Thursday, November 28African Digital Business Magazine

South Africa News

South Africa News

South Africa News

Local knowledge is a value differentiator in the PR world

The recently held BRICS Summit caused waves in the West when Chinese President Xi Jinping encouraged Summit participants to increase trade in their own currencies and to move away from the US Dollar. The USA downplayed this as a non-event. However, with no first-hand knowledge of the political will within the BRICS block, this stance is potentially dangerous and predominantly based on assumptions. From a Public Relations (PR) perspective, technology has opened the world up to companies. Prior to this, it would be a significant undertaking for a company to establish a presence or operate in another country. However, with the internet, a company in South Africa can establish a presence in the UK or US through a PR campaign. But is this effective? Bullion PR & Communication firmly beli...
South Africa News

What South Africans need to know about smart devices – from cars to cots

We live in a world surrounded by smart devices – from our pockets to our driveways and living rooms. These advancements offer convenience, and in many cases, extra security. But when gadgets are fitted with computing power and internet connectivity, they also become a target for remote hackers, says Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO of ESET South Africa. Smart cars meet smart hackers Earlier this year, a TikTok trend helped thieves hack certain models of Kia, Hyundai cars. According to Bloomberg, videos about the so-called Kia Challenge showed mostly teenagers giving instructions on how to unlock certain models of Kia and Hyundai cars. By inserting a USB cable into a broken steering column, TikTok videos show, thieves can hotwire an engine – much like the way that screwdrivers typically come in ...
Events, Real Estate, South Africa News, Tech

Dynamic conversations propel the future of work and real estate at Envision forum in Cape Town

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa at the V&A Waterfront was the centre point for discussions around the intersection of work, real estate, and technology on 30 August as JLL, the international real estate advisory company and leading design and build company, Tétris Design x Build hosted the landmark Envision, High Performance Real Estate and Workplaces forum. The event highlighted the evolving landscape of workplace strategy, corporate real estate technology, and the future of cities in a post-pandemic world. The choice of Cape Town for the forum was a nod to an example of what a city can achieve through of resilience and innovation. “The complex issue of how to go about using technological advances, data and research about how people function at their best, and how busines...
Events, South Africa News

African Sustainable Mining Piques Interest of Global Players

Rapid advancements in technology have resulted in the development of sustainable innovations in mining practices, changing how the sector operates. In the wake of the global energy transition, mining companies have come under pressure to adopt sustainable business practices and employ low-carbon technologies in order to mitigate adverse environmental impacts. Private- and public-sector led mining activities across Africa have begun to prioritize sustainable techniques to promote environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and good business practices. In turn, the sustainable mining industry has become an increasingly attractive investment opportunity for global players seeking to enhance their returns on investment while spearheading climate protection and resilience. The Critic...
South Africa News

The insurance industry comes under fire as the cost-of-living crisis increases

The world is currently facing one of the harshest economic climates experienced since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, one of the worst financial crises in modern history. This raises concerns that more people may turn to fraud to address the financial pressure they are experiencing. "Rising inflation and the current war in Ukraine are two major contributors to an increasing cost of living crisis. This is putting many people in a difficult financial position; reports out of the United Kingdom show that people are increasingly considering turning towards fraud to relieve this pressure," says Manie van Schalkwyk, CEO of the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS). Recent international fraud tactics Research by the Insurance Fraud Bureau (in the UK) points out that as many as on...
South Africa News

Fraudsters are preying on traditional African beliefs to scam South Africans

South Africans are deeply connected to their culture and cultural beliefs. Followers of the fundamental traditional African belief system believe they are watched over by their ancestors, who guide them in times of crisis or when facing an important decision in their lives. Many South Africans are facing harsh economic conditions and would typically seek guidance on how to see them through these challenging times. "Scam artists are abusing cultural belief systems and are taking advantage of the believers financial desperation to scam them for everything they have," says Nazia Karrim, Head of Product Development at the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS). She adds that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), specialised 419-Scams Task Team have noticed the em...
South Africa News

Why South African businesses should leverage trustworthy data for better procurement choices

Mitigating the risk of procurement fraud and other irregularities is possible by equipping organisations with the tools necessary to improve transparency, decision-making, and cost-effectiveness in procurement, says Sameer Kumandan, Managing Director at  SearchWorks – South Africa’s largest online data aggregation platform. The procurement department serves as a pivotal entity within an organisation, entrusted with the monumental task of procuring goods, services, and works from external suppliers. Its significance lies in ensuring that the company gets the best possible value for money by making informed decisions that positively influence operations and profitability, while navigating a world of commercial complexities and avoiding the pitfalls of fraud and other irregularities with the...
South Africa News

How effective budgeting can help you save and improve your financial health

Ans Gerber, Head Data Insights Experian Africa Taking control of your financial health through effective budgeting can be beneficial and liberating. By creating a budget and smartly managing your expenses, you can ensure that your hard-earned money lasts longer and works towards securing a prosperous future. That said, incorporating savings into your budget is just as important for long-term financial planning as tracking every cent you earn and spend, and grouping expenses into categories. This Savings Month, we encourage you to implement effective budgeting to help you establish a habit of saving. Planning a budget: The following steps will help you to create a budget that enables you to meet your financial commitments, maybe afford a little spoil now and then – and even save towards ...
Events, South Africa News, Tech

Unlocking the Future: South Africa – Swiss Blockchain Innovation Challenge

A New Horizon for Innovation: South Africa is on the cusp of a transformational journey as digital innovation surmounts barriers and blockchain technology opens up new frontiers. The Blockchain Innovation Challenge, a landmark event characterized by collaboration and visionary thinking, transcends the bounds of a conventional competition and emerges as a catalyst for change in a region ripe with untapped potential.  The SA Innovation Summit proudly presents the Blockchain Innovation Challenge. As ChatGPT disrupted the tech world, blockchain technology now stands poised as the next disruptor. This pioneering competition is a part of a holistic collaboration encompassing Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Education, Economy, Dialogue, and Networks, all aimed at exploring blockchain's potential t...
South Africa News

Gamifying Digital Marketing Maximises Engagement

In 2018, the global gaming industry generated just shy of $135 billion and is set to top $325 billion this year – with projected 7.7% year-on-year growth taking its valuation to $545.98 billion in 5 years. If if you still think gaming is only for younger people, the percentage of gamers aged 55-64 grew by 32% in the last two years.  Gaming and gamification are slightly different things, but the strongest link is that the surging popularity of gaming has made gamification in the digital marketing industry a red-hot commodity – one that South African full-service digital marketing agency Flume is tapping into with the establishment of Flume Gaming. A cutting-edge team at the forefront of gamification in digital marketing, Flume Gaming specialises in hyper-casual games that seamlessly inte...