where he has a home – unpacks the recent announcement that Convergence Partners Investments is rebranding as Solcon Capital and has appointed a new CEO, Pramod Venkatesh, and why its focus has been broadened beyond Africa to both developing and developed markets. “Under this new brand, Solcon will focus on international deep tech investments in generative AI and large language models, synthetic data and big data, cybersecurity, and quantum computing across South Africa, India and Southeast Asia, leveraging scale through platform economics,” Solcon said in a statement last week. Also in this TCS interview, Ngcaba talks about: • What he has learnt from his time in Silicon Valley, and why it’s not easy to replicate the Valley model in other parts of the model. “It’s more a state of mind,” Ngcaba tells TechCentral. • What he set out to achieve when he started Convergence Partners. • The highlights of the investments the company has made over the years. • What excites him the technology space today, and why. The original Convergence Partners pitch presentation to investor Nedbank, which Ngcaba talks about in the opening minutes of the interview, is available to download on TechCentral's website. Don’t miss a wide-ranging and fascinating discussion! TechCentral…
Following the recent decision to rebrand MTN GlobalConnect as Bayobab, founder and CEO Frédéric Schepens joins the TechCentral Show (TCS) to chat about the telecommunications infrastructure provider’s expansion plans. Bayobab, which owns stakes in a number of subsea cable systems and other telecoms infrastructure, is the result of “change under way to position the business as a world-class, Africa-focused open-access digital infrastructure platform serving not just MTN but other third parties as customers”, MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita said in May. “We are also going to bring in strategic partners into the business over time who will provide skills and capital to support and accelerate the growth of this business.” In this episode of TCS, Schepens unpacks all the infrastructure that Bayobab owns, the huge investments it is making in subsea and terrestrial fibre in Africa, and where the company expects to direct its capital spending in the years ahead. TechCentral…
If you are worried about the threat of social engineering and the ways cybercriminals are looking to attack our most vulnerable assets, then this TCS+ conversation is not going to bring you much comfort. What it will do, though, is remind you that you are responsible for your actions and your inactions. TCS+ welcomed Anna Collard back into the TechCentral studio to hear more about mindfulness and some of the techniques and tools we can apply to bring our emotional and physical selves into a more focused state. Collard is senior vice president of content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa and has a realistic perspective of the cybersecurity landscape. She promotes knowledge sharing and skills transfer while also sharing practical insights into cybersecurity and how susceptible we are to social engineering tricks if we are not mindful. Given the complexity of generative AI and the interdisciplinary nature of AI research, the tech giants (Amazon, Microsoft, Apple and Meta, for example) are likely to form more partnerships with academic institutions, research organisations and brands, agencies and other companies that may not have well-considered regulations. This is all happening while AI technologies are becoming more powerful and widespread and Collard hints at the growing concern around the ethical and societal implications of AI. This is where critical thinking comes into play. Collard suggests that it is everyone's responsibility to pause, reflect on their gut feel and question anything that may be at all suspicious. It is our responsibility to seek advice and sound the alarm if necessary. She encourages companies to invest more in developing guidelines, tools and procedures to ensure the responsible use of AI and to encourage awareness and vigilance. This includes being transparent about your use of AI, your decision-making methods, how to mitigate against bias, enhance privacy protection and much more. The goal is to keep the mind active and employ very specific decision-making when confronted by potential phishing e-mails or cyber threats,” said Collard. “Cybercriminals, as well as fake news, use emotionally triggering content such as fear, greed or curiosity to trick us out of critical thinking. If we learn to use our heightened emotions as early warning signs, applying mindfulness techniques to quieten down and pay attention before we react, we can remain in control, focus better and in turn prevent cyberattacks.” Security training is essential for modern business, particularly when it comes to giving employees the tools they need to recognise threats and make informed decisions. However, as the world moves through the fallout from the pandemic, global uncertainty and ongoing stress, adding a wellness dimension to security training is fast becoming a critical factor in ensuring that the training kicks in when tiredness takes over. In South Africa, there are multiple external factors also contributing to the burnout and stress cycle of cyberattacks on the workplace and in our personal lives. A timely example is that of load shedding, which has reached a critical level and has put immense pressure on people to perform fast and within tight windows of opportunity. It has also damaged systems, introduced technology quirks and left people frantically clicking to get working. This scenario introduces vulnerabilities such as poor awareness and heightened stress levels that may very easily be taken advantage of by hackers. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Property transfers are painful - how e4 is using tech to solve the problem 22:39
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22:39The process of transferring property from one owner to another can be a major hassle, involving a ton of paperwork and many hours. E4, a company that leverages technology to transform customer processes, joined TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show to discusses innovating the property transfer process for a more efficient future. Jaydev Chiba chatted to e4 Strategic IT executive Clive Bredenkamp to shed light on the evolving world of property transfer in South Africa. With a background in technology and problem solving, he explained that while South Africa's property transfer system is advanced in terms of legislation and protection, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. Bredenkamp said e4 has been at the forefront of revolutionising property transfer processes for the past 23 years. Initially, property transfer involved manual paperwork and courier services, but e4 introduced secure electronic communication through email and digital certificates, streamlining the process. According to him, the private sector needs solutions to enhance the front end of the process to make it more efficient and transparent. Currently, consumers lack information and face delays due to the involvement of multiple parties. The company has been working on solutions to optimise the property transfer value chain. It has developed secure application programming interfaces, digital switches and ecosystems that bring together various parties involved in the process. By leveraging technology, e4 aims to reduce turnaround times, improve transparency and enable faster property registration. The conversation also touched on the impact of Covid-19 on the industry. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of web-based technology, allowing remote document signing and collaboration. It also forced digitisation, lowering barriers to entry for web-based solutions. Looking ahead, Bredenkamp envisions a future where property transfer becomes even more digitised. The use of electronic documents, data verification and transparent digital registries will enhance efficiency and reduce processing times. Security and data privacy are paramount in this digitised process, and he stressed the company’s commitment to secure data storage, encryption and compliance with privacy regulations. The discussion delves into the benefits of digitising the property transfer process for buyers, sellers and other stakeholders. Digitisation enables greater transparency, lowers the risk of fraud and delays, and improves overall user experience. The goal is to create a secure and efficient ecosystem that simplifies property transfer and empowers individuals to track and participate in their transactions with confidence, Bredenkamp said. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Fortinet’s Gary Peel on cloud security priorities in 2023 20:43
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20:43Fortinet recently released its 2023 Cloud Security Report. The report surveyed 752 cybersecurity professionals from around the globe and across all industries to uncover the key priorities and challenges that must be addressed to empower cloud success. To discuss the finding and related topics, Gary Peel, business development manager: cloud at Fortinet Africa, joined TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology show. He unpacked several key topics. First up was a discussion about the current state of cloud adoption – how organisations both locally and globally are using public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud environments to drive their digital transformation, and what benefits they are experiencing as a result. Peel touched on the benefits of the cloud, including how cloud computing offers more flexibility, scalability, agility, availability and business continuity for enterprises – and how it helps them improve their customer responsiveness and competitive edge. Peel shared many of his own insights and those of the cloud security report into why cloud security is so important and also some of the security challenges in the cloud – how cybersecurity professionals are concerned about cloud security risks such as misconfiguration, data breaches, unauthorised access, malware attacks, compliance issues, and lack of visibility and control. Finally, to make these issues practical to the TechCentral audience, the discussion turned to the key priorities for cloud security – how security teams are allocating their budgets, selecting their solutions, and implementing their best practices to protect their cloud workloads and data across different cloud providers and platforms. This all helped paint a clearer picture of the impressive capabilities of Fortinet: discovery, free skills development and training, advanced certification, architectural reviews, and consulting. Cloud security spend is on the increase and the overall spend on secure cloud networking will surpass traditional networking by 2030. This convergence is already happening, and Fortinet prides itself in consolidating its own internal capabilities through research and development and then patenting both its endpoint detections and network security functionality to provide a more integrated ecosystem. If you are seeking clarity and need to understand more about the topic and what guardrails you may need to put in place, watch or listen to the interview. And don’t forget to read the Fortinet report. Follow the company on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, or visit www.fortinet.com. TechCentral…
Telkom’s asssets are in high demand, but CEO Serame Taukobong has insisted the company “does not need a knight in shining armour” to come riding to its rescue. In this TechCentral Show (TCS) interview with Taukobong, the Telkom boss provides his views on the interest received from a consortium that includes former CEO Sipho Maseko and Mauritius-based Axian Telecom, as well as MTN Group signalling that it, too, may still be interested in a deal. MTN walked away from early stage talks with Telkom last year after the latter’s board agreed to entertain a rival offer from wireless broadband provider Rain, which had sought a merger with Telkom. But this week, during Telkom’s annual results presentation to. Investors, MTN issued a statement in which it said a deal makes sense for shareholders of both entities. In the interview, at the JSE in Sandton, Taukobong answered several pressing questions: • Without corporate action, can Telkom survive and thrive in the longer term? • How supportive is government towards a partial or full sale of Telkom? • How will market consolidation likely happen and can South Africa’s mobile market sustain four infrastructure competitors in Telkom, Vodacom, MTN and Rain? • Are the retrenchments at Telkom over, or is there still more pain to come? • What’s the prognosis for capital expenditure at Telkom, and why did mobile spending outpace revenue growth? • What’s hurting Telkom’s free cash flow (a negative R2.7-billion in the 2023 financial year), and what is management doing to address the problem? • Does it still make sense for Telkom to own an IT services business? • What are the plans to unlock shareholder value, especially in Gyro? Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Armata: active threat hunting a non-negotiable in modern business 22:45
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22:45With South Africa being a favourite target of cyberattackers worldwide, and with the threats growing in both volume and sophistication, local organisations must do more to mitigate these threats. TechCentral hosted Richard Frost, head of product for cybersecurity at Armata, on the TCS+ business technology show and was encouraged by the sophisticated service that Armata provides to organisations of all sizes. This includes not only analysis, system “road-mapping” and detection of potential attacks, but also the ability to automate a practical response to an identified threat. Active threat hunting is a preparedness practice that Armata encourages. This involves carrying out cyberattacks on oneself to improve both internal skills and overall security posture. This is often facilitated as not only an analysis exercise, but also a learning opportunity for those company representatives who might not have cybersecurity built into their daily routine. The conversation covers malicious attacks such as ransomware, malware and phishing, as well as unintended breaches. Frost shares a harrowing story of a CEO’s office camera being hacked using the Wi-Fi password “admin”. An innocent but careless mistake of a facilities technician who, quite simply, didn’t consider the potential impact a weak password on a camera could have on cybersecurity. This further illustrates the point that South African organisations are vulnerable to such attacks through multiple points of access such as supply chains and third-party providers. Malicious ransomware can sit idle inside your digital infrastructure for months before becoming active and encrypting your organisation’s data. It can behave like any other legitimate application and avoid detection. Frost’s solution is to implement precautionary measures to mitigate against potential threats and disruption because, as much as you think it might not happen to you, when it does, it really hurts. Cybercriminals will try to encrypt or manipulate data or surreptitiously engage in privilege escalation, so you need endpoint detection and response tools in place before it happens. With its specialised tools and expert skills, Armata approaches every client’s system with the express intention of helping uncover loopholes and hidden threats as well as improving the skills of cybersecurity personnel. Armata is positioned as the cybersecurity arm of Vivica Holdings (formerly Vox). TechCentral…
1 TCS | Altron’s Collin Govender on South Africa’s challenge of leadership 47:23
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47:23Senior Altron executive Collin Govender is passionate about leadership – and believes South Africa needs much more of it is to solve its myriad challenges. Govender – who started his career as a forklift operator in a Durban warehouse and who today heads two important businesses in the Altron stable, Altron Systems Integration and Altron Karabina – joins Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS) to discuss the topic. The conversation starts with a discussion about Govender’s career in IT, which included 17 years at T-Systems, and how the Altron opportunity (now opportunities, after he took the reins at Systems Integration in addition to his role leading Karabina) came about. He also unpacks his plans for Altron Systems Integration, where it is positioned in the market and the opportunity for acquisitions – and why systems integration has become a scale game. The conversation then turns to leadership, and the role it plays in business and society. Govender talks about his own management style, and also shares his insights into why he believes South Africa’s biggest problems flow from a lack of decisive and accountable leadership. The fix can be applied to business and politics. But what will it take? Govender’s ideas deserve attention. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Arctic Wolf on managing security threats to SA business 20:05
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20:05Fortifying one’s most valuable assets requires additional security, yet globally these security skills are in short supply. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show, Ian McShane, vice president of strategy at Arctic Wolf Networks, offers his insights into how organisations of all sizes can improve their cybersecurity posture despite the dearth of experienced IT security personnel. Watch or listen to the interview below. A recently published Arctic Wolf survey found that 68% of organisations identified staffing-related issues as the number one threat to achieving their objectives. The scenario is by no means unique to South Africa. In fact, if anything, the country is benefitting from public and private initiatives backfilling the market and from the shared learning that Arctic Wolf, as a global player, brings to the situation. Large organisations have a perceived advantage in that they can afford to employ more people, have greater processing capacity and more tool stacks as lines of defence. However, the challenge of finding the right people with the right skills, nurturing that talent and building a strong security culture remains. It is a full-time commitment and comes at huge cost, not to mention the additional cost of retaining such talent. Small and medium-sized enterprises face the same adversaries and are often so focused on business as usual that they don’t dedicate enough time or resources to lurking security risks. McShane, whose organisation has grown from strength to strength since 2012 and has the capacity to scrutinise vast quantities of data, takes a practical view on mitigating this risk. He believes in complementing the existing skills and tools that may already exist. Companies leverage Arctic Wolf’s expertise as a third-party MDR (manage, detect and response) service and are operationalised rapidly. The immediate threat landscape is scanned and the health check radiated on a customisable dashboard. This immediately augments the chief information security officer’s security posture and helps triage the severity of identified threats. McShane suggests that all organisations should consider implementing 24/7/365 managed services and using the operationalised toolset and data, while addressing the skills gap and nurturing talent to become more au fait with the ever-evolving threats and response mechanisms. To review Arctic Wolf’s 10 cybersecurity predictions, please visit its website and review its lab reports after you’ve listened to this insightful conversation. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Africa Data Centres CEO on digital transformation in Africa 47:28
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47:28Africa Data Centres CEO Tesh Durvasula returns to TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show for a wide-ranging discussion on the digital transformation opportunity in Africa. Durvasula explains in the interview why Africa Data Centres is excited about what digital transformation means for the continent as well as its citizens, businesses and governments. In this episode of TCS+, Durvasula unpacks: • The latest developments at Africa Data Centres, including new data centre builds; • What digital transformation entails in the African context; • The unique challenges African organisations face in their digital transformation initiatives – and how Africa Data Centres is working to solve these; • Examples of how success digital transformation initiatives and data centre developments have positively impacted businesses and communities on the continent; and • The role that data centres will play in digital transformation in Africa as well as the opportunities they present for economic growth and innovation. He also chats about the regulatory landscape and how companies should be approaching issues such as data privacy and information security, especially in the context of cloud computing. Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
MiWay has deployed advanced “conversation analytics” technology in its contact centre environment to improve the performance of customer-facing agents. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ show, the insurer, which worked closely with CallMiner – a specialist in speech and interaction analytics – unpacks what the technology has done for its business operations. MiWay head of business process innovation Huzair Essop, Miway lead integration analyst Asif Mahomed-Hoosen and CallMiner vice president of international operations Frank Sherlock unpack the deployment in detail on the show – watch or listen to it below. Sherlock kicks off the conversation with a discussion about how technologies like conversation analytics software tools can help organisations like MiWay lift their game. Huzair then chats about how MiWay is using conversation analytics to develop its workforce and improve the performance of its customer agents. He also explains what the company has been able to do with the technology that it couldn’t do before. Other topics tackled in the discussion include: • The complexity involved in managing disparate communication channels – whether it’s the phone, e-mail, social media, live chat or other platforms – and how companies can manage this flood of disparate interactions and make sense of it all. • Which channels MiWay analyses with CallMiner’s tools, and how analytics has allowed the company to understand different customer journeys. • Overcoming data silos inside organisations and how technology can help. • Ensuring the appropriate information reaches the right people inside an organisation, and ensuring the correct course of action is taken. • The role of artificial intelligence in conversation analytics. Don’t miss the conversation! TechCentral…
Imagine truly unlimited phone calls and texts to any local network and a large allocation of monthly mobile data for just R299/month. That’s what MTN South Africa unveiled last month when it launched SuperFlex, a mobile tariff plan that allows consumers to choose how much data they want, coupled with unlimited minutes and SMSes and a six-month free trial to the mobile version of Disney+. The new plans start at R299 for 10GB of anytime data. The plans on offer, all providing unlimited phone calls and SMSes, are: • 10GB: R299 • 15GB: R399 • 20GB: R479 MTN described SuperFlex as a “mobile plan that offers customers simplicity, customisation and flexibility” without paperwork, contact lock-in or credit checks. Now MTN South Africa GM for the consumer segment Bertus van der Vyver shares the inside story about the launch of SuperFlex with TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show. Van der Vyver tells TCS+ about: • The SuperFlex offering and the market research that informed its launch; • Why it’s an online-only product and how consumers can sign up for it; • The level of personalisation on offer to consumers; • The pricing strategy behind SuperFlex; • How MTN built the product, and the work that went into building a robust backend solution to support it; • The security measures in place to protect consumers; and • What consumers can expect from SuperFlex in future. Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS | The Information Regulator bares its teeth - an interview with Pansy Tlakula 42:37
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42:37The Information Regulator, the agency responsible for enforcing the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia), is starting to flex its muscles. Among other things, the regulator is tasked with investigating data breaches – including cyberattacks – and will not hesitate to mete out punishment on companies and government entities that don’t take the protection of customer or citizen information seriously. Already engaged in an enforcement action over a cyberattack at the department of justice & constitutional development – the department was fined R5-million – the regulator is seeing a flood of self-reported incidents reach its offices. In fact, more than a thousand such incidents have been reported this year alone, a sharp increase from the 2022 figure of about 600. TechCentral recently welcomed the Information Regulator’s chair, Adv Pansy Tlakula, onto the TechCentral Show (TCS) for a discussion about the regulator, its enforcement actions and some of the investigations it is pursuing. In the TCS interview, Tlakula chats about: • Her day-to-day duties as chair of the Information Regulator; • Popia and the Promotion of Access to Information Act and the Information Regulator’s role in enforcing both pieces of legislation; • What organisations in both the private and public sectors should know about the work of the regulator; • Enforcement actions that it has been involved in, including the ongoing matter involving the department of justice and a resolution to a dispute with pharmacy chain Dis-Chem over a recent incident involving customer information; • The reported cyberattack on the State Security Agency and what the regulator plans to do about it; • The rising number of cyberattacks on public sector infrastructure, what’s driving it and what can be done about it; and • Much more besides. Don’t miss a great discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | IDPs vital for streamlining software development: LSD, Red Hat 46:36
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46:36In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show, Jaydev Chiba speaks to the chief technology officer of LSD Open Julian Gericke and senior solutions architect at Red Hat Chris Mulder about the concept of platform engineering and internal developer platforms (IDPs) and their pivotal role in modern software development. IDPs are an evolving approach aimed at streamlining and enhancing the efficiency of software development processes within organisations. The discussion covers: An overview of internal developer platforms (IDPs) The conversation begins by introducing the notion of internal developer platforms (IDPs). These platforms are designed to simplify and optimise various aspects of software development, from infrastructure management to deployment and beyond. IDPs act as a unified framework that empowers developers to focus on coding and delivering value without being burdened by the complexities of underlying infrastructure. Focus on customer value The overarching theme emphasises the importance of aligning software development efforts with customer needs. It underlines that the primary goal of any development process should be to deliver value to customers. This aligns with the agile philosophy of prioritising customer-centricity and iterative development. Metrics and measurement The interview highlights the significance of metrics and measurement in software development. It stresses the importance of setting clear metrics to assess the success of development efforts. These metrics allow organisations to track their progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that development initiatives are meeting customer expectations. Transitioning to the cloud The discussion then shifts towards cloud adoption strategies. It outlines scenarios that organisations might encounter during their journey to the cloud, catering to varying levels of cloud adoption maturity. These scenarios provide insights for CIOs, software development leaders and decision-makers as they navigate cloud migration. A ‘hybrid first’ approach One of the core concepts presented in the interview is the “hybrid first” approach. This approach recognises that organisations often operate in hybrid environments, combining on-premises and cloud resources. It emphasises the need to meet customers where they are, regardless of their cloud status. The goal is to abstract implementation details to ensure seamless transitions between different deployment models. Security by design Security emerges as a critical concern in the discussion. The TCS+ interview underscores the importance of incorporating security into the development process from the outset. A proactive “security by design” approach helps mitigate vulnerabilities and protect software against potential threats. The discussion acknowledges recent high-profile security incidents and the imperative to enhance security practices. Open-source software and licensing The interview touches upon the complexities of open-source software adoption and licensing. It emphasises the need for organisations to have a clear understanding of the licences associated with open-source components. The discussion acknowledges the value of open source software while highlighting the need for businesses to navigate the intricacies of licensing. Participation in open-source communities An essential aspect of open-source software adoption is active participation in open-source communities. The discussion encourages organisations not only to consume open-source software but also contribute to these communities. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing within these communities can lead to better software quality and mutual benefits. For more, visit techcentral.co.za... TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Generative AI in cybersecurity: Next DLP on what to know 36:48
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36:48TCS+ | Generative AI in cybersecurity: Next DLP on what to know Executives from data loss prevention specialists Next DLP believe generative artificial intelligence will have both positive and negative impacts on the IT security landscape. In this episode of TCS+, TechCentral’s Duncan McLeod is joined by Next DLP’s chief security officer, Chris Denbigh-White, and Fallon Steyn, the company’s regional sales head, to unpack this topic in greater detail. In the discussion, Denbigh-White and Steyn chat about: • How generative AI is being used today, both by adversaries and by those defending organisations against those adversaries. • The impact of generative AI as it becomes increasingly more difficult to discern between the output of humans and machines. • The need for updated regulations and legislation in this field, including in South Africa. • The risks to company data of using generative AI tools. • How businesses internationally – and in South Africa – are using generative AI tools. What are they finding useful in them? How are chief information security officers thinking about handling these tools in the enterprise? • The countries and industries that are leading the way in addressing security concerns around generative AI. Don’t miss a fascinating and topical discussion, especially if you’re in the cybersecurity or data loss prevention field. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Online scams in Africa: how cybercriminals trick victims 25:03
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25:03Nearly half of 800 African survey participants have fallen victim to an online scam at least once, losing thousands of dollars in the process and compromising their personal data. Alarmingly, more than half (53%) of the respondents who fell victim were convinced the offer was legitimate because the website looked real, while nearly 48% of the scams were financial. This was revealed in a recent episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, featuring Anna Collard, senior vice president for content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa. It is also worth mentioning that Collard was recently recognised as the Cyber Security Woman of the Year 2023 “People’s Choice” Award in Las Vegas. Collard, who lives in Cape Town, is a certified business analyst with multiple security certifications, including CISSP, CISA, CIPP/IT, ex PCI DSS QSA, ISO 27001 Implementer, and auditor. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Metaverse for the 2023-2024 term and a board member of the MiDO Cyber Academy Programme, aimed at underserved communities in South Africa to bridge the cyber skills divide. The conversation with TechCentral’s TCS+ unpacked some alarming statistics, all of which can be found in KnowBe4’s 2023 Online Scams and Victims in Africa report. Only recently released, the report is based on a survey of 800 respondents across eight African countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, Mauritius and Botswana. Other key findings included that distraction and multitasking made 43% of the victims fall for an online scam, and that financial scams affected nearly 48% of respondents. “These numbers highlight that online scams have evolved,” says Collard. “What is concerning is that 43% of the victims were distracted and multitasking when they fell for the scam, which highlights how easy it is for a person to make a mistake when they are not paying attention. Their emotional states can affect a person’s judgment, awareness and decision making, causing them to be more vulnerable to online deception,” says Collard. Financial scams were the most common type of online fraud, affecting nearly half of the respondents (50%). Other prevalent scams involved fake investments (30%), cryptocurrencies and NFTs (29%), brand impersonation (28%), information theft (24%), online shopping (21%), and fake job offers (21%). Less frequent but still significant scams included the classic Nigerian scam (17%), family or friend impersonation (18%), law enforcement impersonation (7%), tax fraud (6%), holiday fraud (9%), romance fraud (13%), and lottery fraud (15%). An e-mail was the preferred channel for scammers to initiate contact, accounting for 24% of the cases. Social media came in second with 19%, followed by WhatsApp with 10% and other messaging services like Telegram with 8%. In Nigeria, however, social media was the most used platform for scams (32%), while in South Africa, e-mail was the dominant method (28%). The scammers often used social engineering techniques to convince their victims, such as creating rapport or trust by making websites look legitimate, sending messages that appealed to emotions, using social media profiles that seemed authentic, and avoiding spelling or grammar mistakes. Collard says that the statistics reveal a more evolved and sophisticated network of scammers who use emerging technology to lure people into costly mistakes. Some 30% lost between US$100 and $1 000, 40% around $100, and 9% more than $1 000. The report also showed that falling for a scam had a significant psychological impact on many victims. While 23% said it had little or no effect on them, nearly 50% felt a strong or moderate impact. The results highlight how easy it is for victims to blame themselves, when in reality, they were deceived by cunning scam tactics. Read more at https://techcentral.co.za/. TechCentral…
1 TCS | The Levy brothers on the future of Blue Label and Cell C 1:18:31
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1:18:31When JSE-listed Blue Label Telecoms released its annual results two weeks ago, it showed its core business continuing to grow at a respectable pace. Yet investors dumped the share, worried about a lack of disclosure about Cell C’s performance. Now, in an exclusive interview with the TechCentral Show (TCS), the company’s founders and co-CEOs, brothers Brett and Mark Levy, have spelt out exactly why they believe investors have punished the share, why they decided not to publish numbers for Cell C (this time around), and what their strategy is for the long-troubled mobile operator after the completion last year of its second recapitalisation in six years. In the interview, Mark Levy looks back to the founding of the company more than 20 years ago, how it pivoted into cellular airtime, and its listing on the JSE. The conversation later shifts to a detailed discussion with Brett Levy on Cell C. He answers a wide range of questions, including: • Why did Blue Label buy Cell C in the first place? • What went wrong after the first recap? • What’s stop things going awry again at Cell C? • Why is Blue Label pursuing a controlling stake in the mobile operator? • What’s the potential upside at Cell C? • Just how important is the mobile virtual network operator business? (Cell C recently concluded an MVNO deal with Capitec.) The brothers also tackle the difficulty in understanding Blue Label’s results, driven by the highly complex restructuring at Cell C. They tackle these questions: • Shouldn’t Blue Label be doing more to make its results understandable to shareholders, especially ordinary investors? • Doesn’t buying control of Cell C expose Blue Label to even greater potential risk? • What’s the outlook for Blue Label’s core business? • What are the exciting growth areas in the core business, such as betting/gaming? • Is Blue Label mulling a buyout of minorities and a delisting from the JSE? Don’t miss the most detailed and information-packed interview the Levy brothers have given in years. If you enjoyed the interview, please consider subscribing on YouTube or your favourite podcast app. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Altron’s Caryn Vos on why, in security, encryption is king 32:12
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32:12Cryptography and encryption are pivotal in modern cybersecurity operations. Altron Systems Integration senior manager for cryptography Caryn Vos tells TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show about key reasons why this is the case. Vos tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about why organisations need to get encryption right if they’re serious about protecting their data assets. The conversation explores the evolving security threat landscape and why companies need to respond appropriately. Ransomware remains a primary risk to South African organisations – and organisations around the world – but other risks are also emerging, says Vos. In this episode of TCS+, Vos unpacks how encryption can help in the fight against ransomware and other threats; how encryption protects data both at move and at rest; the impact of corporate espionage; the role of regulations and legislation such as the Protection of Personal Information Act and how encryption can help with regulatory compliance; and how encryption can be used to build trust with customers and other stakeholders. Don’t miss a great discussion with an expert in the field. TechCentral…
It’s easy to keep layering security solutions on top of a company’s IT systems, but this can lead to complexity, high costs and other unnecessary headaches. This is where security control validation can play a big role, according to information security specialists CYBER1 Solutions. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Duncan McLeod speaks to CYBER1 Solutions MD Jayson O’Reilly and the company’s GM for commercial sales and operations, Clarence Beukes, about why companies should seriously consider embarking on a security control validation project. To kick things off, O’Reilly provides a quick refresher on CYBER1 Solutions – what it does, the segments of the market it targets, and its client profile. Both O’Reilly and Beukes then unpack, at a high level, the big trends they are seeing in the security space in 2023, especially in the South African context. The conversation turns to security control validation, which CYBER1 Solutions describes as being of “significant importance” in building organisational defences against cyberattacks. O’Reilly provides an overview of security control validation and why companies should be taking it seriously. Among other things, it’s about allocating resources more effectively to focus on areas that provide a better return on investment in security spending. A successful validation project should help organisations enhance their cyber resilience, ensure regulatory compliance, and inform the adoption of security controls. Beukes explains how validation achieves these outcomes, what’s involved in such a project, whether it’s a once-off exercise or an ongoing process, and how success is measured. To conclude, the conversation turns to the future role of artificial intelligence technology in enhancing cybersecurity operations. Also, what threat does AI pose to organisations, and how might adversaries use it to their advantage? Don’t miss a great discussion! About CYBER1 Solutions CYBER1 Solutions is a cybersecurity specialist operating in Southern Africa, East and West Africa, and Dubai, and elsewhere in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Our solutions deliver information security; IT risk management; fraud detection; governance and compliance; and a full range of managed services. We also provide bespoke security services across the spectrum, with a portfolio that ranges from the formulation of our customers’ security strategies to the daily operation of endpoint security solutions. To do this, we partner with world-leading security vendors to deliver cutting-edge technologies augmented by our wide range of professional services. Our services allow organisations in every sector to prevent attacks by providing the visibility into vulnerabilities they need to rapidly detect compromises, respond to breaches and stop attacks before they become an issue. For more information, visit www.c1-s.com. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Sumeshin Naidoo on Sigfox and the future of IoT in South Africa 34:20
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34:20It’s been a year since investors, including the business’s own customers, came to the rescue the Sigfox internet-of-things (IoT) network in South Africa. Now its chief commercial officer, Sumenish Naidoo, has told the TechCentral Show (TCS) that Sigfox South Africa is not only on a sustainable growth trajectory, but has big big growth plans for the rest of this decade. This comes after Remgro’s CIVH in 2021 pulled the plug on Sigfox operator SqwidNet, citing weak customer demand. Founded eight years ago under CIVH subsidiary Dark Fibre Africa, the difficulties at SqwidNet came as a shock to its customers, including Discovery Insure and ADT, that had come to rely heavily on the nationwide Sigfox network. Former CIVH CEO Raymond Ndlovu said in an interview with TechCentral at the time that the decision to shut down SqwidNet, which by then had been moved out of Dark Fibre Africa as a separate entity under CIVH, was because customer take-up had not been as strong as hoped. The Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns resulted in depressed commercial activity, which worsened the problems at SqwidNet. Support from SqwidNet’s customers, though, ensured the Sigfox network was saved. CIVH has remained a shareholder in the newly created Sigfox South Africa, albeit now as a minority one, along with Macrocomm, Discovery Insure, Fidelity ADT and Buffet Investments. In this episode of TCS, Naidoo tells TechCentral editor-in-chief Duncan McLeod about what’s happened at Sigfox South Africa since the rescue deal last year, and why he believes there is still a significant opportunity for growth in IoT in the country, despite the troubles experienced at SqwidNet. Naidoo also talks about: • What IoT is, and why it could help grease the wheels of commerce; • The history of Sigfox in South Africa, and how Sigfox’s technology differs from traditional cellular communication and other IoT protocols; • What the Sigfox network in South Africa looks like today; • How the network is being used; and • How consumers can get their hands on Sigfox-capable IoT devices. Don’t miss a fascinating interview! TechCentral…
Grant Phillips, group CEO of e4, recently joined Jaydev Chiba on TechCentral’s TCS+ to discuss the company’s inner workings, its future goals and its strategic outlook. With expertise and extensive experience in the proptech and fintech spaces, e4 has positioned itself as an industry leader. Its longstanding client relationships and reputation for reliability and knowledge make e4 a trusted advisor across business sectors. Leveraging emerging technologies to meet evolving market demands and deliver exceptional value to its clients, e4 not only provides world-class solutions, but most importantly plays a strategic role as a partner to its clients. Close collaboration with clients allows e4 access to valuable insights into its client’s challenges and needs, enabling it to offer customised solutions that enhance internal processes and elevate customer experiences. Looking towards the future, Phillips acknowledges the rapidly evolving nature of the industry and the need for continuous adaptation. e4 is committed to remaining relevant by actively pursuing research and development initiatives, and closely monitoring emerging technologies to drive innovation and meet clients’ evolving needs. In conclusion, despite the challenges faced by the industry, particularly in recent times, Phillips expresses confidence in e4’s position and its ability to navigate turbulent times. The company’s supportive leadership team and disciplined execution approach allow it to adapt to market conditions and continue to deliver exceptional value to partners. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Justin Hume unpacks Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold5 and Flip5 26:03
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26:03It’s hard to believe that Samsung Electronics is already five generations into the Galaxy Z series of foldable smartphones, with the Korean consumer electronics giant this week launching its Fold5 and Flip5 globally and in South Africa. The devices show that Samsung has perfected the folding-screen technology – and its commanding market share of the fast-growing segment is testimony to this. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Justin Hume, vice president for mobile at Samsung Electronics in South Africa, unpacks why the Galaxy Z series is critically important to the company, and why it has directed significant research and development spending into making the category a big success. In this episode of TCS+, Hume chats about what’s new in both the Flip5 and the Fold5 – highlights include the bigger external display on the Flip5 and a new, superior Flex Hinge on the Fold5. Hume also discusses the camera capabilities in the new phones and, of course, the pricing details of the new models, including trade-in options and the special offers Samsung is providing at launch. Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Internet users in Africa still too lax about cybersecurity 19:22
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19:22In a landscape dominated by mobile transactions and connections, fewer than 30% of individuals say they are “very concerned” about cybercrime. However, the risk of crypto scams, social engineering attacks, ransomware and phishing remains consistently high. This was revealed in a recent report dubbed Cybersecurity & Awareness Report 2023 by KnowBe4, which was unpacked during a recent interview with TechCentral’s TCS+ technology show. Senior vice president for content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa Anna Collard delved into the findings of the report, which provided a comprehensive view of the African cyber landscape and users’ perception of threats by examining key metrics around cybersecurity and awareness. The report was based on insights from 800 respondents across South Africa, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mauritius and Nigeria. Discussing the complexity of businesses’ and individuals’ use of the internet, it emerged that life skills are required to navigate different channels, such as WhatsApp, while context-switching between personal and business-related conversations. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are aware of this distraction and are constantly developing new ways to manipulate users’ distractibility. According to Collard, a priority was looking at digital device use, digital skills and connectivity to understand fully how devices are used, the perception of risk, as well as the applications most used on these devices. In Africa, WhatsApp is used extensively for work, more so than in other developed countries. However, there is a lack of corporate advice and awareness around the associated risks. This highlights the importance of ensuring that users understand the risks and know how to use the platform safely. Cybersecurity awareness also remains low on the continent, with the initial baseline phishing security test results at an average of 31%, meaning one in every three employees is likely to click on a suspicious link or e-mail, or comply with a fraudulent request. The report also found that distractions and multitasking (38%) and lack of awareness or training (52%) are the primary reasons for staff members making security mistakes. The report also shone the spotlight on how many are unable to identify common cybersecurity threats like ransomware (43%). Luckily, the majority (60%) understand what two-factor authentication is and 62% could identify a good password. A major concern was that one in five considered “P@$$word!” to be a secure password. Collard said it is also key to understand how users experienced different types of cybercrime. The research discovered that just over a third (34%) believed they could recognise a security incident if they saw one. However, 26% admitted to clicking on a phishing e-mail, 51% have had a virus infection, and 32% have lost money to a scam or con artist, which belied that assertion. Unfortunately, people are still too quick to click on links or attachments from people or brands they think are familiar to them. Ultimately, it became painfully clear during the discussion that African businesses and internet users remain uninformed about how to mitigate cyber threats, which leaves them vulnerable. Collard stressed the need for cybersecurity training and awareness programmes. TechCentral…
Nigerian fintech Paystack, which was acquired by Stripe, the Irish-American firm founded by the Collison brothers in 2020 for US$200-million, has big plans to expand elsewhere in Africa. Joel Bronkowski, Paystack’s country head for South Africa, joins the TechCentral Show (TCS) to talk about these expansion plans as well as the state of fintech on the continent. Paystack, which is headquartered in Lagos, was founded by Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi and received early funding from Silicon Valley start-up accelerator Y Combinator. In the TCS interview, Bronkowski also chats about: • Paystack’s plans for the South African market; • How the company is approaching the South African market in comparison to its strategy for Nigeria and other countries; • The problems the company is trying to solve; • The Stripe acquisition and what it means for Paystack; and • Paystack’s growth strategy. Don’t miss a great disruption about disruption in financial services in Africa. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Managing IT in ‘dark’ times (a CIO’s guide to doing business in SA) 37:22
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37:22Power outages, particularly load shedding, are causing significant business disruption in South Africa. Electricity supply challenges are disrupting daily life, affecting businesses and damaging the economy. TechCentral’s Jaydev Chiba chatted to Fikile Sibiya, CIO at e4, the fintech solutions provider, about the challenges of managing IT in the dark (literally) in South Africa. The conversation focuses on the difficulties IT teams face in providing uninterrupted IT services amid power constraints and other challenges. Sibiya highlights the need for companies to think differently about their ownership of systems and facilities and suggests that outsourcing data centre services to specialised providers with backup power capabilities could be the answer. The conversation also delves into the importance of considering alternative energy solutions, like solar power, to ensure continuity and reduce dependence on the grid. Cybersecurity also comes up in the discussion in the interview, and Sibiya stresses the importance of implementing robust security measures, protecting the network perimeter and being prepared for potential security breaches. They also touch on the skills shortage in the IT industry and the challenges of attracting and retaining talent. Sibiya emphasises the need for upskilling and cultivating a supportive industry culture to encourage professionals to stay. The interview ends with a discussion on hybrid work models, with Sibiya advocating for a flexible approach that prioritises work-life balance and stresses the importance of security and awareness training for remote workers. About e4 e4 is a technology company specialising in digitalisation. With more than 20years’ experience, our knowledge team understands the complexity of a digital journey and partners with clients to provide bespoke and innovative solutions that suit their unique needs. For more information, visit www.e4.co.za. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Patrick Henchie on the past, present and future of Nokia phones 27:07
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27:07The rise and fall of Nokia’s mobile phone business has been well documented. Once dominant in the feature-phone era, the Finnish company was caught flat-footed by the launch of Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android. The acquisition of Nokia’s handset business by Microsoft – desperate at the time for its Windows Phone operating system to be a meaningful third player in smartphone software and also desperate for Nokia not to embrace Google’s Android – went awry. Eventually, Microsoft exited the phone business entirely, selling the phone business back to Nokia (whose main business is selling telecommunications gear to network operators), writing off billions of dollars in the process, and leaving the mobile OS market as a virtual duopoly controlled by Apple and Google. But the Nokia phone brand never went away. After the Microsoft collapse, a team ex-Nokia executives founded HMD Global, a Chinese-Finnish phone maker, and licensed the Nokia brand name to continue building smartphones – this time running Android. In this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS), Duncan McLeod is joined in TechCentral’s Johannesburg studio by Patrick Henchie, head of product and operations at HMD Global in sub-Saharan Africa, to unpack some of the history of the Nokia brand, how HMD got its start, the company’s market focus, and what’s coming next from the firm in both handsets and tablets. In this TCS interview, Henchie talks about: • His favourite legacy Nokia phone and why he loved it; • HMD’s relationship with Google; • Why the company does not compete directly with Apple and Samsung in top-tier flagship devices, preferring instead to cater to the mid-market and entry-level tiers; • The Nokia phone line-up: the C series, G series and X series, and where they fit in HMD’s portfolio and in the market; • What South Africans think of the Nokia brand today; and • Why HMD still makes feature phones. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion about a storied brand. TechCentral…
Developments in artificial intelligence are going to have far-reaching impacts on every industry, and every company needs to craft an AI strategy. This is according to Mark Nasila, chief data and analytics officer in First National Bank’s chief risk office, who was speaking to TechCentral on the TCS+ tech show. Nasila, who has a PhD in mathematical statistics and who is an alumni of Singularity University’s executive development programme, was named as the Corinium Global Intelligence 2020 Global Top 100 Innovators in data and analytics. He is one of the leading thinkers on AI in South Africa. In this episode of TCS+, Nasila unpacks: * Why businesses in South Africa should care about AI * Why companies can’t ignore AI, and why every firm need an AI strategy – and sooner rather than later * The key building blocks when it comes to developing an AI strategy * How an AI strategy can help a business achieve its goals * What FNB is doing in the AI space and why – including a look at its AI literacy programme * Where AI is going to take the world – and business – in the coming years * The impact of AI on jobs – should we be concerned? Don’t miss this fascinating discussion with a leading thinker in the field. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Everlectric CEO Ndia Magadagela on Woolies' big EV push 22:59
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22:59JSE-listed retailer Woolworths is moving to replace its fleet of fossil fuel-burning logistics and delivery vehicles with fully electric alternatives. To discuss the project, and more, Duncan McLeod is joined on the TechCentral Show (TCS) by Ndia Magadagela, co-founder and CEO of South African EV-as-a-service (EVaaS) start-up Everlectric. Everlectric, through Woolworths’ logistics partner DSV, is deploying electric panel vans to help the retailer reduce its carbon emissions. The new vans have a 300km range from fully charged and feature “live advanced telematics” that helps improve the efficiency of the vehicles – from managing the top speed (they are governed to 120km/h) to the maximum power output. In this episode of TCS, Magadagela talks about the Woolworths project, and why she believes the EVaaS model is suited to the local market. She also talks about: • Her and her co-founders’ backgrounds, and how Everlectric got its start. • The proofs of concept that the company has run. • The logistics behind managing in an EV fleet in a country plagued by load shedding – and why it nevertheless still makes sense. • Learnings from the Woolworths project and how it fits into the retailer’s objective to reach “net zero” carbon emissions by 2040. • How the internet of things helps Everlectric manage its fleet. • Everlectric’s scale-up plans over the next three to five years. It’s a fascinating interview … don’t miss it! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Louise Steenekamp: what to look forward to at Saphila 2023 10:50
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10:50The African SAP User Group (AFSUG) is a community-driven, non-profit organisation independent of SAP that represent the interests of SAP customers and partners in Africa. It does this by providing a platform to share stories, best practices and insights related to their experiences with SAP technology, assisting SAP users to address their key challenges in the African context. Africa trails other regions in terms of digital adoption and maturity. There are many reasons for this, including poor internet infrastructure and coverage, lack of trust in digital service providers, and a lack of digital and general technology skills. African companies must also overcome a myriad internal factors that contribute to low digital maturity, including cultural resistance to adopting digital tools, a lack of organisational agility required to adopt digital tools effectively, and underdeveloped technology capabilities. Despite these wide digital gaps and other challenges, there is clearly a desire to catch up to the rest of the world, and digital adoption and the associated infrastructure buildouts are occurring faster in Africa than in other regions. Through events, forums and networking opportunities, AFSUG allows SAP customers and partners from diverse industries across Africa to engage around these challenges and to exchange ideas to address them, accelerating successful business implementations. Aside from unlimited access to like-minded professionals, resources and education, a further benefit for AFSUG members is being able to influence SAP’s direction in Africa and globally. Saphila 2023 Saphila, meaning “Alive”, is AFSUG’s world-class biennial African conference, hosted in collaboration with SAP, and is making its post-pandemic comeback from 9-11 July 2023 at the Sun City resort in South Africa’s North West province. This year’s Saphila conference will also be the first-ever hybrid Saphila event, further extending the agenda to delegates who may not be able to travel to or within South Africa. Saphila 2023 is an opportunity for attendees, both in-person and those attending virtually, to connect, create and collaborate through knowledge sharing about innovations, implementation and service delivery best practices while being exposed to local customer testimonials and panel discussions covering eight different content streams – from platform & tech, transformation and human experience management to the future, next-gen services and more. Several world-class keynote speakers and top industry experts have been lined up to speak at the event, promising to deliver a content-rich learning experience. Additionally, the conference promises to deliver an all-encompassing immersive environment through providing access to exhibition spaces packed with SAP partners showcasing their solutions on implementing projects faster, better and within a cost-effective budget, as well as new product showcases and demonstrations presented by SAP and SAP partners. While virtual attendees may not be able to visit the physical partner exhibition, they will still be able to enjoy access to the Saphila 2023 virtual expo centre, which includes online booths for all exhibitors. They will also have the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions and live surveys. In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+ show, Louise Steenekamp, head of IT at Aspen Pharmacare -- speaking in her capacity as a board member of the African SAP User Group – unpacks what to expect at the upcoming Saphila 2023 event. The Saphila 2023 agenda is now live and can be accessed by visiting saphila2023.com/agenda. For more information and assistance with general event information and bookings, please send a message to info@SAPHILA2023.co.za. TechCentral…
It’s been eight months since Werner Kapp took the reins from Mteto Nyati at Altron. Now firmly in his new role, Kapp joins the TechCentral Show (TCS) to unpack his strategy for the storied JSE-listed technology group. Kapp, who previously led Dimension Data, talks about Altron’s financial results for the year ended 28 February 2023 and how, despite the rotten economy, it still managed to produce revenue growth of 19%. In the interview, Kapp unpacks: • His strategy for Altron – and why he’s focusing on the areas he is; • Which parts of Altron have him particularly excited; • Value-unlock opportunities for Netstar and other operating companies; • The role played by Altron investor Value Capital Partners; • The plans for Altron Document Solutions; • The opportunities and challenges facing Altron Karabina, Altron Systems Integration and Altron Security; • The impact of load shedding on Altron; and • Why he’s still cautiously optimistic about South Africa’s future. Don’t miss the interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Data is key to any CX strategy: key insights from CallMiner 36:30
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36:30This year is set to be a difficult one for customer experience (CX) professionals as entities in every sector struggle to focus on customers while staying afloat in turbulent economic times. CX teams will need to transform, and those that can help their companies achieve their brand goals and aspirations will thrive despite shrinking corporate budgets. To do this, they need data, as it is the cornerstone of any successful CX strategy and is integral to boosting brand loyalty and advocacy. To unpack the importance of data for business improvements, TechCentral last week hosted an episode of the TCS+ technology show that brought together experts in the field of data analytics. TCS+ host Yaliwe Soko spoke to Frank Sherlock, vice president of international operations at CallMiner, and explored how businesses can leverage data to improve their operations, enhance customer experience and drive growth. It emerged in the interview that data is essential for making better business decisions. Sherlock emphasised that data provides valuable insights into customers’ needs, preferences and behaviours. By leveraging data analytics tools, businesses can harness this information to optimise their products, services and operations. Moreover, Sherlock discussed how CX is a crucial element of business success. CallMiner highlighted the importance of using data to improve customer experience, citing examples of how businesses can use customer feedback and sentiment analysis to identify pain points and deliver personalised experiences. Data governance and security are critical, Sherlock said, and stressed the importance of implementing robust data governance policies and security measures to protect customer data and comply with regulatory requirements. Finally, he said the human element is still crucial in data analytics. Despite the increasing prevalence of automated analytics tools, human judgment and expertise are still necessary for interpreting data and making informed business decisions. Overall, the interview provides valuable insights into the importance of data for business improvement. Businesses that can harness the power of data analytics will gain a competitive advantage by making better decisions, enhancing customer experience and driving revenue growth. However, data governance and security are critical considerations, and human judgment and expertise remain key to effective data analytics. TechCentral…
1 TCS+ | Cipherwave picks OADC in big data centre migration 36:08
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36:08Open Africa Data Centres (OADC), part of the Wiocc Group, recently completed a new data centre build in Isando, east of Johannesburg, and internet service provider Cipherwave has already become an anchor tenant in the facility. To discuss the data centre build, and Cipherwave’s decision to deploy its infrastructure there, Duncan McLeod is joined on TechCentral’s TCS+ by Darren Bedford, group chief development officer at Wiocc Group, and by Wayne D’Sa, CEO of Cipherwave. To kick off a lively discussion, Bedford unpacks Wiocc Group’s move into data centres, what OADC has achieved in its first year in business, and the investments the company has already made in facilities, not only in South Africa but elsewhere on the continent. Bedford also chats about OADC’s landing of the Meta Platforms-backed 2Africa internet cable system at Amanzimtoti, south of Durban, and what’s involved in bringing these systems ashore. He talks, too, about why OADC is also investing heavily in edge data centres, and why these are important in the local context. The conversation then shifts to OADC’s Isando data centre and what was involved in constructing it (and in record time). D’Sa explains why Cipherwave decided to partner with OADC, and what was involved in moving its servers and other data centre infrastructure to the new facility. Don’t miss a fascinating discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Amped: Maurice van Heerden on building Planetworld 35:23
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35:23Planetworld, a distributor of audio gear from brands such as Sonos and Shure, has proven that there is still strong demand among South African consumers for specialist audio. The company, which was founded by four brothers, has built a strong niche in the audio market, led by Sonos, but also representing brands such as JVC, Kenwood, Cambridge Audio, Alpine, Pioneer, Onkyo and Savant. Planetworld co-founder, director and CEO Maurice van Heerden – one of the four Van Heerden brothers – joins Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS) to chat about the history of the company, including: • The 2008 acquisition of Planet Electronics, which formed the basis on what became Planetworld. • The 2017 acquisition of Audiotronic, which brought the Sonos, Polk Audio, Onkyo and Dali brands to the stable. • What it’s like going into business with siblings – and why it worked so well for Planetworld. • Why Sonos has changed the world of audio, and why Planetworld believes there is still a huge market opportunity for the brand in South Africa. In the TCS interview, Van Heerden also chats about the state of the economy and the impact – or not – that this has had on high-end audio sales. Lastly, he unveils details about Planetworld’s new initiative, Rockstar Studios. Don’t miss a great discussion! TechCentral…
For years, Cell C was the only game in town for brands wanting to launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). That’s changing -- fast -- and now MTN has said it is positioning itself as the “go-to network backbone partner” in South Africa. MTN South Africa wholesale executive Quintus de Beer joins Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS) to unpack in detail what this plan means for other network carriers and prospective MVNO players. De Beer said MTN wants to be the “network of choice” for the wholesale market by 2025, even as rivals Vodacom and Telkom gear up to launch MVNO enablement platforms of their own -- in line with the requirements set out in last year’s broadband spectrum auction. Already, both Telkom and Cell C both roam on MTN's infrastructure, with a number of MVNOs also launching on the operator’s network, including Pick n Pay’s PnP Mobile and Afrihost’s Air Mobile -- with more to be announced soon, according to De Beer. In this episode of TCS, De Beer chats about: * Why wholesale is so important to MTN * MTN’s relationship with Cell C and Telkom * The MVNOs on MTN’s network * What’s involved in supporting MVNOs * The market size for MVNOs * Why it took so long for MVNOs to take off in South Africa Don’t miss a fascinating discussion. TechCentral…
1 TCS | Muggie van Staden: Linux fans should learn to trust Microsoft 28:20
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28:20Muggie van Staden is CEO of one of South Africa's largest and oldest open-source software companies, Obsidian Systems. But ask him what he runs on his desktop, and he'll tell you it's a Mac. And he recently moved to it from ... Microsoft Windows. Van Staden says his desktop computing choices are based on the fact that he's not particularly technical, and prefers the relative ease of use of both Windows and macOS. Indeed, many of the non-technical staff at Obsidian run Windows PCs or Macs, while the company's developers tend to prefer either macOS or Linux. That Linux hasn't succeeded in displacing Microsoft and Apple on the desktop, against the fervent wishes of many open-source software fans, doesn't worry Van Staden, who points out in this interview on the TechCentral Show (TCS) that Linux and open-source software have won everywhere else - on servers, in the data centre and on phones (Android). In this episode of TCS, Van Staden chats about: * How Obsidian got its start; * The relevance of open-source software in the modern computing world; * Why Linux has never become popular on the desktop and whether it will ever be anything more than a niche on PCs; * Why Microsoft should no longer be seen as the enemy of the open-source community, and why the community should not distrust the company's motives in its embrace of Linux and other open-source software; and * The role of open-source software in enterprise computing in South Africa. Don't miss a great discussion! TechCentral…
South African Internet entrepreneur Calvin Collett is launching his latest venture, mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Melon Mobile, next week, hoping to lure customers looking for a simpler proposition for their telecommunications needs. Collett joined TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS) on Thursday to unpack the new company’s plans. Melon Mobile, which will be launched officially next Thursday, piggybacks off MTN South Africa’s network and offers a full range of connectivity solutions, including voice, data and text messages. Customers can choose exactly how much data, voice or SMSes they want upfront using sliders, offering them the sort of granularity that’s not available from the big network operators. Collett, speaking on TCS, explained that Melon Mobile has worked to remove the inefficiencies associated with subscribing to mobile services. In the interview, Collett, who previously headed the MTN-owned Internet service provider Supersonic, talks about: • Why the MVNO market in South Africa is mushrooming; • Why Melon Mobile chose MTN as its network partner; • Melon Mobile’s prices, and the company’s pricing strategy; • The company’s target market and the market opportunity; and • What its next moves are after launch. Don’t miss the interview – and if you enjoy it, please subscribe to TechCentral’s tech shows on YouTube, Spotify and elsewhere (see details below). TechCentral…
1 TCS | MetroFibre CEO on the township broadband opportunity 38:17
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38:17Jan-Jan Bezuidenhout, CEO of MetroFibre Networx, believes fibre network operators (FNOs) in South Africa will soon find a way to deliver fibre broadband profitably into underserviced areas. Speaking on the TechCentral Show (TCS), Bezuidenhout – who replaced former Absa boss Steve Booysen as CEO of MetroFibre in mid-2022 – said he is confident a solution to the challenge of delivering fibre affordably into these areas will be forthcoming. MetroFibre and other FNOs are actively testing models for deploying fibre broadband into townships and even into informal settlements. In this episode of TCS, Bezuidenhout speaks about: * The state of the fibre broadband market in South Africa; * The history of MetroFibre, including its investment rounds; * Consolidation in the fibre infrastructure industry – and the role MetroFibre might play in that consolidation; and * MetroFibre’s recent aggressive price cuts and line speed increases – why the company did it, and what it hopes to achieve. Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Kalon's Clive Butkow on the state of the VC nation 36:47
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36:47Clive Butkow is one of South Africa’s leading experts on venture capital investment in technology start-ups. The founder and CEO of Kalon Venture Partners joins Duncan McLeod on the TechCentral Show (TCS) to chat about why the VC investment business has changed radically, especially since the world, led by the US Federal Reserve, started hiking interest rates last year to tame inflation. Monetary tightening has meant the end of “easy money” and the need by start-ups to focus not on where their next funding round is coming from – it might not even happen in this environment, Butkow says – to managing cash flows and ensuring financial sustainability. He provides advice to entrepreneurs as to what they should be doing differently to survive the current economic headwinds. For those wanting to start their own ventures, but who haven’t yet done so, he provides insight into the key issues they should be considering before setting out. Also, what are the biggest mistakes start-ups make? Butkow unpacks the key ones in this discussion. Butkow, a former chief operating officer of Accenture South Africa, quit his day job 10 years ago to found Kalon Venture Partners, which has made several highly successful investments in South African tech start-ups over the years. Kalon’s new fund is now looking at investments elsewhere on the continent, too, seeking to take advantage of growth in the start-up ecosystems in countries such as Kenya and Nigeria. In this episode of TCS, Butkow talks about the South African Revenue Service’s Section 12J incentive scheme, which drove investments in a large number of start-ups but which has now come to an end. He reflects on the impact that Section 12J had, and what else Sars – and government – could be doing to stimulate start-ups and small businesses. Don’t miss a fascinating interview! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Pargo CEO Lars Veul on the changing shape of e-commerce logistics 27:55
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27:55When Dutch colleagues and business partners Lars Veul and Derk Hoekert came to South Africa on assignment with e-commerce marketplace Groupon in 2012, they soon realised there was a problem: up to 30% of local online orders were not getting delivered. This was due to various reasons, including consumers not being at home at time of delivery, office premises being difficult for couriers to access and difficulties associated with couriers making deliveries in areas without proper addresses, including in townships. So, the entrepreneurially minded pair quit their jobs at Groupon and started Pargo in 2015 in an effort to solve the last-mile logistics headaches facing e-commerce businesses in South Africa. “We spent two years trying to figure out the real problems,” Veul says in this episode of the TechCentral Show (TCS). The result was a sharp focus on the click-and-collect model and establishing partnerships with thousands of retail stores, allowing consumers to send and receive orders — and return items — over the counter, with a human being providing assistance. Pargo, which doesn’t operate its own fleet of vehicles – preferring to partner instead with courier companies – now has plans to expand into new markets. In this TCS interview, Veul unpacks what comes next for Pargo. He also chats about whether the South African Post Office could ever reinvent itself as an e-commerce player, or whether the state-owned postal service is a lost cause. Don’t miss the discussion! TechCentral…
1 TCS | Michele Gamberini on the criminal assault on MTN's base stations 6:03
6:03
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6:03MTN South Africa hosted a media event in Soweto on Thursday to demonstrate to journalists the severe impact that criminal vandalism is having on its base stations. In this interview, conducted at the site of an MTN base station in Mofolo South in Soweto, the company's chief technology and information officer, Michele Gamberini, tells TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod about the attacks taking place on its high sites and how it's fighting back. MTN disclosed that it will spend at least R1.5-billion this year at it moves to secure its network against both severe load shedding and vandalism. Gamberini said MTN will use the R1.5-billion allocated to building resilience in its network - protecting its infrastructure from vandals and deploying thousands of additional batteries to ensure its sites remain operational during extended power outages. Gamberini said that in the past year there have been more than 400 unique attacks on its tower infrastructure in the Eastern Cape alone. Some sites have been hit as many as 15 times, he said. In this episode of the TechCentral Show, Gamberini unpacks the impact of the vandalism and power cuts on its ability to service its clients. He also talks about how the company is working with law enforcement in an effort to address the problem, which is affecting all industry players. TechCentral…
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