Lagos, August 14, 2019 – The semi-finalist judging panel for this year’s Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) have been announced. The ANPI is a prize competition for African entrepreneurs spearheaded by the Jack Ma Foundation. For the next ten years, the ANPI will be hosted across Africa culminating in an annual finale where ten finalists will compete in a pitch competition. The ANPI aims to support and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors, who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future. Applications for the first ANPI officially closed 30 June 2019 and nearly 10,000 applications from 50 African countries were received. The semi-finalist judging panel consists of seven esteemed entrepreneurs, investors, and businesspeople from across the continent. The panel will evaluate the semi-finalists and select the top ten finalists for the ANPI. These 10 finalists will go on to pitch Jack Ma and other influential judges for the chance to be awarded a share of USD 1 million in total grand prize money during the finale event in Accra, Ghana this November. “We are thrilled with the response and the quality of the applications we have received. We look forward to the next phase where this panel of illustrious judges will help decide on our finalists,” said Jason Pau, Senior Advisor for International Programs for the Jack Ma Foundation. “Our goal when selecting the roster of judges for the ANPI was to find true representatives of the diverse entrepreneurial and business landscape in Africa. The judges we have selected are true leaders in their industries, and bring vastly different backgrounds, accomplishments, and skillsets to the table. Their feedback will be invaluable and will set the tone for the competition. We wish both the applicants and judges the best of luck as we make our way to the grand finale in Accra,” concludes Pau. "It's impressive to see the passion coming from across Africa. I'm …
Verve Global Card Launches 1st International Transaction
Verve, a leading payments technology and card business in Africa, and Discover Global Network, the payments brand of Discover, today held an event to launch the Verve Global Card. Cardholders will now have the ability to use their Verve Global Cards on the Discover Global Network which provides acceptance in more than 190 countries and territories. This will expand Verve’s existing suite of tailored payment products and solutions for its customers. The first transaction occurred today at Swarovski in New York City. Senior executives from First Bank Nig Plc, Access Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank purchased various items from Swarovski using their Verve Global Card on the Discover Global Network. The agreement with Discover Global Network will facilitate new international and cross border transaction capabilities for Verve Global Card customers, meeting the needs of its increasingly global customer base. Holders of the new card can make payments outside Africa on the Discover Global Network which includes anywhere Discover, Diners Club International and Pulse and affiliate network cards are accepted. Verve Global Card also delivers additional benefits to cardholders including broad reward and loyalty schemes; benefits that are available both locally and internationally. Mitchell Elegbe, Interswitch Group Managing Director, commented on the announcement: “The agreement with Discover Global Network will enable Verve to compete with other global card offerings, providing cardholders with an enhanced customer experience when transacting globally outside Nigeria. Creating a solution which facilitates international payments for our consumers will help to eliminate existing barriers and simplify the process when transacting abroad.” “It is important to us that we are working with groups around the world to extend acceptance for their cardholders,” said Ricardo Leite, senior vice president of international markets at Discover. “At Discover, we recognize the importance …
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Bosch is searching for African Smart Mobility start-ups
Johannesburg, South Africa - Bosch Africa is offering the first of its kind smart mobility competition. In conjunction with Founders Factory, a corporate-backed technology accelerator and incubator, Bosch is inviting smart mobility start-ups within Africa that are engaged in solving mobility issues on the continent to compete in the Smart Mobility start-up pitch. The winners stand a chance to win a share of a cash prize of 30,000 US dollars and the opportunity to join a Bosch accelerator programme. The leading global supplier of technology and services Bosch is looking for early-to-growth stage start-ups that have the potential to scale and deliver innovative Smart Mobility solutions across the specified themes, including: connectivity and IoT solutions, vehicle renting and ride sharing, city infrastructure, logistics and distribution, clean energy and electric vehicles, and insurance and data tracking systems. The top ten Smart Mobility start-ups finalists from Africa who are selected, will have the opportunity to showcase their smart mobility solution in Johannesburg, South Africa on 4 November 2019. The areas of collaboration with Bosch could include receiving support on technology and product design, accessing data and analytics sets, in addition, accessing Bosch’s wide network of customers and piloting and testing facilities. Yves Nono, Vice President – Mobility Solutions, Sales Region Africa at Robert Bosch Ltd, says: “This exciting initiative enables us to showcase Smart Mobility innovation across Africa. We are looking forward to selecting and potentially collaborating with businesses that align with Bosch Mobility Solutions’ strategic focus areas, so that the company assets could help the start-ups to ramp up productivity of the business.” Roo Rogers, CEO of Founders Factory Africa, says: “We are incredibly proud to be selected and trusted by Bosch. There are enormous opportunities within the mobility and transportation space in Africa, and a …
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A New, Immersive Well-Being Retreat Comes to Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort
Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort in Mozambique invites guests to heighten their health with its Retreat to Wellness programme. The Bazaruto Archipelago awaits with inspiring Indian Ocean panoramas, while healthy and hearty cuisine, signature spa treatments and dynamic and mindful exercises are combined for a wellness programme to balance and nourish mental and physical health. The Retreat into Wellness programme is aimed at helping guests to feel good on holiday as they split their time between activities and time to spoil themselves. The programme will be conducted by yoga professional Ruslan Khamzin and is designed to showcase the resort’s own indigenous experiences and dynamic wellness offerings. Strengthen, tone and cleanse with both gentle and vigorous exercise and healthy cuisine. Heal and rejuvenate with spa journeys that draw on Anantara Spa’s international reputation, the finest indigenous traditions and unique holistic therapies, to offer powerful, long lasting benefits for body, mind and soul. Luxurious accommodation encourages deep sleep to complete the pampering. Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort brings authentic luxury to an African island hideaway, where guests can lose themselves in total seclusion, amid dazzling tropical beauty and protected ocean life. Signature experiences immerse travellers in the remote and captivating charms, embellished by world-class pleasures Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort’s Retreat to Wellness package includes: Two yoga classes at sunset or sunrise Two meditation classes One guided trail run Spice Spoons experience – a healthy eating cooking class 60-minute spa treatment Complimentary non-motorised water sports Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner Complimentary in-room minibar Return boat transfers from Vilanculos airport and Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort The Retreat to Wellness packages is available for stays until 30 September 2019, inspiring travellers to make more thoughtful …
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SAIS Open Innovation Tourism Challenge
With Women’s Month in full swing, RIIS and their Batswana partners, BITRI and Brynston Creations, have launched the SAIS open innovation tourism challenge, which aims to empower women in the SADC region. Currently, tourism in Southern Africa is dominated by giant monopolies that do not capture the essence of Africa; nor do they work with locals to ensure sustainability of the industry; The SAIS challenge focusses on boosting entrepreneurship and sustainable income opportunities in the tourism industry in Southern Africa; Opportunities to be addressed are empowering women in tourism, lowering the prevailing 80/20 tourism-spend ratio between large and small tourism players, and recreating “Brand Africa”. Johannesburg, 8 August 2019 – Coinciding with Women’s Month, the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS), along with their Batswana partners; The Botswana Institute for Technology, Research and Innovation (BITRI) and Brynston Creations, launched their SAIS open innovation tourism challenge aimed at empowering women in tourism, while also focussing on lowering the prevailing 80/20 tourism-spend ratio between large and small tourism players, and recreating “Brand Africa”. The challenge aims to increase the confidence of women in the workplace while providing business models that ensure the safety of all female staff in the tourism sector. Particular attention is also being paid to including women in rural areas and empowering disabled women in the industry. When asked about the challenge, RIIS Executive Clen Cook said: “There’s a lot of boxes that need to be ticked in this challenge. We want to mould the tourism industry into a sector that uplifts women and provides them with an equal opportunity to earn a sustainable income. By creating a landscape in which gender diversification is possible, we will hopefully ultimately see an increased female ownership of tourism facilities.” More information around this latest initiative …
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SAIS Open Innovation Agriculture Challenge
RIIS and their Batswana partners, BITRI and Brynston Creations, have launched the SAIS open innovation agriculture challenge, aiming to enhance future food security for people in the SADC region. The challenge focusses on building an effective supply chain while mitigating the risk of climate change; Human- Animal conflict poses a challenge for farmers, particularly in Botswana; Enabling agri-tech adoption to ensure future successes. Johannesburg, 8 August 2019 – Currently, sixty percent of the world's unused land is in Africa. Even within South Africa, in the north of Limpopo, smallholder farmers are responsible for 90% of the production in Africa. In South Africa alone, 90% of production comes from commercial farms; indicating major opportunity to ensure food security by tapping into the potential of the land and the farmers themselves. The Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS), along with their Batswana partners; The Botswana Institute for Technology, Research and Innovation (BITRI) and Brynston Creations, have specifically crafted the latest SAIS open innovation agriculture challenge to address food insecurity. The challenge focusses on four key areas; Building an effective supply chain, mitigating the risk of climate change, resolving human-animal conflict, and enabling agri-tech adoption. “Through this challenge, entrepreneurs and businesses who are capable of solving the issues will gain access to market, valuable business training and be introduced to relevant players in their fields. We will do all we can to make successful challenge participants a success through entrepreneurial training, a 3 month incubation, accelerator programmes and wherever possible, network opportunities and market access,” said RIIS Executive Clen Cook. More information around this latest initiative can be found on https://www.oiregionalconnect.com/ . CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. More Info on SAIS Open …
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The ins and outs of choosing the right pad for you!
Every woman knows the feeling of standing in the aisle looking at the rows and rows of products, and not having a clue of which one to choose. For many women, this is an incredibly overwhelming experience when it comes to choosing sanitary pads. Kotex® South Africa is here to help and wants to take the stress and anxiety out of this process so you can find your perfect pad fit. Finding your perfect pad fit all begins with knowing the difference between the pads available. Pads are generally categorised in two categories, Ultra-Thin and Maxi pads. Ultra-Thin pads offer you discreet protection while Maxi pads provide higher absorbency. The main difference between the two lies in their thickness and absorbency. Ultra-Thin Pads: • Are thinner than your Maxi pads • Have an instant absorption core to protect against leakage • Provides maximum comfort and a perfect fit with your body • Are available in several different variations to fit your flow: Ultra-Thin Night – this is a longer wider pad made for ultimate absorption and peace of mind, especially at night Ultra-Thin Super – perfect for a heavy flow, day or night Ultra-Thin Normal – perfect for a normal or regular flow, day or night Ultra-Thin Young – perfect for young women who have just started their period, day or night Maxi Pads: • Are thicker to give you extra reassurance and peace of mind when you are on your period • Protects against leakage • Provides maximum comfort and a perfect fit for your body • Is available in several different variations to fit your flow: Maxi All Nighter – designed for maximum comfort, this is Kotex®’s longest and widest pad. Whether you use it day or night, it offers extra protection Maxi Super – perfect for a heavy flow, day or night Maxi Normal – perfect for a normal or regular flow, day or night Maxi Young - perfect for young women who have just started their period, day or night Choosing a pad is up to your personal preference and what you feel …
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NMC Decoration: Offering a Wide Range of Decorative Mouldings to Redefine Your Home Interiors
From Cornices, skirting, wall panels to ceiling roses, NMC Decoration’s variety of decorative mouldings enhance the home design and interiors for a lasting impression. NMC Decoration has been an eminent name when it comes right down to the decorative moldings services. Their range of molding services, including cornices, skirting, ceiling roses, and wall panels aim at improving and redefining your home interior. There is a multitude of benefits of choosing NMC Decoration moldings that makes them an ideal choice, such as they are easy to install with the minimal glue requirement. Speaking of the convenience of their transportation, NMC decoration moldings are flexible, lightweight, and compact that makes them easy to transport. Being fire retardant, they ensure a safe environment for living. The best part about them is that they do not expand or contract, which implies that there are no gaps after installation. Moreover, you can paint them with ease as they do not react to thinners. On being compared to other materials, like plaster of Paris, NMC decorative molding offers five times faster installation. Besides, as per their claims, NMC decoration moldings are waterproof and do not create any mess. What prompts many to choose NMC decorative molding is that they are machine cut to avoid rough edges. Their variety of cornices design options lets you choose the one that suits your style, whether it is a traditional, modern, or professional. From narrow and plain cornices to patterned deep cornices, NMC decoration brings the wider selection of choices to its customers. When concerning their ceiling roses, they profess to provide a variety of patterns and sizes. Furthermore, they enable their customers to add artistic value to their home interior through their range of wall panel options, including solid circles, 3D squares, textured panels, patterned and plain dado rails, cube, and shaped panels. When it comes to linking walls to floor visually or to …
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Just Property – Huur Om Jou Huis Sodoende Te Besit, Is ’N Opsie
Sukkel jy om goedkeuring vir 'n huislening te kry? Is dit moeilik om vir die deposito te spaar? ’n 'huur om te besit’ of ‘afbetalingsverkoop ooreenkoms' is miskien net die oplossing waarna jy gesoek het! Hendrik van den Berg van Just Property vertel meer: Dit kan moeilik wees vir diegene wat selfstandig werk, diegene wat geen deposito kan bekostig nie en diegene wat geen kredietgeskiedenis in hierdie land het nie (bv. jong mense, immigrante, ens.) om toegang tot huislenings te kry. Maar dit beteken nie dat hulle nie een kan kry nie. Die goeie nuus is dat daar 'n minder bekende opsie is wat jou kan help om jou eie eiendom te besit. 'Huur om te besit', wat nie verwar moet word met 'n afbetalingsverkoop ooreenkoms nie, is 'n soort huurooreenkoms wat 'n opsie om die eiendom te koop, insluit. Gewoonlik word die waarde van die eiendom en die lengte van die kontrak tussen die verkoper / verhuurder en die koper / huurder ooreengekom. Ingesluit by die huurooreenkoms is die reg van die huurder om die eiendom te koop asook 'n 'opsiefooi'. In die geval van 'n afbetalingsverkoop ooreenkoms, is die huurooreenkoms so gestruktureer dat die maandelikse paaiemente die balans van die verkoopprys verminder sodat dit aan die einde van die huurtermyn (tot 30 jaar) wanneer die ballonbetaling betaalbaar is, meer bekostigbaar is, of die koopprys ten volle betaal is. Afbetalingsverkope word beheer deur die Wet op Vervreemding van Grond 68/1981. Meyer de Waal, direkteur van MDW Prokureurs, notarisse en aktebesorgers, verduidelik verder: “Vanaf 1981 is afbetalingsverkope ingestel deur die Wet op die Vervreemding van Grond, nr 68/1981. Die verkoper en koper stem skriftelik ooreen om die eiendom te verkoop en te koop, maar eerder as om 'n bank vir finansiering te nader, gee die verkoper die koper die geleentheid om die koopprys en rente oor 'n tydperk af te betaal.” In 'n ‘huur om te besit’ ooreenkoms sit die opsiefooi in 'n deposito-rekening gedurende die duur van die ooreenkoms …
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Bosch Rexroth Ghana Opens Specialised SPX FLOW Bolting Systems® Calibration Centre
Bosch Rexroth Ghana has launched a new SPX FLOW Bolting Systems® calibration centre to provide local calibration and services for its bolting systems technologies. Located at Bosch Rexroth’s existing Ghana facility in Takoradi, the calibration service centre has installed two dedicated workbenches for the calibration of torque wrenches and pumps. The rigs can test and calibrate bolting systems, tools and equipment with capacities of up to 50 000 Nm. “There is a great demand for local services and having this facility fits well with the Bosch Rexroth business and is great for local customers,” says Alexander Booth, Regional Manager, Bosch Rexroth Ghana. West Africa is a recognised hub for minerals mining, and oil and gas exploration and production. Bosch Rexroth and SPX FLOW Bolting Systems® have an established and trusted history in the supply of controlled bolting solutions and services in the area. The new calibration centre will offer enhanced local support to customers in West Africa. The Bosch Rexroth South Africa Group of Companies has been an official distributor of the SPX FLOW Bolting Systems® range of products for 35 years and the new calibration centre forms part of its wide distribution and service network in Africa and Bosch Rexroth’s continuing customer service and support. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …