RubiBlue, intelligent business solutions provider, donated food, clothes and essential items to Othandweni Community Development Services in Mooiplaas to uphold its commitment to the legacy of Mandela Day. The day, held on Madiba’s birthday of 18 July, marks a significant moment in South African history and inspires people to make a difference. This year, RubiBlue focused on a NGO that’s committed to helping people with HIV, AIDS and Tuberculosis. “This year we asked all of our staff to dig deep and find ways in which they could contribute to Othandweni,” says Chris Ogden, CEO, RubiBlue. “We collected food, toys, clothes, blankets and other essential items for the month leading up to the day and then arranged to have them delivered on Mandela Day.” The employees at RubiBlue managed to collect a huge variety of kid’s, men’s and ladies’ clothes, coffee, milk and sugar, plus they made more than 300 sandwiches for the people helped by Othandweni. The toys and child-related items were also taken to the creche next door. Every item went towards making the lives of people in the Mooiplaas information settlement easier and more comfortable. Othandweni Community Development Services provides support and care for those who have serious illnesses such as HIV, AIDS and Tuberculosis. Its work is essential to the community and the donation made by RubiBlue made a much-needed difference this winter. “We couldn’t believe it,” says Saseni Mabaso, community lead at Othandweni Community Development Services. “People were so grateful – one gentleman was on his way to beg for food when they arrived and he was now able to eat a meal without having to beg. The children were so happy, they are still laughing about the gifts they have been given.” To find out more about RubiBlue and how it can work with your business to create intelligent technology and ignite revenue, visit www.rubiblue.com, call 27 (0) 861 48 48 99, or email contactus@rubiblue.co.za. To engage with Saseni . . .
TrustPay notches up a SAAS payments first with 1Connect
TrustPay is the first secure payments enabler to use the Software-as-a-Service (Saas) model to facilitate transactions across the world’s most promising emerging markets. The African company’s ‘1Connect’ service is a true low-cost, plug-and-play solution that vastly simplifies back-end integration between payment providers and payment sources. SaaS, in this sense, refers to TrustPay’s centrally-hosted licensed software being used to facilitate on-demand transactions between payment sources and payment providers. The former are typically online merchants such as sports betting services; travel, tourism and entertainment portals, virtual marketplaces and other web platforms where financial transactions are a central feature of the user experience. The latter, on the other hand, represent established credit card companies like Visa and MasterCard, as well as emerging market payment providers processing the lion’s share of transactions in these high-potential and fast-growing markets. The World Bank says 54% of adults in developing world economies have no bank account. This has led to the rise of alternative, non-bank payment providers across the length and breadth of the developing world. There is a resultant need to seamlessly integrate these payment providers into the web-based platforms of the many online merchants and vendors interested in doing business with Africa’s one billion consumers. TrustPay’s 1Connect plug-in means once an online payment source is integrated into the SaaS provider’s platform, it can process payments from consumers in almost all African countries. Further emerging market territories will soon be included in TrustPay’s footprint. In conclusion, TrustPay’s cloud-based SaaS solution, unparalleled emerging markets access and collaboration with established payment sources helps merchants across diverse consumer categories focus on their core business of making sales while TrustPay makes payments. CLICK HERE to submit . . .
VOIP is more affordable than cellular, more reliable than copper
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) offers the best communications solution in a challenging business environment because it is more affordable than cellular and more reliable than copper. VoIP is alo feature-rich which enables SMEs to run enterprise-grade platforms at a fraction of the cost of established players and this has a positive impact on productivity, customer service and the ultimate operational capability that determines whether they sink or swim. That’s the word from Rad Jankovic, CEO of leading VoIP provider, Otel Communications, who says VoIP today is a proven, mainstream voice and data technology counted on by millions of South African businesses and consumers each day. "VoIP is more affordable than it has ever been because of plummeting interconnection rates. Furthermore, the voice quality is excellent because the Internet is speeding up in South Africa. VoIP was legalised by the legislature well over a decade ago and is now an established telecoms technology used by the country’s most respected brands," he says. Mr Jankovic lists seven outstanding reasons to go VoIP: 1. VoIP offers crystal clear, high quality voice communication Fibre and a host of other high-speed broadband access technologies are being rolled out all over the country, making the quality of VoIP service impeccable. It’s great, and it’s getting even better! 2. You save money calling ALL other networks, whether VoIP or otherwise It is much cheaper making calls using VoIP than traditional copper wire dinosaur technology and that’s the bottom line. It doesn't matter if you're calling international, national or mobile numbers. VoIP is cheaper and Otel, in particular, is 45% cheaper. That’s why millions of people around the globe use VoIP and more are making switching each year. In addition, many VoIP providers offer free calling within their networks. 3. VoIP now comes in different flavours The 087 prefix used to be synonymous with VoIP and while it still . . .
Proactive Steps Required From all Mobile Users
Malware and ransomware can inadvertently be downloaded from app stores by unsuspecting local mobile users oblivious to the potential threat posed to data privacy and security. SA’s Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA) advises mobile users to protect themselves from malware and ransomware in three proven ways: download apps at reputable app stories; install anti-virus and anti-malware protection on mobile devices; and - as a last resort - perform a quarterly factory reset of any mobile device not performing optimally. According to Tanya Howard-Thelander, a member of WASPA’s Board: “Today’s malicious apps look for every opportunity to steal data and facilitate unauthorized transactions, including purchasing products and services without the mobile users knowledge.” WASPA, along with its members, actively surveys the mobile landscape using test mobile devices to research malware and ransomware in an effort to secure and maintain the integrity of local mobile content and application services. “Malicious apps attempt to access a range of sensitive information and data after being surreptitiously installed on unprotected devices during the download of apparently legitimate apps,” says Ms. Howard-Thelander. While most of these malicious apps don’t create any home screen icons that would usually alert mobile users to their presence, they can almost always be found under device Settings. “Once found under App Settings, malicious apps can be deleted or uninstalled with a factory reset of the device,” explained Ms. Howard-Thelander. Consumers should also analyse the permissions an app requests before downloading an app, in order to understand the user experience and potential activities that can be expected after installing the app. If the requested permissions don’t align with the purpose of the app, err on the side of caution. WASPA has spent the last 14 years building trust in the local mobile content and applications industry and . . .
How To Change (a brand) in 10 days
[Johannesburg, 20 July 2018] – While there’s been much debate about the bank’s new logo, the actual task of rolling out Absa’s vision across hundreds of OOH sites had print solutions companies and their partners burning oil day and night. Solethu Brand Engineers (SBE) gives some insights into what it takes to help change a brand in 10 days. “A project of this magnitude is split over various service providers,” says MD, Robyn Fischer. “Our part was to supply PVC, mesh and other materials for a rollout to a variety of sites in Gauteng and surrounding areas.” Ink, hours and caffeine To successfully project manage] the flow of various artworks from agencies to the creation of the final products (ready for installation) one requires significant experience and capabilities – not only in the available type of facility, machinery and materials but, also and most critically, scalability and skillset of people-power to see it through. “The Absa job required nearly 10 days of round-the-clock work from the SBE team,” says Fischer. “In producing billboards and other iconic OOH sites we used significant volumes of ink, 30 rugby fields of material, over 4 000 production hours and burned through countless cups of coffee – the job required all hands on deck without affecting our other projects . . . I am thankful to the SBE team and our partners for helping us successfully complete all work over this time.” Getting things done With its new logo and brand rollout, Absa is hoping to express a new identity as an entrepreneurial, digitally-led bank with deep knowledge of African markets (with global scalability) . . . with Africanacity their “bespoke” word that “embodies the distinctly African ability to always find a way to get things done." “We echo that sentiment,” says Fischer. “From SBEs perspective we’ve always considered ourselves a company that innovates by nature and delivers on-point – whatever (and wherever) it is needed. Big or small we aim to . . .
Cell C Launches UltraBonus That Triples Your Recharge Every Time
UltraBonus, which is available from Thursday, 19 July, is in line with Cell C’s commitment to bring customers the best value for money. “We want to bring value to South Africans who are feeling the pinch of the increased cost of living. We decided to launch UltraBonus as our default prepaid tariff plan and believe this will go a long way in making the cost to stay connected more affordable. With all this great value, we believe our customers will be able to further stretch their hard-earned rands,” says Cell C Chief Commercial Officer, Junaid Munshi. No matter the recharge amount, with UltraBonus, customers will receive three times the value every time they recharge. Customers receive 100% bonus value of the recharge amount, which is valid for calls to any local network (including Cell C) as well as for SMS and data. In addition, they will receive another 100% bonus value of the recharge amount for Cell C to Cell C calls as well as SMS and data. “This means that by simply being a Cell C customer you get 200% added value on top of your recharge value to make more calls, send more SMS and enjoy even more data on our quality, high-speed nationwide network,” adds Munshi. Example: A R50 recharge will give customers R150 in airtime value Bonus airtime is valid for 24 hours from the recharge date and time, but can be extended with additional recharges, prior to the bonus value expiring. Bonus value that applies to data therefore does not expire for as long as customers recharge prior to expiry. The bonus airtime cannot be used to purchase bundles, pay for premium-rated services nor can it be transferred. Since it’s the default prepaid tariff plan, all new customers who join Cell C will get this benefit from the word go. Cell C prepaid customers that want to migrate to the UltraBonus tariff plan can do so by dialling *108# and selecting UltraBonus as their new tariff plan. For more information, please go to www.cellc.co.za. In 2001, Cell C . . .
All systems go for township tech fest!
The organisers of eKasi Tech Fest say it’s “all systems go” for the much-anticipated technology event taking place from 18 to 20 October 2018, at the Dlamini Multipurpose Centre in Soweto. Over the three days, the festival will host a number of relevant platforms including the Gauteng Gaming Community Cup, interactive Panel Discussions and Exhibitions. The eKasi Tech Fest will provide Indie Game Developers with the opportunity to present their games and stand a chance to be incubated by Maxum Digital. Building up to the event will be a series of talks hosted in partnership with Maxum Digital every last Thursday of the month. The Maxum eKasi Gaming Talks will be a platform to share knowledge with key industry players on issues related to the township tech and gaming eco-system. In addition, eKasi Tech Fest is calling out to Gamers across Gauteng to take part in the Gauteng Gaming Community Cup Tournament. The GGCT final will take place at the tech festival on 20 October 2018. There will be knock-out stages that will take place in different regions within province, starting in August. All aspiring Gamers in Gauteng are requested to apply on our website or send their details to info@e-kasifest.co.za. Founded by the Soweto based i-Village Foundation, the eKasi Tech Fest has the key objective of bridging the digital divide and enable township communities to participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution to ensure sustainable development. Gauteng entrepreneurs, students, gamers and the general public are invited to come and be exposed to the latest technology developments, at no cost. Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are available on request. For further enquiries, please contact tsholo@e-kasifest.co.za / info@e-kasifest.co.za or go www.e-kasifest.co.za. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. . . .
Launch Announcement: AfricaCom 2018 – Free headliner content
Shaping Africa's digital future – AfricaCom launches FREE headliner conference tracks with world-class speaker line-up. London, 12 July 2018 - Whether your focus is connectivity infrastructure, disruptive technologies, digital services or ICT strategy, AfricaCom 2018 – 13 to 15 November at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa - will be the place to be to shape Africa’s digital future. AfricaCom in 2018, turns 21 and will be bigger and better than ever, taking into account the ever increasing influence of technology on everyday lives. As a result, several new features will be launched this year. As always though, the world’s largest Africa-focused technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) event, will offer visitors and delegates the prospect to discover and conclude business opportunities, as well as network with some of the most progressive minds in the sector. More than 30 of these thought-leaders, over three days, will advance the conversation around Africa’s digital transformation through a series of expert sessions - the AfricaCom Headliners - which are free of charge to all registered visitors this year. “We made a decision to open up a number of key conference areas, as we recognise the importance and significance of the conversations taking place around a multitude of topics all connected by the backbone of technology,” commented Tom Cuthell, Portfolio Director of KNect365, organisers of AfricaCom. “The more people involved in these discussions, the quicker Africa will advance towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Where do Telcos fit in the digital ecosystem? With greater connectivity comes greater responsibility and a requirement for new business models to address this latest era of communications. As the conduit for all this connectivity, telcos will need to explore how they can connect the next 1 billion and unlock the true value of Africa’s digital transformation – beyond the commercial. Addressing these issues, the Headliners . . .
Ponguibou Studios Debuts Their Transmedia Interactive Story Book at Turbine Art Fair, JHB, 12-15 July 2018
South Africa, Johannesburg, Turbine Art Fair 2018, 11 July 2018 The quintessential little town of Riebeek Kasteel in the Western Cape of South Africa has recently hosted two Ivorian residents over the past few months - Paul Sika and Jean-Luc Gosse have proved to be a wonderful addition to the familiar characters of the area. Keeping most of the community on their toes about their “big project” and why on earth they would decide to reside in the smallest of villages amongst the tight-knit community of the Riebeek Valley, the dynamic duo have finally completed the first debut of Ponguibou studio’s Transmedia production - The Boy And The Cauliflowers - first to be exhibited at Turbine Art Fair 2018 in Johannesburg from 12-15 July. Paul Sika is previously known for his powerful storytelling through his colourful and vibrant photographs that represent various narratives of Africa in technicolour-saturation. His photographs are known to explore the impact of creativity and thought on society. Being acclaimed for his work on a worldwide platform, Paul humbly acknowledges that his role as “Paul Sika- The Photographer” has been fulfilled and is on its way to growing into something bigger than himself. Thus, the brainchild of Paul, Ponguibou and the story of The Boy And The Cauliflowers originated. At a more personal level, Paul explains that his vision is to “dissolve” Paul Sika and form something completely new. He felt a shift, wanting to manifest a certain universe, that he had acquired when creating these evocative photographs - but what he was seeing was something much greater in a different light, he had envisioned an illustration-based world and no longer a photo-based world. This project allows Paul and his team to narrate the stories from his internal universe using a different medium altogether, incorporating his love for computers and technology with his love for art. After having completed his studies in software engineering at the University of . . .
SA Teens Set To Disrupt Social Media Industry
Pretoria, Gauteng - 6 July 2018 - Bounz Media (Pty) Ltd is pleased to announce its brand new social media platform. The team consisting of two 19-year-olds believe they have found a way to overcome the two biggest hurdles in social media today by allowing users to literally bounce interesting posts they have received by pulling them down and then having them sent onwards to all their followers. This process can continue indefinitely and allow the posts of people with a limited following to theoretically reach everyone on the platform. The ability for posts to be shared is not a new concept but Bounz places emphasis on this and “gamifies” the experience through a fun, interactive bouncing motion which incentivises sharing. Furthermore Bounz has been designed for the sharing of creative graphical posts to strangers and for that purpose only. What this means is that everything on Bounz is public and should be posted with that intention. This is significant because it solves the privacy issues that current platforms are battling with by providing no privacy and making that clear to users. Ishe Mabugu realised that most people are very creative and should not be limited to only being able to share posts with people that happen to follow them. Ishe had a brilliant idea to solve this problem with an app that allows posts to be bounced. Unfortunately Ishe is not a software developer and had to find a partner who could bring his idea to life. Ishe managed to get in contact with local coding prodigy, Gerhard de Clercq and the two have been working tirelessly for the past year to make Bounz a reality. Gerhard has pulled off a miracle to single-handedly craft a working prototype and work on completing an engineering degree (for which he is still currently top of his class) but simply cannot find the time necessary to bring the app up to public release standards. The team realised that they needed to find funding in order to complete their app but could not manage . . .
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