Podcasting has officially come of age in South Africa, a milestone celebrated with the inaugural South African Podcasters Awards (SAPA) held on Saturday, 2 November. This historic event saw watch parties and gatherings nationwide, connecting creators and fans in honour of a medium that has evolved from niche to mainstream. Formed to support and celebrate South African podcasters, the SA Podcasters Guild includes over 300 creators from genres as varied as comedy, business, music, and true crime, representing the rich diversity of voices that shape the South African podcast landscape. Globally, the podcast industry has surged in recent years, transforming into a cultural and economic force. With an estimated global audience of over 500 million listeners in 2024, podcasting is seeing unparalleled growth, with major platforms like Spotify and Apple investing heavily to capture new audiences and develop exclusive content. The United States alone has projected podcast listener numbers to surpass 100 million by the end of this decade, while in South Africa, listener figures are expected to reach 4.8 million by 2027. This demand reflects a growing appetite for on-demand, niche content, and brands are increasingly turning to podcasts as an intimate and effective channel for digital engagement and advertising. The awards embody this momentum within South Africa, recognising the range and quality of content being produced locally. "South African podcasting has entered an exciting new phase,” said Gavin Kennedy of Solid Gold Podcasts. “What we’re seeing now is not only a rise in the number of podcasts but a heightened standard of production and storytelling. Podcasts have become powerful spaces for authentic conversations, cultural exchange, and learning. This awards ceremony honours those who are driving that change.” The SAPAs were established not only to celebrate outstanding achievements but also to unify the community and support podcasting’s growth as a formidable …
Humaine Launches in Europe at World AI Summit 2024, Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands – October 10, 2024 – At the World AI Summit 2024, Humaine, a pioneering human-centric AI marketing agency, officially launched its South African and European operations yesterday. The timing of this debut couldn’t be more significant, as the global conversation around responsible and ethical AI deepens. Humaine shared its innovative emerging technology solutions designed to help enterprises communicate with and adaptability, using generative AI-powered tools that deliver multilingual, diverse, and hyper-targeted content. Why Europe, Why Now? Europe is rapidly becoming the epicentre of AI regulation, innovation, and ethical leadership. The European Union’s focus on developing responsible AI frameworks makes it a natural choice for Humaine’s expansion. “As a marketing agency that is powered by AI, and with human centricity at its heart, we recognise that the region is spearheading efforts to introduce governance and accountability in AI, Europe is the perfect launchpad for our services. Here, the dialogue on AI centres around ethical, transparent development, which is at the heart of what Humaine represents,” says Mike Butler, CEO of Humaine. By leveraging AI to create video, social content, PR and digital advertising, as well as translate languages, create custom AI-generated voices and actors, or chatbots, the marketing industry is transforming. Producing fast and relevant content, Humaine enables businesses to communicate seamlessly with a variety of stakeholders. With vast linguistic and cultural diversity in many territories, Humaine’s solutions are primed to provide immense value, helping enterprises engage more effectively with partners, resellers, intermediaries, and end customers alike. Insights: The World AI Summit 2024 The World AI Summit has become the go-to global platform for AI thought leadership. This year, the event in Amsterdam gathers over 200 global AI leaders, futurists, and innovators to discuss AI’s role in …
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Pay With Crypto Almost Anywhere in South Africa Using Luno and Zapper
Monday, 7 October 2024: From today, Luno customers are able to pay using crypto at over 31,000 merchants in the Zapper payments network across the country, ranging from Dis-Chem pharmacies and FlySafair to fuel stations, educational institutions, bill payments, parking, donations and more. This opens a huge market for South Africans to pay for goods and services using crypto, according to licensed financial service provider and South Africa’s largest crypto investment app, Luno. Tarris Arnold, Luno’s business development manager, says, “We are delighted to be the first crypto asset service provider in South Africa collaborating with Zapper. This allows our customers to use the Luno app to pay anywhere Zapper QR codes are used.” “Currently the biggest use case for crypto in South Africa is investment, but the ability to pay at such a wide variety of merchants using crypto is a giant step closer to the original vision of using crypto to pay for goods and services.” Luno customers can simply use the Luno app to scan any Zapper QR code at merchant points of sale or online to pay using the crypto in their Luno wallets. Payment limits on Luno Pay are up to R100,000 per transaction. Mike Bryer, CEO of Zapper, adds, “Our mission is to help Zapper merchants grow their businesses, which is why Zapper is one of the most widely used QR code payment solutions in South Africa. By collaborating with Luno, we are expanding our payments ecosystem to add over 5 million more South African users to our network.” Video: Pay with crypto almost anywhere in South Africa using Luno and Zapper Boilerplate and Editor's Notes. More Info on Pay with crypto almost anywhere in South Africa using Luno and Zapper here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/MediawebSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MySociaLifeSA/ CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
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SA Has a New World Champ, at Just 22 Years Old.
South Africa’s Kira Bester Triumphs at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships, Claiming the Overall World Title Madeira, Portugal – South African paddling star Kira Bester, aged 22, has claimed the overall World Champion title at the prestigious ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Madeira, Portugal. In a grueling 21 km race from Machico to Funchal, Bester finished with a time of 1:43:39.79, securing victory by 22 seconds over fellow South African Michelle Burn, with Ana Swetish from the USA finishing third overall. The competition was fierce, with most of the world’s top ocean racing athletes participating. Bester’s impressive endurance and determination helped her keep her lead, crossing the finish line in first place and cementing her position as the best in the world. Burn finished with a time of 1:44:01.56, while Swetish, another under-23 competitor, secured her podium place with a time of 1:45:15.21. Reflecting on her win, Bester said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling to be crowned the overall world champion. The competition was incredibly tough, and Michelle and Ana put in fantastic performances. To represent South Africa and bring home this title is a dream come true. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team and the incredible encouragement from back home.” Video: SA has a new World Champ, at just 22 years old. Boilerplate and Editor's Notes. More Info on SA has a new World Champ, at just 22 years old. here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/MediawebSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MySociaLifeSA/ CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
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SA’s Solid Gold Secures Six Wins at the 2024 African Podcast and Voice Artists Awards
Solid Gold Podcasts and Audiobooks has once again demonstrated its leadership in the African audio industry, clinching six wins at the prestigious African Podcast and Voice Artist (APVA) Awards 2024. The awards ceremony honoured exceptional audio talent from across the continent. Solid Gold’s success came from a strong field of nominated clients, spread across 13 categories, reinforcing the company’s continued excellence in content creation. This year’s victory is especially significant as Africa’s podcasting and audio content sector continues its rapid growth. Solid Gold’s achievements stand as a testament to its commitment to elevating African voices, showcasing its ability to produce innovative and impactful audio content. The 2024 APVA Awards, themed “King of the Game”, were a celebration of resilience, creativity, and leadership—qualities that Solid Gold’s clients exemplified through their work. “Congratulations to our 18 finalists this year, and especially to the six winners who have taken home awards. Their hard work and creativity in these projects are an inspiration,” said Gavin Kennedy, Founder and CEO of Solid Gold Podcasts and Audiobooks. “Their recognition at the APVA Awards highlights how African voices are making a profound impact through the power of audio.” The podcasting industry across Africa has seen tremendous growth, driven by increased internet access and smartphone usage. According to research, podcast listenership on the continent grew by 60% between 2022 and 2024. This growth has been particularly pronounced in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, where audiences are increasingly turning to local content that reflects their experiences. Solid Gold’s role in this dynamic landscape underscores its influence in pushing the boundaries of audio storytelling, fostering both creativity and innovation. This year’s APVA theme, “King of the Game”, perfectly encapsulated the essence of African content creators. As Bidemi …
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Beyond Borders: What Powers SA’s Next Wave of Export Success
In the post-pandemic world, South Africa's business landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, particularly in the realm of international exports. Reshaped consumer behaviour opened new avenues for South African businesses to reach global markets, and many South African brands are embracing international shipping as a critical component of their growth strategy. Central to this success is the robust and dynamic courier industry, which has become the backbone of South Africa’s export engine. The Rise of South African Exports: A Post-Pandemic Boom “The pandemic years forced businesses worldwide to rethink their operations, and South Africa was no exception. Lockdowns and restrictions on physical movement led to an unprecedented surge in online shopping, which has since evolved into a sustained increase in e-commerce activities,” explains DPD Chief Commercial Officer, Devon Light. According to a South African E-commerce Report, online retail sales grew by over 30% in 2022, reaching more than R50 billion. This growth wasn’t just confined to domestic transactions; there was a marked increase in B2B exports as South African businesses, particularly SMEs, tapped into international markets through digital platforms. However, expanding into global markets requires more than just a robust online presence. It demands a reliable logistics partner capable of navigating the complexities of international shipping. This is where DPD South Africa, backed by its parent company Geopost, steps in. Geopost: Powering South African Exports with Global Reach DPD South Africa, as part of the Geopost network, offers South African businesses a gateway to over 230 countries. Geopost, Europe’s largest international parcel delivery network, operates in 50 countries and delivers an astounding 1.9 billion parcels annually. For South African exporters, this global reach is invaluable. It means access to a vast network of 97,000 delivery experts and 58,000 Pickup points, ensuring …
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Tackling SA’s Adolescent Social Media Crisis
SA award-winners, MySociaLife, unveil the ‘ModernMinds Series’, eight new modern life skills lessons for teens and pre-teens South Africa – 23 August 2024 – Vaping, social media safety, fake news, mind health and AI; these are the new lessons that our kids are now needing as the world races into a tech-driven future. Answering the demand, MySociaLife, South Africa’s multi-award-winning online safety platform, dedicated to equipping teens and pre-teens with essential digital life skills, is proud to announce the launch of the ModernMinds Series—a new suite of in-person training sessions for teens and pre-teens in schools. These lessons, co-created with industry experts, will tackle eight of the most pressing issues faced by young people today. As schools navigate the complexities of a changing education landscape, there is a growing recognition that students need more than traditional academic instruction. They require tools and knowledge to thrive in a digital world, given the adoption of devices and the explosion of AI. This new set of one-hour sessions offers an immersive, relevant, and relatable approach to learning that is both timely and necessary. Dean McCoubrey, Founder of MySociaLife, explains the motivation behind these sessions: “At MySociaLife, we have been at the forefront of speaking relatably on the ongoing trends. It’s why so many awards across the Middle East and Africa have noticed us – we drive our business forward through innovation and impact. It needs to be smart to get through to kids given how much they’re exposed to. Our lessons are personal, energetic, and honest, focusing on what’s truly happening for this generation. We believe that by engaging with students directly, we can make a real difference in their lives.” Modern Minds The new lessons that will address the needs of today’s digital-native students include: Social Media: A comprehensive 60-minute lesson covering key topics, from online behaviour to digital …
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Generated AI Actors To Disrupt SA Marketing
July 31, 2024 - South Africa: AI has broken a new barrier of imagination on the continent of Africa this week. Immersive Fox, led by software engineer, entrepreneur and former Tech Lead at Meta, Alisa Patotskaya, has announced the launch of its groundbreaking AI-driven world's fastest text-to-video AI actor technology in South Africa. C-suite decision makers, spokespersons, training departments or marketers can now generate an AI actor or digital clone of a human being, and simply prompt it with paragraphs of text to come to life as a content presenter on screen, using the exact lip-synchronised voice and image. Most importantly, the AI actor can deliver the script in more than 50 languages, using the same voice and human replica, giving businesses global reach. "Immersive Fox’s proprietary technology renders the highest-quality AI actors without the need for internal 3D models," said Alisa Patotskaya, Founder and CEO. "The resolution, realism, range of emotions, and expressiveness of our clones surpass industry leaders. Last month, we were the first to launch hand gestures and our upcoming release will include AI-generated emotions ranging from serious to happy,” explained Patotskaya. “We can generate a 1 minute of video content in less than a minute (compared to the closest competitor taking more than 10 minutes) and train a new personalised actor in 25 hours with only two minutes of video shot on a webcam, versus the industry practice of 10 days of processing time and 15 minutes of supervised studio recording. This gives us a 10x cost advantage over competing solutions, enabling the creation and distribution of tens of thousands of personalised videos. We can generate one minute of video content in less than one minute, compared to competitors’ average of over ten minutes for the same duration,” she added. "We are the world’s fastest creator of AI actors, thanks to our unique architecture and methodology. Our technology is revolutionising sales and …
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AI in Contact Centres: Enhancing Human Interaction with Technology
Hans Zachar, Chief Technology and Information Officer, Nutun There’s no question that artificial intelligence (AI) is having a moment. While AI has the potential to transform every industry – and in some cases, is already doing so – the contact centre is no different. In fact, Gartner predicts that 80% of customer service departments will be utilising AI to elevate agent productivity and the customer experience (CX) by 2025. Future-forward contact centres are already working with AI to coach agents to become more empathetic as well as manage multiple interactions efficiently. AI-driven sentiment analysis can provide real-time feedback to agents, helping them adjust their tone and approach based on the customer's mood and behaviour. This kind of support not only improves the quality of interactions but also allows agents to handle more complex queries with fewer transfers, reducing customer frustration. Data-led engagement There’s also the fact that AI has the ability to process and analyse large volumes of data quickly, this means it can identify patterns and trends that human agents may potentially miss. These insights can be used to tailor responses and offer personalised solutions, making each customer interaction more effective. With AI, it’s easier to ensure consistency in customer service by standardising responses and providing agents with the best practices and guidelines to follow during their interactions. AI technologies such as speech analytics, agent training tools and consolidated CRM platforms are revolutionising contact centre operations. Speech analytics can identify trends and issues in real-time, enabling proactive problem-solving. AI-based training tools offer personalised coaching to agents, ensuring continuous improvement and skill development. Consolidated CRM platforms provide agents with a unified view of customer data, streamlining processes and reducing the need for call transfers. These advancements all lead to more …
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Novus Holdings Invests in Bytefuse
Successful AI projects in education place bright spotlight on SA startup South Africa, 10 July: Novus Holdings has announced a R55m investment in Bytefuse, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) company, to enhance its capabilities to deliver enterprise scale AI solutions. Having observed Bytefuse's success in enhancing Maskew Miller Learning’s (MML) educational services through advanced AI solutions, Novus decided to acquire a strategic shareholding in Bytefuse. "AI is at the forefront of significant change in our society, and our work with MML demonstrates its potential to create significant value in education," said Greg Newman, Chief Executive Officer at Bytefuse. “This investment from Novus Holdings will enable us to scale our solutions and bring AI-driven innovation to more sectors. We believe that by leveraging our solutions, businesses can not only achieve unparalleled efficiency and effectiveness but also deliver products and services that were not previously possible." In South Africa, MML’s customised tutoring application Maski, driven by AI, will support students unable to access private education support. Research has shown that one-on-one tutoring, which MML’s AI tutor will seek to emulate, can potentially improve student outcomes by an average of two grades. This underscores the importance of Bytefuse's work with MML, where AI is not just a tool but a transformative force enhancing educational experiences and outcomes. Andre van der Veen, CEO of Novus Holdings, added, "There's a lot of noise about AI in the market at the moment. And most of that noise is centered on these very large models - OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and others - and companies are considering their use of this transformative technology. Essentially any company has two choices. It can either build its own skills, or it can outsource these skills and bring in a partner to develop solutions. To do it well and build transformative solutions, you will need the top AI skills in …